THE TUDOR 
 TRANSLATIONS 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 W. E. HENLEY 
 
 V
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORY 
 
 WRITTEN IN GREEK BY 
 
 HELIODORUS 
 
 ENGLISHED BY 
 
 THOMAS UNDERDOWNE 
 
 ANNO 1587 
 
 With an Introduction by 
 CHARLES WHIBLEY 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Published by DAVID NUTT 
 IN THE STRAND 
 
 1895
 
 Edinburgh : T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty
 
 TO 
 
 JAMES M C NEILL WHISTLER 
 
 THIS PIECE OF 
 ART IN WORDS
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 ELIODORUS, Bishop of Tricca, bidden to 
 choose between the prelacy and his JEihi- 
 opica, rather suffered the deprivation of 
 his title than ' lose the glory of so excellent 
 a piece.' Such is the one poor legend 
 which serves Heliodorus for a biography. 
 Nor may it claim the honour of antiquity, 
 since, though in modern times it has never lacked appreciative 
 iteration, its invention is no older than Nicephorus Callistus 
 and the fourteenth century. Translated into all modern 
 tongues, this unsupported testimony has aroused an admira- 
 tion for Heliodorus in the breasts of thousands for whom 
 the JZthiopica is merely Greek, and who have scarce heard, 
 even at second-hand, of the loves of Theagenes and 
 Chariclia. From Montaigne 1 the fable crept into Burton's 
 Anatomy, and thence into every treasury of the common- 
 place, until, industriously repeated, it has become more true 
 than truth itself. And yet, like truth itself, it is manifestly 
 
 1 ' Heliodorus, ce bon evesque de Tricca,' thus runs the passage, ' ayma 
 ' mieulx perdre la dignite", le profit, la devotion d'une prelature si venerable, 
 1 que de perdre sa fille, fille qui dure encore bien gentille, mais, a 1'aventure 
 ' pourtant un peu trop curieusement et mollement goderonnee pour fille 
 ' ecclesiastique et sacerdotale, et de trop amoureuse facon. ' 
 
 vii 
 
 Heliodorus 
 in Legend
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- difficult of belief. For, in Montaigne's despite, the Mihi- 
 DUCTION opica j s a WO rk of which the most exalted bishop might be 
 proud. In one aspect it is nothing less than a panegyric 
 of chastity a Joseph Andrews stripped of its satire. And 
 should not the bishop rather enjoy promotion for so con- 
 spicuous a service than witness the destruction of his solitary 
 child? Nor does Heliodorus stand in need of any false 
 dignity, since his style and description, devised, as an 
 epilogue, by himself, are far more honourable than the title 
 bestowed of Callistus : ' Thus endeth the ./Ethiopian historic 
 ' of Theagenes and Cariclia,' you read on the last page, 
 ' the authour whereof is Heliodorus of Emesos a citie in 
 ' Phanicia, sonne of Theodosius, which fetched his petigree 
 4 from the Sunne/ l Who would not rather boast a descent 
 direct from the Sun, than sit in far-off Thessaly upon the 
 throne of Tricca ? But Nicephorus Callistus had thus much 
 support for his ingenious fiction, that one Socrates, an eccle- 
 siastical writer of the fifth century, gave the see of Tricca 
 to one Heliodorus. Nevertheless similarity of name is poor 
 evidence, and until you desert the author for his work you 
 may believe whatever legend you will. 
 
 Heliodorus The JEthiopica is the forerunner of the modern Romance, 
 the ancestor in a direct line of the Novel of Adventure. 
 The invention of Heliodorus carries the reader far away 
 from life and observation. Bloodthirsty pirates and armed 
 His Material men, caves and ambushes, dreams and visions, burnings, 
 poisonings, and sudden deaths, battle and rapine these 
 
 1 TOi6vSe irl/xxs tff"Xf rb crvvray/M TUV vepl Qcaytvyv KO! XapixXeiav A.l6io- 
 TTLKuiv' o <rwraev dvijp 3>olvii; 'E/xccrqi'ds, rdv d<f>' 'HXlov ylvos, QeoSoffLou irats 
 'H\t65a>pof. 
 
 viii
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 are the material of his ancient story. It has been called a INTRO- 
 prose epic ; yet it is more nearly related to Ivanhoe than DUCTION 
 to the Odyssey. There is no artifice of the * historical 
 ' novel ' which Heliodorus does not anticipate. The chal- 
 lenge thrown down in his Fourth Book by 4 one of goodly 
 ' personage, and of greate courage ' might have been devised 
 by Sir Walter himself, and the miraculous escapes of the hero 
 and heroine are still the commonplaces of popular fiction. 
 But the chastity of Chariclia, the more than human control 
 of Theagenes, are of the author's own contriving, and these 
 qualities most assuredly give character and consistency to 
 his narrative. It is in his opening scene that Heliodorus His Art 
 best approves his skill. He plunges at once into a very 
 tangle of events, and captures the attention by a fearless 
 contempt of prologue and explanation. * As soone as the 
 ' day appeared, 1 to quote Underdowne's picturesquely in- 
 accurate version, * and the Sunne began to shine on the tops 
 ' of the hilles, men whose custome was to live by rapine 
 ' and violence ranne to the top of a hill that stretched 
 
 * towards the mouth of Nylus, called Heracleot: where 
 
 * standing awhile they viewed the sea underneath them, and 
 
 * when they had looked a good season a far off into the same, 
 ' and could see nothing that might put them in hope of pray, 
 
 * they cast their eyes somewhat neare the shoare : where a 
 ' shippe, tyed with cables to the maine land, lay at road, 
 ' without sailers, and full fraughted, which thing, they who 
 ' were a farre of might easily conjecture : for the burden 
 ' caused the shippe to drawe water within the bourdes of the 
 
 * decke/ l And when a maid, * endued with excellent beauty," 1 
 
 1 AW. i. i. 
 b ix
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- is pictured gazing upon a sorely wounded youth, the reader 
 DUCTION knows forthwith what is in store for him, and foresees the 
 happy end of a familiar embroilment. Throughout the 
 His Method author shows himself a master of construction. Though 
 his plot be involved, though his story begin anywhere else 
 than at the beginning, it is the surest of hands which holds 
 the threads. The countless misfortunes which befall the 
 actors of the melodrama, before ever the thieves of Egypt 
 carry away their prey, are set forth in a series of episodes, 
 which gives the book an appearance of Milesian stories 
 lightly held together. No fresh personage comes upon the 
 scene but he proceeds to divulge the adventures of the past. 
 Thus Cnemon relates the story of Demeneta, his jealous step- 
 mother, an invention worthy the genius of Boccaccio ; thus 
 Calasiris, that blameless old man, true descendant of the 
 Tragic Chorus, only begetter of unnumbered Old Adams, 
 recounts his own mishaps with peevish tediousness, adding 
 thereto the early history of Chariclia and Theagenes ; thus 
 you are told how Chariclia, exposed to doubtful fortune, was 
 committed, jewels and all, to Charicles, and how Theagenes 
 went forth from Thessaly to perform the funeral rites of 
 Pyrrhus, son of Achilles. Yet, despite this constant doubling 
 His Effect back to the past, the purpose of the narrative is never confused, 
 and you reach the appointed end with a complete conscious- 
 ness of the story^s shape and construction. True, the artifice 
 seems simple enough to-day. The personages of the romance 
 are known to one another by token or by recollection at the 
 first encounter, until the effect savours rather of modern farce 
 and the strawberry mark than of the pitiless self-discovery 
 of (Edipus. But the trick might well have showed a miracle
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 of ingenuity in the fourth century; nor does Heliodorus INTRO- 
 pretend either to Sophoclean irony or to the compact de- DUCTION 
 velopment of Athenian tragedy. In brief, he tells a dis- 
 cursive story of love and capture, and tells it to such 
 purpose that his very faults have served for an example to 
 centuries of romance. 
 
 For him the adventure was the beginning and the end of art. The Spirit of 
 His book contains scarce a hint of character, and he wove 
 his vast tapestry from the plays and epics of Greece with- 
 out a glance thrown on the life of his time. Wherefore his 
 JEthiopica belongs to no period and to no country. It is as 
 remote from reality as the Arcadia of which, perchance, it 
 was an inspiration or the other dead romances of the Eliza- 
 bethans. For Heliodorus Egypt and Thessaly are names 
 and no more ; his personages fight and love, are captured and 
 set free in an age which is heroic despite its complications. 
 The motives which persuade Theagenes and Chariclia to their 
 intervals of activity are of the simplest. No subtlety ever 
 disturbs the logical result of hate or jealousy; not one 
 creation submits to an individual impulse. Each has his 
 qualities, each acts or suffers, not as in a real world but, as 
 in a world of phantasy, wherein Heliodorus pulls the strings. 
 Now and again the novelist is surprised into a piece of observa- His Lapses 
 tion, the more strange for its very rarity : for instance, Arsinoe from Himself 
 is despised of Nausikles, 4 because that while she sang her 
 ' cheekes swelled, and were unseemely, and her eyes stared, 
 ' almost leaving their accustomed place. 1 1 Not a miracle of 
 
 1 The Greek is more obviously realistic than Underdowne's English. 
 Thus it runs : lireiSrj Kvprov^vTjv airrrj rty Trapeiav iv rott ai5\i}/cta<rt elSe, xal 
 irpfa rb fiiaiov r>t> <pv<njfj.(iTuv bTrpfirtarepov tirl rds fivas i.viffTO.^tvi]v t r6 re 
 5w/ua Trtfj.Trpdfj.evov KO.I rrjt ofcela? ?5pas tudoi>fj.fvov. 
 
 xi
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- insight, truly, but a patch of vivid colour upon a pallid 
 DUCTION picture. The deaf fisherman, too, whom Calasiris (in 
 Book v.) finds mending his nets, is a sketch fashioned 
 from memory or a notebook, and is free from the prevailing 
 taint of the heroic. * After I had gone a little way,' thus 
 Underdowne, * I sawe an olde man which was a fisher, that 
 
 * satte mending his broken nettes, before his doore. I came 
 ' to him, and saide goode man God save you, and tell me I 
 ' pray you, where a man may gette lodging ? He answeared 
 
 * me : it was rent upon a promontorie hereby : being lette 
 ' slippe upon a rocke, which they sawe not. I aske not that, 
 ' quoth I, but you shall shew us great courtesie, if either 
 ' you your selfe wilbe our hoste, or else shewe us some other 
 c Inne. He answeared, not I, for I was not aborde with 
 ' them.' But this cross-purpose is not characteristic : it seems 
 to have crept by stealth into an impersonal narrative. Again, 
 
 Landscape Heliodorus is curiously insensitive to landscape : a failing 
 the more noteworthy, since the author of the incomparable 
 Daphnis and Chloe was doubtless his near contemporary. 
 You journey with Chariclia from Egypt into Thessaly ; 
 with Cnemon you wander to the Peiraeus ; but the impres- 
 sion of atmosphere is faint indeed. If the long, low banks 
 of the Nile compel the writer's interest, if he have some 
 vague sense of marshland, he caught it not from life but 
 from Herodotus ; and Underdowne's phrase, * When all was 
 4 whishte in the marish,' is infinitely more expressive than 
 the original Greek : 0-477)5 Be TO e\o? Karaa-^ova-rj^. 
 Lack of Last of all, though we know not whether Heliodorus 
 
 Observation werg Bishop of i^cca or descendant of the Sun, his book 
 assures us more certainly than the word of all the Fathers 
 xii
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 that he was a lettered recluse, who sought in books the INTRO- 
 
 experience life denied him. There was never a writer DUCTION 
 
 who closed his senses more resolutely to the sights and 
 
 sounds of actuality. In him the faculty of observation 
 
 was replaced by the self-consciousness of the litterateur. Not 
 
 even his vocabulary was fresh or original. Coray, the His Diction 
 
 wisest of his editors, has proved that he borrowed his 
 
 words as ingeniously as he concocted his episodes. His 
 
 prose, in fact, is elaborately composed of tags from Homer 
 
 and the Tragedians. It is as though an English novelist 
 
 should establish his diction upon a study of Chaucer and the 
 
 Elizabethan drama ! There results the style of a bookworm, 
 
 not even remotely poetical, but broken by inapposite echoes 
 
 of all the poets. To turn from Heliodorus to Longus is 
 
 to change a clever craftsman for a finished artist. For 
 
 Longus played upon language as upon a various and subtle 
 
 instrument, calling therefrom harmonies unknown before, 
 
 and it is the misfortune of Heliodorus that time and subject 
 
 compel a comparison of the JEthiopica with Daphnu and 
 
 Chloe, indisputably the greatest of Greek romances. 
 
 One other habit determines the writer of culture : a Morality and 
 delight in commonplaces and in ever improving the mc 
 occasion. He will point a moral, if he do not thereby 
 adorn his tale. * Such is the appearance of very nobilitie,' 
 you read in the English of Underdowne, ' and the force 
 ' of comeliness, which can subdue the disposition of theeves. 
 ' and bring under the wilde and savage.' The reflection 
 may be matched for triteness where you will. But when 
 Heliodorus calls upon Calasiris to prove that Homer was 
 an Egyptian, he approaches still more nearly the Barlovian 
 
 xiii
 
 INTRO- 
 DUCTION 
 
 His Trans- 
 lators 
 
 Stanislaus 
 Warsche- 
 wiczki 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 ideal, and when the irreproachable Calasiris replies to 
 Cnemon's entreaty : ' Although it be nothing neare to our 
 ' purpose to talk of such things, yet I will briefly tell 
 * you :"* you expect a vision of Harry Sandford. However, if 
 Heliodorus wrote the prose of a bookworm, if he looked 
 for life rather on his bookshelves than in the market-place, 
 if the love of Theagenes and Chariclia be the milk-and-water 
 of passion, the passion, indeed, of Paul and Virginia, his 
 invention is beyond reproach, and an age which prefers 
 insight before fancy may still admire the JEthiopica as the 
 beginning of romance. 
 
 Until to-day the popularity of Heliodorus has never 
 been imperilled. His masterpiece has been translated into 
 many tongues. Nor has it proved a mere solace and in- 
 spiration : there is a legend that in the sixteenth century it 
 was gravely considered a handbook of tactics. In 1534 the 
 Editio Princeps appeared, 1 and seventeen years later an 
 adventurous Pole, one Stanislaus Warschewiczki, turned it 
 into plain and serviceable Latin. 2 The preface, which is 
 dated 4 Ex Warschewiczke, paterno rure, Calendas Augusti, 
 ' 1551,' gives a human interest to a long-forgotten work. 
 It is strange, indeed, that Heliodorus, travelling betimes to 
 far-off Poland, should have amused the leisure of a terri- 
 torial lord. For us the ancient editions have a more than 
 picturesque interest, because they must needs have been in 
 
 1 ' Heliodori ^Ethiopicae Historise libri decem, nunquam antea in lucem 
 ' editi. Basil CK, 1534.' 
 
 * Thus the book, a noble quarto, is described upon the title-page : ' Helio- 
 ' dori ^thiopicse Historise libri decem, nunc primum e Grseco sermone in 
 ' Latinum translati. Stanislao Warschewiczki Polono Interpret!. Basilese, 
 
 xv
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 the hands of Thomas Underdowne, the first to English the INTRO- 
 
 loves of Theagenes and Chariclia. Unlike Sir Thomas DUCTION 
 
 North, Underdowne owed no debt to Amyot, whose JEthi- Amyot 
 
 opica, published in 1559, is not for an instant comparable 
 
 to his masterly versions of Plutarch and Longus. Prolix 
 
 and tasteless, it neither represents the original, nor is it 
 
 worthy on its separate merit. Amyot failed with Helio- 
 
 dorus as Angell Day failed with Longus, and as Amyot 
 
 turned Daphnis and Chloe into a phantasy, beautiful as his 
 
 original, so Thomas Underdowne converted Theagenes and Underdowne 
 
 Chariclia from the faded experiment of a studious pedant 
 
 into a fresh and open-aired romance. 
 
 But Underdowne fails as a translator, because his ignor- His Achieve- 
 ance of Greek and Latin was frank and magnificent. There 
 is no page of him that is not shamed by a childish misunder- 
 standing of the original. That he used the Latin more 
 intimately than the Greek is proved by the fact that he 
 follows the ingenious Warschewiczki into his every error. 
 Indeed, he nowhere declares his acquaintance with Greek, 
 though now and again the ingenuity of his fault suggests 
 that the true text of Heliodorus was in his hands, while he 
 indirectly acknowledges his debt to the Latin version by 
 translating into characteristic English a brief biography of 
 his author. 'In the stile/ writes Underdowne, after the 
 Polish scholar, ' is much exquisite diligence, yet doth it bring 
 ' with it a certaine delightful oblectation, united, as is meete 
 ' in such an Argument, with singular myrth.' But if Under- 
 downe had any sense of his author's style (which is hardly 
 credible), he kept sternly aloof from it. There is no trace in 
 the English version of the Greek writer's foppish pedantry. 
 
 xv
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 I NTRO- The style of Underdowne is all unspoiled by inapposite quo- 
 DUCTION tation or ingenious allusion, and if it be more truly poetical 
 than the original, that is because a rhythmically cadenced 
 prose is nearer poetry than a bundle of conceits. But to use 
 Transforma- Jasper Mayne's phrase, Underdowne did not translate, he 
 tion not transformed. 1 He made no attempt to represent his author : 
 by design or accident he got as far from Heliodorus as 
 possible. To compare the two is to wonder that the one 
 has even a distant relation to the other. For so fine is 
 Underdowne 1 s feeling for adventure, so admirable is his local 
 colour, that he gives the story the period and the atmosphere 
 which Heliodorus perforce withheld. With the English 
 in your hand, you lose that uncertainty of time and place 
 The Version's which the Greek^s vague heroism inspires. You are in the 
 ^ us very citadel of Romance ; and the citadel is built in Eliza- 
 
 bethan England ; and the romance is unfolded to you, not 
 in the tasteless phrase thought out by a man of culture 
 in his sombre study, but in a medley of vivid words 
 culled from the chap - books or heard at the street- 
 corner. For Underdowne was of those who would put 
 the gods into doublet and hose. His hero is 'Captaine 
 ' Theagenes ' ; Calasiris addresses Charicles frankly with a 
 ' Marry Syr Caricles "* ; while such phrases as ' Syr Prieste ' 
 and ' Jollie Dame ' (w Oavpaa-ia) sparkle on every 
 page. The modern tone, as Underdowne understood it, 
 is so scrupulously preserved that you will not find a 
 dozen suggestions of a classical origin in the book. ' Tush, 1 
 ' (quoth she), thy prating is of no effect ' : thus the old 
 woman Cybele to her son. And when Chariclia stands at 
 
 1 See the Dedicatory Epistle to A Part of Lttcian made English. (1664.) 
 xvi
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 the stake, unharmed by the fire, 'Arsace, not well in her INTRO- 
 ' wits, skipte from the walles, and came out at a posterne DUCTION 
 * with a great company of her guarde.' (rrjv Be 'KptraKrjv 
 fir) Karao-^ovcrav KaOa\eo'dat re OTTO rwv rei^ajv, ical Sia 
 TruXtSo? e/cSpaiJ,ov<rav <rvv TTO\\^ Sopvfopta). Then, that 
 there may never be a retrogression into antiquity, fiovarelov 
 appears as 'studio,' Kiddpav as ' Virginalls,' and on one 
 occasion Theagenes is seen * walking about the church and 
 ' in the cloisters ' (irepl TOV vewv ical rov 7repi/3o\ov). To re- 
 sume, Underdowne was a poor translator but a great writer. Underdowne's 
 He had neither the knowledge nor the subtlety to put 
 Heliodorus into an appropriate dress. He did but take 
 the jEthiopica for his motive, fashioning thereupon an ex- 
 cellent narrative, which might still be an ensample to writers 
 of romance; and thus he proved that the translator may 
 be above his original, that inaccuracy is no bar to a brilliant 
 ' transformation.' 
 
 As it was Underdowne's supreme ambition to quicken His Diction 
 the Greek into the vigorous life of romantic English, 
 he was ever on the outlook for new and daring words. 
 Moi^drai he converts into 'plays the naughtipack,' a 
 phrase whose excellent sound and humour are ill-warranted 
 by the original. Thus, too, he renders the commonplace TO 
 fieipaKiov by so expressive a word as ' princocks,' and there 
 is not a sentence that his courage does not improve out of 
 knowledge. ' When this affection had gripped their hearts, 
 ' they became pale,' he writes of the lovers' meeting, and 
 you realise how picturesque is the English when you turn to 
 the Greek and find no more than TOV irdOovs KCU rrjv KapSiav 
 7riSpa/ji6vTO<>, m^piaaav. With admirable effect, too, does 
 
 c xvii
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- he throw a characteristic word into his sentence: 'And 
 DUCTION ' therewithall Cariclia glistered at the race ende, 1 though 
 4 glistered 1 finds its suggestion in ee\a/r\/rei/. When 
 Calasiris wraps Chariclia 1 s quiver * in a torne and naughty 
 ' piece of leather 1 (rerpv^w/j,evoi<; /cwStot?), it is difficult to 
 explain your delight in the phrase, yet you know that 
 none but an Elizabethan could have written it. And 
 when Underdowne renders riva T&V ayopalwv, 'one of 
 ' the makeshifts of the city, 1 or, having no better occasion 
 than elprivr)^ aurot? eyivero Trpvravt?, stumbles upon so 
 ingenious an expansion as ' made himself their loveday and 
 ' peace, 1 you recognise that if he treated his Heliodorus with 
 scant courtesy, at least he knew how to embellish him. 
 
 His version, then, is purely English, untouched of Greek 
 or foreign influence. Gifted with an unerring tact of 
 The Cadence narrative, endowed with a rare sense of the cadences of 
 "rose p rosGj Underdowne was more than the most of his contem- 
 poraries a maker of English prose. In his pages you find an 
 origin of the Authorised Version. Accustomed to esteem 
 our own Bible a separate masterpiece, we forget that the 
 translators of James^ reign were but the heirs of the 
 Elizabethans. The style, which they handled with so fine 
 a bravery, they found fashioned ready to their hand. North 
 and Underdowne, Holland and Adlington, had come before 
 to establish a tradition of distinguished prose. And it is 
 Underdowne who most nearly approaches the august severity 
 of the English Bible. For example, contemplate the fol- 
 lowing passage : * Wherefore I with wayling beweepe my 
 ' sorrow, like a Birde, whose nest a dragon pulleth down, 
 1 and devoureth her young before her face, and is afraid 
 xviii
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 6 to come nigh, neither can she flee away.' Might not INTRO- 
 
 these lines be culled from the Psalms or the Pro- DUCTION 
 
 phets? And while Underdowne preserves the dignity and 
 
 colour of his narrative at this high level, none was ever 
 
 more skilled than he in raising his note, in making his Its Strength 
 
 page blare (so to say) with a trumpet-call. Thus Thea- 
 
 genes comes before the wanton Arsace to find her habited 
 
 in splendour : ' When he came in and sawe her sittinge in 
 
 ' her chaire of estate, clothed in purple and clothe of golde, 
 
 ' glorious with jolly jewels, and her costly bonet, finely 
 
 ' attyred and decked, with her garde about her, and the 
 
 ' chiefe magistrates of the Persians by her, he was not 
 
 * abashed a whit but rather the more incouraged against 
 ' the Persian braverie. 1 Though the passage bear not the 
 smallest likeness to the thinly accurate Greek, how admirable 
 
 are its qualities of sound and strength ! Or choose another And Sound 
 
 specimen at hazard, and let Underdowne prove himself a 
 
 master of the picturesque. It is a portrait of Theagenes, And Colour 
 
 drawn by Calasiris: 'Such brightnes did hys sight bring 
 
 ' unto us, in as much as he was on horseback also, with 
 
 * a speare of Ashe, poynted with steele in his hande ; he 
 ' had no helmet on, but was bare headed. His cloke was 
 ' of Purple wrought with Golde, wherein was the battell 
 1 of the Centaures and Lapithes : on the button of his 
 ' cloke was Pallas pictured, bearing a shielde before her 
 ' breast, wherein was Gorgons head. The comelines and 
 
 * commendation of that which was done was some what 
 ' increased by the easie blowing of the winde, which mooved 
 ' his haire about his necke, parting it before his forhead, 
 ' and made his cloake wave, and the nether parts thereof to 
 
 xix
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- * cover the back and buttocks of his horse. You would 
 
 DUCTION < have sayde that hys horse did knowe the beautie of his 
 
 ' master, and that he beeing very faire him selfe, did beare a 
 
 4 passing seemely man, he rayned so, and with pricked up 
 
 ' eares, he tossed his head, and rolled his eyes fiercelie, and 
 
 * praunced, and leapt in so fine sort. 1 That is prose of a 
 form and substance which could only have been understood 
 in the fresh childhood of literature. And it is good indeed 
 to contemplate the splendid barbarity of this ancient style 
 in an age when a hatred of affectation, a foolish deference 
 to an attenuated tradition, have replaced every individual 
 characteristic by a precise uniformity. 
 
 The Such the book upon which Thomas Underdowne has 
 
 Historic established his claim to the grateful memory of all those 
 who love rich, well-measured English. It is described upon 
 the title-page with characteristic circumstance and complete- 
 ness: An ^Ethiopian Historie, thus runs the edition of 1587, 
 here reprinted, * written in Greeke by Heliodorus, no lesse 
 ' wittie then pleasaunt. Englished by T. Underdowne, and 
 ' newly corrected and augmented with divers and sundry new 
 
 * additions by the said Author. Imprinted for F. Coldocke. 
 ' London, 1587.' If we may believe Bliss (in his A thence 
 Oxonienses), the first edition, which bears no date, was printed 
 for Henrie Wykes by Frances Coldocke in 1577, so that the 
 book had been ten years in the world, before it was ' newly 
 
 * augmented. 1 The Hwtorie is dedicated in terms of pomp 
 and flattery to the Right Honourable Edward Deviere, Lord 
 Boulbecke, Earl of Oxenford, Lord Great Chamberlain of 
 England, to whom the author acknowledges himself 'not 
 
 * knowen. 1 His choice of a patron is excellently reasoned. 
 
 xx
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 being withal a proof of implicit trust in his author. 'Now INTRO- 
 ' of al knowledge fit for a noble gentleman, I suppose the DUCTION 
 ' knowledge of histories is most seeming. For furthering 
 ' whereof, I have englished a passing fine and witty historye, 
 ' written in Greeke by Heliodorus, and for right good cause 
 ' consecrated the same to your honourable Lordship. 1 In 
 the address to the Gentle Reader, which stands by way of To the Gentle 
 preface, the worthy Underdowne is not so wisely guided. 
 He repents him of his folly, and craves pardon for his 
 boldness. Grimly conscious that the stationers 1 shops are 
 ' full-fraughted with books of small price, 1 he confesses 
 that 'the looseness of these dayes rather requireth grave 
 ' exhortations to vertue, than wanton allurements to leud- 
 4 nesse. 1 But the harm being done, he deems it no dis- 
 honour to correct the errors wherewith his own or the 
 corrector's negligence has disfigured the pages. His theory 
 of correction is still unintelligible, for no book was ever 
 read for the press with more shameful inaccuracy than this 
 ' newly corrected and augmented edition 1 of 1587. But 
 why insist upon orthography, where you find nobility of 
 style ? The translator then excuses the enterprise, which 
 his riper years condemn, on the ground that the book 
 ' punisheth the faultes of evill doers, and rewardeth the well An Apology 
 ' livers. 1 ' What a king is Hidaspes P 1 he asks triumphantly. 
 ' What a patterne of a good prince ? What happy successe 
 ' had he ? Contrariwise, what a leawde woman was Arsace ? 
 ' What a paterne of evill behaviour? What an evill end 
 ' had shee? 1 Thus he would ask a superfluous pardon, 
 and excuse a work that needed no defence. And the world 
 is content, readily condoning this slender fault of moral 
 
 xxi
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- apology, inevitable under Elizabeth, as in the later age 
 
 DUCTION of victoria. 
 
 Underdowne's Of Thomas Underdowne's life little enough is certain. 
 Work The son of Steeven Underdowne, he sojourned a while at 
 the University of Oxford. But he left it without a degree ; 
 and none knows whether he betook himself to the church 
 or spent a more adventurous life in the courts. His pub- 
 lished works provide a scanty knowledge, which we search 
 in vain to supplement. In 1566 there was printed by 
 Rychard Jones a small octavo, little more than a pamphlet, 
 entitled The Excellent Historic of Theseus and Ariadne, 
 ' written in English Meeter by Thomas Underdowne.'' 1 
 Such was the beginning, and three years later a more 
 ambitious work was registered at the Stationers'" Hall : 
 Ovid Ovid, his invective against Ibis. ' Translated into English 
 ' Meeter, whereunto is added by the Translator, a short 
 ' draught of all the stories and tales contained therein, very 
 i pleasant to read. 1 2 On the title-page is no note of 
 authorship ; but the dedication, addressed in the common 
 style of adulation to Sir Thomas Sackville, is signed T. U., 
 and the writer avows that he honours Sir Thomas, partly 
 because he is the friend of poets, partly on account of ' the 
 ' good affection your honour hath had to my dear father, 
 ' Steven Underdowne.' The version is of the slenderest 
 merit, for Underdowne was no poet, and the loose jingle of 
 
 1 Thus it stands in the Stationers' Registers for 1566 : ' Recyvyd of Richard 
 ' Jonnes for his lycense for the prynting of an history, intituled Thesious and 
 ' Arr(i)adne. iiijd.' 
 
 a Under 1569 you may read in the Registers : ' Recevyd of Thomas e(a)st 
 ' for his lycense for the pryntynge of a booke intituled OVIDE invictive 
 ' agaynste Ibis. . . . iiijd.' 
 
 xxii
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 his lines is neither an echo of the Latin nor an original INTRO- 
 
 harmony. The Tudor translators, skilled as they were in DUCTION 
 
 prose, failed most miserably in the more delicate task of 
 
 Englishing poetry, while the truth was still undiscovered 
 
 that in a strange tongue prose is the best equivalent of 
 
 verse. The incidental lines, which break the march of His Practice 
 
 Heliodorus's narrative, are turned into the merest doggrell : 
 
 To morrow shalt thou with the maide 
 
 escape Arsaces band : 
 And soone he brought with her into 
 
 the ./Ethiopian land. 
 
 This jewel sparkles, for an elegiac couplet, in the eighth 
 book of the 2Eihiopica. But Underdowne had already 
 determined his metre when he laid hands upon the /&w, 
 and thus he renders Ovid's exquisitely finished verse : 
 
 The Spring with Autumne shalbe one, 
 
 with Winter Sommers guyse : 
 And in one countrey shall the Sun, 
 
 at once both set and ryse. 
 Ere I will concord have with thee, 
 
 sith thou didst breake the band : 
 And set these weapons clean a syde, 
 
 that I have tane in hand. 
 
 And not content with thus dishonouring his author, Under- 
 downe bombasts out his book with classical mythology, which, 
 for all its characteristic euphuism, is well-nigh unreadable, 
 and inclines you to believe that, after all, Underdowne was a 
 pedant, who, like Philemon Holland, left Oxford for an usher's 
 stool, and employed a scanty leisure in the Englishing of 
 Latin verse or Greek prose. 
 
 Now, this brief record of achievement speaks little of 
 Underdowne's life or character. But the preface to the 
 
 xxiii
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- ^Ethiopian Historic convicts him of a pleasant coquetry 
 DUCTION w jth morality, and the notes which adorn his ' margent,' 
 and which, as the author too sanguinely suggests, ' will well 
 His Habit of < supply the want of a table,"* amply sustain the conviction. 
 For it is in this ' margent ' that the translator most clearly 
 reveals himself. His erudition is no less obvious than 
 his determination to do good. On every page are such 
 pearls of the commonplace as ' Mans life unstable ' or * A 
 ' woman is best at a souden attempt. 1 At times he will 
 quote Seneca, and * Necessitas plus poscit quam pietas 
 ' solet ' is his comment upon Thisbe's hasty burial. Or he 
 will derive instruction for the present from the piety of 
 the past, thus proving his implicit faith in the ^Ethiopian 
 history. When Calasiris, in love with Rhodopis, 'determined 
 ' not to dishonest the Priesthoode,' Underdowne is ready 
 with the admirably trite reflection: 'God graunt that the 
 ' honestie of this heathen priest condemne not some of 
 ' our ministers which professe the gospel.' Is that not 
 written with the very accent of Puritanism? Or he will 
 turn for his sustenance to ancient history, and suggest 
 that Charicles 'was perhaps of Themistocles opinion, who 
 ' rather chose for his daughter a man without money, than 
 ' money without a man '. True, the notes do not serve 
 ' for a table,' but they prove that Underdowne's instruction 
 was sound as his morality was sincere. 
 
 His Vogue The popularity of the Ethiopian Historic is well attested 
 by the great rarity of Underdowne's tiny quarto. The 
 book that drifts to the fishmongers most commonly 
 escapes destruction : it is the chapbook, passed through a 
 thousand hands, that is read unto effacement. But there 
 xxiv
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 is other testimony that Heliodorus was a favourite from INTRO- 
 Elizabeth's reign to the close of the seventeenth century. DUCTION 
 Shakespeare knew him, and read him, you may be certain, Shakespeare 
 
 in Underdowne's version. 1 Not a few other translators j Under ' 
 
 downe 
 
 tried their hand upon him, accentuating by their childish 
 bungling the admirable style and sense of the first version. 
 Abraham Fraunce, for instance, in The Countess of Pem- 
 broke's Yvy Church? would parade his scholarship by The Folly of 
 forcing a fragment of Heliodorus into clumsy hexameters. 
 Of this work Ben Jonson, in a conversation with Drummond 
 of Hawthornden, said the first and last word : ' that 
 * Abraham Fraunce in his English Hexameters was a fool.'' 
 Concerning this truth there is no argument, and to read 
 Fraunce's 'Beginning of Heliodorus his JSthiopicall His- 
 ' tory,' is to prefer the unkempt doggrell of Underdowne. 
 Fortunately the 'beginning 1 only occupies six pages; but 
 the Countess of Pembroke can scarce have appreciated such 
 stuff as this : 
 
 As soone as Sun-beames could once peepe out fro' the mountaynes, 
 
 And by the dawne of day had somewhat lightened Olympus, 
 
 Men, whose lust was law, whose life was still to be lusting, 
 
 Whose thryving thieving, conveyd themselves to an hil-top, 
 
 That stretched forward to the Heracleotical entry 
 
 And mouth of Nylus : looking thence downe to the maine sea 
 
 For sea-faring men ; but seeing none to be sayling, 
 
 They knew 'twas booteless to be looking there for a booty. 
 
 1 In Twelfth Night (Act v. Sc. i) there is a direct reference to Theagenes 
 and Chariclia. Says Orsino : 
 
 ' Why should I not, had I the heart to do it, 
 Like to the Egyptian thief, at point of death, 
 Kill what I love.' 
 
 2 * The Countess of Pembroke's Yvy Church, by Abraham Fraunce. London. 
 ' Printed by Thomas Orwyn for William Ponsonby, dwelling in Paules Church- 
 ' yard, at the signe]]of the Bishop's Head. 1591.' 
 
 d xxv
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- Yes, Abraham Fraunce in his hexameters was a fool. There 
 DUCTION i s not a line that will scan without violence to sense and 
 accent; and the brief fragment's sole merit is its abrupt 
 termination. 
 
 For the Stage A story less dramatic than Theagenes and Chariclia can 
 scarce be imagined. Its essential characteristic is to unfold 
 itself after the manner of an epic. A tangle of episodes, 
 whose chief distinction is in its interludes, how should it 
 be fitted for the stage, save by the excision of all but the 
 love of hero and heroine? Yet one nameless writer was 
 courageous enough to attempt the impossible, and there 
 is hidden in the Harleian Collection of Manuscripts a 
 
 The White poor, foolish play, entitled The White ^Ethiopian, still- 
 *0/a born of Heliodorus. From the very dawn of the drama, 
 the playwright sought his motive in novels, and while the 
 masters of the craft were content to steal a hint and make 
 a masterpiece, the journeymen, clinging too close to their 
 model, produced nothing better than a series of dialogues. 
 When Tom Hey wood failed to convert The Golden Ass into 
 a respectable masque, our unknown writer could not hope 
 to turn so inconsequent a piece as the JEthiopica into a con- 
 sistent assemblage of acts and scenes. And his enterprise 
 fared so ill that not even literary curiosity can prompt 
 an admiration of The White ^Ethiopian. No ingenuity of 
 construction, no dignity of phrase redeem the reckless 
 essay from contempt. In describing Theagenes (among the 
 dramatis personce) as a 'gymnosophist, 1 and giving him for 
 companions two other gymnosophists, the author reveals a 
 solitary flash of unconscious humour. But it is insufficient 
 to condone a prologue, four acts, and an epilogue, composed 
 xxvi
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 in rhymed couplets and interrupted by songs. The play, INTRO- 
 perchance, was written by some student of the University, AUCTION 
 at once to display his erudition and to win him a welcome 
 at a tavern. By a wayward chance it survives, while oblivion 
 snatches much that is ten times more worthy, but not even 
 its antiquity has procured for it the honour of print. 
 
 Still more remarkable is William Lisle's Famous Historic In Verse 
 of Heliodorus. * Amplified, augmented, and delivered para- 
 ' phrastically in verse.' 1 The earliest edition is dated 1631, 
 and the prefatory fragments are enough to prove that had 
 William Lisle elected to write in prose, his work would have 
 had a fantastical interest. For though he displays a pro- 
 found ignorance of verse, he handles prose with a euphuistic 
 curiosity. The testimonies wherewith he prefaces the trans- 
 lation are set forth in the most whimsical terms. Here, 
 according to Lisle, is Melancthon's judgment upon Helio- Melancthon's 
 dorus : ' His style is neat, not smelling, full of excellent kulogy 
 ' variety, delivering counsailes, occasions, events and affec- 
 ' tions even to life. 1 Still more high-sounding is his version 
 of Dempster's eulogy : c Heliodorus, the Phoenix of Phoenicia : Dempster's 
 ' and elegant writer of chast Love, and in the contexture of 
 ' this History a most elaborate Author.' And thereupon 
 Lisle, laying hands on this Phoenix of Phoenicia, turns him 
 to ashes. He elected the rhymed couplet to represent the 
 prose of Heliodorus, and he wrote it like a schoolboy : 
 
 1 This is the full style and title of a later edition : ' The famous Historic of 
 ' Heliodorus. Amplified, augmented and delivered paraphrastically in verse ; 
 ' by their Majesties most humble subject and servant, William Lisle. Where- 
 ' unto is added divers testimonies of learned men concerning the Author. 
 ' Together with a briefe summary of the whole History. London. Printed 
 ' by John Dawson for Francis Eglesfield, and are to be sold at the signe of 
 ' the Marigold in Pauls Church-yard. 1638. ' 
 
 xxvii
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 INTRO- Blacke-winged night flew to th' Antipodes 
 
 DUCTION ^ 8 i&ht f Morning Starre, and the Easterne seas 
 
 With-held the rising Beame, untill it guilt 
 The top of trees, and turrets highest built 
 
 And so on for many a weary page. Nor was he content 
 with this experiment : he must needs reflect upon his own 
 language in a metrical preface. Thus his criticism opens : 
 
 About the tongues when divers with me wrangle, 
 And count our English but a mingle-mangle, 
 I tell them, all are such, and in conclusion 
 Will grow so more by curse of first confusion. 
 
 The familiar style, the outlandish words, the tripping metre, 
 remind you (at a distance) of Charles Cotton, and no serious 
 work was ever introduced by so flippant a fragment. 
 
 But with William Lisle English was not yet bankrupt in 
 character, and it was a later generation that mimicked in 
 another tongue the trivialities of the JEthiopica. For 
 at last Heliodorus fell into the hands of Nahum Tate 
 The Person and a Person of Quality. Now, with the advent of the 
 ^ Person of Quality the art of translation died a miserable 
 death. When this cultured abstraction, ill-equipped for the 
 task, took the Englishing of Latin and Greek as its hobby, 
 colour and distinction had vanished from our prose. The 
 stateliness of the Tudor style was replaced by a glib facility, 
 with nought to recommend it save a pretension of good sense 
 and simplicity. Not one of the 'Various Hands/ for in- 
 stance, who with Dryden's connivance murdered Lucian, rose 
 to a proper understanding of his author, and yet all would 
 doubtless have agreed that the ancient translators were 
 outrageous barbarians. Such was the fashion of the time, 
 xxviii
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 and we are fortunate to-day in returning to a juster appre- INTRO- 
 ciation of the true masterpieces. To contrast a single page DUCTION 
 written by this particular Person of Quality, who chose 
 Heliodorus for his own, with a page of Underdowne, is to 
 distinguish a living, characteristic style from an effete and 
 faded manner. 
 
 And yet, a worse fate was in store for Heliodorus A Lower 
 the fate of neglect. He is not adventurous enough to 
 satisfy the common taste for blood, he is not introspective 
 that the analyst should desire him. He is but a romantic, 
 born out of season, blowing the trumpet, throwing down the 
 glove, bidding his heroes enter the lists to compete for the 
 smiles and the hands of fair women. If his episodes are old- 
 fashioned to-day, it is because they have been unconsciously 
 stolen by an unbroken line of novelists. But as he is not 
 appointed to be read in schools, as his insipid style dismays 
 the amateur, he is not likely to recapture his popularity. 
 No, his best hope of immortality lies in this version of 
 Underdowne. For Underdowne, though he had but little 
 Greek, understood the language of Romance, and if he did 
 not translate his author, he replaced him with a piece of 
 prose as rich in invention as it is ingenious in style. 
 
 CHARLES WHIBLEY. 
 
 XXIX
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 WRITTEN IN GREEKE BY 
 
 HELIODORUS 
 
 NO LESSE WITTIE THEN PLEASAUNT 
 
 ENGLISHED BY 
 
 THOMAS UNDERDOWNE 
 
 AND NEWLY CORRECTED AND AUGMENTED 
 WITH DIVERS AND SUNDRY NEW ADDITIONS 
 
 BY THE SAID AUTHOUR 
 
 WHEREUNTO IS ALSO ANNEXED 
 
 THE ARGUMENT OF EVERY BOOKE 
 
 IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SAME FOR 
 
 THE BETTER UNDERSTANDING 
 
 OF THE STORIE 
 
 1587
 
 To the Right Honourable Edwarde Deuiere 
 LORD BOULBECKE, EARLE OF OXENFORD 
 
 Lord great Chamberlain of England, 
 
 Thomas Underdowne wisheth long and blessed life, 
 
 with increase of honour. 
 
 S they somewhat be more precise 
 than I, (right honourable Earle) 
 which would have noble men, and 
 such as beare sway and rule in the 
 weale publike, to be in all manner 
 of sciences great Artistes, and al- 
 together bookish : so doe I farre dissent from them 
 that would have them unlettered and flat idiots : for 
 the bookish man busily attending his owne study 
 cannot carefully enough tender the state. For 
 such is the property of knowledge, that it breedeth 
 a contempt of al other things in respect of it selfe. 
 As for the ignorant it is most evident and plaine, 
 that he can have no manner of governance, or 
 
 skill of regiment in his head. The Greekes in all 
 A 1
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 THE manner of knowledge and learning, did farre sur- 
 
 DEDICATION IT. i -r 
 
 mount the Romanes, but the Romanes in adminis- 
 tring their state, in warlike factes, and in common 
 sense were much their superiours : for the Greekes 
 were wedded to their learning alone, the Romanes 
 content with a mediocritie, applyed themselves to 
 greater things. I doe not deny, but that in many 
 matters, I meane matters of learning, a noble man 
 ought to have a sight : but to be too much 
 addicted that way, I think it is not good. Now of 
 al knowledge fit for a noble gentleman, I suppose 
 the knowledge of histories is most seeming. For 
 furthering whereof, I have englished a passing fine 
 and witty historye, written in Greeke by Heliodorus, 
 and for right good cause consecrated the same to 
 your honourable Lordship. For such vertues be 
 in your honour, so hauty courage joyned with great 
 skill, such suificiencie in learning, so good nature 
 and common sense, that in your honour is, I thinke, 
 expressed the right paterne of a noble gentleman, 
 which in my head I have conceived, it nothing did 
 dismay me, or for that I was not knowen to your 
 honour, neither may it seeme any rash attempt 
 for that cause. For such is the force of vertue, 
 that she maketh us to love, not onely our 
 owne Countreymen by sight unknowen, but also 
 strangers, which by lande and sea be severed from
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 THE 
 
 us. Therefore I beseech your honour favourably DEDICATION 
 to accept this my small travel in translating 
 Heliodorus, which I have so well translated as he 
 is woorthy, I am perswaded, that your Honor will 
 lyke very well of. Sure I am that of other trans- 
 latours he hath been dedicated to mighty Kinges 
 and Princes. Therefore accept my good wil 
 (honourable Earle) and if opportunitie shall serve 
 hereafter, there shall greater thinges appeare under 
 your Honours name. Almighty God geve you 
 increase of honour, and keepe and defende you for 
 ever and ever. 
 
 Your honours most humble to commaunde 
 THOMAS UNDERDOWNE.
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 TO THE GENTLE READER 
 
 TRANSLATED (gentle reader) not long 
 agoe, Heliodorus ^Ethiopian history, which 
 after I had committed to Maister Frauncis 
 Coldocke, my friend, he caused the same 
 to be published : wherewith (though not 
 well advised) I was well contented, at that 
 time : but nowe beeing by riper yeeres 
 better advised, I am at thy hand forced, 
 to crave pardon of my boldnesse. I am not ignorant that 
 the stationers shops are to full fraughted with bookes of smal 
 price, whither you consider the quantitie or contents of them, 
 and that the losenesse of these dayes rather requireth grave 
 exhortations to vertue, then wanton allurements to leudnesse, 
 that it were meeter to publish notable examples of godly 
 Christian life, then the most honest (as I take this to be) 
 historic of love : Yet, for as much as this once set abroade, 
 cannot be called backe, I thought it meete to make it as 
 perfect as I coulde, and to reforme it from those so many 
 horrible escapes, as both my absence which sicknesse procured, 
 as also the unskilfull negligence, or unskilfulnesse and negli- 
 gence of the Corector or Printer, or both, have filled it with 
 all. For this cause have I (though unwilling) viewed it againe. 
 If I shall commend the reading of it to any, I might find other 
 better to be commended. If I shall compare it with other 
 of like argument, I thinke none commeth neere it. Mort 
 Darthure, Arthur of little Britaine, yea, and Amadis of Gaule, 
 etc. accompt violente murder, or murder for no cause, man- 
 hoode : and fornication and all unlawfull luste, friendely love. 
 This booke punisheth the faultes of evill doers, and rewardeth 
 the well livers. What a king is Hidaspes ? What a patterne
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 of a good prince ? What happy successe had he ? Contrarie- 
 wise, what a leawde woman was Arsace ? What a paterne of 
 evill behaviour ? What an evill end had shee ? Thus might 
 I say of many other. But although gentle reader I might 
 well defend the edition of if with good reasons and many, yet 
 had I rather excuse it. By this meanes I hope I shall best 
 satisfie all, and least offend those whom I most desire to 
 please, those I meane whose judgments are soundest, and 
 farthest from corruption. Fare well : and God graunt that my 
 labour be profitable to all, (for I feare not, but that it wilbe 
 pleasaunt to many) and that none thereby take occasion of 
 offence or doing amisse. What I have done herein, con- 
 ference with the former edition wil declare. The notes in 
 the margent wil well supply the want of a table. 
 
 Fare well. 
 
 TO THE 
 GENTLE 
 READER 
 
 Of the Author out of the Latine Translation 
 
 ELIODORUS Emesenus Sophista, the sonne 
 of Theodosius, seemeth to be hee who 
 Philostratus maketh mention, calling him 
 an Arabian, for that as I suppose, those 
 countries are neare the one unto the other. 
 For Emesa (which is also called in the 
 mappes Emesos) is a citiej of Phrenicia. 
 And thus much may you gesse of the 
 Author, both by that Philostratus hath written, and by the 
 matter also declared so largely. For although the things 
 contained in the historic be altogether fained, yet are they by 
 him made to agree very pleasantly. In the stile is much 
 exquisite diligence, yet doth it bring with it a certaine 
 delightful oblectation, united, as is meete in such 
 an Argument, with singular myrth.
 
 THE FIRST BOOKE OF 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 OF HELIODORUS
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE 
 
 IN it is declared the taking of Theagines and Cariclia, by Thyamis 
 
 captaine of the theeves of ^Egypt, and howe they were brought into 
 
 their countrie, which is called the Pasture, where, in Thiamis his 
 
 house, they fel acquainted with Cnemon a Graecian, who telleth an 
 
 excellent tale of his estate. After this is declared the taking of 
 
 Thyamis by Mitranes, and the burning of the island, and this did 
 
 Nausicles by a great summe of money, procure Mitranes, captaine 
 
 of the watches to doe, because Thermutes one of Thyamis 
 
 his men had taken from him a lover of his, named 
 
 Thisbe, which hee brought to Athens. ,
 
 THE FIRST BOOKE 
 
 S soone as the day appeared, and the Sunne 
 began to shine on the tops of the hilles, 
 men whose custome was to live by rapine 
 and violence ranne to the top of a hill 
 that stretched towards the mouth of 
 Nylus, called Heracleot : where standing 
 awhile they viewed the sea underneath 
 them, and when they had looked a good 
 season a far off into the same, and could see nothing that 
 might put them in hope of pray, they cast their eyes some- 
 what neare the shoare : where a shippe, tyed with cables to the 
 maine land, lay at road, without sailers, and full fraughted, 
 which thing, they who were a farre of might easily conjecture : 
 for the burden caused the shippe to drawe water within the 
 bourdes of the decke. But on the shore every place was ful 
 of men, some quite dead, some halfe dead, some whose 
 bodies yet panted, and plainly declared that there had ben a 
 battell fought of late. But there coulde be scene no signes or 
 tokens of any just quarell, but there seemed to be an ill and 
 unluckie banket, and those that remained, obtained such ende. 
 For the tables were furnished with delicate dishes, some 
 whereof laie in the handes of those that were slaine, being 
 in steede of weapons to some of them in the battaile, so 
 souddenly begunne. Others covered such as crope under them 
 to hide themselves, as they thought. Besides, the cuppes 
 were overthrowen, and fell out of the handes, either of them 
 B 9
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E that dranke, or those, who had in steade of stones used them. 
 I For that soudaine mischiefe wrought newe devises, and 
 
 taught them in steade of weapons to use their pottes. Of 
 those who lay there, one was wounded with an Axe, an other 
 was hurte with the shelles of fishes, whereof on the shore 
 there was great plentie, an other was al to crushed with a 
 lever, many burnt with fire, and the rest by divers other 
 meanes, but most of all were slaine with arrowes. To be 
 briefe, God shewed a wonderfull sight in so shorte time, 
 bruing bloude with wine, joyning battaile with banketting, 
 mingling indifferently slaughters with drinkings, and killing 
 with quaffinges, providing such a sight for the theeves of 
 Egypt to gaze at. For they when they had given these 
 thinges the lookinge on a good while from the hill, coulde 
 not understande what that sight meante, for asmuch as they 
 saw some slaine there, but the conquerours coulde they see no 
 where, a manifest victorie but no spoyls taken away, a shippe 
 without mariners onely, but as concerning other things un- 
 touched, as if shee had beene kept with a garde of many men, 
 and lay at road in a faulse harboure. But for all that they 
 knew not what that thing meant, yet they had respect to 
 their lucre and gaine. 
 
 No strange When therefore they had determined that themselves were 
 
 sightes can the victors, they drewe neare unto the same : and not being 
 
 make theeves now f arre f rO m the ship, and those that were slaine, they saw 
 
 hove of gains a s ^ n ^ more perplexed then the rest a great deale. A maid 
 
 . , . . endued with excellent beautie, which also might be supposed 
 
 of a comelie a goddesse, sate uppon a rocke, who seemed not a little to bee 
 
 maiden. grieved with that present mischaunce, but for al that of 
 
 excellent courage : she had a garland of laurell on her head, 
 
 a quiver on her backe, and in her lefte hand a bowe, leaning 
 
 uppon her thigh with her other hande, and looking downe- 
 
 warde, without mooving of her head, beholding a certaine 
 
 young man a good way off, the which was sore wounded, and 
 
 seemed to lift up himselfe, as if he had bin wakened out of a 
 
 dead sleepe, almost of death it selfe : yet was he in this case 
 
 of singular beautie, and for all that his cheekes were 
 
 besprinkled with bloude, his whitenes did appeare so much 
 
 the more. He was constrained for griefe to cloase his eyes, 
 
 10
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 yet caused he the maide to looke stedfastly upon him, and B O O K E 
 these things must they needs see, because they saw her. But I 
 
 as soone as he came to him selfe a little, he uttered these 
 words very faintly. And art thou safe in deede my sweet 
 hart, quoth hee ? or else hast thou with thy death by any 
 mischance augmented this slaughter ? Thou canst not, no 
 not by death, be separated from me. But of the fruition of 
 thy sight and thy life, doeth all mine estate depend. Yea in 
 you (answered the maide) doeth my whole fortune consist, 
 whither I shall live or die, and for this cause, you see (shew- 
 ing a knife in her hande) this was hetherto readie, but only 
 for your recovering was restrained. And as soone as shee had 
 saiae thus, she leapt from the stone, and they who were on 
 the hill, as well for wonder, as also for the feare they had, as 
 if they had beene stricken with lightning, ranne everie man 
 to hide them in the bushes there beside. For she seemed to 
 them a thing of greater price, and more heavenlie, when shee 
 stoode upright, and her arrowes with the sudden moving of 
 her bodie, gave a clashe on her shoulders, her apparrell 
 wrought with golde glistered against the Sunne, and her 
 haire under her garlande, blowen about with the winde, 
 covered a great part of her backe. The theeves were greatly An evill life is 
 afraide of these thinges, the rather for that they understoode full of feare, 
 
 not what that should meane which they sawe. Some of them an ., men of 
 
 . j . j j . . , . v , , . j . , evil conversa- 
 
 said indeede it was a Goddesse and Diana, other said it was t j on tremble 
 
 Isis, which was honoured there : but some of them said it where no 
 
 was some Priest of the Gods, that replenished with divine feare is. 
 
 furie had made the great slaughter which there appeared, 
 
 and thus everie man gave his verdite, because they knewe not 
 
 the trueth. But she hastilie running to the young man 
 
 embraced him, wept for sorrow, kissed him, wiped away his 
 
 bloud, and made pitifull mone, being very carefull for his 
 
 safetie, which thing when the ^Egyptians had seene, they 
 
 turned their opinions : And are these, said they, the workes 
 
 of a Goddesse ? would a Goddesse kisse a dead man with such 
 
 compassion ? They determined therfore with themselves, that 
 
 it was best to take hart of grace, and go know what the matter 
 
 was in deede. When they had therefore encouraged each 
 
 other a little, they ranne downe, and found the maide busie in
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 Death the 
 
 ende of all 
 
 miserie. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 dressing the young mans woundes, and comming behinde her 
 suddenlie, stoode still, and durst neither speake nor doe anie 
 thing more for their lives. 
 
 When she heard the sounde of somewhat about her, and 
 their shadowes before her eyes, she lifted herselfe up a little, 
 and looked backe, but stouped againe straight, no whit 
 abashed to see the theeves in harnesse, but applyed her selfe 
 only to bind up his wounds that lay before her. Such is the 
 force of earnest desire and true love, it despiseth all outward 
 chaunces, be they pleasant or otherwise, onely beholding 
 that which it loveth, and thereabout bestoweth all diligence 
 and travell. But when the theeves passed by and stoode 
 before her, and seemed that they would enterprise somewhat, 
 she lifted her selfe up againe, and beholding them blacke 
 coloured, and evil favoured, sayde : If you be the sprites of 
 those who are slayne here, you trouble us wrongfully, for most 
 of you were slayne with your owne hands. As for us, if we 
 slue any, we did it but in our owne defence, to repell the 
 violence which was proffered to my virginitie, but if you be 
 men alive, it seemeth you are theeves, as maye be deemed 
 by the time you come in, you may doe us a pleasure to ridde 
 us from these present miseries, and by death to finishe this 
 our unhappie tragedie. Thus did shee sorrowfully lament, 
 but they not understandinge what she sayde, left them there, 
 accounting their own infirmitie, a sufficient guarde to keepe 
 them, and hasted to the shippe, and brought out that which 
 was in the same : everie man bearing out as much as he 
 coulde of golde, silver, precious stones, and sylke, not re- 
 garding other things whereof therein was great store. And 
 when they thought, they had enough, and there was such 
 plentie as might seeme to satisfie the theeves desire, laying 
 their pray on the shore, fell to division of the same, not 
 according to the worth and value of that they had, but 
 contented them selves with equality of weight. As for the 
 young man and the mayde, they would take order for them 
 afterwarde. In the meane time an other company of theeves, 
 whereof two horsemen were captaines, came towarde them : 
 which thing as soone as those sawe that had been there 
 before, not of courage to sturre against them, ranne away as 
 
 12
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 fast as they coulde, without taking with them any part of B O O K E 
 the pray, that they might give their enemie no occasion to * 
 
 pursue them. For they were in number but tenne, and those 
 who came upon them were three times as many. And nowe 
 was the maide a prisoner againe, but yet, not in durance at 
 all. The robbers although they hasted to the spoile : yet 
 partely, bicause they knewe not what those thinges signified 
 which they sawe, and partly also for feare staied them selves 
 a while, thinking that the former slaughter had bene made, 
 by the theeves that had bene there before. But when they 
 behelde the maide, though straungly yet seemely apparailea, 
 which despised those dangers that hanged over her head, as 
 though they had bene none, and altogether imployed her 
 travell, to ease the young mans wounds, and took his greefe 
 as heavily as her owne sorrowe, they were not onely stroken 
 with her beautie and hawtines of minde, but wonderfully 
 moved with the comelines of the wounded mans person. See what 
 Such was the seemelines of the countenaunce, and talnesse comelinesse 
 of his stature, even as he lay along afore them. For by this of personage 
 time was he a little amended, and his personage had recovered 
 his olde handsomnesse againe. At length after they had 
 behelde them a good while, and he drewe neare who was their 
 maister, hee laide hand on the maide, and bad her arise and 
 followe him. Shee, although she understoode not what he 
 said, not conjecturing what he wished her to doe, drewe the 
 yong man with her, otherwise shee would not onely not 
 depart from him, but poynting with a knife to her heart, 
 threatned that shee would kill her selfe, if they carried them 
 not both togethers. Which thing, when the maister partly 
 by her talke, but more plainly by her gesture, understoode, 
 hoping also to use his further helpe in great affaires if he 
 might recover his helth againe, alighted him selfe from his 
 horse, and commanded his harnes-bearer likewise so to doo, 
 and set his prisoners on them, commaunding the reste when 
 they had gathered up the pray to followe them, him selfe like 
 a lackie ranne by their side and staied them upright, if by 
 means of their infirmitie they were in danger to fall. Surely 
 this deede was not without much glorie, for hee, who was 
 their maister, waited upon them, and he who tooke them 
 
 13
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E prysoners, was content to serve them. Such is the appear- 
 
 I ance of very nobilitie, and the force of comelines, which can 
 
 What true no- subdue the disposition of theeves, and bring under the wilde 
 
 bilitie can and savage. When they had gone about a sixteene furlongs, 
 
 doe. by the g ea s jd e? they turned downe straight to the foote of 
 
 tne hill, and left the Sea on their right hand. And having 
 
 gone over the toppe of the sayd hill, they hasted to a Poole 
 
 that lay on the other side thereof, the manner thereof was 
 
 The habita- thus. The whole place is called the pasture of the Egyp- 
 
 tion and place, tians, about the which is a lowe valley, which receiveth 
 
 where the cer taine exundations of Nylus, by meanes whereof it be- 
 
 Egypt aboade commeth a poole, and is in the midst very deepe, about the 
 
 describedwith brimmes whereof are marishes, or fennes. For looke, as the 
 
 their common shoare is to the Sea such is the Fennes to every great Poole. 
 
 wealth, and j n that place have the theeves of Egyyt, how many soever 
 
 they bee, their common wealth. And for as much as there is 
 
 but a litle land without the water, some live in small cottages, 
 
 other in boates, which they use as wel for their house, as for 
 
 passage over the poole. In these doe their women serve 
 
 them, and if neede require, be also brought to bedde. When 
 
 The Educa- a childe is borne first, they let him sucke his mothers milke 
 
 tion of their a while : but after they feede him with fishes taken in the 
 
 V *1 A ** 
 
 en> lake, and rested in the hoate sunne. And when they per- 
 ceive that he beginnes to goe, they tie a cord about his legs, 
 and suffer him but onely to goe about the boate, teaching 
 him even at the first after a new fashion to goe by a haulter. 
 And thus rudeseby so ever is borne and bred in the poole, 
 accounteth the same his countrey, and a sufficient defence, for 
 the safetie of the theeves. And for that cause all such 
 people come thether very fast, for they all doe use the water 
 in steade of a wall. Moreover the great plenty of reede 
 How they be that groweth there in the Moozy ground, is in manner as 
 defended, good as a bulwarke unto them. For by devising many 
 crooked and cumberous wayes, through which the passages 
 to them by oft use are very easie, but to others hard, they 
 have made it as a sure defence, that by no sudden invasion 
 they may be endammaged. And thus much as touching the 
 Lake, and those Roges that inhabit the same. About the 
 sunne setting commeth home their Captaine with all his 
 14
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 retinue. Then tooke they the young couple from their BOOKE 
 horses, and layd their pray aboorde certaine Boates, and the I 
 
 rest of the Robbers that taryed at home, which was a great 
 sort, ranne to meet the Captain from out of everie part of 
 the fenne, and welcommed him as if he had beene their king. 
 But when they considered the multitude of the spoyles that 
 they had wonne, and saw the beautie of the maide to be so 
 heavenly a thing, they gessed that their companions had 
 robbed some church, and that they had brought away the 
 Priest of the Goddes, or rather the lively picture of the 
 Goddesse her selfe. And thus they conjectured by the maide, 
 because they knewe not what had beene done. And there- 
 fore they gratulated their Captaine in heartie wise, for his 
 valiant exploite, and so brought him into his owne house, 
 which was an Ilande farre from the rest, separated to his The Captain's 
 onelie use, and a fewe other, who most commonlie used to habitation, 
 keepe him company. Whither after he was brought, he 
 commaunded the other to depart everie man to his owne 
 house, charging them the next day all to wayte uppon him. 
 Him selfe with a fewe other that taried with him, after 
 they had made a short supper, delivered the young folkes to 
 the custodie of a Grecian, whom he had taken a fewe dayes 
 before, that he might be their Interpreter, letting them have 
 a corner of his owne house, not farre from his lodging, with 
 commaundement, as well diligentlie to see to the wounded 
 young man, as curiouslie to looke to the maide, that she by 
 no meanes should be annoyed. But he, what with his former 
 travel the day before, and also with care of his present 
 affaires, fel a sleepe. And when all was whiste in the marish, 
 and every man at rest, the maide tooke that occasion, and 
 absence of men, to be a fit time, to lament and waile, and 
 the rather for that in the night, shee coulde neyther see or 
 heare anie thing, that might comfort her, but contrariwise 
 move her to sorrowe : when therefore with her selfe secretlie 
 shee had wailed alone (for she was by the Captaines com- 
 maundement separated from companie, and laide in a simple 
 bedde) and wept very bitterly, Apollo (said she) how Cariclia her 
 much more grievous punishment doest thou take of us then pitiful! com- 
 we have deserved ? Hast thou not beene sufficientlie re- plaint. 
 
 15
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 Cariclia her 
 
 worthie chas- 
 
 titie. 
 
 Theagenes 
 
 comforteth 
 
 Cariclia. 
 
 Good coun- 
 sell. 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 venged on us for that that is past ? For as much as wee are 
 farre from our frendes and Idnsfolkes, and that wee were 
 taken by Pyrates, and subject to six hundred daungers more 
 by Sea, but that nowe againe wee must on the Lande fall 
 into the handes of theeves and robbers : beside, who knoweth 
 whether any thing worse is like to light upon us ? when wilt 
 thou make an ende ? if in death, that shalbe voide of 
 injurie. Oh that death woulde like me wel : but rather 
 then any man shoulde filthilie knowe me, which Theagines 
 never did, truelie with haulter I woulde ende my life, reserv- 
 ing my selfe pure and chaste (as hitherto I have done) even 
 unto cleath, and thereby gaine a beautifull Epitath for my 
 singular virginitie, and no judge shall bee so cruell as thou. 
 While she spake thus, Theagenes willed her to be content, 
 and saide : Mine owne deare hearte and onelie joy Cariclia, 
 ceasse your mourning, I know you have just cause to com- 
 playne, but in your thus doing, you displease God a great 
 deale more then you thinke, neytner have wee neede to pro- 
 voke God to wrath, but rather to pray, for that which is 
 mightyer, must with prayers, and not with accusation be 
 appeased. You give me in deede good counsel (quoth she) 
 but I pray you tell me how you fare : Better (said he) then 
 I did yesternight, since this young man trimmed my wounds, 
 whereby the burning heat of them is wel cooled. Yea (quoth 
 he who had the charge to looke to them) in the morning you 
 shall see they shalbe in better case, for I wil provide such 
 an hearbe for you, that within three dressings shal heale up 
 your wound. And this I have proved true by experience, 
 for if any that were under this captaine since I was taken 
 prisoner, in any conflict hapned to be wounded, he never 
 needed many dayes to be cured. For that I am greatly 
 moved with your estate, you neede not marvell at all, for 
 you seeme to be in as ill case as I, and I have the more com- 
 passion on you for that you be Grecians, because also I my 
 selfe am a Grecian borne. A Grecian, oh immortall God, 
 cried they out suddenly for joy, a Grecian in deede both in 
 tongue and countrey. Hereafter we trust to have some 
 respite from our mishaps. But what must we call you, sayd 
 Theagenes? Cnemon, answered hee. Of what part of 
 16
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Greece said Theagenes ? Of Athens, answered he. And B O O K E 
 how came you here ? saide Theagenes. Peace, I pray you 
 (quoth he), and aske me that question no more, let us leave 
 that to such as write tragedies. Neither at this time woulde I 
 gladly encrease your sorrowes with repeating mine, besides 
 that, the night is so farre spent, that the rest woulde not serve 
 to tell you the same, and we have great neede to take rest, and 
 sleepe after our great travell. But when they woulde not 
 cease, but were stil very instant to have him tel the same, 
 accompting it a great comfort to heare any man have as ill 
 lucke as they had themselves, Cnemon began in this sorte. 
 My Fathers name was Aristippus, hee was borne in Athens, Cnemon his 
 one of the upper Senate, as rich as any Comoner in the Citie, excellent tale, 
 he, after the deceasse of my mother, applyed his minde to 
 marrie againe, thinking it an unreasonable thing for me, his 
 onely sonnes sake, still to be of an uncertaine and doubtfull 
 minde. He doth therefore bring home a little woman some- 
 what fine, but passing malicious, named Demeneta : as soone 
 as shee was married, she reclaimed my father all to her owne 
 lure, and made him doo what she liste, entising the olde man Meanes 
 with her beautie, and was very curious in many other pointes, whereby dis- 
 for if any woman ever knew how to make a man mad of her, she ^^ ^hfoiT'h 
 was better skilled in that art then any man woulde thinke, but hypocrisie al- 
 especially when my Father went foorth she would bee sorrow- lure men to 
 full, and runne to him when he came home and blame him love them, 
 much for his long tarrying, and not sticke to tell him, that 
 shee would have dyed if hee had tarried never so little longer: 
 At everie worde would shee imbrace him, and moist her kisses 
 with teares, with which meanes my father was so bewitched 
 that he never was wel but when he either had her in his armes, 
 or els looked uppon her : above all other, shee would have me 
 in her sight, as if I hadde beene her owne sonne, by this 
 meanes also making Aristippus to love her the better, Some- 
 times woulde she kisse me, oftentimes woulde she wish, that 
 shee might pastime her selfe with me, wherwith I was wel 
 content, mistrusting nothing lesse, then that she went about, His honest 
 marvelling also that shee bare such a motherly affection to- disposition, 
 ward me. But when she came to me more wantonly, and 
 that her kisses were more hote than beseemed an honest 
 C 17
 
 BOOKE 
 
 I 
 
 The Atheni- 
 ens feaste 
 called Quin- 
 quatria. 
 
 Demeneta in- 
 
 venteth how 
 
 to greeve 
 
 Cnemon. 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 woman, and her countenaunce passed modestie, then many 
 thinges caused mee to suspecte her, therefore I conveied my 
 selfe away, and woulde nothing regarde her faire wordes. I 
 will lette other thinges passe, which would be too long to 
 tell, by what meanes she went about to winne mee, what 
 profers she made, how sometime she woulde call me her pretie 
 boy, sometime her sweete heart, then her Heyre, after, her 
 owne life, last of all to these her faire names, would she adde 
 many inticements with especiall consideration what I liked 
 best : so that in grave affaires she woulde behave her selfe like 
 my mother, but if she list to dally, then woulde she mani- 
 festly declare her love. At length suche a chance befell when 
 Pallas high feast called Quinquatria was celebrated, on whiche 
 the Atheniens were accustomed to consecrate a shippe by 
 lande, and I (for I was not then sixteene yeares olde) had 
 soung the usuall Hymne of her praise, and done other cere- 
 monies, and rites due to the same, even as I was attired in 
 my robes, and my crowne on my head, I came home, shee, as 
 soone as shee espied me, was by and by distraught of her 
 wittes and not able with policie to cover her love any longer, 
 but for very desire ranne to mee, and tooke me in her armes, 
 and sayde : Oh my young Hippolitus, and my deare Theseus ; 
 In what case was I then thinke you, who even nowe am 
 ashamed to tell you the same. That night my Father supped 
 in the castell, and as it often happeneth in such company, 
 and publique resort, he determined to lie there all night: 
 that night she came to me, and strived to have an unlawful 
 thing at my hand. But I with all my power withstoode her, 
 and regarded, neither her flattering wordes, nor faire promises, 
 no, nor her threatninges : wherefore, fetching a sighe from the 
 bottom of her hart, for that time departed, but within two 
 nightes after, like a mischevous queane she sought all meanes 
 possible to entrappe me. And firste of all, she kepte her 
 bedde, and when my father came home, and asked her howe 
 she fared, made him answere, that she was sick, but when 
 he was very importunate, and desirous to knowe what shee 
 ailed : The goodly young man (said shee) that loved me so 
 well, Sonne to us bothe, whome I (the GODS knowe) loved a 
 greate deale better then you, when he perceived by certaine 
 18
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 tokens that I was greate with childe by you, whiche thing I B O O K E 
 concealed from you (untill I knewe the certeintie my selfe) I 
 
 and wayting for your absence, when I counselled him as my 
 manner was, and perswaded him to leave haunting of har- 
 lottes ; and too much drinking (which thinges I knewe well 
 inough, but woulde never tell you of them, least thereby I 
 shoulde incurre the cruell suspicion of a stepmother with you) 
 while I say I talked with him of these things alone, no more 
 but he and I, least he should be ashamed, I will not tel the 
 worst, for I am abashed so to doe, nor in what manner he 
 revyled both you and me, lastly spurned mee on the belly, and 
 hath caused mee to bee in such case as you see. As soone as 
 he hearde this, he sayde nothing, nor asked me no questions, Aristippus 
 neither gave me leave to speake for my selfe, but perswading wrath against 
 him selfe, that she, who loved me so well, would by no meanes Cnemon. 
 belie me, as soone as he founde me in a certaine corner of the 
 house, boxed me with his fistes, and calling his servaunts to- 
 gether, scourged me with roddes, and woulde not suffer mee 
 to knowe (which all men doe) why I was cruelly beaten. 
 When his anger was wel cooled, and he came to himselfe 
 againe, I said to him, father, yet now at length I pray you 
 tell me why I have had thus many stripes, wherewith he 
 much more incensed, oh cleanly dissembler, (sayd he) he 
 would know his owne misdeede of me, he went in againe to 
 Demeneta, but she not content with this, devised such 
 an other sleight against me. She had a maide called Thisbe Womens 
 which could play wel on the virginalles, and was otherwise wrath never 
 faire, and a very proper wench. Her she made a stale for me hath end - 
 and commanded her to love me, and by and by she did so 
 in deede, and where she refused me, oftentimes attempting her 
 before, now she allured me with countenance, beckes, and 
 many other signes. Now was I somewhat proude, for that of 
 a sudden I was become beautifull, and in deed on a night, 
 when she came to my bedde, thought no scorne to make her 
 roome. She lyked her intertainment so well, that she came 
 againe and continually haunted my bedde. At length when 
 I gave her counsel to use circumspection in this matter, and 
 take heede that her mistresse found her not with me, Cnemon 
 (said she) you seeme to be too simple, if you counte it a 
 
 19
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 Cnemon de- 
 ceived by 
 Thisbe. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 daungerous matter, for me being a bonde mayde bought with 
 money, to be taken a bedde with you, what punishment thinke 
 you her worthie, that professinge her selfe a free woman, and 
 lawfully married hath a husband, and yet playeth the 
 naughtipack : Peace (quoth I) I cannot beleeve that. Yes 
 (said she) if you wil, I wil deliver the adulterer to you, even in 
 the deede dooing. If you will so doe (quoth I) you shall doe me 
 a pleasure. With all my heart (said she) not only for your 
 own sake, who hath beene injured by hir tofore, but for mine 
 also, who for that she hath me in jelousie, am used of her 
 very extreemelie : wherefore, if thou be a man, apprehende him. 
 I promised her I would so do, and she for that time went her 
 way. About three nights after, she came, and waked me out 
 of my sleepe, and tolde me that an adulterer was come in, 
 and that my father upon occasion suddenly was gone into the 
 countrey, and he according to appointment, was gone to bedde 
 to Demeneta, therefore it was expedient for me to haste 
 to bee revenged, and put on my sworde, that the knave might 
 not escape. I did so, and taking my sworde in my hande, 
 followed those which carried a candle before, and went to the 
 bedde chaumber. When I came neare the doore, and per- 
 ceived the glimering of a candle through the slivers and the 
 doores lockt : Verie angrie as I was, brake up the doores, and 
 ranne in crying out, where is that same villaine, the worthie 
 lover of this chaste Dame ? Which when I had said, I came to 
 the bedde in minde to slea them both, but therewith my 
 Father (O God) leapt out of the bedde, and falling on his 
 knees, before me, saide, My sonne, have pitie uppon thy 
 Father, spare his white haires, that hath brought thee up. 
 We have done thee wrong in deede, yet not so great that 
 therefore with deathe, thou shouldest be revenged on me. 
 Give not so much to thy wrath, neither by thy Fathers bloud 
 imbrue thy handes. This with much more spake my father, 
 humbly upon his knees, desiring me to save his life. But I, 
 as I had ben striken with a thunderboult, stood still amased, 
 and looked round aboute after Thisbe, who had I knowe not 
 howe conveied her selfe away, neyther had one worde to say, 
 neither coulde I tell, what was best to do, and in this case my 
 sword fell out of my hands, which Demeneta straight way 
 20
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 caught up, and my father then out of daunger, laide handes 
 upon me, and commanded me to be bound, Demeneta in the 
 meane while many wayes moving, and setting him on, Did I 
 not tell you this before (cried she) that it was best to look 
 to the princocks : which would no doubt if time served 
 attempt somewhat. I looked in her face and perceived her 
 minde well inoughe. And he answeared, You tolde me in 
 deede but I beleeved you not. And thus was I in bondes, 
 and he would not give me leave to tel him, how the matter 
 was handled. As soone as it was day, he brought mee bounde, 
 as I was, before the people, and strewing ashes on his heade, 
 saide, I brought not up my sonne, (yee men of Athens) to see 
 him come to this ende, but trusting he would be a staffe to 
 staie mine age upon : as soone as he was borne, I brought 
 him up gentlemanlike, and set him to schoole, and when 
 I had well placed him among our kinsfolkes, and written 
 him in the number of other younge men, his equals, and 
 according to the lawes of this Citie, made him one of our 
 Citizens : lastly I ledde not a very quiet life for his 
 sake, he hath not onely forgotten all these thinges but also 
 diversly injuried me, and beaten this woman, who accord- 
 ing to our lawe is my second wife. At length he came 
 to me by night with a sword in his hand, and was no further 
 from being a parricide, but that Fortune hindred him, and 
 by a souden feare, his sworde fell out of his hand. I flee to 
 you and tell you thereof. And althoughe by the Lawe I might 
 with mine owne hand slea him, yet I woulde not : therfore 
 remit I my whole cause to your discretion, thinking that I shall 
 doe better, if I punish my sonne, rather by publique lawe : 
 then private bloudshedde : and therewithall he wept, so did 
 Demeneta also, and fained herselfe to be very sorowfull for 
 my mishappe, calling me an unhappie creature, as truely shee 
 might, beeing in daunger to die before my naturall time 
 whom evill sprites had stirred against my parentes. Not 
 onely did she so much outwardly lament as she testified the 
 same with her teares, and as though her accusation had beene 
 true, with weeping shee confirmed the same. And when I 
 craved licence to speake for my self, the scribe came to me, 
 and propounded this straite question, whether I came to my 
 
 21 " 
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 Cnemon 
 bounde. 
 
 Demeneta 
 
 stirring his 
 
 father against 
 
 him. 
 
 Aristippus 
 
 Oration 
 against his 
 
 sonne 
 Cnemon. 
 
 See a right 
 stepmother 
 pointed out.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E father, or not, with a sword in my hand, I did (quoth I) but 
 
 I wil tell you howe. Therewith everie man cried out, and 
 
 Few are said, that I ought not to speake for my selfe : wherfore some 
 
 friends in ex- judged me worthy to be stoned to death, other to be hanged, 
 and some to be cast headlong into the dungeon. All this 
 while that they were consulting of my punishment, I cried 
 out, Oh my cruell stepmother, alas for my stepmothers 
 sake, am I thus troubled, my stepmother killeth me without 
 judgement, and many marked my wordes very well, and began 
 to suspect as it was in deede, but for all tnat at that time, 
 could I not be heard, such was the tumult, and noise of the 
 people. And when the voices were reckoned, those, who con- 
 demned mee to die, were a thousand seven hundred, whereof 
 the one halfe woulde have me stoned, the other caste into the 
 dungeon, the other, of whom was aboute a thousande, credit- 
 ing somewhat the suspicion they had conceived of my step- 
 mother, gave sentence that I shoulde be banished for ever, 
 yet those prevailed, for although they were fewer than the 
 whole number of the rest, yet forasmuch as the other voices 
 differed, severally compared with everie one alone, a thousand 
 was the greater number, and thus was I banished from my 
 fathers house, and native countrie. And for all that, yet was 
 not Demeneta unpunished, but howe, you shall hereafter 
 knowe. Now wee must fall to sleepe, for it is farre into the 
 night, and you have neede to take a great deale of ease. 
 Nay sayd Theagenes you shall more greeve us, if you tell 
 us now this mischievous woman was punished. Sith you will 
 
 He setteth needes knowe, then sayd Cnemon, give eare. I in suche case 
 foorth. ag j wagj after I had this judgement, came to the haven, and 
 finding a ship ready to depart, sailed to ^Egina, for I knewe 
 I had some kinnesfolkes there, by my mothers side. When I 
 arived there and had found those I sought for, at the first, 
 I lived pleasantly inough there : about a twentie daies after, 
 roming aboute as I was wonte to do, I walked downe to the 
 haven, and behold a barke was within kenning. I stayed 
 there a litle, and devised with my selfe whence that barke 
 should come, and what maner of people should be in her. 
 The bridge was scante wel placed, when one leapt out, and 
 ranne, and imbraced me (his name was Charias one of my com- 
 22
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 panions,) and said, Cnemon I bring thee merry tydinges, now B O O K E 
 
 art thou well revenged upon thine enemie, Demeneta is 
 
 deade. Charias saide I, welcome, but why doe you not tell Charias bring- 
 
 me these ioyfull newes, but passe over them, as if they were eth Cnemon 
 j / 11 . i_ i T j. n A.-L. newes or De- 
 
 not needefull to be knowen, I pray tell me the manner of menetas 
 
 this revenge. Surely I feare much that she died not as other death. 
 
 folkes doo, neither escaped shee such death, as well shee had 
 
 deserved. Justice quoth Charias, hath not utterly forsaken Though jus- 
 
 us, according to Hesiodus minde. But although shee winke a ^ ce deferreth 
 
 while uppon the misdeedes of men and prolong the revenge ? n -jL t ^ e so e 
 
 a good season, yet at length shee casteth a terrible eye upon a t 1^ 
 
 such offendours, who also hathe taken just punishment of 
 
 the mischievous Demeneta, neyther was anything either saide 
 
 or done, whereto by Thisbe, for our olde acquaintance, I was 
 
 not made privie. After thine unhappie father had procured Aristippus is 
 
 thine unjust banishment, repenting of that hee had donne, sorrowfull for 
 
 conveied him selfe to a certaine solitary manour of his, from , ? 
 
 . , . J j , v j . his sonne. 
 
 the company of men into the countrie and there lived eating 
 
 (as the Proverbe saith) his owne harte out. But she 
 streightway became madde almost, and with more hotte Demeneta 
 desire loved thee absent, neither at any time ceassed she from loved Cnemon 
 
 sorrow, as though she lamented thy chaunce, but rather in etei 
 deede her owne mishappe, (and oh Cnemon, my prety Boy, 
 daye and night would she crie) calling thee her owne lire, 
 in so much that when women of her acquaintance came to 
 visite, and comfort her, they wondred greately, that shee a 
 Stepmother, shoulde beare such motherly affection towarde 
 thee, but shee woulde make them aunswere, that it was a 
 greater griefe to her, then, that by any comfortable wordes 
 it might be asswaged, and that fewe of them knewe what a 
 coresie it was to her hart, and when she came againe to her selfe, 
 she woulde muche accuse Thisbe, in that she had not served Demeneta 
 her well : Oh howe ready art thou (would she saie) to doe accuseth 
 mischiefe, who haste not nowe helped me in my love, but 
 rather caused me to lese, in the turning of an hande my most 
 joye, neither grauntedst thou me any time to change my 
 minde : and therewith gave manifest tokens, that she woulde 
 do her some harme. She perceiving her to be very wroth, and 
 almost overcome with sorrow, and prepared to doe some greate 
 
 23
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E mischiefe to her, being set on as well with anger, as love, 
 I determined to prevent her ; and by beguiling her, to provide 
 
 for her owne safetie. Wherefore she entred in to her and sayd, 
 What a do is this mistresse ? and why do you accuse thus your 
 mayde, for my part I have always heretofore done, and even 
 now also did as you commaunded me. If anything happened 
 not according to your minde, you must ascribe that to 
 fortune, and if now also you will commaunde me to devise 
 some remedie for your present sorrowe, you shal easilie per- 
 ceive, you shall not want my good will. What remedie 
 (replyed she) is there possible to be found, seeing he who 
 canne doe the same, is by distance of place separated from 
 me, and the unhoped for lenitie of those, that gave sentence 
 on him, hath killed me ? for if he had beene stoned, then also 
 in me, had beene quenched, and dead the biasing flames of 
 my burning desire. ' For that whose hope is past, is taken 
 * from the hart, and that which is looked for no more, causeth 
 Tokens of a ' greeved mindes to intermit all manner of sorrow. 1 Now me 
 guiltie con- thinketh I see him, and in his banishment heare him, how 
 ice- hee casteth in my teeth the unjust guiles that I ensnared 
 him with, as a thing shamefullie done, so that I blushe to 
 speake to him ; sometime me thinketh he commes toward 
 mee, and I shall enjoy him ; sometime I determine to goe 
 towarde him, in what coast of the world so ever it be. These 
 thinges set me on fire : these thinges make mee mad. But, oh 
 ye Gods, I have as I deserve, for why did I not rather with 
 good wil seeke to winne him, then by craft to compell him ? 
 Why did I not humbly praye him, then like an enemie 
 persecute him ? Hee would not take me at the first, and by 
 good reason, for I was an other mans. He feared to defile 
 his Fathers bed, but happily either by time, or fair words 
 he might have bene allured to be more gentle unto me. 
 But I rude and cruell, as though I loved no man, and had 
 authoritie to compel him, because he obeyed me not at the 
 first, and for that he despised Demeneta, whom in beauty he 
 farre excelled, have committed an heynous crime. But O my 
 Thisbe, what remedie is that, which thou wouldest devise for 
 me, or saiest is easie ? Mistresse (quoth she) many men think 
 that Cnemon is gone out of the citie, and territorie of
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Athens as he was judged to doe : But I knowe well inough, B O O K E 
 who have searched all thinges narrowlie for your sake, that I 
 
 he keepeth himselfe secretely in a certaine place before the Thisbe with 
 Citie. You have hearde of one Arsinoe I knowe wel, shee like c ^ a ^ ^e- 
 that playeth so well on the virginalles, with her he lyeth, for JJiltresse as 
 the mayde after his miserie tooke him in, promised to goe before she had 
 away with him, and keepeth him at her house untill shee can Cnemon. 
 provide all thinges readie for her journey. Oh happy Arsinoe 
 (saide Demeneta) both for the former acquayntaunce which 
 she had with Cnemon, and for the banishment, which shee 
 shall have with him : but what doe these thinges touche us ? 
 Much, mistresse, saide shee. I will say I love Cnemon, and will 
 desire Arsinoe, with whom I have beene well acquainted a 
 great while, by reason of my art, that she woulde in her steede 
 suffer me to lye with him one night. Which if I shall 
 obtayne, it shall be yours, and he shall thinke you to be 
 Arsinoe, and in her place shall you be with him : and I wil pro- 
 vide for that also, that when he hath drunke a little, hee shall 
 goe to bed, and if you gette that you desire, then shall it 
 be best for you to geve over your love. ' For in many the first 
 ' experiment hath quenched such earnest desire, for the seede 
 ' of love, wherewith we prosecute anything, is to have inough 
 ' thereof,' but if this desire shall then also remaine (which 
 God forbidde) then shall we make (as the Proverbe saith) a 
 newe voyage, and seeke a newe waye : in the meane time, let 
 us apply that which the present opportunitie permitteth. 
 Demeneta allowed, and praysed this well, and prayed her 
 not to slacke this determination at all. She craved of her mis- 
 tresse but one day to bring this about, shee went to Arsinoe, 
 and asked her if she knewe not Teledemus, she answered, yes. 
 Let us have a chamber I pray you quoth she, for I have 
 promised him this night, nee snail come first, and I will 
 followe as soone as I have brought my mistresse to bedde. 
 This done, shee went to Aristippus into the Countrey, and 
 sayd to him thus, Maister, I come to you, to accuse my selfe Thisbe 
 and ready to take such punishment at your hande as your dis- accuseth De- 
 
 cretion shall thinke good. By mee you have loste your sonne, e " e . ta io . . 
 
 IT j j j j. PJ. j.u u i J. 0.1 Maister Aris- 
 
 not willing in deede so to doe, yet or trueth an helper to the tippus. 
 
 same. For when I perceived, my mistresse lived not well, but 
 D 25
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 The Monu- 
 ment of the 
 Epicures. 
 
 Thisbe de- 
 
 ceiveth her 
 
 mistresse. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 was injurious to your bedde, fearing not onely my selfe, if the 
 matter came to light by any other for keeping her counsell, 
 shoulde have some shrewde turne, but especially sorrowefull 
 for your mishappe, who for loving your wife so entirely 
 shoulde have such recompence, daring not my selfe to tell 
 you of it, came one night, bicause no man shoulde know 
 thereof, and tolde my young maister, that there was one, who 
 used to play the harlotte with my young mistresse, hee think- 
 ing that then there had beene one with her in bedde (for hee 
 was vexed before by her as you knowe well enoughe) taking 
 his sworde in his hande verye angrie, and not esteeming that 
 I saide : then there was none, but thinking that I had 
 repented mee of bewraying the same, ranne like a madde man 
 to your beddes side, what followed you knowe, now is the 
 time that you may cleare your selfe of your son, though he 
 be in banishment, and may take revenge on us both, who have 
 done you wrong, I will shewe you this night Demeneta 
 (which maketh the matter a great deale more hainous) lying 
 with her freende in another mannes house without the Citie. 
 If, sayde Aristippus, thou wilt shewe me this, I will make 
 thee free, and my selfe shoulde revive againe, if I were revenged 
 of mine enemie. I have beene greeved about the same in my 
 conscience a great while, yet for all that, though I suspected 
 no lesse, because I coulde not convince it by manifest proofes, 
 I helde me content. But what must I do ? You know 
 (quoth she) the garden wherein remaineth a monument of the 
 epicures, thither come a litle before night, and tarie for me : 
 when she had saide this, she returned, and comming againe 
 to Demeneta, Make ready your selfe, saide she, you must be 
 fine, all that I promised you is done. Shee apparelled her 
 selfe and did as Thisbe commaunded her, and when the 
 evening was come, shee carried her to the place, as was 
 appointed. When they came neare the house, she willed her 
 to stay a while, and went in her selfe before, and desired 
 Arsinoe to goe aside into another house, and let all thinges be 
 quiet, for she said, the young man was somewhat shamefast, 
 being but of late inured with Venus sportes. Shee was soone 
 perswaded. Where returning, tooke Demeneta, and brought 
 her in, and laide her in bedde and tooke the candle away 
 26
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 (least you should know her, who were then in Aegina) and 
 willed her to take her pleasure and say nothing, and I 
 (she said) will fetch this young man in to you, for he is 
 making merry hereby. Thus shee went foorth, and founde 
 Aristippus at the place appointed, and willed him all the 
 way as he came to binde the adulterer faste : he followed 
 her, and when they were come to the house, he ran into the 
 chamber, and finding the bedde by Moone light, I have thee 
 (sayde he) O thou much hated of the Gods : While hee 
 spake thus Thisbe, ranne to the doores, and made them give 
 as great a crashe as she could, and cried out, O wonderfull 
 thing, the adulterer is fledde, maister take heede you be not 
 deceived againe. Peace (quoth he) and be of good cheare, 
 I have this wicked, and mischievous woman which I most 
 desired, and thus after he had taken her, brought her towarde 
 the Citie. But she waying with her selfe (as is like) in what 
 case shee was, the beguiling of her expectation, the shame- 
 fulnesse of her offence, the punishment decreed by the lawes, 
 moreover vexing her selfe because she was taken in such 
 sorte, but especially taking it heavily, that she was thus 
 deluded, and flouted, when she came to the pit, which is in 
 the compasse of the place where Platoes scoole was, you 
 know it I am sure, where the Noble men and captaines doe 
 celebrate the honor of such as are deceased, after the manner 
 of our countrey, suddenly pulling her selfe out of the olde mans 
 hands, leapt headlong into the same, and such an unhappy 
 end had that mischeevous woman. 
 
 Then said Aristippus, In deede thy punishment hath pre- 
 vented the Lawes. The next day he declared the whole 
 matter to the people, and scant having obteyned pardon for 
 that deede, hee went to divers of hys freendes, and devised with 
 them, by what meanes he might obtaine leave for you to come 
 home againe. Whether he have done any thing or no, I cannot 
 tell, for as you see, before anything could be finished, I sayled 
 hither about certayne businesse of myne owne. Notwithstand- 
 ing you ought to bee in good comfort, that the people will 
 consent easilie to your returne, and that your Father shortlie 
 will come to seeke you, and fetch you home againe. Thus 
 much Charias tolde mee. What followed, and how I came 
 
 27 
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 Demeneta is 
 taken. 
 
 Demenetas 
 death worse 
 then her for- 
 mer life.
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E hither requiring both longer talke, and time to tell : and 
 
 I therwithall he wept. So did the strangers also under cover of 
 
 his calamitie, but in deede for the remembraunce of their own 
 
 mishappes : and they had not ceassed from weeping, if sleepe 
 
 in a manner flying upon them, for great desire, had not 
 
 asswaged their teares. And thus they fell a sleepe. But 
 
 Thiamis (for so was the maister of the theeves called,) when 
 
 they had passed the greatest part of the night quietlie, was 
 
 after troubled with certaine dreames, and therewith suddenly 
 
 Two reasons awaked, for about the time that cocks crowe, whether it be for 
 
 why the cocks that (as men say) they naturally perceive the conversion of the 
 
 Sunne, when hee approacheth neere to us, and so are mooved 
 
 to salute that God, or els, for too much heate, or desire of meat, 
 
 by their crowing they geve such as dwell with them, warning 
 
 to ryse to their worke, such a vision sent from God, appeared 
 
 Memphis, unto him. As he entred into Isis church at Memphis in 
 
 Thyamis his his owne citie, he thought that all was on fire, and that the 
 
 dreame. a ltar filled with all kind of beastes, did swimme with bloud, 
 
 and that the Church porch, the Churchyard, and every 
 
 place there about, were filled with the noise, and tumult of 
 
 men : and that when he came into the priviest place of the 
 
 Churche, the Gods mette him, and gave Cariclia into his 
 
 hands, and said, Thiamis, I commit this maide unto thy 
 
 fidelitie, yet having, thou shalt not have her, but shalt be 
 
 unjust, and kill a stranger, but she shall not be killed. After 
 
 he sawe this, he was troubled in his minde, casting this way 
 
 and that way, how that which was foreshewed unto him 
 
 might bee taken. At length, beeing weary of beating his 
 
 His interpre- braines thereabouts, he drewe the meaning thereof to his 
 
 tation thereof. O wne will, and construed it thus. Thou having shalt not 
 
 have her, that is a wife, not a maid, any longer. By that 
 
 thou shalt kill, he conjectured to be meant, thou shalt breake 
 
 Himen, whereof for all that Cariclia shoulde not die, and thus 
 
 did he interprete his dreme, following therein his own lust 
 
 and desire. As soone as the day appeared, he commaunded 
 
 the cheefe of those, who were under his jurisdiction to come 
 
 unto him, and charged them to bring foorth their pray, which 
 
 by a graver name he tearmed their spoyles ; and calling for 
 
 Cnemon, willed him also to bring those with him, who were 
 
 28
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 committed to his custodie : as they were thus caried, Oh B O O K E 
 
 (said they) what shall become of us? and therewith they 
 
 desired Cnemon, if by any meanes he might, that hee would 
 
 help them. He promised so to doe, ana badde them be of 
 
 good cheare, affirming that their Captaine was not altogether 
 
 barbarously disposed, but had in him some gentlenes and 
 
 courtesie, as one that was come of a noble stock, but by 
 
 necessitie compelled to followe such trade of life. After they 
 
 were brought thither, and the rest of the companie made haste 
 
 also, and Thyamis was sette in a higher place, then the rest in 
 
 the Iland, which he appoynted the place of their meeting, and 
 
 had commaunded Cnemon (for he understoode by this time 
 
 the Egyptian tongue perfectly, but Thyamis was not very 
 
 well skilled in the Greeke), to interprete what he said to the 
 
 prisoners : My mates (quoth he) of what mind I have been The oration 
 
 ever toward you, you know very wel. For I (as you can of Thyamis to 
 
 beare me witnes) although I were the sonne of the priest mates. 
 
 of Memphis, but frustrate of the Priestly honour, for that 
 
 my younger brother by craft beguyled me of the same : when 
 
 I nedde to you, the better to revenge my wrong, and recover 
 
 mine auncient estate, by all your voyces, made your Captaine, 
 
 have hitherto lived with you, and not given any special! 
 
 honour to my selfe, more then to any of the common sort. 
 
 But whither money were to be dividea, I ever loved equalitie, The duetie of 
 
 or prisoners sold, I alwaies brought the summe foorth to you, a S& ^ a P" 
 
 * accounting it the office of him, who will rule wel, to doe most 
 
 ' himselfe, and take equall part of that is gotten, as others of 
 
 ' the companie doe. 1 Such as were strong, I ever judged to you, 
 
 and the feeble sort I solde to make money off. I never did 
 
 wrong to women, for such as were of good parentage, I 
 
 suffered to depart, either redeemed with money, or els for 
 
 pittie of their ill hap, and such as were of inferior condition, 
 
 whom not onely the law of armes made prisoners, but also 
 
 their continual! use had taught to serve : I distributed to 
 
 every one of you, to doe you service. At this time, of all the Thyamis de- 
 
 spoiles, I crave one thing onely of you, this strange maide, sil> eth to have 
 
 whom although I might give unto my selfe, yet I thought I ? nc i ia f ? r 
 
 u u j u ij. i. -j-u i * T hls share, to 
 
 should doo better to take her with al your consents. For it make her his 
 
 is a foolish thing, by constrayning a captaine, to seeme to do wife. 
 
 29
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E any thing contrary to his frends pleasure. Wherefore I crave 
 
 this good turne at your hands, not for nought, but rewarding 
 
 you agayne in such sorts that of all the other booty, I will 
 
 have no parte at all, for seeing the propheticall sort of men, 
 
 despiseth the common sorte of woman, I have decreed to 
 
 make her my companion, not for pleasure so much, as to have 
 
 issue by her : and therefore am content to rehearse to you 
 
 Three things the causes that moove me thus to doe. First, she seemeth to 
 
 worth noting be of a good parentage, which a man may easilie gesse by the 
 
 .and following r j cnes found about her. Secondly, for that shee is nothing 
 
 C wife * broken with these adversities, but even now also of a hautie 
 
 stomack against fortune. Lastlie, I see she is of an excellent 
 
 nature, and good disposition, by divers arguments : for shee 
 
 doeth not onely passe all other in beautie, and modestie of 
 
 countenance, but also mooveth all such as looke upon her, to 
 
 a certaine kinde of gravitie, and shall shee not therefore leave 
 
 behinde her, a worthie estimation of her selfe ? and which is 
 
 especially above all that is spoken, to be considered, she 
 
 seemeth to bee the Priest of some Goddesse. For even in 
 
 her adversitie, she accounteth it an intolerable and haynous 
 
 offence, to leave off her sacred stoale, and lawrell garlande. 
 
 Can there be therefore any marriage (oh you that be present) 
 
 more meete, then that a man beeing a prophet, shoulde 
 
 marrye one consecrated to some God ? All they that were 
 
 present approoved his sayinges, and prayed the Goddes to geve 
 
 him joye of his marriage. Which thing, when he heard, he 
 
 sayde to them againe, I thanke you all, but in mine opinion, 
 
 it shall not be amisse, if about this matter we enquire the 
 
 maydes minde, for if I list to use mine owne authoritie, my 
 
 will were sufficient, because it is a needelesse thing to aske 
 
 their good will, whome a man may constraine. But in this 
 
 case, seeing we intreate of a lawful! marriage, it is convenient 
 
 to be done with both consents : and so turning his taulke to 
 
 Thyamis ask- them, asked the mayde how she lyked that, which was pro- 
 
 eth Cariclia pounded as touching her marriage, and therewithall willed 
 
 10 ^ them to declare what they were, and where they were borne. 
 
 to the mar- ^ u ^ sne casting her eyes to the grounde, first, after a good 
 
 riage. season lifted up her head, as though she had premeditated 
 
 somewhat, and therwithall looking upon Thiamis, and with the
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 brightnes of her beautie, abashing him more than ever she did B O O K E 
 
 before (for by the inward cogitation of her minde, her cheekes 
 
 became more redde then accustomablie they were, and her 
 
 eyes were very earnestlie bente uppon him) spake thus by Cariclias an- 
 
 Cnemon her Interpreter. It were more meete that my brother swere. 
 
 Theagenes here should have told this tale, for mine opinion 
 
 is that a woman ought to keepe silence, and a man amongest The duetie of 
 
 men shoulde make answere. But seeing you have given me women in the 
 
 leave to speake, it is an especiall token of your courtesie that P rese 
 
 you rather meane by perswasion to attempt that, which is 
 
 just, then by force to compell : and the rather because that 
 
 which hath bene spoken, most touched me, I am constrained 
 
 to passe these bondes which I prescribed my selfe, to answere 
 
 to the Victors question in so greate an assemblie of men. We 
 
 were borne in Ionia, and are come of a noble house of 
 
 Ephesus. When we came to the age of fourtene yeeres, by 
 
 the lawe (which calleth such to the office of priesthood) I was Cariclia her 
 
 made priest, to Diana, and this my brother of Apollo. But dissembling 
 
 forasmuch as this honour passed but for a yeere, and our time *f * e to delay 
 
 j j VL j. -rv i -A.-L. j the marriage 
 
 was expired we prepared to goe to Delos with our sacred and pac jfy 
 
 attire, and there to make certayne playes, and to give over Thyamis his 
 our priesthoode, according to the manner of our auncetours. love. 
 And for this cause was our Shippe loden with golde, silver 
 goodly apparell, and other necessaries as much as were suffi- 
 cient for the expences of the same, and to make the people a 
 publike feaste : and thus we losed out of the haven, but the 
 parentes for that they were olde, and feared the daungerous- 
 nes of the voiage, taried at home : but many of the other 
 Citizens some in our shippe, some other in shippes of their 
 owne,came to accompanie us. After we had ended the greatest 
 parte of our voiage, a tempest soudainely arose, and a vehe- 
 ment winde, with fearefulf blastes, moving great waves of 
 the sea, caused us to leave our determined journey, and the 
 governour overcome with the greatnes of the daunger, gave 
 over the governement, and within a while after, comming out 
 of the hulke committed the rule thereof to Fortune. Then 
 were we driven with the winde seven daies, and seven nightes, 
 at laste, we were cast uppon the shore, wherein you found 
 us and sawe the greate slaughter in which place the marriners 
 
 31
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E as we were banketting, for joy of our delivery not looked for, 
 I assaulted us, and for our riches sought to destroy us, but they 
 
 were all slaine, not without the destruction of our friendes, and 
 acquaintance, and we onely miserable creatures (which woulde 
 God had not happened) obtained the victorie. But seeing it 
 is thus, we have good cause in this point, to accompte our 
 selves happy, bicause some God hath brought us into your 
 handes, where those who feared death, have now space to 
 Cariclia thinke on marriage. Which surely I will not refuse. For 
 seemeth to that the captaiue should be judged worthy the victors bedde 
 t^tlTVT* ^ ot ^ no * one ty P 9586 ft U other felicity, but that a priestes 
 finely sonne shall marry a woman consecrated to the Gods, seemeth 
 not to be done without the singular foresight, and providence 
 of God. I therefore crave but one thing onely, at thy hand 
 Thiamis, suffer me first, as soone as I shall come to any citie, 
 or any place where is an altar, or temple sacred to Apollo, to 
 surrender my priesthood, and the tokens thereof. This might 
 She appoint- be done very commodiously at Memphis, when you have 
 eth the place recovered the honour of your priesthood, for by that meanes 
 of her mar- jj- snou ld come to passe, that mariage joyned with victorie, 
 and after good luck celebrated, shalbe much more merry. 
 But whether this must be donne before, or after, I leave it to 
 your discretion : onely my request is, that I may fulfill the 
 rites of my countrie before : I know that you wil hereunto 
 agree, who have ben brought up from your childehood, about 
 holy offices, and thinke also very wel, and reverently of the 
 Gods. With this she made an ende of speaking, and began 
 bitterlie to weepe. All they, who were present, praised her, 
 and willed that it should be done even so, and for their parts, 
 they promised their readie aide, to doe what soever hee would: 
 Thyamis is Thyamis also partly willing, partly agaynst his will, consented 
 scant content thereunto. For through the desire, that he had toward 
 > drive off Cariclia, he accounted that same houre wherein these things 
 6 61 were a doing to be an infinite time. Againe, he was pleased 
 with her oration, as it had beene with some Mermaides song, 
 and was enforced to consent to her, and therewithall he 
 thought upon his dreame, supposing that he should be 
 married at Memphis. This done, having first devided their 
 bootie, and taking some of the best juels, which of their
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 owne accord they gave him, he suffered every man to depart, B O O K E 
 
 with further commaundement to be ready the tenth day I 
 
 after, to goe towarde Memphis. He let the Greekes have 
 
 the Tabernacle that they had before : and with them was 
 
 Cnemon, not as a keeper now, but as a companion, and 
 
 Thiamis furnished them with as good victuall as there might 
 
 be gotten. Whereof also Theagenes for his sisters sake, had 
 
 part. He determined not to looke upon Cariclia very oft, Sight often- 
 
 that her beauty might not move his hote desire, to do some- times moveth 
 
 what contrary to that, which by common counsell was decreed, a man io ( j oe 
 
 as was before rehearsed. And for these causes Thyamis C j^ t rar7e & to 
 
 would not look upon the maide, thinking it an unpossible temperance, 
 
 thing, that a man should both looke upon a faire mayde, and and therefore 
 
 keepe him selfe within the bonds of temperance. But Cnemon Thyamis 
 
 after every man was quickly dispatched, and were crept into e * 
 
 their corners, which they had in the marish, went to seeke the 
 
 hearbe, which the day before he promised Theagenes. At 
 
 this time Theagenes having gotte fit opportunitie, wept, and Theagenes is 
 
 cryed out, speaking never a worde to Cariclia, but with out offended with 
 
 ceassing called upon the Goddes. And when she asked him ^ 
 
 , .., & f . i -^ i j M oration, and 
 
 whither alter his accustomed manner he deplored the com- j s a little 
 
 mon mishappe, or had any newe griefe befallen him : what jealous, 
 (quoth he) can be more newe or contrarie to equity, then to 
 breake an oath, and final agreement ? Cariclia hath for- 
 
 fotten me, and is content to marrie an other man. God 
 jrfend, said the maid : I praye you be not more greevous Her wittie 
 unto me, then the miseries I have alredy, neither misdeeme answere to 
 anything, by my talke applyed to the time, and perhaps to 
 some purpose, seeing you have before by many arguments, 
 tryed how I am affected towarde you. Except perchaunce the 
 contrary may happen, and that you sooner chaunge your 
 mind, then I wil depart from any the least jotte 01 my 
 promise. For I am content, and take in good parte all these 
 calamities, but that I shall not live chastlie, and temperatelie, 
 there shalbe no torment that may constraine me. In one 
 thing onely I know I have not ruled my selfe, that is in the 
 love I have borne to you, from the beginning, but notwith- 
 standing it is both lawfull, and honest : for I not like your 
 lover, but at the first concluding marriage with you, nave 
 E 33
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E committed my selfe to you, and have lyved chastlie with- 
 out copulation hitherto, not without refusing you oftentimes 
 proffering me such thinges, and have wayted for occasion to be 
 marryed, if any where it might lawfully bee done, which thing, 
 at the first was decreed betweene us, and above all things, by 
 oath established. Beside this, consider how vaine you are, if 
 you suppose that I esteeme more of a barbarous fellow, then a 
 Grecian, of a theefe, then of him whom with my heart I love. 
 What did those things then meane, said Theagenes, which 
 in that goodly company were of you openly rehearsed ? For 
 in that you fayned me to be your brother, it was a very wise 
 device, which caused Thiamis to be very farre from the 
 jealousie of our love, and made us to be together safely. I 
 perceyved also to what ende that tended, which you saide 
 of Ionia, and of wandering aboute Delos. For they were 
 shadows which might easily cover the truth, and deceive 
 Theagenes is in deede the auditours. But so readily to approve the 
 not all satis- marriage, and openly to conclude the same, and not to 
 a PPy nte tne time therefore, what that shoulde signifie, 
 neither coulde I gesse nor would I. But I wished that the 
 earth might have cloven, and swallowed me up, rather then 
 that I shoulde have seene such an ende of the travelles, and 
 hope that for your sake I undertooke. 
 
 Cariclia takes Herewithall Cariclia embraced Theagenes, and kissed 
 in very good hj m a thousand times, and bemoystening his face with her 
 ^fulnesse of " teares, Oh, in how goode parte, sayde she, do I take these 
 her stedfast- feares, that for my sake you sustaine ? For hereby you declare, 
 nesse. that you quaile not in your love toward me, although many 
 miseries depende thereuppon. But know for a truth, Thea- 
 genes, that at this time we had not talked together, if I had 
 not made him such a promise. For drawing backe with labour- 
 ing a contrary way, dooth much kindle the force of vehement 
 The property desire : whereas in yeelding talke, and in applying the same 
 of a gentle o the moving of his will, hath quieted his burning love, and 
 ^vealdlne 111 w ^h the pleasantnes of my promise, hath brought on sleepe 
 talke. hi s too hastie appetite. For rude lovers at the firste, thinke 
 that they must labour to have a promise, and after are of 
 quieter minds, still hovering in hope, and trusting that at 
 lengthe, they shall enjoye that, which was promised. All 
 34
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 which thinges I foreseeing, by my present talke, committed my 
 selfe to him, commending that, which shall followe to the 
 Goddes, and the Angell, that at firste hath obtayned the 
 tuition of our love. Often times the space of a daie, or two 
 hath beene very healthfull, and brought thinges to happie 
 passe, which before by no device could any man bring to 
 prosperous ende : wherefore I also at this time have preferred 
 this invention before all other, pondering with uncertaintie, 
 that which is most sure. We must therefore (sweete love) 
 use this policie wisely, and keepe it secretely, not onely from all 
 other, but also from Cnemon too. For although he seeme 
 to favour our estate and is a Grecian, yet being at this time 
 a prisoner, will perhappes, if occasion serve, bee readie to 
 doe the captaine a good turne. For neyther this time of 
 friendship, neither countrimanship, is a sufficient pledge to 
 us of his fidelitie and trueth : Wherefore if at any time 
 by suspicion, he gather anything touching our estate, at 
 the first we must denye it. For that manner of a lie is 
 tollerable, whiche profiteth the inventor, and hurteth not 
 the hearer. 
 
 While Cariclia spake these thinges, and many suche other to 
 this purpose : Cnemon ranne in hastily, and declaring a great 
 perturbation by his countenance, Theagenes (quoth he) I 
 bring you this herb, wherewith I pray you dresse your owne 
 woundes. But I feare me, you must prepare your self, to 
 receive other as great wounds, and travels as these. But 
 he asked of him, what the matter was, and desired him 
 to tell it more plainely. The time (answeared he) will not 
 suffer me : for it is to be feared, leste we shoulde feele the 
 stripes befor I coulde tell you the circumstances. But follow 
 me quickly, and Cariclia also, and thus he caried them both 
 to Thiamis. Whome when he founde scouring of his helmet, 
 and sharpening the pointe of his speare, In good time (saide 
 he) are you in hande with your armour, put them on quickely 
 your selfe, and commande the other to do the like. For such 
 a company of enemies is at hand, as I never sawe before, and 
 are neare us, that I standing on the toppe of the next hill, 
 sawe them, and for that cause came running as fast as 
 I could to tell you of their comming, and have moreover 
 
 35 
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 Procrastina- 
 tion is some- 
 time profit 
 able. 
 
 What lye is 
 
 best to bee 
 
 borne with- 
 
 all. 
 
 Cuemou 
 
 telleth Thya- 
 
 amis of their 
 
 euimies at 
 
 hand.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E by the way as I came, commanded such as I sawe, to be in 
 readinesse. 
 
 Thiamis, when he hearde this looked up, and asked where 
 Cariclia was, as though he had beene more carefull for 
 her, then for him selfe. Whome when Cnemon had showed 
 Cariclia car- to him, standing at the doore, Carry her alone (quoth he) 
 ried to be j n ^ o the denne, where our treasures are safely kepte, so that 
 th *eve' m d 6 none see ner an( ^ leaving her chariely there, cover her face 
 where their w ith a muffler as the manner is, and come quickly againe. 
 treasure was. As for the warre, let me alone with it. He bad his shielde 
 bearer bring his offering, that after sacrifice donne to the 
 Goddes, they might beginne the battell : Cnemon did as he 
 was commaunded, and carried Cariclia away diversly lament- 
 ing, and oft looking backe unto Theagenes, and at the length, 
 The property put her into the denne. This was no naturall worke, as 
 of that den. m any are, both in, and under the earth : but devised by the 
 witte of theeves, that followed nature, and digged out with 
 their handes very artificially, to keepe their spoiles. And it 
 was made after this sorte : It had a very narrowe mouth, 
 and was shut with privie doores, so that even the threshoulde 
 was in steede of a gate when neede required : and woulde 
 open and shut very easily : the inner part was countermind 
 with divers overthwart waies, the which would sometimes 
 runne along by themselves a great waie, sometime they woulde 
 bee entangled like the rootes of trees, but in the ende, they all 
 leadde to one plaine place, which received a little lighte out 
 of the marshes at a little lofte in the toppe. When Cnemon 
 was well experienced in that place, and nad put Cariclia into 
 the same, and comforted her many waies, but especially in 
 that he promised her, that he with Theagenes at nighte 
 would come unto her, and that hee would not suffer him to 
 strike one stroke in the battell, but privily conveied him out 
 of the same, hee lefte her, who spake not one word, but was 
 striken with that mischiefe, as if it had bene with death, in 
 that she was deprived of Theagenes, whome shee loved as her 
 owne soule, and went foorth, and in shutting of the out- 
 moste doore, he weapte a little, not onely for that of force 
 hee was constrained so to doe, but for her sake also, in as much 
 as almoste he had buried her quicke, and committed the joy- 
 36
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 fullest name in the worlde, Cariclia, to night, and darkenesse. B O O K E 
 This donne, he ranne backe to Thiamis, whom he found very 
 desirous to fight, and with him Theagenes, well armed, and 
 making those that were with him almost mad with his 
 earnest oration, for as he stoode in the middest of them, he 
 said thus : My mates, I see not to what ende it shoulde The oration of 
 tende, to use many woordes in exhorting you, who neede no Thyamistohis 
 incouragement at all, but ever have accompted warre, the ( 
 pleasantest life : especially, for that the soudaine approching 
 of our enimies will not permitte us to use many wordes, for 
 seeing our enimies doe now violently assaulte us, if we should 
 not with like courage propulse their violence, it were al- 
 together a pointe of those that in like case were voide of 
 counsell, and at their wittes ende. 
 
 Sith therefore we knowe, we fight not for our wives, and 
 children, which onely in some were ynough to make them 
 plucke up their heartes, (although in deede they are not of 
 
 treat value, and we shall have all that that the conquerours 
 oo gaine, if we gette the victorie), but for our owne lives, and 
 safetie, for warre among theeves is neither taken up with How warre 
 truce, nor ended with league, but it must needes be, that with theeves 
 the victours shal live, those who are overcommed must 
 die, let us even with our harts, and handes haste to meete 
 all cruell enimies. 
 
 When he had saide thus, he looked aboute for his shield 
 bearer, and called him by name, Thermutes, but when he 
 could not see him any where, greevously threatning him, 
 he ranne as fast as he could to the landing place. For by 
 this time was the battel begun, and a man might see those 
 that dwelled a farre, even in outer coasts of the fen, come 
 into their enemies handes, for they, who came uppon them, 
 burned up the boates, and cotages of suche as either were 
 slaine, or else fledde out of the battaile, whose eyes also were 
 dazeled with the great and intolerable brightnesse of the fire, 
 that burned up the reedes, whereof there was great plentie, 
 and their eares filled with the great noyse, and tumult, so that 
 now a man might both see and heare the whole manner of the 
 skirmishe, those who dwelled there maintaining the battayle 
 with all their power, and strength, and their enemies being 
 
 37
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E more in number, and taking them at a sudden, killed some 
 I of them on the earth, other some they drowned in the poole 
 
 with boates, and houses too. Of all which, as wel of those 
 who fought by land, and lake, did kil and were killed, as 
 also of those, who were besette with fire and water, arose a 
 marvellous sounde in the Aire. Which when Thyamis sawe, 
 he remembred his dreame, wherein he sawe Isis,and her Churche 
 filled with fire, and dead menne, and supposing thereby to bee 
 meant, that which hee nowe had seene, gathered thereof a 
 contrary interpretation to that he made before, that having, 
 thou shalt not have Cariclia, as taken away by warre, and 
 that he should kill, and not wound her, that is, with his sworde 
 and not with carnall copulation. At length calling on the 
 Goddesse, as though she had beguyled him, and thinking it 
 not meete that any other should enjoy Cariclia, commaunding 
 his men to keepe their places, and maintaine the battel as 
 long as they might : him selfe fighting in every part of the 
 Ilande, and divers times making privy irruptions out of 
 every quarter uppon his enemies, thinking it also to be good, 
 if that way he could prevaile against them, him selfe, as 
 though he wente to seeke Thermutes, and do certaine sacri- 
 fices to his privy Goddes, suffering no man to goe with him, 
 in haste went to the Cave. Surely a barbarous nature cannot 
 easily be withdrawen, or turned from that, that he hath once 
 determined. And if the barbarous people be once in de- 
 spaire of their owne safetie, they have a custome to kill all 
 those by whome they set much, and whose companie they 
 desire after death, or els would keepe them from the violence 
 and wrong of their enemies. For that same cause also 
 Thyamis, forgetting all that hee had to do, being encloased 
 with his enemies armie, as if he had been caught in a net, 
 almost inraged with love, jelousie, and anger, after he came 
 in haste to the cave, going into the same, crying with a lowde 
 voyce, and speaking many thinges in the Egyptian tongue, as 
 soone as hee hearde one speake Greeke to him about the 
 entrie of the cave, and was conducted to her by her voyce, hee 
 layde his left hande uppon her head, and with his sworde 
 thrust her through the body, a little beneath the paps. And 
 after this sorrowfull sort, that woman giving up her last, and 
 38
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 gastly groane, was slaine. But he, after he came out, and had B O O K E 
 shut the doore, and cast a little gravell thereon, with teares, 
 said, These espousals hast thou at my hand : and comming to 
 his boates, founde a great many ready to runne their way, as 
 soone they layde eyes upon their enemies, and Thermutes 
 also comming to do sacrifice, chyding him sharply, for that he 
 had offered the most acceptable offering already, went with 
 him into a boate, and had an other to row them, for the 
 boates that they use in the Poole, will carrie no more, being 
 but rudelie hewed out of the rough Tree. Theagenes also, 
 and Cnemon tooke another boat, so did all the rest. After 
 they had gone a little from the Hand, and rather rowing 
 about the bankes, then venturing into the deepe, they stayed 
 their Ores, and set their boates a fronte, as though they would 
 have receyved their enemies face to face. After this pro- 
 vision, going forwarde a little, but not minding to abyde the 
 mooving of the waters, as soone as they sawe their enemies 
 fled, and would not abyde the first clamor and noyse of the 
 battell, Theagenes also, and Cnemon, but not for feare, 
 by little and little withdrewe themselves, onely Thyamis 
 accompted it a shame to flee, and not in minde to live after 
 Cariclia, thrust him selfe into the thickest presse of his The descrip- 
 enemies, and as soone as they were come to blowes, one cried t ^ on f their 
 out, This is Thyamis, let every man doe his best to take him 
 alive, and therewithall they compassed him about, and helde 
 him inclosed as in a ring, in the middest of them. He fought 
 against them stoutely, and to see how hee wounded some, and 
 killed other some, it was a woorthy sight. For of so great a 
 number there was none, that either drew his sworde against 
 him, or else caste any darte, but everie man laboured to take 
 him alive. He fought against them a great while, but at 
 length he lost his speare, by reason that many fell on him at 
 once, he lost also his harnesse bearer, who had done him very 
 good service, for he being deadly wounded (as might bee 
 gessed) despairing of his safetie, lepte into the poole, and 
 with much a doo did swimme to lanae, in as much as no man 
 remembred to pursue him. And nowe had they taken 
 Thyamis, and with him thought, that they had gotten the 
 whole victorie : but although they had lost so many of their 
 
 39
 
 BOOKE 
 I 
 
 The nature of 
 a theefe. 
 
 Why 
 
 Thyamis is 
 taken alive. 
 
 Thyamis 
 through the 
 
 death of 
 many of his 
 enimies, is 
 taken alive. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 companions, yet in asmuch as they had him in their handes 
 (by whome they were slaine) they had a greater joye thereby, 
 then sorrowe for all their deade friendes and kinsfolkes. Such 
 is the nature of theeves, they esteeme more money then their 
 owne lives, and make much of the name of friendship, and 
 affinitie so farre as lucre, and gaine shall extende. Which 
 might easily be gathered by these, for they were those who 
 at the mouth of Nylus called Heracleot, fledde for feare of 
 Thyamis, and his companions, and were no lesse greeved for 
 the losse of others mens goodes, then if they had beene their 
 own, and therefore tooke up as well all such as were their 
 housholde friends, and also those that dwelled neere aboute 
 them, promising them equall parte of their bootie, and that 
 they woulde bee conductors, and captaines to guide them 
 thereunto. 
 
 Now why they tooke Thyamis prisoner, this was the 
 cause. He had a brother called Petosiris at Memphis, who 
 contrarie to the manner and ordinance of the countrie (in 
 as much as he was a yonger brother) had by craft be- 
 guiled him of the priesthoode. And hearing now that his 
 Brother was become a captaine of certeine robbers, and fear- 
 ing, least that if he gotte good occasion hee would returne, 
 and manifestly detect his subtill dealing, and beside this, 
 considering the voyce of many people, that supposed he had 
 slaine him, because he coulde no where be scene, he promised 
 a great summe of monie, and other goodes, to those who 
 woulde take and bring him alive. Wherewith the theeves 
 being allured, no not in the middest of their warre, forgetting 
 their gaine, after one knewe him, with the death of many of 
 them, tooke him alive, and carried him to land, and placed the 
 one halfe of them, as a guard about him, casting into his 
 teeth diversly, the courtesie that they used towarde him 
 (although in deede hee misliked worse their bandes, then death 
 it selfe) and the rest went to search the Ilande, in hope to 
 finde other treasures that they sought for. But after they had 
 gone over the same and had lefte nothing, either untouched, 
 or unsearched that was there, and had founde nothing of 
 that they hoped for, except a fewe thinges of little value, 
 if oughte was left aboute the mouth of the cave, while they 
 
 40
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 conveied the reste into the ground, setting fire on the BOOKE 
 
 tabernacles, when it drewe towarde night, and that they 
 
 might tarry no longer in the Hand, for feare least 
 
 they shoulde fall into the handes of those that 
 
 escaped out of the battaile, they returned to 
 
 their owne company. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE FIRSTE BOOKK 
 
 41
 
 THE SECOND BOOKE
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE 
 
 IN this second Booke is contained the counsells of Theagenes and 
 
 Cariclia, and journey of Cnemon and Thermutes to seeke Thyamis. 
 
 And how by composition Cnemon came to Chemmis, where hee mette 
 
 with Calasiris verie sorrowfull, who telleth him a notable tale of his 
 
 owne ill happe, and annexeth thereto the beginning of the storie of 
 
 the whole Booke, howe Caricles came by Cariclia, and howe 
 
 Theagenes was sent out of Thessalia, to perfourme the 
 
 funerall of Pyrrhus, Achylles his sonne.
 
 THE SECOND BOOKE 
 
 ND thus was the Ilande with fire and flame 
 destroyed. Theagenes and Cnemon, as 
 long as the sunne shyned upon the earth, 
 knew not of this mischiefe : for the 
 brightnes of the fire, by reason of the 
 sunne beames in the day time, is much 
 dimmed. But after the sunne was set, 
 and the night drewe on, and the fire 
 
 without impediment might be scene afarre off, they somewhat 
 couragious, came out of the poole, and perceived the whole 
 Hand to be on fire. Then Theagenes beating his head, and Theagenes 
 tearing his haire, saide : Farewell (quoth he) this day my life, ^ thinking 
 let here all feare, daungers, cares, hope, and love, have end and ^aricliato be 
 be dissolved, Cariclia is dead, Theagenes is destroyed, in menteth 
 vaine was I unhappie man afraide, and content to betake 
 my self to flight, which no man would have done, reserving 
 my selfe to thee my sweete heart. Surely my joy, I will live 
 no longer sith thou art dead, not according to the common 
 course of nature, which is a very greevous thing ; and hast 
 contrary to thine opinion, and not in his protection who 
 was thy whole desire, yealded up thy life. With fire (alas 
 wretch that I am) art thou consumed? and in steade of 
 lights at thy marriage, hath God ordeined such lights for 
 thee ? The bravest beauty in the world is lost, so that no 
 token of such singular fairenesse remayneth in the dead 
 bodie. Oh marvellous crueltie, and unspeakeable wrath of 
 
 45
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Cnemon 
 comforteth 
 Theagenes. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 the Gods, I have no leave to geve her my last imbracings, I 
 am deprived of my last kisses. While he spake thus, and 
 looked about for his sworde, Cnemon rebuked him : And 
 what meaneth this, Theagenes ? sayd he. Why do you thus 
 bewaile her that is alive ? Cariclia is safe, feare not. Cnemon 
 (said he), you may tell madde men, and children this tale. 
 Surely you have deserved death, for hindring me from so 
 pleasant death. Therewithal Cnemon sware to him, and 
 tolde him altogether the commandement of Thyamis, how he 
 placed her there, the nature of the same denne, and how that 
 it was not to be feared, that the fire could come to her, being 
 broken and put back by six hundred crankes. Theagenes 
 beegan to come to him selfe againe when he heard this, and 
 hasted to the Ilande, and thought in his minde that he was 
 in the same alreadie, and made the den his chamber, not 
 knowing the sorowes whereunto he should fall. Thither 
 they were carried therefore with much adoe, them selves 
 playing the watermen, for he, who rowed them with the 
 noyse of the first conflict, as it had beene with a lever, was 
 stricken over boorde into the lake, they were therfore carried 
 away hither and thither, as well for that they were both 
 ignorant in rowing, and not placing the ores equally, as also 
 for that they had a contrarye winde : But for all that, the 
 readinesse of their willes got the victorie of their ignorance 
 in that Arte. When therefore with much a doe, they were 
 arrived in the Island, they ran to the Tabernacle as fast as 
 they could, which also they found burned, and could not 
 know it, but onely by the manner of the place, for there 
 coulde nothing be seene, but the great stone, which was the 
 thresholde, and cover also of the Cave, for a vehemente winde 
 blowing the fire upon the Cottages which were made only of 
 slender reede, and such as grewe on the marish bankes, burned 
 them up every where, and made them almost equall with 
 the ground, but when the violent fire slaked, and was turned 
 into ashes, which also was driven away with a blast of winde, 
 and that which remayned, being but a little, was quenched 
 and graunted them free passage, they came to the cave, the 
 postes thereof and the reedes, they also founde halfe burnte, 
 and opening the doore, Cnemon leading the way, they ranne 
 46
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 downe apace. But after they had gone a litle way, Cnemon 
 suddenly cryed out, O Jupiter, what meaneth this ? we are 
 undone : Cariclia is slaine. And therewith he cast his light 
 to the grounde, and putte it out, and holding his handes 
 before his face, fell on hys knees, and lamented. But 
 Theagenes, as though by violence one had thrust him downe, 
 fell on the dead bodye, and helde the same in his armes a 
 great while without mooving. Cnemon therefore perceeving 
 hee was utterly overcome with sorrowe, and fearing least he 
 shoulde doe him some harme, tooke his sworde out of his 
 scabboard, and ranne out to light his linke againe. In the 
 meane time, Theagenes tragically, and with much sorrowe 
 lamented : And Oh griefe intolerable, oh manifolde mischief es 
 sent from the Goddes, sayd hee, what insatiable fury so 
 much rageth still to have us destroyed ? Who hath banished 
 us out of our Countrey, cast us to dangers by Seas, perils by 
 Pyrates, and hath often delivered us into the hands of 
 Robbers, and spoyled us of all our treasures? Onely one 
 comfort we had, which is now taken from us : Cariclia is 
 dead and by enemies hande (my onely joye) is slaine : while 
 shee no doubt defended her chastitie, and reserved her selfe 
 unto me, shee unhappie creature is dead, and neyther had 
 she by her beauty any pleasure, neither any commoditie. 
 But oh my sweete hart, speake to me lastly, as thou wert 
 wont to doo, and if there be any life in thee, commaunde me 
 to do somewhat. Alas thou doest holde thy peace, that godly 
 mouthe of thine, out of the which proceeded so heavenly talke, 
 is stopped : darkenes hath possessed her, who bare the starre 
 of beautie : and the last ende of all hath now gotten the best 
 minister that belonged to any temple of the GODS. These 
 eyes of thine, that with passing fairenes looked uppon all 
 men, are nowe without sight, which, he who killed thee, sawe 
 not I am sure. But by what name shall I call thee? my 
 spouse ? thou werte never espoused. My wife ? thou never 
 wast married : what shall I therefore call thee ? or howe shall I 
 lastly speake unto thee ? shall I call thee by the most delect- 
 able name of all names, Cariclia? Oh Cariclia, heare me, 
 thou hast a faithfull lover, and shalt ere it be longe, recover 
 me, for I will out of hande, with mine owne death performe 
 
 47 
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Theagenes 
 
 waileth a dead 
 
 bodie, and 
 
 thought it 
 
 had beene 
 
 Cariclia.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O K E a deadly sacrifice to thee, and with mine owne bloude will I 
 
 11 offer a freendely offering unto thee and this rude denne 
 
 shalbe a Sepulchre for us both. It shalbe lawfull for us, 
 
 after deathe,to injoy either other, which while wee lived, the 
 
 Gods woulde not graunte. As soone as he had spoken thus, 
 
 Theagenes he set his hand, as though he would have drawn out his 
 
 would have sword, which when he found not, O Cnemon, sayde he, how 
 
 ne him- k^ fa ou nu rt me, and especially injured Cariclia, deprived 
 
 now again of most delectable company. While he spake thus, 
 
 through the holowe holes of the cave, there was a voyce 
 
 hearde, that called Theagenes : he hearde it well, and was 
 
 nothing afraide, and Oh sweete soule, pardon me, said he : by 
 
 this it manifestly appeareth, that thou art yet above the earth, 
 
 The opinion partly for that with violence expulsed out of such a body, 
 
 of the heathen thou canst not depart without griefe, partly for that, not yet 
 
 IC d ad buried, thou art chased away of infernall spirites. And when 
 
 Cnemon came in with lighte in his hand the same voice was 
 
 heard againe, calling Theagenes. O Gods, sayde Cnemon, is 
 
 not this Cariclias voice ? Surely, Theagenes, I thinke she is 
 
 yet saved. Wilt thou not yet leave, said Theagenes, so ofte 
 
 to deceive and beguile me? In deede, said Cnemon, I 
 
 deceive you, and am my selfe deceived, if this be not Cariclia 
 
 that lieth here. And therewithall he straightway turned her 
 
 face upwarde, which, as soone as he saw, You Gods (said hee) 
 
 which bee the authours of all wonders, what straunge sight is 
 
 this ? I see here Thisbes face, and therewith he leapt backe, 
 
 and without moving any whitte, stoode quaking in a great 
 
 admiration. Therewithal Theagenes came somewhat to him 
 
 selfe, and began to conceive some better hope in his minde, 
 
 and comforted Cnemon, whose heart now failed him, and 
 
 desired him in al hast to carrie him to Cariclia. A while 
 
 after, when Cnemon came somewhat to him selfe againe, he 
 
 looked more advisedly on her : it was Thisbe in deed, and 
 
 he knew also the Sworde that lay by her, by the hiltes to bee 
 
 Thyamis his, which he for anger and haste lefte in the 
 
 wound. Last of all he sawe a little scrowle hang at her 
 
 brest which he tooke away, and woulde faine have reade it, 
 
 but Theagenes would not let him, but lay on him very 
 
 earnestly, saying, Let us first receive my sweete heart, leaste 
 
 48
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 even nowe as some God beguyle us : as for these things we B O O K E 
 may know them hereafter. Cnemon was contente, and so 
 taking the letter in his hand and the swoord also went in to 
 Cariclia, who creeping both on handes and feete to the light, 
 ranne to Theagenes, and hanged about his necke. Nowe 
 Theagenes thou art restored to me againe, saide she. Thou The joye of 
 livest, mine owne Cariclia, quoth he oftentimes. At length Theagenes 
 they fell soudenly to the grounde, holding either other in and ^ anclia - 
 their armes, without uttering any woord, except a little mur- 
 muring, and it lacked but a little, that they were not both 
 dead. For many times too much gladnesse is turned to Too muche 
 sorrow, and immoderate pleasure hath ingendred greefe, myrth often 
 whereof ourselves are the causes. As also these preserved ti mes turneth 
 contrarie to their hope, and opinion, were in perill, untill 
 Cnemon taking a little water in his handes sprinkled it on 
 their faces, and rubbing their nostrels caused them to come 
 to them selves againe. When they perceived they were so 
 familiarly embraced, and on grounde, they starte up soudenly, 
 and blushed, (but especially Cariclia) bicause of Cnemon, 
 who had scene these thinges, and desired him to pardon 
 them. He smiling a litle, and willing to turne their 
 mindes to some mirth : In mine opinion (saide he) or any 
 mans else, who hath before wrestled with love, and hath 
 pleasantly yeelded unto the inevitable chaunce therof moder- 
 ately, these thinges are much praise worthie. But Theagenes, 
 I could by no meanes commend that, whereof also I was 
 ashamed, when I saw you shamfully embrace a straunge 
 woman, and one to whome you were bounde, by no bond of 
 friendshippe, for all that I boldly affirmed, your dearest friend 
 was alive and safe. Cnemon (quoth Theagenes) accuse me not 
 to Cariclia, whom in anothers body I bewailed, thinking her 
 who was slaine to have bene this wench. But for as much 
 as the good will of God hath nowe declared, that I was in so 
 doing beguiled, remember I pray you, your owne cowardnes, 
 inasmuch as first you deplored my case, in the soudaine know- 
 ledge of her, who lay there, and though you had a swoorde 
 by your side, yet you like a stoute, and valiante warriour, 
 were afraide of a woman, and shee deade, no lesse then if the 
 Goddes had bene in presence. Hereat they smiled a litle, 
 G 49
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BO ORE but not without teares, as it happeneth to men in such 
 H miserie. After Cariclia had staied a litle, and scratching her 
 
 cheeke under her eare, I judge (saide shee) her happy, who- 
 ever she was, whom Theagenes lamented, and kissed also, as 
 Cnemon reporteth, but excepte you thinke I am in jelousie, 
 I woulde gladly know, what happy woman that was, which 
 was woorthie of Theagenes teares. If you can tell me, and by 
 what errour you kissed her in steade of me. Surely (said he) 
 you wil wonder at it greatly, for Cnemon saith it was that 
 cunning player of the Harpe which was Thisbe, the deviser 
 of the wiles against him, and Demeneta. Herewith Cariclia 
 afraid, asked him, How is it like that she should come out of 
 the midst of Greece (as of set purpose) into the farthest part 
 of Egypt ? or how is it possible, that when we came hither 
 we sawe her not ? As touching this, said Cnemon, I have 
 nothing to say. But thus much I heard of her. After that 
 Demeneta prevented with her craft, had cast her selfe into 
 the ditche, and my Father had opened the matter to the 
 people, hee at the first obteyned pardon, and was altogether 
 busied that he might get leave of the people to restore mee 
 againe, and made preparation to seeke mee. Thisbe now 
 because of his business, having little to doe, and banketting 
 Thisbe is now without care continually, set, as it were at sale, both her 
 become an se ]f e ^ an( j h er ar ^ . an( j j n as much as she passed Arsinoe in 
 
 is'hated^of g race > an d cunning play, both in quick fingering and also 
 Arsinoe. sweete singing to her Instrument, she perceyved not that she 
 got thereby worship, envie, and emulation, conjoyned with 
 singular indignation : chiefely for that she was beloved of a 
 certaine marchant of Mancratia, named Nausicles, who 
 despised Arsinoe, with whom he accompanied before, because 
 that while she song her cheekes swelled, and were unseemely, 
 and her eyes stared, almost leaving their accustomed place. 
 Wherfore Arsinoe swelling with anger and emulation, came 
 to Demenetas kinsfolkes, and told them the whole maner of 
 the wyles that Thisbe used against her, whereof some shee 
 suspected, and Thisbe had tolde her other some, for that 
 familiar acquaintance which was betweene them. When 
 therefore Demenetas kinsfolkes came together to have my 
 Father condemned, and had procured the most eloquent 
 50
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Oratours, with great summes of money to accuse him, they B O O K E 
 
 saide, that Demeneta was killed without judgement, and not II 
 
 convinced, and that the adulterie was pretended to colour the 
 
 murther, and therefore they required to have the Adulterer 
 
 eyther quycke or dead, or at leaste, to knowe his name. Last 
 
 of al, that Thisbe might be brought to examination, which 
 
 when my Father had promised, and could not perfourme, (for 
 
 she had so provided that before the day of judgment was 
 
 assigned, she went her way with the Merchaunt, as they had 
 
 appoynted) the people taking the matter in evill part, judged 
 
 him not the killer in as much as hee had tolde the matter 
 
 plainly as it was done, but that he had helped to the death 
 
 of Demeneta, and mine unjust banishment, wherefore they 
 
 exiled him out of his countrey, and confiscated all his Aristippus 
 
 goods, and this commoditie got he by his second mariage. banished from 
 
 But the most wicked Thisbe, who is slaine in my sight, Athens. 
 
 sailed from Athens for that cause. And thus much onely 
 
 could I knowe, which Anticles tolde me in ^Egina, with whom 
 
 I sayled twice into Egypt of purpose, if I might find her in 
 
 Naucratia to bring her back to Athens, and deliver my 
 
 father from such suspicions, and accusations, as were layd 
 
 against him, and take revenge of her for al the mischiefes 
 
 that she did unto us : and hereof in your presence I make 
 
 inquirie. Now as touching the cause of my coming hether, 
 
 the manner thereof, and the daungers that I suffered in this 
 
 space, you shal hereafter know. But how, and by whom 
 
 Thisbe was slaine in this denne, wee shall have neede 
 
 perhaps of some Oracle to tell us. Neverthelesse, if you will 
 
 let us looke upon the letter which wee founde in her bosome, 
 
 it may be, that we shall learne somewhat beside this in it. 
 
 They were content, and he opening it, began to reade as 
 
 followeth. To Cnemon my Maister, Thisbe his enemie and Thisbes letter 
 
 revenger. First I tell you, of the death of Demeneta, which to Cnemon. 
 
 for your sake I devised against her, the manner how I brought 
 
 it to passe, if you doe raunsome me, I wil tell you betwixt us 
 
 two. Understande, that I was taken by one of the Thee ves that How Thisbe 
 
 are of this crewe, and have bene here tenne dayes already : he came into 
 
 J J ,1 4. fl j 
 
 sayeth he is the Captaines harnes bearer, but he will not give 
 me leave so much as to looke abroade, and thus he punisheth 
 
 51
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Barbarous 
 love worse 
 than hatred 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 me, as he saith, for the love he hath towarde me, but as farre 
 as I can gather, it is least some man else shoulde take me 
 from him. Yet for all that by the benefite of the same God, 
 I sawe you (my maister) yesterday, and knewe you, and have 
 therefore sente this letter to you by an olde woman my bed- 
 fellowe, charging her to deliver it to a beautifull young 
 man being a Grecian, and the capteins freend. Redeeme mee 
 I pray thee, out of the handes of the theefe, and entertaine 
 your nandmaide, and if you will preserve her, knowing this 
 first, that whensoever I offended against you, I was constrained 
 to do it, but in that I revenged you of your enimie, I did it 
 of mine owne free wil, but if your anger be so grievous 
 against me, that it will not be assuaged, use it toward me as 
 you shall thinke good : for that I may be in your hand, I care 
 not if I die. For I account it much better to be slaine at your 
 hands, and to be buried after the manner of the Greekes, then 
 to leade a life more greevous then death, or else to susteine 
 suche barbarous love, as is more intollerable then the hatred of 
 Athens. And thus spake Thisbe in her letter. But Cnemon 
 saide, Thisbe, as reason is, thou art slaine, and thy selfe art 
 messenger to tel us of the miseries, making declaration of 
 them by thine owne death. Thus hath the revenger (as now 
 it may appeare) driving thee over all the world, not with- 
 drawne her scourge before she made me whom thou hast 
 injuried, although living in Egypt, to be the beholder of 
 thy punishment. But what mischiefe was that, which thou 
 diddest devise against me, as by the letters it may appeare, 
 which Fortune would not let thee bring to ende ? Verely 
 even nowe also I much mistrust thee, and am in greate doubt, 
 lest the death of Demeneta be but a tale, and that both they 
 beguiled me, who told me of the same, and that thou art 
 come by sea out of Greece, to make in Egypt another 
 Tragedy of mee. Will you not leave (said Theagenes) to 
 bee too valiant, and feare the shadowes and spirites of deade 
 folkes ? For you cannot object and say, that she hath either 
 beguiled me, or deceived my sight, seeing that I have no 
 part in this play. But be sure Cnemon, that this bodie is 
 dead, and therefore have you no cause to doubt. But who 
 did you this good turne in killing her, or how she was brought 
 52
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 hither, or when, I my selfe am in great marvel. As for the 
 rest (said Cnemon) I cannot tell. But surely Thyamis slewe 
 her, as by the sworde which lay by her being dead, we may 
 gesse. For I knowe it to be his, by the hilt of Ivorie, where- 
 in is an Eagle graven. Tel me therefore, said Theagenes, how, 
 when, and wherefore he killed her. How can I tel you ? 
 answered Cnemon. For this cave hath not made me a south- 
 sayer, as doth Apollos porch in Delphi, or those that enter 
 into Trophonius denne, which rapt with divine furie, doo 
 prophecie. When Theagenes and Cariclia heard this, soudenly 
 lamenting, O Pitho, O Delphi, cryed they, wherewith Cnemon 
 was abashed, and wiste not what they conceived by the name 
 of Pitho : and thus were they occupied. But Thermutes, 
 Thyamis harnes bearer, after he beeing wounded, had escaped 
 the battel, and sailed to lande : when night came, he gotte a 
 loose boate, and hasted to go to the Hand, and to Thisbe 
 whom he tooke a fewe dayes from Nausicles a merchaunt, in a 
 narrow way at the side of the Hill. But after the broile 
 began, and the enemies approched, when Thyamis sent him 
 to fetch the sacrifice to the Gods, hee desiring to place 
 her without the daunger of weapons, and to keepe her for 
 him selfe in safetie, put her privilie into the cave, and for 
 haste left her but in the entrie thereof. In which place, as 
 she at the first was left, partly for feare of the present 
 perilles, partly for that she knew not the waies that went 
 into the bottome of the Cave, Thyamis finding her in steede 
 of Cariclia, slewe her : To her therefore Thermutes made 
 hast, after he escaped out of the battaile, and as soone as he 
 was landed in the Ilande, hee ran to the Tabernacles, where 
 beside ashes hee found nothing. But finding at length the 
 mouth of the Cave by the stone, and the reede, if any were 
 left, on fire, he ranne downe in great hast, and called Thisbe 
 by name : whom after he found dead, and standing a good 
 while without moving, in a great studie, at length hearing 
 out of the inner partes of the cave a certaine noise, and 
 sounde, (for Theagenes and Cnemon were yet in talke) he 
 straight deemed that they had slaine her, and was therefore 
 much troubled in his mind, and could not wel tel what to 
 doe : for the barbarous anger, and the fearcenesse which is 
 
 53 
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Thyamis his 
 sworde. 
 
 Trophonius 
 denne. 
 
 Thisbe taken 
 by Ther- 
 mutes. 
 
 Thyamis 
 
 killed her 
 
 in steede of 
 
 Cariclia.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E naturally graffed in theeves, kindled the more, for that 
 he was now beguiled of his love, moved him to set upon 
 them he deemed to be the authours of that murther, but for 
 that he had neither armour nor wepon, he was constrained 
 whether he would, or no, to be quiet : he thought it good there- 
 fore, not to come upon them, as an enimie at the first, but if 
 he could get any armour, then to set on them after. When 
 he had thus determined, he came to Theagenes, and looked 
 up with eyes frowning and terribly bent, so that with his 
 countenance he plainley bewrayed the inward cogitation of 
 his minde. They seeing a man come in uppon them sou- 
 dainely, scare wounded, naked and with a bloudie face, 
 behaved not themselves all alike, but Cariclia ranne into a 
 corner of the Cave, fearing perhappes to looke upon a man so 
 deformed and naked. Cnemon seeing Thermutes contrary to 
 his expectation, and knowing him well, mistrusting that he 
 woulde enterprise somewhat, helde his peace, and stepped 
 backe. But that sight did not so much feare Theagenes, as 
 move him to wrath, who drew his sword and made as though 
 he would strike him if he stirred, and bad him stand, or els 
 (quoth he) thou shalt know the price of thy comming, and the 
 cause is, for that I know thee not, nor why thou commest. 
 Thermutis came neare him, and spake him faire, having 
 rather respect to the present time, then for that he was 
 accustomed so to doe, and desired Cnemon to be his friend, 
 and sayd, that he had deserved to be holpen at his hand, 
 because he never had done him wrong, and had beene his 
 companion the day before, and that he came to them as to 
 his frendes. Cnemon was moved with his words, and com- 
 ming to him helped him up, for he helde Theagenes by the 
 knees, and inquired of him where Thy amis was: he tolde him 
 every thing, how he fought with his enemies, how he went into 
 the thickest presse of them, and neither feared his owne safetie, 
 nor their health, how he slew every man that came within his 
 reach, and him selfe was garded and compassed about, and 
 straight charge given, that every man should forbeare Thy- 
 amis. But what became of him at length he could not tel, 
 and I greevously wounded (quoth he) swam to land, and at 
 this time am come into the cave to seeke Thisbe. And there- 
 54
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 with they asked him what he had to doe with Thisbe, or BOOKE 
 how he came by her. Thermutis then tolde them also how he H 
 
 tooke her from certaine merchants, and how he loved her 
 woonderfully, and kept her privily in his owne Tabernacle, 
 and before the comming of the enemies, put her into this Cave, 
 and that he now founde her slaine, by some, whom he knewe 
 not, but he would be gladde to understand, why, and for what 
 occasion it was done. Cnemon herewith desirous to deliver 
 him selfe quickly from all suspicion : Thyamis killed her, 
 said he, and therewith for proofe he shewed him the sword 
 which they found by her, when she was slaine, which as soon 
 as Thermutis saw fcloudy, and almost warme with the late 
 slaughter, and knewe that it was Thyamis sworde in deed, 
 fetching a great sighe from the bottome of his hart, not 
 knowing what was done further, wente out of the denne, and 
 saide never a worde, and comming to the deade body, and 
 laying his head on the breast, O Thisbe, saide he ofte, but 
 nothing else, repeating the name onely, and within a while 
 his senses fayling him, he fell on sleepe. Theagenes, Cariclia, 
 and Cnemon, began to thinke of their own businesse, and 
 seemed as thoughe they would consult thereof: but their 
 manyfolde miseries passed the greatnesse of their calamities 
 presente, and the uncertainetie of that which was to come, 
 did hinder and darken the reasonable part of the minde, so 
 that they looked one uppon another, and everie one looked 
 what his felowe woulde say, as touching their present state : 
 after this their hope failinge them, they woulde cast their 
 eyes to the ground, and with sorowfull sighes, and greevious 
 mournings lift them up againe. At length Cnemon laied him 
 selfe on the ground, Theagenes sate downe on a stone, and 
 Cariclia leaned on him, and strived a great while to overcome 
 sleepe, for desire to consider somewhat of their present affaiers, 
 but they with sorowe and labor much abated, although 
 against their wils, were constrained to obey nature, and out 
 of their greate heavinesse they fel into a pleasant sleepe. 
 Thus was the reasonable part of the minde, of force con- 
 strained, to agree with the affection of the body. But after 
 they had slumbred a while, so that their eyes were scant 
 close shut, Cariclia, who lay there with them, had this marvel- 
 
 55
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Cariclias 
 dreame. 
 
 Cariclias 
 exposition of 
 her dreame. 
 
 Cnemons ex- 
 position of 
 Cariclias 
 dreame. 
 
 Why our 
 parents be 
 likened to 
 
 a paire of 
 eyes. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 ous dreame. A man with a roughe head, terrible scowling 
 eyes, and bloudie handes, pulled out one of her eyes, herewith 
 she soudenly cried out, saying, that she had lost one of her 
 eyes, and called for Theagenes, who straight was at hand, and 
 cud bewaile her harme, as if in his sleep he had felt the 
 same. But she put her hand to her face, and felte every where 
 for that eye, which was lost, and as soone as she knewe it was 
 a dreame, It is a dreame, Theagenes, said she, I have mine 
 eye, come hither and feare not : Theagenes was herewith 
 well pleased, and as meete is (quoth he) you have your eyes 
 as bright as sunne beames : but what ayled you, or why were 
 you so afrayd ? An il favoured froward fellowe (quoth shee) 
 nothing fearing your invincible strength, came to me as I 
 leaned on your knees, with a sword in his hand, in such sort, 
 that verily I thought hee had pluckt out my right eye. 
 And I would to God (sayde she) it had beene so in deede, 
 rather then appeared to mee in my sleepe. God defend 
 (said he) and send us better luck. I wish it (said she) because 
 it were better for me to lose both mine eyes, then to be 
 sorrowful for the losse of you. Surely I am sore afraide, least 
 you be meant by this dreame, whom I esteeme as mine eye, 
 my life, and al my richesse. Not so, said Cnemon (for he 
 heard al, being waked at the first crie of Cariclia), it seemes to 
 me that your dreame should meane an other thing, and there- 
 fore tell me whether your parents be alive ; she said yea, if 
 ever they were alive. Then judge, sayde he, that your Father 
 is dead, and that I gather by this, for as much as wee know 
 that our Parentes be the cause, and Authours of our life, and 
 that we see the light of day. Therefore by good reason, 
 dreames doe liken our father and mother to a paire of eyes, 
 for as much as they be the cause aswel of the sight, as of 
 that may be scene. This is much, saide Cariclia, but God 
 graunt that this be rather true then the other, and that your 
 interpretation prevaile, and I be called the false Prophet. 
 These things shall thus come to passe no doubt said Cne- 
 mon, and therfore you must be content therewith, but we 
 in deede seeme to dreame, trifling thus long about dreames 
 and fantasies, without any consideration of our owne busi- 
 nes, and the rather seeing that this Egyptian (he meant 
 56
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Thermutes) is absent, and bewayleth his breathlesse love. BOOKE 
 Theagenes answered him, and saide, Cnemon, for as much H 
 
 as some God hath joined you to us, and made you partaker 
 of our calamities let us heare your advise first, for you are 
 skilled in these countries, and understand their tongue well, 
 and wee are not so meete to consult of that which is necessary, 
 for that we are drowned with greater dangers. Cnemon 
 therefore musing a little, spake thus : Which of us is in 
 greater miserie I cannot tel, for I am sure that God hath 
 laide calamities inough upon my backe also : but for that Cnemons ad- 
 you bid me, as the elder, to give mine advise as touching the v ^e as touch- 
 present case, this is my minde. This Hand as you see, is 
 desert, and hath no man in it, but us : moreover of Silver, and affairs. 
 Goulde, and precious apparel, here is great store. For of 
 suche things Thyamis and his companions have taken much, 
 as well from us, as also from others, and hath laid it here, but 
 as for corne, and other things whereby our life may be main- 
 teined, there is not one whit. We are in daunger therefore 
 if we tarrie here long, either to perish for foode, or with the 
 retourne of our enimies, or of these who have beene of this 
 felowship, if they come to fetche this monie, whereof they 
 all knowe. If any of these things happen, it shall not be 
 possible for us to escape without deathe, or if they deale 
 more freendly with us, we shalbe subject to their reprochful 
 dealing, and scornful! behaviours. For seeing that these 
 Heardsmenne be alwayes faith lesse, now are they most, for 
 that they want a Captaine, and Ruler, that may constraine A good Cap- 
 them to be moderate, we must therefore leave and forsake t*" 1 } 6 causeth 
 this Hand, no lesse then harmefull snares, or a very prison in r t ^ r j;^, e 
 deede. And first dispatch away Thermutis, under pretence orderly, 
 to inquire, and seeke to knowe some certeintie of Thyamis. 
 Then shall we consulte more safely together, and thinke of 
 those things that are needefull. And if this were not, yet it 
 is poynt of wisedome, to put out of our company a man What is to be 
 by nature unconstant, indued with rude and uncourteous d ne with an 
 manners, which else mistrusteth somwhat of us for Thisbes e . C01 
 sake, and will not rest till he have (if occasion serve) by 
 fraude beguiled us. They allowed his saying wel, and thought 
 it good to doe even so : wherefor they went to the entrie of 
 H ' 57
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E the Cave (for they perceived it was day by this time) and 
 
 II waked Thermutis very drowsie with sleepe, and when they 
 
 had declared to him the likelihoode of their counsell, and 
 
 had easily perswaded him, being a fickle fellowe, and had cast 
 
 Necessitas Thisbe into a little pit, and as much dust on her, as was to be 
 
 plus poscit f oun (l about the Tabernacle, and done to her as religiously 
 
 ( lV am P 1( 3 as the time would suffer, and with teares, and with weepings, 
 in steade of all other Ceremonies buried her, they sent Ther- 
 mutis about the pretended businesse, as was decreede, but he, 
 after he had gone a little way, returned againe, and said that 
 he would not goe alone, neither rashly object him selfe to so 
 present a daunger, as to be a spie, except Cnemon might goe 
 with him. Which thing when Theagenes perceived, that 
 Cnemon did detract (for when he heard what the Egyptian 
 said, he seemed to be much troubled in his minde, and 
 sore afraide) he said to him, Thou art able to geve good 
 counsell, but thy heart fayleth thee, which thing I have 
 both at other times wel perceived, but especially now. 
 But plucke up your spirites, and take a good heart to you, 
 for at this time it seemeth necessarie to consent, and goe 
 with him, that he conceive no suspicion of our determined 
 flight (for there is no danger for him that is armed, and 
 hath a sworde, to goe with one utterly unarmed) and then 
 if occasion serve to slip from him, and come to us into some 
 village hereby, which we will agree upon. Cnemon was 
 Chemmis content, and appoynted a certaine towne called Chemmis, very 
 
 a towne of r i c h 5 and wel peopled, situated upon a Hill upon the banke 
 ffylug y of Nylus, that it may thereby be the better defended from 
 the invasion of the heardmen. And it was to it after they 
 were over the lake, almost an hundred furlongs, and they 
 should goe right foorth. It wil be harde, saide Theagenes, 
 especially for Cariclia, who hath not beene accustomed to 
 goe any long journeis. But for all that, we will goe, and 
 counterfet ourselves to be beggers, and such as goe aboute 
 with certaine juggling castes to gette our living. That will 
 be well (saide Cnemon) for ye be very evell favoured people, 
 but moste Cariclia, whose eye was lately pulled out, wherefore 
 me thinketh you will not onely aske peeces of breade, but 
 coverletes, and caldrons. Hereat they smiled a litle, so that 
 58
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 their laughter moved but their lippes onely. When there- B O O K E 
 fore with othe they had confirmed that which was deter- H 
 
 mined, and had taken the Gods to witnesse, that they would 
 never by their willes forsake one another, they wente cache 
 of them aboute their decreed busines. Cnemon therefore, 
 and Thermutis having in the morning early passed over the 
 lake, tooke their journey through a thicke woode, wherein it 
 was harde to finde any way. Thermutis went before, for so 
 Cnemon woulde have it, pretending the cunning hee had in 
 that harde passage, and willing him to leade the way : but in 
 deede rather providing for his owne saftie, and preparing a 
 just opportunitie to give him the slipp. After they had 
 gone a good way, they espied a flocke of sheepe, and after 
 those, who kept them were fledd, and crepte into the thicke 
 woode harde by, they killed one of the fairest ramnies, that 
 went before the flocke, and resting him at a fire, which the 
 sheepherdes had made, did eat of the flesh without tarying, 
 before it was throughly rosted, bicause their bellies were 
 marvelously pinched with hunger. Like woolves therefore, 
 or cormorants they devoured every parte, thoughe it were but 
 a litle baked against the fire, so that while they did eate it, 
 the bloude ranne aboute their teeth. But after they had 
 filled their bellies, and quenched their thirste with milke, they 
 went forwarde, and now was it time for Cnemon to put his 
 devise in practise. When they had therefore gone up a litle 
 hill (under which, Thermutis said, was the village, and in it 
 Thyamis, being taken in the battaile, was either kepte prisoner 
 or slaine, as he conjectured) Cnemon made an excuse that his 
 bellie was troubled with too much meat, and by reason of the 
 milke, he had a painefull laske, therefore he desired Thermutis 
 to goe softly afore, and he woulde by and by overtake him. 
 Thus did he once or twise, or three times, so that nowe he 
 seemed to deale truely, affirming that he had much a doe to 
 overtake him. After he had thus acquainted the Egyptian, 
 at last, without his knowledge, he taried behinde, and as fast 
 as he could, ranne downe the hill into a very thicke woodde. 
 But he when he came to the toppe of the hill, sate him down 
 upon a stone to rest him, tarrying till night came, in which 
 they appoynted to goe into the village, to heare in what state 
 
 59
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Why the 
 
 theeves let 
 
 their haire 
 
 grow. 
 
 Long haire 
 doth become 
 lovers well. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 Thyamis was, and therewithall he looked about for Cnemon, 
 to whom if he came after him, he devised to doe some harme. 
 For he had not yet lefte his conceived opinion, that he slewe 
 Thisbe, and therefore he bethought himselfe, how he might 
 kill him againe, and afterwarde he was with a certaine 
 madnes moved to set upon Theagenes. But when Cnemon 
 appeared not, and it was nowe farre on the night, he fell 
 asleepe, and with the biting of an Aspe, having gotten like 
 death to all his passed life, by the ladies of destinies pleasure 
 perhaps, he slept his deadly and last sleepe. But Cnemon 
 after ne had forsaken Thermutis, left not running till darke 
 night restrained his violent course, so that in that place 
 where the night over tooke him, he hidde himselfe, and laide 
 as many leaves as he coulde uppon him. Under which he 
 lyinge, was much troubled, and slepte but litle, supposing 
 everie noyse, and blaste of winde, and wagging of each leafe to 
 be Thermutis, and if at any time sleepe over came him, he 
 thought that he fledde, and looked backe for him, that 
 pursued him not. And when he had lust to sleepe, he 
 woulde refraine, for that he woulde not sleepe longer than 
 neede required. Last of all, he seemed to be angry with the 
 night, and thought it was longer then any other was. As 
 soone as with great desire he sawe the day, firste he cut off so 
 much of his haire, as he had let growe, that he might be like 
 unto the theeves, to the intent that those who mette him, 
 should not trouble nor suspect him. For the theeves besides 
 other thinges that they doo, whereby they may seem more fear- 
 full, let their haire grow so long that al men loath it, which they 
 shake hanging on their shoulders, knowing verie well, that 
 longe haire maketh them more acceptable which are in love 
 but theeves more terrible. When therefore Cnemon had cut 
 off so much of his haire, as woulde make him seeme the more 
 trimme, and not bee thought one of the theeves, he made 
 hast to go to Chemmis, where he appointed to meete with 
 Theagenes. And being now come to Nylus, and ready to 
 passe over, he spyed an olde man walking on the banke, uppe 
 and downe, who seemed to communicate some of his cogita- 
 tions with the floude : he had long haire after an holy fashion, 
 but a verie white, and rough beard somwhat long, his cloake 
 60
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 and other apparrell like a Grecian. Cnemon therefore staide B O O K E 
 a litle, but when the olde man passed up and down diverse 
 times, and seemed not to see any man by him (he was in such 
 a muse, and sure cogitation) he came before him and saide, Thought ma- 
 All haile, syr. I cannot, quoth he, for that fortune will not keth a ma ?. 1E 
 so. Whereat Cnemon marveled, and saide, Are you a Greek ? " ?%^l jeafe 
 or what countrie man else? Neither a Greeke, answered he, and dumb too. 
 nor any other countrieman, but of this countrie, an Egyptian. 
 Howe then happeneth it, saide Cnemon, that in your 
 apparrell you imitate the Greekes ? My miseries, saide he. 
 have chaunged this handsome apparrell for others. Cnemon Miseries 
 marvelled that any man could trimme and decke him self for ma ^ e man 
 any mishappes, and faine woulde have knowen the cause or s ^ me in ?^ s 
 manner thereof. You cause me, saide the olde man, to apparell. 
 remember many troubles, and do also move by them a 
 wounderfull grudging againste yourselfe : but whither be you 
 going, or from whence come you, or how happeneth it that 
 you speake Greek in Egypt? That were a mery jeste in 
 deede, saide Cnemon, in as much as you first asked me, and 
 wil tel me no part of your estate, yet ye woulde knowe of me, 
 mine. I am well pleased (quoth the old man) for that you 
 seeme to be a Grecian, and some fortune as I gesse, hath 
 transformed you into another figure also. Beside that you 
 so earnestlye desire to heare in what state I am. Surely my It is a great 
 greefe desireth to bee uttered, and if I had not happened on paine to con- 
 you, I thinke I should have told it to these reedes according c a e anv mis ~ 
 to the tale. Let us therfore leave these banks of Nylus, and 
 Nylus itselfe too, neither is the border of this banke fitte, to 
 tel a long tale in, sith that it is subjecte to the vehemente 
 heate of the south sunne. Lette us therefore goe to the village 
 that we see over against us, if you have no greater businesse, 
 there shall you be my ghest, not in mine owne house, but in 
 a very good mans, who hath intertained me in adversitie : In 
 his house shall you heare al my fortune, if you will, and in 
 like manner you shall tell me yours. Content, saide 
 Cnemon. For if I had not met with you, I must have gonne to 
 this village, to tarrie by appoyntment for some of my com- 
 panions. They tooke a boate then (whereof there was great 
 stoare, ready to transporte any man for hyre) and came into 
 
 61
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Jupiter 
 hospitalis. 
 
 A pretie simi- 
 litude. 
 
 Homer call- 
 
 eth the bellie 
 
 pernicious. 
 
 Calasiris will 
 
 not forget to 
 
 doe sacrifice 
 
 to the Gods, 
 
 for any travell 
 
 and this is 
 
 everie good 
 
 mans duetie 
 
 also. 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 the towne, and so into the house, wherein this old man was 
 hosted. The good man of the house was not at home, but 
 his daughter now marriageable, and the other maids : as 
 many as were at home entertained them very curteously, and 
 intreated the olde man, as he had beene their father. For so I 
 thinke their master had commaunded. One washed their legges, 
 and swept the duste from under their feete, another made 
 their bedde, and provided a soft lodging for them, another 
 brought in the potte, and made a fire, another covered the 
 table, and set wheaten bread theron, and divers other kindes 
 of fruites. Whereat Cnemon marvelled and sayd, Father, 
 perhaps we are come into Jupiter hospitalis house, wee are 
 so much regarded, and that with so good mind. Not into 
 Jupiters, saith he, but into such a mans as knoweth Jupiter 
 hospitalis, and the patrone of such as be in adversitie well. 
 For, sometime he leadeth his life in travell, and merchandise, 
 and hath seene many Cities, and knoweth the manners and 
 fashions of divers nations. For which cause, it is like he enter- 
 tained mee into his house, wandering and travelling a fewe 
 dayes a goe about, as also he hath done many moe others. 
 What travel, father, said Cnemon, is it which you speake of ? 
 I am, sayd he, in this place, bereft of my children, and 
 knowe the misdoers well, but cannot be revenged : Wherefore 
 I with wayling beweepe my sorrowe, like a Birde whose 
 nest a dragon pulleth downe, and devoureth her young beefore 
 her face, and is afraide to come nigh, neither can she flee 
 away : at such controversie is love, and sorrowe in her, but 
 making great noyse, fleeth about the miserable seege, and 
 poureth in vayne her motherlike, and humble teares into 
 those cruell eares, who have of nature beene taught no mercie. 
 Will you therefore, sayde Cnemon, tell me, how and when you 
 had this cruell hap ? Hereafter, said he, I will. Now it is 
 time to looke to our bellies, to which Homer having respect 
 not without good consideration, called it pernicious, for that 
 in comparison thereof all thinges els were counted little 
 woorth. But first, according to the wisdome of the Egyptians, 
 let us doe sacrifice to the immortal Goddes, for nothing shall 
 ever cause me to breake this custome. Neither shall any 
 greefe be so great, which shall cause me to put the remem- 
 62
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 brance and service of God out of my minde : when he had 
 said thus, he poured a little cleane water out of a vial, and 
 sayde, I doo sacrifice to the Gods of this countrie, and to the 
 Goddes of Greece, to Apollo of Delphos, and beside, to Thea- 
 genes and Cariclia, good and honest creatures, for as much as 
 I make these Goddes also : and therewithall he wept, as though 
 he woulde doo another sacrifice to them beside, with sorrow- 
 full teares. When Cnemon hearde this, he was abashed, and 
 looked earnestly on the olde manne round about. What say 
 you (quoth he) be Theagenes, and Cariclia your children in 
 deed? They are my children, sayd he, borne without a 
 Mother. For the Goddes have made them my children by 
 chaunce, and caused me to be sorrowfull for them, so that I 
 have a naturall affection of mind towarde them, by which 
 they esteemed mee as their father, and so called me also. But 
 I pray you tell me how you knew them. I doo not onely 
 knowe them, sayd Cnemon, but tell you that they be safe and 
 in good health. O Apollo, and the reste of the Goddes, sayd 
 he, tell me in what countrie they be, and I will call you then 
 my saviour, and make equall accomte of you as with the 
 Goddes. What rewarde, sayde he, will you give me? At this 
 time, sayde he, thankes, which a wise man comteth a goodly 
 rewarde. And if ye come into my countrie, which the Goddes 
 tell me shalbe shortely, you shall have great riches. You 
 promise me, sayde he, that which is to come, and very uncer- 
 taine, and may yet presentely sufficiently recompence me. If 
 you see anything presente tell me. For I so much desire 
 that, that I coulde be contente to loose some part of my 
 body, and yet think that I am not maimed of any member, 
 but have every joynte whole. I require this (sayde he) that 
 you woulde vouchsafe to tell me of them, of whence they are, 
 who be their parentes, and what fortune they have had. Thou 
 shalt have, answered he, a great rewarde, and such a one as 
 to it nothing maye be comparable : although you had asked 
 all the treasure in the worlde. But let us now eate some 
 meate. For both of us, as wel you to heare, as I to tel, shall 
 have neede of longer time. When they had eaten Nuttes, 
 Figges, Palmes new gathered, and such other fruite as the 
 olde man was accustomed to feede on, (for his conscience 
 
 63 
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Calasiris 
 sacrificeth to 
 
 Theagenes 
 and Cariclia. 
 
 Theagenes 
 and Cariclia, 
 Calasiris chil- 
 dren without 
 a mother. 
 
 A wise man 
 counteth 
 thankes a 
 great re- 
 ward.
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Bacchus 
 
 pleased with 
 
 merrie songs 
 
 and tales. 
 
 Oroondates 
 
 deputie of 
 
 Egypt. 
 
 The wives of 
 Greece have 
 their drink- 
 ing gossips. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 made no difference of meates) they dranke, he water, and 
 Cnemon wine. After a little while then Cnemon saide, Father, 
 how well Bacchus is pleased with tales and banquetting songs, 
 you know wel inough. 
 
 Wherefore nowe also seeing he hath challenged mee to 
 himselfe, he moveth me to desire to heare somewhat, and 
 constraineth me to crave my promised reward, and now it is 
 time for you to make provision to play this commedie as on 
 a stage, as the proverbe is. You shall heare it, said hee, and 
 would to God that thrifty Nausicles had beene here, whom I 
 have oft by divers delaies deluded, very desirous to heare this 
 tale. After Cnemon hearde Nausicles named, he asked where 
 he was then. He is gone, quoth the olde man, on hunting. 
 What manner of hunting, said he? Of wilde beasts very 
 cruell, which be called in deede men, and heardmen, but live 
 by thefte, and can hardly be intrapped, for that they use by 
 pathes, and caves in the marish ground. Whereof doeth hee 
 accuse them, said he ? Of the taking away of a lemman of 
 his, which he brought from Athens, whome he called Thisbe. 
 Lord God, saies Cnemon, and therewithal suddenly helde his 
 peace, as though he woulde say no more, and when the olde 
 man asked him what he ayled, Cnemon willing to bring him 
 to other matters, saide, I marvel how, or with what armie 
 emboldened, he durst set upon them. He answered, Oroon- 
 dates is made deputie of Egypt, by the great king, by whose 
 commaundement, Mitranes captaine of the watch, is made 
 governour of this Towne. Nausicles hired him for a great 
 summe of money, and with great company of horsemen and 
 footemen conducted him against them. Hee taketh in very 
 ill parte the losse of that maide of Athens, not so much for 
 that shee was his friende, and played well on instrumentes, 
 but more, because he was in mind to carrie her to the king 
 of ^Ethiopia, as he saide, that shee might be his wives drink- 
 ing gossipe, and familiar after the manner of the Greekes, as 
 though he were deprived therefore of a great summe of 
 mony which he hoped to have for her, he maketh all pro- 
 vision possible to recover her againe. My selfe willed and 
 exhorted him so to doo, supposing, that he by some chance 
 might happe to find mv children, and helpe me to them 
 
 64
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 againe. Wee have talked ynough, saide Cnemon, now 
 cutting him of the heardmen, captaines, and of the kings 
 them selves. It wanted but little, that you had not with your 
 talke turned my minde an other way, you have added this 
 glaunce, nothing appertayning to Bacchus, as the proverbe is. 
 Wherefore returne your talke to that you promised, For I 
 have founde you like Protheus of Pharos, not turning your 
 selfe into divers figures, as he did, but attempting to bring 
 me from my purpose. You shall knowe, saide the olde man. 
 But first I will tel you of my selfe, not beguiling you in my 
 tale, as you think : but propounding such talke as shalbe 
 true, and well agreeing to that which followeth. The citie 
 wherein I was borne is called Memphis, my fathers name, and 
 mine also is Calasiris. As touching my trade of life, I am 
 now a vacabond, who was not long before a priest, I had a 
 wife by the ordinance of the citie, but loste her by the la we of 
 nature. After shee had passed out of this body into another 
 rest, I lived a while without anie miserie, delighting my self 
 with two sonnes, that I had by her. Not many yeeres after 
 the course of heaven prescribed by destinie, doth change all 
 our estate, and Saturne cast his eye into our house, making 
 the change still worse and worse, without any hope of avoyd- 
 ing the same : onely foresight as in such cases is common, 
 was my gaine, which much abated the violence and heate of 
 these misadventures. For those miseries (my sonne,) that 
 come on thee suddenly, be untollerable, but such as are fore- 
 seene, are borne with more equall mind, For the mind being 
 occupied with feare, is abashed of those, and taketh them 
 heavilie, but custome by reason maketh these more familiar, 
 such a thing hapned unto me. A woman of Thrace, of ripe 
 yeares, and except Cariclia the fairest in the world, whose 
 name was Rhodopis, I know not whence, nor how by the ill 
 luck of her lovers, leaving her Countrey, travailed over all 
 
 Egypt, and came in very wanton wise to Memphis, with a 
 
 i 4. f j j j.- i. 
 
 great sort of maydes and servaunts wayting on her, very per- 
 
 fectly instructed in all Venerious entisements, and wanton 
 behaviour, so that it was possible for none that looked on her, 
 not to be intangled with her love, of such an unavoydable 
 force, was the whoorish allurement, that proceeded from her 
 I 65 
 
 BOOKE 
 
 Calasiris born 
 at Memphis, 
 h e telleth him 
 
 jjf e 
 
 Saturne an 
 
 unluckie 
 pl anet an ^ 
 
 Whatmiseries 
 be tolerable, 
 
 an t d ji wha ui m ~ 
 
 The begin- 
 \ n g f Gala- 
 
 sin f ! s e 
 lucke. 
 
 Rhodopis a 
 harlot.
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Calasiris 
 falleth in 
 love with 
 Rhodopis. 
 
 God graunt 
 
 that the 
 
 honestie of 
 
 this heathen 
 
 priest, con- 
 
 demne not 
 
 some of our 
 
 ministers 
 
 which pro- 
 
 fesse the 
 
 Gospell. 
 
 Calasiris 
 
 banished 
 
 himselfe. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 eyes. She entred into Isis Temple oft, whose Priest I was, 
 and woorshipped the Goddes dailie, and offered divers sacri- 
 fices, and giftes, which cost many Talentes : (I am ashamed to 
 tell it, yet I will) with often beholding of her, she overcame 
 me, ana that temperance also which in all my life, with great 
 study I had conserved. A great while I withstoode the eies 
 of my body with the inward eies of my mind, yet at last 
 overcome with this affection of love as those who are heavy 
 loden, I was constrayned to yeelde. When therefore I under- 
 stoode that a woman shoulde bee the beginning of all the ill 
 luck which the Goddes had appointed me, of which I was not 
 ignorant before, and perceived that by fatall destinie it was 
 so decreed, and that the God, whose turne it was then to rule, 
 woulde playe that parte : I determined not to dishonest the 
 Priesthoode, in which from my youth I had beene brought 
 up, neyther to defile the Temples, and secrete places of the 
 Goddes, and to avoyde that which was by destiny decreed, 
 not for dooing the deede (which God forbid) but to punishe 
 my desire with convenient punishment, as in my mind I 
 determined, by reason ruling in that judgement, I banished 
 my selfe, and unhappy man forsooke my countrie, as well to 
 yeelde to the necessitie of the Ladies of destinie, and give 
 them leave to determine of us what they would, as also to 
 leave the cursed Rhodopis. For I was afraid, lest my gest, lest 
 if he, who then had dominion, should violently enter into the 
 citie,! should be forced to doe some viler thing. But the chiefe 
 cause, above all other, that banished me, were my sonnes, for 
 the secret wisedome, that I had of the Goddes, foreshewed 
 to me, that they shoulde fight a blouddy battaile betweene 
 them selves. That I might therefore remove such a cruell spec- 
 tacle from mine eyes (which I thinke the sunne himselfe would 
 not beholde) and to acquite these fatherly eyes, of the sight 
 of my sonnes death, I went my way to prevent these thinges, 
 pretending as though I would goe to greate Thebes, to see my 
 elder sonne,who was then with his Graundfather, his name was 
 Thyamis. Cnemon started when he heard the name of Thy- 
 amis, yet he kept his counsel!, as well as he could, the better to 
 heare that which followed : but he told on as followeth. I omit 
 that which happened to me by the way (young man) for it 
 66
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 nothing appertaineth to that, you ask for. But when I hearde 
 there was a certaine citie of Greece sacred to Apollo, which 
 was a temple of the Gods, and a colledge of wise men, and 
 farre from the troubelous resort of the common people, I went 
 thither, thinking that citie which was dedicated to holines, 
 and ceremonies, to bee a meete place for a man being a 
 prophet to resorte unto. So when I had sailed by the coast 
 of Cressia, and was arrived at Cyrrhus, I went in hast out of 
 my ship to the towne whither after I was come, I fealt a 
 certaine divine odour breathe uppon me. So that for many 
 causes I accompted that Citie a meete place for me to abide 
 in, the least whereof was not the naturall situation of the 
 same. For as it were a naturall defence or tower, Parnassus 
 reacheth over it, incloasing the Citie as it were with a wall 
 with his two toppes. You say very well (quoth Cnemon) 
 and like one in deede who had tasted of Pithos spirite, for I 
 remember that my Father tolde me the sight of a tower was 
 such, when the Athenians sent him to the Councell of 
 Thamphictiones. Are you then an Athenians sonne said he ? 
 Yea sir, said Cnemon. What is your name? Cnemon, 
 answered he. How came you hither ? You shall heare that 
 hereafter, now tell on your tale, content quoth he. I went 
 into the Citie, and praysed it much in my minde, for the places 
 of exercise there, and the pleasaunt fieldes, and the springs, 
 with the fountain of Castalius, this done I went to the 
 Temple. For the report of the people, that saide the 
 Prophetesse would geve answere presently, mooved me so to 
 do : as soone as I had gone into the church and said my 
 prayers, and made a certaine secrete requeste of the God, 
 Pythias answered me thus : 
 
 To shunne the destinies sure decree 
 
 thou takest all this toile : 
 And therefore leavest the fruitefull coast 
 
 of Nylus fertile soile. 
 Have a good heart, for I will geve 
 
 the blakish fieldes againe 
 Of ./Egypt unto thee, till then, 
 
 our friend thou shalt remaine. 
 
 As soone as the Oracle had geven me this answere, I fel 
 
 67 
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Calasiris 
 
 journey to 
 
 Delphie. 
 
 The situation 
 of Delphi. 
 
 The pleasant 
 
 commodities 
 
 of Delphi. 
 
 Apollos an- 
 swere to 
 Calasiris.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTOR1E 
 
 B O O K E groveling on the altar, and desired him in all thinges to be 
 11 my good God. But a great sort of those that stoode by me, 
 
 praysed the God much for geving mee such an answeare at my 
 first comming : Every man taulked of Fortune, and behelde 
 me, and saide, that I was the welcommest man to the God that 
 Lycurgus ever came there, save one Lycurgus of Sparta, wherefore when 
 which gave I desired to dwel in the Churchyarde they gave me leave, and 
 lawes to the decree^ that I should be nourished of their common charges. 
 J nians. ^ ^ e snor t, I wanted no good thing. For there I enquired 
 the causes, and manner of the sacrifices which were very 
 divers, and many, that as wel the men that inhabit there, as 
 also strangers make, or els I conferred with Philosophers, 
 unto which Citie no small number of such men come, so that 
 the Citie is in a manner a studie dedicated to prophesies 
 under the God, who is Captaine of the Muses. Arid at the 
 Prettie Hea- first there were dyvers questions, as touching many matters 
 thenish ques- mooved among us. For some would aske after what sort we 
 Egyptians honored our Gods, an other, why divers countreies 
 worshipped divers kindes of beastes, and what they could say 
 of every of them, other enquired of the maner and forme of 
 the buildings called Pyramides, many of their framing of 
 instruments and their tunes. At a worde, they left nothing 
 that appertaineth to Egypt, unsearched. For the Grecians 
 eares are woonderfully delyted with tales of Egypt. At last, 
 certain of the civilest sorte fell in talke of Nylus, and 
 asked me whence were his heads, and what special propertie 
 it had above other rivers, and why it alone of all others in 
 Summer dyd rise. I tolde him what I knewe, and was 
 written in the holy bookes, and was lawfull onely for the 
 priestes to knowe, how that the head thereof was in the 
 highest parts of ^Ethiopia, and furthest bounds of all Libia, 
 at the ende of the Easte Clime, and beginning of the South. It 
 floweth in the Summer, not as some think, by reason of con- 
 trarie blastes of the Northwest winde (as some thinke), but 
 for that those same windes blowing out of the North, gather 
 together, and drive all the Cloudes of the ayre into the South 
 (about the middle of the summer) till they come to the burn- 
 ing line, where their violence is abated, for the uncredible heate 
 there aboutes, so that all the moysture, which was before 
 68
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 gathered together and congeled, melteth, and is resoulved into B O O K E 
 aboundance of water, wherewith Nylus waxeth proud, and will 
 be a river no longer, but runneth over his banks, and 
 covereth Egypt with his waters, as with a sea,' and maketh He confuteth 
 the ground very fruitefull. Wherefore it ministreth sweete tne opinion of 
 waters to drinke, as is like, for that they come from heaven, ce h ^g" ^7rs 
 and is pleasant to be touched, not now so hoate as at the first, th at thought 
 yet it is luke warme, as one that springeth in such a place, the increase 
 For which cause of that floud, and none other, arise no vapors, thereof had 
 
 for if there should, then were it like that it received his proceeded of 
 e t j f i . , . . j the resolution 
 
 encrease of snowe resolved, of which opinion some learned fSnowe 
 
 men of the Greekes have bin : as I talked of these matters 
 
 in this sort Apolloes priest, called Caricles, my familiar Caricles 
 
 freende, saide unto me, It is very wel said of you, and I Applies 
 
 my selfe am of your opinion also, for I have hard the priestes priest. 
 
 of Egypt that inhabit about Nylus, say so also. And have 
 
 you bin there then, Caricles, quoth I ? I have, quoth 
 
 he Calasiris. What mischance drave you thether ? I asked 
 
 him then. The ill lucke that I had at home, said he, which 
 
 for al that turned to my great felicitie. I woundred at that, 
 
 and thought it coulde not be so. You wil not marveile 
 
 (quoth he) if you heare the whole processe of the matter, 
 
 which you shall doo when you please. Then (quoth I) tel 
 
 me nowe, for I am wel pleased you should do so. Caricles 
 
 then, when he had let the people depart, said, Knowe that for Caricles tell- 
 
 a certaine cause I have desired a greate while, that you might et j 1 .C^asi" 8 
 
 bee made privie to mine estate. A longe time after I was estate. 
 
 married, I had no children : yet at length, when I was 
 
 olde, and had made earnest prayers to God, I had a daughter, 
 
 the which, God foreshewed me, should be borne in an il time. 
 
 For al that, she became marriageable, and I provided her a He was per- 
 
 husbande of one of her suters (for shee had many) which in my w* 3 .f ^ he 
 j a. XL j. i. j. rnL n j i i * hemistocles 
 
 judgemente, was the moste honestest man. The first nighte opinion, who 
 
 that shee, unhappy wench, lay with her husbande, she died rather 'chose 
 either with a Thunder bolte,or else, for that by negligent hand- for his daugh- 
 ling, her bedde was set on fire. And thus the mariageSong, ter >. * man 
 not yet ended, was turned to mourning : and she was carried m ^ n 1 ev then 
 oute of her Bridebedde, into her grave : and the Tapers that money' with- 
 gave her light at her wedding, did now serve to kendle her out a man. 
 
 69
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 It is not law- 
 ful for a man 
 to kill him- 
 selfe. 
 
 Out of sight 
 
 out of minde 
 
 commonly. 
 
 Catadupie a 
 Citie of 
 Aegypt. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 funerall fire. Beside this unhappy fortune, God gave me 
 another tragicall missehappe, in that he tooke the mother 
 from me, beinge too sorrowfull for the deathe of her daughter. 
 I therefore (not able to beare this greate punishment at the 
 Goddes hande, did not kill my selfe, in obeying their pre- 
 ceptes, who are occupied aboute holy controversies, and affirme 
 it not to be lawfull, but) leaft my countrie privily, and 
 fled farre from the sorrowes I felt at home : for the quick 
 remembrance of the minde, is greately holpen, to forgette 
 evilles passed, if it be obscured, and darkened by turning of 
 the eyes from the same. After I had travelled over many 
 countries, at length I came into your Egypt, and into the citie 
 Catadupy, to see the sluces of Nylus. And thus my freende, 
 I have tould you the manner of my travell into those places. 
 But I desire, that you shoulde knowe the principall cause, 
 why I tell you this tale. As I walked aboute in the citie, as 
 my leasure served, and did buie such things, as are very 
 scarce in Greece (for nowe by continuance of time, havinge 
 well digested my sorrowes, I hasted to returne into my 
 countrie) there came a sober man to me, and such a one, as by 
 countenance appered to be wise, that had lately passed his 
 youthfull yeares, who was in couller very black, and saluted 
 me and saide, that he woulde talke with me about a certaine 
 matter (not speakinge Greeke very well). And when he sawe, 
 that I was willing to goe with him, he brought me into a 
 certaine Temple, and by and by, sayde, I sawe you buye 
 certaine Hearbes and Rootes that growe in India, and 
 ^Ethiopia, if you will and without guile, I will shew you them 
 with al my hart. That I will, quoth I, shew me then I pray 
 you. With that he tooke a little bag from under his arme, 
 and shewed me certaine precious stones of wonderfull price. 
 For there were Margarites among them as bigge as a little nut, 
 perfect rounde, and Smaragdes, and Hiacinthes, they were in 
 colour as the greene grasse, and shined very bright. These 
 were like the sea banke, that lieth under a hard rocke which 
 maketh all that is underneath to be like purple colour. At 
 fewe wordes, their mingled, and divers shining colour, delighted 
 and pleased the eyes wonderfully, which as soone as I sawe, 
 You must seeke other chapmen (quoth I) good syr, for I and 
 70
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 al my riches are scant able to buy one of the stones that I B O O K E 
 
 see. Why saide he, if you be not able to buy them yet are H 
 
 you able to take them, if they be given you. I am able, 
 
 saide I, to receive them in deede, but I know not what you 
 
 meane so to mock me. I mock you not, quoth he, but meane 
 
 good faith and I sweare by the God of this church, that I 
 
 wil give you al these things, if you wil take them, beside 
 
 another gifte, which farre excelleth them all. I laughed 
 
 when I heard this, he asked me why I laughed. Bicause, 
 
 quoth I, it is a thing to be laughed at : seeing you 
 
 promise me thinges of so great price, and yet assure me Many take 
 
 to give mee more. Trust me, saide he : but sweare that others for like 
 
 you will use this gifte weU, and as I shall teach you. I ^ a d n ' tl but d e r ! 
 
 marveiled what he meant, and staied a while, yet in hope of fourme them 
 
 those greater rewardes, I tooke an othe. After I had sworne so well. 
 
 as he willed me, he brought me to his lodging, and shewed 
 
 me a maide of excellent beautie, which hee saide, was but What excel- 
 
 seven yeere olde. Me thought shee was almost marriageable, ^ e . nt beautie 
 
 such grace doth excellent beautie give to the talenesse of W1 ~ **" 
 
 stature. I stoode in a mase, as well for that I knew not what ma keth a wo- 
 
 he meante, as also for the unsatiable desire I had to looke man seemely. 
 
 upon her. Then spake he thus to me. Syr, the mother of 
 
 this maide, which you see, for a certaine cause, that you shal 
 
 knowe hereafter, laid her foorth, wrapped in such apparell as Cariclia laide 
 
 is commonly used for such purposes, committing her to the f or th, and 
 
 doubtfulnesse of fortune. And I by chaunce finding her, ""fojjjjjj 
 
 tooke her up, for it is not lawfull to despise and neglecte a 
 
 soule in daunger, after it hath once entred into an Humane That is not 
 
 body. For this is one of the wise mens precepts, that are lawful to let 
 
 with us, to be whose scholer my selfe was once iudged worthy. on f w ~ 
 T j 4-1, e 4. j.u j 'out succour, 
 
 Besides that even m the infantes eyes there appeared some j s a p rec ept 
 
 wonderfull thing, she behelde mee with such a steadie, and of theGymno- 
 aimiable countenaunce, as I looked uppon her. With her was sophists, 
 also found this bagge of precious stones which I shewed you 
 of late, and a silken cloth wrought with letters in her mother Cariclias state 
 tongue, wherein was her whole estate contained, her mother w "tten in her 
 as I guesse procuring the same. Which after I had reade, 
 I knew whence, and what she was, and so I carried her into 
 the countrie farre from the citie, and delivered her to cer- 
 
 71
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE 
 II 
 
 Sisimithres 
 finding Caric- 
 lia provideth 
 for her bring- 
 ing up. 
 
 Beautie can- 
 not be hidde. 
 
 Cariclia 
 
 delivered to 
 
 Caricles. 
 
 Caricles call- 
 eth Cariclia 
 
 his owne 
 daughter oft 
 and named her 
 after his owne 
 
 Sisimithres 
 
 his Ambas- 
 
 sage. 
 
 taine Shepeheardes to be brought up, with charge that they 
 should tell no man. As for those things that were founde 
 with her, I detayned with my selfe, leaste for them, the maide 
 should bee brought into any daunger. And thus at the first 
 this matter was concealed : But after, in processe of time, the 
 maide growing on and becomming more fayre, then other 
 women were, (for beautie in mine opinion cannot be concealed, 
 though it were under the grounde, but would thence also 
 appeare) fearing lest her estate should be knowen, and so 
 shee killed, and I brought in trouble therefore, I sewed, that 
 I might be sente in Ambassage, to the Deputie of Egypte, 
 and obtained it, wherefore I come, and bring her with me, 
 desirous to sette her busines in good order. And nowe muste 
 I utter to him the cause of mine Ambassage, for he hath 
 appointed this day for the hearing of me. As touching the 
 maide, I commend her, to you, and the Goddes, who have 
 hitherto conserved her, uppon such conditions, as you are 
 bound by oth to perfourme. That is, that you will use her 
 as a free woman, and marry her to a free man, as you receive 
 her at my hande, or rather of her mother, who hath so left 
 her. I hope that you will performe all things wherof we 
 have commoned as well by credite of your oth, as also by 
 trust that I have in your manners, which I have by many 
 daies experienced to be very Greekishe in deede. Thus much 
 I had to say to you, before I executed my commission, as 
 concerning mine Ambassage : as for other secrecies belonging 
 to the maide, I will tell you them to morrow in more ample 
 wise, if you will meete with me aboute Isis temple. I did as 
 he requested, and carried the maid muffled to mine owne 
 house, and used her very honorably that day, comforting her 
 with many faire meanes, and gave God great thanks for her, 
 from that time hitherto, accompting, and calling her my 
 daughter. The next day I went to Isis temple, as I had 
 appointed with the stranger, and after I had walked there 
 a great while alone, and saw him not, I went to the deputies 
 house, and inquired whether any man saw the legate of 
 Aethiopia. There one told me, that he was gone, or rather 
 driven homewarde, the last day before sunne set, for that 
 the deputie threatened to kill him, if presently he departed 
 72
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 not. I asked him the cause. For that, quoth hee, by his B O O K E 
 Ambassage he willed him not to meddle with the mines out 
 of which the smaragds were digged, as those that apper- 
 tained to Aethiopia. I came home again, much greeved, 
 like one that had some great mishap, by cause I could not 
 knowe anything as touching the maide, neither whence she 
 was or who were her parentes. Mervaile not thereat, saide 
 Cnemon, interrupting him, for I my selfe take it heavilly 
 that I cannot knowe it now : yet perhaps I shall know it 
 hereafter. You shall in deede, said Calasiris. 
 
 But now will I tell you, what Caricles saide more. After 
 I came into my house (quoth he) the maid came forth to 
 meete me, but said nothing, because shee coulde not yet 
 speake Greeke : yet shee tooke me by the hande, and made 
 me good cheere with her countenance. I marveiled that 
 even as good grayhoundes do fawne uppon every one, 
 though they have but litle acquaintance with them, so 
 shee quickly perceived my good will towarde her, and did 
 imbrace me, as if I had bene her father. I determined there- 
 fore, not to tarry longer in Catadupi, leaste some spite of the 
 Goddes should deprive me of my other Daughter too, and 
 so comming by boate downe along Nylus, to the sea, I gotte 
 a ship, and sailed home, and nowe is this my daughter with 
 mee, this Daughter, I say, syrnamed also by my name, for 
 whose sake, I lead scant a quiet life. And beside other Cariclia not 
 thinges, wherein shee is better then I could wish, she learnt one ly. passing 
 the Greeke tongue in so short space, and came to perfite age eau l u .... u 
 with such speede, as if he had bene a peerelesse braunch, also, 
 and farre of passed all other in excellent beautie, that all 
 mens eyes, as wel strangers, as Greekes, were set on her. To 
 be short, whersoever she was, either at the temples, or at pub- 
 like exercises, or in the places of common resort, shee turned 
 all mens mindes, and countenances unto her, as if shee had 
 bene the Image of some God, lately framed. And although 
 she bee such a one, yet shee greeveth me scare. Shee hath 
 bidden mariage farewell, and determineth to live a maiden Cariclia not 
 stil, and so becomming Dianas servant, for the most parte willing to 
 applieth her selfe to hunting, and dooth practise shooting. 
 For my part, I set litle by my life who hoped to marry her 
 
 K 73
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E to my Nephew, my sisters Sonne, a courteous young man, 
 
 H well mannered, and faire spoken, but I can, neither by 
 
 prayer nor promise nor force of Argument perswade her 
 
 thereto : but that which greeveth me most, is that (as the 
 
 Proverbe saith) shee useth mine owne Fethers against mee, 
 
 and addeth greate experience, and many reasons to prove 
 
 that shee hath chosen the best kinde of life, commending 
 
 virginity with immortall praise, and placing it in Heaven 
 
 by the Gods, calleth it immaculate, unspotted, and un- 
 
 corrupted : as for love, Venus disporte, and everie Ceremonie 
 
 that appertaineth to marriage, shee utterly dispraiseth. In 
 
 this matter I require your helpe, and therefore no we I 
 
 having good occasion, which hath in a manner preferred it 
 
 selfe to me, use a longer tale, then neede requireth. Do 
 
 thus much for me, good Calasiris, use some pointe of your 
 
 wisedome, though it bee by inchauntment, to perswade her, 
 
 either by worde, or deede, to knowe her owne nature, and to 
 
 consider, that she is borne of a woman. This you can do, if 
 
 you will. For she disdaineth not to talke with men, for 
 
 that she hath beene commonly brought up among them. 
 
 And she dwelleth in the same house with you, here I meane 
 
 within the circuite and compasse of this Temple. Despise 
 
 not mine humble prayers, and suffer mee not to live in mine 
 
 age without children, and comforte, and hope of any to 
 
 succeede me : this I beseech you to do for Apolloes sake, and 
 
 all the Gods of your owne countrie. I wepte when I heard 
 
 this, Cnemon, because he himselfe not without teares thus 
 
 humbly besought mee, and promised to doe what I coulde for 
 
 him in this pointe. While we yet talked of these matters, 
 
 Aenians peo- one came to us in haste, and tolde us that the captaine of the 
 
 pie of Thessa- Aenians ambassage, was at the gate, and made provision, and 
 
 eti^ree fro^ therefore desired the Priest to come away, and beginne the 
 
 Deucalion. 1 " sacrifice. I asked Caricles what those Aenians were, and 
 
 what holy message theirs was, and what sacrifice they made. 
 
 How far the The Aenians, saide he, is the noblest parte of Thessalia, and 
 
 Aenians coun- right Greekish, which fetch their petigree from Deucalion, 
 
 try goeth. an( j s t re t cn to the borders of Malia, their chiefe citie is 
 
 Their chiefe Hipala, so called, as they say, because it is mistres, and ruler 
 
 is Hipala. of the rest, but as other thinke for that it is situate under 
 
 74
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 the hill Oeta. This sacrifice the Aenians sende to Pyrrhus B O O K E 
 Achilles sonne everie fourth yeare, at such time as the feaste II 
 
 Agon is kept to Apollo (which is now as you know) for here The names of 
 was he killed at the very Altars of Apollo, by guyle of Orestes the Aenians 
 Agamemnons sonne : This message is done more honourably sac rafice to 
 v j.i i .1 j. _.!_!. Jrirrnus. 
 
 than any ot the rest, because the captame saieth, he is one 
 
 of Achilles line. By chaunce I met with him two dayes The Captaine 
 ago, and there seemeth verily to appeare in him somwhat of this Lega- 
 worthie those that come of Achilles bloude, such is the come- . 1?? 1S ^ 
 lynes of his person, and tallenes of stature, that it may easily his^ame^ 
 prove he was borne of some Goddesse. I marvailed how Theagenes. 
 they being Aenians did say they came of Achilles bloude, 
 because the Egyptian Poet Homer saith that he was borne A pretty dis- 
 in Pythia. The young man, and the rest of the Aenians, say course of 
 plainely that he is their progenitour, and that Thetis was Achillescoun- 
 maried to Peleus out of Malia, and that in old time Pythia "rffurnents C 
 was there abouts, and that beside them whosoever doe that the Aeu- 
 chalenge the noble man for his valiant actes, say untruely. ians have to 
 For his parte, he proveth himselfe to be of Achilles bloud by prove that 
 an other reason : for that Menesthius his grandfather, who A *^[ * y ^ d 
 was the sonne of Sperchius, and Polidora Peleus daughter, t he chief 
 which went with Achilles among the noble captaines to whereof is this 
 Troye, and because he was his Kinsman, was one of the sacrifice, 
 chiefest captaines of the Mirmidones. And although he 
 himselfe be verie neare on every side to Achilles, and joyne 
 him to the Aenians, yet he accounteth these funeralles to 
 Pyrrhus, for a most assured proofe, which all the Thessalians 
 (as he saith) have graunted to them, bearing them witnesse 
 that they be the nexte of his bloud. I envy them not 
 Caricles (quoth I) whether, they chalenge this to themselves 
 untruly or it be so in deede. But I pray you, send for the 
 Captaine in, for I desire much to see him. Caricles was con- 
 tent : Therewith entred in a young man of Achilles courage The descrip- 
 in deede, who in countenance, and stomache appeared no lesse, tion of a very 
 with a streight necke, hie foreheaded with his haire in comely comelv man - 
 sorte rebending downe, his nose, and nosthrilles wide inough to 
 take breathe, which is a token of courage and strength : his 
 eyes not very grey, but grey and blacke, which made him looke 
 somewhat fiercely, and yet very aimiably, not much unlike 
 
 75
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E the Sea, which is newe calmed after a boysterous tempest. 
 II After he had saluted us, as the maner was and we him 
 
 againe, It is time saide he, to doe Sacrifice to the God, that 
 wee may finishe the Noble mans rites, and the pompe thereto 
 belonging by times let it be so, said Caricles, and as he 
 rose, he tolde me softly, you shall see Cariclia to day, if you 
 have not seene her before, for she must be at the pompe and 
 Funeralles of Neoptolemus by custome. I had seene the 
 maide before, Cnemon, and done sacrifice with her, and she 
 woulde inquire of me, of our holy customes and ordinances. 
 Yet I sayd nothing to him, wayting to see what woulde come 
 hereof, and so we went to the Temple both together. For 
 all thinges that belonged to the sacrifices, were made redy by 
 the Thessalians. Assone as wee came to the altar, and the 
 young man beganne to do the Sacrifice, having leave firste 
 of the prieste, Pythia saide thus : 
 
 Apollo Ye men of Delphi sing of her, 
 
 his answere an d Goddes offspring praise : 
 
 as touching Who now in grace beginnes to growe, 
 
 Theagenes but fame shall ende her dayes. 
 
 and Cariclia. Who leaving these my temples here, 
 
 and passing surging streames : 
 Shall come at length to countrie scortchte. 
 
 with Phoebus biasing beames, 
 Where they as recompences due, 
 
 that vertues rare do gaine. 
 
 In time to come ere it be long, 
 
 white Miters shall obtaine. 
 
 After the God had saide thus, those that stoode by cast 
 many doubtes, but knewe not what answere shoulde meane. 
 Every man had his several exposition, and as he desired 
 so he conjectured, yet could none attaine to the true mean- 
 When oracles ing thereof, for oracles and dreames are for the most part 
 southsayings understoode, when they be come to passe. And although 
 the men of Delphi were in a maze, for that was said, 
 yet they hasted to go to this gorgeous solemnitie, 
 not caring to make any diligent inquirie of 
 the aunsweare which was geven. 
 
 are to be ex- 
 pounded. 
 
 76 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE SECONDE BOOKE
 
 THE THIRD BOOKE
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE THIRDE BOOKE 
 
 IN the third booke is conteined the manner of the Funeralles, 
 
 and how Theagenes fell in love with Cariclia, and shee 
 
 with him, and the moane that Caricles made for 
 
 her to Calasiris.
 
 THE THIRD BOOKE 
 
 FTER the Pompe and Funerall was ended : 
 Nay Father (quoth Cnemon, interrupting 
 him) it is not done yet, seeing your talke 
 hath not made mee also a looker thereon. 
 But you slippe from me, who desire won- 
 derfully to beholde the whole order there- 
 of, no lesse then one (who as the proverb 
 is) came after a feast, in as much as you 
 have but opened the Theatre, and straight shut it up againe. 
 Cnemon (said Calasiris) I woulde not trouble you, with such 
 impertinent matters as you now desire, but would have brought 
 you to the principal pointes of my tale and that, which you 
 desired at firste. But because you desire by the way to be a 
 looker here upon, here by you declare your selfe to be an 
 Athenian, I wil briefly declare to you the braverie therof, 
 as well for it self, because it is famous, as also for certaine 
 things that happened thereat. The Hecatombe wente before, 
 and such men as were but lately entered into the holy 
 ministerie, lead the same : eache one had a white garment 
 knitte aboute them, their right hande, and arme with their 
 breast naked, and a Pollaxe therein. All the Oxen were 
 blacke, and very lustie, wagginge their heades, and lifting 
 them uppe a litle, they had even homes, part whereof was 
 guilded, other had Garlandes of flowers uppon them, their 
 legges were somewhat crooked, and their throtes hanged be- 
 neath their knees and there were so many as woulde make a 
 juste Hecatombe in deede. After these followed a great sorte 
 of other offerings, and every kinde of beastes was lead by it 
 
 The manner of 
 the sacrifice. 
 
 Hecatombe is 
 a kind of sac- 
 rifice, wherein 
 were a hund- 
 red beages of 
 one kinde 
 slaine, as a 
 
 hundred 
 
 oxen, sheepe, 
 
 swine, or 
 
 goats.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E selfe in order alone, with an instrument that appointed when 
 111 and with what they should begin. These beastes, and their 
 leaders did certaine virgins of Thessalia, standing in a ringe, 
 with their haire loose aboute their eares, entertaine. The 
 maides were divided into two companies, those who were in the 
 first, carried flowers and fruite. The other carried in baskets 
 other fine knackes, and perfumes, and filled all the place with 
 pleasant odour; they carried not these thinges in their handes, 
 but on their heades, for that they helde their hands for- 
 ward and backward, that they might the more easily both 
 goe and daunce. They received their Song of another company, 
 for it was the dutie of these to sing the whole Hymne. In 
 this Song was Thetis praised, and Peleus, then their Sonne, 
 and after his, after these, Cnemon. What Cnemon (quoth 
 Cnemon) now father ye take from me the pleasantest part of 
 this tale, as thoughe you would make me a beholder onely 
 of that, that was donne in this Royaltie, and not a hearer also. 
 You shall heare it, saide Calasiris, seeing it pleaseth you, this 
 was the Songe. 
 
 The song that O Nereus God in surginge seas, 
 
 the Thessa- we prayse thy daughter deare : 
 
 lian virgins Whom Peleus at commaundement, 
 
 sung in the of love did make his feare. 
 
 honour of Thou art our lady Venus brave, 
 
 Thetis and in Sea a glimsinge Starre : 
 
 Peleus, Who, thee Achilles, did bring foorthe, 
 
 Achilles and a very Mars in warre. 
 
 Pyrrhus. And captaine good unto the Greekes 
 
 thy glory scales the skyes : 
 
 To thee did thy redheaded wife 
 
 cause Pyrrhus rough to rise. 
 
 The Trojans utter over thro we, 
 
 but stay to Greekishe host : 
 Be thou good Pyrrhus unto us 
 
 a favourable ghost. 
 Who here in grave intumbed liest, 
 
 in Phoebus sacred grounde : 
 Bowe downe thine eare, to th' oly hymnes, 
 
 that we to thee doo sounde. 
 And this our citie suffer not, 
 
 in any feare to be : 
 Of thee, and Thetis is our songe, 
 
 Thetis al hayle to thee. 
 80
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Thus was the songe made Cnemon, as farre as I remember, B O O K E 
 and there was so good order in the songe, and the measure 
 of their dauncinge, agreed so wel to the sound of the instru- 
 ment, that the eies neglected that they saw, in comparison of 
 that they hard, and those that stoode by, would folio we the 
 maydes that passed on, as though they hadde beene con- 
 strained with the pleasantnesse of their songe, untill the 
 jollie lustie youthes with their captaine and ringleader 
 appeared, the sight whereof was better then all that they 
 had scene before. The whole number of these youthes was 
 fifty, which was devided into twice five and twenty, in a 
 manner garded their Captaine, who rode in the middest of 
 them. Their bootes wraught with purple leather, were The Aenians 
 foulded finely a little above their ancles. Their clokes were apparell. 
 buttoned with buttons of Golde beefore their breastes, and 
 were laide on with rounde blewe buttons, downe unto the 
 nethermost hemme. Their horses came all out of Thessalia, 
 which also shewed by their pleasaunt countenaunces, the 
 good pasturage of their countrey. They fomed on their 
 bridles as though they thought scorne of such as rode on them, 
 yet they turned very redilie as the Ryders would have them. 
 Their saddles, and the rest of their harnesse was so beset with 
 silver and golde, that in this point the young men seemed to 
 strive who should be bravest. But Cnemon, those who were 
 present, did so despise and passe these men thus apparreled, 
 and looke on the Captaine Theagenes (on whom was my care) 
 that all, which shewed before very bright, was now darkened, 
 as it had beene with some passing lightning. Such brightnes 
 did hys sight bring unto us, in as much as he was on horse- 
 back also, with a speare of Ashe, poynted with steele in his 
 hande, he had no helmet on, but was bare headed. Hiscloke Theagenes his 
 was of Purple wrought with Golde, wherein was the battell cloake what 
 of the Centaures and Lapithes : on the button of his cloke 
 was Pallas pictured, bearing a shielde before her breast, 
 wherein was Gorgons head. The comelines and commenda- 
 tion of that which was done, was some what increased by the 
 easie blowing of the winde, which mooved his haire about his 
 necke, parting it before his forhead, and made his cloake 
 wave, and the nether parts thereof to cover the back and 
 L 81
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E buttocks of his horse. You woulde have sayde that hys 
 
 horse did knowe the beautie of his master, and that he beeing 
 
 Theagenes his very faire him selfe, did beare a passing seemely man, he 
 
 horse. rayned so, and with pricked up eares, he tossed his head, and 
 
 rolled his eyes fiercelie, and praunced, and leapt in so fine 
 
 sort. When he had the raynes a little at will, he would set 
 
 forward couragiously, and turne about on both sides, and 
 
 beat the ground with the tippes of his houfes lightly, and 
 
 moderate his fiercenes with the pleasauntnesse of his pace. 
 
 Each man was amazed thereat, and gave the young man the 
 
 principall praise, as well for his courage, as also for beautie 
 
 and comelynes of personage. At a word, the common 
 
 What the sort of women, and such as could not moderate their affec- 
 
 common sort tions, cast apples and floures upon him, by that meanes as 
 
 of women did m jcr n t b e geassed, seeking to gette his favour. For they were 
 
 toTheagenes. i ^ .1 ' .1 i j u i, v. 
 
 and their a * * this P imon > that there coulde bee no humame shape 
 
 opinion of which coulde surmount the seemelines of Theagenes. But 
 
 him. after that Aurora, with rosiall fingers, as saith Homer, 
 
 Theagenes be- appeared, and the beautifull and wise Cariclia, came out of 
 
 ginnethtolove Dianas temple : then I perceived that Theagenes coulde be 
 
 Caricha, conquered, and so farre conquered, as the naturall seemelines 
 
 of womans beautie hath the more and greater force at first 
 
 to bring under. For shee was carried in a chariot, drawen 
 
 How Cariclia with a yoke of white Oxen, shee had on a purple gowne 
 
 was attired, downe to her foote, spangled with golde. She was girded 
 
 Cariclias with a girdle, in making whereof the workman bestowed all 
 
 Girdle. his craft, in that he never made the like before, nor able 
 
 to frame suche an other after. For he tied two Dragons 
 
 tayles behinde her back, betweene her shoulders, bringing 
 
 further their contrary neckes under her pappes, with an 
 
 artificiall knotte, suffering both their heads to hang downe 
 
 after it was fastened about her. You woulde have sayde 
 
 that the Serpents did not seeme to creepe, but crept in deede. 
 
 They were not fearful with their terrible lookes, but seemed 
 
 as though they had beene wantonly a sleepe. As touching 
 
 their matter, they were gold, but in colour blewe. For the 
 
 golde by arte was made blacke, that blacke and blewe might 
 
 in deede represent the sharpenesse of diversitie of scales, and 
 
 such was the maides girdle. Her haire was neither all bound 
 
 82
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 up, nor al loose : but the most part thereof that grewe be- B O O K E 
 hinde, hanged over her shoulders, that which grewe from the HI 
 crowne of her head downewarde to her forhead, being yeallowe 
 coloured, was crowned with a garlande of young Laurell, 
 which did not suffer the whole to be blowen more then was 
 seemely with the vehemencie of the wind. In her left hande 
 she bare a gilded bowe, and a quiver of Arrowes hanged on her 
 right shoulder, and in her other hand she bare a Taper burn- 
 ing, and although she were so attyred, yet there came greater 
 light from her eyes, then from the Taper. Those same are 
 Theagenes and Cariclia in deede, saide Cnemon. Calasiris 
 thinking that he had spyed them some where, asked him, And 
 where be they ? shewe me them for Gods sake. Me thought 
 father (quoth he) I sawe them not being here, you have 
 described them so wel, and I myselfe remember wel, I have 
 scene them. I cannot tell (quoth he) whether you sawe them 
 so attired, as at that time all Greece, and the sunne him- 
 selfe, did see them. So faire and so happy were they as Men and 
 menne had felicitie inough, if they were like him, and women, womenhappy, 
 if they were like her. For they counted it an immortall lf ^ e ^nj^ e 
 thing to be such a couple. Although the people of that genes and 
 countrey rather praised the yong man, and the Thessalians Cariclia. 
 the maid, both praising that woonderfully which they never 
 sawe before. For a newe countenaunce and seldome seene, 
 doth more moove the minde, then that wherewith we are 
 dayly acquainted. . But oh delectable deceite, O acceptable 
 opinion, how didst thou comfort me, Cnemon, when I hoped 
 that thou hadst scene my deare children, and wouldest have 
 shewed me them ? But thou goest about utterly to deceive 
 mee. For where as you promised me at the first, that they 
 would come by and by, and had for rewarde of so doing, 
 obtained of me this tale of them, yet can not you shewe me 
 them, although the evening approach, and it be dark night. 
 Be content quoth he, and feare not, for they wil come with- 
 out doubt. Perhaps there is some let that they come not so 
 soone as was appointed betwixt us, otherwise, if they were 
 here, I would not shewe you them before I had the whole hire 
 that you promised me. Wherefore if you desire to see them 
 in haste, perfourme that you promised, and make an ende of 
 
 83
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E your imperfect tale. I, quoth he, am very unwilling to doe 
 that which bringeth me in minde of that which greeveth mee 
 much, and I supposed that you had beene wearie of this my 
 so long pratling. But seeing you be so desirous to heare 
 and can never be wearied with a good tale, goe to, let us 
 Calasiris was proceede where we left. Yet first let us light a Candle, and 
 very super- fioo sacrifice to the Gods that governe in the night, that 
 ' u8 ' having perfourmed the accustomable ceremonies, we may lie 
 quietly, and tell forwarde our tale. He saide thus, and 
 forthwith a maide brought in a candle lighted, and he finished 
 his sacrifice, and called upon divers of the Gods, but especiallie 
 upon Mercurie, and desired to have some happy dreame that 
 night, and that his deerely beloved children might appeare 
 unto him in his sleepe, he prayed humbly : when he had thus 
 done, he sayd, After that the young man had gone three 
 times aboute Neoptolemus his Sepulture in their braverie 
 on horsebacke, the women cryed out piteouslie, and the men 
 made a strange noyse. Therewithall suddenly all the Oxen, 
 Rammes and Goates were killed, as if they had beene slaine 
 at one stroke. Last of all, when the Altar being of wonder- 
 full greatnesse, had sixe hundred cloven logges laide upon it, 
 and all manner of lawfull offerings were added thereunto, 
 The maner of they made request that Apolloes Priest might begin the 
 the sacrifice Sacrifice. Caricles saide, that the Sacrifice in deede apper- 
 
 o^the^rielt tained Unt him ' but the Ca P taine of this hol 7 legation, 
 of ApolloTarid shoulde take the taper of her, that was president of those 
 the Aenians Ceremonies, and set the Altar on fire, for so was the Countrie 
 captaine of fashion. This he saide, and did Sacrifice, and Theagenes 
 
 their holy tooke the Taper. Surely, Cnemon, that the minde is a heavenly 
 embassasre. ii -IP a* !_ -11 .1 
 
 thmge, and of great afnmtie with the supenour nature, wee 
 
 may knowe by the deedes, and woorkes thereof. For they 
 looked one upon an other, as though the minde knew first 
 that, whiche was like to it selfe, and did approche neare to 
 that, which both in excellencie, and dignitie was of affinitie 
 to it. At the firste they stoode still soudainely, as though 
 they had beene amazed. And she delivered her Taper with 
 a constant countenance, and hee likewise received it, and 
 viewed one another with so stedie eyes, as if either had scene, 
 and knowen other before, and nowe coulde not call to re- 
 84
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 membrance where. This donne, they smiled a little, but so B O O K E 
 that it coulde scantly be perceived by their countinaunce. 
 
 Afterward as though they were ashamed of that they did, The sundry 
 
 they blushed : within a while after, when this affection, as I countenances 
 
 thinke, had eriped their hartes, they became pale. At a , an r 
 ,'., & 5ij * j L r naviours of 
 
 worde, sixe hundered countenaunces appered in their races m lovers. 
 
 shorte time, and the chaunginge of all kinde of colour, and 
 the rowlinge of their eies, plainely betokened the troubles in 
 their minde. The people that were present, as may be 
 gessed, perceived not this, because every one thought of 
 divers matters, neither Caricles, who at that time, repeated 
 the usuall prayer. Onely I did nothinge, but marke the 
 yonge couple, after that the Oracle spake of Theagenes, 
 doinge sacrifice in the temple, and by conjecture of their 
 names, was moved to suspecte that, which after shoulde come 
 to passe, yet I knewe nothinge exquisitly, of that which was 
 signified in the latter parte of the answere. But after that, 
 at length, and as it were by force, Theagenes was with- 
 drawne from the mayde, and with his taper set fire one the 
 alter, the pompe was broken uppe, and the Thessalians went 
 to banketting, and all the other people went every man to 
 his owne house. Cariclia also putting on a white cloke, with 
 a fewe of her familiers, wente into her owne chamber, which 
 was within the compasse of the Temple. For shee dwelled not 
 with her supposed father, but altogether separated her selfe 
 from him, that shee might not bee dissuaded from her pur- 
 pose. I being nowe made more curious, by reason of that I 
 had hard, and seene, came to meete Caricles of set purpose. 
 Who asked me, Sawe you Cariclia, my joie, and the honour of 
 the people of Delphi ? This was not the first time (quoth I), 
 but I sawe her before, as ofte as the people resorted to the 
 Temple, not as one that stoode a farre off, as the proverbe 
 is, but shee hath doone sacrifice together with me, and if 
 shee doubted of any poynte, either of Divine or humane 
 matters, shee woulde aske me, and I tolde her. Howe liked 
 you her at this time, quoth he? Did shee set forth this 
 brave sight any whit? Marry Syr Caricles (quoth I) you 
 seeme to aske me, whither the Moone doe exceede any whitte 
 the lesser Stars. They praysed, saide hee, the Thessalian 
 
 85
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E young man, giving him the second place after her. Yea and 
 thirde too, quoth I. But in deede they acknowledged your 
 daughter to bee the principall shewe yea and the very eye of 
 the pompe. Caricles was well pleased with this (and I 
 beganne nowe to drawe to the purpose, especially desiring 
 that hee woulde bee of good harte, and doubte notning), who 
 smilinge a litle saide, I goe to her nowe, and if it please you, 
 goe with me, and let us see, whether this greate companie 
 hath beene any thing noysome unto her. I was very gladde 
 of this request, yet I made as though, I had other businesse to 
 do : but was contente to leave that, and goe with him. After 
 we came where shee was, and hadde gonne into her chamber, 
 wee founde her sick on her bedde, and coulde take no rest, and 
 Cariclia iu all her eyes bedewed with love droppes. After her father 
 love. was come in, and she (as was her manner) had imbraced him, 
 hee asked her what shee ay led. Shee made him answere, that 
 her head did ake, and that shee would faine sleepe if she 
 might. Caricles much greeved with this, went out of her 
 Chamber with me, and commaunded the maydes to make as 
 little noyse as might bee, and after he came before his owne 
 house, he saide : What should this mean, good Calasiris ? 
 What disease hath my deare daughter ? Marvel not, quoth 
 I, if shee having shewed her selfe in such a companie, hath 
 beene spyed by some spitefull eye. Hee smyled at this, and 
 sayde in jesting wise, You then doe beleeve, as men commonly 
 Calasiris prov- doe, that there is witchcraft. Yea marrye quoth I, and 
 eth by divers verily, as I thinke, there is anything true, and that for this 
 ^s witch* cause - The avre wn i cn i g about us on every side, enteringe 
 ing. into us by our eyes, nosthrilles, mouth, and other poares, 
 carrying with it suche outwarde qualities as it is indued 
 withal, doth ingrafte a like infection in them who have re- 
 ceived it. For which cause when a man hath envyously 
 looked upon any excellent thing, foorthwith he hath filled the 
 ayre with that pestilent qualitie, and sent foorth also that 
 poysoned breath to that which is neare at hande. That 
 same ayre being a slender and subtile thing, pierceth even to 
 the bones and very marowe, and by that meanes hath envie 
 been cause to many of that disease, which we call by a proper 
 name Bewitching. Consider that also Caricles, how many 
 86
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 have gotten sore eyes, and the plague, though they neyther B O O K E 
 touched those that had such diseases, nor eate at their table, 
 nor lay in their beddes, but onely by being in the same ayre : The ayre is 
 as wel as any thing els. Let love be an argument or proofe infectious, 
 of this, who taketh his beginning and occasion of that which is 
 scene, and so, as if it were some privie passion, by the eyes is 
 suffered to enter into the harte. And this is like to be true. 
 For seing of all our other pores, and senses, sighte is capable 
 of most mutations, and the hotest, it must needes receive 
 such infections as are about it, and with a hote spirite enter- 
 taine the changes of love. If neede be, I will bring for 
 examples sake some reason out of the holy bookes, gathered 
 of the consideration of nature. Charadrius healeth those The bird Ca- 
 that have the kinges evill, which birde flieth away as soone as r <*drius, jf one 
 any that hath this disease, hath spied her, and turneth her ^inffs evil see 
 taile toward him, shutteth her eyes. Not as some say, be- her, healeth 
 cause she would not help him, but that in looking uppon him that is so 
 him, she draweth that evill disease unto her by nature, and diseased, but 
 therefore she declineth such sight as a present perill. And dl ^ g^ 60 
 perhaps you have heard how the serpent Basiliscus, with his 
 onelie breath and looke, doeth drye up and corrupte all that The nature of 
 it passeth by : and it is no marvell if some doe bewitche *^ e serpent 
 such as they holde most deare, and wishe best unto, for 
 seeing they be envious by nature, they doo not what they 
 would, but what by nature they are appointed. After he 
 had stayed a little at this, he said, You have discussed this 
 doubt right wisely, and with verie probable arguments. I 
 would to God that she might once feele what affection and 
 love meaneth : then would I not thinke that shee were sicke, 
 but in most perfecte health, and you knowe I have craved 
 your helpe to bring this about. But now nothing lesse then 
 this is to be feared to have happened to her, who hateth her 
 bedde, and will be woone with no love, but she rather seem- 
 eth to be bewitched in deede : but I doubt not, but you will 
 undoo this witchecraft, for the frendshippe which is betwixt 
 us, and to shewe us some pointe of your singular wisdome. I 
 promised him if I coulde perceive her greefe, to helpe her 
 what I coulde. And while we yet talked of these matters, 
 one came to us in haste, and saide : Good sirs, you make sucli 
 
 87
 
 BOOKE 
 HI 
 
 Calasiris 
 
 espieth that 
 
 Theagenes 
 
 was in love. 
 
 Drunken men 
 and lovers in 
 a maner like. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 tarriance as if you should come to battaile, or skirmish, 
 and not to a banket : The maker whereof, is the excellent 
 Theagenes, and great Neoptolemus the president at the same. 
 Come thither, neither let the banket through your defaulte, 
 bee continued till nighte, seeing none, but you are away, 
 this fellow (quoth Caricles to me in mine eare) biddeth us 
 with a cudgel in his hand. O what a lofty felow Bacchus 
 is if he be wel washed. But let us goe, for it is to be 
 doubted, least if wee tarry, he will drive us forwarde. 
 You jest, saide I, yet I am pleased, let us goe in deede. 
 When we cam, Theagenes placed Caricles beside himselfe, 
 and honored me also somewhat for his sake. Why doe I 
 trouble you nowe, with telling how the maides daunced, and 
 what instrumentes were there, and howe the young youths 
 daunced the daunce called Pyrricha in armour, and others 
 also, with which Theagenes to make us merry, hadde 
 mingled fine and delicate meates, ordering his banket, as if 
 it had bene but a drinking, but that which is needefull for 
 you to heare, and pleasante for mee to tell, was thus, Theagenes 
 sette a merry countenaunce on the matter, and strained him 
 selfe woonderfully that he mighte entertaine his gueastes 
 courteously, and make them good cheere. But I perceived 
 whereto his minde was bente, by the rowlinge of his eies, and 
 soudaine sighing without cause. Somtimes, he was sadde, and 
 in amuse, streightway, as though he knew his owne faulte, 
 and woulde correcte himselfe, he woulde be merry: to bee 
 shorte hee changed his countinaunce a thousande wayes. 
 For the minde as wel of a lover, as of a drunken man is 
 flexible, and can tarry in no certaine state, as though they 
 both swimmed in a moist affection. And for that cause a 
 lover will soone bee drunke, and a drunken man soone in love. 
 Afterward by his sorrowfull gaping, and carefull countenaunce, 
 all those who were there, saw that he was not wel. So 
 Caricles also perceiving that, saide to me softely, What 
 meaneth this varietie? some envious eie hath looked upon 
 him also. Me thinketh that Cariclia, and he have one disease: 
 They have one and the same in deede, by Isis, said I : and not 
 without cause, in as much as in this royaltie nexte to her, he 
 was the fairest person. Thus talked we. But after the 
 88
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 cuppes should go about, Theagenes dranke to every man, BOOKE 
 although against his will, for courtesies sake. When he came HI 
 to mee, I saide, that I thanked him for his gentle proffer, 
 but dranke not. He thinkinge I hadde despised him, looked 
 on me angerly, and with burning eyes. Which as soone as 
 Caricles perceived, he said, This man drinketh no wine, nor Isis priestes 
 eateth of the fleshe of any living thinge. He asked, Why ? . dri nke no 
 Hee is quoth he, an Egyptian, borne at Memphis, and Isis ^%h y 1 *}^ 
 priest. When Theagenes perceived that I was an Egyptian, fl es h O f any 
 and a priest, he conceived a wonderfull pleasure, and living thing, 
 stretched him selfe for joye, as those who have founde some 
 greate treasure, and called for water, and after he had dronke 
 a good draught, he saide, Right wise manne, I have drunke to 
 you of that which you like beste, and I pray you, let this table 
 make a lasting league of Amitie betweene us. Let it do so 
 worthie Theagenes, quoth I, for I have a good while desired 
 the same, ana so receivinge it at his hand, did drinke, and 
 with such talke wee made an end of the banket, and went 
 every one to his owne lodging. But Theagenes imbraced mee 
 very lovingly, and with divers kisses, bothe oftner, and more 
 familiarly then our former acquaintance suffered. After I 
 came home, I slepte not the firste part of the nighte, thinking 
 diversly of the younge couple, and diligently studied, what 
 the latter end of the Oracle should mean. When it was mid- 
 night, I sawe Apollo and Diana, as I thought (if I thought, Apollo and 
 and it was not rather so in deede) and he delivered Theagenes Di ana seeme 
 to me, and she Cariclia, and calling me by my name, It is Theaeenes 
 time, saide they, that you returne into your countrie, for so an( j Cariclia, 
 the Ladies of destinie commaunde you. Goe therefore hence to Calasiris in 
 thy selfe, and take these with thee, and love them as thine his dreame. 
 owne children, and bring them out of Egypt, whither, and 
 howe it shall please the Godds. When they hadde saide thus, 
 they went away, and gave a token, that it was not a dreame 
 which I sawe, out a thing done in deede. I understoode all 
 the rest as I had seene it, but into what countrie, or to 
 what people they should be carried, I coulde not tell. You 
 will tell me hereafter father (quoth Cnemon) if you know 
 your selfe, but how said you the Gods were shewed to you, not 
 in your sleepe, but manifestly appeared ? Even so my sonne 
 M 89
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E (quoth he), as wise Homer in a maner by a ridle did notifie, 
 III marry many do let the hardnes of the saying passe, as he 
 A rule of saith some where, 
 
 Homer, how *./.. , .,,. , , v j 
 
 to knowe the Hls feete and thighes behind, 
 
 Gods : ex- B 7 goeing easily I knewe : 
 
 pounded by 1^ e Goddes also maye be espied 
 
 Calasiris. And knowen, this is trewe. 
 
 And I my selfe seeme to be one of that sorte (saide Cnemon) 
 and perhaps to reprove me, you Calasiris, have made mention 
 of these verses, the wordes whereof I well remember, since the 
 time I firste learned them, but that there is divinitie con- 
 teined in them, I know not. Calasiris staied at this a litle, 
 and made him ready to tell him the secrete meaning of 
 them, and sayde. The Gods, Cnemon, and other heavenly 
 powers, comming to, and going from us, doo change themselves 
 seldome into the likenesse of other creaturs but commonly 
 into men, that we supposing by the likenes of the figure, 
 that we sawe, was a dreame, may be so beguiled. So 
 although the rude, and prophane people know them not, yet 
 can they not escape the wise man, but he will knowe them, 
 either by their eies, in that they looke stedfastly, and never 
 shut their eyelids, but beste by their gate, in that they move 
 not their feete, neither sette one foote before another, but 
 are carried with violence of the ayre, rather slideing through, 
 How the then stridinge oven the windes. Wherefore the Egyptians 
 Egyptians ma k e the Images of their Gods, with their feete joined 
 [macros of togeather and not seperable a sunder. Which thinge the 
 their Gods, skilfull Homer, like an Egyptian, and one well instructed in 
 the holy doctrine, secretely and closly signified in his verses, 
 leaving it to the understanding of such as coulde attaine 
 thereto. Of Pallas he speaketh thus : 
 
 Also her terrible eyes did glister as she looked. 
 And of Neptune thus : 
 
 His feete and thighes, by goeing easily, I knew. 
 
 As though he swimmed in his gate, for thus must you take 
 it by going easilie, not as some beinge deceived, have 
 thought easilie I knewe. You have well instructed me in 
 90
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 these things, quoth Cnemon. But in that you oft cal Homer B O O K E 
 an Egyptian, I cannot beleeve that, and therfore am I in HI 
 
 much marvell about it. I pray you discusse this doubt also. A pretty dis- 
 Although Cnemon, it be nothing neare to our purpose, to course, where- 
 talke of such things, yet I will briefly tell you. Homer by ^ ^J in 
 report of divers menne, is ascribed unto divers countries, and Homer to be 
 in deede, to a manne of good courage, no Countrie comes an Egyptian, 
 amisse : but to tell the troth, he was our Countryman, an 
 Egyptian, borne at Thebes, which hath an hundred gates, as Thebes a city 
 of him selfe a man may know, and his father a Priest, as some f Egypt. 
 thinke, and not Mercuric, as is falsely fained. His father 
 was supposed to be a prieste, because that the God lay with 
 his wife doing certain sacrifices after the manner of the 
 countrie, and fell on sleepe in the temple, and there in- 
 gendred Homer, who had about him token of unlawfull 
 generation, for on both his thighes there grewe from his 
 birth a great deale of haire whereof as he traveled, as well in 
 Greece, as in other countries, and made his poeme, he gained 
 his name. He him selfe neither would tell his name, nor 
 his countrie, nor kindred : therefore those, who knewe the 
 quality of his body gave him a name thereof. To what ende 
 Father, saide Cnemon, would he not tel his countrey ? Either Why Homer 
 (quoth he) because he was ashamed of his banishment, for he concealed his 
 was driven out of his countrey by his father, at what time Ol 
 having passed the age of fourteene yeeres, he should have 
 beene numbred among those that were consecrated, for that 
 by the mark on his body, he was knowen to be bastarde, or 
 els for pollicie, that while he concealed his owne countrey, he 
 might lawfully say, he was borne every where. You seeme to 
 discusse these things very wel and wisely, saide Cnemon, 
 gathering your conjecture of his verse, which is stuffed with 
 al pleasure and delectation, right Egypt like, which no doubt 
 should not so farre have passed al other, if he had not had 
 some heavenly foundation. But after (as Homer did) you per- 
 ceived that they were Goddes, tel me, Calasiris, what followed. 
 Surely, Cnemon, suche things as went before, I slept little, 
 devised much, and fell into such cogitations, as liketh the 
 night wel. I was very glad in hope to finde such things as I 
 thought upon, and also looked for returne into my countrey. 
 
 91
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E Yet was I sorrowfull that Caricles should loose his Daughter. 
 111 I bethought mee howe I might carrie the younge folkes with 
 me, and some meanes was to be devised how to get away. 
 Then was I troubled as touching our flight, how we might 
 doe that privilie, and whether we should direct it, whither by 
 sea or lande. While I lay thus, a thousand thoughts arose in 
 my head, and I slept no more that night. And it was scant 
 day, when one knocked at my doore, and I heard a boy call, 
 my man asked who called, and what he would have ? who 
 answered that Theagenes the Thessalian was there. I was 
 gladde of those tidinges, and badde him be called in, thinking 
 that this beginning did proffer it selfe, that I might learne 
 how to bring to passe that which I was about. For I gessed 
 that he came to crave my helpe to obtaine his love, because 
 he heard that I was an Egyptian, and a Priest. So affected (as 
 Two kindes of I thinke) as many be, who suppose the wisdome that the 
 wisdome are Egyptians have to be one, and the same, but are deceived. 
 
 ^.1 S A For thereof is one kinde common, and (as I may terme it) creep- 
 
 the Aegyp- . ,. , . . '. . > . J -. . .?, 
 
 tians and in on ^he grounde, which mmistreth signes, and is occupied 
 
 what they be : about dead bodies, using hearbes, and addicted to inchaunt- 
 the one witch- mentes, neyther tending it selfe, nor bringing such as use it, 
 craft, the other ^ o an j e g OO( j enc | } b u f; is ofte deceived by the owne practises, 
 sometimes shewing terrible and vile tokens, that is to say, 
 Witchcraft visions of such thinges, as are not, as though they were, and 
 excellentlie beguyleth men of such things as they looked for, a deviser 
 described. o f mischiefes, and a minister of all fowle and unlawfull 
 Astronomic pleasures. The other, my sonne, which is the true wisedome, 
 prettily dis- and from whence the other counterfet hath degenerated, 
 coursed upon, which wee priestes, and holy men doo practise from our youth, 
 a " t j s to b ^ * s conversan te with heavenly things, liveth with the Goddes, 
 stretched. an( ^ * s partaker of better nature, considering the movinge of the 
 starres, and counting it a vauntage to knowe things to come, 
 farre remooved from these earthly evills, and directeth all 
 thinges, to the honestie, and commoditie of men. By which, I 
 also left my countrie for a time, if by any meanes I could 
 avoid such things, as I told you of before, that were fore- 
 shewed unto me, and the battell betweene my sonnes. But 
 let us committe these thinges as well to the other Gods, as 
 also to the Ladies of destinie, in whose power it consisteth, 
 92
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 whether they shall doe this or not, who as well decreed my B O O K E 
 
 banishment, for such thinges as I gathered before, as also that 
 
 I should finde Cariclia, how that happened, you shall know 
 
 by that which followed. After Theagenes was come in, and 
 
 badde me good morrowe, and I had saluted him againe, I 
 
 sette him on my bedde beside mee, and asked him, What 
 
 earnest matter drave you hither to me thus early ? After he 
 
 had stroked his face a little, I am in great danger, quoth he, 
 
 and I am ashamed to tell you how. I thought it then a 
 
 fitte time to glose with him, and to guesse at that, which I 
 
 knewe well inough. Therefore looking uppon him cherefully, 
 
 I sayd, Although you bee ashamed to tell me, yet nothing Calasiris mak- 
 
 canne be hidde from my wisedome, and the knoweledge of the et ^ as though 
 
 Goddes. And after I had lifted up my selfe a litle, and ^toThea- 
 
 made as though I woulde have caste some accounte with my g e nes and so 
 
 fingers, and spreade my haire aboute mine eares, like one that roving at the 
 
 woulde have prophesied, I saide, My Sonne thou art in love : cause of his 
 
 hee started at that worde, and when I had added, with comming, 
 
 Cariclia, then hee supposing; I had knowen it of God, missed 
 
 _ 1 1 1 l 11 / 11 1 1 1 1 
 
 but a litle, that he had not fallen downe and worshipped me. what neare the 
 Which when I woulde not let him doo, he came to mee, and marke. 
 kissed my heade oft, and gave God thankes that his hope 
 had not failed him, and prayed me hartily that I woulde save 
 him : For he shoulde not live if he had not helpe, and that 
 presently : so great was the mischiefe that he had, and so Theagenes 
 vehemently did his hart burne, the rather for that he never P a y n ed the 
 was in love before. For he sware unto me many othes, that ore b 7 cause 
 he never had to doo with woman, and that he utterly refused j n i ove before 
 marriage and love, if any were profered him, untill Cariclias wherbymaybe 
 beautie had overcome him. Not because he was chaste of gathered, that 
 nature, or coulde not doo like other men, but because till e .* * ve 
 then, he never sawe woman worthie to be loved : and as he 
 said thus, he wepte, in token that by force, and against his 
 will, he was subdued by the maide. I toke him up, and Theagenes is 
 comforteed him, and saiae, Be of good cheere, for seeing you in love against 
 have come to me for helpe she shall not be stronger then my 
 wisedome, in deede shee is stoute, and will hardely be made to 
 love, utterly despising love, and marriage if shee do but heare 
 them named, but for your sake, we must try al meanes. Arte 
 
 93
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E can breake nature, onely you must be bolde, and of necessitie, 
 III doe what soever I commaunde you. He promised to do al 
 
 Art can ^at I would will him, and thus while he was praying, and 
 
 breakenature. , , . j f j x 11 
 
 besechmg me, and for my paines, promised to give me all 
 
 that ever he had : one came from Caricles and sayd, Syr, 
 Caricles desireth you, to come to him. He is in Apolloes 
 church hereby, and praieth to God for that he hath bene 
 troubled, I knowe not how, by certaine dreames. There 
 withall I rose, and when I had sent Theagenes away, and was 
 come into the church, I founde Caricles sitting in a stall very 
 sadde, and sorrowfull. I came to him, and Why be you so 
 sadde,' quoth I ? He answered, Why shoulde I not ? Seeing 
 that diverse visions in my sleepe, have troubled me, and my 
 daughter, as I heare, is verie sicke, and slepte never a winke 
 this nighte ? For my parte, although for diverse causes 
 her disease greeveth me, yet the greatest is, for that to- 
 morrowe is a day ordeined for sporte, and the custome is 
 that shee, which is entered into these holy orders, shoulde 
 It was Cari- holde the garlande to those that runne in armour, and over- 
 clias duety to see that pastime, one of these two thinges muste needes 
 
 hold the gar- na pp en that either her absence must breake off this long 
 
 land bicause . ., , & 
 
 she was accustomed order, or else by comming agamste her wil, she 
 
 priest shalbe more sicke. Wherefore if before you coulde not, yet 
 
 nowe helpe her, and do us this good turne which shall well 
 
 beseeme our frendship, and deserve good at Gods hande. 
 
 I knowe that it is easy for you, if you will, even to heale one 
 
 Caricles (as you say) bewitched. For it is not impossible for such 
 
 thought that no iy priestes, to bring wonderful thinges to passe. I tolde 
 
 could dS won- nim * nat I ha( * esteemed lightly of it till then, bringing him 
 
 ders belike. a ^ so m t a vam opinion, and nowe I craved libertie, but one 
 
 day, that I mighte make some medicine for her. At this 
 
 present, saide I, let us go to the mayde, to consider of her 
 
 more diligently, and to comforte her as much as wee may. 
 
 And I would also that you, Caricles, should have some talke 
 
 of me with the maide, and by your commendation bringe mee 
 
 into better credite with her, that shee being more familiar 
 
 with mee, may the boldlier suffer mee to heale her. Contente, 
 
 saide he. After we came to Cariclia, to what end should we 
 
 make many words? Shewas altogether vanquished by affection, 
 
 94
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 and the beautie of her colour was gone out of her face, and B O O K E 
 the heate thereof was quenched with teares, as if it had HI 
 beene with water, yet when she sawe us come in, shee framed 
 her selfe, and went about to call againe her accustomed coun- 
 tenance. Caricles imbracing her, and making much of her, 
 leaving no kinde of courtesie, My child, my deare daughter, 
 quoth he, wilt thou not tel thy father what thy disease is ? 
 And seeing thou art over looked, doest thou holde thy peace, 
 like one that had done wrong, and not beene injured thy 
 selfe by those eyes, which have so unluckily looked upon 
 thee ? But have thou a good hart. This wise man Calasiris, Caricles corn- 
 is requested by me to finde some remedie for thee, which he mendeth 
 can well perfourme, for he is as excellent as any man els, in c * las . iri ? to 
 heavenlie knowledge, as one by profession a Priest, and that 
 which is the best, my verie friende. Wherefore you shal doe 
 very well if you suffer him without any impediment, to use 
 for your health, either any inchauntment, or whatever else so 
 ever he will, for as much as otherwise you are well pleased 
 with the familiarity and company of such wise men. Cariclia Cariclia loved 
 said nothing, but by countenaunce made as though she *-he companie 
 were well pleased with the counsell he gave her, to suffer ( wisemen - 
 mee to deale with her. When these things were thus or- 
 dered, we went our way, and Caricles alway put me in 
 minde, that I should have regarde to my promise, and be- 
 thinke me, how I might make her have a fancie to mar- 
 riage, and a desire of men. I therewith made 
 him very glad, when I tolde him that within 
 short time I would satisfie his minde. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE THIRDE BOOKF. 
 
 95
 
 THE FOURTH BOOKE 
 
 N 97
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH BOOKE 
 
 IN this fourth booke is conteined the victory of Theagenes against 
 
 Ormenes, and how hy counsel of Calasiris he tooke Cariclia away, 
 
 and what a doe was thereabout in Delphos.
 
 THE FOURTH BOOKE 
 
 HE nexte day Apolloes games did ende, but 
 youthfull disportes began, Cupid (in mine 
 opinion) moderatour and Arbiter thereof, 
 beeing in ful determination to declare his 
 force, in most ample wise, by these two 
 champions, which he had set together. 
 Such was the sight. All Greece looked 
 and Thamphictiones sate in judge- 
 
 on. 
 
 Cupid fullie 
 
 determined to 
 
 try all that he 
 
 was able to 
 
 do with Thea- 
 
 genes and 
 
 Cariclia. 
 
 ment. After all other disportes were sumptuously finished, 
 as running, wrestelinge, fight with pluminettes, at last, the 
 Cryer by proclamation called these in that shoulde runne in 
 armour. And therwithal Cariclia glistered at the race ende. 
 For she came, although against her wil, for the customs sake 
 partly, but rather in my judgement, uppon hope to see 
 Theagenes somewhere : in her left hand she had a burning 
 Taper, and in the other hande a branche of palme, and as 
 soone as she appeared, every man looked upon her, but I can 
 not tell, whither any sawe her before Theagenes : for a lover 
 is very ready to spie that, with love whereof he is deteined. 
 But he, beside, that after he knewe what shoulde be done, 
 thought upon nothing but to see her. Wherefore he could 
 not keepe his owne counsell : but said secretely to me (for hee 
 sate next mee of purpose,) That same is Cariclia. But I 
 badde him be quyet. After the proclamation was ended, 
 there came foorth one of goodly personage, and of greate 
 courage, like whom in honour was none in the whole com- 
 
 99 
 
 The manner 
 of their dis- 
 portes. 
 
 A lover is 
 quick eyed.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E panie, who in many courses before, had wonne the garland : 
 IV marry then there was none to contend with him, for that as I 
 thinke none durst be so bolde. The Thamphictiones there- 
 fore let him goe. For by the lawe hee may not have the 
 He is not re- crowne, that hath not ventured for the same. Yet he made 
 warded that requeste, that chalenge might be made against all men. 
 ventureth rpj^ j u dg es g av e commaundement, that it shoulde be so, 
 the crier called for some man, to runne with that other. 
 Theagenes saide to me : This man calleth for me. For me, 
 quoth I, what meane you by that ? It shalbe so, father 
 (quoth he). For none but I, if I be in presence, and looke 
 on, shal receive reward of victorie at Cariclias hande. Do you 
 neither care for, nor esteeme the shame that ensueth, if you 
 be overcommed, sayd I. What man, said he, will look on 
 Cariclia, and approch to her so hastily, that he can get 
 before me ? to whome can her eies give like wings, as to 
 me, and cause him flie so faste. Knowe you not, that 
 Why Cupide painters make love with two winges, declaring, as by a 
 is painted with Riddle, the nimblenesse of those that be in love ? And if 
 two wings, j mus t n eedes boast, beside that I saide alreadie, hetherto 
 never anie man vaunted, that he out ranne me. When he 
 had said thus, he lepte foorth, and went downe, declared his 
 name, and countrie, and wente to the listes ende, and when he 
 put on his armoure, stoode at the place appointed, panting, 
 for great desire he had to runne, and was very willing, and 
 had much a doe to tarrie the sounde of the Trumpet. It 
 was a goodly sight and worthie to be looked on, much like 
 that wherein Homer bringeth in Achilles, as he ran at 
 Scamander : all Greece was much moved at this deed, which 
 Theagenes fell contrarie to their expectation, and wished the victorie to 
 light footed Theagenes, as hartily as if everie man had runne himselfe. 
 C er^fnaV For the comlinesse of personage, is of great force to get the 
 getteth the gd will of men. Cariclia also was mooved out of measure, 
 good will of and I saw it, by reason I looked upon her a great while, and 
 men. espied how her countenance changed diversly. For after the 
 Cryer had in all mens hearing named those that should 
 runne, Ormenus, an Archadian, and Theagenes a Thessalian, 
 they left their standinges, and finished their race, as fast 
 almost as men coulde looke after them, there coulde not the 
 100
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 maide be quiet any more, but her bodie was moved and her 
 feete leapt for joy, as though her minde had beene with 
 Theagenes, and helpt him in his race. All those that looked 
 on, wayted to what ende this would come, and were very 
 careful!. But I above the rest, who had now determined 
 with my selfe to have like care of him as he had been my 
 sonne. No marvel said Cnemon, if those that were there 
 and sawe him, were carefull : now I my selfe am afraide for 
 Theagenes, and therefore if he get the price, I pray you tell 
 mee so much the sooner. After they had runne the middle 
 of the race, Cnemon, he turned him a little about, and 
 frowning upon Ormenus, lifted up his shield aloft, and 
 stretched out his necke, and with face fast fixed uppon 
 Cariclia, at last he got to the race end, and start so farre 
 before, that the Archadian was many yardes behinde, which 
 quantitie of ground was after measured. This done, hee 
 ranne to Cariclia, and of purpose fell into her lap, as though 
 he could not stay him selfe : and when hee had taken the 
 garland, I sawe well inough that he kissed her hande. O 
 happy turne, that he got the victorie, and kissed her too. 
 But what then? Thou canst not onely be satisfied with 
 hearing this tale, neither easily overcommed by sleepe, and 
 although a great part of the night be past, yet thou 
 watchest, and art not wery of so long a tale. I blame 
 Homer father (saide he) for that he saide, a man might as 
 well be wery of love, as of any thing els. Whereof in mine 
 opinion, a man cannot be wery, neither if he be in love him 
 selfe, or heare of others love. And if any man talke of the 
 love of Theagenes, and Cariclia, who is so stony or hard 
 harted, that he would not conceive delight therein, although 
 he should heare nothing els a whole yeere. Wherefore goe 
 forewarde with your tale. Theagenes, Cnemon, was crowned, 
 
 and proclaimed victor, and brought backe with all mennes 
 
 f vi i i j.- XT ri v -j. i_ j 
 
 joyfull gratulations. Now was Cariclia quite vanquished, 
 
 and bounde to love more, then shee was before. When shee 
 had scene Theagenes the second time. For the mutuall sight 
 of lovers, is a remembrance, and renewing of love, and doth 
 as much inflame the minde, as fire when it is put to any drie 
 matter. After she came home, she abode a lilce night to the 
 
 101 
 
 B O O K E 
 
 Calasiris 
 
 
 Theagenes 
 got the gar- 
 
 . 
 
 Cnemon bla- 
 meth Homer 
 f r sa 7 m ge 
 
 might e U 
 weary of love. 
 A man cannot 
 be weary to 
 n ^are the love 
 
 A r , ea ? e , neSj 
 andCarichaa 
 
 whole yeare. 
 
 Mutuall sight 
 f lovers is a 
 ren ewiug of
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E other, or a woorse. I also sleapt but litle, for considering, 
 TV whether we should goe to conceale our flight, and into what 
 countrie God would have the young couple caried, and I con- 
 jectured that we must take our voyage by sea, by the Oracle 
 where it saide 
 
 and sailing surging streames : 
 Shall come at length to countrie scortchte 
 with burning Phoebus beames. 
 
 But whether they shoulde be conveyed, I could finde but one 
 way to knowe, if I could by any meanes gette the fascia which 
 was laide outwith Cariclia, wherein Caricles saide, that he 
 heard say, all the maydes estate was notified. For I thought 
 it was like, that by it I shoulde knowe the maydes parentes, 
 and countrie, which I beganne already to suspect, and 
 perhaps also whither the ladies of destinie would send them. 
 When I came the next morning very early to Cariclia, I 
 found all her kinsfolkes weeping, and Caricles, as much as 
 any other : when I came in, What a doo is here, sayde I ? 
 My daughters disease (answeared he) waxeth woorse, and 
 woorse, and she hath had a woorse night of this, then shee 
 had any yet. Get you hence, quoth I, and all the rest 
 avoid, and let one set me a three footed stoole here, and a 
 little laurell with fire, and frankincense. And let none come 
 in to trouble me before I call. Caricles willed the same, and 
 it was done. Nowe, having gotten good occasion, I began to 
 play my pagent, as if I had bene upon a stage, and burned 
 frankincense, and mumbled with my lippes, and laide laurell 
 on her, from toppe to toe, and at length when I had drowsily, 
 or olde wiselike gaped, and playde the foole a great while 
 with my selfe, and the Maide, I made an end. Shee, while I 
 was thus doing, wagged her heade oft, and smiled, and tolde 
 me, that I was deceived, and knew not her greefe. Therwith I 
 sate neare her, and saide, My daughter be of good cheere, thy 
 greefe is common and easie to be healed, without doubt, thou 
 art over looked, not onely when you were at the pompe, but 
 more, when you were overseer at the race, which was runne 
 in armour. And he that hath thus looked on you, I thinke, 
 is Theagenes, for I perceived wel, that he ofte behelde you, 
 and cast many wanton lookes at you. Whether he did so, or 
 102
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 not, sayd shee, well fare hee. But what countryman is he, B O O K E 
 or of what line is he descended ? For I sawe many wonder IV 
 much at him. You hearde that he was a Thessalian, by the 
 crier that uttered his name, and he fetcheth his petigree from A pretty com- 
 Achilles, and in my judgement, he may doe so by good mendation of 
 reason, who doth deeme no lesse by his tall stature, and Theagenes for 
 comely personage, which manifestly confirme Achilles bloud, w jth U a ^p'pe 
 Saving that he is not so arrogant, and proude as he was, but to Achilles for 
 doth moderate, and asswage the hautinesse and fiercenesse of his arrogan- 
 his minde, with commendable courtesie, which thing seeing it c * e > an< * P^de. 
 is so, although he have an envious eye, and with his lookes 
 hath bewitched you yet hath he himselfe more paine, then 
 he hath caused you to have. O Father quoth shee, I thanke 
 you, that you be sorrowfull for our mishap, but why do 
 you speake evil without cause of him who hath done us no 
 harme. For I am not bewitched, but have, as I gesse, some 
 other infirmitie. Then daughter, said I, why doo you con- 
 ceale it, and not frankelie utter it, that we may with more 
 ease finde remedie thereto. Am not I in age, yea rather 
 in good will your father ? is not your father familiarly 
 acquainted with me ? Are we not of one profession ? Tel 
 me your disease, I wil keepe your counsell : yea, and if 
 you wil, I wil be bound by oath to you so to Jo. Speake 
 ooldly, and suffer not your infirmitie to increase with 
 silence. For every greefe which is soone knowen, can easily Too much 
 be cured : but that which by long time hath gotten strength, lingring mak- 
 is almost uncurable : for silence doth much succour any eth dlse * ses 
 disease, but that which is uttered, may by comfort easily be 
 remedied. With that she staied a litle, and declared by her 
 countenance many changes of her minde and said, Let me 
 alone to day, and you shall know it hereafter, if you know it 
 not before, because you would have us thinke you are a 
 Southsayer. Therewith I rose and departed, geving her 
 leave to moderate the bashfulnesse of her minde. Then 
 Caricles mette me, and Have you any good newes to tel me 
 quoth he ? Al shall be well, said I, for to morrowe she shal 
 be healed of her infirmity. When I had said thus, I made 
 haste to be gone, that he might aske me no more questions. 
 After I was gone a little from the house, I spyed Theagenes 
 
 103
 
 BOOKE 
 IV 
 
 Theagenes 
 
 glad to see 
 
 the house of 
 
 Cariclia. 
 
 Among the 
 Deliphians, 
 death is or- 
 dained to such 
 as steale away 
 any maide. 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 walking about the church, and in the cloisters, reasoning with 
 himselfe, as though he had inough, if he sawe but Cariclias 
 house. I turned a little aside, and passed by as I had not 
 seene him. He sawe me, and said God speede you, and tarrie 
 I pray you, for I wayted for you. I turned suddenly about, 
 and said, Is this beautifull Theagenes ? surely I saw him 
 not. How is he beautifull, said hee, that doeth not please 
 Cariclia ? I set a face on it, as if I had beene angrie, and 
 saide, Will not you leave to speake evil of me, and my skill, 
 by which she is intrapped and constrained to love you, and 
 doeth desire to see you, as one that is better then her selfe. 
 What say you father, saide he ? Doeth Cariclia desire to 
 see me ? Why doe you not then carry me to her ? and 
 therewith he ran foorth. But I caught him by the cloake, 
 and saide, Stande still here, although you be very light 
 footed, for you must not handle this matter as if it were a 
 praye, or easie for every man that list to get the same ? 
 But it must bee done with great counsell, and performed with 
 no small provision. Know you not that her father is the 
 noblest man in Delphi ? Doe you not remember that the 
 lawes appointe death a reward to such ? The matter were 
 not great quoth hee, if I died, after I had my will of Cariclia. 
 But if you thinke it good, let us goe to her father, and 
 desire her of him to be my wife, for I am worthy inough 
 to bee Caricles kinsman. We shal not prevaile, said I, not 
 because he can finde any fault in you, but for that he hath 
 promised her in marriage to his sisters sonne. He shall 
 repent it, said he, who so ever he be, for while I live, there 
 shall no other wedde Cariclia, this hande of mine is not yet 
 so benummed, neither my sword so blunt. Bee content, 
 said I, we shall have no neede of any of these things, be 
 onely ruled by me, and doe as I commaund you : for this 
 time depart, and take heede you be not spied to talke 
 with me oft, but when you come, come privilie, and alone : 
 he went his way very sadde. Caricles mette me the next 
 day, and as soone as he saw me, he ranne to me, and kissed 
 my head oftentimes, continually crying, Of such force is your 
 wisedome, such is our friendshippe. Thou hast brought a 
 great busines to passe, shee is taken now that was harde to be 
 104
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 woon, and she that was before invincible, is now subdued. B O O K E 
 Cariclia is in love. I beganne to wagge my head at this, IV 
 and knitte my browes, and iette proudly, and said there was 
 no doubt, but that she sould not be able to abide the first 
 assault, when as yet I have done no greater thing to her. 
 But tel me Caricles, how you perceived that she was in love ? 
 When I had gotten very trusty Phisicians, as you gave me How Caricles 
 counsel, I brought them to her, and promised them all the perceived that 
 riches I had, if they coulde cure her. As soone as they came Cancha was 
 into her, they asked what her disease was, and where her 
 paine helde her. She turned her face from them, and re- 
 peated with a loud voyce, this verse of Homer. 
 
 Achilles is the bravest man of all the Greekishe rowte 
 
 Acestinus a wise man (perhappes you knowe him) tooke Ascestinus a 
 her wriste in his hande, although against her will, and seemed Physitian. 
 to judge her disease, by the beatinge of her pulse, whiche 
 declareth (as I gesse) the state of the harte : after hee had felte 
 her pulse a good while, and had looked ofte upon every parte 
 of her, he saide, Caricles, you have brought us hither in vaine, 
 for phisicke can doo her no good. O God, saide I, why say Physicke can 
 you so, muste my daughter die without all hope of recovery ? do Cariclia no 
 Make not such a doo, said he, but heare mee, and so when good, 
 wee were in a corner, that nither the maide, nor any other 
 could heare us, he said, Our arte doth professe the curinge A prety dis- 
 of distempered bodies, and not principally of that diseased c urse of phi- 
 minde but then when it is afflicted with the body, so that ^d'when ft' 
 when that is healed, then is it also cured. The maide in availeth. 
 deede is diseased, but not in body, for no humour aboundeth, 
 the head ache greveth her not, no ague burneth her, nor any 
 parte, or parcelles of her body, is greeved : accompte this, 
 and nothing else to be true. I hartely prayed him, if he 
 perceived any thing by her, to utter it to me, Doth not the 
 maide know (quoth he) that love is an affection and manifest What love is, 
 greefe of the minde ? Doo you not see that her eyes bee and the quali- 
 swollen, and looketh every way, and is pale in her face, but ties tliereof - 
 findeth no fault with her hart ? besioe this shee raveth, 
 and uttereth whatsoever commeth into her minde, and watch- 
 eth without cause. At a worde shee hath sodainely loste the 
 O 105
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E moisture of her bodie, and juste amplitude thereof. You must, 
 IV Caricles, if it be possible, finde her out a man : and when 
 he had said thus, he departed. I come in hast to you my 
 saviour and God, whom both I and shee doe acknowledge, 
 to bee onely able to do us a good turne. For when I desired 
 her oft, and diverse waies besought her, to tel me what she 
 ailed, shee made me this answeare, that shee knewe not what 
 disease she had, marry shee knewe that none coulde helpe her, 
 but Calasiris, and therefore, she desired me to call you to 
 her. Whereby I chefely gessed, that your wisedome had 
 brought her under. Can you (saide I to him) tell as well 
 whome shee loveth, as that shee is in love ? No by Apollo 
 saide he. For how, or by what meanes should I know that. 
 Mary, I woulde above all thinges, that she loved Alcamenes, 
 my sisters sonne, whome, as much as lieth in me, I have 
 appoynted to bee her husband. You may (saide I) trie and 
 bring him in, and shewe him to her. He liked my counsell 
 well, and wente his waye. When he mette me the next time, 
 in the middle of the Towne, where greate resorte was, You 
 shall here (saide he) a pitifull thinge, my daughter seemeth to 
 bee out of her wittes, such a strange infirmitie hath she. I 
 Cariclia mad brought in Alcamenes as you badde me, and shewed her very 
 almost at the freshly apparreled, shee (as though she had scene Gorgons head, 
 sight of Alca- Qr some more fearefull thinge) cried with a loude voyce, and 
 turned her countenaunce to the other parte of the chamber, 
 and put her hand to her throte in steede of an halter, and 
 threatened, that she woulde kill her selfe, and bound it with 
 an othe to, if we despatched not our selves out of the chamber 
 quickely. We wente from her in lesse while then she spake 
 the words, for what should we do, seeinge so fearefull a 
 sight ? Nowe I come to beseche you againe, that you will 
 neither suffer her to perishe, nor me to be frustrate of my 
 purpose. O Caricles, saide I, you saide truely that your 
 daughter was madde : for she is moved with the multitude 
 that I have burdened her with, whiche are not of the least, 
 but suche as should force her to doe, that which she abhorred, 
 as well by nature, as determination of mind. But I suppose 
 that some God taketh on him to hinder this businesse, and to 
 strive with my ministers. Wherefore it is time you shewe me 
 106
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 her fascia, which you said, was found with her, with the other B O O K E 
 jewels. I am afraide, least that be inchanted, and wrought JV 
 with such things, as do nowe exasperate her minde, by reason, 
 that some enimie had ordeined this for her as soone as she 
 was borne, that shee shoulde be estraunged from all love, and 
 die without issue. He allowed that I saide, and within a 
 while after he brought me the same, wherein were Aethiopian 
 letters, not common, but suche as the princes use, which are like 
 the letters that the Egyptians use in their holy affayers : as I 
 read it over, I founde such things written therein. Persina, The contents 
 Queene of the Aethiopians to her daughter, only in sorow, f Cariclias 
 by what name soever shee shall bee called, doth write in declareth who 
 haste this lamentation conteined herein, as her last gifte. I are h er par _ 
 was astonied, Cnemon, when I hard Persinaes name : yet I entes and the 
 read that whiche followed, whiche was thus, My daughter, cause of her 
 the Sunne being Author of our stocke, is witnesse, that for ex P<> si tin. 
 no misdeede, I have caste thee foorth, and concealed thee 
 from thy father Hidaspes sighte : yet my daughter, I would 
 have myselfe excused to thee if thou happen to live, and to 
 him, who shall finde thee if God procure any, and to all men, 
 and therefore I declare the cause of thy exposition. The 
 greatest of all our Goddes, are the Sunne, and Bacchus : The The JEthio- 
 noblest nexte to these, are Perseus, Andromeda, and Memnon P ians Gods 
 after them. Those, who have by succession edified, and re the Sunne, 
 finished the Kinges pallace, have portraited there many seus Andro- 
 thinges that they did, as for the dwelling houses, and meda, and 
 Galleries, they have set diverse Images, and noble actes of Memnon. 
 theirs in them : but all the bedde chambers are garnished 
 with pictures, containinge the love of Perseus, and Andro- 
 meda, in one of them. After Hidaspes had bene married to 
 mee tenne yeeres, and wee had never a childe, we happened 
 to rest after dinner in the summer, for that wee were heavy 
 a sleepe, at which time your father had to do with mee, swear- 
 ing that by a dreame hee was commaunded so to do, and 
 I by and by perceived my selfe with childe. All the time 
 after untill I was delivered, was kepte holy, and sacrifices of 
 thankes giving were offered to the Goddes, for that the king 
 hoped to have one nowe to succeede him in his kingdome. 
 But thou werte borne white, which couler is strange amonge 
 
 107
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E the Aethiopians : I knewe the reason, because I looked upon 
 IV the picture of Andromeda naked, while my husband had 
 Why Persina to do with me (for then he first brought her from the rocke, 
 being blacke, had by mishappe ingendred presently a thing like to her) 
 brought forth y e ^ j determined to ridde my selfe of shamefull death (count- 
 * n & ^ cer taine that thy coulor woulde procure me to be 
 accused of adulterie, and that none woulde beleeve mee, 
 when I told them the cause) and to commit thee to the 
 unstablenesse of fortune, which is a great deale rather to be 
 wished, then present death, or to be called a bastard. And 
 telling my husband that thou werte straight dead, I have 
 privily laide thee forth, with the greatest riches that I had, 
 for a rewarde to him that shall finde thee, and take thee up. 
 And besides that, I have furnished thee with other thinges, 
 I have wrapped thee in this blanket, wherein is conteined the 
 summe of both our estates, which I have written with teares, 
 and bloud that I have shede for thee, by reason that I bare 
 thee, and fell into muche sorrowe for thee, at one and the 
 same time. But oh my sweete childe, and but for a smal 
 while my daughter, if thou live, remember thy noble parent- 
 Chastitie is age, and love Chastitie, which is the caracter and marke of 
 the token of womanly vertue, and princely minde, and followe thy parents, 
 womanly j^ keeping the same. Above all thinges remember that thou 
 ue> seeke for a certaine ringe, among the Jewells that are aboute 
 thee, which thy father gave mee, when we were firste made 
 sure, in the hope whereof is a princely poesie, the stoane is a 
 Pantarbe, of secrete vertue, consecrated in the place where it 
 is set. These things have I said to thee, inventing my writ- 
 ing to this use, sith that God hath taken from me the abilitie 
 to tell thee them to thy face, which as they may be voide of 
 no effect with little labour, so may they bee profitable here- 
 Fortune is un- after. For no man knoweth the uncertaintie of fortune. To 
 certaine. De short, that I have written, if thou live, shalbe tokens to 
 thee (my daughter in vaine beautifull, which by thy beauty 
 procurest my blame) of thy birth. But if thou die, which 
 God graunt I never heare, they shall serve to bury thee. 
 After I had read this, Cnemon, I knewe what she was, and 
 marveyled greatly at the governance of the Goddes, and was 
 full of pleasure and sorrowe, and altogether newly affected, 
 108
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 weeping and laughing at once, my minde now became gladde B O O K E 
 
 for the knowing of that whereof I was ignorant before, and W 
 
 for remembring that which was answered by the oracle, but 
 
 very much troubled for that which was to come, and had 
 
 great pittie and compassion of the life of man, as a thing very 
 
 unstable and weake, and bending every way, which I knewe Mans life un- 
 
 then first by the happe of Cariclia. For I thought of many stable. 
 
 things, of what parents shee was come, whose childe shee was 
 
 thought to bee, how farre she was from her Countrey, and was 
 
 nowe called daughter by a false name, whereas shee had lost 
 
 her naturall Countrey soyle,and royall bloud of Aethiopia. To 
 
 make fewe wordes, I was a great while in studie, for that I had 
 
 good cause to have pittie, and bewaile her state passed, and 
 
 yet durst not commend that which was come, untill plucking 
 
 up my heart, I concluded, that now it was not good to delay 
 
 the matter, but with speede to execute that I had begun. 
 
 And when I came to Cariclia, I founde her alone, alto- 
 gether wearied with love, and striving to withstande her 
 fancie. Marry her body was much afflicted, by reason that 
 it yeelded to her infirmitie, and she was not able with any 
 force to withstand the violence thereof. After I had then 
 farre put them away, who were with her, and gave them 
 charge that they should make no noise, in manner as if I had 
 made some prayers and invocations about the Mayde, I saide 
 to her. Now is the time come, Cariclia, (for so you promised 
 me yesterday) to tell me your greefe and not to conceale it 
 any longer from a man that loveth you heartily, and also can 
 knowe it though you holde your tongue. She tooke me by 
 the hand and kisseth it, and therewithall she wept, and said : 
 Wise Calasiris graunt me this favour first, suffer me to holde Silence pleas- 
 my peace and be unhappy, in as much as you will seeme to eth unhappy 
 know my disease already, and to accompt avoyded ignominie, P e P le wej - 
 my gaine, by concealing that which to suffer is evil, but 
 to utter, worse : Although my increasing disease doeth much 
 grieve me, yet that greeveth mee more, that at the first I 
 overcame it not, but am yeelded unto love, which by hearing The name of 
 only doth defile the honourable name of virginitie. With love disgrac- 
 that I comforted her, and sayde : My daughter, you doe well 
 for two causes, to conceale your estate : For I have no neede 
 
 109
 
 BOOKE 
 IV 
 
 Women 
 
 should not 
 
 discover their 
 
 owne love. 
 
 Many women 
 and maides of 
 
 noble race, 
 have beene in 
 
 love before 
 
 Cariclia. 
 Good counsel 
 
 for lovers, 
 
 how they shall 
 
 use their love 
 
 well. 
 
 Cariclia will 
 have Thea- 
 genes or 
 none. 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 to knowe that againe, which by my skill I knewe before. And 
 not without cause you blush to utter that, which it becom- 
 meth women to keepe secrete. But because thou hast once 
 tasted of love, and Theagenes hath subdued thee, (for thus 
 am I by divine inspiration informed) knowe that neither 
 thou art alone, nor the first that hath beene thus affected, but 
 many other noble women and many maidens (if you consider 
 other things,) very chaste have tasted hereof as wel as you. For 
 love is the greatest of the Goddes, and is said also sometime 
 to overcome the Goddes themselves. But now consider how 
 presently you may best order your businesse, in as much as 
 at the first, not to be in love, is a kind of happinesse, but 
 when you are taken, to use it moderately, it is a pointe of 
 excellent wisedome, which thing you may well doo, if you wil 
 beleeve mee, by putting away the filthie name of luste, and 
 embracing the lawfull bande of wedding, and turning your 
 disease into matrimonie. After I had saide thus, Cnemon, 
 shee was in a great sweat, and it was evident that shee was 
 gladde of that shee hearde, and greatly in feare, and much 
 troubled for that she hoped : at length shee waxed redde, to 
 think in what maner she was taken. After she had stayed 
 a while : Father, saide shee, you do tell me of marriage, and 
 bidde me imbrace that, as though it were plaine that either 
 my father would be contente therewith, or mine enimie, 
 seeke that. As for the young man, said I, it is out of doubte. 
 For he is more in love then you, beeing moved with like 
 meanes so to doe, by reason that both your mindes (as is like) 
 at the first sight knewe others excellency, and fell into like 
 affection, and I myselfe have made his love the more, to doo 
 you a pleasure. But he that is supposed to be your father, 
 provideth you another husbande, Alcamenes, whom you 
 knowe well ynough. Let him (quoth shee) rather seeke to lay 
 him in his grave, then marry him to mee. Either Theagenes 
 shall have me, or that which is destined to all men shall 
 receive me. But I pray you, tell me how you know that 
 Caricles is not my father in deede, but supposed so to be. 
 By this fascia (said I) and therwithall I shewed it her : 
 Where had you that, or howe come you by it, saide shee ? 
 for after he had received mee in Egypte, of him who brought 
 110
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 me up, he brought me hither I know not how, and tooke B O O K E 
 that from me, and kept it in a cheste, that by continuance of IV 
 time it might not be spoiled. Howe I came by it (saide I) 
 you shall heare afterwarde. But tell me presently, if you 
 can tell, what is conteined therein : when shee tolde me that 
 shee could not tell, It declareth (saide I) your parents, your 
 countrie, and all your Fortune. At laste for that shee re- 
 quested, that I woulde tell her what I knew I tolde her all, 
 reading it worde by worde, and interpreting it to her. After 
 shee knewe her selfe, and had taken stomach unto her, shee 
 drewe more neere her owne petigree and said, What must 
 wee doo ? Then beganne I to tell her plainely, all our devise, 
 and made her privie to everie point, I, my daughter (saide I) 
 have gone into Aethiopia, to learne some of their wisedome, 
 and was well acqainted with Persina. For the kings court is The kinges 
 a place for all wise men to resorte unto. Mary I had a courtofAethi- 
 little praise the more, by reason that I joyned both the wis- X^untc -is 
 dome of Egypt, and Aethiopia together, which made me of g rea te resorte 
 more credite a great deale. After shee understoode I would of wise men, 
 returne into my country, shee tolde me all your affaires, and therein 
 binding me by oth first, to keepe it secret, and said more- are the y ^ell 
 over that shee durst not tell it to the wise men of that 
 country, and shee desired me to aske the Goddes, firste A good en- 
 whither after your exposition, you lived : then in what sample for all 
 countrie you were. For shee could heare of none such in P" nces to 
 Aethiopia, although she had made thereof diligent inquirie. 
 I learned all of the Goddes, both that you were alive, and 
 where you leadde your life. Then shee besought mee, that I Persina requi- 
 woulde seeke you out, and will you to returne into your ret ^ Calasiris 
 country. For, shee saide, that shee lived without issue and g p seeke 
 children, by meanes of the great sorrowe shee conceived for bring 'her 
 your sake, and that shee was nowe ready to confesse no lesse home againe. 
 to your father, if you at any time came to light, and that 
 shee knewe he woulde be perswoded, as well for that shee had The wise men 
 experience of her by long continuaunce of time, as also for in . olde time 
 
 freat ioy and desire that he should have by one to succeede u m1 ^ . I i * 
 J 1 T-- rro. u u -j j br eake their 
 
 im contrary to his expectation. Ihus much shee said, and O th, if they 
 
 desired me to doe it, by the oth that I had sworne by the had swomeby 
 sunne, which may not bee violated of any of the wise men. the Sunne. 
 
 Ill
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E I came hither to perfourme the oth I made, although I tooke 
 IV not this voiage for this cause onely, yet I accounted it by the 
 will of the Goddes, an advantage gotten in my long journey. 
 I have beene busie about this long, and have left no con- 
 venient service undone to you, yet I tolde you not the matter, 
 wayting for j ust opportunity, and to gette the fascia also by 
 some meanes to mate due profe of that I would say. 
 
 Wherefore you may, if you will be ruled, and goe away 
 with us, (before you suffer anything by violence which you 
 would not, of Caricles, who provideth very busily to match 
 you with Alcamenes) recover your kinred, your country, 
 and parentes, and dwell with Theagenes, who is ready to 
 followe us into what country so ever we wil, and to reigne 
 with you his deere love that is content to change his naturall, 
 and princely life, for our strange, and uncertaine state, if we 
 shal give credite, not onely to the Gods, and other things, 
 but also to the oracle of Apollo. And with that, I brought 
 the oracle into her remembrance, and declared to her, what 
 it meant, which Cariclia knewe before, in as much as it was 
 in everie mans mouth. She start backe a little at this : and 
 after saide, Father, seeing you say, the Goddes would have it 
 so, and I beleeve no lesse: What muste wee doo? You must 
 (quoth I) make as though you were content with Alcamanes 
 marriage. That is, said shee, verie much, and scant allow- 
 able, to preferre any man onely in promise before Theagenes ? 
 But father for asmuch as I have given my selfe into the 
 hands of the Goddes and you, tell me the end of this tale, 
 and howe it may be undonne, before it be brought to effect. 
 A woman is You shall knowe (saide I). Many thinges tolde before hand 
 best at a sou- ^ o wome n, have greatly hindered the matter in hande : which 
 !m P being soudainely put in practise, are by them more boldly 
 atchieved for the most part. Onely followe my counsell as 
 well now as at other times, and be contente to allowe the 
 marriage, which Caricles wil provide for you, who will doo 
 nothing without my counsell and healpe. Shee made promise 
 so to doe : and I went my way and leaft her weeping. I 
 scantly was gone out of her chamber, but I sawe Caricles, 
 very sadde, and full of sorrow. Ah good syr (saide I) when 
 you shoulde followe me, and rejoyce, and doo sacrifice of 
 112
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 thankesgiving to the Goddes for that you have gotten, that B O O K E 
 which before you desired, Cariclia, at length by much skill, IV 
 
 and manifolde wisedome, made contente to take a husband. 
 Then are you sadde, and heavie, and can scant refraine from 
 teares, but I know not why. Why should I not saide hee ? 
 seeing it shall come to passe, that the thinges which I holde 
 dearest in my life, shall be carried into some other countrie, 
 if you may give credite, as well to the dreame that I had Caricles 
 this night, as to others, wherein, me thought that an Eagle dreams, 
 let flie out of Apolloes hand came downe, tooke my daughter 
 out of mine armes, and carried her into, I know not what 
 farre countrie, which was blacke and ougly shadowes. At a 
 worde, I coulde not tell what he did with her, by reason that 
 the infinite distance of place tooke away the sighte of mine Great dis- 
 eyes. As soone as he saide thus I knewe whereto his dreame tance of place 
 tended. But that I mighte withdrawe him from this dis- 
 paire of mind, and bring him farre from suspicion of that 
 which shoulde come to passe, I sayd, Syr prieste, you seeme 
 not to deeme aright of this Vision, in as much as it fore- Calasiris sub- 
 sheweth to you the marriage of your daughter, and doth tile exposition 
 secretly signifie by the Eagle, that shee shall have an thereof, 
 husbande, and that this shalbe so, Apollo wil bring her an 
 husband with his owne hand, yet you seeme to be angrie, 
 and construe your dreame worse than it is meant. Where- 
 fore Caricles, let us be merry, and addicte our selves to the 
 wil of the Gods, labouring every way the better to perswade 
 the maid. He asked me what was best to be done, that 
 the maide might be more obedient. If (quoth I) you have 
 any precious thing in stoare, or apparrell wrought with golde, 
 or any jewel of price, bring them to her, as tokens from her 
 spouse, and appease her with giftes : for gold, and pretious 
 stones are wonderfully esteemed with women. You must 
 provide other things for this solemnitie also, and this marriage 
 must be dispatched presently, while her desire thereto, which 
 is wrought by art against her will, is stable, and unchanged. 
 After Caricles had saide, Thinke that I will omit nothing that 
 I can doe, he went home, and for joye as soone as I haoleaft 
 talking with him, he made hast so to doe. And he did in 
 deede, as I perceived afterward, that which I commaunded 
 P 113
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE him, without delaie, in bringing, as well the costly garment, 
 IV as also the jewels of Aethiopia, which Persina laid foorth 
 Caricles giv- with Cariclia that shee might knowe what she was, as 
 eth Cariclia al though they had beene tokens from Alcamenes. Then 
 thatlier^moth me ^ e * w ^ n Theagenes, and asked him where those were 
 er gave her at wno were the doers of the Roialtie aforesaid. The maides 
 the time of her (quoth he) are gone away before, that they may take the 
 exposition, easier journeies : and the yong men will tarry no longer, but 
 make much a do, and great provision to returne to their 
 countrie. When I knewe this, I tolde him what hee should 
 both say to them, and doe himselfe, and gave him charge 
 that he should waite untill I gave him a token what he 
 should do. And so I leafte him, and went to the Temple of 
 Apollo, to pray the God, that he woulde instruct me as con- 
 cerning my flight with the yonge couple. But the God was 
 God is ready quicker then any man would thinke, who helpeth those that 
 to helpe those Joo their businesse, according to his will, although he be not 
 that worke by ca |} e( j U p OI1) often times preventing their praiers with the 
 readinesse of his good will : as even then it happened, that 
 he prevented my question with the answere, and did in deede 
 declare his helpe, and pleasure. For as much as a certaine 
 voice staied me as I went by, to a prophetesse and was very 
 carefull for the performance of that I determined : which 
 saide You may make haste when the strangers call you who 
 at that time, with the noyse of shaumes, made a banquette 
 in the honour of Hercules. I went not so fast after I heard 
 this, for I might not goe past when God had called me. 
 After I had with frankincense perfumed, and offered water, 
 they seemed to wonder at the cost of my oblations : yet for 
 all that, they desired me to take part of their banquette. I 
 did so, and after I sate downe on a benche which they had 
 strewed with Myrte, and Laurel for strangers, and had eaten 
 such meate as I was accustomed to do, I said unto them/Good 
 felowes I thanke you for my good chere. But I am utterly 
 ignorant of your demeanour : wherefore it is time that yee 
 tell me, what ye are, and whence ye come. For it is an un- 
 seemely, and very rude thing, that those, who have done 
 sacrifice, and banquetted together, and made holy meate the 
 beginning of friendship, shoulde depart without either know- 
 114
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 ing others affaires. Then they told me, that they were BOOKE 
 merchauntes of Tyros in Phoenicia, and that they sailed to IV 
 
 Carthage in Aphrica with a shippe fraughted with merchandise 
 of India, Aethiopia, and Phoenicia : at this time we make a 
 banquet to Hercules of Tyros, for a victorie which we have The Tyrians 
 gotten, in as much as this yong man, pointing to him that do sacrafice to 
 sate before me, gotte the best game at wrestling : whereby l e ^T t vt 
 he hath proved, that a Tyrian may gette the victorie in the one their 
 middest of Greekes. For he, after wee had sayled paste companions 
 Malea, and by force of tempest were constrained to lande at had. 
 the Hand of the people of Cephaleni, sware unto us by this 
 our countrie God, that in his sleepe it was told him, he 
 should obtaine the victorie in these sportes of Apollo. And 
 when he had persuaded us to turne from our intended course, 
 and land here, he made proofe by deede, that his prophecie 
 was true, so that nowe he is denounced a famous conquerour, 
 that was but late a merchante, who also as a thankes giving 
 for his victorie, doth this sacrifice to the God who was his 
 conductor. And to morrowe if the wind serve, wee will 
 leave this coast. Have you determined this in deede, saide 
 I ? Yea verily answeared they : you shall then if you 
 please, have my company : For I have a voiage into Sicilia 
 for a certaine cause, and you sailing into Aphrica, must passe 
 by it. You shall be wellcome (quoth they) if you wil, for 
 we suppose we shal want no commoditie, if we have with us 
 a wise man, and a Grecian, and such a one as by experience 
 may be proved, that he is wel beloved of the Gods. I would 
 (saide I to them) if you will graunt me but one daie, to make 
 my provision. You shal have to morrowe (quoth they) on 
 condition that about night, you will be at the sea. For wee 
 commonly sayle by night, for that the winds that come then 
 from the earth, doo calmely fill our sayles. I made bargaine 
 that I would doe so, binding them first by othe, that they 
 should not depart before their promised time was expired. 
 And so I left them there both piping and dauncing, after the 
 manner of the Assyrians, sometime leaping alofte, sometime 
 bending their bodyes downewarde, and like such as were 
 inspired with some God, writhing them selves. Then went I 
 to Cariclia, and found her holding in her lappe the jewels 
 
 115
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E which Caricles gave her, and earnestly veiwed them. After 
 IV I went to Theagenes, and when I had told them both what 
 The maner of they should doo and when I went to mine owne lodging, 
 the taking diligently considering, of that which should bee done. The 
 away of Cari- nex fay ^ us fad they. About midnight when all the 
 citie was fast a sleepe, a crewe of armed yong men came to 
 the house of Cariclia. The captaine of this amorous warre 
 was Theagenes, who taught his youth after their brave 
 pompe to play the souldiers. They soudainely made those 
 afrayd, which perceived a little with their great clamour and 
 clashing of their armour, so that with great light they brake 
 into her house, lifting the doore aside easily, for that it was 
 provided before, it should not be very hard barred, and tooke 
 her away well prepared, for that she knew hereof before, and 
 with good will suffered this assault, and carried a great deale 
 of stuffe such as the mayde commaunded them, away also. 
 After they came out of the house, they sounded a warlike 
 crie, and made a terrible noyse with their harnesse, and so 
 passed through the Citie, and caste the inhabitants thereof 
 into a wonderfull feare by reason that they had chosen the 
 night for none other purpose, but that they might be the 
 more feared. So that Parnassus gave an Eccho backe to 
 their noyse. After they were gone out of the citie, as fast 
 as they coulde, they hied them on Horsebacke into the 
 mountaines of Locrus, and Oeta. But Theagenes and 
 Cariclia, as was before concluded, forsooke the Thessalians, 
 and came to me privily, and fell both in great feare at my 
 feete, and still cried, Save us father. Cariclia saide no more, 
 but helde downe her heade, as though she were ashamed of 
 that she had done. But Theagenes saide more. Calasiris 
 save us being strangers, and banished our countries, de- 
 prived of all our friendes, that among them all wee might 
 winne our selves. Save our bodies hereafter committed 
 to Fortune which also are made bonde to chaste love. Save 
 us by our owne accord banished, yet glad thereof, and such 
 as have set their safegard on you. I was moved herewith, 
 and after I had wept, rather with my harte, then mine eies, 
 so that the yonge folkes perceived it not, yet it eased my 
 griefe, I comforted and imboldened them. At a woorde I 
 116
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 badde them hope for a luckie ende, in that this matter was 
 begonne by the will and counsell of the Goddes. As for mee 
 (quoth I) I will go and dispatche the rest of our businesse. 
 But tarry you me in this place, and take diligent head that 
 no man espie you. When I had said thus, I went backe, 
 but Cariclia caught me by the coate, and helde me faste, 
 and saide : What father, this beginninge is unjuste or rather 
 traiterous, if you will departe, and leave mee alone with 
 Theagenes, and will not consider howe unmeete a man, a 
 lover is to be a keeper, if that be in his power to injoye 
 which hee loveth, and want such as may make him ashamed 
 thereof : for, I thinke, that he is rather incensed, when he 
 seeth that which he desireth, without any defence before his 
 face. Wherefore I will not let you departe before, as well for 
 the time presente, but rather for that which is to come : I 
 may be sure by Theagenes othe, that he shall not fleashly 
 have to doo with me, untill I have recovered my countrie, 
 and parentes, or if the Gods be not content herewith, at 
 least untill I by mine owne free will be content he shall 
 marrie me. Other wise never. After I hard what shee had 
 saide, I wondered and was determined it shoulde be so, 
 and made a litle fire uppon an Alter, and burned Incense. 
 Theagenes sware, saying that hee had wrong, for that the 
 faith which he had determined in his minde to kepe, was 
 taken away by reason of an othe, and that hee coulde not 
 praise that will, which was forced by a greater power, yet 
 for all that he tooke his othe, by Apollo of Delphi, and 
 Diana, by Venus her selfe, and al the Gods of love, that he 
 woulde doo all thinges in suche sorte, as Cariclia would have 
 him. This and many other things they concluded betwene 
 themselves, callinge the Gods witnesses thereto. I comming 
 as fast as I could to Caricles, founde all his house on a hurli- 
 burly, and sorye because the ministers were nowe come to him, 
 and nad toulof him of the taking away of the Mayde, and the 
 Citizens came by heapes and stode round about him, while 
 he sorowed, at a word, what for ignorance of that was done, 
 and wante of counsell for that was to come, they were at 
 their wittes endes. There beganne I with my bigge voyce 
 to thunder, and say : Ye unhappy people, howe long will ye 
 
 117 
 
 BOOKE 
 IV 
 
 An example 
 
 of passing 
 
 chastitie. 
 
 Theagenes 
 thinketh 
 
 patience per- 
 force scant 
 
 woorth praise. 
 
 Calasiris 
 
 dissembled 
 
 oration.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E sitte still, dumbe like stockes, as though your courage were 
 IV also taken away with ill Fortune? Why do you not in 
 armour pursue your enimies ? will you not take, and 
 punish them, who have done you this wrong ? It is in 
 vaine perhappes (saide Caricles) to strive any longer with 
 this present fortune. For I understand perfectly, that I am 
 thus punished for the anger of the Goddes, which was fore- 
 shewed me, since I wente in an unluckie time, into the 
 privie Chappel, and sawe there that which was not lawfull 
 to be seene, that therefore I shoulde lose that I sette most 
 store by. But there is no impediment (as the proverbe is) 
 that shoulde let us to fight with the Goddes, if we knewe 
 whom to pursue, or him, who hath done us this mischiefe. 
 That is (saide I) Theagenes the Thessalian, and the young 
 men which were with him, whom you praised so much, and 
 made my freende. And so you may yet finde some man in 
 the Citie, who hath till this time stayed here : wherefore 
 arise, and call the people to counsell : so was it done. The 
 Captaines appointed a meetinge, by trumpet proclaiminge 
 the same in the cittie, the people straight came together, 
 the Theater was made a Courte by night. Caricles came 
 forth, and falling soudainely a weepinge, beganne to saye 
 Caricles piti- thus : Perhappes yee (men of Delphi) suppose, considering 
 full oration fa e greatnes of my miseries, that I come hither, and have 
 
 gathered this multitude of people, to utter mine owne mis- 
 taking away f . . ^ ' , , , _ , ... 
 of Cariclia. haps unto you. >ut it is not so : lor although 1 suffer ofte 
 
 such thinges as may be compared with death itselfe, and at 
 this present time my house is desolate, and distroyed by the 
 Gods, solitarie, and robbed of those that I helde most deere, 
 in whose company, and pleasant behaviour I contented my 
 selfe : yet the common frustration, and vaine hope of all, 
 doothe comforte me a litle, and causeth me to suffer, who 
 promiseth to finde my daughter againe, which thinge in 
 deede may be done : but the cittie mooveth me more, which 
 I desire, and looke shalbe victorious firste, and take revenge 
 of those that have wronged it. Except these Thessalian 
 youthes have taken away our loftie courages, and just wrath 
 which we shoulde receive for our Countrey, and Countrey 
 Gods. For, that which is most intollerable, a fewe dauncing 
 118
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 boyes, sent about a sacred message, doe depart after they BOOKE 
 have wasted the most noble Citie of Greece, and have taken IV 
 
 out of Apolloes Temple, the most pretious Jewell thereof 
 Cariclia, which also was my life. O implacable and too 
 obstinate anger of God towarde us : first (as you all know) 
 it killed my naturall daughter at the day of her marriage, 
 and her mother also with griefe that shee tooke for her 
 death, and banished mee from my native countrey. But all 
 this was tollerable after I had found Cariclia. Cariclia was 
 my life, my hope, and staie of my stocke : Cariclia onely 
 was my comfort, and, as I may terme her, mine increase : 
 which also this miserie, (whatsoever it be that now came 
 upon me) hath taken from me. Neither hath it done this 
 simplie, or by chaunce, but as it accustomably triumpheth 
 over mee with most crueltie, it hath taken her even almost 
 from her husbande, in as much as the day of wedding was 
 already spread abroade among you all. As hee spake thus, 
 and fel quite from the matter into sorrowing, Hegesias the 
 Captaine bade him be content and get him away, and said : 
 You men that be here, Caricles shal have time inough to Hegesias Ora- 
 lament hereafter. But let us not be drowned with his ti n as touch- 
 sorrowe, nor carried away unadvisedlie with his teares, as in ? f P UI 
 with a great streame of water, letting passe all due occasion, W j 10 tooke 
 which as it is in all things, so in warre it is of most force, away Cariclia. 
 For now if we pursue as soone as we shall diminish this Occasion is of 
 companie, there is some hope that we shall overtake our most f rce * n 
 enemies, which nowe travel without care, for that they know 
 we be unprovided. But if we still lamenting, or rather 
 bewayling like women, shal geve them longer time, that 
 they escape, with our tarrying, we shall deserve nothing but 
 to bee scorned, and that of the young men them selves : 
 which, I say, ought to be hanged as soone as they be taken, 
 and some of them ignominiously dealt withall, so that their 
 punishmente also redounde to their Families. This may 
 easily be done, if we shall move the Thessalians to dis- 
 pleasure against these that be fledde, and their posteritie, 
 by forbidding them to doe any more this holy legation, and 
 due funeralles of the Noble man, which we had decreed should 
 be done of the coste of the Common Treasurie. After all this 
 
 119
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E W as praised of the people, and by their decree established : 
 
 Let this also, saide the captaine, if it please you, be ratified 
 
 The Thessa- by your voyces, that the woman, who hath the charge of the 
 
 lians are for- Sacrifices, bee shewed no more to them that runne in armour. 
 
 bidden by -p or ag j can con i ec ture, thereof hath growen the beginning 
 
 commoncoun- ,, , . . . . . J rT , u , i j.u uo. / u 
 
 sel to do * *- nis inipietie in Theagenes, who also thought (as may be 
 
 sacrifice to deemed) of this rape, ever sithence he first saw her. For it 
 
 Pyrrhus, for is good hereafter to take away the occasion of such like 
 
 taking attempt. After this was graunted by the voyces and hands 
 
 clrujlia ^ a ^ *^ a ^ were P resen te, Hegesias gave them a token to goe 
 
 This is when foorth, and gave a signe of warre with a trumpet, so that the 
 
 the steede is Theater was dissolved into warre, and every man ranne 
 
 stolne,toshut hastily out of the counsel to battell, not onely the strong 
 
 d S a men, and such as were able to weare armour, but boies also 
 
 and striplinges without order, durst be partakers of the 
 
 voyage, by their readinesse greatly augmenting the number 
 
 of lustie men of that time. Many women also behaved 
 
 them selves more stoutly than their nature permitted, every 
 
 one taking up for a weapon that which came nexte to hande, 
 
 and followed in vaine : who, for that they missed of their 
 
 purpose, perceived well the infirmitie of their kinde. You 
 
 might then have seene olde men strive with age, and in 
 
 a manner the minde drawing their bodies, and for great 
 
 and ardent desire to fight, objected weaknesse, as a shame 
 
 to it. So great greefe tooke the Citie for the rape of 
 
 Cariclia, and prepared them selves suddenly to the 
 
 pursuing, as if they had but one minde, and 
 
 would not looke for day. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE FOURTH BOOKE 
 
 120
 
 THE FIFTH BOOKE 
 
 Q
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE FIFTH BOOKE 
 
 IN this fifth booke is conteined the separation of Theagenes and 
 
 Cariclia, and how that Nausicles merchant got her of Mitranes, in 
 
 steade of Thisbe, and after he had brought her to his house, he desired 
 
 Calasiris to tell him the storie of her and Theagenes, who pro- 
 
 secuteth it so farre, untill he commeth to the great slaughter 
 
 whereof mention is made in the first booke. 
 
 122
 
 THE FIFTH BOOKE 
 
 HUS therfore was the citie of Delphy oc- 
 cupied, but what they did in the ende, 
 I Knewe not, saving that their pursuite 
 gave me good occasion to convey my selfe 
 away. So I tooke the young folkes with 
 me to the sea, and put them into the 
 shippe of Phoenicia, which was by and by 
 ready to depart. For as soone as the 
 morning began to appeare, the Phoenicians which promised 
 to tary for me a day and a night, thought now that they 
 should not breake the oath which they sware to me. When 
 we came they entertayned us very joyfully, and foorthwith 
 they launched out into the deepe, with ores first, then, after 
 a calme gale blewe from the earth, the waves quietly came 
 under our shippe, and in a manner smiled upon her, and 
 suffered her to go with full saile. And thus we passed with 
 our shippe the coast of Cyrrha and Parnassus with his high 
 toppes, and the rockes of Aetolia, and Calidonia, and by the 
 time that it was sunne setting, we discovered the Ilandes, as 
 well by figure, as name, Acute, and the Zacynthian sea. But 
 (in an unhappy time) why doe I tell this ? why doe I forget 
 my selfe and you, and continue my tale, bringing you here- 
 after in very deede to the sea ? here let us leave the rest of 
 our talke, and sleepe a little. For although thou, Cnemon, 
 be nothing weary to heare, and stifly strive with sleepe, yet I 
 thinke that now you begin to quaile, in that I have con-
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E tinued my talke farre on night. And besides this, my sonne, 
 V both age doeth burden me, and the remembrance of my 
 
 miseries dissolving my minde, doeth drive me to sleepe. Doe 
 so father, said Cnemon, not as though I willed you to make 
 an end, for that as I thinke, I could not doe, though you 
 would tell it many dayes and nights together, with such 
 singular pleasantnesse, and excellent suavitie is it seasoned. 
 But me thinketh I heare some noise and busines about the 
 house, and have been troubled a little therefore, but forced 
 my selfe to keepe silence, for the great desire I had to heare 
 Age beside your tale. I heard it not said Calasiris, either for that age 
 
 other discom- maketh mine eares somewhat dul and harde (for age breedeth 
 modities, ma ny infirmities, both in the other partes, but chiefly in the 
 
 hard of hear^ eares ) or e ^ s ^ or ^ na ^ m y mm ^ wholly was occupied about my 
 ing. tale. I thinke, Nausicles the owner of this house is come. 
 But O ye Gods how hath he sped? As I desired (said 
 Nausicles) stepping in suddenly to them. For I knewe well 
 inough good Calasiris, that you were carefull of my busines, 
 and almost travelled with me in your mind. But I perceive 
 your good will toward me, by divers courtesies shewed me, 
 both at other times, and also by this whereof I heare you 
 talking here. But what stranger is this? He is a Grecian, said 
 Calasiris, you shal heare more of him hereafter. But tell 
 you us quickly what good lucke you have had that we may 
 rejoyce with you. You shall heare to morrow, saide Nau- 
 sicles, as now be content to know that I have gotten a better 
 Thisbe : for I have neede to sleepe a little, to abate my 
 greefe which I have gotten, as well by my journey, as other 
 cogitations. This sayd, he went his way to doo as he said. 
 But Cnemon was muche abashed when he harde Thisbes 
 name, and turned all his cogitations to the time past, with 
 much and continuall sorrowe tormenting himselfe all the 
 reste of the night, so that Calasiris though he were fast 
 asleepe, perceived it, who sitting up a little, and leaning on 
 his elbowe, asked what he lacked, and why he was so dis- 
 quieted, as if hee were almost madde. Have I not good cause 
 (saide Cnemon to him) to be madde, seeing I heare that 
 Thisbe is alive. What is this Thisbe (quoth Calasiris,) or 
 howe do you knowe her, by hearing her name, and are so 
 124
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 greeved that she is alive ? You shal heare the rest (quoth B O O K E 
 Cnemon) when I tel you mine estate. But her I saw slaine v 
 
 with these eies, and with mine owne hands, I buried her in 
 the heardmens Hand. Sleepe, saide Calasiris, and we shall 
 knowe howe this goeth ere longe. I may not (quoth he) but 
 lie you still and sturre not : For my part I know not whither 
 I can live, except I go forth secretly, and make diligent 
 inquiry, how Nausicles is deceived, and howe only with the 
 Egyptians, suche as were deade, revive againe. Calasiris 
 smiled a little at this, and so fel a sleepe. Cnemon went out 
 of the chamber, and restrained himselfe much, as is like one 
 would do that is in the darke, and in an unacquainted house : 
 but he tooke all in good parte, for feare of Thisbe, being 
 desirous in hast to ridde him selfe out of this doubte : till 
 at length with much adoo after he had gone up and 
 downe ofte in one place, as if he hadde beene in diverse, he 
 harde a woman, like a nightingale in the spring, dolefully 
 lamenting, and with sorowfull tunes, so that by her mourn- 
 ing (as if one had taken him by the hande) he was brought 
 to her chamber, and laying his eare to the doore, hearde her 
 yet complayning in this sorte. I poore wretche supposed, Caricliaspitti- 
 that I had bene delivered out of the hands of theeves, and ful complaint 
 escaped death, which I alway looked for, and that I should being sep? 
 after have lead, though a strang and banisht life, with my 
 deerest freende, yet such a one, as in his company, shoulde 
 have beene most delectable, for there is nothing so trouble- 
 some and greevous to me, which is not tollerable with him. 
 But nowe the God which hath had charge of our businesse 
 from the beginning, and hath graunted us but small pleasure, 
 not yet satisfied, hath deceived us againe. I thought that I 
 had escaped bondage, but now I serve againe, and am kept in 
 prison : I was in an Hand and dark place before, this present 
 state is like to it, or rather to say the truth, worse, because 
 he who both could and woulde by comforte abate these 
 sorrowes, is violently separated and taken from me. A denne 
 of theeves the day before was mine Inne, and what was that 
 habitation, but a very hell, or woorse place ? yet my deere 
 lover being with me, made it easie to be suffered. There he 
 lamented me alive and shed teares for mee, beeing (as he 
 
 125
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O K E thought) dead, and bewailed me as if I had beene slaine, now 
 
 V am I deprived of all this : he is gone, who was partaker of 
 
 my calamities, and who would have devided them, as though 
 
 it had bene a burden. And I alone am forsaken, a prisoner, 
 
 and by many waies to be lamented am objected to the arbi- 
 
 trement of cruel fortune. And doo reteine my life onely, for 
 
 that I hope my most deere freende is alive. But O my 
 
 harte, where arte thou ? or what fortune haste thou ? art 
 
 thou also alas Bounde, which haste a free minde, not able to 
 
 abide any servage, but of love ? wel, doo nothing but save 
 
 thy life, to the intent thou maiest once beholde thy Thisbe 
 
 againe : for so shalt thou call mee, whither thou wilt or not. 
 
 Cnemon coulde abide no longer, after he heard this, to heare 
 
 the rest, though he gessed by the beginning somewhat else, 
 
 yet by that he hearde in the ende, concluding that it was 
 
 Thisbe, wanted but little that he swooned not at the gate. 
 
 The name of But after he had overcommed that passion with much a doe 
 
 Thisbe trou- for feare least he should be spied of any man (for nowe the 
 
 bleth Cnemon coc k es cre we the second time) he ranne backe stumbling, 
 
 sometime hurting his toes against the selles, sometimes hitting 
 
 his head against the walles and doore postes. When he 
 
 came to his lodging after much travell, he fell into the bedde, 
 
 and all his body trembled and his teeth chattered sore : 
 
 and he had perhappes bene in extreme perill, if Calasiris, had 
 
 not perceived it, and comforted him, and brought him to him- 
 
 selfe againe. After he was revived a little, he asked of him 
 
 the matter. I am undone (quoth he) for that most wicked 
 
 Thisbe is alive indeed : and there withal he swooned againe : 
 
 and Calasiris had much a doo to call him againe, and comfort 
 
 How joy and him. Surely some God plainely scorned Cnemon, because 
 
 sorrowe do (as otherwise, for the most part it maketh a jest, or toie of 
 
 times numa ine affaires : so nowe it would not suffer him peaceably 
 
 without disquietnesse, to enjoy that which is most pleasant 
 
 and welcome to him, but that which shortly after woulde 
 
 make him very joy full, was nowe turned into sorrowe) either 
 
 for that it shewed then the nature, and custome of it selfe, or 
 
 else because the nature of man cannot take true joy as 
 
 should be. Wherefore Cnemon fledde from that, which he 
 
 then should most have desired, and supposed that to be fear- 
 
 126
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 full, which was most delectable to him. For the woman that B O O K E 
 wept was not Thisbe, but Cariclia. For thus it was : after v 
 
 Thyamis came into his enimies hand alive, and was kept 
 prisoner, the Hand was set on fire, and the heardemen, who 
 inhabited it, were fledde, Cnemon, and Thermutis, Thyamis 
 Shielde bearer, in the morning roawed over the lake, to spie 
 in what case their captaine was with their enemies: the 
 manner of their journey was such as is declared before. Then 
 were Theagenes, and Cariclia, leafte in the denne alone, who 
 accompted the prolonging of their calamities a singular 
 benefite, that was the first time that ever they were by them 
 selves, and delivered from all that might trouble them. 
 Wherefore they considered of their estate, not forgetting to 
 kisse and embrace ech other, so that they forgat all that they 
 had to doo, and stood either in others armes a great while, 
 as if they had bene made one body, content yet to satisfie 
 them selves with chast love, temperating their affection with 
 teares, and cleanly kisses. For Cariclia, if any time she per- 
 ceived Theagenes to passe the boundes of seemelinesse, and 
 deale with her over wantonly, woulde rebuke him by telling 
 him of his oth : and hee would suffer him selfe to be reformed 
 with little labour, and brought againe to temperatenesse in 
 as much as he was in love inferiour to her, but in pleasure Cariclia more 
 he farre surmounted. But at length, though it were long in l ve then 
 first, they remembred what they had to doo, and by force 
 were constrained to content themselves, and then Theagenes 
 beganne to speake thus : that we, Cariclia, may enjoy one 
 another, and attaine unto that, which we have preferred 
 before all other thinges, and for which we have susteined all 
 our troubles, both we doe wish, and the Goddes of Greece 
 graunt. But for as much, as well because al worldly things 
 are unstable, and incline diverse wayes, and we have borne 
 much, and hope for many thinges, wee must now haste us to 
 Chemmis, as wee have concluded with Cnemon, as also be- 
 cause we know not what fortune we shall have, and we have 
 (as it seemeth) a great and wonderfull deale of grounde to 
 passe, before we can come to the land which wee hope for : ^ y wige 
 let us devise certaine tokens, whereby we being one in others d ev ise of 
 sighte, may know our secrets : and if it happen us to bee Theagenes. 
 
 127
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE separated, wee may in absence seeke one another. For a 
 
 V watch woorde of freendes, which is kept in hope to finde, is 
 
 The commo- a great easement of long travell. Cariclia praysed his devise, 
 
 ditie of a an( j they agreed, if they were separated, that Theagenes 
 
 rd - should write, Pithicus : Cariclia Pithias upon all famous 
 
 temples, pictures, monumentes, and great stones in crosse 
 
 wayes, whether they were gonne the right hand way, or the 
 
 left : to what citie, village, or countrie : and lastly, that 
 
 they should declare the very day, and houre. And if they 
 
 might meete, it should be sufficient one to see the other. 
 
 For they thought no time should be able to put out of 
 
 their minds such love, yet for the better assurance, Cariclia 
 
 would shewe her fathers ring, which was laid out with 
 
 her, and Theagenes a scarre in his thigh, that a wild 
 
 boare gave him. It was further concluded betweene them, 
 
 that in steede of wordes, shee shoulde beare a taper, and he 
 
 a branch of palme. To confirme this they imbraced each 
 
 other, and weapt, powring out their teares in steede of 
 
 sacrifices (as I gesse,) and for an oth, they used many kisses. 
 
 After these thinges were thus ordered, they came out of the 
 
 cave, without touching any of the treasures which were laid 
 
 Theagenes up there. For they compted these goodes uncleane, which 
 
 and Cariclia were gotten by robberies : but that which they brought 
 
 ^ CC U tak w ^ them from Delphie, and that the theeves had taken 
 
 byrobbery to fr m them, that they gathered together, and carried with 
 
 be uncleane them : And Cariclia chaunged her apparrel, and put it into 
 
 and not a little packe with the copie of their vowe, and her garland, 
 
 wporth taking an( j sacr ed garment : and that it might be more privie, they 
 
 Continent 80 ^ a ^ e * ne res t f their woorst stuffe uppon it. As for her 
 
 minds had bowe, and quiver, shee gave them to Theagenes to beare, 
 
 they, that which was a passing pleasant burthen to him, seeing they 
 
 they woulde were the proper weapons of the God, who had the power 
 
 not have it over \i{ m s SO one as they came neere to the lake, and 
 
 ill gotten and were aDOU t to take boate, they spied a bande of armed men 
 
 not their rowing over to the Hand. They, sore abashed at that 
 
 owne. terrible sight, stoode a great while astonied, as though with 
 
 the greatnesse of their sorrowe which they conceived of the 
 
 unstablenesse of fortune, which so raged still against them, 
 
 they had lost themselves : yet at length when they were 
 
 I wO
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 redy to arrive, and were comming toward them, Cariclia BOOKE 
 desired to retire backe, and creepe into some corner of the V 
 
 denne, and there hide themselves, and therewithall shee 
 ranne her way. But Theagenes caused her to abide, and 
 saide : How long shal wee flee the fate that followeth us 
 everie where ? Let us yeelde to fortune, and withstand no 
 longer the violence which is ready to assault us, for what 
 else shal we gaine, but fruitlesse travell, and banished life, 
 and from time to time, be scorned of the Goddes ? Doo 
 you not see ho we they joyne the robberies of the pyrates to 
 our banishmente, and goe about with great diligence and 
 travell to bring us into greater daungers by land, then earst 
 we have found by sea ? not long ago they made a fray about 
 us : within a little after, they brought theeves unto us, ere 
 while they made us prisoners, then lefte they us alone, but at 
 liberty, and made us beleeve wee might goe whither wee 
 would, then streight have they brought us into the handes 
 of such as shall kill us. This warre for their disport have 
 they made against us, making as it were, a comecue of our 
 affaires. Why then doo not we breake off this tragical 
 poeme of theirs, and yeeld us to those that will kill us ? 
 least perhaps if they meane to make an intolerable end to 
 our tragedy, we be forced to kill our selves. Cariclia allowed 
 not all that he said, mary she thought that he justly accused 
 fortune, but not that it was any point of wisedome, to No point of 
 yeelde themselves willingly into the enimies handes, for wisdome to 
 they were not sure that they would kill them as soone as ^ e . e 
 they had them, neither had they to doo with so gentle and 
 friendly a God, that would make a quicke end of their 
 miseries, but would perhappes reserve them to a further 
 bondage. Which thing, then what death should it not be 
 more greevous ? If we give our selves to the injuries of 
 barbarous people, we shalbe so unworthily handled, as I 
 am lothe to gesse. Whiche thinge by all meanes, and as 
 longe as we can, let us a voyde, measuringe our hope of time 
 to come, with experience of that which is past, howe wee 
 have bene diversely preserved at such time as is not credible. 
 After Theagenes had saide, Let us do as you will : she went 
 before and he folowed her, as if he had bene tied to her. 
 R 129
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E Yet for all their hast, they came not to the denne before 
 V their enemies : but while they looked on them that went 
 
 before them, they wiste not that with another bande which 
 came into the Hand at an other place, they were compassed, 
 and inclosed. Wherewithall they sore abashed, stoode still, 
 and Cariclia ranne under Theagenes arme, that if she must 
 needes die, she woulde die in Theagenes handes. One of 
 those, that were landed, went about to shoote at them, but 
 The propertie after the yonge folkes had looked upon them, their hartes 
 of beautifull failled, and their right hands quaked. For the very bar- 
 personages. b arous hands (as may appeare) do feare the beautiful per- 
 sonages, and a right cruell eye wil bee made gentle with a 
 lowely looke. As sone as they had taken them they carried 
 them to the Captaine, greatly desiring to carry the fairest of 
 the spoiles to him at the first : and they brought nothing 
 els, for although they had compassed the Hand with their 
 armour, as with a nette rounde aboute, and had serched it 
 from one parte to an other, yet could they finde nothing, 
 for all that was in the Ilande, was burned in the former 
 skirmishe, savinge the denne onely which no man knewe. 
 And thus were they brought to the general of the warre : 
 his name was Mitranes, whom Oroondates had made captaine 
 of the watches : This Oroondates was deputie of Egypte 
 in the great Kings behalfe, who beinge hyred with a great 
 summe of money, by Nausicles, as is aforesaide, to seeke 
 Thisbe, came into the Ilande. After Theagenes, and Cariclia 
 Merchaunt were brought almost into their sight, Nausicles by a craftie 
 like, that is to devise, merchaunt like stepped foorthe, and cried with a 
 
 deviseused^ 6 & reat vo ^ ce ' This is that Thisbe > of whom I was robbed by 
 
 Nausicles to ^ ne mischievous heard men, nowe do I recover her againe, 
 
 get Cariclia, Mytranes, by benefite of you, and favour of the Gods : then 
 
 in steede of he caught Cariclia, and fained himselfe to be very glade, 
 
 Thisbe. an( j w hispered in Greeke to her privily in her eare, that 
 
 none who were by, might heare him, that she should say, 
 
 her name was Thisbe, if shee desired to escape daunger. 
 
 And this policy tooke effect, for Cariclia, when shee hearde 
 
 Cariclia saith ^ m s P ea ^ e Grreeke, thought that he went about somwhat 
 
 her name is * r ^ er commoditie, and ordered her selfe as he desired : and 
 
 Thisbe. when Mytranes asked what her name was, shee saide Thisbe. 
 
 130
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Then he ranne and kissed Mitranes, and commending his BOOKE 
 fortune, made the barbarous man proude, for that he had V 
 
 not onely atchived many other warres well, but had brought 
 also this to prosperous ende, be proude of his praise, and 
 thinking by the false name, that it was so in deede. 
 Although him selfe was taken with her beauty, which 
 appeared in her simple apparrell, as if the brightnes of 
 the moone should shine out of a cloude, yet because the 
 unconstancie of his minde, was over raught with the quick- 
 nes of the craft and all time to repent was taken from him. 
 Now she is recovered (quoth he) take her with you seeing Nausicles re- 
 she is yours. And when he had said thus, he delivered her to ceivethofMy- 
 him, stil looking backe upon her, and plainely declaring that tra *iesGariclia 
 it was against his will, and for the money that he had received g u ii et h b y a 
 before, that he suffered her to departe. As for this yonge flattering 
 man (pointing to Theagenes) whatsoever he be, he shalbe praise, 
 our pray, and goe with us, and be kepte diligently to be 
 sente to Babylon, because the comelinesse of his body is 
 such, that he may waite at the kinges table. This saide, Theagenes 
 they rowed over the water, and departinge one from another, an( * ' 
 Nausicles having Cariclia, came to Chemmis. But Mytranes 
 going to viewe other townes under his jurisdiction, without 
 delay sent Theagenes with letters to Oroondates (who was 
 then at Memphis) in this wise indited. 
 
 Mytranes the captaine, to Oroondates the lieutenant. I Theagenes is 
 have sent unto you a young man of Greece too good to serve sent * O roon - 
 me, and meete onely to waite in the sighte of our God, the 
 great king giving you leave to present such an excellent 
 gift to him who is master to us both, as the Kings Court 
 hitherto never saw, neither yet shall hereafter. This was 
 the contents of his letter. But Calasiris and Cnemon hop- 
 ing to know that they were ignorant of, came to Nausicles 
 before day, and asked him how hee had spedde. Then 
 Nausicles told him all : how they came to the Hand and 
 found it desert, and no man therein to meete them : how he 
 had craftilie beguiled Mytranes, and had gotten a certaine 
 maid which was there, in steade of Thisbe : and that he had 
 spedde better in getting of her, then if he had founde Thisbe. 
 For there was no small difference betweene them, but as was 
 
 131
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BO ORE betwixt God and man, and that there was no beautie so 
 V excellent that might staine hers, and that it was not possible 
 
 to set foorth the same justly by wordes, for that he might 
 shewe her before them. When they heard this, they began 
 to surmise the thing as it was in deede, and prayed him in- 
 stantly to bid her come in straight way : for they knewe that 
 it was not possible by wordes to expresse Cariclias beautie. 
 After shee was brought in, and Nausicles (because shee cast 
 her eyes to the ground, and had mufled all her face save her 
 browes) began to comfort her, and bade her be of good 
 cheare. Shee looked up a little, and contrary to her ex- 
 pectation, she saw and was seene : so that they all three 
 began to cry out, and howle suddenly, as if there had beene 
 a token geeven them when they should have begun : and 
 you might have heard often these wordes, O my father, O 
 my daughter Cariclia in deede, and not Cnemons Thisbe. 
 Nausicles, for wondering, had almost forgotten himselfe, 
 and was astonied when he sawe Calasiris imbrace Cariclia, 
 and not refraine from teares, and knew not what that sudden 
 acquaintaunce, as if it had beene in a Comedie, ment, untill 
 Calasiris had kissed him, and said thus : The Gods geve you 
 (good man) so much as may content your desire and will, 
 who have saved my daughter which I never looked for, and 
 caused me to beholde the dearest thing that I might possibly 
 see. But O my daughter, where hast thou left Theagenes ? 
 she cried out when hee asked her that question, and after 
 she had staied a while, she answered, he that delivered me 
 to this man, leadeth him away prisoner. Calasiris then 
 besought Nausicles to tel him what he knew of Theagenes, 
 who it was that had taken him, and whether he would carrie 
 him. Nausicles tolde them all, after he perceived that these 
 were they of whom the old man had talked so oft, with him, 
 and to finde them, had ledde a wandering life in great sorrow. 
 He said moreover, that they should get little there, but the 
 knowledge of him being poore and needy folkes, for as much 
 as it were a great matter, if Mytrane would bee content to 
 let him goe for a great summe of money. I have money 
 (said Cariclia softly to Calasiris) promise him as much as 
 you wil, for I have about me the Jewelles which you know 
 132
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 off. Calasiris was glad hereof, but fearing least Nausicles BOOKE 
 
 shoulde suspect what Cariclias proffer was, he saide, Good V 
 
 Nausicles, a wise man never wanteth, but doeth measure his A wise man is 
 
 riches by his will, receiving so much of his betters, as he never poore. 
 
 deemeth worthie to aske. Wherefore tell me onelie where 
 
 he is that keepeth Theagenes, and Gods gracious liberalise 
 
 will not let us want, but will geve us so much, as well may 
 
 content the covetous mind of the Persian. Nausicles smiled" 
 
 at this, and saide : Then shall you make me beleeve, you 
 
 canne soudainely, as it were with some devise be made riche, 
 
 when you have paied me the ransome for this your daughter, 
 
 for you knowe that as well merchauntes as Persians, labour Persians and 
 
 to gette money. I knowe it well, saide Calasiris, and you merchants are 
 
 O J J i *i 
 
 shal have money, but why do you make such haste, and a 
 beside that you pretermitte no kinde of courtesie towarde us, 
 you also of your owne accorde, approve and alowe the restitu- 
 tion of my daughter. I shoulde firste have requested this at 
 your hande. I am pleased (quoth Nausicles) and if it please 
 you, come and pray to the Goddes (for I will doo sacrifice) 
 and crave that you may have goods to give me. Jest not, 
 neither be of so litle faith (quoth Calasiris to him) but goe and 
 prepare the sacrifice, and when all thinges is readie, we wil 
 come. They did so, and within a while came one from Nausicles 
 that called them, and bade them make hast. They (for by 
 this time they had concluded what to do) wente forth joyfully. 
 Calasiris, and Cnemon wente with Nausicles, and the other 
 gestes, for he made a publique sacrifice. But Cariclia wente 
 with Nausicles daughter, and other women which comforted 
 her diversly, but had much a doo to persuade her to goe with 
 them : and I knowe not whether ever she would have ben 
 persuaded, if under pretence of the sacrifice, shee hadde not 
 determined to pray for Theagenes. After they came to 
 Mercuries Temple (for Nausicles made his sacrifice to him, as Mercury the 
 the God that had most care of merchauntes, and honoured God of Mer- 
 him more then the rest) and the offering was begonne, 
 Calasiris looked a litle uppon the entralles, and by the diverse 
 chaunges of his countenaunce, declared the pleasure and 
 paines of that which was to come. And while the fire yet 
 burned on the alter, he thruste in his hande, and made as 
 
 133
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E thoughe hee pulled out of the fire, that which he helde in 
 
 v his hande before and saide : This price of Cariclias redemption, 
 
 The descrip- the Goddes proffer thee, Nausicles by me. And therewith 
 
 tipn of the j ie delivered him a princely ringe, a passinge heavenlie thinge : 
 
 * as touching the hoope, it was of Ivorie, wherein was set a 
 
 ave 
 Nausicles to brighte Amethyst of Aethiopia, as great as a maydens eye, in 
 
 redeeme beauty farre better then those of Iberia or Britaine. For 
 Cariclia. those have but an ill couler, which shine not at all, but are 
 like to the rose budde at the firste, which after with the 
 heate of the sunne waxe perfecte redde. But the Aethiopian 
 Amethyst, hath a perfecte orient coulour, and shineth through- 
 out, and if you turne him aboute, as you holde him, he 
 casteth forth a golden beame, which doth not hurte or dimme 
 the sight but maketh it much better and clearer, and he hath 
 a naturall vertue, more then the westerne stones : for it hath 
 not his name without effecte, but will not lette him be drunke 
 in deede, that weareth him, but kepeth him sober at all 
 feastes : and of this qualitie is every Amethyst of India, and 
 Aethiopia. But that stone which Calasiris gave Nausicles, 
 did passe these farre : for there was a picture graven in it, 
 representing certaine beastes : which was donne in this sorte. A 
 boy sitting not upon a very hie hill to looke aboute him, kepte 
 sheepe, appointinge his flocke their severall pastures with his 
 pipe, they semed to be ruled, and tarry at their feeding, 
 accordingly as he sounded his instrument. A man woulde 
 have saide that they had golden fleeces, not by reason of the 
 workemanship, but for that the Amethyst shyning with his 
 rednesse uppon their backes, made them showe so fayre. 
 There were graven yonge lambes leaping uppe and downe, 
 and some by heapes wente up the rocke, other some daunced 
 rounde aboute the sheepherde, so that the toppe of the rocke 
 was made a sheepherdes disporte. Other skipped in the flame 
 of the Amethyst, as if they had beene in the sunne, who with 
 the tippes of their feete, scraped the stone. Many of the 
 yonge, sorte beinge of greater courage, seemed as though they 
 woulde goe out of the compasse, but were letted by the 
 workemanship, which set a pale of golde in manner of a wall, 
 about the rocke and them, and it was a rocke in deede, and 
 not a counterfette, for when the workeman had wrought the 
 134
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 golde about the outer part of the stone, for that purpose, B O O K E 
 hee shewed that very lively which he desired, thinking it to V 
 
 no purpose, to counterfette one stone in an other. Such a 
 one was the ring. Nausicles mooved with the strangenesse 
 of the thing, but more with the value thereof : esteeming the 
 ring of more price then all the goods he had beside, spake 
 thus : Good Calasiris, I did but jest : and where I asked 
 some what for the ransome of your daughter, it was but 
 words : for I determined to let you have her for nothing. 
 But forasmuch as the gifts of the Gods are not to bee refused, The giftes of 
 (as you say) I take this stone sent from heaven, perswading 
 my selfe that this was sent from the God that is most bene- ^ re fused 
 ficiall to me, according as he is woont, and hath geven this to 
 you through fire, as may yet bee scene by the flaming thereof. 
 Otherwise I deeme that vantage to be best, which without What gaine is 
 damage to the giver dooth inrich him that receiveth it. best. 
 After he had saide this, and made an ende of the offering, 
 hee went to meate with the rest, placing the women by 
 them selves in an inner part of the Temple, and the men in 
 the Porche. After they had eaten inough, and the cuppes 
 were set on the table, the men called uppon Bacchus with 
 an offering, and soong the song accustomablie used when 
 men goe aboorde their shippes, and the women daunced after 
 a dittie made in the honour of Ceres. But now when the 
 banquet waxed somewhat warme, and each man after his 
 sort solaced him selfe, Nausicles, holding in his hand a glasse 
 of cleare water, sayde : I drinke to you in water, good 
 Calasiris, and if it wil please you to begin to us the tale 
 which wee sore desire to heare, it shalbe more pleasant to us 
 then all the cuppes on this boorde. For you heare how the 
 women no we be at ley sure, and having well banqueted them 
 selves, beginne to daunce : but your travell, if it please you 
 to make report of it to us, shall shorten wonderfullye well 
 our feast, and be more pleasant to us than any daunce or 
 instrument. The telling whereof, for as much as you have 
 (as you know difFerred diversly, for that your mischaunces 
 overwhelmed you) you can reserve to no better time then 
 this, because your daughter, one of your children is well, and 
 your sonne by the Gocldes helpe shal be recovered by and by, 
 
 135
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E if you anger me not againe, by driving it off any longer. 
 V Gods blessing on your heart (quoth Cnemon to Nausicles) 
 
 catching hold of his talke, who for all that you have brought 
 to this feast all manner of musicall instruments, doe sette 
 light by them, and geve the ruder sort leave to heare them, 
 but you your selfe are desirous to heare secrete affaires, and 
 such as are seasoned with singular mirth, and me thinketh 
 you well understand the nature of the Goddes, who joyne 
 Mercurie and Bacchus together, and adde pleasantnes of 
 speach to the finenesse of your banquette. Wherefore 
 although I have for just cause marveiled at the other sump- 
 tuousnesse of the sacrifice, yet I knowe not whether a man 
 may by any meane please Mercurie better then to talke at 
 his feastes, which thing is hys badge above all other. Calasiris 
 was content, as wel to do Cnemon a pleasure, as also for that 
 he would curry favour with Nausicles, for that which should 
 ensue, hee tolde them all, briefly repeating the principall 
 poyntes of that which he had tolde Cnemon before, and of 
 purpose passing over with silence that which hee thought 
 was to little purpose for Nausicles to knowe, but that which 
 had not yet beene tolde, and did depende uppon that which 
 went before, he tolde in this sorte. After they were aboorde 
 in the shippe of Phoenicia, and were gone from Delphi, they 
 sayled as they would wishe at the first, and had very pros- 
 perous winde. But when they came into the Calidonian sea, 
 The Calido- they were greatly troubled because they had happened into a 
 nian sea, is se a, which of his owne nature, was very disquiet and troble- 
 very trouble- somet Cnemon desired him that he would not passe over 
 this, but tel it, if he knewe any reason of the raging of the 
 same in that place. The Ionian sea (quoth he) being 
 restrained of his great breadth, and in a maner brought into 
 straightes, falling into the coast of Crisa, and hasting to 
 come into the sea called Aegeum is stopped by Istmus in 
 Peloponnesus, so perhappes by the providence of God is 
 the hill placed there, least by the violence of the water, it 
 should overflowe the land on the contrary coast. And for as 
 much as from hence the water beaten backe, (as may be by 
 reason) is restrained of his course, rather about this sea, then 
 in any other part, because that which yet floweth, falleth 
 136
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 into that, which nowe by Istmus was made to returne, so BOOKE 
 that the water is much trobled and very boysterous, by reason V 
 
 of the continual! concourse, of the waves, in all the ebbes 
 and floudes : which opinion of his, after all these who were 
 present praised, and affirmed to bee true. Calasiris told on 
 his tale, saying : After we had passed the sea, and had lost 
 the sight of the Acute Ilandes, we thought that wee dis- 
 covered a mounteine of Zachynthus, in maner of a darke cloude 
 before our eyes, and therewith the maister badde strike some 
 of the sailes, and when we asked him why he abated them, 
 and went more easily, seeing that the shippe had a very good 
 gale of wind, Because (said he) if wee went with a full saile 
 about the first watch we shoulde arrive at the Hand, and so 
 were it to be doubted, leaste in the darke, we runne upon 
 some rockes whereof are there great store, and those very 
 high. It is therefore wisedome to lie all night in the sea, 
 and take the winde in such proportion, as shall serve to 
 bring us thither to land in the morning. Thus saide the 
 maister, marry wee did not so Nausicles, but even with the 
 rising of the sunne, wee cast anchore. The inhabitantes of 
 the same Hand which dwelt aboute the haven, which was not 
 farre from the citie, came by heapes to looke upon us, (as if 
 it had bene some straunge sight) in great wonder (as might 
 seeme) to see the handsomnesse of that greate shippe, which 
 was built very faire, according to her height, and said that 
 the industry, and excellent workemanshippe of the Phoeni- 
 cians, might be knowen by that, and that we had wonderfull 
 good lucke, that made so good a voiage in the winter, about 
 the time the Pleiades were ready to set. All our company, Pleiades un- 
 ere the tacklings and sayles were in good order, lefte the luckie starves 
 shippe, and went abboute their merchandise, to the citie 
 Zacynthus. But I (because I heard by chaunce of the 
 maister, that they would winter there) went to seeke some 
 Inne about the shore, eschewing the shippe, for that it 
 was unmeete by reason of the rudenesse of the mariners, 
 and the citie, for that it was not convenient for the 
 flight of the yong couple. After I had gone a little way, 
 I sawe an olae man which was a fisher, that satte mend- 
 ing his broken nettes, before his doore. I came to him, 
 S 137
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E and saide, Good man God save you, and tell me I pray you, 
 v where a man may gette lodging ? He answeared me : It was 
 
 rent about a promontorie hereby : being lette slippe upon 
 a rocke, which they sawe not. I aske not that, quoth 
 I, but you shall shew us great courtesie, if either you your 
 selfe wilbe our hoste, or else shewe us some other Inne. 
 He answeared, Not I, for I was not aborde with them : God 
 defende that Tyrrhenus should doe so much amisse, or have 
 such a spite though he bee olde, but it was my sonnes de- 
 faulte, who knowing nothing of the rockes here in the sea, 
 cast their nettes before they should not. At length when 
 with much adoe, I perceived that he was somewhat hard of 
 hearing. I spake aloude to him and saide : God speede you 
 syr, and I pray you tell us where we may have an Inne, You 
 are welcome said he againe, and if it please you abide with 
 me, except you be any of those, that seeke for the houses 
 wherein are many beddes, and have some great traine after 
 you. I have (quoth I) but two children, and I am the third 
 myselfe. You are a good company (quoth he) you shall 
 finde one more of us, for I have two sonnes that dwell with 
 me (for mine eldest sonnes are married, and keepe houses 
 themselves) and the fourth is a nurse for my children, because 
 their mother died but a while agoe, wherefore good man come 
 on and doubt not, but wee will be gladde of you, who are a 
 man who seeme to be some gentleman even by your talke. I 
 did so, and shortely after I came with Theagenes and Cariclia, 
 Calasiris with and Tyrrhenus intertained us gladly, and let us have the 
 his children warmer part of the house. Truely we were very wel at the 
 Tvfrhenus ^ rs * > a ^ ac ^ 8^ leasure, to conferre whole daies together, 
 and when wee should sleepe, Cariclia went to bedde with the 
 nurse, in one place, by her selfe, and I with Theagenes lay in 
 another, Tyrrhenus and his children in a parlour also alone 
 tooke their rest. Wee did eate at one table all, and such 
 thinges as were needefull, wee provided of our owne coste, be- 
 side fish which Tyrrhenus tooke in the sea, as hee would some- 
 time fishe alone : sometime wee woulde helpe him at leysure. 
 For hee had all manner of wayes to fishe, and for all seasons, 
 and the place was well stoared, and very convenient to cast 
 nettes : so that many would ascribe that gaine which they got 
 138
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 by their arte, to the benefite of fortune. But there was none B O O K E 
 other remedie, but as the proverbe is, once unhappie, and ever V 
 
 unhappy. Cariclias beauty, even in this solitary place, was Once unhap- 
 not without great broile : for that merchant of Tyre, which py* and ever 
 was denounced victor at Delphi, in the games of Apollo, unhappy, 
 called Pythia, with whom we sailed, came to me alone, and The merchant 
 was very importunate, and greevous unto me : beseeching J 
 mee, as if I had beene her father, that I would give her him ? 
 to wife. He talked much, of him selfe, partely by telling of i ove 
 his noble stocke, partly by shewing us of his riches, and Cariclia. 
 that the hulke wherein we sailed, was his owne, and that 
 the greater parte of merchandise therein, as golde, precious That is com- 
 stones of great vale we, and silke was his above the reste : mon practise 
 and he added also his late obteined victorie, as no small w 
 increase of his honour and name, and a thousand thinges 
 beside these. But I alledged for my selfe, our present 
 povertie, and that I would never marry my daughter to 
 one that dwelt in a straunge countrie, so farre from Egypt, 
 Leave this talke, father (quoth he) for I will accompt the 
 maides dowrie woorth many talentes, and all the riches in 
 the worlde. As for my countrie I will change it for yours, 
 and will turne my purposed voiage to Carthage, and go 
 with you whither soever you will. When I sawe that the 
 Phoenician would not give over his determination, and pur- 
 pose, I determined with faire woords to drive off the matter, 
 leaste he should attempt anything forceably against us, and 
 promised that I would fulfil all his desire when I came into 
 Egypt. When I had by this meanes pacified him, God 
 layea one mischiefe upon another, as the Proverbe is. For 
 Tyrrhenus not many dayes after, when he had caried me 
 into a secrete place, on a crooked shoare, said thus to me : 
 Calasiris, I sweare by Neptune, and all other Gods of the A heape of 
 Sea, that I have loved you, as if you had beene mine owne troubles befal 
 brother, and your children as if tney had beene mine also. Thealrenes 
 I will tell you a thing which is working against you, very an( j Cariclia. 
 grievous, and painfull for you : but such as is not lawfull for 
 me to conceale, for that we dwel both in one house, and it 
 appertaineth altogether to you to know it. There is a 
 Pyrate which waiteth upon the hulke of Phoenicia, which 
 
 139
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E lyeth secrete under the side of this promontorie, and sendeth 
 V out spies dayly to inquire when this shippe will goe foorth : 
 
 wherefore looke to your selfe, and take heede what you doo, 
 for as much as this shamefull facte, usuall to them, is enter- 
 prised for you, or rather for your daughter. The Goddes 
 (quoth I to him) give you such thankes for these tidings, as 
 you deserve. But Tyrrhenus, howe understoode you these 
 things ? By reason of my crafte I am acquainted with them 
 (saide he) and when I bring them victualles, I have more of 
 Theeves paye them then any man else. Therefore when I drew my pottes 
 franckly of a b ou t the fall of yonder hill, the maister pyrate came to mee, 
 ^thev^eette and ^ked, whither I heard when the Phoenicians would leave 
 lightly. their harbour. When I perceived the subtilenes of his talke. 
 In faith Trachynus (quoth I) I can tell you no certaintie : but 
 suppose that at the beginning of the next spring, they will 
 sayle. Will the maide then saile with them (quoth he) which 
 lieth at your house ? I cannot tell (quoth I) but why doo 
 you aske that ? Because (quoth he) I love her in such sort, that 
 I am scant in my wits, yet I never sawe her but once, and 
 I knowe not, whither I ever saw so faire a woman before : 
 yet I have taken many prisoners, and some of them very 
 beautifull. That I might the better cause him to tell mee 
 all his counsell privily, I sayde unto him : What neede you 
 to fight with the Phoenicians, and not rather without bloud 
 fetch her out of my house before they goe abroade. He 
 Theeves use aunsweared me, that theeves did use gentlenesse, and 
 courtesie to courtesie to such as they were acquainted with, I leave 
 
 that theref p re for vour sake least m y so doin g shoulde 
 bring you into trouble : in as much as the guestes which 
 you interteined, would be required againe at your hand. 
 Also I desire to have two thinges at once : the riches in the 
 shippe, and the marriage of the maide : one whereof I must 
 needes lacke, if I attempt this by land, and beside it were 
 very dangerous, if any such thing should be enterprized so 
 neare the citie, least the rape woulde be perceived, and pur- 
 suite made after. When I had much commended him for 
 his wisedome, I leaft him there, and am come to tel you of 
 the waits which these past graces have laid for you, desiring 
 you hartily to devise diligently howe you may save you, 
 140
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 and yours. I went from him very heavie after I heard this, 
 and thought uppon many thinges, untill the merchant by 
 chance met mee : and falling in talke about these matters, 
 gave me a prety beginning of a wise devise. For I conceal- 
 ing what I liste, of that Tyrrhenus had tolde me, opened 
 unto him onely this : that a man thereaboutes, whom he was 
 not able to withstand, went about violently to take the 
 maide from me. But I (quoth I) had rather marry her to 
 you, both for that knowledge which I have had of you, and 
 also for your wealth : but especially for that you promised 
 to dwell with us in our country, if you have ner. Where- 
 fore if you desire to have her, let us saile hence quickly, 
 before wee bee prevented, and have had some extremitie 
 shewed us. He was woonderfully gladde when he heard 
 this, and said : Father, this is well devised, and therewithall 
 he came and kissed me, and asked when I would commaund 
 him to depart. Although (quoth I) it be unseasonable 
 now, yet I would have you to get you into some other 
 port, that wee may avoid the guiles prepared against us, 
 and there abide for better time. Therefore (quoth I) 
 if you will be ruled by me, at the beginning of the 
 next night wee would depart. And he, when he had 
 promised so to doo, went his way. I came home, but told 
 nothing of this to Tyrrhenus : marry to my children I 
 said it was behoovefull to goe abroad e in the evening. And 
 although they marveiled at the soudeinnesse thereof, and 
 asked the matter, yet I drave them off, saying, that I would 
 tell them afterwaroe, and that there was no remedie nowe, if 
 we would do well. After wee had eaten a slender supper, 
 and were gone to bedde, an olde man appeared to me in my 
 sleepe, whose bodie was dried up, yet he had a dish tied to 
 his girdle, who seemed in his youth to have beene a tall man : 
 he had a hatte on his head, and seemed by his countenaunce, 
 that he had bene a wise, and subtile man : marry he halted a 
 little, as if he had gotten some wound in his thigh : who after 
 hee came neare me, smiled a litle with an angrie counten- 
 aunce, and said : You good man, alone of all that have 
 sailed by Cephalene, and looked upon my house, and ac- 
 coumpted it a great matter to know my renoune, have had 
 
 141 
 
 B O O K E 
 V 
 
 Ulisses ap- 
 peareth to 
 
 Cslar ' ' 
 
 rot doing 
 sacrifice to 
 him.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E no respect to mee, but have set to light by mee, that you 
 v would not speake to mee, which everie man dooth, for all I 
 
 dwelt so neere you, but you shall ere long bee punished for 
 this, and shall have like perilles as I had, and fall into your 
 enimies hand, as well by land as seas. As for the maide that 
 thou cariest with thee, speake to her, and greete her, in my 
 wives name, because she esteemeth more of her virginitie, 
 then any thing in the world, wherefore shee shall have a lucky 
 end. I started for feare of this vision. And when Thea- 
 genes asked me what I ayled, Wee had (quoth I) almost 
 forgotten the going of the ship out of the haven, for when I 
 waked, I was sore troubled with thinking thereof. Wherefore 
 gather up your stuffe, and I will call Cariclia, who as soone as 
 I gave her warning, came. When Tyrrhenus wist of this he 
 rose also, and asked what we meant to doe. Whatsoever it be 
 (quoth I) that we doo at this time, it is by your advise : we 
 goe about to escape from them that awayte us with mischiefe, 
 and the Gods keepe you in safetie,who hath plaied the right 
 honest man with us. One good turne I pray doo us at part- 
 ing, go over to Ithaca, and doo sacrifice for us to Ulysses, 
 and pray him to appease his wrath toward us, for that as hee 
 hath tolde mee to night in my sleepe, hee is greatly offended, 
 as if hee had beene despised and set at naught. He promised 
 hee would so doo, and conducted us to our shippe, and wept 
 woonderfully, and prayed to God that he would graunt us a 
 prosperous vyage, according to our hearts desire. To bee 
 short, by day wee were in the middest of the sea, but the 
 mariners at the first were greatly against it, yet at length 
 they were persuaded by the merchant of Tyre because he 
 told them that they fledde, certaine pyrates that pursued 
 them, of which he had warning. He ment to tell them this 
 Many times for a tale, and knew not that he saide trueth. But the 
 jestes turned windes and wether were sore against us, so that the sea was 
 
 > good ear- verv rou or n an( J we in a great tempest, very neare to be cast 
 nest as did his J , , , r . ' ,* ,, 
 
 nowe. away, yet at length when we had lost halie our rudder, and 
 
 broken the most part of our saile yardes, we arrived in a 
 certaine harbour of Crete. We thought it good therefore to 
 tarry there certaine daies, as well to repayre our shippe, as 
 also to ease our selves. WTien these thinges were done, it was 
 142
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 appointed that we should saile, the firste monday after the B O O K E 
 chaunge of the moone : we were caried into the deepe seas, V 
 
 with the Easterly winde, a day and a night, and our maister 
 directed our hulke to the coast of Aphrique. For he saide 
 that if the wind blewe, and wee kept a straight course, we 
 might passe the maine sea, and he made all haste possible to 
 come to the maine lande, or into some haven, for the barke 
 which he sawe out of the pupe was a Pyrate. For ever 
 sithence we loosed from the promontorie of Creete, he 
 foloweth us, and never declineth one jotte from our course, 
 but pursueth our ship, as if it went our vyage with us. For 
 I have perceived this, divers times, when I turned about of 
 purpose our ship from his right course, that hath also 
 turned. When he had said this, some were mooved, and 
 exhorted the rest to make ready to defence, but some made 
 light thereof. Saying that the shorter shippes might wel over- 
 take such as are greater, for that they know by more experi- 
 ence the certaintie of their way. While these things were 
 disputed on upon both parties, it was that time of the day 
 that the husbandman doeth unyoke his oxen from the 
 plough, and the vehement winde began to waxe caulme, so 
 that within a litle while it was almost downe, and blewe 
 softly to no purpose on our sailes, whereby it rather hugged 
 them together, then made any way for our ship. At length 
 it ceased quite, as if at the sunne setting it had appoynted to 
 leave blowinge, or rather (that I may speake more truly) to 
 do them which followed us a good turne, for they that were 
 in the barke as longe as we had winde, were farre behinde 
 our ship which was full fraughted, as is good reason, for that 
 our greater sailes received more winde. But after the seas 
 were caulme, and we of force constrained to rowe, the barke 
 came upon us sooner then a man would thinke, in as much 
 (as I thinke) every one of them rowed, and so made the light 
 barke which was more fitte for that purpose, goe the faster. 
 When they had drewe somewhat neere one of the men of 
 Zacinthus which came a boorde with us cried out, This is a 
 pyrates shippe, mates, I know Trachinus barke : all the 
 hulke was moved at these newes : and in a calme weather 
 had it a great tempest every parte thereof was filled with 
 
 143
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE great noyse, lamenting and running up and downe, some 
 V ranne into the nether partes of the shippe, somme stoode 
 
 uppon the hatches, and exhorted one an other to fight : 
 some were of opinion, that it was beste to goe into the Cocke 
 boate, and be gonne : untill (before they determined any- 
 thing) the present skirmish appeased their adoo, for that 
 every man must needes by that time meete one in harneis. I 
 and Cariclia hung aboute Theagenes, who desired sore too 
 fight, and could scante make him give over. She saide to 
 him that she would not be parted from him by death, but 
 that she would with the same sword, and like wound, abide 
 such happe as he felte. But I, after I perceived that it 
 was Trachinus, which came on, thought uppon somme what 
 whiche mighte doo us good afterwarde, which in deede took 
 effect : for as soone as the pyrates were come, they wente 
 about us, without casting any dartes at us, so tryinge, if by 
 any meanes they might take the hulke without battaile : 
 mary they rowed rounde about us, and woulde suffer the 
 shippe to go no further. So that they were like, as if they 
 had besieged us, and desired to take our shippe uppon cer- 
 taine conditions, and sayde : Why be you so madde (you 
 unhappy folkes) why attempt you to sturre against such 
 invincible strength, and that which farre surmounteth yours : 
 thereby to purchase your certaine destruction ? Yet we use 
 you freendly, and give you leave to take your cocke and save 
 your lives, if you will. These conditions they propounded. 
 But they, who were in the hulke as longe as they were with- 
 out daunger, and the battle was without bloude, were very 
 stoute, and sayde plainly, that they would not departe. But 
 when one of the pyrates bolder then the reste, stepte a borde, 
 and with his sworde slewe all them that he mette, and 
 Warres are taughte them, that warres were accustomably made with 
 made with slaughter, and death. Then the Phoenicians repented them 
 slaughter and Q f faeir so dooinge ; and falling flatte on their faces, prayed 
 them of mercy, for that they woulde doo what they would 
 have them. They, for all that they were nowe greedy to kill 
 (for the sight of bloude is a greate moving to the minde) yet 
 by commaundemente of Trachinus, contrary to all hope, they 
 spared them. Surely their conditions were haynous, and 
 144
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 for all the counterfeited name of peace, it was cruell warre in B O O K E 
 deede by reason of the truce which was propounded to them, v 
 
 more intolerable then the battaile it selfe. For straite com- The sight of 
 maundement was given, that every man shoulde goe out of bloude mak- 
 the shippe with one sute of apparrell onely, and that he eth m en eger 
 should die that brake the same. It seemeth, that men sette 
 more by their lives, then any thing els : for which also, the Men set more 
 Phoenicians without all hope of the goods in the shippe, as by their lives 
 if they had lost nothinge, but rather made a good market, then any thing 
 
 fot out of the ship, every man desiring to save him selfe 
 rste. After we also were there ready to obey their decree, 
 Trachinus taking up Cariclia, said unto her : This warre 
 nothing belongeth to thee, my deare, but hath beene enter- 
 prised for thy sake, and I have folowed you ever since you 
 sayled from Zacynthus, onely for you have I adventured tneir 
 perilles by sea. Wherefore feare not, but be of good com- 
 fort, and knowe that you shal be Ladie of all these with me. 
 Thus he saide. But she (for it is a point of wisdome to have It is wisdome 
 respect to time, and to turne all to the best) very discreetely, tohaverespect 
 being greatly cheared with mine advice, and what I had of time, 
 tolde her as touching these present mishappes, with a 
 countenance so seemely, as would have allured any man, 
 said, I give the Gods thankes, who have given you a heart 
 to deale more gently with us, then the rest. But if you 
 will have me to be bolde in deede, and to tarry, shewe mee 
 this for a token of your good will : save this my brother and 
 my father, and commaund them not out of the shippe also : 
 for if these bee from mee, there is no way to save me alive. 
 And when shee had said thus, shee fell at his knees, and helde 
 hym fast. Trachinus was well pleased with her so holding, 
 and deferred his promise of purpose. At length mooved 
 with her teares to compassion, was by her countenance 
 forced to fulfill her wil, after he had taken up the maid, said 
 thus : I give this your brother to you with all my heart : for 
 I see he is a young man of stout courage, which may doo us 
 good service. As for the old man, which is but a chargeable 
 burthen without profit, let him tarrie onely for your pleasure. 
 While these things were saying and dooing, the sunne came 
 out of his course, to his setting, and made that space 
 T 145
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E betweene the day and the night darke : the sea, either 
 V changing by reason of the time, or els by the will of fortune, 
 
 began to waxe rough, and a man might heare a great noyse 
 of the windes arysing, whose great and valiaunt blastes 
 suddenly much abashed Pyrates, by reason that they all had 
 left the Barke, and were busie in the Hulke about spoyling 
 of the merchandise therein, and knewe not how to use the 
 
 A pretty de- greatnesse of the same. Wherfore every part was ordered 
 
 scription of a o f every man unadvisedly, so that each of them began to 
 t 'in whfh P rac ti se that which hee had never done before : some stroke 
 
 are 'none but the sailes on heapes : others intangled the ropes without 
 unskilfull skill : one ignorant fellowe tooke the rudder in hand : an 
 Mariners, other as wise as he was in the foreship. The greatest thing 
 that brought us into peril, was not the tempest, which was 
 not yet very great, but the unskilfulnesse of the master, who 
 as long as he could see any light of the day, stoode to it, 
 but when it was darke gave over his charge. When there- 
 fore they were in daunger of drowning, and almost sunke, 
 some of the Pyrates woulde have gone into their owne Barke 
 againe, but they held them selves content, being disappointed 
 of their purpose by the force of the tempest : and Trachinus 
 counsell, who perswaded them that they should have sixe 
 hundred suche little Barkes, if they kept the Hulke and the 
 richesse therein whole : and at last he cut off the rope where- 
 by it was tied to the Hulke, saying, that it would bring them 
 into another tempest : wherefore it was best to worke wisely 
 
 It is wisdome to be safe afterward, for it was a suspicious matter to arrive 
 to foresee. j n anv pl ace with two ships, seeing it must needes come to 
 passe, that inquirie must be made of those that sayled in the 
 one. And he seemed to speake probably, and by dooing 
 that one thing, to approove his device in two matters. They 
 had but little remedie when the Barke was gone, neither 
 were they out of perill, but tossed with continuall waves 
 without ceassing : so that they lost many partes of their 
 shippe, untill after that night, about the sunne setting of 
 the next day, they landed by chaunce at a certaine mouth 
 of a haven of Nilus, called Heracleote in Egypt, against our 
 willes, unhappy creatures. Some were gladde thereof but 
 we were very sorrowfull and accompted the benefite of our 
 146
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 health which we had of the sea, a great reproche : in as B O O K E 
 much as it envied us a deathe without al injurie, and com- V 
 
 mitted us to lande, which was more sorrowful! then it : in as It is better to 
 much as nowe we were subject utterly to the pyrats, that die Wlth hon " 
 they might do with us their will, which might easilye be 
 gessed by that which those villaines attempted before they 
 came a shore. For by reason that they sayde they woulde doo 
 sacrifice to Neptune, to give him thankes for their safetie, 
 they brought a land wine of Tyre, and many such thinges 
 els out of the shippe, and sent some of their mates to the 
 borders adjoyning to buy cattle with a greate deale of money, 
 and gave them charge to pay what soever was asked at the O howe libe- 
 firste worde. After so doinge, they straight way returned, rail pyrates 
 and brought with them a whole hearde of swine and sheepe, are 
 and they whiche tarryed behinde, had made the fires, and 
 fleyed the beastes appointed for the sacrifice : they wente to 
 their feaste, Trachinus tooke me aside, so that none might 
 heare, and saide to me : Father, I am determined to take thy 
 daughter to wife, and marry her this day, so that I purpose Trachinus 
 to joyne this plesante solemnitie with the sacrifice of the would marry 
 Gods. Wherefore least you in the feaste, (if you hearde not ^^j^* * 
 of this before) should be any thinge sad : but that you mighte 
 tell your daughter hereof, and cause her to be of a cheerefull 
 courage, I thought it good to tell you my minde, not for that 
 I neede your consent, for I have absolute power to do what 
 I list. But because I accompte it more luckie, and seemely 
 also, if the bryde more cheerefully prepare her selfe, being ad- It is a good 
 monished thereof first by her father. I praised his opinion, and sight at a bri- 
 made as though I had beene gladde, and gave thankes to the ? e ' , f e( 
 Gods that they had appoynted my maister to be my daughters merry, 
 husbande. And when I was gone, I beganne to thinke on, that 
 which was to come, and came to him againe, and besought 
 him, that that which was newe begonne, might be doone 
 more solemnely, and that he woulde appoynt the hulke to be 
 the maydes bedchamber, and give commaundement that no 
 man might go in and trouble her, that she might provid 
 that which was meete to furnishe, and set foorth a bride by 
 leasure. For it were il ordered, if she, which is of a good stocke, 
 and very riche, and (that which is greatest) shalbe Trachinus 
 
 147
 
 BOOKE 
 V 
 
 Successe not 
 looked for 
 doth make 
 men do other 
 wise often- 
 times then 
 else they 
 woulde do. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 wife,should not be made so handsome as she might be,although 
 time and place will not give her leave to be very trimme. 
 Trachinus was very glad of this, and promised it should be 
 so with all his harte : and therewith he gave charge, that all 
 such things as they should have neede of, shoulde be carryed 
 out, and that after none shoulde come neare the shippe. They 
 did as he commaunded them : they brought out tables, cuppes, 
 carpettes, cloathes of Arrace, woorkes of Sydon, and Tyre, 
 and other such things, as were expedient to the furniture of 
 a feast : eche one brought out of the ship things upon their 
 shoulders, without respect or order, such as diverse men with 
 great travell, and thriftie usage had gathered to gether : but 
 now fortune had prepared them to serve their prodigall 
 banquette. But I took Theagenes with me, and when we 
 came to Cariclia, and founde her weeping, saide, Daughter, 
 this is no newes to you : marry I knowe not, whether it be 
 for your olde il fortune, or any newe mishappe. For both 
 (quoth she) but above all things, for that which I am afraid 
 of, which is the hated good wil of Trachinus, which time as 
 is like, procureth : for such succes, as is not looked for, is 
 accustomed to move men to do il. But Trachinus, and his 
 love which I hate so much, shall be sorrowfull, which I will 
 prevent with death. And to thinke that I should be devided 
 from you and Theagenes before the ende (if that came to 
 passe) caused me to be thus heavie. You thinke (quoth I) 
 in deede as it is : for Trachinus, after the sacrifice, meaneth 
 to change the banquette into his and your bridall, and made 
 me (as I had beene your father) privie thereto, who knew 
 before his unreasonable love that he bare to you, by com- 
 munication that I had with Tyrrhenus in Zacynthus, but I 
 did not tell you thereof, least you should have been dis- 
 couraged for feare of those misnaps, seeing also we might 
 have avoyded his snares. But my children, seeing God will 
 not let this come to passe, and that we are now in extreme 
 perill, attempt some wonderfull, and couragious enterprise 
 to withstande this increasing evill, whereby wee shall live 
 freely ever after, if we have good lucke : or els accompt it 
 advantage if we fayle, to dye chastly, and like men. After 
 they promised to doe what I would commaund them, and I 
 148
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 had taught them what was best to doe, I left them making B O O K E 
 such provision as was requisite, and came to that Pyrate, v 
 
 which was chiefe next Trachinus (whose name I thinke was 
 Pelorus) and said, that I had a thing to tell him for his 
 profit. Hee was ready. And after I had brought him The crafty de- 
 where none might heare, I said : Give eare my sonne shortly, v . ls . e of ' ? 
 for the shortnesse of the time will not suffer me to be very ^" s Carriage 
 long : my daughter is in love with thee, as overcome with O f Trachinus 
 the better man : marry shee suspecteth that the Archpyrate and Cariclia, 
 maketh this banquette to marry her, for hee seemed to whereby all 
 meane some such thing, when he gave her commandement pyyates 
 
 to decke her selfe somewhat finely. Wherefore consider 
 how you may undoe that, and have her your selfe. For she 
 saith, shee will rather die, then marry Trachinus. Then 
 saide hee, Be of good cheare : for in as much as I have beene 
 as wel minded that way as the maide, I desired to have some 
 occasion and meane proffered to take that matter in hand a 
 good while a goe. Wherefore Trachinus shall suffer mee to 
 marry her of his owne free wil, or els he shal have but a 
 sorry marryage, by suffering that at my hande, that he hath 
 well deserved. I hasted back for feare of suspition, when I 
 heard him say thus, and comming to my children comforted 
 them, and tolde them how my device tooke good effect, within 
 a little after wee went to supper. Then I, when I sawe them 
 well whitted with wine, and wantonly bent, whispered Pelorus 
 in the eare (for I sate next him of purpose) and said, Have 
 you seen how the maide is dressed ? he answered me no : But 
 you may (quoth I) now, if you goe privilie to the ship, for 
 you know Trachinus hath given contrary commandement, 
 you shall see Diana her selfe sitte there : but so behave your 
 selfe that you be not over bold to beholde her, least you 
 purchase death to you both. He tarried not, but as if he 
 had some very earnest busines, arose, and came privilie into 
 the Hulke, and when he saw Cariclia weare a crowne of 
 laurell on her head, and glyster in her garment garnished 
 with golde, (for she had put on the holy apparell which she 
 brought from Delphi, to bee a furniture either to her victorie, 
 or els a beautie to her buriall) and such other things about 
 her, as might beseeme a marriage well, was set on fire, (as 
 
 149
 
 BOOKE 
 V 
 
 A lawe of the 
 pyrates. 
 
 Another law 
 or decree. 
 
 The pyrates 
 
 fall together 
 
 by the eares, 
 
 and are al 
 
 slaine with 
 
 mutuall 
 
 woundes. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 was like he would be) with that sight, in as much as desire 
 and emulation pricked him forward, and it was evident by his 
 countenance when he returned, that he intended to doo some 
 mischievous thing, for ere he was well set downe, he said : 
 Why have I not the reward due to him that first boorded the 
 enemies shippe ? Because, said Trachinus, yet you have not 
 asked it, neither is that which we have gotten, devided. 
 Then I will have quoth he, the maid which is taken prisoner. 
 But when Trachinus had saide, Beside her, take what you 
 will : Pelorus began to say, Then doo you disanull and 
 abrogate the lawe of Pyrates, which giveth him which first 
 entreth the enemies shippe, and hath for all his mates 
 adventured him selfe to the most daungerous part of the 
 skirmish, leave to choose what liketh him best. I breake 
 not good syr, said Trachinus, this, but I leave to another 
 which willeth that place be given to the captaines. For my 
 parte I love the maide wonderfull well, and meane to take her 
 to my wife. And I say plainely it is reason that I choose 
 before you, and if you doo not as the lawe willes you, you 
 shall repent it with a blowe of this potte. Then said 
 Pelorus to those that were by, You see what is the rewarde 
 of our travell ? So shall any of you hereafter be put beside 
 your due. What else might any man see there, Nausicles you 
 might have compared those men soudainely moved, to the sea : 
 so blind and foolish a quarell drewe them to so great a broile, 
 being with wine and anger almoste made starke madde. 
 Some tooke this mans part, some his, one sorte would have 
 the honour given to the captaine, another said that the lawe 
 and ordinance might not be broken. At length Trachynus 
 bente himselfe to cast a potte at Pelorus, but he prevented 
 him (for he was provided before) and thrust his dagger to 
 his heart, and there lay he wounded to death. Betweene 
 the reste was a cruell battaile, for as they mette they spared 
 not them selves, some to revenge the captaine other to defend 
 Pelorus his right, so that they wailed all alike, and fought 
 with battes, stones, pottes, and tables. But I wente a great 
 way off, and from the toppe of a little hill looked upon them 
 out of all daunger. Neither was Theagenes and Cariclia, 
 free from this warre, in as much as they doing as was agreed 
 150
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 uppon, he came with a swoorde, and joyning to one side, BOOKE 
 behaved himselfe as if he had bene distraught, shee when shee v 
 
 sawe the battaile begonne shotte out of the shippe in such 
 sorte as she never missed one, and spared none but Theagenes, 
 shee shotte into no one parte of the battaile, but him shee 
 hatte, that shee first spied, for that shee was not seene, but 
 did easily see her enimies through the fyre, so that they 
 knew not what mishappe that was, but some supposed it a 
 plague sente from heaven, until everie man was slaine, and 
 Theagenes onely left fighting hand to hand with Pelorus, a Theagenes 
 stout man, ana practised in many murthers. Now coulde an< * Pelorus 
 Cariclias shooting doo no more service, shee was sory that ?^ \ ? an /f 
 shee could not helpe him, and afraide leaste shee shoulde c ii a 
 loose him, now they two were come to hand blowes : but at 
 length Pelorus was not able to stand against him, for though 
 that Cariclia with her deede, could helpe him no more, yet 
 with her worde shee comforted him, crying out : Now my 
 heart playe the man. Then was Theagenes farre to good for 
 Pelorus, as though her voice hadde made him strong, and 
 bolde, and declared what was the reward of that battaile. 
 For then he plucked up his heart, which was sore wounded 
 before, and leapt neare Pelorus, and with his sword stroke a 
 full bio we at his head, but missed thereof, for that he 
 avoided the blowe a little ; but he cutte his arme from his 
 shoulder, and therewith he fledde, and Theagenes pursued 
 him, what followed I cannot tell but that he returned againe, 
 and I sawe him not, for that I tarried on the hill, and durst 
 not bee over bold to walke in the night in a place so full of 
 enemies : but Cariclia espied him wel inough, for I perceived 
 when it was day, that he lay like a dead man, and she sate 
 by him, and weapt, and declared that shee would kill her 
 selfe, but shee held her hand for a little hope that she had 
 of his life. But I unhappy man, could not speake to them, 
 nor know the truth, nor comfort their calamitie before that 
 as great mishappes by land, as these were by sea, happened 
 to us without any delay. For as soone as I saw the day 
 appeare, and was comming downe the hill, I spied a com- 
 pany of theeves of Egypte, runne from a mountaine which 
 stretcheth that way by seeming, and by this time had taken 
 
 151
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BO ORE a yong couple, and within a while after had carried them 
 
 v away, and whatsoever else they coulde out of the shippe. I 
 
 These theeves spake to no purpose afarre off, and bewailed my fortune, and 
 
 were Thyamis theirs in vame, for that I coulde not defend them, neither 
 
 his bande. thought I it best to come among them, for that I would 
 Thefirstbooke reserve my selfe, in hope to help them afterward. So I 
 declareth how tarried behinde for that by reason of mine age I was not so 
 
 * he 7 we / e well able as the theeves to runne downe the steepe, and 
 ward C the be- com bersome places, but nowe have I used your helpe 
 ginning and Nausicles, and the favour of the Goddes in recovery of my 
 processewher- daughter, though I did nothing thereto else but weepe and 
 of orderly fol- lament abundantly. And then hee wept him selfe, and they 
 loweth, untill a j so w j lo were p resen t . to be short the banquette was turneol 
 the beginning . . v !!.! i i /> , 
 
 of Calasiris m t sucn weeping, as was mingled with a kmde of pleasure 
 
 tale almost in (for wine in a manner maketh men ready to teares) so long, 
 
 the end of the till Nausicles comforted Calasiris, and said : Father, hereafter 
 
 second booke. fo e merrVj and o f good cheere, for that you have recovered 
 
 Wine maketh your daughter, and after one night onely you shall see your 
 
 men apt to sonne also. For in the morning wee shall talke with 
 
 weepe. Mytranes, and doe al that we can to ransome good Thea- 
 
 genes. I would with all my hart, saide Calasiris. But 
 
 now it is time to make an end of our banquette. Let us 
 
 remember God, and conjoyne to our offering a thanksgeving 
 
 for her deliverie. After this, the offering was carryed about, 
 
 and so the banquet ended. Calasiris looKed for Cariclia, and 
 
 when he found her not among the company that went out, 
 
 at the last, with much a doo, by the telling of a woman, he 
 
 sawe her holding the feete of the image, and either for the 
 
 length of her prayers, or greatnesse of her sorrowe, she was 
 
 fallen into a sounde sleepe. So that he wept a little, and 
 
 prayed the God humbly to graunt her better successe, and 
 
 so softly he awaked her and brought her into a chamber, 
 
 sore ashamed belike that sleepe at unwares had so over- 
 
 commed her. Thus shee layed to sleepe in a place, where 
 
 onely women come with Nausicles daughter, for the 
 
 most part waking, thought upon her cares, and 
 
 that which after was like to ensue. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE FIFTH BOOKE 
 
 152
 
 THE SIXTH BOOKE 
 
 u
 
 THE CONTENTES OF THE SIXTH BOOKE 
 
 THE sixth booke conteineth the marriage of Cnemon, to Nausiclia, 
 
 Nausicles daughter, and the voiage of Calasiris and Cariclia to seeke 
 
 Theagenes at Bessa : where they heare of an olde woman, that the 
 
 inhabitantes thereof had slaine Mitranes, and reserved Thyamis and 
 
 Theagenes, and were gone with them to Memphis to helpe Thyamis 
 
 to recover againe his priesthood. The same olde woman that tolde 
 
 them this tale was a witch, and shewed before them parte 
 
 of her cunning, by raysing againe her owne sonne : and 
 
 after in their sight, received such ende, as all her 
 
 former life had deserved. 
 
 154
 
 THE SIXTH BOOKE 
 
 HEN Calasiris and Cnemon, had taken their 
 ease, and slept in the mens chamber, and 
 the rest of the night was passed more slowly 
 then they desired, yet sooner then they 
 thought, bicause the greatest part therof 
 was consumed in the banquet, and long 
 tale of which they could not be wearie, it 
 was so pleasant, not looking for day, they 
 
 IT !! .1.1 t i . *-m 
 
 came to Nausicles, and besought him, that he would tell 
 them out of hand where he thought Theagenes was, and 
 bring them thither. He was content, and they went to- 
 gether : Cariclia besought them much that she might goe 
 with them, but she was forced to tarry behinde, because 
 Nausicles told her, they neither would goe farre, and that 
 they would shortly returne againe and bring Theagenes also. 
 Thus they left her wavering betweene sorrowe for their 
 departing, and joy for hope of that she desired. They were 
 no sooner out of the village, and past the bankes of Nylus, 
 but they saw a Crocodile, which crept from the right side to 
 the other, and dived under the water, as fast as it coulde. 
 The other were nothing moved with the sight because it was 
 ordinary, saving that Calasiris prophesied, that it signified Calasiris fore- 
 howe they should have some let in their journey: but Cnemon shewethanim- 
 was wonderfully afraide of that sight, although hee sawe not gekSSeyfi 
 perfectly, but a glimsing thereof, so that he wanted but the creeping 
 little, but that he would have runne backe. Therewith spake of aCrocodile. 
 
 155
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E Calasiris after he sawe Nausicles laugh, and saide : Cnemon, 
 VI I thought that you hadde bene onely afraid by night, for the 
 noise and darkenesse thereof, but you are over hardy even 
 by day as may appeare, that are not afraide of names alone, 
 but of such things also as are common, and everie man 
 knoweth, and are not to be regarded. What Gods name, or 
 heavenly creature is it, that this good man cannot abide, 
 said Nausicles? Nay, if it were a God, or any heavenly 
 creature, saide Calasiris, then had I nothing to say, but is 
 an humane name, and that which is more to be marvelled at, 
 not any mans which hath bene famous for his renouned 
 actes, but a womans, and shee dead (as he saith) if a man 
 may be bolde to speake it. For yesternight when you 
 brought me home Cariclia safe from the heardmen : he 
 hearing this name that I talke of, I know not why, nor 
 wherefore, woulde not suffer me to sleepe any whitte, being 
 ready still to die for feare, so that I had much to doo to call 
 him againe, and if I thought that I should not greeve him, 
 nor make him afrayd, I woulde name it nowe also, that you 
 might laugh the more, and therewithall he named Thisbe. 
 When Nausicles heard this, hee laughed no more, but was 
 very sadde, and stoode in a studie a greate while, musing in 
 his mind, what Cnemon had to doo with Thisbe, or how shee 
 harmed him in any sorte. Then beganne Cnemon to laugh 
 wonderfully for joy and saide : You see good Calasiris, of 
 what force this name is, and that it doth not onely abash 
 and feare mee, but our good freende Nausicles also : for it 
 hath brought him to a woonderfull change of his cheere. As 
 for me now I laugh because I know shee is not alive, but 
 lusty Nausicles laughed other men to scorne not long agoe. 
 Make an end, Cnemon, said Nausicles, for you have taken 
 reveng ynough of me now. But I pray you tell me by the 
 Gods of hospitalitie, of friendship, and by the myrth and 
 cheere which with especiall good will (in mine opinion) you 
 have had in mine house, what meane you by Thisbes name, 
 whether you knowe whence shee was in deede, or doo it to 
 feare me, or else have devised it as a jest against me. Then 
 spake Calasiris, Nowe it behooveth you to tell us of your 
 fortune, Cnemon, which, for al that you oftentimes pro- 
 156
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Aristippus 
 undone by 
 
 wife* 8 
 
 raised to communicate with mee, you have by divers shiftes B O O K E 
 driven off. But now you may doo it very well, both to ^1 
 pleasure Nausicles, and also to take away with your talke 
 the wearinesse of our journey. Cnemon did so, and tolde 
 them all briefly, which he before had tolde to Theagenes and 
 Cariclia, that he was borne in Athens, and Aristippus was 
 his fathers name, and Demeneta was his mother in lawe. He 
 tolde them also of the wicked love which Demeneta bare to 
 him, and how that when shee coulde not come to her purpose, 
 shee awaited him with crafty sleightes by meanes of Thisbe, 
 who was suborned by her so to doo. I added the manner, 
 also, and then that he was banished his countrie by the 
 people, so punishing him, as if he had bene a parricide, and 
 that Charias first one of his companions tolde him lying in 
 Egina, that Demeneta was deade, and the manner of her 
 death, being also beguiled by Thisbe her selfe. After this, 
 that Anticles told him, howe his father was brought into 
 misery, by confiscation of his goodes, for that Demenetas 
 kinsfolkes gathered themselves together to condemne him, 
 and brought the people in suspection that he had done 
 that murder. Then how Thisbe fledde from Athens with a 
 lover of hers, which was a merchant of Naucratia. Last of 
 all he rehersed, how that he with Anticles sailed into 
 Aegypt to seeke Thisbe, that if by happe they could find her, 
 they would bring her back to Athens, and deliver his father 
 from that slaunder, and take revenge of her, and after he 
 had fallen into divers mishappes by the way, at length he 
 was taken by pyrates, then after he had escaped by a meane, 
 he arrived againe in Egypt, and was taken of the heardmen, 
 and there fell acquainted with Theagenes and Cariclia. And 
 thereto he added Thisbes death, and other thinges in order, 
 until he came to that which Calasiris and Nausicles knewe 
 well ynough. This tale ended, Nausicles had sixe hundred 
 thoughtes in his mind sometime thinking to tell them of 
 Thisbe and him selfe, and yet determining to deferre it 
 a while. At last with much adoo he held his tongue, 
 partely for that he thought it best so to doo, partly also 
 for that another chaunce staied him. For after they 
 had gone about seven miles and a half, and were almost at 
 
 157 
 
 Naucratia a 
 ^7 * n Egypt
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE the towne where Mytranes dwelled, they mette one whom 
 
 VI Nausicles knewe well, and asked him whither he went so 
 
 fast. Doo you aske (quoth hee) whither I goe, Nausicles ? 
 
 as though you knewe not what I have to doo at this time ? 
 
 all that I doo tendeth to one end, to do the commande- 
 
 ments of Isias of Chemmis. For her I till my land, for her 
 
 I seeke and provide al things, for her I wake night and day, 
 
 refusing nothing (although thereby I gaine nothing but 
 
 griefe and sorrowe for my paines) that the same Isias com- 
 
 Phoenicopte- mandeth me : and I in hast to carrie this birde Phrenicop- 
 
 rus, a birde. terus, which useth about Nilus, as my deare mistresse hath 
 
 Nausicles bidden me. O how easie a lover you have gotten said 
 
 freend had a Nausicles, and how light be her commaundements, in that 
 
 she badde you get her a Phcenicopterus and not rather a 
 
 Whence the Phrenix it selfe, which birde commeth to us even from the 
 
 Phoenix com- Aethiopians, and men of Inde. She (quoth he) againe 
 
 maketh but a jest of me and my travelles: but tell me 
 
 now whither and where abouts you goe ? When they had 
 
 tolde him, to Mytranes. You loose your labour (quoth he) 
 
 for Mytranes is not heere nowe, but this night with his 
 
 armie, is gone against heardemen the inhabitants of Bessa. 
 
 For they with their capteine Thyamis, have taken away and 
 
 kept a yongman, which he sent to Memphis to Oroondates. 
 
 From thence to be carried to the great icing for a present. 
 
 When he had said thus, he went his way, saying I must in 
 
 hast to Isias, who even now perhappes with her angrie eies 
 
 looketh about for me, least this long tarrying, be any im- 
 
 pedement to me in my love : for shee is too politike to 
 
 accuse and finde fault with me without cause. When they 
 
 heard this, they were amased, and stoode stil a great while 
 
 without saying any woorde, for that they were disappointed 
 
 contrary to their expectation, untill at length Nausicles 
 
 comforted and cheered them, saying that they ought not, 
 
 for beeing a little disappointed, which shall no be long to 
 
 despaire of al that they have in hand. But now it is best to 
 
 returne to Chemmis, and there to consult of the matter, and 
 
 goe to seeke Theagenes with better provision, whether he be 
 
 with the heardmen or else wheresoever, and to have good 
 
 comfort to finde him every where. For wee may not thinke 
 
 158
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 this is done without the providence of God, that we mette with 
 one of our acquaintance, who by that he tolde us, hath led 
 us as it were by the hande thither, where we make seeke 
 Theagenes, and hath taught us the way to the place where 
 the heardmen dwel, as to a certaine place of speede. When 
 he had said this he easily persuaded them, for as I thinke 
 they gathered a further hope by that which was tolde them. 
 And Cnemon also by him selfe comforted Calasiris, and badde 
 him be of good cheare, for that Thyamis would use Theagenes 
 well. So it pleased them to returne : when they were come 
 home, they found Cariclia in the doore, looking for them in 
 every coaste, who seeinge not Theagenes with them, tooke up 
 a pitifull crie, and said Are you come home alone as ye wente 
 hence father ? Without doubte (as I may gesse) Theagenes 
 is deade. Wherefore I pray you by all the Gods, if you have 
 any thinge to say, tell me, and encrease not my sorrowe with 
 prolonginge the rehearsall thereof. Surely it is a point of 
 courtesie, to tell a mishap quickly, as that which causeth 
 the mind to be ready to resist the greatnesse of the evill, 
 and soone maketh it weary of the greefe. Then Cnemon 
 with much a doo, breaking off her sorrow, said : For shame 
 Cariclia what fashion is this ? You are always ready in a 
 manner to judge the woorst, but that falsely in which 
 poynte you do well. For Theagenes is, and by grace of the 
 Gods shall be well : and therewith he told her briefely how, 
 and with whome. To that saide Calasiris, It seemeth by 
 this that you have saide, Cnemon, that you were never in 
 love, for then woulde you knowe for certaintie that things 
 wherein is no daunger at al, are fearefull to lovers, and they 
 truste no thinge but their owne eyes in that which they best 
 like, and woulde fainest have, the absence of which breedeth 
 feare and heavinesse in the harts, that be entangled with 
 such desire. Another cause is that either moste deere to 
 other have persuaded them selves, that they will never be 
 parted, except some great impediment procure their separa- 
 tion. Wherefore Cnemon we pardon Cariclia, who loveth 
 perfectly in deede, and let us goe in and consulte of that 
 wee have to doo. This said, he took Cariclia by the hand, 
 and with a certaine fatherly observaunce, he broughte her 
 
 159 
 
 BOOKE 
 VI 
 
 It is a poynt 
 
 of courtesie 
 
 to tell a mis- 
 
 chaunce 
 
 quickly. 
 
 Lovers truste 
 
 nothing but 
 
 their owne 
 
 eyes.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E into the house. Nausicles willinge to refresh them after their 
 
 VI cares, and also goinge aboute some other thing, ordeined a 
 
 more sumptuous banquette then hee was wonte to do, and 
 
 placed them alone with his daughter, decking her in more 
 
 brave and costly sorte then before. And after they were 
 
 well sufficed with the feaste as he thought, he spake thus to 
 
 Nausicles them : My guestes (the Gods are witnesses of that I say) 
 
 :" your presence is very acceptable to me, if you woulde live 
 
 Dg to > havT ' e always and take all that is mine (though I esteeme it 
 
 Cnemon mar- never so wel) for your owne. And for as much as I accompte 
 
 rie his daugh- you no straungers, but as my lovers and true freendes, hence 
 
 ter. forwarde it shall be no burthen that I bestowe upon you : 
 
 and also I will be ready as longe as I tarry with you, to 
 
 crave of my freends to do for you, what so ever they can in 
 
 all matters. But you your selves know, that my trade of life 
 
 standeth by merchaunaise, and this I use and practise as if it 
 
 were a frame. Nowe therefore seeing that the easterly windes 
 
 blowe very commodiously, so that they make the sea easie to 
 
 be sailed, and promise good speede to merchauntes, and my 
 
 businesse do call me as it were a trumpet into Greece, you 
 
 shall do very well if you tell me your minde, that I may order 
 
 my businesse to such ende as I may pleasure you. After this 
 
 Calasiris pausing a while, saide : Nausicles, God send you 
 
 a good voyage, and Mercuric who giveth the gaine, and 
 
 Neptune giving quiet passage, beare you company, and be 
 
 your guides, and make every haven a good harbour to you, 
 
 and every citie easy for you to trade in, and desirous of 
 
 merchauntes, because you have entertained us so freendly 
 
 while we have bene with you, and nowe we mind to departe, 
 
 doe suffer us to goe so gently, observing in every poynte the 
 
 lawes of hospitalitie, and freendshippe. As for us although 
 
 it greeve us greatly to departe from you and your house, 
 
 whiche you have caused us to take for our owne, yet wee 
 
 must needes go seeke those whom we holde most deere, 
 
 and this is Cariclias determination and mine. Mary what 
 
 Cnemon is minded to do, and whether he will travell with us 
 
 to do us plasure, or hath appointed to do any thinge else let 
 
 him say him selfe. Cnemon was willing to answere this, and 
 
 as he was aboute to speake, he sighed sore, and the teares 
 
 160
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 which trickled suddenly downe his cheekes, stopped his tongue, B O O K E 
 untill at length comming to him selfe againe, he said with a VI 
 sorrowfull voice, Oh humayne estate most unstable, and ful No estate is 
 of all manner of chaunges what store of mishaps hast thou stable in this 
 shewed as well in mee, as many other. Thou hast deprived world, 
 me of my kinsfolks and fathers house, thou hast banished me 
 from my countrey, and native Citie, which I account most 
 deare, thou hast brought me into Aegypt, and (that I leave to 
 speake of many mishaps by the way) hast brought me into the 
 handes of the theeves called heardmen, and there shewed mee 
 a little hope of good fortune, by acquaynting mee with men, 
 who though they were in miserie, yet were they Greekes, 
 with whom I thought to live all the rest of my life. But 
 thou seemest to take this from me againe : whither shall 
 I turne my selfe ? or what shall I doo ? Shal I leave Cariclia 
 who hath not yet found Theagenes ? that is untollerable and 
 may not bee done : shall I goe with her to seeke him ? if we 
 were sure to finde him, it were wel done to take paines in To what end 
 hope of a happy end, but if that which is to come be un- paines should 
 certaine, and we hap to fall into greater sorrow, no man can 
 tell where my travell shall end. But what if I crave pardon 
 of you and the Gods of frendshippe, and nowe at length 
 make mention of returning into my Countrey and familie ? 
 Seeing that Nausicles, in so good time (by the providence of 
 the Gods as I thinke) saith that hee wil sayle into Greece, 
 least if my father die in mine absence, our house be left with- To leave issue 
 out an heire. For though I shall live in penurie, yet that there to succeede, 
 should be left some of our stock by me, is a thing very honest, 1S . a * ^, 
 and for it selfe to be desired. But oh Cariclia I would be 
 excused to you especially, and I crave pardon at your hand, 
 and praie you to shewe me thus much favour, let me goe with 
 you to Bessa, and I will desire Nausicles to tarry for mee a 
 little while, although he make great hast. And if I deliver 
 you there to Theagenes, let me be counted one that hath wel 
 kept that he delivered to me. Whereby I may have better 
 hope also to speede well afterward, seeing wee parted so wel: 
 but if we faile of him there, (which God forbid) lay no fault 
 in me, for that I leave you not alone, but with Calasiris your 
 good father, who also will see to you very wel. Cariclia 
 X 161
 
 BOOKE 
 VI 
 
 One lover can 
 soone espie an 
 other that is 
 like affected. 
 
 Thisbe was 
 
 carried from 
 
 Athens by 
 
 Nausicles. 
 
 Cnemon mar- 
 
 rieth Nausi- 
 
 clia,Nausicles 
 
 daughter. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 perceived by many signes, that Cnemon was in love with 
 Nausicles daughter (for a lovers eye is very quicke to espie 
 an other who is like affected) and that also Nausicles went 
 about (by that which he spake) to make a marriage, enticed 
 Cnemon diversly, judging him also to bee no meete com- 
 panion for their companie, and would breede suspition also, 
 made him answere : Doo as it pleaseth you, and I give you 
 heartie thanks for that you have done to us alredy, and 
 confesse my selfe to be in your debt. As for the time to come, 
 it is not needefull that you should have any care of our 
 busines, nor be in daunger in other mens matters against 
 your will. But God sende you well to recover your Countrey, 
 Citie, and house, and make not light of Nausicles, nor of 
 the proffer he maketh. As for me and Calasiris, we will 
 contend so long with all that which shall happen to us, 
 until we shal find an end of our travell, and although no 
 man beare us fellowshippe, yet I trust the Gods will be our 
 companions. With this spake Nausicles, The Gods send 
 Cariclia her hearts desire, and beare her company as she hath 
 prayed, and graunt that shee may recover her tinsfolkes, in 
 as much as she is of so noble courage and excellent wisdome : 
 and to you, Cnemon, bee no longer sorrowful for that you can- 
 not carry Thisbe with you to Athens, for that you have me, 
 who have carried her from thence so craftilie, for I am that 
 merchant of Naucratia, Thisbes lover : and if you will be ruled 
 by mine advice, you shall gaine a great summe of money, and 
 recover your Countrey and house very wel by my conduct, 
 and if you list to take a wife, you shall have my daughter 
 Nausiclia, and a great dowrie with her, and I will thinke, 
 that she hath so much, as she may looke for at your hande, 
 because I knowe of what kinred and house you be come. 
 Cnemon made no staye at this, but tooke that which before 
 he desired, and was nowe proffered contrary to his expectation, 
 and saide : Al that you promise me, I accepte with all 
 my harte. And therewithall he gave him his hande, and 
 Nausicles affiaunced, and delivered his daughter to him : 
 and commaunding, the song unusually soung at marriages 
 to be soung, begane to daunce first him selfe, for making so 
 soudoine a marriage of that prepared banquette. All the 
 162
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 reste, celebrated the marryage with dauncing, and singing, so B O O K E 
 that all the house was lighted with such candles as are used VI 
 at weddinges. But Cariclia, departinge from the reste, wente 
 into her chamber, and boulting the doore, because that none 
 should trouble her, untied, and caste abroade her haire, as 
 if shee had beene in a rage, and cuttinge her apparrell, saide : 
 Well, let us also daunce in the honour of the God, who hath The son-owe 
 care over us in such sorte, as our estate requireth : lette us *^ at Cariclia 
 singe teares unto him, and daunce with lamentations : let the p 38 m> , . 
 darkenesse resounde, and the obscure night (nowe this candle m arria#e with 
 is out) be judge of that I meane to doe : what a house hath aplaineproofe 
 it made for our sake ? what a marriage bedde hath it pre- of her excel- 
 pared for us ? The God that hath charge of me, hath me lent ood 
 nowe alone, and without my husband. Alas wretch that I 
 am, I meane him, that by name onely is my husbande. 
 Cnemon daunceth and is married : Theagenes is abroade : 
 and perhappes a prisoner, and in holde, and if he be alive, 
 fortune is somewhat gentle : Nausiclia hath a husbande, and 
 is separated from me, who untill this night laste past, lay 
 with me, onely Cariclia is alone, and forsaken of all. I am 
 not for all this offended with her fortune (Oh ye Gods, and 
 heavenly powers) but pray that they may have their hartes 
 desire : but at our fortune, that ye be not so favourable unto 
 us, as to them : you have drawen our acte to such a length, 
 as it nowe passeth all scenes. But why do I complaine of 
 the miseries which the Gods send us : let the reste also be 
 fulfilled untill they be pleased. But O Theagenes, O care 
 only pleasant to me, if thou be dead, and I heare thereof (which 
 God graunt I never do) I will defer no time to be with thee, 
 for it is time I offer these funerals to thee (and therewithal! 
 she pulled off her haire, and laid it on her bed) and poured 
 out these libations out of the eies which thou lovest so 
 deerely (and then she moysted her bed with her teares). But 
 if thou be wel (as thou of good right oughtest to be) come 
 and sleepe with me : appearing to me in thy shape : yet 
 spare me, spare me thine own maid, I say, and use me not 
 after the guise of married folkes, and have not to doo with 
 me no not in my sleepe : behold I imbrace thee, and thinke 
 that thou arte here and lookest upon me, and as she had 
 
 163
 
 B O O K E spoken thus, she caste her selfe grovelinge on her bedde, and 
 VI sore sighing, and pitifully mourninge shee clasped her armes 
 harde together, untill a certaine amasednesse, and dazeling, 
 cast as it were a mist before the understanding parte of the 
 minde, and brought her asleepe, and helde her till it was 
 light day. Wherefore Calasiris marvelled that he saw her 
 not as he was wonte to do, in searchinge for her, came to 
 her chamber, where knocking somewhat harde, and callinge 
 alowde, Cariclia, waked her at lengthe. Shee was abashed 
 at that soudaine call, and came as she was attyred, and 
 unbolted the doore to let in the olde manne. Who seeinge 
 her haire disordered, and her garmentes cutte before her 
 brest with her eies full of water, understoode the cause : and 
 when he had broughte her to her bedde againe, and had 
 caused her to attyre her selfe, and caste a cloke upon her he 
 saide for shame, Cariclia, what aray is this ? why doo you 
 vexe your selfe so sore without ceassing ? why yeelde you to 
 all chaunces without reason ? Surely nowe I know you not, 
 whome till now I ever knewe to bee of excellent courage, and 
 very modest. Will not you leave off from this wonderful 
 What it is to madnesse ? Will you not thinke that you are borne mortall : 
 
 be mortall. that is to say, an unsteadie thing, bending for every light 
 occasion sundrie wayes ? Have pittie on us, my daughter, 
 I say, have pittie, if not for your owne sake, yet for Thea- 
 genes cause, who desireth to live with none but you, and 
 accounteth it advauntage that you are alive. Cariclia blushed 
 when she heard him speake thus : and after she had held her 
 peace a great while, and Calasiris desired her to give him 
 some aunswere : she said, Father, you have good cause to 
 chyde, but perhaps I deserve pardon, for neither any common, 
 or strange desire hath forced me, unhappy creature, to do this, 
 but pure and chaste love that I beare to a man (although he 
 never touched me) and that is Theagenes, who maketh me 
 thus sad, because he is not here with mee, and I am the more 
 afraid also, for that I cannot knowe whether he be alive or 
 not. As touching this matter, said Calasiris, bee of good 
 cheare, and thinke that he is alive, and one whom the Goddes 
 have appointed to live with you : if we must give credite to 
 that which the Oracle hath foreshewed us. We must also 
 164
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 beleeve him, who tolde us yesterday that Thyamis tooke him B O O K E 
 prisoner, as he was carried towarcf Memphis, and if hee be V1 
 taken, without doubt, he is wel for as much as there hath 
 beene acquaintance and familiaritie betwixt them before. 
 Wherefore we ought not to stay, but goe to Bessa and 
 seeke, you for Theagenes, and I for my sonne, for you have 
 heard ere now that Thyamis is my sonne. Then was Cari- Thyamis was 
 clia in great thought, and said, If Thyamis be your sonne Calasiris 
 in deede, then are we in worse case than ever wee were. 
 Calasiris marvelled hereat, and asked her why. You know 
 (quoth she) how I became prisoner to the heardmen, where 
 the unhappy beautie with which I am indued, forced 
 Thyamis to love me : and it is to be feared least if he 
 finde us, as we make inquirie and see me, remembring that I 
 am shee who dallied and drave off with divers deceitfull pro- 
 mises, the marriage which he meant to make with me, that 
 he will take me, and by force compell me to finish the 
 same. God defend said Calasiris, that the vehemencie of his 
 lust should bee such, that the same should disdaine his 
 fathers countenaunce, and not represse his licentious desire, 
 if any such move him. But for all that, why can not you 
 invent some device to delude that which you stand so in 
 doubt off? for you are very diligent, and crafty also to make 
 shifts and delayes against them that seeke to have you. 
 Cariclia was somewhat merry with these words, and aunswered, 
 Whether you speake this in earnest or in jest, let it passe for 
 this time. But I will tell you the way that Theagenes and 
 I devised, but fortune would not let us put it in practise 
 because it was very good. For when necessitie forced us to 
 leave the Ilande of the heardmen, it pleased us to change our 
 apparrell, and wander about in the villages and good townes, 
 ragged, lyke beggers. Wherfore if it please you, let us The commo- 
 counterfette this habite, and play the beggers, so shall we dities of beg- 
 not bee so much in danger of those who would our harme. S ene - 
 For in such a case by povertie we shall be more safe : for Povertie is 
 commonly it is rather pittied then envied, and thus shal we rather pittied 
 get our dayly sustenance more easilie. For all things are n euvied - 
 more deerely sold to straungers which have neede to buy, and Straugers buy 
 know not the manner of the countrey, but will be freely geven dearelie. 
 
 165
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE to such as begge. Calasiris praised her device, and made 
 VI hast to be gone : therefore the next day after they came to 
 Nausicles and Cnemon, and told them when they were deter- 
 mined to depart, they set forward (but tooke no horse with 
 them, though one were proffered them) nor suffered any man 
 to beare them companie, save that Nausicles and Cnemon, 
 and the rest of the house brought them on their way. Nausi- 
 clia also went with them, craving so much of her father, for 
 that the love shee bare to Cariclia, was more then her late 
 marriage permitted. And when they had accompanied them 
 almost three quarters of a mile, ech one according to their 
 kinde, took their laste leave and farewell, and shoke handes 
 and after they had shed a great many of teares, and prayed 
 that the parting might bee lucky to them, and Cnemon craved 
 pardon, for that hee went not with them, by reason of his 
 newe marriage, and had told them that if he coulde gette 
 occasion he would followe them, they left either other, and 
 these wente to Chemmis, and Calasiris and Cariclia, turned 
 themselves into beggers habite, and put on such ill favoured 
 clowtes as they had provided before for that purpose. This 
 done, Cariclia defowled her face with durte, and soote, and 
 tied a part of her fascia that was foule about her head, 
 suffering it to hang ilfavouredly over her eies in steede of a 
 bonnegrace : shee had moreover a scrip under her arme, as 
 though shee would put peeces of bread and broken meate 
 therein, but in deede to carry the holy vesture which shee 
 brought from Delphi, her crowne, and the rest of their re- 
 membrances which her mother laide foorth with her, Calasiris 
 This beggery carried Cariclias guiver wrapped in a torne and naughty 
 is no better peece of leather, the wrong ende downeward on his shoulders, 
 described by ^ jf ft. j^d bene some other thing, and used her bowe (which 
 Hehodorus .. , ,*" . , x e ^ . . 
 
 then counter- ^ soone 9& ^ was unbent stoode very streight) for a stafre 
 feted of some leaning very heavily thereon : and if happily they mette any 
 ofourbeggers. man of purpose he would make his back more croked then 
 his age required, and be lame of one legge, and sometime be 
 ledde of Cariclia by the hand. When they could play this 
 part well, and had jested one at another, and besought the 
 God that had their affaires in charge, that he would be con- 
 tent with that which was past, and suffer their evill luck to 
 166
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 proceede no further, they went to Bessa, where hoping to find B O O K E 
 
 Theagenes and Thyamis, they failed of their purpose : for VI 
 
 comming neere to Bessa about the sunnesetting, they beheld 
 
 a great slaughter of men lately made, of whom the most were 
 
 Persians, which might easily be knowen by their armour, and 
 
 a fewe of those that dwelled there also : so that they might 
 
 conjecture that there had bene a battaile but they knew not 
 
 what the parties were that had foughten it : untill at length 
 
 by raunging about the dead bodies, and looking if perhaps 
 
 any of their frends were there slaine : (for heartes which be 
 
 in feare, and carefull for that they love best oftentimes doo Feare maketh 
 
 deeme the worst.) At last they sawe an old woman which menjudgethe 
 
 lay uppon a deade body of one of those countrie men, and 
 
 wailed wonderfully. They determined therefore if they might, 
 
 to inquire somewhat of her : and so comming to her, at the 
 
 firste went aboute to comfort her, and appease her great 
 
 sorrowe. Which when shee accepted, they asked for whom 
 
 shee lamented, and what battaile had bene there : Calasiris 
 
 talking to her in the Aegyptian tongue, shee tolde them al 
 
 in fewe wordes, that shee sorrowed for her sonne, and came 
 
 of purpose to those deade bodies, that some armed man might 
 
 runne on her, and kill her, and in the meane time shee would 
 
 doe such rites to her sonne, as shee was able with teares and 
 
 lamentations. As touching the battaile shee told them thus : 
 
 There was astraunge yong man carried to Memphis, of goodly Agreatbattell 
 
 stature, and excellent beauty to Oroondates the great kinges aboute Thea- 
 
 deputie, he was sent from Mytranes the captaine of the genes to re- 
 iU/? *, .j i-j-j ceive him from 
 
 watches for a great present, as they saide : him did our men Mytranes 
 
 that dwell in this towne (shewing them a towne hard by) say, 
 was theirs : whither it were so in deede, or they made it a 
 colour for them, I knowe not. When Mytranes hearde this, 
 being angrie (and good cause why) he conducteth his army 
 hither two dayes agoe, and the people of this towne are very 
 warrelike, ana live ever by spoyling, and sette not a strawe 
 by death, and have therefore taken from me, as well as other 
 women at other times our husbandes and children. When 
 our men knewe certainely of his comming, they placed their 
 ambush ment in places convenient for this purpose : and when 
 their enimies came among them, they easily subdued them : 
 
 167
 
 BOOKE 
 VI 
 
 Mytranes 
 slaine. 
 
 In extremitie 
 
 desparation 
 
 may stand for 
 
 a singular 
 
 vertue. 
 
 Una sal us vic- 
 
 tisnullamspe- 
 
 rare salutem. 
 
 Virgil. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 some with banners displaied comming before them : and other 
 breaking out of the ambushment with great clamour sette on 
 the Persians backes. So Mytranes was slaine as hee fought 
 with the foremost, and almost all the rest also, for that they 
 being inclosed, had no way to flee, and a fewe of our people 
 also. Of whom, by that great wrath of God my sonne was 
 one, who had a wound, in his breast with a Persian dart, as 
 you see : and for him thus slaine, doo I, unhappy creature, 
 sorrow : and shall I feare to doo the like hereafter for him 
 that is yet alive, because yesterday he went with the rest 
 against the inhabitantes of Memphis ? Calasiris asked her 
 why they tooke upon them that voiage. And that old 
 woman answered, that she heard her sonne say which was 
 alive, that they knew well inough that because the kinges 
 souldiers, and their Captaine were slaine, that they should be, 
 for that they had done, not in any small perill, but in danger 
 of all that they had, for that the Prince Oroondates, who 
 lyeth at Memphis, hath very great power with him, who as 
 soone as he shall be certified hereof, will come and compasse 
 this towne about at the first, and revenge this injury with 
 the destruction of all the inhabitants of the same : and are 
 therefore determined, seeing that they are once in so great 
 daunger, to redeeme their great attempt, with a greater if 
 they may, and to take Oroondates unprovided, supposing that 
 if they may come on the sudden, either they shall kill him if 
 he be at Memphis, or if he be not there, (as report goes) 
 that he is busied in the Aethiopian warre, that they shall 
 the sooner force the Citie to yeeld, for that it is without 
 such as may defend the same, and so they shall be safe after- 
 warde : and morover to do their capteine Thyamis service 
 in recovering the office of the priesthood, which his yonger 
 brother by violence houldeth from him unjustly: but if all 
 their hope faile them, then are they determined valiantly to 
 die, and not to come into the Persians handes to be scorned, 
 and tormented of them. But for as much as you be strangers, 
 whither goe you ? To the towne, saide Calasiris. It is not 
 good (quoth she) for that you be not knowne, and come at 
 such unlawful time to be among them that are lefte. If you 
 will vouchsafe to entertaine us, saide Calasiris, wee hope we 
 168
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 shalbe safe. I cannot said shee nowe, for I must doe certaine B O O K E 
 night sacrifices. But if you can tarry, as perhappes there is VI 
 
 no remedie, but you muste whither you will or not : gette you 
 into some place beside these dead bodies, to passe this night, 
 and in the morning I promise I will entertaine you, and bee 
 your warrante. Thus shee saide. Calasiris told Cariclia all, 
 and tooke her with him, and went their way. And having 
 gone a little past those bodies, they chaunced upon a little 
 hill : there he laid him downe with her quyver under his 
 head. But Cariclia sate upon her scrippe in steede of 
 a stoole : at that time the moone arose, and with her 
 brightnesse lightened all things, for shee was now three 
 dayes past the full. Calasiris being otherwise an olde 
 man, and weary of his travel, fell fast a sleepe, mary 
 Cariclia by reason of the cares that troubled her, slept 
 not that night, but beheld a wicked and abhominable fact, 
 yet such as the women of that countrey commonly use : for A very pretty 
 the old woman thinking that she had now gotten a time description of 
 wherein she should neither be scene, nor troubled of any, first an old wo " ian 
 digged a pitte, then made she a fire on both sides thereof, in^he^paJet" 
 and in the middes she layd her sonnes body, and taking an 
 earthen potte from a three footed stoole which stoode there- 
 by, poured hony into the pytte : out of another shee poured 
 milke, and so did shee out of the thirde, as though shee had 
 done some sacrifice : laste of all shee cast a lumpe of dowe 
 hardened with the fire which was made like a man, and had 
 on a crowne of lawrell, and the tree called Bdellium into the This tree call- 
 pitte. This done, shee tooke up a sworde, that lay among ed Bdellium, 
 the dead mennes shieldes, and behaving herselfe, as if she had 
 bene in such furie, as the priestes of Bacchus commonly are, 
 said many prayers to the moone in strange termes : then 
 did shee cut her arme, and with a branche of laurell shee be- 
 sprinckled the fire with her bloud : and doing many mon- 
 sterous and strange thinges beside these, at length bowing 
 her selfe downe to the dead body of her sonne, and saying 
 somewhat to him in his eare, awaked him, and by force of 
 her Witchcrafts made him stand up soudainely. Cariclia, 
 who hitherto had not looked uppon her without great feare, 
 then trembled, and was utterly discomforted with that 
 Y 169
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E wonderfull sighte, so that shee awaked Calasiris and caused 
 VI him also to beholde the same. They could not be scene in 
 a darke corner, but they sawe easily what they did in the 
 light by the fire, and heard also what shee saide, for that 
 they were not farre off, and the old woman spake very 
 plame to the bodie. The question was this : Whether her 
 sonnes brother which was yet alive shoulde retume safe, or 
 no ? The body made no answere, but with nodding gave 
 his mother a doubtfull hope of good successe, according to 
 her mind, and so fell groveling downe againe : but she 
 turned the face upwarde, and ceassed not to ask that ques- 
 tion, and with more earnest enforcementes beelike speaking 
 many thinges in his eare againe, and leaping with a sworde 
 in her hande, sometime to a pitte, sometime to the fire, 
 made it stande upright againe, and asked the same ques- 
 tion, compelling him not to answeare by noddes and beckes, 
 but plainelie by mouth to the question shee asked. Whyle 
 this was in dooing, Cariclia praied Calasiris that they might 
 goe neere, and aske the old woman some tidings of Theagenes, 
 but he would not, saying that that sight was wicked but there 
 was no remedie but they must needes bee content with it : 
 The priestes for it becommeth not the priestes, either to take delight, or 
 of Egypte b^ present where such thinges are dooing. But they ought 
 
 though they i sacrifices, and lawfull prayers enquire, not by shamefull 
 were Heathen J . ,'. , J , ' / , , , 
 
 dealt not with sorceries, which are conversant aboute the earth, and dead 
 
 Sorcerie. creatures, of which sort is the Aegyptians practise, which 
 
 chaunce at this time, hath caused us to see. While he spake 
 
 thus, the dead bodie spake very terribly with a hollowe voice, 
 
 as if it had come out of a deepe cave, saying : Mother, at the 
 
 first I spared thee, and suffered thee to sinne wonderfully 
 
 Sorcerie is a against the nature of man, and breake the lawes which the 
 
 thing against ladies of destinie have appointed, in attempting to make 
 
 nature. those thinges move, which by nature are unmoveable. For 
 
 Dead men he even the deade men have a reverence as much as they may to 
 
 saith, rever- their parentes. But for as much as thou breakest this, and 
 
 ence their p rO ceedest in thy wicked and shamefull deede, which at the 
 
 first thou hast begunne, and arte not content that a deade 
 
 bodie stand up, but wilte compell him to speake also, nothing 
 
 regarding my buriall, and wilt not suffer me to come into the 
 
 170
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 company of other soules, which thou art bounde to doo for B O O K E 
 private friendshippes sake. Heare nowe that which before VI 
 I was afraide to tell thee : neither shall thy sonne come The Heathen 
 safe home, nor thy selfe escape death with sworde. But in Philosophers 
 as much as thou hast spent thy life in such wicked deedes ? ^th tth~ 
 thou shalt have shortely violent death, appointed for all sou i es O f men 
 suche. Who hast bene content, not onely to doe these so whose bodies 
 secret and hidden mysteries alone, but in the sight of other were not 
 also : so that thereby thou bewrayest, and settest foorth to ^ u " e( ^> should 
 them the state of the deade, whereof one is a priest, and is ^ fei^wship 
 therefore so much the better, for he knoweth, such is his O f other their 
 wisedome, that such thinges, should not be biased abroade, fellowes. 
 but kept in secrete, and is also wel beloved of the Goddes, 
 and he shal, if he make speede, agree his sonnes, who are 
 ready armed to fight a bloudy battaile hand to hande. But 
 the other which is so much woorse, is a maide, and looketh 
 uppon that thou doest to me, and heareth all that thou saiest 
 a woman farre in love, who travaileth all the world over, 
 almost for her lovers sake, with whom after infinite travelles, 
 and sixe hundred daungers, in the furtheste parte of the 
 worlde, shee shall live in prosperitie, and kinges estate. 
 The body fell downe when he had saide thus, but the old 
 woman perceiving that they were straungers that looked 
 upon her, armed as she was with the swoord in her hand, like 
 a woode woman sought for them, and raunged rounde about 
 among the dead bodies thinking that they had bene there, 
 meaning that if shee coulde finde them, to ridde them out of The witch had 
 their lives, as crafty folkes, and such, who by their looking s " ch d ^, atl 
 on her, caused her to have so ill successe in her witchcraft, ^jf/wel- 
 Untill at length seeking somewhat negligently, for anger served, 
 amongst those, a truncheon of a speare that stoode up, 
 stroke her through the belly, and thus died she, fulfil- 
 ling straight way by due desert, the saying which 
 her sonne prophesied to her before. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE SIXTH BOOKE 
 
 171
 
 THE SEVENTH BOOKE
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE SEVENTH BOOKE 
 
 IN the seventh booke is set forth the battel betwene the two brethren, 
 
 Thyamis and Petosiris for the priesthode, and how the end was made 
 
 betweene them by their father, Calasiris. At this battell Cariclia found 
 
 her Theagenes, and is almost madde for desire toward him. 
 
 Calasiris dieth, and his sonne Thyamis succeedeth him. 
 
 Achemenes is espoused to Cariclia : but hee is defeated 
 
 of the marriage by Theagenes. 
 
 174
 
 THE SEVENTH BOOKE 
 
 ALASIRIS and Cariclia, after they had 
 scaped such a scourging, as well to gette 
 them out of the present danger as also 
 hasting for that was shewed them, to 
 Memphis : set forward apace, and they 
 came to the citie, as those things were 
 doing, which the deade man, that his 
 mother called up foretolde them. For 
 they who were at Memphis, had shutte the gates a little 
 before Thyamis came with his army from Bessa, for that 
 they had warning of his comming by a souldier that served 
 under Mytranes, and had scaped from the battaile at Bessa. 
 Then Thyamis commaundea his souldiers, at a parte of 
 the wall to lay aside their armoure, and after their continuall 
 travell to take some ease, and he determined to lay siege to 
 the citie. The townesmen which were before afraide of a 
 great armie, when they sawe there were so fewe from the 
 walles, despising them, by and by gathered the fewe archers, 
 and horsemen which were leaft in Garrison in the towne, and 
 the reste of citizens also tooke such weapons as came to their 
 hands, and determined to goe foorth and fight with them, 
 against the will of a wise and noble man in the towne, who 
 saide, that although it happened the Deputie to be at the 
 warre in Aethiopia, yet the matter ought to be brought 
 before Arsace his wife, that the Souldyers which were in the 
 Citie, might be the redier to defende the same. And because 
 
 175
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E he seemed to speake well, they went all to the Kings Pallace, 
 VII wherein the deputies lodge in the kings absence. Arsace was 
 ArsaceOroon- a beautifull woman, and of tall stature, and singular wisdom e 
 dates wife, to doe any thing, and of stout stomacke, for the noblenesse 
 ^ ner birth, ^ * s like wou ld De * n her that is sister to 
 ^ e g rea t King : yet for her unlawfull and dissolute lust, she 
 was not without reprehension and blame. And beside other 
 factes, she was in a manner part of the cause of Thyamis 
 banishment, when he was constrained to forsake Memphis. 
 For immediately after Calasiris went privily from Memphis, 
 for that which was tolde him by the Goddes of his sonnes, 
 and coulde not be founde, so that it was thought he was 
 dead, Thyamis as his elder sonne, was called to the office of 
 Thiamis made priesthoode, and as hee was doing sacrifice publikely at his 
 priest after firste entrie into Isis churche, Arsace seinge him to be a 
 the departure p rO p er yonge manne and of good age, for that he was the 
 of Calasiris his fS^P -4.1, ju j 
 
 father. handsomest man in that company, and best attyred, cast 
 
 many wanton looks and dishonest countenaunces at him. 
 Which Thiamis regarded no whitte, both for that he was 
 of nature very honest, and well instructed from a childe : and 
 perhappes that which she did was further fetched, then that 
 he perceived it, or he thought perhappes that shee did it for 
 some other purpose, because he was altogeather busied about 
 Petosiris doth his sacrifices. But his brother Petosiris, who before envied 
 play an un- that his brother shoulde be prieste, and had well marked 
 th Th Pa ^* Arsaces allurementes, tooke her unlawfull entisements for a 
 Tndbymean'es g oo & occasion to endamage his brother. Wherfore he came 
 of Arsaces to Oroondates secretly and tolde him not onely her desire, 
 wanton looks, but that Thyamis also had made the matche with her, add- 
 procureth his j n g that very falsly. He suffered him selfe easily to be per- 
 ~ sua -d e d for suspicion that he had conceived of Arsace, yet he 
 molested her not, either for that he could not manifestly 
 convince her or els thought it beste to conceale, and wincke 
 at it for reverence and honour that he bare to the bloude 
 royall. But he tolde Thyamis plainely and never ceased, to 
 threaten to kill him, untill he put him to exile, and placed 
 his brother Petosiris in his roume : but this was donne before. 
 At that time when the whole multitude came on heapes to 
 her house, and certified her of the comming of their enimies, 
 176
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 and besought her that shee woulde give commaundement, BOOKE 
 
 that the souldiers should be in a readinesse, answered that VII 
 
 shee would not lightly so do, for because she knewe not what 
 
 sorte her enimies were, nor what they were, nor whence they 
 
 came, or for what occasion. It was therefore beste firste to 
 
 goe upon the walles, and see all their ordinaunces, and then 
 
 provide such things as shalbe thought convenient. They 
 
 thought shee saide well, and went every man to the walles, 
 
 there by Arsaces commaundement was a tent of purple silke 
 
 garnished with golde pitched, and shee her selfe very costly 
 
 arrayed, came and satte in a high seate, with her garde aboute 
 
 her glisteringe in gilte armour, shee helde out her mace in 
 
 token of a peaceable parley, and commaunded the captaines 
 
 of their enimies to approche neare to the walles. After 
 
 Theagenes and Thyamis elected of the army, came all armed 
 
 save their heades, and stoode under the wal, the haraulde at 
 
 armes saide unto them : Arsace wife of Oroondates, chiefe Arsace inquir- 
 
 deputie, and sister of the greate kinge asketh what you are, eth the cause 
 
 what your meaning is, and wherefore you are so bold to come whythepeople 
 i ..1 J rrn 1,1 J e T> i /? i of Bessa come 
 
 hither. 1 hey answered, that they were 01 Joessa, but or him- j n armour t 
 
 selfe spake Thyamis what he was, and that he being wronged Memphis. 
 by his brother Petosiris and Oroondates, and deprived craftily 
 of his priesthod, was brought to be restoared againe by the 
 Bessians, and if he might recover the priests office, then Thyamis 
 should it be peace, and the people of Bessa returne home declareth the 
 againe without any more harme dooing. If not he meante c * u m } 
 to committe the matter to the judgement of warre, and force 
 of armes, and that Arsace had good cause, if shee remembred 
 that whiche was paste, to take revenge of Petosiris for the 
 falsehode he practised againste her, and the untrue occasions 
 that he laide againste her to Oroondates, whereby he brought 
 her into suspicion of vile and unlawfull dealinge with her 
 husbande, and caused him to be banished by his subtile and 
 craftie meanes. All the citie of Memphis was troubled with 
 these wordes. When they knewe Thyamis, and the cause of 
 his banishment, which when he was banished, none of them 
 knewe, and deemed all that he said to be true : but Arsace 
 of all other was most troubled, so that a whole storme of 
 thoughts in a manner overwhelmed her, for shee was sore 
 Z 177
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E incensed against Petosiris, and calling to mind that which 
 
 VH was past, devised with her selfe how shee might bee revenged. 
 
 Then beholding Thyamis, and after him Theagenes, was 
 
 diversly affected to them both : to the one by calling to mind 
 
 her old love : but in the other shee founde occasion of new, 
 
 and that more earnest love, so that those that stoode by her 
 
 might well perceive the troublesome carefullnesse of her 
 
 minde : yet for all this, when shee had paused a while, and 
 
 came to her selfe, not much unlike one who is recovered of 
 
 Arsace doeth the holy evill, shee sayde thus, Good men, surely you were not 
 
 answereThya- we ll advysed to take this warre in hand, for you have now 
 
 mis< brought as well all the people of Bessa, as also your selves 
 
 beeing youthfull young men, and therewithall beautifull, and 
 
 of good parentage (as may be gessed) into apparant peril for 
 
 the theeves quarrell, in as much as if wee woulde fight with 
 
 you, you were not able to sustaine the first assault of our 
 
 force. For the great kinges estate is not brought to so lowe 
 
 an ebbe, but that you may bee encloased of the leavings of 
 
 the armie, which is behynde him in the Citie (though the 
 
 Deputie himselfe bee away) but in mine opinion the whole 
 
 powers on both sides neede not to be troubled, and it is 
 
 better, seeing that the quarrell is private and not common, 
 
 that it be pryvately ended, and so be finished as the Gods 
 
 shall appoynt. I thinke it reason therfore, and I give com- 
 
 mandement too, that all the men of Memphis be quyet, and 
 
 Arsaces that they stur not without occasion, and that they whose 
 
 sentence be- i s the quarrell about the priesthoode, fight for it hande to 
 
 tweene hande, on condition that the conqueror have the same. 
 
 Petosh-is^s When Arsace had saide thus, all the Memphites shouted 
 
 touching 'the woonderously, and praysed her advise, for that they began to 
 
 priesthoode. suspect the mischievous attempt of Petosiris, and every man 
 
 was glad to lay the imminent and present danger which was 
 
 before their eyes, on another mans backe. But the people 
 
 of Bessa were not content with that order, neither would they 
 
 venture their Captaine so daungerously, untill Thyamis per- 
 
 swaded them, telling them that Petosiris was but feeble, and 
 
 unskilful to fight, and that he should have a great advauntage 
 
 in the battell, by reason of his practise. So thought Arsace 
 
 also as may be deemed, and therefore ordayned the battell 
 
 178
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 to be betweene them two, that she might have her desire B O O K E 
 without suspition, and be revenged of Petosiris sufficiently, VII 
 if he fought with his brother Thyamis, who was the better 
 man a great deale. There a man might see that done as 
 soone as shee had commaunded it, and Thyamis with all his 
 might hasted to doe what shee had denounced, and tooke the 
 rest of his armour that he wanted, with a chearefull counten- 
 aunce, and Theagenes comforted him diversly, and set on his 
 head peece, whereon was a very faire plume of feathers, 
 glistering, by reason it was well gilted, and fastened the rest 
 of his armour surely about him. But Petosiris was thrust 
 out of the gates by violence, to fulfill that which was com- 
 maunded, though he used many prayers to intreate that he 
 might not fight, and he tooke weapons in hande sore against 
 his will. When Thyamis sawe him, he sayd, Doe you not see 
 good Theagenes, how Petosiris quaketh for feare ? I see it 
 wel answered he : but how wil you do with this you have taken 
 in hand ? for he is not a plaine enemie, but your naturall 
 brother, that you must fight with all. You say wel (quoth he) An excellent 
 and as I my selfe thought : by the grace of God I meane to example of 
 overcome him, and not to kill him. For God defend that my Jure in th^ 
 wrath and indignation should proceede so farre, that I should m j s whereby 
 with the bloud and slaughter of my naturall brother, either is plainely de- 
 revenge injuries past, or purchase honour to come. You clared the 
 speake like a noble man, said Theagenes, and one that well r< ^i a ^ mi 
 understandeth the force of nature, but what will you have ^im to follow 
 me doe ? He answered : There is no doubte of this battaile his former 
 so that it may be despised : yet for as much as the varyetie trade of life, 
 of humane fortune, bringeth manye things to passe contrary 
 to our expectation oftentimes, if I gette the victory you Nothing is 
 shall enter into the citie, and live in equall authorytie with certaine in 
 me, but if any thing otherwise then we hope for, happen to this world - 
 me, then shall you be captaine of these robbers of Bessa, 
 who love you well, and so live untill God have appoynted 
 some better end for your affayers. When these thinges 
 were ordered thus, they with weeping eies imbraced and 
 kissed either other. And Theagenes as he was sette downe 
 to see what would happen, he gave Arsace leave, though he 
 knewe not so much to take pleasure in looking uppon him, 
 
 179
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E and vie we him rounde aboute, and suffered her eies to take 
 VII suche delight as she wished. But Thyamis wente to Peto- 
 The battel siris, who tarried not to strike one blowe with him, but as 
 betweene soone as he sawe him come towarde him he turned to the 
 Thyamis and g a ^ eSj an d would have gon into the citie againe : but he 
 loste his labor, for that those who kepte the gates woulde 
 not let him in, and they that were on every parte of the 
 walle where to he drewe, exhorted one an other not to helpe 
 him : he therefore caste away his weapons and fled as faste as 
 he could about the citie. Theagenes also ranne for feare of 
 Thyamis, and stayed not but sawe all that was doone, marry 
 he was not armed, least men would thinke that he mente to 
 helpe Thyamis, but laide his shielde, and his speare at that 
 side of the walle where Arsace satte, givinge her leave in his 
 absence to looke upon them, and he followed them. And 
 yet was not Petosiris taken, nor very farre before, but almost 
 over gotten, and so farre before as a man may gesse, one un- 
 armed able to out runne an other in armoure, and by this 
 time had they runne once or twise aboute the walles : but 
 as they ranne the thirde time, Thyamis, bente his speare 
 againste his brothers backe, and commaunded him to abide, 
 or else he shoulde have a blowe, in the sight of the whole 
 citie who looked upon them, and was judge of that contro- 
 versie, either a God, or some manne of fortune which govern- 
 eth humane affayres, by a newe devise augmented that that 
 was doone, and in a manner beganne a newe tragedie like the 
 Calasiris com- other, and made Calasiris a fellow of their course, and a 
 meth to the beholder of the unhappy battaile of his children for life and 
 * sonnes ' death, a t the same day and hower, as if it had bene devised 
 of sette purpose before. Who although he suffered much, 
 and attempted many wayes, and in a manner banished, gotte 
 himselfe into a strange lande to avoyde that cruell sight, 
 yet overcommed by destinie, he was compelled to see that, 
 whereof the Gods by Oracle gave him warninge before. So 
 that he seeing this cause and pursuite a farre off, knewe that 
 they were his children, by tokens that were divers times 
 foreshewed him, wherefore he rann faster then his age per- 
 mitted him, and enforced himselfe to cutte of the end of the 
 battail which was like to ensue. After he came nere and ran 
 180
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 with them he cried out oftentimes, My sonnes, what rage is B O O K E 
 this ? Why are you so madde ? But they knewe not their VII 
 father for that he was yet in his beggers weede, and their 
 mindes were altogether on their course, so that they went by 
 him as by one that had bene out of his wits. Some of them, 
 who were on the walles, mused that he spared not himselfe, 
 but ranne ever betweene their swoordes : other laughed him 
 to scorne, as though he had bene madde. But the olde man 
 perceivinge that he could not be knowen by reason of his vile 
 apparrell, cast off his ragges which were upon his garmentes, 
 and the staffe also that he had in his hand, and fell to in- 
 treatinge them, and said with teares : My sonnes, beholde, I 
 am Calasiris, I am your father, and make an ende here, and 
 refraine the rage which ill hap hath raised betwixt you, in as 
 much as you have a father, and owe obedience to him. Then 
 began they to quaile, and falling downe at their fathers feete, 
 imbraced jhim, and with stedfast eyes looked upon him, not 
 perfectly knowing him : but when they perceived it was no 
 vision, out himselfe in deede, there arose divers, yea and 
 contrarie thoughts in their mindes. They were glad of 
 their father, which contrary to their expectation was alive, 
 but were angry, and sore ashamed of the cause he found 
 them in, and they were in doubt also of that which after 
 should befall. And while they of the Citie marveyled at 
 this that was done, and neither said, nor dyd any thing, but 
 stoode in a manner like dumme pictures, because they knewe 
 not what it meant. An other Acte was interlaced in the 
 tragedie. Cariclia, as she folowed Calasiris, spied Theagenes 
 a farre off, (for a lovers eye is quicke of sight, so that often- A lovers eye 
 times though it be a great way off, yet will it judge a likeli- is qck of 
 hode by mooving, or habite, or gesture, and that behinde) 
 and as if she had beene stricken with his visage, ranne to him 
 like a mad woman, and hanging by her armes about his 
 necke, saide nothing, but saluted him with certaine pittifull 
 lamentations. He seeing her fowle face, (belike of purpose 
 beblacked) and her apparrell vile, and all torne, supposing 
 her to be one of the makeshifts of the Citie, and a vagabond, 
 cast her off, and put her away, and at length gave her 
 a blowe on the eare, for that she troubled him in seeing 
 
 181
 
 BOOKE 
 VII 
 
 Arsace is 
 
 jelousie of 
 
 Cariclia. 
 
 Calasiris 
 
 agreeth his 
 
 sonnes. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 Calasiris. Then spake shee to him softly, Pithius, have you 
 quite forgotten this taper? Theagenes was striken with 
 that worde, as if he had beene pearced with a darte, and by 
 tokens agreed on between them, knewe the taper, and look- 
 ing stedfastly upon her, espied her beautie, shining like the 
 Sunne, appearing through the clowdes, cast his armes about 
 her necke. To bee short, all that part of the wal where 
 Arsace sate, (which was sore swolne, and could not without 
 great jealousie looke upon Cariclia) was full of such wonder- 
 full affections, as is commonly represented in Comedies. 
 The wicked battell betweene the two brothers was ended, 
 and that which men thought should be finished with bloud, 
 had of a Tragicall beginning, a Comicall ending. A father 
 sawe his sonnes in armour, one against the other hande to 
 hande, came to that poynt, that almost beefore his eyes hee 
 sawe his childrens death, made hym selfe their loveday and 
 peace : who could not escape the necessitie of Destinie, but 
 seemed to use fortunes great favour, for that hee came in 
 due time to that which was determined before. The 
 sonnes recovered their Father, after tenne yeares absence, 
 and adourned him with the furniture of the Priesthoode, 
 who, about the same had almost beene the cause of a bloudy 
 strife, and so brought him home. But among the rest, 
 Theagenes and Cariclia which plaied the Lovers partes in 
 this Comedie, were most talked of, and for that they had 
 found each other, contrary to their hope, made the Citie to 
 looke upon them more then al other sights which were there 
 to be scene : for great companies of every age came out at 
 the gates into the open fieldes, and such as were youthfull, 
 and newely come to mans estate, came to Theagenes : such as 
 were of ryper yeares, men growen in deede, drew to Thyamis, 
 for that they also by reason of their age, knew him wel, but the 
 maydenly sort, who now thought uppon Husbandes, flocked 
 about Cariclia : but the olde men, and such as were of the 
 holier kind, stoode about Calasiris : and thus was there made 
 a sudden Sacred pompe and braverie. After Thyamis had 
 sent backe the people of Bessa, and given them thanks for 
 the paines they tooke in his quarrell, with promise that at the 
 next full moone he would send them a thousande Oxen, a 
 182
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 thousand Sheepe, and tenne groates a peece in money, he BOOKE 
 suffered his father as he went, for ease, to leane uppon his VII 
 shoulders, who now for his soudaine joy beganne to waxe feeble, 
 and very faint. Petosiris did the like on the other side : and 
 thus was the old man brought into Isis temple with tapers 
 lighted, and with great joy, and many instruments of musicke, 
 so that the lusty youthes began also to daunce. Besides these, 
 Arsace also was not behind, but with her traine folowed in 
 brave wise, and offered great giftes of golde in Isis temple, 
 under pretence to doo as other did in the citie, but in deede 
 her eyes were alwaies uppon Theagenes, and shee looked more 
 on him then any other, and was not very honestly minded 
 toward him. And when Theagenes ledcfe Cariclia by the 
 hand, and put the thrust aside that shee might take no 
 harme, Arsace conceived a wonderful jelousie. But Calasiris 
 after he came into the inner part of the temple, fell upon 
 his face, and held the feete of the Image faste, and lay so, 
 so long that he was almost dead : so that he had much adoo 
 to arise when they called uppon him who stoode by. And 
 when he had done sacrifice to the Goddes, and perfourmed 
 his vowes, taking the crowne of the priesthoode from his owne 
 heade, he crowned therewith his sonne Thyamis, telling the Calasiris mak- 
 people that he was olde, and sawe that he shoulde not live e *h his son 
 long, and that his eldest sonne ought to succeede him by Thyamis 
 the lawe, and that he had all thinges requisite, both to the 
 body and minde, sufficient to use the same. After the people 
 had by a great shoute declared, that they approved that 
 which he did, he went him selfe to a certaine part of the 
 church, which is appointed for the priestes, and remained 
 there with his sonnes, and Theagenes, quietly. All the 
 other people went every man to his owne house. Arsace also 
 departed with much adoo, but she returned divers times, and 
 used as it were great diligence about the service of the 
 Goddes, yet shee went away at length, turning her selfe as 
 long as shee might to Theagenes. As soone as shee came 
 into the palace, shee went straight way to her bedde, and 
 caste her selfe thereon attyred as shee was without speaking 
 any word, being a woman otherwise very lasciviously bente, 
 but then especially enflamed when shee had scene Theagenes 
 
 183
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E excellent beautie, which farre passed al that ever shee had 
 
 VII scene before. So lay shee all that night tossing her body 
 
 Arsace almost from one side to another, soare lamenting : sometime would 
 
 madde with s hee rise up : sometime leane upon her elbowe sometime 
 
 Th ^iTs* wou ^ s ^ ee cas t h er doathes almoste all from her: then 
 
 would shee soudainely fall into her bedde againe: sometime 
 
 woulde shee call her maide, and without bidding her doe 
 
 any thing, send her away againe. To be shorte love had 
 
 made her madde, and none shoulde have knowen why, if an 
 
 olde woman called Cibele her chamberleine and Bawd, had 
 
 not come into her chamber : for shee might well perceive all 
 
 that was done, by reason of a candle that burnt, and made 
 
 Arsaces fact more evident also, saying : Mistresse, for shame 
 
 what a do is this ? doth any newe, or straunge disease paine 
 
 Cibele Arsaces you ? Hath the sighte of any man troubled my dearling ? 
 
 chamberlaine What man is so prowde, and madde, that will not be en- 
 
 and Bawde Dangled with your beautie and accompt it a passing blessed 
 doth comforte ,. J -, , . j .., u 4. -11 j 
 
 her and pro- es tate to lie, and have to doe with you, but will despise your 
 
 miseth to sub- desire and will ? Tell me, my deere daughter, for there is 
 due Thea- no man so stonie harted, but he shall be made to yeelde with 
 genes. our flattering allurementes. Tell me quickly and you shall 
 have your hearts desire, as in effect, I thinke you have often- 
 times proved before now. These words, and many moe like 
 these, did this olde queane speake, using divers flattering 
 fashions more, to make her confesse her paine, who after shee 
 had stayed a while, saide thus : I am soarer wounded now 
 mother, then ever I was before, and although I have used 
 your ready helpe many times in like causes : yet I doubt 
 whither nowe you shall have such like happy succes. The 
 battel which this day was like to have bene foughten before 
 the walles, to all other men was unbloudy, and concluded in 
 peace, but to me it is the beginning of a worse war, who 
 have a wound, whereby I am like to loose, no one limme, or 
 member, but my witte, and senses, because it shewed unto 
 me in an ill time the straunge yong man who in the time 
 that the two brothers fought, ranne by Thyamis. You 
 knowe well ynough mother of whom I speake. For there is 
 no small difference betweene his beautie, and other mennes, 
 which it (as it had bene the sunne) dimmed, so that any 
 184
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 wilde, and savage creature which coulde not be inamoured, B O O K E 
 of comely personage, might perceive the same. Wherefore VII 
 your manifold wisedome must needes perceive it. Therefore A description 
 deere mother, seeing you know my griefe, it is time for you f Theagenes. 
 to put in practise all manner of meanes, an olde womens 
 devises, and flatterings, if you will have your scholer to live, 
 for there is none other way to keepe me alive but to injoy 
 him. I know the young man wel, said the olde woman : he 
 was broade brested, and large betweenetheshoulders,streight 
 necked and comely, taller then the rest, and at a word to 
 make an end, he passed farre all other men : his eyes were a 
 little fierie, so that he looked very lovingly, and couragiously 
 also, it was he whose haire was smooth combed, and had 
 but a little young yellowe beard, to whom a strange woman, 
 marry not fowle but passing impudent, as might be thought, 
 ranne suddenly and cast her armes about him, and held him 
 fast, and woulde not goe from him : doe you not meane this 
 man, mistresse ? Yes even this mother, answered shee, and 
 you have done very well to bring to my remembrance that 
 impudent queane, who hath kept her beautie secrete at home, 
 and painted her selfe, so that shee is proude thereof, yet is 
 shee but of the common sort, but sure shee is much more 
 happie then I, that hath gotten such a lover. The old 
 man smiled a little at this, and saide Mistresse take a good 
 heart, and be no longer sorrowfull, the stranger counteth her 
 beautiful but for this day, but if I can bring it to passe 
 that he have the fruition of you and your beautie, he will 
 change Golde for brasse, as the proverbe is, and sette naught 
 by the harlotte which now maketh so much of her selfe. If 
 you doe this my deere Cibele (quoth shee) you shal heale two 
 woundes in me at once, Jealousie and love, delivering me of 
 the one, at satisfying me with the other. Lette me care 
 and thinke uppon this, saide shee, but it is your part, to 
 cheere your selfe, and take your ease now, and dispaire not, be- 
 fore we beginne, but live in hope. Shee saide thus, and tooke 
 the candle away, and shutte the chamber doore. Shee scant 
 spied the day, but shee called one of the kings Eunuches, and 
 a maid with her, to whom shee gave a few small cakes and 
 other thinges necessarie to do sacrifice, and went to Isis 
 2 A 185
 
 BOOKE 
 VII 
 
 Calasiris 
 death. 
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 temple. When shee came to the doore, and said that shee 
 must doo sacrifice for Arsace her mistresse, who was troubled 
 this night with certayne dreames, and appease the Goddes. 
 One of the Sextenes would not let her in, but sent her away, 
 telling her that the Church was full of sorrowe : for that 
 Calasiris the Priest, after he came home from his long journey, 
 made a sumptuous feast, and en devoured him selfe to be 
 more merry and joconde then ever he was, and after the 
 feast had done sacrifice, and made his earnest prayers to the 
 Gods, and tolde his sonnes that they had scene their father 
 till that time, and had given them charge of two young 
 Greekes that came with him, that they should doe what they 
 were able for them, went to bed. Then either for the ex- 
 ceedingnesse of his joy, his pores waxed over wide, by reason 
 that his body with age was infeebled, wanting of a sudden 
 his due strength, or by graunt of the Gods of whom he craved 
 this, about the Cocke crowing was founde dead, for his sonnes 
 watched all that night with him for causes he told them 
 before. And nowe have wee sent for the rest of this priestly 
 crewe in the citie to doe his death rites according to the 
 country manner. Wherefore you must nowe depart, for it is 
 not lawfull for any man to enter into the temple, nor to kill 
 any thing these seven dayes, but for those who are priestes. 
 Howe shall these straungers then passe this time (quoth 
 Cibele). The newe priest Thyamis hath commaunded a 
 house to be dressed for them without the temple, and you 
 may see them give place to thy ordinaunce, by going out of 
 the temple for this time. Cibele taking this for a good 
 occasion to gette them away, and to make it the beginning 
 of her policie saide : Then good sexten, you may doo the 
 straungers and us presently a very good turne, but especially 
 Arsace the great kinges sister, for you knowe howe great 
 favour shee beareth to Greekes, and howe courteously shee 
 entertaineth straungers. Wherefore tell them by Thyamis 
 commaundement that their lodging is prepared in one palace. 
 The sexten did so, suspecting nothing lesse, then that Cibele 
 went about, but he thought that he should doe the straungers 
 a great pleasure, if he by his meanes might procure their 
 lodging in the princes courte, and doe them, which requested 
 186
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 the same a good turne, without harme or perill to any. And B O O K E 
 when he came to Theagenes and Cariclia, who were very VII 
 sorrowful and wept pitifully, he said : You doe not as be- 
 seemeth you, nor as the manners, or ordinaunces of our 
 countrie beare, especially seeing you have had commaunde- 
 ment, that you shoulde not mourne. That you bewaile the 
 priest, for whose departure hence, our divinitie biddeth you 
 to be gladde, and rejoyce, as one, who hath gained a better 
 estate, and quieter rest. But you deserve pardon, who have 
 lost as you say, a father, and a patrone, and one, in whome 
 was all your comfort : yet ought not you altogether despaire, 
 for Thyamis, (as is to be scene) hath succeeded him not 
 only in the office of priesthoode, but in good will toward 
 you also, and hath given speciall charge for your welfare. 
 Wherfore your lodging is prepared in the best sorte, and so 
 as may beseeme men of higher estate then you, and that 
 of this country also, and not straungers, and such as are 
 nowe at a narrowe pinche, and lowe ebbe as may be deemed. 
 Therefore follow this woman (shewing them Cybele) and 
 make accompt of her, as mother to you both, and be content 
 with her enterteinement. Thus much saide he : and Theagenes Theagenes 
 did so, either for that he was overwhelmed with the storme an< ^ Cariclia, 
 of those things, which happened to him contrary to his hope, " Q '^g^g 
 or else for that in such cause he was content to take any house by 
 lodging in good part. I thinke he woulde have taken heede Cibelescraftie 
 to himselfe, if he had suspected what tragicall, and intoller- means, 
 able thinges, that longing would have procured them, to 
 their great harme. But then the fortune which governed 
 their affaires, when it had refreshed them well a fewe houres, 
 and given them leave to bee merry one day, soudainely joyned 
 thereto heavy and terrible thinges, and brought them into 
 their enimies hand, in manner, as if they shoulde have 
 yeelded them selves to be bound. Making them prisoners 
 under colour of courteous enterteinement, without any know- 
 ledge of that which should happen to them afterwarde. 
 Such folly and in manner blindnesse, doth the wandering life 
 cast before their eyes, who travaile through straunge and The discomo- 
 unknowen countries. When they came unto the deputies Cities of ^ a 
 house, and went through the sumptuous entries, which were 
 
 187
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E greater and higher, then might beseeme any private mans 
 VII estate, furnished with the princes guarde, and the other courtly 
 route, the whole palace woondered and was troubled, seeing 
 their present fortune so farre to excell. Yet for all that 
 they followed Cybele, who comforted them many wayes, and 
 bad them be of good cheere, and promised that they should 
 have excellent good lucke. At length when shee had brought 
 them into a parlour wherein dwelt an olde woman, which 
 was farre from the noise of the court, sitting by them alone 
 without more company, saide thus, My children I knowe that 
 you take this griefe and sorrowe wherein you be now, of the 
 death of the priest Calasiris, whom for good cause you 
 honoured as your father. Mary it is requisite that beside 
 this you tell mee what you be, and of whence, for that you 
 be Grecians I understand, and it may appeare also by that 
 which is in you, that you be of good parentage : for so 
 
 Comely coun- comely countenaunce and elegant beauty, is a manifest token 
 tenancy a o f high bloud : but I pray you, tell me of what country in 
 
 signe of hie Q. reecej anc l c jtie you be, and howe you happened to travell 
 ^ ' hither, for that I desire to heare the same for your commo- 
 ditie, and may certifie my mistresse Arsace thereof also, who 
 is sister of the great king, and wife of Oroondates chiefe 
 deputie, a lover of Greekes, and all handsomnesse, and very 
 liberall to strangers, to the intent you may come into her 
 sight, in such honourable sort as your estate shall require : 
 you shal tel it to a woman who is not utterlie your enemie : 
 for I my selfe am a Grecian, borne in Lesbos, syrnamed of 
 the Citie wherein I was borne, brought hither captive, yet 
 have I had better fortune here, than in mine owne Countrey. 
 For I serve my mistresse in all matters, so that without mee 
 shee doeth nothing but breath, and live : I am her minde, I 
 am her eares, to be short, I am all : to bring her acquainted 
 with good and honest men. Theagenes comparing that 
 which Cybele said, with that which Arsace did the day 
 before, and thinking how wantonly with steadie eyes continu- 
 ally shee beheld him, so that her becks declared scant a chaste 
 minde, whereby he gathered small good would insue, and 
 now being ready to say somewhat to the olde woman, 
 Cariclia said softly to hym in his eare, In your talke re- 
 188
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 member your sister I pray. After he perceived what shee 
 
 meant by that shee saide to him, he gave such answeare. 
 
 Mother you know that we be Greeks already : Then know 
 
 this further, that wee be brother and sister, who taking our 
 
 voiage to seeke our parentes, taken prisoner by pyrates, have 
 
 had woorse luck then they, by falling into crueller mens 
 
 hands. Where after we were robbed of all our riches 
 
 (which was much) scant we escaping with our lives, by the 
 
 good will of God mette with the noble Calasiris, came with 
 
 him hither, in minde to passe the rest of our life here, but 
 
 nowe are (as ye see) forsaken of all men, and lefte quite 
 
 alone, and have lost him, who seemed, and was in deede a 
 
 father to us, with our other parentes, and such is our estate. 
 
 As for the courteous, and gentle enterteinment which we 
 
 have at your hand, wee give you therefore very hearty 
 
 thankes, and you shall do us more pleasure, if you procure 
 
 us a dwelling alone from other companie, deferring the 
 
 courtesie whereof you talked, this is to acquaint us with 
 
 Arsace, and never bring a strange, banished, restlesse life, 
 
 into so excellent high fortune. For you know well inough, 
 
 that frendshippe, and acquaintaunce, ought to be betweene 
 
 such as are of one condition. When he had saide thus, 
 
 Cibele coulde not rule her selfe, but gave manifest tokens by 
 
 the chearefulnesse of her countenaunce, that shee was very 
 
 gladde to heare the names of brother and sister, thinking 
 
 then surely that Cariclia should be no impediment to Arsaces 
 
 disports, and said, O beautifull young man, you wil not say 
 
 thus of Arsace when you have tried her fashions, for she is 
 
 conformable to all fortune, and is readier to helpe them, 
 
 who unworthie to their estate, have had mishappe. And 
 
 although she be a Persian, yet in hir nature she imitateth 
 
 the Greekes, much rejoycing in those who come from 
 
 thence, and is woonderfullie delighted with their company 
 
 and manners. Wherefore be of good cheere, for that you 
 
 shalbe adorned with all honour that may happen to a man, 
 
 and your sister shalbe of her familiar, and neere acquaint- 
 
 aunce : but I must tell her too what be your names. After 
 
 she had harde them say, Theagenes and Cariclia, she 
 
 badde them tarry there a while, and she ranne to Arsace 
 
 189 
 
 B O O K E 
 VII 
 
 Betweene 
 whom
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E givinge charge to the dore keeper, which also was an olde 
 VII woman, that she should let no man come in, nor suffer the 
 younge folkes to go any whither abrode, No said she, not if 
 your sonne Achemenes come : for he wente out a litle while 
 after you were gonne to the church e to dresse his eie, which 
 yet is somewhat scare. No (quoth shee) not if he come but 
 locke the doore, and keeping the kaye with you, saie I have 
 carried it away. And so it happened. For Cibele was 
 scant gonne foorth, so soone, as that they there beeing 
 alone ministred to Theagenes and Cariclia good time to 
 lament, and remember their olde ill happes, so that they both 
 in maner with one minde, yea and almoste with the same 
 wordes bewailed eache other, oft cried she, O Theagenes : O 
 Cariclia, ofte said he. What fortune have we (quoth he) ? 
 In what case are we (saide shee) ? And at every worde they 
 imbraced eache other; and when they had wepte a while, 
 then fel they to kissing againe. Laste of all, when they 
 thought upon Calasiris, they bewayled him with teares : but 
 especially Cariclia, because by longer space of time shee had 
 Cariclias la- tried his love, and good will towarde her. Wherfore with 
 mentation, for teares she cried out, O good Calasiris: for I am bereft of a 
 
 Calasiris delectable name > so tnat l mav not call nim father, in as 
 much as God hath every way cut from me that name. I know 
 not the father that begotte me : him, who made me his 
 childe by adoption, alas I have betrayed. Moreover I have 
 loste him, who tooke charge of me, and hath saved, and 
 nourished me hitherto, and the crewe of priestes will not 
 suffer me to weepe over his dead body as is accustomably 
 doone in burialles. But sure my Nourse and saviour, I 
 will also call thee father, though God say nay, yet will I as 
 I may, and where I may, offer to thee of my teares and doe 
 the deathe rites with my lockes. And therwith she pulled 
 of a great handfull of her heaire, but Theagenes appeased 
 her and helde her handes softely, yet she lamented neverthe- 
 lesse, sayinge : To what ende shall we live any longer ? after 
 what hope shall we looke ? He that conducted us through 
 strange landes, was the stay of our errour, and our guide into 
 our countrie, the knoweledge of our parentes, our comforte 
 in adversities, the ease of our ill fortune, the anchore of all 
 190
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 our affairs, Calasiris is dead, and hath lefte us two, a miser- 
 able payre in a straunge lande, not knoweinge what is beste 
 to doe. Hereafter every journey by lande, every voyage by 
 water through ignorance is cut off: a grave and courteous, 
 an old and wise heade, in deede he is gonne, who never mad 
 end to doe for us. As she in this, or such like sorte lamented, 
 and Theagenes concealed his owne griefe, the rather thereby 
 to cause Cariclias sorrowe to abate, came Achemenes, and 
 findinge the gate locked, asked of the porter what a doe is 
 here? And when he knewe it was his mothers deede, he 
 came neare the doores, and considering of the cause thereof 
 in his minde, he hearde Cariclia lamente : and bowinge down 
 himselfe, looked in by certaine restes in the joynts of the 
 doore, and sawe al that was don. And then he asked her 
 that kepte the doore againe, who were within ? She answered, 
 that she knewe of no more but that there were two straungers, 
 belike a man and a mayde which his mother brought in a 
 while agoe. Then he kneeled downe againe, to see if he 
 might more perfectly knowe them. Of Cariclia he was 
 never the neere, yet he marveiled at her excellente beautie, 
 and considered what a manner of one she would be, if she 
 were not in such sorrowe, and heavinesse, and with this 
 wonderinge he privily fel in love with her : but he thought 
 he should know Theagenes, if he could call him to minde. 
 While Achemenes was thinking hereupon, Cibele returned 
 after she had tolde all how she had handled her selfe about 
 the young folkes, and called her oft most happie for her good 
 fortune, who had brought so much to passe by chaunce, as by 
 vi hundred devises one would scant have thought could be 
 done, that now she might have her lover in the house with 
 her. And when she had with many such words set Arsace 
 on fire, shee could scant rule her, shee was in such haste to 
 see him : yet shee caused her to be content, for that shee 
 would not have him to see her while her eyes were swolne 
 for lacke of sleepe, but a day after, when she had recovered 
 her old beauty againe. Thus, when she had made her 
 merrie, and ful of hope that shee should have her hearts 
 desire, and had taken order with her what was best to doe, 
 and how shee shoulde entertaine the strangers. As soone as 
 
 191 
 
 BOOKE 
 VII 
 
 Achemenes, 
 
 Sonne of 
 
 Cybele falleth 
 
 in love with 
 
 Cariclia.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E she came downe, she said to her sonne, Why be you so in- 
 VII quisitive ? tell mee, said he, what strangers De those within, 
 and of what countrey? It is not for you to know (said 
 Cibele) but conceale that which you know, and tell it to 
 no man, neither be much among the strangers, for so hath 
 our mistres given charge. So hee departed as his mother 
 bade him, and deemed that Theagenes was kept to serve 
 Arsaces turne by night. And as he went, he said thus to 
 him selfe : Is not this he whom Mytranes Captaine of the 
 watch, delivered to me to be carried to Oroondates, and 
 from him to bee sent to the great king, that the people of 
 Bessa tooke from mee, at what time I was in danger of my 
 life, so that I almost alone of all that carried him, escaped 
 with my life ? or doo mine eyes beguyle me. But I am well 
 inough now, and see as I was woont to doo. Moreover I 
 heare that Thyamis is come a day or two agoe, and in a 
 combat with his brother, recovered the Priestes office againe. 
 It is he, but I may not say so much now, but will marke 
 how our mistresse is affected toward these guestes. Thus he 
 talked with him selfe : and Cibele went in to them, and per- 
 ceived well what they had done, by reason that their eyes 
 were yet full of water, for all that they went about, when 
 they heard the doore open, to trimme them selves, and counter- 
 fetted their woonted guise. Wherefore she cryed out, and 
 said, My deare children, why weepe you out of season, when 
 ye should rejoyce, and thanke your good fortune, for that 
 Arsace thinketh to doe al the good to you she can devise, 
 and is content that to morrowe you shall come into her pre- 
 sence, and in the meane time sheweth you al manner of 
 courtesie and gentlenesse. Wherefore you must leave off 
 these foolish and childish teares, and looke up, and decke your 
 selves, and in every point do as Arsace would have you. The 
 remembraunce of Calasiris death (quoth Theagenes) caused 
 us to weepe, who have lost the fatherly affection which was 
 in him toward us. These be toyes (quoth the old woman) 
 Calasiris, and what soever fayned father els, who hath given 
 place to the common law of Nature, and age : by one woman 
 shalt thou have rule, riches, dalliance, and the fruites of a 
 flourishing youth : at a word thinke it to be your fortune, 
 192
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 and worship Arsace. Onely be ruled by me, how you shall B O O K E 
 come into her presence, seeing shee hath given such com- VII 
 maundement, and how you must use her, if shee bid you doe 
 ought : for her stomacKe is great (as you know) high and 
 Princely, augmented by youthfull age, and excellent beautie, 
 which will not have a nay, if it make any request. Thea- 
 genes staied hereat, and thought within him selfe, that in 
 this talke was conteined somewhat that was very beastly, 
 and not to be admitted. Within a while after came certaine Theagenes 
 Eunuches, which brought in a plate of golde, meate from the and Cariclia, 
 Princesse table, which passed all manner of cost and sumptu- were serve d 
 ousnes, and when they had said that their Lady had sent ^L. at" the 
 them this first intertainment for honours sake, and sette it first, but their 
 on the table, they departed. They, least they shoulde not sweete meate 
 do their dutie, tasted a litle of that which was set before had sower 
 them, and this was done at night, and ordinarily every sauce ^ t" 6 
 day after. The nexte day aboute one a clocke, the same 
 Eunuches came, to Theagenes, and saide : Right happy man, Theagenes is 
 our mistress hath sent for you, and we are commaunded to sent for to 
 bringe you to her presence : wherefore goe and injoy that Arsace. 
 happynesse, which she vouchsafeth very fewe, and at seldome 
 times. He stayed a while but at length as if he had bene 
 violently drawen, he rose against his will, and said unto them : 
 Is her commaundemente that ye bringe me alone, or that this 
 my sister shal goe with me also ? You must go alone, said 
 they, and shee shall go alone also another time : marry nowe 
 there are certaine noble men of Persia with her, and it is a 
 custome to talk with men by them selves, and with women 
 alone at another time. Then Theagenes stouped downe and 
 saide softely to Cariclia, Sure this is neither honest dealinge, 
 nor without greate suspicion. She answered him, that there 
 was no gaine saying, but that he muste goe and make such 
 countenaunce, as if he would do all her will : this donne he 
 folowed them, and when they taught him how he should 
 speake to her, and that it was the custome that such as 
 went in to her, should fal down and worshippe her, he gave 
 them no answere. When he came in and sawe her sittinge 
 in her chaire of estate, clothed in purple and clothe of golde, 
 glorious with jolly jewels, and her costly bonet, finely attyred 
 2B 193
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E and decked, with her garde about her, and the chiefe magis- 
 VII trates of the Persians by her, he was not abashed a whit but 
 rather the more incouraged against the Persian braverie, as 
 though he had quite forgotten that, whereof he talked with 
 Cariclia as touchinge reverence, and woorshipping, so that he 
 neither bowed knee, nor fell downe to her, but holding up 
 his heade alofte, saide : Arsace of royall bloude, God save 
 thee : whereat when those who were presente, were offended, 
 and grudged against him as one rashe and over boulde, in 
 that he had not worshipped her, Arsace smiled a little, and 
 answeared for him thus : Pardon him as one ignoraunt of our 
 customes, and a straunger borne in Greece, who by reason of 
 the soyle despiseth our pompe: and therewithall shee put off 
 her bonnette, sore against their willes that stoode by, for so 
 do the Persians, to render salute to those who first saluted 
 them. And when she had bidden him to be of good cheere, 
 by an interpreter (for although she understoode, yet could 
 she not speake the Greeke tongue) and willed him to speake 
 if he wanted any thinge, and he shoulde have it. She sente 
 him backe againe, commaunding her Eunuches, and garde to 
 waite uppon him : there Achemenes seing him againe, called 
 him better to his remembraunce, and for all that he sus- 
 pected the cause of the over greate honour he had, yet he 
 said nothing, but determined to doe that which firste he 
 intended. Arsace made a sumptuous banquet to the magis- 
 trates of Persia, under couler to honour them as she was 
 wonte to doe, but in deede for joy that she had talked 
 with Theagenes. To whome shee sente not onely parte of 
 her meate as shee was wonte to do, but carpettes and 
 coverings of sundry coulers wrought in Sidon and Lidia : 
 shee sente also to waite upon them a boy for him, and a 
 mayde for Cariclia, which were borne in Ionia, and aboute 
 foureteene yeeres of age. She desired Cibele hartily to 
 make haste and out of hand to do what she intended, be- 
 cause she coulde tarry no longer, who before lefte no waye 
 unsearched, but tried Theagenes minde by all manner of 
 meanes : marry shee did not tell him Arsaces minde plainely, 
 but by divers bywayes and circumstances she meante to 
 make him understande the same, by tellinge him her mistresse
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 good will to him, not onely commending her shape and BO ORE 
 beautie that all men sawe, but shee tolde him also of that VII 
 which was under her apparrell, by certaine reasonable occa- 
 sions, then praysed shee her manners for that they were 
 amiable, and nothing coy, and that she had great delight in 
 fine and able young men. The drift of her talke was to per- 
 ceive if hee had any pleasure in Venus disports. Theagenes 
 commended her good wil that shee bare to the Greekes, and 
 her friendly fashion, and els what soever shee talked of, and 
 further for the same gave her hearty thanks : but he passed 
 over that which conteined any dishonest thing as though he 
 understoode it not at the first. Wherefore the olde woman 
 was sore greeved, and nipped at the heart, for that shee 
 thought hee understoode what shee meant, but utterly de- 
 spised, and set at naught all that shee did : shee knew more- 
 over that Arsace woulde abide no longer, but began even 
 now to be angry, and tell her plainly shee could not rule 
 her selfe, wherefore she craved of her the performance of her 
 promise, which Cybele had deferred by divers delayes, some- 
 time saying that though the young man would, yet he was 
 afraide : sometime that one or other mischaunce fell in the After Cybele 
 way : and now, because five or sixe dayes were past, and h. a( * by many 
 Arsace had called for Cariclia once or twice, and used her ^{^^tnT 
 honourably, to doo Theagenes a pleasure, she was forced to i ove t jj at 
 speake more plainly to Theagenes, and tell him of her love Arsace bare 
 without circumstances, with promise that he should have sixe toward Thea- 
 hundred good turnes if hee woulde consent : adding moreover, genes, and he 
 For shame what lingering is this ? Or what may be so farre J^grgtand 
 from Venus delightes, as so faire a young man, and of good the same, she 
 age, to refuse to lie with a woman like him selfe, that dieth was forced 
 for his love, and doeth not rather account it a vauntage to plainly to tel 
 have to doo with her, especially for that hee neede to feare ^^hamelesse 
 nothing, and because her husband is out of the way, and I Oration 
 who brought her up, provide the same for him, and keepe wherein shee 
 all her counsels, be they never so secrete, and to you, for declareth 
 that you have neither Spouse, nor wife to let you, which also t ^ e P ro P er ties 
 many men that have beene in their wittes have contemned, fc^civious wo- 
 for that they knew they should doo no harme at home, and men, passing 
 should doo them selves good by gayning great richesse, finely. 
 
 195
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E accounting the fruite of thys pleasure also a good reward. 
 VII At length she interlaced certaine threates in her talke, say- 
 ing: Gentlewomen, and such as long for men, wil not be 
 appeased, but conceive great displeasure when they are 
 cruelly deceived, and will punish the stubborne as if they 
 had done them great wrong, and that not without cause. 
 Moreover, consider of her, that she is a Persian borne, and 
 of the bloud royall, as you confessed, and of great power, 
 and authoritie, so that she may preferre to honour whome 
 shee wil, and punish such as withstande her pleasure, with- 
 out controlment. As for you, you are a stranger, alone 
 without any to helpe you. Wherefore partly spare your 
 selfe, partly favour her: surely shee is woorthie that you 
 should, have regard to her, who is so furiously inflamed with 
 your love, which she of right ought to injoy, and stand in 
 doubt of the wrath which proceedeth of love, and beware of 
 the revenge which followeth like contempt. I have knowen 
 many who have repented afterward such a stomacke as this. 
 I have greater experience in these venerious affaires then you : 
 this white head that you see, hath beene at many such ban- 
 quettes, but I never knew any so violent, and uncurable as 
 you. At last shee spake to Cariclia (for shee was neces- 
 sarilie compelled to say this in her presence) My daughter 
 perswade this thy brother also, whome I know not how to 
 terme : This wil be for your availe too, you shall not be 
 loved the weight of a haire the lesse of her therefore, you 
 shall have richesse inough, and she wil provide to marry 
 you wealthilie, which thinges are to be wished for of those 
 who be in happy estate, and not of straungers, and such as 
 presently are in great povertie. Cariclia looked upon her 
 frowningly, and with burning eyes, saide : It were to be 
 wished also, and were very wel too for everybody, that good 
 Arsace had no such infirmitie, but if shee have, to use it 
 discretly. But seeing that such a humaine chaunce hath 
 happened unto her, and shee is overcommed as you say, I 
 would counsell Theagenes my selfe, not to refuse the fact if 
 he may do it without danger, least that his deede through 
 folly may breede him harme, and her no good, if this come 
 to light, and the deputie happe to know of so shamefull a 
 196
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 thing. Cibele leapte for joy when she heard this, and B O O K E 
 imbracing and kissing Cariclia, said : My daughter, thou VII 
 doest very well, that thou hast pitie uppon a woman like 
 thy selfe, and seekest for the safety of thy brother : but 
 thou needest not doubt hereof, for that the sunne (as the 
 proverbe is) shall not know thereof. Let me alone for this 
 time saide Theagenes, and give me leave to consider here- 
 uppon : and herewith Cibele went out, and as soone as shee 
 was gone Cariclia said thus : Theagenes God giveth us such 
 successe wherein is more adversitie harbored, then our out- 
 ward felicitie can contervaile : which thing seeing it is so, it 
 is the point of wise men to turne their ill happes as much 
 as they may to better, whither therefore you bee in mind 
 to do this deede or not I cannot tell : although I would not 
 be greatly against it, if there were no other way to preserve 
 us, but if you do deeme that a filthie act (as honesty and 
 duety would you should) which is requested of you, faine 
 your selfe to be contented, and with faire wordes feeding 
 the barbarous womans desire, cutte off the same with 
 delayes, and let her live in hope, least in her rage shee put 
 some cruell devise in practise against us. For it is like by 
 the grace of God, that space of time may provide some 
 remedie for this : but in any wise Theagenes, beware that 
 you fall not out of your consideration into the filthinesse of 
 the fact. Theagenes smiled hereat a little, and saide : I 
 perceive you are not without jelousie, womens natural Jelousie, a 
 disease, no not in adversitie, but be sure I cannot faine any naturall dis- 
 such thing : for to say and do unhonest thinges, are both 3 , 
 
 almost alike dishonest. And that Arsace may be out of j^ c ar j c ii a a 
 hope to obteine, bringeth another commoditie with it, that little, 
 shee will cease to trouble us any more. If I must suffer 
 any thing, as well fortune, as also the constant opinion of my 
 mind, have inured me ere nowe many times to take whatso- 
 ever shal happen. Then think, quoth Cariclia, that so you 
 shall bring us into greate mischiefe, and therewith she held 
 her tongue. While they considered of these matters, Cibele 
 went to Arsace, and incouraged her to looke for better 
 successe, and that Theagenes was content, which done, shee 
 came into the parlour alone, and said nothing that night, 
 
 197
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E but exhorted Cariclia divers waies, whome at the first shee 
 VII made her bedfellow to helpe her in this case, and in the 
 morning shee asked Theagenes what he meant to doe ? He 
 gave her a plaine deniall, and willed her never to looke for 
 any such thing at his hand. With which answere shee went 
 heavily to Arsace, where shee made report of Theagenes 
 stoutnesse. Arsace commaunded to breake his necke, and 
 went into her chamber, and vexed her selfe cruelly on her 
 bedde. The olde woman Cibele was no sooner in the 
 parlour, but her sonne Achemenes seeing her sadde, and 
 weeping, asked her : Mother, what mishap has befallen ? 
 Are there any ill newes come ? Are there any ill tidinges come 
 from the campe ? Have our enimies in this warre the upper 
 hande of our lorde Oroondates? And many such questions he 
 moved. Tush (quoth shee) thy prating is to no effect. This 
 saide, shee made hast to be gone, but he would not let her 
 alone, but went after her, and taking her by the hand, 
 besought her that shee would tell her sonne the cause of her 
 griefe. Then shee tooke him by the hande, and ledde him 
 aside into a part of the orchyard, and saide : I would never 
 have declared mine owne, and my mistresse harmes to any 
 other man. But seeing shee is in perill, and I in daunger of 
 my life (for I knowe that Arsaces madnesse will fal into my 
 neck) I am constrained to tell you, if happily you can helpe 
 her any thing, who conceived, and bare you into the worlde, 
 and nourished you with these breastes. Our mistresse doth 
 love the yong man which is in our house, not with tollerable, 
 or usual love, but so that shee is almost madde therewith : 
 about whome, shee, and I hoping to speede well as we 
 would, lost our labour : hence came all courtesies, and mani- 
 fold good wil toward the strangers. But now seeing the 
 yong man like a foole, and cruel felow which wil not be 
 ruled, hath refused to doe as we would have him. I thinke 
 she will not live, and I looke to be slaine, and in this case are 
 we nowe. If then thou canst helpe me anything, doo it : if 
 not, yet when thy mother is deade, see that her death rites 
 be duely finished. What reward shall I have mother (said he) 
 for I have no leasure to boast my selfe, or with long circum- 
 stances to promise you any helpe, seing you bee in such and 
 198
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 so desperate a case. Looke for what soever you will, for she 
 hath made you her cheefe cuppe bearer for my sake already, 
 and if thou have any higher office in thy head, tell mee. As 
 for the riches that thou shalt have in recompence if thou 
 save her, unhappy creature, of them shall bee no number. 
 Mother, (quoth he) I perceived as much a good while a goe, 
 but I said nothing, and looked ever what would come of it. 
 But I care for no honour, nor regard any riches, but if shee 
 will give me the maide which is called Theagenes sister to 
 wife, shee shall have her hearts desire. For mother, I love 
 that maide without measure. Wherefore seeing our mistresse 
 knoweth by her owne case, what and how great a griefe love 
 is, shee hath good cause to helpe him who is sicke of that 
 disease also, seeing further he promised her so good lucke. 
 Have no doubt, said Cibele, for our mistresse wil requite 
 you without delay, when you shall have done thus much for 
 ner, and saved her in such distresse : beside perhappes wee 
 may perswade the maide our selves, to doo this without 
 troubling her, but tell me howe you will helpe her. I will not 
 tell you (said he) before I have a promise confirmed by the 
 oth of our lady : as for you till then say nothing to the 
 maide least you marre your markette against your will. For 
 I see well that she has a loftie stomache also. Shee promised 
 that he should have his desire, and therewith shee went into 
 the chamber to Arsace, and falling uppon her knees, badde 
 her be of good cheere, for by the grace of God all shall be 
 well, onely send for my sonne Achemenes to come to you. 
 Let him be called (quoth Arsace) if you meane not to 
 deceive mee againe. Achemenes came in, and when Cibele 
 had tolde her al the matter, Arsace sware by expresse 
 wordes, that he should have his desire, as touching the mar- 
 riage of Theagenes sister. Then said Achemenes, lette 
 Theagenes henceforth be quiet, because for al that hee is 
 your bonde man, yet he behaveth him selfe so stubbornly 
 against his mistresse. How say you this, said Arsace ? Then 
 Achemenes tolde her all, that Theagenes was taken prisoner 
 by order of warre, that Mytranes sent him to Oroondates, 
 from him to be conveyed to the great king, that he him selfe 
 as he carried him, by meanes of the comming of the inhabi- 
 
 199 
 
 BOOKE 
 VII 
 
 Love is a 
 
 mischievous 
 
 thing. 
 
 Arsace swear- 
 eth to give 
 Cariclia in 
 marriage to 
 Achemenes, 
 inrecompence 
 wherof he 
 proveth Thea- 
 genes to be 
 her bondman.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E tants of Bessa and Thyamis, lost him, that hee hardly escaped 
 VII with his life : lastly beside all this he shewed Mytranes owne 
 letters to Arsace readily : and if there were neede of any more 
 proofe, he would have Thyamis for a witnesse. Arsace came 
 somewhat to her selfe when shee heard this, and made no 
 delay but came out of her chamber, and sitting in the seate 
 where shee had woont to heare and give judgement of 
 matters, shee commaunded Theagenes to be brought before 
 her. As soone as he came, she asked him if he knew 
 Achemenes which stoode by him. He said yea. Were you 
 not once his prisoner, quoth shee ? Theagenes confessed that 
 he was. Then are you our bonde man, said shee, wherefore 
 you shall do as becommeth a lowly servant, and be ruled by 
 my will whither you will or no. As for your sister I have 
 betrothed her to Achemenes, who is chief about us, as wel 
 for his mothers sake, as also for his owne good will and 
 behaviour toward us, so long delaying the marriage, untill we 
 may gette such things, as are needeful against that day to 
 make a sumptuous feast. Theagenes was hitte with these 
 wordes, as with a greevous wound, yet he would not contrary 
 her, but woulde avoide her force, as a man would shun 
 the violent assault of some wild beast, and said : Lady, the 
 Goddes be thanked, for that in as much as we are well 
 borne, in our adversitie it is our good happe to be bounde to 
 none but you, who have shewed unto us straungers and aliens 
 borne, so great humanitie and good will. But my sister for 
 all that shee is not prisoner nor bond, yet shall shee be ready 
 to doo you service as shall please you, wherefore tell us 
 what you will have her to do with reason. Lette her (quoth 
 Arsace) be one of our waiters at our table, and learne to 
 serve our cuppes of Achemenes, that shee may be inured 
 before to serve at the princes table. This done they went 
 out, Theagenes was verie heavie, and devised of that whicli 
 he had to doo, but Achemenes laughed, and scorned him 
 with such like words. Loe, you who were but lately so 
 proude and lofty, and bare your head so high, that you 
 seemed to be free alone, and thought scorne to submit your 
 selfe and worshippe Arsace, what kind of fellow are you 
 nowe ? surely if you stoupe not now, you shall be taught 
 200
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 with fists to knowe your duety. Arsace, when shee had sent all B O O K E 
 other from her, saide to Cibele : Now Cibele he hath no more VI1 
 excuses, wherefore tell this proud fellowe, that if he will be 
 ruled by us, and do our wil, he shalbe made free, and have 
 plenty of al things : but if he will be stil in a contrary minde, 
 and despise his lover, he shall understand that his mistresse 
 is angry, and be made the vilest slave of all other, and be 
 tormented with all manner of punishmentes. Cibele came 
 and told Arsaces commaundement, and added of her owne, 
 what shee thought was available to perswade him. Thea- 
 genes desired her to stay a while, and tooke Cariclia alone, 
 and saide thus : Nowe are wee quite undone, Cariclia, every 
 cable (as is the proverbe) is broken, every anchore of hope is 
 lost, now are we no longer with free names in miserie, but 
 are bond againe : (and therewith he told her howe) now are 
 wee subjectes to the reprochfull scoffes, and torments of the 
 Barbarians, so that either wee must do as they will have us, 
 in whose handes we are, or else shall we be murdered among 
 the condemned persons : yet this were tollerable, if Arsace 
 had not promised (which is the most greevous thing of al) 
 to marrie you to Achemenes, Cibeles sonne. And it is 
 plaine, that either that shall not bee done at all, or I will 
 not see it done as long as life will give me leave, with 
 swoorde, and armour to withstand the same. But what shall 
 wee doe? or what way shall we devise to break off my 
 abominable fact with Arsace, and your shamefull marriage 
 with Achemenes ? You may (quoth Cariclia) in approving 
 the one, disannull the other which toucheth me. Be content 
 (quoth he). God defend that the anger of any heavenly mind 
 should be so vehement against us, that I, who had never to 
 doe with Cariclia, should incesteously meddle with another. 
 But I thinke I have found a good remedie presently : surely Necessitie de- 
 necessitie is the deviser of all manner of shiftes. Aiid there- viseth many 
 withall he went aside to Cibele, and said, Tell your mistresse shiftes. 
 that I would speake with her alone : so that no man might 
 heare. The olde woman thinking this to be that they looked 
 for, and that Theagenes would now do that they would have 
 him, went hastily to Arsace, and received commaundement 
 to bring him after supper, which shee did. For after shee 
 2C 201
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E had charged those, who were neare at hand to be still, and 
 
 VII let her raistresse take her ease, without sturring aboute the 
 
 chamber, shee conveied in Theagenes privily, for every 
 
 place was very darke, so that one might worke secretely 
 
 ynough, and there was no light but a candle in her chamber. 
 
 When shee had thus done, shee woulde have shrunke away, 
 
 but Theagenes staied her and said : Mistresse, for this time let 
 
 Cibele be here, for I know that she is very trusty to keepe 
 
 counsell. And then he tooke Arsace by the hand, and 
 
 Theagenes his spake thus : Mistresse, I prolonged not the doing of that 
 
 talke with Ar- vou commaunded me because I would anger you, but that I 
 
 ?a ce j whereby might provide securitie for my fact. 
 
 riage of Caric- And now seem g that fortune by very good lucke hath made 
 Ha and Ache- me your servaunt, I am the more ready to do your will in 
 menes broken all pointes. But first I must pray you to graunt me one 
 ff' thing, in steede of the great and manifold benefites that 
 you have promised mee : breake of the marriage of Cariclia 
 It is not meet and Achemenes. For (that I say no more) it is no reason 
 that a woman that a woman of very high parentage should be matched 
 of good ^^ a y -j e ^ an( j k^d s l a ve: els I sweare to you by the 
 should bemar- sunne, the fairest of all the Goddes, and al the rest of the 
 riedtoabonde Goddes also, that I will never doo what you would have me, 
 slave. and before Cariclia sustaine any violence, you shall see me 
 slay my selfe. Arsace answered him, Thinke not but that I 
 will doo what I may to pleasure you, as one who is readie 
 to deliver her selfe into your hands. But I have promised 
 by oath to marrie your sister to Achemenes. It is well then 
 (quoth he). Marry my sister if you list : but her, whom I 
 love, and is my spouse, yea and my wife, I knowe you will 
 not marrie : neither if you would, may you. What meane 
 you by this (said she ?) I meane the troth, (aunswered he), 
 for Cariclia is not my sister, but my spouse. A manifest 
 token whereof you shall have when you please, if you list 
 to make a bridall for us. This nipt her, when shee heard 
 that Cariclia was his wife, so that shee fell into a great 
 jelousie : yet for al that shee said, You shal have your de- 
 sire, and we wil appease Achemenes with another wife. And 
 I wil perfourme my promise (said Theagenes) when this is 
 undone. And then he bent himselfe downe to kisse her hand, 
 202
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 but in steede of her hand, she kissed him with her mouth. B O O K E 
 And so Theagenes wente out with a kisse of hers : but he VII 
 kissed her not againe. And as soone as he gotte leasure, he 
 told Cariclia all, who heard somewhat that made her jelous 
 also. He added moreover the straunge end that his promise 
 tended unto, and howe by that thing alone he had wrought 
 many feates, Achemenes wedding was defeated, and a delay 
 was found for Arsaces luste. But that which was the chiefe 
 of all, was that Achemenes would sette all on a broile, being 
 offended, as wel for that he was beguiled of that he hoped 
 for, as also because he sawe me in better favour with Arsace, 
 then himselfe : for he shall knowe all this by his mother, in 
 as much as I foresaw that shee should be there to heare that 
 I saide, both because I would have her tell Achemenes this, 
 and have her a witnesse also of the familiaritie, which in 
 onely words passed betweene us : for although it were inough 
 before God to have a clear conscience, yet it is honestie for An excellent 
 a man to leade his life so (which lasteth here but a little sentence. 
 while) that men may have such opinion too. He told her 
 moreover it was to be thought Achemenes would be revenged 
 of Arsace, being a slave borne (for it is almost seene every 
 where, that that which is under obedience, is contrary to 
 that which hath authoritie over it) and wronged beside, and 
 beguiled of an oath seeing other better esteemed then him 
 selfe, whose minde is guiltie of all mischiefe, and ill behaviour, 
 and needeth to be taught to worke no manner of knaverie, as 
 many men beeing angrie have attempted the like, and seeing 
 hee hath a just quarrell whereupon to seeke revenge. The 
 nexte day after he had tolde Cariclia these thinges, and 
 exhorted her yet to have a little hope, he was leadd of 
 Achemenes to waite at her table, for so Arsace commaunded 
 him to do. For that purpose she sente him costly apparrell, 
 a chaine and bracelettes of golde, and other riche jeweles : 
 parte whereof willingely, parte against his will he put on. 
 And when Achemenes beganne to teache him howe he should 
 serve her the cuppe, he ranne to a table by, where on stoode 
 much plate, ana taking a pretious glasse in his hande, said : 
 I neede not to be taughte, but I wil of mine owne heade 
 serve my mistresse, without suche curiositie in these so easie 
 
 203
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTDRIE 
 
 B O O K E matters. As for you, fortunes favour caused you to knowe 
 VII suche thinges, but nature and time, can teache me what I 
 Theagenes have to do. And then he powred in wine softly, and hold- 
 giveth Ache- ing the glasse finely with the tippes of his fingers, goeinge 
 menes a cruel w jth a seemely, and fitte pace, delivered it to Arsace : and 
 this draught sette her more on fire then she was before ; 
 because the drinking, and lookinge upon Theagenes at one 
 time, supped more of his love, then of the wine, neither did 
 she drinke that quite offe, that was filled, but in greate 
 sleighte, in a manner she drunke to Theagenes, and leafte 
 him a litle. On the other side Achemenes was offended to, 
 and moved, as wel with anger, as emulation, so that Arsace 
 perceived it, for that he so scornefully looked upon him, 
 and whispered somewhat to those whiche stoode by. When 
 dinner was done, Theagenes saide : Mistresse, I pray you 
 graunte me this my firste requeste, let none but me weare 
 this towel in servinge at your table. Arsace was contente. 
 And when he went out as he was wonte to do, Achemenes 
 went out with him to, and taunted him scare for his to 
 much diligence, and tolde him that suche rashenesse was 
 very childishe, and that their mistresse at the first winked 
 at this fact because he was a stranger, and knewe no fashion : 
 but if you continue and be so stubberne still (sayde he) you 
 shal not please her longe : and that he counselled him as a 
 freende, and one that should be his kinsman shortely, and 
 much more like this he sayd : but he passed by him as 
 though he heard him not, but looked still downe to 
 the ground, untill Cibele came by chaunce, and went to 
 have her mistresse to sleepe in the after noone. And see- 
 ing her sonne sadde asked what he ailed, he answered This 
 straunge yonker is honoured above me, both yesterday, and 
 to day, who for a shewe of finenes is commaunded nowe alone, 
 to be her cupbearer: and biddinge us who are her chiefe 
 servitours farewel, he raught her the glasse, and stoode 
 next the princes body, so that our honour, which is but 
 an honour by name, is utterly despised. And that were 
 not so ill, that he shoulde be more honored and better 
 preferred, and be more privie then we, who by to peevishe 
 reason do keepe his counsell, and helpe him therein, but this 
 204
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 oughte by no meanes to be suffered, so that he should use us, B O O K E 
 who are servitours, and companions in the way of honestie in VII 
 such sorte, without checke or taunte : but we will find another 
 time to talke of these matters. Now mother I would faine 
 see my wife Cariclia, if by looking upon her I may some- 
 what abate this griefe of my minde. What wife, sonne, 
 sayd Cibele ? You seeme to chafe at trifles and knowe not 
 the greatest matters. Now shalt thou not marry Cariclia. 
 What say you mother (quoth he) am I not worthy to marry 
 her, who is my fellowe servant ? Why so I pray you ? For 
 our to good will and unlawfull service towarde Arsace, 
 answered shee. For although we sette more by her, then our 
 own ease, and preferred her desire before our owne lives, 
 doing all that we coulde to pleasure her. Yet as soone as 
 this gentle and goodly lover of hers, came into her chamber, 
 the sight of him did so much persuade her, that it made 
 her breake the othe she sware, and caused her to assure 
 Cariclia to him, telling her that shee was not his sister, 
 but his spouse. Did she then promise him this mother 
 (quoth he) ? Yea sonne, answered Cibele, she promised him 
 this while I was by, and heard it, and meaneth within 
 these fewe dayes to make their wedding in sumptuous sort, 
 and wil marry thee to some other. Achemenes was very 
 sorrowfull for these tidings, and wringing his hands, hee 
 sayde thus, I will make this a sorrowfull wedding to them 
 al. Only helpe me to prolong the same for a while, and 
 if any man aske for me, say I am sore sicke in the countrey. 
 And doeth this gentleman call his sister his wife ? as 
 though it might not be understoode that he dooth it for 
 none other purpose but to disanul that which was graunted 
 me by promise, as though it were not his sister, but his wife, 
 if hee imbrace, colle and kisse her as now hee doeth, yea 
 although he lie with her, I and the Goddes whose religion 
 is violated by breaking of an oath, will see to this wel What anger, 
 inough. This saide, anger and jelousie, love and frustra- jelousie, love 
 tion of that he looked for, set him on such fire (all which m * 
 thinges were sufficient to trouble an other man though no doe. 
 barbarous fellow) that without waying reasonably what he 
 meant to doe, but liking his devise at the first, he leapt upon 
 
 205
 
 B O O K E a horse of Armenia, which the deputie kept for royalties and 
 VI1 brave sights, as soone as he could conveniently get him, and 
 went to Oroondates, who was then mustering his army 
 against the Aethiopians, and making all manner of 
 provision, as wel of men and weapons, as also 
 other things necessarie for the warre. 
 
 HEEE ENDETH THE SEVENTH BOOKE 
 
 206
 
 THE EIGHTH BOOKE
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE EIGHTH BOOKE 
 
 THIS booke conteyneth the warre, and cause thereof betweene Hidaspes 
 King of Aethiopia, and Oroondates Lieutenaunt of Egypt. Also the 
 complainte that Achemenes made to Oroondates, of Arsace, with a 
 commendation of Cariclia and Theagenes to him : who sendeth for them 
 Bagoas, one of his Eunuches. But before he came, Theagenes was 
 sore tormented because he would not consent to Arsaces unlawfull 
 desire. Cariclia also because she was thought to hinder Arsaces 
 purpose, should have beene privilie poysoned by Cybele, Arsaces 
 bawde : but the mischiefe fel upon her selfe. Marry Cariclia was 
 accused therfore, and should have bene burned, but is wonder- 
 fully delivered by vertue of a precious stone called Pantarbe. Then 
 commeth Bagoas, and taketh them away : for sorrowe wherof 
 Arsace hangeth her selfe. After this, Bagoas and they fall 
 into the foreriders of the Aethiopian armie, and are 
 taken prisoners, and carried to Hidaspes. 
 
 208
 
 THE EIGHTH BOOKE 
 
 OR the king of Aethiopia, when he had 
 beguiled Oroondates, and obtayned halfe 
 of that they contended for and wanne the 
 citie Philse, which alwaies is easie to be 
 conquered, by his speedy comming upon 
 them drave him to great want, so that 
 for the most part he inforced him to 
 travell in hast, and without order. For 
 
 the citie Philae is situated upon the bankes of Nilus, a little Philae, Siene, 
 above the lesser sluces, about twelve mile and a halfe from Eliphantina, 
 Siene and Elephantina. This citie because the outlawes of a 
 Egypt tooke and inhabited it, caused the Aethiopians and 
 Aegyptians to contende about the same. The Aethiopians 
 wil have the borders of Aethiopia to stretch unto the sluces, 
 and the Aegyptians chalenge Philae, because their outlawes 
 inhabited the same, as if it had beene wonne by warre. 
 And because that citie continually was now under the one, 
 and then streight under the other, and would be theirs who 
 first came and conquered it, at that time therein was a garri- 
 son of Aegyptians and Persians. The king of Aethiopia 
 required to have Philae, and the Mines out of which were 
 digged the precious stones called Smaragdi, of Oroondates, 
 and having made suche requested as is sayd before, and coulde 
 not obtaine, he commaunded his legates to goe a fewe dayes 
 journey before, and he followed him selfe well provided of all 
 2D 209
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E manner of furniture, as if he woulde have made some other 
 
 VIII warre, but he tolde no man which way he woulde bende the 
 
 strength of his army. After he supposed that his ambas- 
 
 sadours were passed Phile, and had filled the inhabitantes 
 
 with securitie, and carelesnesse, for that they bruted abrode 
 
 that they wente with commission to conclude a peace, and 
 
 A wise policie amitie, he came soudainly upon them, and caste out the 
 
 whereby Hy- garrison which was not able to sustaine the force of theire 
 
 daS pvi t0 k en ^ m ^ es J an d the engines wherewith their walls were battered 
 ** above two or three dayes, and so tooke the citie, and did no 
 manner of wronge to any of the inhabitauntes thereof. By 
 reason of these newes, Achemenes founde Oroondates scare 
 troubled, being by this time certified of all that happened 
 by one who fled from thence, but he troubled him a great 
 deale more, because he came so soudainly, and unsent for. 
 Wherefore he asked him foorthewith, whether any mischance 
 was befallen Arsace, and the rest of his family at home. He 
 answered that there was, but he would tell him in counsell. 
 When every man els was departed, he tolde him howe 
 Theagenes was taken prisoner of Mytranes, and sent to 
 him, so to be conveied to the greate kinge, if he thought it 
 good : for the yonge man was worthy to be placed in the 
 courte, and to waite at the kinges owne table. Then howe 
 he was rescued by the inabytanntes of Bessa, who also slewe 
 Mytranes, and after that came to Memphis, and thereto he 
 
 Achemenes added Thyamis estate. Laste of all he tolde him of Arsaces 
 
 doth accuse love towarde Theagenes, and howe he was brought to the 
 Arsace to her kinges lodging, with the honour which she gave him in 
 
 Oroondates token of her good wil, and al the service he did, and howe 
 that yet there was no harme done, by reason that the yonge 
 man withstode, and woulde not : marry it was to be doubted 
 by continuance of time, or violence, he mighte be forced if 
 some man did not the soone fetche him from Memphis, and 
 so cutte off all the rest of Arsaces love. And for that cause 
 he came privily to tel him speedily thereof for that his love 
 to his master was such, that it coulde not conceale what he 
 knew to be contrary to his plesure. When he had angered 
 Oroondates with this tale, and he was nowe throughly 
 chafed, and in will to be revenged, he kindled in him a newe 
 210
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 desire, by talking of Cariclia, commending her highely, BOOKE 
 
 praysinge woonderfully her beautie and comelinesse, as she VIII 
 
 wel deserved, sayinge : that there never was seene such a 
 
 one before, nor might not be such an other after. Accompte 
 
 (quoth he) all your concubines, not onely those that are 
 
 at Memphis, but those also which followe you here, not 
 
 to be woorthe a rushe, in comparison of her. He tolde 
 
 him many other things beside this : trustinge that although 
 
 Oroondates had to do with Cariclia, yet within a while after 
 
 he should have her to wife, when he required her in recom- 
 
 pence of this discovery. By this time was the deputie soare 
 
 moved, being wrapped as wel in the snares of anger as 
 
 desire. So that without delay he called for Bagoas, one of Oroondates 
 
 his Eunuches, which was in greatest authoritie, and best sendeth Ba- 
 
 trusted of him, and delivered to him fiftie horsemen, and sent ^The^enes 16 
 
 him to Memphis, with commaundement to bring Theagenes and Cariclia to 
 
 and Cariclia, wheresoever he firste might see them, to him : him. 
 
 he wrote a letter to Arsace beside, in this manner. 
 
 OROONDATES TO ARSACE. 
 
 Sende Theagenes and Cariclia brother and sister, beinge His letters to 
 the kings prysoners to me, to be conveyed to the kinge : Arsace. 
 and send them willingly, because whither you wil or not, 
 they shalbe taken from you, and I will credite Achemenes. 
 
 TO EUPHRATES CHIEFE EUNUCH AT MEMPHIS, 
 
 he wrote thus. 
 
 Of the negligent ordering of my house, you shal hereafter His letters to 
 give account. At this time deliver to Bagoas the two Euphrates. 
 Grsecian prisoners, to be brought to mee, whether Arsace be 
 content therewith or not : without excuse let them be 
 delivered, els know that I have commaunded to bring thee 
 also in bonds, that thou maist be put out of thine office. 
 Bagoas went about his busines, and had his letters sealed 
 with the deputies owne signet : that those who were at 
 Memphis should the better credite them, and deliver to 
 him the young folkes. Oroondates also went him selfe to 
 war against the Aethiopians. Achemenes was commaunded 
 to followe him too, and certaine men were privilie set to 
 keepe him, hee thinking nothing lesse, until that was 
 
 211
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E prooved true, which he had shewed him. And about this 
 VIII time these things were done at Memphis. Presently after 
 Achemenes was gone, and Thyamis was fid priest, and 
 therfore the chiefe of that citie, and had perfourmed what 
 so ever apperteined to the burial of Calasiris within the 
 appointed daies, he remembred to make inquirie after 
 Theagenes and Cariclia, because now it was lawfull for the 
 Priestes by their owne ordinaunces to deale with straungers. 
 After he had made diligent search every where for them, he 
 heard that they were lodged in the Princes Court, wherefore 
 Thyamis de- he went to Arsace in haste, and asked for them, as though 
 sireth to have f or man y causes they appertained to him, but especially for 
 and 6 ^riclia ^ na ^ n * s f a t ner Calasiris, with the last words he spake, corn- 
 to provide for maunded him to provide for their living, and defend them 
 them, as his from wrong. And that he gave her thanks for so cour- 
 father com- teously entertaining them those fewe daies, wherein it was 
 manded him. no j. i aw f u u f or anv b u t sucn ^ were j n orders, to be in the 
 Church. Marry now he desired to have them him selfe 
 againe. Arsace answered him thus : I marvell that for all 
 you with your owne words commended us for our humanitie 
 and gentlenesse, that yee wil condemne us straight againe, 
 of discurtesie and incivilitie, whilest you would have us seeme 
 that either we can not, or wil not provide for strangers, and 
 doe for them as reason shall require. I meane not so, said 
 Thyamis, for I know that they shal fare better here with 
 you, then at my house, if they would abide, but seeing they 
 bee of good parentage, and have beene diversly tormented 
 with fortune, and presently are from their native countrey : 
 Though a man they care for nothing so much as to recover their frendes, 
 doe travell an( J gette home againe. Wherein that I should helpe them, 
 of Ms 6 (fuST m y ^ atner hath kft me his heire, who have also beside this 
 yet he desir- further causes of amitie with them. You doe wel said 
 eth to drawe Arsace that you leave brawling, and pleade equitie : which 
 homeward at shall be so much the more on our side, by how much to rule 
 length. j s Q f greater force, then fondly to provide for. Thyamis 
 hom^lmth^no won dered at this, and said, Have you rule over them ? how 
 fellowe. I pray you ? By Martiall law (quoth shee) which maketh 
 prisoners bond servants. Then perceived Thyamis that she 
 spake of Mytranes, and said : But there is no warre, Arsace, 
 212
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 but peace at this time. The propertie in deede of the one B O O K E 
 bringeth into bondage, but the other maketh free. The Vi H 
 one is a tirannous will, the other a Princely decree. At The proper- 
 a word, warre and peace ought not to be scanned by their ties of warre 
 names, but by the meaning and intent of those who have to peace. 
 
 doo therein. Wherefore you shall make a better definition 
 of equitie, if you consent to this. So shal neither honestie Arsace deni- 
 nor profitablenes come in question. For what honestie is it eth the deliy - 
 for you, or what gaine to say unreasonably, that you will 
 
 t 
 withhold from me these strangers ? Arsace could rule her Thyamis and 
 
 selfe no longer, but that chaunced unto her which is common in so doing 
 to all lovers, so long as they thinke they are not spied, they doeth declare 
 blushe, but when they are perceived, they are past all shame. ? propertie 
 The secrete lover is not very hastie, but he that is taken Lovers 
 with the manner is made more bold. As her guilty minde 
 accused her, who thinking that Thyamis suspected somewhat, 
 set not a rush by the priest, nor the honour of his priest- 
 hoode, but casting off all womanly shamfastnesse, said : You 
 shall not be pardoned, neither for that you did to Mytranes, 
 but there will be a time, when Oroondates wil take revenge 
 of them, who slue him, and those also who were with 
 them. As for these, I will not part with them, who 
 presently are my servaunts, and within a short space must 
 be sent to my brother the great king, according to the 
 Persian custome. Wherefore play the oratour as long as 
 ye liste, and define justice, honesty, and utilitie, you loose 
 your labour, because he who hath power over another, 
 needeth none of these but measureth ech of them as he 
 thinketh good, and gette you straight out of our court, 
 and that willingly, least, if you deale unadvisedly, you be 
 forced to depart spite of your teeth. Then wente Thyamis 
 away calling the Goddes to witnesse, and said nothing else, 
 but that these things would not come to good end, yet he 
 thought to tell this to the citie, and crave the ayde thereof 
 herein. When Arsace had said, I care not for your office 
 (for love careth onely for that which may helpe to gette 
 that it desireth) shee went into her chamber, whither send- 
 ing for Cibele shee devised of that they had to doe. For by 
 this time shee beganne to suspect that Achemenes was gonne 
 
 213
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E to Oroondates because he came not into sight. And Cibele 
 VIII if a t any time shee asked for him made diverse and sundrie 
 excuses, to perswade her any thing rather, then that he was 
 gone to Oroondates ; for all that shee was not beleeved 
 alwaies, but now for the continuance of time shee lost 
 her credite quite. Then spake Arsace, and said : Cibele, 
 what shall we nowe doo ? what way may be devised to rid 
 me out of all these perils that I am in ? my love relenteth 
 no whitte, but is rather greater and greater, as though the 
 yong man by his obstinatenesse gave mee occasion therof, 
 who is cruel and wil not be ruled, and was more gentle 
 before then nowe : then he comforted mee with fayre pro- 
 mises, but now he openly refuseth to do my request, and 
 I am greeved the more for feare least he have heard of 
 Achemenes, that which I suspect, and therefore is the rather 
 afraide to doe it. Surely Achemenes angereth me above all 
 other thinges, who is gone to Oroondates and is like either 
 to perswade him, or else tel him a wonderful tale. But let 
 me onely see Oroondates, I knowe he will not be able to 
 abide one flattering welcome, or the least teare of Arsaces 
 What women eyes. For womens eyes and such as dwell in one house 
 which dwell together, be of great force to perswade men. But this 
 together with g r j ev eth me most, if happily I be accused, yea and punished 
 before I have Theagenes, if Oroondates heare any thing 
 hereof. Wherefore Cibele now turne every stone, devise al 
 manner of meanes, seeing you knowe that we are brought into 
 extremitie. And thinke sith I dispaire of my selfe, that 
 I will spare no other: for thou shalt have the first com- 
 moditie that ariseth of thy sonnes attemptes, whereof how 
 thou shouldest be ignoraunt, I cannot surmise. Cibele 
 answered : As touching my sonne, and my fidelitie to you 
 mistresse, you shall know in the end that you are deceived. 
 And further for that you so slackly handle your owne love, 
 Cybeles un- there is no cause why you should blame other that are 
 happy coun- blamelesse : for you commaund him not as a mistresse, but 
 sell to Arsace fl a ^ er hj m like a servaunt, which perhappes was well done 
 * * a * * ne ^ rs ^' wnen we deemed him to be of a weake and youth- 
 full courage. But now because he standeth so stifly against 
 his lover, lette him trie and know you for his mistresse, and 
 214
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 with whippes and tormentes be gladde to yeelde to your BOOKE 
 pleasure : for young men regard not, when they bee prayed, VIII 
 but when they be forced then begin they to stoupe. Wher- 
 fore this also with paine will do that which before, while he 
 was gently handled, he would not. You seeme to say well, 
 (quoth Arsace) but how can I abide with mine eies, to see 
 that body of his scorged or otherwise to be tormented ? 
 she answered again : You are to pitiful, as though a litle 
 pain wil not make him better advised, and you with his 
 little griefe shall have al your desire. But you neede not 
 with your eies see what shalbe done to him, but deliver 
 him to Euphrates and commaund him to punish him as it 
 were for some other offence, so shall you not see that which 
 will put you to paine (for it is nothing so grievous to heare of What the eye 
 an ill chance as with eies to see the same) and if wee perceive seeth not, the 
 that he relent and chaunge his minde we may deliver him 
 from his paine. Arsace was content to be perswaded, and 
 sent for Euphrates the chiefe Eunuche, and commaunded 
 him to do as they had devised. He, as well for that he was 
 in jelousie, as all Eunuches are, as also for other thinges AllEunuches 
 that he sawe and surmised, was offended with Theagenes, are by nature 
 by and by laid him in irons, and tormented him with hunger jea ous ' 
 and stripes, being inclosed in a darke house. And when 
 Theagenes who knewe the cause hereof well ynough, but 
 would seeme to be ignorant, asked him why he was thus 
 handled, he would give him no answere: but every day 
 augmented his paines, and tormented him more then either 
 Arsace would, or had commaunded, and never suffered any 
 man to goe in to him but Cibele, for so had he commande- 
 ment. Shee came to him very oft, and made as though shee 
 had brought him meate privily, as if shee had bene sorie for 
 his mishap, by reason of the acquaintance which shee had 
 with him, but in deede to see if he relented any whit for these 
 paines, and how he was presently minded. But he plaied 
 the man a great deale more, and withstood them most of all 
 then, and suffered his body to be afflicted : but by reason of 
 his chastity, he tooke a lofty stomach to him, and rejoyced, 
 and gloried in that fortune, because though his greatest 
 part was tormented, yet his best, and most noble part was 
 
 215
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE well pleased, and for that he now had occasion to declare 
 VIII what good wil he bare to Cariclia. He thought it went very 
 wel with him, if she might but know thereof, and still could 
 call her his joy, his hart, and life. Which when Cibele sawe, 
 although shee contrarie to Arsaces mind (which was, that he 
 should be but little punished, untill he relented, and not 
 tormented to death) had brought Euphrates woord to 
 augment his punishment, and so could prevaile no whitte, 
 but was quite without hope, and shee beganne nowe by ex- 
 perience to perceive in what miseries he was : sometimes shee 
 was afraid of Oroondates, if Achemenes told him hereof: 
 sometime least Arsace, if her love were perceived, woulde kill 
 her selfe, she determined to labour contrary to all that was 
 like to fall uppon her, and with some passing mischiefe either 
 to execute Arsaces pleasure, and so to avoide her present 
 perill, or else to take away all that might make ought against 
 her, by killing of them all. And in that mind shee went to 
 Arsace, and saide : Mistresse, we loose our labour. For that 
 obstinate fellowe relenteth no whit, but is more wilfull, and 
 hath Cariclia alwaies in his mouth, and comforteth him selfe 
 with her name, as if it were the dearest thing in the world to 
 him. Wherefore if it please you, let us as the Proverbe 
 saith, cast our last anchore, and seeke some meanes to make 
 her away, which is so great a let to us. For if hee shall 
 knowe that shee is dead, it is like that he will change his 
 minde, when he shall bee out of al hope of her love. Arsace 
 was ready to beleeve her, for that through her words, the 
 jelousie that shee was in a good while before, was now by 
 anger increased, and sayde : You give mee good counsel!, I 
 will take upon me to commaund this stop to be removed. 
 Who wil doo your commandement in this point (quoth 
 Cibele ?) For although you have all things in your hands, 
 yet the lawes will not let you kill one without the judgement 
 of the Persian magistrates. You shall have neede therefore 
 to take great heede how you accuse the maide, and then it 
 is doubtfull whither wee shall be able to prove that which 
 
 ., wee lay to her charge. But if you shall thinke it good (for 
 Cybele goeth T ' ji .r ^ I\T-IJ- 
 
 about to poi- ^ am rea dj to do any thing for your sake) I wil dispatch this 
 
 son Cariclia. matter with poyson, and by meanes of a subtile cuppe, ridde 
 216
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 our adversarie of her life. Arsace allowed her devise, and bad B O O K E 
 her put it in practise, and shee went about it forthwith all. VIII 
 And when she found Cariclia weeping and making great moane, 
 and did nothing but devise many wayes to die (for by this 
 time she perceived in what case Theagenes was, although 
 Cibele at the first had by diverse subtile meanes deluded her, 
 and made sundry excuses, for that shee saw him not as shee 
 was woont to doo,) she said : Unhappy creature wilt thou not 
 yet leave to pine thy selfe, and consume away to no purpose ? 
 beholde, Theagenes shall be sette at libertie this night, and 
 come to thee, for our mistresse, who for a certaine offence 
 that he committed in serving her, was angered, and com- 
 maunded him to .ward, hath promised this day (partely at 
 my request) to set him at liberty and to celebrate a sump- 
 tuous feast according to the custome of this countrie. 
 Wherefore arise and be merry, and at length yet eate some- 
 what with us. How should I beleeve you (said Cariclia ?) 
 For your continuall lying hath so ofte beguiled mee, that I 
 cannot give credite to any thing that you say. Then said 
 Cibele, I sweare unto you by all the Gods, that all your 
 businesse shal be dispatched this day in such sort, that you 
 shall never neede to take more care hereafter, if you kill not 
 your self before, by refraining thus many daies from meate. 
 Wherefore eate some bitte of that which is provided at this 
 time. Cariclia was content with much a doo, neverthelesse We soone be- 
 shee doubted that shee would deceive her as many times shee leeve what we 
 had done before, but because of her oth she partly agreed, J^ Q ^ 
 and was glad to take holde of that which was promised : for 
 the minde doth quickly give credite to that which it ear- Cybele doth 
 nestly desireth. So they satte downe together, and did eate. &11 into the 
 And as Aura served them of drinke Cibele beckened to her pitte that shee 
 that shee should bring first to Cariclia the poisoned cuppe, Q^clia wher- 
 and after her shee dranke herselfe of another cuppe. Shee by we may see 
 had scante drunke it off, but shee beganne to swell and was that evil coun- 
 cruelly tormented within : wherfore she powred out that ^el is wrost . to 
 which was left, on the ground, and looked cruelly uppon the ^g^t glV 
 maid. Cariclia was abashed, and soare troubled with this, 
 and beganne to stay her upright. So were all the reste that The property 
 were there. For a cuppe impoisoned is swifter then any ofpoyson. 
 2E 217
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E arrowe, and is of force sufficient to kill, one that is yong and 
 lusty : but then when it was in an olde, and drie body, it creapt 
 into the principall partes of her, sooner then any man could 
 tell the tale. Thus was the old woman consumed, and all 
 her members were with the pinching of the poison dissolved, 
 and quite without life, and all her body was very blacke. 
 But verily I thinke that her crafty minde was more mis- 
 chievous, then the poison was, in as much as Cibele nowe 
 yeelding up her ghost, forgot not her subtile devises, but 
 partly by signes, partly by unperfect woordes, and dying 
 speach, shee signified that Cariclia was shee who had poisoned 
 her. So the old woman died, and Cariclia was bounde, and 
 brought streight way to Arsace, who asked her, whither shee 
 had provided that poyson, and threatned to torment her 
 on the racke, if shee woulde not confesse the trueth. Nowe 
 was Cariclia a strange sight to those who looked uppon her, 
 for shee was not sadde, nor bare any countenaunce that might 
 argue a faint hart, but came smiling before her, and made no 
 accompt of that she had in hand, either for that shee passed 
 not of that slander because she was guiltlesse, or else for that 
 if Theagenes were not alive, shee would also die, and esteemed 
 it a vauntage to take upon her a deede, which other menne 
 had done. And said : Jollie dame, if Theagenes be alive, I 
 say that I am not guiltie of this murther. But if he have 
 miscarried through thy mischievous attemptes, thou shalt 
 neede no tormentes to make me confesse the fact. I am shee 
 who hath killed thy nourse, that hath brought thee up so 
 wel, and taught thee so much good, kill me out of hand : for 
 I could doo Theagenes no greater pleasure, who by good 
 right hath resisted thy wicked devises. These woordes made 
 Arsace madde, and when shee had commaunded her to be 
 beaten, shee said Carry this queane away bound as shee is, and 
 shew her to her goodly lover, who is in like plite, and when 
 you have bound her hand and foote, commit her to Euphrates 
 also to be kept untill to morrowe, to be condemned to death 
 by the Persian magistrates. As shee was lead away, the maide 
 who was Cibeles cuppebearer (shee was one of the lonians, 
 which at the first was wilted to wait upon them) whither it 
 were for good wil which she bare to Cariclia by reason of 
 218
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 the acquaintance and familiaritie which she had with her, or B O O K E 
 moved by the will of God, wept and lamented pittifullie, and VIII 
 said : O unhappy woman which is without all fault. They 
 who were by, wondered at her, and compelled her to tell 
 plainely what she meant. Then she confessed how she her- 
 selfe gave Cibele that poyson, and had received it afore of 
 her to geve it to Cariclia. But shee either troubled with 
 the strangenes of the fact, or els called hastily upon by 
 Cibele, who bad her bring the first cuppe to Cariclia, changed 
 the pots, and gave the olde woman that wherein the poyson 
 was. So shee was carried foorthwith to Arsace, and was very 
 glad if Cariclia might be excused of this fact, for even the 
 verye barbarous people have pittie upon a gentle and noble 
 countenance. And although the mayde said the same to 
 her, yet she prevailed nothing, but Arsace commaunded her 
 also, as helping and consenting thereto, to be put in prison, 
 and kept to judgement. The Persian magistrates in whose 
 handes it was to determine controversies, and punish offences 
 as touching the weale publike, were sent for in hast to sitte 
 in judgement the next day. And when they were come, and 
 satte, Arsace accused her for poysoning her nourse, declar- 
 ing all that had happened, and would oft moist her wordes 
 with teares, because shee was spoiled of her, whom shee 
 accompted more deere then any other thing, and above 
 all other loved her best : shee tooke moreover the judges 
 to witnesse howe shee had entertained Cariclia, being a 
 straunger, and shewed her all manner of courtesie, and was 
 now thus wronged in steede of thankes, which shee had well 
 deserved. To be short Arsace laide sore accusations against 
 her, but Cariclia made no aunsweare, but confessed the fact 
 againe, and said that shee gave her the poyson, and more- 
 over shee added, that she would have poysoned Arsace also, 
 if shee had not been prevented, and many other things else, 
 and ever among would she directly raile upon Arsace. For 
 after she had beene the night past with Theagenes in prison, 
 and conferred with him of all their affaires to and fro, and 
 had concluded that if neede were, she should willingly die 
 any manner of death whereto she should be condemned, and 
 to depart out of a life full of troubles, and endlesse travels, 
 
 219
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E and cruell fortune, and belike had given him his last fare- 
 VIII W ell lovingly, and taken the jewels that were laide foorth 
 with her, which shee was ever accustomably woont to beare 
 privily of purpose, and tied them at that time about her 
 in a bagge, to the intent that they should furnish her 
 buriall, she confessed every accusation that was laide against 
 her, and refused no manner of death, and rehearsed her selfe 
 many things also whereof shee was not accused. Wherfore 
 the Judges made no delay, but had almost adjudged her to 
 a more cruell and Persian like death, yet because they were 
 moved with her countenaunce a little, and yonge surpassing 
 beautie, they condemned her to be burned with fire. Then 
 was shee had away presently by the executioners, and 
 carried a little without the citie, all the while she was 
 led foorth, one made a crie, that she should die for poyson- 
 ing, wherefore a greate company more followed them out of 
 the citie. Some whereof sawe her as shee was ledde, other 
 hearde thereof by reporte, whiche quickely flewe over all the 
 citie, and so hasted thereto. Arsace came also, and sawe 
 that whiche happened from the wall : for shee thought it 
 a paine, if she satisfied not her selfe, for seeing her die. 
 When the executioners had layde a greate deale of woode 
 together and put fire thereto, that nowe it began to flame, 
 Cariclia prayed them who led her, to give her a little leave, 
 and promised that she woulde goe into the fire alone, which 
 graunted, shee sayde with a lowde voyce : O sunne, and 
 earth, and all you blessed creatures, that are above and 
 under the earthe, which see and take revenge of all wicked 
 woorkers. You are witnesses that I am not guilty of that 
 wherof I am accused, and that I am willing to die, for the 
 intolerable grief es of minde which burthen me, vouchesafe 
 to take me into your hands gently. And in all haste take 
 revenge of this shamelesse Arsace, who hath defiled herselfe 
 with so many filthie factes, and is a harlotte, and dothe all 
 this to robbe me of my husbande. When she had saide 
 thus, every man that was there sayde somewhat to that 
 she had spoken : wherefore some woulde have the execution 
 stayd till another time of judgement, and some were ready 
 to take her away : she preventing them all, wente into the 
 220
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 middest of the fire, and stoode there a good while without B O O K E 
 harme, and the fire went every way aboute her, and woulde VIII 
 not approch neere her, so it hurte her not, but gave place 
 when shee came thereinto, by meanes whereof she was with 
 the lighte that was aboute her, made fayrer, and woondered 
 al the more, by reason of her beautie, so that in a manner 
 she was married in a fiery chamber. She went sometime 
 into this side, and sometime into that, marveiling what it 
 meant, and hasted to be dead, but it prevailed not, for that 
 the fire alway gave place, and as it were fled from her : the 
 tormentors ceassed not but layd on more wood, and reede, 
 (Arsace, with threatning countenaunce charging them so to 
 doe) to make it burne more vehemently : but it did no good, 
 save that it troubled the citie more, which supposing that 
 shee had helpe from heaven, cryed out, The woman is cleane, 
 the woman is not guiltie, wherefore they came to the fire, 
 and put aside the tormentours. The first that so did was 
 Thyamis (for by this time was hee come, being admonished 
 of that which was done by the greate bruite in the citie) 
 and hee incouraged the people to helpe her, and beeing in 
 will to deliver her, they durst not come neare the fire, but 
 willed her to come foorth. For she that had beene in the 
 fire without harme, if shee liste to come out thereof, neede 
 feare nothing. Which when Cariclia sawe and heard, think- 
 ing also her selfe that God had preserved her, thought it 
 best not to bee unthankfull to him, nor to set light of that 
 benefite, but leapt out of the fire. Wherwith the people, 
 what for joye, and woonder, gave a great shoute, and 
 thanked the Goddes for the same. But Arsace not well 
 in her wits, skipte from the walles, and came out at a 
 posterne with a great company of her garde, and other 
 noble men of Persia, and layde handes upon Cariclia her 
 selfe, and looking frowardly upon the people, said : Are you 
 not ashamed to goe about to deliver a gracelesse woman, a 
 witche, and a murtherer, taken with the deede doing, and 
 confessing the same, from her deserved paine ? Seeing that 
 in your so helping such a wicked queane, you strive against 
 the lawes of Persia, and against the king hymselfe, his 
 deputies, nobles, and judges also. Perhappes you be de- 
 
 221
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE ceived, for that shee burned not this day, and therefore 
 VIII you ascribe that hap to the Gods. Wyll you not bee 
 wiser, and understand that this is a great proofe of her 
 witchcraft, who hath such store of sleights, that shee can 
 withstande the strength of the fire ? Come you to morrowe 
 into the Counsell house, if you will, for it shall bee by all 
 your consents : there shall you heare that shee will confesse 
 the same, and shall be convinced by such of her fellowes as 
 are privie thereto : and I keepe in pryson. And therewith- 
 all shee carried her away, holding her by the necke, and 
 commaunded her garde to make her roome. But some of 
 them were angry, and in minde to withstand : other gave 
 over, because they were somewhat blinded with the tale of 
 poysoning, but most for feare of Arsace, and her authoritie. 
 Then was Cariclia delivered to Euphrates agayne, to bee 
 kept to a newe judgement, and had more yrons layde uppon 
 her. The greatest comfort that shee had in this adversitie, 
 was that she had time to tell Theagenes of her affaires, for 
 this was Arsaces invention too, to put them to more paine, 
 that the young creatures being in one place prisoners, might 
 beholde either others torments and greefe, for shee knewe 
 A lover is more well inough that a lover is more greeved at his frendes 
 greeved at his paine, then his owne disease. But they counted this a com- 
 
 frendes f or i and to be pained alyke they thought it a vauntage, and 
 harme. then .,, ?.. v j i ji .1. 
 
 his owne. " ei ther had lesse torments then the other, eche supposed 
 
 hym selfe vanquished, and as it were more faint and weake 
 in love. For now was it lawful for them to be together, and 
 encourage eche other to take in goodly wise what fortune 
 so ever came, and refuse no perill which should insue of 
 their unfained chastitie and stedfast faith. After they 
 had continued their talke of such matters, as is likely they 
 would talke of (who never hoped to talke together againe) 
 til it was night, and had satisfied them selves as well as they 
 might : at last they fell into communication of the miracle 
 which happened about the fire. Theagenes referred the 
 benefite thereof to Gods goodnes, who had saved her 
 being guiltles, from Arsaces unjust slaunder. But Cariclia 
 seemed to doubt thereof. For (quoth she) this strange 
 kinde of deliverie may be thought in deede to proceede 
 222
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 of God. But still to be afflicted with such miseries, and BOOKE 
 torments without all measure, is rather a token of those VI11 
 who are plagued by God, and are like to fall into greater 
 inconveniences, except there bee some more hidden mysterie 
 which casteth into extreame perill, and when al hope is 
 past, findeth a remedy. When she had said thus, and 
 Theagenes willed her to take all in good part, and be 
 of a godlier minde, she cryed out aloud, The Goddes be 
 favourable to us. Now I remember what a dreame or vision 
 I had this last night, but had forgotten it before, I know 
 not how. It was a true verse, and noble Calasiris expounded 
 the same to mee. The meaning whereof was thus : 
 
 By vertue of Pantarbe, let feare Why the fire 
 
 of fire remooved be : touched not 
 
 An easie thing to Parcae tis Cariclia. 
 though els right strange to see. 
 
 Theagenes also when he heard this, was mooved like those 
 who have some divine spirite, and gave as great a leape as 
 his bands would let him, and saide : The Goddes in deede be 
 good to us : for I also am made a Poet by remembring an 
 answere which some like spirite gave me, whether it were 
 Calasiris, or any other of the Gods in Calasiris fourme, who 
 seemed to say thus to me : 
 
 To morrow shalt thou with the maide 
 
 escape Arsaces band : 
 And soone be brought with her into 
 
 the Aethiopian land. 
 
 As for me I can wel gesse wherto this oracle tendeth, the 
 land of Aethiopia seemeth to be that which is under the 
 ground. With the maid, that is to dwell with Proserpina. 
 And the escapinge of Arsaces band, to be a departure of the 
 soule from the body. But what should your verse meane, 
 wherein is so many contraries ? for Pantarbe, signifieth all 
 feareful, and yet it woulde not have you be affrayde of the 
 fire. Then sayd Cariclia, My deere harte Theagenes, our con- 
 tinuall calamitie maketh you take all at the woorste. For 
 commonly men applie their minde to that which accustom-
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE ably happeneth. But I thinke that thy answere seemeth 
 VIII to foreshewe better lucke then you suppose. So that I 
 perhaps shallbe the mayde, with whom you have a promise 
 that you shall recover my countrie Aethiopia : when you 
 shal be delivered out of Arsaces bands. But how that same 
 shalbe donne, wee knowe not, neither is it incredible, but it 
 is possible for the Gods to do it, and let them see thereto 
 who give us these answeres : for as touchinge that which 
 was foreshewed of me, it is fulfilled as you your selfe know, 
 and I live of whom there was no hope at all, and I, who 
 then carried mine owne saftie aboute me, was ignoraunte 
 thereof : but now me thinkes I understande it. For where as 
 at al times before I caryed with me the tokens that my 
 mother layde foorthe with me. At that time, above all 
 other when I looked for my laste judgemente, I privily tied 
 them aboute me, that if I were saved, they might finde me 
 such things as were necessary for me to live by : but if I 
 miscarried, that they shoulde be my laste ornamentes, and 
 due furniture to my buryall. Amonge these, Theagenes, 
 whiche are Jewels of grate value, and very precious stones of 
 India, and Aethiopia, there is a ringe which my father gave 
 unto my mother when he was ensured to her, wherein is set a 
 stone called Pantarbe, and aboute it are certaine holy letters 
 written, to be shorte, that ringe hath some heavenly vertue 
 whiche withstandeth fire, giving them grace that have the 
 same, never to be endamaged with it, which also perhappes 
 by the will of the Goddes, hath preserved me. Thus may I 
 thinke, because Calasiris told me the same was written in 
 my fascia, wherein at this time is the rest of my stuffe 
 wrapped. This is probable and like to be true (quoth 
 Theagenes) because of your delivery. But what other Pan- 
 tarbe shall we have to ayde us out of the next daies danger ? 
 for the most wicked Arsace doeth not promise immortalitie 
 for avoyding the fire (which I would to God might happen) 
 but deviseth in the meane time some other new and strange 
 punishment. And I would to God that she would con- 
 demne us both at once, to one kind of death, verily I would 
 not call that death, but a rest from all our troubles. Be of 
 good comfort, quoth Cariclia, we have an other Pantarbe, 
 224
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 this promise which was made us this night past, and if we B O O K E 
 trust in God, eyther we shall have more pleasure if we be VIII 
 saved, or die with better mindes if neede require. Thus 
 were these occupied, somtimes lamenting and bewayling 
 more either for others, then for their owne estate, sometime 
 would they take their last leave, and make a new promise, 
 and sweare by the Goddes and their present fortune, that 
 they woulde holde their fayth in love inviolable to the 
 death. Bagoas and the fiftye Horsemen which were sent 
 with hym, came to Memphis late in the night, when al were Bagoas 
 a sleep, and when he had waked them which laye neere the commeth to 
 gate, softly, and told them what they were, and were ^jjjfj^" 1 
 knowen, they went into the gates altogether in hast. There Th eaffe nesand 
 Bagoas left his horsemen, inclosing the Deputies Lodging Cariclia. 
 round about with them, that they might be ready at defence 
 if any man would withstand them. Him selfe went out by 
 a certaine posterne, which the other knew not, and having 
 with small adoo broken downe a slender doore, and tolde 
 him who dwelled thereby, what he was and commaunded him 
 to make no noyse, he went to Euphrates, knowing the way 
 redily by continuall use beefore, and yet the moone shone 
 a little. Whom, finding him in his bed, he awaked and as 
 he made a noise, and asked who was there, he bade hym 
 peace, saying, It is I, byd one bring a candle hether : then 
 hee called a boy which wayted upon him, and bade hym 
 light a candle, and awake no man els : when the boy was 
 come, and had set the candle in the candlesticke, Euphrates 
 sayd, What newes that you come so suddenly, and not looked 
 for ? I neede not, answered he, use many wordes, but 
 reade these letters, and marke this seale, and understand 
 that it is Oroondates that geveth this charge, and thinke 
 that it is good to fulfill the contents of them. As soone as 
 Euphrates had red both the letters, hee said, Arsace will be 
 sorrowfull, and at this time is in great perill, by reason that 
 she hath had an ague, which I thinke the Gods have sent 
 her yesterday, and now is shee in a burning heate, so that 
 we have small comfort of her life : I woulde not deliver this 
 letter unto her, though she would aske for it, who rather 
 would die her selfe and kill all us too, before she would 
 2F 225
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E deliver these young folks to you, and know that you come 
 in due time, and take them with you, and helpe them all 
 that you may, have pittie upon them who are pittifull and 
 unhappy, and have beene afflicted sixe hundred wayes sore 
 against my will, but Arsace gave commaundement. Marry 
 they are (as may appeare by them) of good stocke, and as I 
 by experience have scene, very modest in all points, and so 
 he led him to the prison. When Bagoas sawe the young 
 prisoners, though they were pined away with torments, yet 
 he woondred at their tall stature, and excellent beauty, 
 they were troubled a little, because they thought that 
 Bagoas came at such untimely season by night, to geeve 
 them their last and deadly judgement, yet they tooke heart 
 unto them, and looked chearefully as though tney cared for 
 nothing, and gave them who were there, manifest tokens 
 that they were very glad thereof. When Euphrates came 
 neere, and set to his hands to take away the stockes where- 
 unto their bands were tied, Theagenes cried out : O goodly 
 Arsace, she thinketh to hide her mischeevous deedes by 
 The eye of night and darkenesse, but the eye of justice is quick to 
 justice doeth reprove, and will bring to light, all wicked deedes, be they 
 eviUd d b* never so c l se ty an d privilie done : but doo you as you are 
 they never' so commaunded, and whether it be fire, water, or sworde, that 
 closelie done, is appointed for us, let us both together, and at one time, 
 have one manner of death. Cariclia made the same petition 
 too. Wherefore the Eunuches wept (for they partly under- 
 stoode what they said,) and brought them out with bands 
 and all. When they were out of the deputies house, 
 Euphrates tarried behinde, and Bagoas with the horse- 
 men that came with him, tooke off many of their irons, and 
 left them no mo but so many as might keepe them safely, 
 and not annoy or hurt them, and set them on horses, and 
 going round about them, went as fast as they could to 
 Thebes. When they had ridden all the night after, and till 
 three a clocke at after noone the next daye, and never alighted, 
 and then not able to abide the heate of the sunne, as is like 
 in the middest of the Summer, in Aegypt, and having a will 
 to sleepe, but most for that they sawe Cariclia weary of 
 riding, they meant to ride somewhat aside, to ease them 
 226
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 selves, and bayte their horses, and let the mayde rest. There B O O K E 
 
 was a little hill upon the banke of Nylus, about the which VIII 
 
 the water went, not keeping his straight course, but was 
 
 turned in manner halfe round, so that it made the place like 
 
 a little Hand, that which was thus compassed with the water 
 
 was full of ranke grasse, by reason that it was so neere the 
 
 water, so that it was very good for cattel, and horse to feede 
 
 in : it was shadowed moreover with trees of Persia, and great 
 
 figge trees, and such other as doe commonly growe about 
 
 Nylus. There Bagoas, and his companie alighted, and used 
 
 the trees in steade of a Tent, and did eate meate him selfe, 
 
 and gave Theagenes, and Cariclia some too, who at the first 
 
 woulde eate none, saying : it was needelesse for them to eate, 
 
 which should by and by be slaine, but that he compelled 
 
 them in a manner, and perswaded them as well as he could, 
 
 that there was no such matter, and he told them that they 
 
 should be carried to Oroondates, and not be killed. When 
 
 the heate of the day was past, and the sunne shined on their 
 
 side, and out of the west there came one on horse backe to 
 
 Bagoas, who for hast that he made, panted himselfe, and his 
 
 horse had sweatte so much, that he could scant sitte uppon 
 
 him. And when he said somwhat to Bagoas secretly, he 
 
 made no more hast, but held downe his head a little, and as 
 
 it were mused at that which was told him, and after saide : 
 
 Straungers be of good cheere, you are revenged of your 
 
 enemie, Arsace is deade, who when shee heard that you were 
 
 gone, hanged her selfe, preventing by her will, death which Arsacehanged 
 
 necessarily should have ensued. For shee coulde not have her selfe, after 
 
 escaped Oroondates, and the king without punishment, but s hfh ear d that 
 
 either shee should have bene put to death, or continually and^riclia 
 
 shamed all her life after. Such worde doth Euphrates send wer e gone. 
 
 by this messenger. Wherefore be merry, because I knowe 
 
 well ynough you have hurt no body, and she that hurt you, 
 
 is dead. Thus said Bagoas to them, not speaking Greeke 
 
 very well, but letting many false phrases escape him, yet he 
 
 staied not, but tolde them, for that he was partly gladde 
 
 himselfe, because he scant was content with Arsaces froward- 
 
 nesse : who while shee lived, plaied the tyraunt, and also to 
 
 cheere, and comfort the yong folkes. For he hoped that
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E Oroondates would accepte well of his paines, (which was a 
 
 VIII hard matter) if he could keepe the young man well, whose 
 
 comelinesse would staine all the other courtiers : and the 
 
 maide of such singular beautie, to be his wife after Arsaces 
 
 death. Theagenes and Cariclia were very gladde of these 
 
 newes and thanked the mightie Goddes, and j ustice therefore. 
 
 For then they thought they should have no more paine, 
 
 though they had never so ill lucke, seeing that their mortal! 
 
 What some enimie was dead. So great a pleasure have some though it 
 
 would do, to W ere to die, so that they might die with their enimies 
 
 thdTXte? destruction - When ii; drew toward night, and the heate 
 beganne to abate, so that it was better to travell in, they set 
 foreward, and roade al that evening, and the night, and the 
 next morning, making the more hast to take Oroondates at 
 Thebes, if they might, but they lost their labour. For after 
 that one of the host met him, and told him that the deputie 
 was not at Thebes, and that he himself was sent to take up 
 all the souldiers that were in wages, though they were any 
 where in garrison, and bring them to Siene, whither he 
 willed them to go : for al was in trouble, and hurly burly, 
 and it was to be doubted that the city was taken by reason 
 that the deputie came too late, and the Aethiopian armie 
 Celerity is a used such celeritie, that it was there before any newes came, 
 principal ver- that it was comming. Bagoas leafte his intended journey 
 tue in warre. ^ o Thebes, and went to Siene, and being now almost there, 
 he fell into the Aethiopian scoute, a valiant crue of lustie 
 souldiers, that were sent before to spie the countrie, that the 
 great army might have safe passage, who at that time, as 
 well because of the night, as also for that they were not very 
 skilfull of the countrie (for so they had commission to lay 
 their ambushment wheresoever they sawe any commodious 
 place) hidde them selves under certaine bushes for their owne 
 defence, and the better to grieve their enimies too, and 
 slept not. Early in the morning when they heard Bagoas, 
 and the other horsemen ride by, and sawe that they were but 
 a fewe, they suffered them to ride on, and when they knew 
 certainely that none followed them, they brake out with a 
 great noise, and pursued them. Bagoas, and the other hors- 
 men that were with him, being amased, as well with their 
 228
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 soudaine crie, as also for that they knewe them to be 
 Aethiopians, by their colour, and themselves not able to 
 withstand the number, (for they were a thousande sent to 
 spie the countrie in light harnesse) tarried not so much, as to 
 looke them in the faces, but fledde, not so fast at the first, 
 as they might, because they would not have their enimies 
 thinke that they would flee in hast. These chased them, and 
 sent out about two hundred of the people called Trogloditae. 
 The Trogloditae are a people of Aethiopia that live in 
 husbandrie. They border upon the Arabians. They were 
 very swift of nature, and practise the same from their youth. 
 They never weare heavie armour, but use slinges in battaile, 
 and soudainely invade their enimies, and so indamage them. 
 If they perceive that they be too weake, they flee : their 
 enimies never pursue them, for that they knowe they are 
 over swift, and will hide them selves in everie corner. Thus 
 these overtooke the horsemen, being themselves on foote, and 
 wounded them in casting out of their slinges. But when they 
 retourned uppon them, they would not abide by it, but fled 
 backe by little and litle to their fellowes : which when the 
 Persians perceived, they despised them because they were no 
 moe : wherefore they chased them as fast as they might, and 
 when they had folowed them a litle, then road they foreward 
 againe with as much speed as they could, and spurred their 
 horses, and gave them all the raines at will. By which 
 meanes some escaped, and fledde unto a hil that standeth by 
 Nylus, under the which they covered them selves that their 
 enimies might not see them : but Bagoas was taken because 
 his horse stumbled and he fell, and hurt his legge that he 
 could not sturre it. Theagenes also, and Cariclia were taken 
 prisoners, who thought it shame to forsake Bagoas, whose 
 good wil they had tried toward them already, and hoped to 
 find more at his handes afterward, and therefore tarried by 
 him, partely for that they could not flee, but especially as I 
 thinke, willing to yeeld them selves to them. Then Theagenes 
 saide to Cariclia, Thus is our dreame come to passe : these be 
 the Aethiopians, in whose land it is our destinie to come. I 
 am determined therefore to yeelde to them, and committe 
 our selves rather to doubtful fortune with them, then to 
 
 BOOKE 
 VIII 
 
 What people 
 the Troglo- 
 ditae are, and 
 the manner of 
 their country. 
 
 Theagenes 
 and Cariclia 
 
 are taken 
 prisoners of 
 the Aethio- 
 
 pian fore- 
 riders.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E present perill with Oroondates. Cariclia understood all the 
 VIII matter, which was nowe led thereto by destiny, as if she had 
 bene taken by the hand, and conceived better hope in her 
 mind, supposing those who tooke them, rather to be their 
 friendes, then enimies, yet shee told nothing to Theagenes 
 of that shee thought, but said : shee was well content. When 
 the Aethiopians were come to them, they knew Bagoas to 
 be an Eunuche by his face, but made further inquirie what 
 these should be, because they sawe them bounde, and without 
 harnesse, of an Aegyptian of their owne company, and 
 another who could speak the Persian language, thinking 
 that they should understand either both, or one of them at 
 the least. For espialles, and foreriders are taught of neces- 
 sitie to have such with them as can speake the language of 
 the inhabitauntes, and their enimies, that they may the better 
 understand that, wherabout they are sent. After Theagenes, 
 who by continuance of time had learned the Aegyptian 
 tongue a litle, and could answere to a short question, had 
 tolde them that he was the chiefest servaunt about the 
 Persian deputie, and themselves Greekes, taken prisoners 
 first by the Persians, but nowe through better fortune of the 
 Aethiopians, they determined to save their lives, and take 
 them prisoners and make a present of their first pray to their 
 king, of the chiefest juel his Persian enemie had. For 
 In what Eunuches are in the courts of Persia, eyes, and eares too, 
 estimation wno because they neither have children, nor kinsfolkes, to 
 
 inline ^ourt w h me their mindes might bee bente, they depende onely 
 
 of Persia, uppon him who hath committed him selfe to them, and they 
 
 thought that the two young folkes would be a goodly present 
 
 to waite upon their king, and grace to his court. And thus 
 
 they sette them uppon horses, and so carried them away, 
 
 In what case because else he being wounded, and these hindered with their 
 
 Theagenes, bandes, could not goe so fast as they. Surely that which 
 and Cariclia TI i / > , i 
 
 were was done, was like a prologue 01 a comedie, straungers being 
 
 prisoners, who a little before were afraide still of death that 
 
 they saw before their eyes, were not nowe carried any more 
 
 captive, but garded with a number of such, as should 
 
 within a short time become their subjectes, and 
 
 in such case were they. 
 230
 
 THE NINTH BOOKE
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE NINTH BOOKE 
 
 THIS booke conteineth the siege of Syene, in which was Oroon- 
 dates, and the drowning of the countrie round about it by Hydaspes, 
 and the courtesie shewed to them which were in it when the towne 
 was given up : then the falshod of Oroondates by stealing soudainly 
 away to Elyphantina. After this is described the great battell 
 between Hydaspes and Oroondates, in which Oroondates was over- 
 come, and taken prisoner, and yet in the end pardoned. 
 After this Hidaspes vieweth the prisoners, and dis- 
 poseth them diversly. 
 
 232
 
 THE NINTH BOOKE 
 
 Y this time was Syene besieged round 
 about, and inclosed with the Aethiopian 
 army, as if a man would have set nets 
 about it. For Oroondates when he heard 
 that the Aethiopians were at hand, and 
 that they left Cataractae, and came to 
 Syene, got into the towne before them a 
 litle, and closed up the gates, and when 
 he had planted his slinges, and other ordinaunce uppon the 
 walles, he weited to see what they woulde doe. Hidaspes 
 king of Aethiopia, hearing a great way off, that the Persians 
 were entred into Syene, by his spies, and for all that he 
 -used the same celeritie in their pursuit, by which he was in 
 hope, he should have bene before them, but came short, 
 lodged his armie before the citie rounde about without any 
 skirmishe, as if he should have sitten at a play, and filled all 
 their countrie with three score hundred thousand men and 
 cattell, so that they drave them into a streight corner. 
 There his espialles finding him, presented their prisoners, he 
 tooke great pleasure to looke uppon the yong couple, and 
 had good affection to them in his minde, as those that 
 should be his owne children afterwarde, although he knew 
 not so much, but especially he accompted it good lucke that 
 they were bounde. And saide : loe at the first the Goddes 
 deliver our enimies to us in bandes, and seing that these be 
 the first prisoners, they shalbe kept to the ende of the 
 2G 233 
 
 Syene be- 
 sieged by Hy- 
 daspes,andthe 
 feats of armes 
 wrought be- 
 fore the same. 
 
 Theagenes 
 and Cariclia, 
 presented to 
 
 Hydaspes.
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E warre, to be sacrificed at our triumph to the Goddes, accord- 
 IX ing to the olde custome of the Aethiopians. After he had 
 rewarded his spies, he sente them and the prisoners to their 
 impedimentes, and set a company to keepe them, which 
 could well speake their language, and gave them streight 
 commaun dement to looke well unto them, and let them fare 
 of the best, and keepe them from all manner of unclean- 
 nesse, as things appointed for sacrifice ought to be kept, 
 and that their bandes should be chaunged, and have chaines 
 Gold serveth of golde for them. For wherefore so ever yron serveth in 
 for such uses o ther countries, gold serveth in Aethiopia, and they did as 
 s ran 1 doth thev were commaunded. When they tooke off their former 
 in other coun- chaines and without doing any thing els put them in comfort, 
 tries. that they should live more at ease, and fitted for them fetters 
 of gold. Theagenes laughed and said : Good lorde, whence 
 commeth this trimme chaunge? Truely fortune flattereth 
 us wonderfully, we chaunge yron for gold, and in prison we 
 are inriched, so that wee bee more worth in our bandes. 
 Cariclia smiled too, and would have him of an other minde, 
 and therefore brought him in remembraunce of that which 
 the Gods had foreshewed unto them, and so put him into 
 better hope. But Hydaspes himselfe assaulted Siene, and 
 where as he thought before, that with his great host at the 
 first approach he should have overthrowen the towne walles 
 and aU, he had almost bene then repulsed of them that kept 
 the same, who dallied not, but valiantly withstode their 
 enemies force, and rayled on them spitefully to anger them 
 the more. He very wroth that they were fully determined 
 to indure to the ende, and had not straight yealded them 
 selves to him, thought it good not to trifle the time with 
 his army, and doe, nothing nor to lay such a siege whereby 
 some might escape, and some be taken, but utterly in shorte 
 space to spoile the towne. Wherefore he devised such a 
 peece of worke he parted the compasse about the walles 
 among his souldiers, and to everie tenne men he appointed 
 tenne yardes, the length and breadth thereof was very great, 
 and commaunded them to make a ditch : some digged other 
 carried the gritte away, and some therewith did raise up a 
 counterwall against that which was besieged. No man
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 durst come out of the towne, because of the great armie, to B O O K E 
 hinder or lette the woorke that it might not be made round lx 
 
 about the towne, and their slinges, and other engines served 
 to no purpose, because they saw that the space betweene the 
 two walles was so great, that they who made the ditch, were 
 without their daunger. When they had soone dispatched 
 this, by reason of the great number of the labourers, he 
 beganne such another thing. He lefte betwixt the two 
 endes of the ditch, the breadth of one hundred foote which 
 hee ditched even unto Nylus, bringing the same still from 
 the lower ground to that which was higher, and more harde. 
 A man might have likened that worke to a long wall, 
 because it kept equally an hundred foote in breadth, and 
 was so long as the ground which is betweene Nylus and 
 Syene, when hee had brought this to the bankes of Nylus, 
 he turned the water into his river, which in falling from a 
 higher place into that which is lower, and out of the 
 woonderfull breadth of Nylus into a narrow river wrought by 
 hand, made a great noise, as well at the entrie thereinto, as 
 also in the ditch when it was in, so that they might heare 
 it, which were a great way off. Which when they who were 
 in Syene sawe, and understoode into what danger they were 
 brought, because he meant by so compassing them about, to 
 drowne their towne, so that none of them might flee, for 
 that they were so inclosed with the walles, as well by land 
 as by water, and that they could not be assured, though 
 they aboade within they made a good shift, as the time 
 would suffer, to save themselves. First, when the gates, and 
 the boorde work about them fayled, they laide upon it 
 plaister, and pitch, to make it the surer, and they under- 
 propped their walles that they might stand the stronger. 
 Some brought earth thereto, and some stones, many brought 
 olde timber, and every man that which was next hande : no 
 man was unoccupied, but women and children, yea and old 
 men too laboured hard. For danger of death refused the 
 ayde neither of any age, or kinde. The sturdier young men, 
 and those that were in wages, were set to make a little 
 countermine that should stretch to their enemies fortresse, 
 the manner whereof was thus : they digged a pitte almost five 
 
 235
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E yardes right downe, harde by the wall, and there laide a 
 IX sur e foundation. Then digged they forwarde, streight to 
 their enemies Bulwarkes by Torche light, and those that 
 came after in order, conveyed the grypt from those that 
 went before, and caried it into a certaine part of the citie, 
 where their Gardenes were. And this did they for this pur- 
 pose, that if the water came into that place which was with- 
 out earth, it might have a way to breake out, and fall away. 
 But this calamitie prevented the redines of the citizens. 
 For Nylus having now passed the long ditch, fell very fast 
 into the rounde River, and flowing everie where over the 
 Bankes, drowned all the space betweene the two walles, and 
 made it like a standing Poole. And thus was Syene made 
 an Island, and a citie which standeth in the middest of a 
 countrey, was compassed about with water, and beaten upon 
 soare with the waves of Nylus. The wall of the towne 
 withstoode the force of the water but one day. But as 
 soone as the water increased and waxed high, so that it 
 sunke into the ground, by reason that it was blacke and 
 fruitefull, and wetted somewhat deepe, and tooke the foun- 
 dation of the wall, so that the weight above began to shake, 
 and doo as though it woulde fall in every place, where the 
 softnesse of the earth caused it to shrinke, in suche sort that 
 all their provision trembled, and the warders upon the wall 
 were afraid of drowning, and by that time that it was night, 
 a parte of the wall where the towers stoode, fell downe, not 
 so that the fall was lesse then the water, nor able to receive 
 the same, but that it was five yardes higher, so that almost 
 it put them all in feare of drowning. Wherefore there arose 
 Syene a pat- a pittifull crie of all manner of folkes that were in the citie, 
 e , ,*" a so that their enemies might heare it, who lift up their 
 sieged citie nan cles to heaven, and called to the Goddes for helpe, which 
 was all their hope that was left, and humblie besought 
 Oroondates to sende Messengers to Hydaspes, to intreate of 
 peace. He was content, now being made the servant of 
 fortune, were he never so loath. But how he shoulde sende 
 to his enemies, because the waters went rounde about him, 
 he could not tell, but as necessitie taught him. For when 
 he had written what he would, and tyed it to a stone, with 
 236
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 a sling he cast the same in steede of a messenger, to his BOOKE 
 enemies, by that meanes sent he his humble prayers over the IX 
 
 sea. But he lost his labour, for that the strength of the 
 sling coulde not overreach the length of that space, but fell 
 into the water before it came to them. He cast againe in 
 like sort, and was deceived : so did al the archers, like such 
 as contended to shoote at some marke, and laboured to 
 shoot beyonde the drowned ground. Last of all they 
 helde up their handes to their enemies that stoode on the 
 Fortresses, who had good game of their miseries, and de- 
 clared by signes as well as they could, what those throwes 
 meant : sometime they helde up their handes before them, 
 like such as craved mercie : sometime would they holde 
 them behind their backs, in token that they were ready to 
 receive bandes, and become their bondmen. Hydaspes per- 
 ceived that they desired health, and was ready to graunt it 
 them. For the enemie that yeeldeth, doeth make, and in a 
 manner force a noble man to bee gentle. But because he 
 had no ready way thereto presently, he determined to trie 
 them better. There were certaine boates which he suffered 
 to come out of Nylus into his ditch, and there he with- 
 helde them. When he had chosen ten of the newest of 
 them, and furnished them with Archers, and other armed 
 Souldiers, and told them what they should say, he sent them 
 to the Persians. They rowed in good order, that if their 
 enemies woulde doe any thing that they looked not for, they 
 might be ready to fight. Truely this was a strange sight, 
 that a shippe should sayle from wall to wall, and a Marryner 
 shoulde practise his skill in the middest of the drye lande, 
 and a boate be rowed where the plowe was woont to worke. 
 And although the toile of warre ever deviseth new thinges, In warre be 
 yet then invented it the straungest thing, when it made those newe devises 
 that were in ships, fight with them that stoode upon the alwaies. 
 walles, and joyned two armies by sea and land together. 
 Those that were upon the walles, seeing the boates full of 
 armed men drive neere to that part where the wall was 
 fallen downe, beeing men amazed, and full of feare for their In extremitie 
 present dangers, suspected them who came for their safetie, every thing is 
 (because in extremitie, all that happeneth is feared and learefull. 
 
 237
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E suspected) and so cast stones, and shotte toward the Ships. 
 IX In such sort deale men that are in a desperate case, accompt- 
 ing every small protecting of their life, a vauntage. Marry 
 in their casting they so directed their hands, that they 
 would not hurt them, but forbid them the land. The 
 Aethiopians also shotte, but more certainly, and as men 
 that understoode not the Persians minde, and killed them 
 by two or three at once, so that some of them suddenly 
 wounded, fell over the walles headlong into the water. And 
 the skirmish had beene worse while the one spared, and did 
 but defend them from land, and the Aethiopians fought 
 very angerly, if a certaine olde gentleman of Syene had not 
 A wise oration come and spoken thus to them on the walles. O mad men, 
 of agentleman an ^ too much amazed with your miseries, doo we now keepe 
 of Syene. t nem off, whome wee humbly prayed to helpe us before, 
 seeing that they come to us contrary to all hope ? Who if 
 they come frendly, and bring us peace, they shall be our 
 saviours, but if they meane to deale like enemies, they may 
 with little labor be slaine when they be landed : but what 
 shal wee be the better when we have slaine these, seeing 
 that so black a cloude hangeth over our heads, both by 
 water, and by lande? Why doe we not rather let them 
 come in, that we may understand what they have to say ? 
 Every man thought that he said well. The deputie also 
 commended his devise. Wherefore every man went up and 
 downe, and layde his weapons aparte. When that space 
 betweene the towers was without defendaunts, and the 
 people gave them a token with a banner that they were 
 content that they should lande, the Aethiopians came neere, 
 and as it were preached out of their ships to the besieged 
 The oration of company thus : Ye Persians, and men of Syene, that be here, 
 Hydaspes Hydaspes king of the East and Weast Aethiopians, and at 
 
 '" this time yours also, knoweth both how to overcome his 
 seeged in oy- j j f j. .i_ 
 
 ene, wherein enemies, and is redv or nature to graunt mercy to them that 
 
 Hydaspes is humbly aske it, judging that to be the vertue of his 
 commended souldiers manhood, but this his owne praise and honour, 
 
 for all the p rocee di n op from courtesie. And although he have your lives 
 vertues requi- F , . , j ..-, . ... . , .. J 
 
 site or needful m " ls nan dj either to graunt it you, or to take it away : yet 
 for a king, because you humble your selves to him, he willeth you not to 
 238
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 be in feare, and he will not him selfe, but giveth you leave B O O K E 
 to appoint what conditions you will, to be delivered from IX 
 
 this peril : for he is not minded to deale Tyrantlike with you 
 according to hys owne wil, but governeth mans estate with 
 mercy without envie. The people of Syene made answere, 
 that they committed them selves, their children and wives to 
 him, to doe with them as he should thinke good, and that 
 they would render up the citie also if they might live, which 
 now was in a desperate case, and utterly lost, except the 
 Goddes and Hydaspes doe prevent the ruinous decay. As 
 for Oroondates, he answered that he would depart from all The follie of 
 that for which the warre began, and that he would let Oroondates. 
 him have the citie Phylae, and the Smaragde mines, but 
 he made request that he would not deale hardly with him, 
 or cause him to yealde him selfe, and his army. But if 
 Hydaspes would keepe al the points of courtesie, he should 
 give him leave to depart quietly with his souldiers to 
 Elyphantina, which should doe him no damage, nor lift up 
 any weapon against hym, els he had as lieve die now as to 
 live any longer, and bee condemned by his king for betraying 
 his armie, and perhappes that also would be worse, for that 
 now hee shoulcf have but a simple and usual death : then he 
 should haply have new torments devised for him. When hee 
 had said thus, they desired them to take into their company 
 two Persians, under pretence that they should goe to Ely- 
 phantina, and if they would yeelde that were in that towne, 
 he would doe the like without further delay. With this 
 answere the Legates departed, and tooke the two Persians 
 with them, and recompted to Hydaspes how they had sped. 
 Who after hee had smyled a little, and much blamed Oroon- 
 dates for his great foolishnesse, that he being a man not in 
 his owne power, but in another mans, either to live or die, 
 would argue of any conditions, said, it were very fondly 
 done, to destroy such a number for one mans madnesse, and 
 so he let those depart to Elyphantina that Oroondates sent, 
 as though he cared not if they made what provision they 
 could to withstand him. But of his owne men he appointed 
 some to make a damme at the entrance of Nylus, into his 
 ditch, and other some to turne the water an other way, that 
 
 239
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E so the water (if there came no more in) might be the sooner 
 IX avoyded out of the space betweene Syene and them, and the 
 harder to travell in. They began the worke a little as they 
 were commanded, and would have proceeded the next day, 
 but then they could do no more because of the night that 
 came upon them. Moreover they that were in the citie, 
 sought all meanes they could to save them selves, and were al 
 comforted with this health that was promised them unlocked 
 for. And those that made the mine underneath the ground, 
 drewe somewhat neere to the enemies ditch : which thing 
 they gessed, because they tooke the measure of the space 
 with a line, other set proppes to stay up the walles, which 
 thing they might easilie doo, because of the stones when the 
 wall fell inward. Yet when they had done all that they 
 could, and thought them selves in safetie, they were not a 
 little troubled, but about midnight a great part of the 
 Aethiopians began to digge beefore night (whether it were 
 because the ground was loose, and not thicke ynough where 
 the damme was made, and so the foundation was throughly 
 wetted, or els by reason that the workmen left some empty 
 place in the ground, and therefore it decayed : or whether 
 the water came into the place, where was not grytte inough 
 laid, when the workmen were gone, and so the damme was 
 broken, by reason that water did increase and swel, or 
 whither a man may judge it the providence of God, brake 
 and made such a noyse, which so abashed them, that they 
 knew not what was hapned, but both the Aethyopians and 
 Syenians thought that the most part of the walles was fallen 
 downe. They which were in the Tents kept them selves close, 
 because they were well, and thought they should know what 
 it was in the morning. But the Citizens went round about 
 upon the walles, and seeing that all was well there, they 
 thought that their enemies had had some mishap, until the 
 morning tooke away al this doubt, and the breach was 
 espied, and the water suddenly avoyded. Then did the 
 Aethiopians damme up the entrie of their ditch, and made 
 flood gates of wood, and laid many thousand loades of earth 
 therein, which they fetched as well from the land as by water 
 in their boates, and thus went the water away at length, yet 
 240
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 could neither of them come to the other : for the earth was B O O K E 
 covered with a thick mud, and under that which seemed to IX 
 
 be drie at the top, there was much wetnesse, which as well 
 deceived men as horses. So they passed their time two or 
 three daies, and in token of peace the people of Syene set 
 open their gates, and the Aethiopians laide aside their 
 armour. And so was there a truce, yet came they not to- 
 gether, neither was there kept watch and warde with either 
 of them. But they that were in the Citie gave them selves to 
 pastime and pleasure, for then it hapned that Nyloa the Nyloa a feast 
 highest feast that the Aegyptians have, fell, which is kept that the Egyp- 
 holy about Midsummer, at what time the floud increaseth, ^honour of 
 and it is honoured more then all other for this cause. The Nylus. 
 Aegyptians faine Nylus to be a god, and the greatest of all 
 Gods, equal to heaven, because he watereth their countrey Why Nylus is 
 without cloudes, or raine that commeth out of the ayre, and ^ n . suc ^ honor 
 thus dooth he every yere without faile, as wel as if it shoulde wl ththeEgyp- 
 
 AJ.LI.--.LI T> j. j tians. 
 
 rame. And this is the common sorts opinion. .But the 
 
 cause why they gave him so divine honour, is because they 
 thinke that the mixture of moyst and drie, is the speciall 
 cause of the beginning and continuance of mans life (as for 
 the other elements, they depend upon these, and are where 
 so ever these bee) and they deeme that moysture proceedeth 
 from Nylus, and drynesse from the earth : but this every 
 man knoweth also. Marry their divines say that the earth is 
 Isis, and Nylus is Osiris, geving to either a new name. 
 Therfore the Goddesse is very desirous of his company, and 
 rejoyceth when he is with her, but loureth when he is 
 absent, as if some unhappy blast of lightning had touched 
 her. This tale have the skilfull men in natures secretes 
 devised, because as I thinke, they would not make prophane 
 persons privie of their secrecies conteyned therein : but they 
 instruct those that are desirous to knowe these privities in 
 their vestery by candle light. And let this suffice to be 
 spoken at this time, by the leave of the Gods, as for the 
 great secretes they shal not be revealed for reverence sake. 
 Now let us proceede orderly with that which was done about 
 Syene. When the feast of Nylus was come, the inhabitants 
 fell to killing of beastes, and to doe sacrifice, and for al that 
 2H 241
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E there bodies were busied with their present perilles, yet their 
 IX mindes, as much as they might, were godly disposed. Oroon- 
 dates wayting his time, when the Syenians were fast a sleepe 
 after their feasting, conveied his army privily out, for he had 
 secretely given the Persians warning before, at what houre 
 and which gate he would go foorth, every Decurion was 
 charged to leave all their horses, and other cattell behinde, 
 that they might not trouble them in their way, nor make 
 a noyse, whereby that they dyd should be discovered, but 
 every man to take his armour, and a boorde, or plancke under 
 his arme. When they were come together, as he had com- 
 maunded, he cast the boordes that every man carried, over- 
 thwart the Ose, and laide them in such sort that one touched 
 an other, and so conducted over his armye with little paine 
 Oroondates and great speede, as if there had beene a bridge, for that they 
 subtile escape who came after delivered their boordes to them that went 
 
 before ' When hee came to land he went P riv % b 7 the 
 Aethiopians, who suspected nothing lesse, nor kept watch any 
 
 longer, but slept soundly, as fast as his breath would geve 
 him leave, and went to Elyphantina and was let in by and 
 by, for that the two Persians which were sent from Syene (as 
 was appointed) wayted for his comming every night, and 
 when they heard their watche woorde, they sette open the 
 Gates. When it was day the people of Syene first knew of 
 this escape, suspecting the same for that everie man missed 
 the Persian that was lodged in hys house, and could not 
 heare of them, and by the bridge which they sawe before 
 the Towne. Then was the citie in great feare againe, and 
 looked for greevous punishment for this second injurie, 
 because they had shewed them selves so unfaithfull to let the 
 Persians escape, after they had found such clemencie at the 
 Aethiopians hands. Wherefore they determined every man 
 to go out of the citie, and yeelde them selves to the Aethio- 
 pians, and by oath to confirme their ignorance, if happily 
 they maye move them to pittie. When all of every age 
 were come together, and had taken boughes in their hands, 
 to declare their lowlinesse and humilitie, and with tapers 
 burning, carried all their Gods, and holy images in token of 
 peace, and were come over that bridge to the Aethiopians, 
 242
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 they fel upon their knees, and sate a farre off, and gave all B O O K E 
 at once a sorrowfull and lamentable cry, craving in humble * x 
 
 sort the forgivenes of their offence : and to obtaine it the A pittifull 
 rather, they layde their infants before them, suffering them sight. 
 to goe whither they would, so asswaging the wrath of the 
 Aethiopians with their age, which was without suspicion and 
 blame. Those children for feare ranne from their parentes 
 and nources with a wonderfull cry : some crept in the way 
 which went toward the Aethiopians hoste : other lay and 
 cryed which could not speake perfectly, and would have 
 made any man to take compassion uppon them, because 
 fortune even in them pointed out an humble estate. When 
 Hydaspes saw this, he thought that they craved mercie in 
 more earnest sorte then they did before, and therefore 
 sent one to knowe what they would have, and howe it 
 happened that they came out alone, and not the Persians 
 with them? They told him all, the Persians flight, their 
 innocencie, the high feast of the countrie, and howe that 
 they privily slipt away while they were busie in the service 
 of their God, and when they had banquetted, and were fallen 
 asleepe. Whereas perhaps if they had sene them being 
 without armour they should not have bene able to have 
 staied them being armed. When Hydaspes heard this, he 
 suspected (as the troth was in deed) that Oroondates would 
 do somwhat to entrap, and hurt him. Wherfore he sent 
 onely for the priests, and when he had worshipped the Goddes 
 of greatest price, he asked them if they could informe him of 
 any thing that they meant to doo, and whither they were 
 gone, and wherein was their greatest trust. They answeared 
 that they knewe nothing certainly : mary they deemed that he 
 was gone to Eliphantina, where the chiefe strength of his 
 army laie, and that Oroondates best trust was in his barde 
 horses. When they had said thus, they desired him to goe 
 into the towne as his own, and to take from them all his dis- 
 pleasure. But Hydaspes would not enter into it at that time, 
 yet he sent thither two troups of armed men, to see whither 
 there were any guile as he suspected, if not that they should 
 bee a garison to defend the citie, this done he sent away the 
 people of Syene with gentle promises, and went him selfe fore- 
 
 243
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E ward with his army, either to receive the Persians if they set 
 IX upon him, or if they would not, to charge them. He had 
 scant sette his men in araie, but his espialls gave him warn- 
 ing that the Persians were comming in battaile raie with 
 banners displaied. Oroondates mustred a great army at 
 Elyphantina, but when he sawe that the Aethiopians were 
 so neere, and he looked not for them so soone, he was forced 
 to take Syene with a fewe souldiers, where he inclosed on 
 everie side, for all that he sued for safetie, and obtained it 
 according to Hydaspes promise, yet was he the falsest man 
 alive, who caused two Persians to goe over with the Aethio- 
 pians, under colour that they should inquire, and knowe 
 howe they of Elyphantina would make peace with Hydaspes, 
 but in deede to understand whither they made themselves 
 ready to battaile, if he by any meanes could escape, which 
 fraudulent, and guilefull devise he put them in practise. 
 And when he found them well provided, he leade them 
 foorth streight, and protracted no time till he came to his 
 enimies, putting all his hope in celeritie, if he might take his 
 enimies unprovided. By this time either armie had sight of 
 other, and he tooke the field first with all the Persian bravery, 
 so that it glistered with their silver and gilte armour, 
 as if all the place had bene on fire. For then the Sunne 
 arose, and shining upon the Persians, gave such a wonderful 
 brightnesse from their complet harnesse, that it rebounded 
 
 The order of upon those that were a great way off. In the right wing of 
 
 Oroondates his army he placed the Medes and Persians that dwelled not 
 
 his armie. f arre o ff, in the forefront whereof wente those that were 
 
 surely armed, and the archers that were lightly harnessed 
 
 came behind them, that they might shoote the better, 
 
 being defended by them. In his left wing were the 
 
 Aegyptians, and Africanes placed, and slingers and archers 
 
 with them too, and them he charged oft to breake out 
 
 and assaile the side of their enimies battaile. Him selfe was 
 
 in the middest of his maine battaile, sitting in a chariot very 
 
 bravely, inclosed therewith rounde about, for his better safetie, 
 
 before whom were his bard-horsemen, uppon trust of whome 
 
 he ventured to joyne with his enimies. For this is a valiant 
 
 crue, and is set before the other armie, as if it were a wall 
 
 244
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 that might not be battered. They are armed thus. A BO ORE 
 picked fellow of great strength putteth uppon him a helmet ix 
 
 according, which is as fit for him, as if he should put on a HowethePer- 
 visarde in a maske : this covereth his head downe to his sian horsman 
 shoulders, saving that there be holes left for him to looke 1S armed - 
 out at, in his right hand is a great staffe, bigger then a 
 speare, with his lefte hand hee ruleth his horse, by his side 
 hangeth a swoorde, and all his body is covered with a cote of 
 steele. And a steele cote is made thus: with peeces of 
 brasse, and yron, as big as the palme of mans a hand, they How a steele 
 make a coate as it were of skales, laying the end and sides of coate is made, 
 eche of these upon other (so that the nethermost part of one, 
 goeth over the toppe of the other) and so they sowe them 
 together, and this lieth uppon every part of the body with- 
 out any a doo : it compasseth every joynt, and never letteth 
 a man either to straine out his limmes, or draw them in, for 
 it hath sleeves, and reacheth from the necke downe to the 
 knees, saving that necessitie forceth that it be cut off betwixt 
 the thighes, as one should sitte uppon his horse : and such is 
 a cote of steele, which beateth oft' al darts, and keepeth off' 
 al manner of blowes. Over their legs to their knees, they 
 pull on a boote which is tied to their jacke. Like unto this 
 doo they arme their horses too : about his legges they tie 
 bootes, and cover his head with frontals of steele, from his 
 backe down beneath his belly hangeth a cloth with diverse 
 wreathes of yron, which doth both arme him, and by reason 
 of the space that is betweene it, hindereth not his course at 
 all. Being thus appointed, and in a manner throwen into 
 his armoure, he sitteth uppon his horse, mary he leapeth not 
 up himselfe, but other helpe him, he is so combred with 
 the weight of his armour. And when the time of battaile 
 commeth, he giveth his horse the raines, and spurreth him 
 with his heeles, and so fast as he can, he rideth upon his 
 enemies like a man made of yron, or an image fashioned with 
 hammers. His great staffe at the fore end is tied to his 
 horse neck with a corde, and the hinder ende is made fast to 
 the buttockes of the horse, so that in the conflict it flieth not 
 backe, but helpeth the horsemans hand, which doth but guide 
 the same aright, and by that meanes giveth the greater blow, 
 
 245
 
 BO ORE so that it runneth through every man that it hittes, and 
 
 IX oftentimes it bareth through two men at one blowe. With 
 
 such a troupe of horsemen, and the Persian army thus 
 
 appointed, the deputie set forward toward his enimies, 
 
 leaving the floud ever behind him, foreseeing, because he 
 
 was farre inferiour to the Aethiopians in number, that the 
 
 water should be in steede of a wall to him, that he might 
 
 not be compassed aboute with his enimies. Likewise 
 
 Howe Hydas- Hydaspes brought on his army, and placed the souldiers 
 
 pes ordered that came from Meroe, being very cunning in fighting hand 
 
 his armie. j- o hand against the Persians, and Medes his enimies right 
 
 wing. He set moreover against them, who were in his 
 
 Trogloditae a enimies left wing the Trogloditae, which came from that 
 
 people of country where the cinnamon groweth, being light harnessed 
 
 Aethiopia. SO uldiers, and excellent swift of foote, and cunning archers. 
 
 But against the middle warde, which he heard was the 
 
 strongest, he set himselfe and his eliphantes, with towers on 
 
 their backes, and the souldiers that came from the people 
 
 Blemmiesand called Blemmies, and Seres : whome he instructed what 
 
 Seres are peo- they should doe when they came to fight. When the token 
 
 pie of Aethi- wag gj ven j n ^ ne Persian army with trumpette, but in the 
 
 Aethiopian with drumme and timbrell, Oroondates sette 
 
 foreward as fast as he coulde, but Hydaspes at first went as 
 
 Oroondates softly as possible he might, by this meane providing that the 
 
 haste and elephantes should not bee farre from those that should 
 
 Hidaspes lea- rescue an( J defend them, and that the horsemen in the 
 
 8 marked of C m iddle ^ n ^ s enimies army, should be tried before they 
 
 capteines, his came to strokes, as soone as they were within daunger of 
 
 to be avoyded, shotte, and the Blemmies perceived that the horsemen were 
 
 this to be imi- hastie to come uppon them, did as Hydaspes commaunded, 
 
 and leaving the Seres to see to the elephantes, they ranne a 
 
 great way before their fellowes towara the horsemen, that 
 
 those who sawe them would have thought they had bene 
 
 madde, that being so fewe, durst incounter with so many, 
 
 and so well armed. Herewithall the Persians spurred their 
 
 horses faster then they did before, taking their boldnesse in 
 
 manner for a vantage, and thought without more adoo at the 
 
 first dash to dispatch them. Then the Blemmies when they 
 
 were almost come to hand strokes, and in a manner stucke 
 
 246
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 upon their speares, soudainly al at once fell downe and BOOKE 
 crepte under the horses, and kneeling with one knee uppon IX 
 
 the ground layed their heads and shoulders under the horses 
 without any harme, saving that they were troden a little 
 with their feete: but they did a wonderfull straunge thing, A notable fact 
 for contrary to all mens opinion they wounded the horses, of the Blem- 
 and thrust them in the bellies, as they past by them, where- mies- 
 with a great sort fell downe by reason that their horses for 
 griefe would be ruled no longer, and so cast them. Whom as 
 they lay on heaps, the Blemmies wounded under the thighes, 
 for the Persian horsman is not able to sturre, if he want his 
 horse. They which escaped with their horses whole, fell 
 into the Seres bands. They as soone as their enimies came 
 neere stept behinde the elephantes, as behind a great tower, 
 and most sure coverte. There was a great slaughter, so that 
 their horsemen were almost all slaine. For their horses being 
 afraide of the greatnesse, and straunge sight of elephantes 
 shewed to them, on the soudaine, some turned backe, other 
 ranne aside, and caused the maine battaile to breake their 
 aray streight. They who were uppon the elephantes, bi- 
 cause every towre had sixe men in it so that on every side, 
 two fought save behinde, shot so continually, and so straight 
 as though they had shot at some marke out of their towers, 
 and so if they hadde bene in some steedy castell, so that 
 the thicknesse of their arrowes was like a cloud, to the 
 Persians ; especially, for that the Aethiopians making their 
 enimies eyes their marke, as though they fought not a like 
 for life, but contended whither were the better archers, did 
 so hit their marke, that those that were striken ranne here 
 and there with the arrowes, as if they had bene pipes in 
 their eyes. If any of them came against their willes, out of 
 the araie because their horses would not bee ruled, they fell 
 among the elephantes, where they died there being over- 
 throwen of the elephants, and troaden under their feete, or 
 else killed of the Blemmies, and Seres who ranne out uppon 
 them, as if they lay at receipt behinde the elephants, and 
 wounded some with arrowes, and other they killed when 
 their horses cast them to the grounde. To be short who- 
 soever escaped, did nothing worthy talke, nor hurt the 
 
 247
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E elephantes any whitte, for that the beast is covered with 
 IX yron when he commeth to battaile, and if he were not, 
 The elephant he hath of nature so hard a scale over his bodie, that 
 is almost no speare can enter thereinto. Lastly when al that re- 
 invulnerable. ma i ne( j a }i ve were p u t to flight, the deputie with shame 
 ynough forsooke his chariot, and gotte him on horsebacke 
 and fled, and the Aegyptians, and Aphricanes who were in 
 the lefte wing knewe nothing hereof, but fought manfully, 
 and tooke more hurt a great deale then they did : marry 
 they bare it out valiantly. For the souldiers of the country 
 out of which the cinamon commeth, being set against them, 
 charged them sore, and drave them to such shiftes, that they 
 knew not what to do, because when they set upon them 
 then would they flee, and running a great way before would 
 turne their bowes behind them, and shoote as they fledde : 
 but if they fledde, then would they pursue them neare, and 
 either with slinges, or little arrowes impoisoned with dragons 
 bloud anoy them grievously, for everie one of them hath a 
 How the Tro- round writh uppon his head, in which their arrowes are set 
 gloditse weare in order they turne the feathers toward their heads, and 
 their arrowes. su ff er the arrow heades to hang out like the beames of the 
 sunne, then in skirmish do they take out their arrowes as 
 readily as if they had a quiver, and leaping and dauncing 
 in and out Satyre like, themselves being warmed, and shoote 
 at their enimies, and have no yron heads uppon their shaftes. 
 Whereof the For they take a bone out of the dragons backe, whereof 
 Trogloditae they make their arrowes an ell long. This done as well as 
 make their they can, they sharpen the same, and make a naturall head 
 thereof, so called perhappes of the bones that came out of 
 Greece. The Aegyptians maintained the battell, and kept 
 their order a great while, and received the shot upon their 
 shieldes, either for that they be of nature great sufferers, 
 and make their boste (not so profitable, as arrogant) that 
 The Egyp- they care not for death, or else fearing to be punished if they 
 tians care not shrunk from their standards. But after they heard that the 
 for death, horsmen which was the chief strength, and greatest hope of 
 their battaile were put to flight, and the deputie gone, and 
 that the Meades, and Persians which were the best souldiers 
 had done no noble feate, but a little damage to the men of 
 248
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Meroe, against whom they were placed, and received a great B O O K E 
 deale more, and that everie man else was fledde, they IX 
 
 beganne to leave fighting, and turne their backes too. 
 Hydaspes seeing this notable victorie out of his tower, as Hydaspes 
 well as if he had bene on the top of an high hill, he sent doth get the 
 herauldes to them that followed the chase, not to kil any v jctorie, and 
 one, but take as many as they could alive and above all ^eeth* ' 
 other, Oroondates which was done. For the Aethiopians 
 drawing their maine battailes along, yet so that their aray 
 was very thicke, turned the wings round about, and so in- 
 closed the Persian army, and left no place for them to flee, 
 but through the river : into the which when many fell, and 
 were in great daunger, among the chariottes, and other 
 multitude of men, then perceived they that that policie 
 which the deputie used in the conduct of his army, was very 
 foolish, and to no purpose, because at the first when he 
 feared least his enimies should beset him round about, and 
 therefore so lead his army, that Nylus was ever at their 
 backes, he marked not that he left no place for him selfe where- 
 by he might flee. There was he himselfe taken, at such time 
 as Achemenes Cybeles sonne (who by this time heard what 
 newes were at Memphis) went about in that broile to kill Achemenes 
 him (for he repented that he told any thing of Arsace nowe) would kill 
 seeing that all argumentes whereby he might prove the same uroondates, 
 j j j 3 \. j but 1S slame 
 
 were taken away, and yet was deceived, and had not given himselfe by 
 
 him a deadly wound, but he himselfe straight payde for it, an Aethiopian 
 being stroken through with an arrow of an Aethiopian, who who taketh 
 knew the deputie, and desired to save him as the charge was *" m prisoner, 
 given, and was offended that any man in flight from his 
 enimies, should shamefully set upon his owne felowes, and 
 take that opportunitie which fortune profered, a time to be 
 revenged of his private adversarie. When he was brought 
 by him that had taken him prisoner, and Hydaspes sawe 
 him readie to swoone, and sore bloudied, which he caused to 
 be stinted straight with such thinges as were provided there- 
 fore, because he determined to save him if he might, he 
 comforted him thus : I graunt you your life with all my 
 heart, for it is a great praise to subdue the enimie in the 
 fielde, as long as he withstandeth by manhoode, but when 
 21 249
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE he is overcome, by liberalitie. But what was the matter 
 
 IX that you were so false ? I was false to you, aunsweared he, 
 
 The especiall but true to mine owne prince. Then (saith Hydaspes) what 
 
 praise of a not- punishmente thinke you that you have deserved, seeing that 
 
 able capteine. vou are overcome ? Such as my prince ought to take (quoth 
 
 A pretty com- he) of any of your Captaines that had kept their allegiance 
 
 munication to you. Truely (said he) he would commend him, and sende 
 
 da^es^and ^ m awa j highly rewarded, if he be a true king, and not a 
 
 Oroondates. tyraunte, and is desirous that other men by his example 
 
 shoulde doe the like. But sir (said Hydaspes) you say that 
 
 you be faithfull, but wil not you confesse that you plaide 
 
 the foole in adventuring to match so many score thousands. 
 
 He answered, I did not foolishly perhaps, seeing I considered 
 
 The nature of my princes nature, who doom more punish the cowardly 
 
 a cruel and souldier, then reward the valiaunt man. I determined 
 
 tyrannous therefore to joyne with you, and doo some woonderfull 
 
 thing, contrary to the opinion of men, as the like occasion of 
 
 In warre oft is wel doing doth oft happen in warre, or if I happened to 
 
 occasion prof- escape, that I might have a good excuse because I remitted 
 
 fCred oin f weU nothing that I ought to have done. When Hydaspes heard 
 
 him say thus, hee praised hym greatly, and sent him to 
 
 Syene, and gave the chirurgians charge to looke very wel to 
 
 him. Him selfe also entred the Towne, with certaine pyked 
 
 men of his army, and all the men of what sorte or age so 
 
 ever they were, of the citie mette him, and cast uppon him 
 
 and his armye, garlandes and flowers, such as grewe about 
 
 Nylus, and commended him greatly for his notable victorie. 
 
 As soone as hee came into the Towne, ryding upon an 
 
 Good kings Eliphant, in steede of a chariot, hee busied his minde about 
 
 have ever had the service of the Goddes, and sacred things, and asked of 
 
 greatest^ie the ori g ina11 of the feastes of N J lus and if the y could 
 to serve God s hewe him any strange thing worthy to bee looked on. 
 
 well, even They shewed him a deepe well, which shewed the manner of 
 
 among the Nylus, like unto that at Memphis, made of hewed free 
 ^heathen, as s t onej wherein were lines drawen an elle one from an other, 
 
 ^ " s ' into the which the water of Nylus brought under the earth 
 the peopfe of ^ v a s P r i n g> and falling into these lines, declareth to the 
 Syene shewed inhabitaunts the ebbes and floodes of Nylus, by the number 
 
 Hydaspes. of the figures, which bare or covered, doe plainly tel the 
 250
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 rising and falling of the water thereof. They shewed him B OJO K E 
 also the strikes of dialles, which made no shadowe, because 
 the sunne about midsummer at Syene, going directly over 
 the point thereof, geveth no shadow, and by the like reason 
 it shineth upon the water which is in the bottome of their 
 welles. Hydaspes marveyled not at this as a thing strange 
 unto him, for he saw the like at Meroe : but when they 
 talked of their feast, and praysed Nylus woonderfullie, calling 
 him the sonne, and authour of all fruitfulnesse, the up- 
 holder of the upper Aegypt, and father and maker of the 
 inferiour, which bringeth every yeere a new fertilitie thither, 
 whereof the Grecians call it Nylus, and telleth them the 
 course of the yeere, by flowing in Summer, and ebbing in 
 Autumne, and the flowers which growe in it in the spring 
 time, and the broode of the Crocodiles, and said that Nylus 
 was nothing els but the yere. Which opinion also the name 
 approoved, for if you divide the letters conteyned therein, 
 into unities, if they be put together, will make three 
 hundred sixty and five, and so many there bee dayes in 
 the yeere. To bee shorte, when they added thereunto the 
 properties of the flowers, and beastes that breede thereabout : 
 Hydaspes said, this tale doth not only belong to Aegypt, 
 but Aethiopia also. And seeing that Aethiopia bringeth Nylus run- 
 this floodde to you, whether it be a God as you thinke, or a neth through 
 
 mingle mangle of all other flouddes, you have good cause to Aethiopia, be- 
 5 i- i ,1 1 J ^ j to Txr j fore it corn- 
 
 honour that which is the mother or your God. We doe so, me th into 
 
 saide the priestes, as wel for other causes, as that it hath Egypt. 
 given us a preserver and a God. When Hydaspes tolde 
 them that they ought to praise reasonably, he entred into 
 Syene, and solaced him selfe in the other part of the day in 
 banquetting with the cheefe Lords of Aethiopia, and the 
 priestes of Syene, he gave leave to his army to doe so too. 
 There were great beards of beasts, flockes of Sheepe, many 
 Goates, and Swine, whereof the Syenians gave some to the 
 armie, and some they sold. The next day after Hydaspes sit- 
 ting in his royal throne, divided to his army the Cattel, Horses, 
 and all the other bootie, as well that which he had in the 
 Towne, as that hee woonne in the field, according as every man 
 had deserved. When he was come to him that tooke Oroon- 
 
 251
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E dates, Hydaspes sayde to him, Aske what thou wilt for thy 
 IX labour. He answeared, I neede aske nothing, O king, but 
 
 Souldiers now will be content with that I have, if you be pleased therewith, 
 are ofter par- which I tooke from Oroondates, and saved him according 
 e to your commandement : and therewith shewed him the 
 battell '"then Deputies dagger, sette with precious stones of great value, 
 booty after and woonderfull much woorth, so that some of those that 
 victorie. stoode by, cryed out that it was too much for a private man, 
 and a jewel more fitte for the king: Thereat Hydaspes 
 Hydaspes ex- smyled a little, and said, What can be more meete for a 
 ample may be king, then that I shoulde bee of such courage of minde, that 
 fman rin ^ am no * moove d with hys covetousnesse, but despise the 
 ces but I same ? Beside, the lawe of armes geveth the victor leave to 
 thinke it be take what so ever he findeth about his prisoners bodie, where- 
 imitated of fore wee geeve him leave to keepe that which he might have 
 none, or very conceSi \ e ^ an( J we never the wiser. After him came they who 
 day. S tooke Theagenes and Cariclia, and said : O king, our bootie 
 is not golde, nor precious stones, which is little woorth in 
 Aethiopia, and are cast about by heapes in the kinges Palace, 
 but we bring you a young man and a mayde, brother and 
 sister, borne in Greece, which except your grace, are the 
 tallest and fairest creatures in the world, wherefore we crave 
 that we may be partakers also of your large liberalise and 
 bountie. Wei remembred said Hydaspes, for when you 
 brought them to me, then I looked upon them sleightly, 
 wherfore let some man bring them hither straight, and the 
 other prisoners also. They were brought out of hand, for 
 that one ranne foorthwith to the impedimentes without the 
 walles, and tolde the keepers that they should bring them to 
 the king foorthwith. They asked one of their Keepers whose 
 Father was a Greeke, whither they should bee carried, hee 
 answered, that king Hydaspes would see them, and there- 
 with as soone as they heard Hydaspes named, they cried out, 
 The Goddes be our comfort, because till then they were afraid 
 least any other had reigned. Then said Theagenes softly 
 to Cariclia, Now my hart, you shal tel the Icing of our 
 affaires, seeing Hydaspes reigneth, whome you have tolde 
 me oft was your father. Cariclia answered, My deere, great 
 busines must be done with great circumspection. For it is 
 252
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 necessary that the endes of those things must be done with B O O K E 
 many circumstances, whose beginnings the Gods would have IX 
 
 very troublesome, and it is meete not to detect that in a Great matters 
 moment, which hath beene long a woorking, especially for may not be 
 that the head and principall point whereupon this businesse , Rightly 
 
 j j J: T o.u T> handled, and 
 
 and invention dependeth, I meane my mother Persina, is h ere j s a 
 
 away, whome by the favour of the Gods we heare is alive passing witty 
 also. But if he give us away to any man, shall he not cut conference be- 
 off all occasion how we shall come into Aethiopia, saide tweene J 
 Theagenes ? You neede not feare that, answered Cariclia, for S Cariclfa 
 we have heard divers times ere now of our keepers, that wee 
 are kept to bee sacrificed to the Goddes of Meroe, wherefore 
 you neede not doubt, that either wee shall be given away, or 
 killed before we come there, seeing wee bee consecrated to 
 the Goddes, which thing godly men cannot undo, but if we Good men wil 
 through this our wonderful mirth in hope to speede well, doo not breake a 
 without consideration tell our estate, seeing that they be not vowe to God. 
 here, who may knowe and beare witnesse thereof. It is to be 
 feared least through our negligence, and that woorthily, we 
 shall incense him that heareth us, and make him angry, who 
 wil perhaps also make a mock of it, that we being prisoners, 
 and appointed to serve, wil be so bold to say that we are the 
 kings children, and have no probable, but fondly devised 
 arguments to prove the same. But the tokens, said Thea- 
 genes, which I knowe you received and keepe about you, will 
 make for us, and declare that we use no fraude nor fals- 
 hoode. Tokens saide Cariclia, are tokens to them that To whom 
 know them, and gave me them, but to those that know them tokens are 
 not, and can not understand the whole matter, they are tokens. 
 but a vaine treasure : and perhaps would make them lay 
 theft and robbery to our charge. And put the case that It is by nature 
 Hydaspes knowe some of them who shall perswade him that decreed that 
 Persina gave me them as a mother to her daughter ? The J^ y " e m ure 
 surest token Theagenes, that can not be denied, is a motherly veilous love to 
 nature, by which it commeth to passe, that that which dooth that which is 
 ingender, is pittifully affected by some secrete of nature, ingendred of 
 toward that which is ingendred. Shall we then neglect *t . st 
 these things which may make all the rest seeme true. As most^ 
 they thus talked of these things, they were almost come kinde. 
 
 253
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E into the kings presence, and Bagoas also was brought with 
 IX them. As soone as the king sawe them stand before him, he 
 lifted him selfe up a little from his throne, and when he had 
 said : The Goddes be mercifull to mee, he sate downe againe, 
 and was in a studie. When the Noblemen of Persia asked 
 him what he ayled, he made answere : I thought this last 
 
 Hydaspes night, that I had a daughter, which suddenly was growen 
 dream.'. to such a stature as this woman is of, and though I tooke 
 no regarde to my dreame before, yet now by the beautie of 
 this maid which is like her, I remember it againe. Those 
 who were about him, said that it was a fantasie of the mind, 
 which often times would foreshew thinges to come. But for 
 that time he made no account of it, but asked them what 
 they were, and of what countrey borne. Cariclia held her 
 peace, and Theagenes spake, that they were brother, and 
 sister, borne in Greece. O noble Greece (said hee) who 
 doest at other times bring foorth good and honest creatures, 
 and at this time hast provided us of good offerings, as to 
 doo sacrifice for our victorie. But why had not I a sonne 
 also in my dreame ? (sayde hee smylingly to them that 
 were by) for as much as reason would that I should have 
 scene this young mans figure first beefore the maydes. After 
 this he turned his talke to Cariclia, and speaking Greeke, 
 (which tongue is in price with the Gymnosophistes, and 
 
 Erinces of Aethiopia) said : Thou maide, why doest thou 
 old thy peace, and not answere to my question ? Cariclia 
 aunswered : At the Altars of the Goddes (to whome we 
 understande that we are kept to be sacrificed) you shall 
 know me, and my parents. In what countrey be they (said 
 Hydaspes to her againe?) They be here (quoth she) and 
 shal be present also when we shal be offered. Thereat 
 Hydaspes smiled, and said : Surely this daughter borne to 
 me in my sleepe, dreames that her parents shal be conveyed 
 out of Greece into the middest of Meroe. Therfore let 
 these be carried away, and kept as wel as they have bene 
 hitherto, to set foorth and adorne our sacrifice. But what 
 is he that standeth by them so like an Eunuche ? One of the 
 men that stoode by, answered, that he was an Eunuche in 
 deede, whose name was Bagoas. Let him goe with these also, 
 254
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 not as a sacrifice him selfe, but to see to this other maide B O O K E 
 
 ordained to be offered, that shee may bee kept chast untill IX 
 
 the time come that she shall be offered. For Eunuches are 
 
 very jealous, and therefore he appointed to take heede the 
 
 other doe not that which they them selves are not able to 
 
 doe. When he had said thus, he looked upon all the other 
 
 prisoners, which came orderly, and told them, some whereof, 
 
 such as seemed were borne to be slaves, he gave away, but 
 
 such as were of good parentage, he let goe freely, saying that 
 
 he commaunded ten young men chosen out of all the rest, 
 
 and as many maydes to be carried with Theagenes for that 
 
 purpose, when hee had answered every man that had neede 
 
 of him. Last of all he spake to Oroondates, who was 
 
 brought to him in a chairiot, saying : for as much as I Hydaspes his 
 
 have obteyned that about which we made this warre, I am equall mind 
 
 not minded as many are, I abuse not fortune to desire ^i^+a 
 
 to get more then other men have, neither will I make me Oroondates, 
 
 a great empire because I have gotten this victorie, but am and he is also 
 
 content with these boundes and markes which nature made a perfect pat- 
 
 at the first, which part Aethiopia from Egypt by the sluces, ern 
 
 i T i ... i r , n. &>7r J , Ti tues which be- 
 
 wherem 1 observe equitie, and returne, tor as much as 1 have seem a ^ 
 
 gotten that I came downe for. As for thee, if thou live, be 
 deputie of as much as thou hast beene before, and tell the 
 king of Persia that that brother Hydaspes hath with hande 
 overcome thee, but through the moderation of his minde 
 hath released to thee al that was thine, and is desirous to 
 keepe the amitie which is betwixt thee and him, (of which 
 thing hee maketh greatest accompt of any thing that is in 
 the world among men) and will not refuse to fight againe, if 
 thou shalt attempt any thing hereafter. As for these people 
 of Syene, I release to them the tributes that they were woont 
 to pay, for ten yeeres, and charge and commaund you to do 
 the same. After he had said thus, as well the Citizens, as 
 the Souldyers that were by, thanked him, and clapped their 
 hands so lowd that the noise might be heard a great way off. 
 But Oroondates held up his hands, and laying them acrosse, 
 fell downe and woorshipped him, which thing the Persians are 
 never woont to do to any strange king, and saide, Yee that 
 bee present, mee thinketh that I breake not the custome of 
 
 255
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E my countrey to my king, if I adore him who hath geven me 
 a Deputiship, neither do I any evill, if I doe this to the 
 Hydaspes the justest man in the world, who might have slaine me : he hath 
 most just man g ra unted me life through his singular courtesie, and although 
 IT ^sthnnfe might have seazed all into his owne hand, yet hath he 
 ofhisenemies. g eve n me m y Deputiship againe. Wherefore I promise 
 both the Aethiopians, and Persians if I live, that I will 
 keepe long peace, and continuall amity, and perfourme 
 to the Syenians that which I am commaunded. But if 
 any thing otherwise then well happen unto me, the 
 Goddes reward Hydaspes, and his house, and 
 all his posteritie for the goodnesse he hath 
 shewed to me. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE NINTH BOOKE 
 
 256
 
 THE TENTH BOQKE 
 
 2K
 
 THE CONTENTS OF THE TENTH BOOKE 
 
 THIS last booke declareth how Hydaspes was received into his owne 
 
 Countrey, and the manner of the Sacrifices which he did, then the 
 
 acknowledging of Cariclia to be his daughter, and the intertaining of 
 
 the strange Embassadours, with certaine active feates of Theagenes. 
 
 After this is Theagenes assured to Cariclia by Hydaspes, and they 
 
 are made priestes, he the Sunnes, and she the Moones, and 
 
 doe sacrifice. Then goe they to Meroe, where 
 
 the secreter things appertaining to the 
 
 marriage, are finished. 
 
 258
 
 THE TENTH BOOKE 
 
 HITS let this suffice to be spoken of that 
 which was done about Syene, which after 
 it was come into so great daunger, by the 
 clemencie and equitie of one man, sud- 
 denly received so good a turne. Thus 
 done, Hydaspes sent a greate parte of his 
 armie before, and wente him selfe into 
 Aethiopia, and the people of Syene and 
 other Persians, followed him a great way, and praised him 
 much, and made many supplications for his good and pro- 
 sperous health. First he tooke his journey on the bankes of 
 Nylus, and such other places as were neere unto the same. 
 After he came to Cataractae, and had done sacrifice to Nylus 
 and the other Goddes of that countrey, he turned aside, and 
 went through the middest of the Countrey. When he came 
 to Phylae, he gave his army leave to rest and refreshed them 
 selves two dayes. There againe he sent away a great 
 number of his meanest souldiers, but tarried him selfe to 
 fortifie the wals, and place therein a garrison. This done, 
 he chose two horsemen which should ride in post before him, 
 and in certaine townes and villages change their horses, with 
 letters to Meroe to certifie them of his victorie. To the wise 
 men which are called Gymnosophistae, and are of the kings 
 counsel he wrote thus : 
 
 TO THE DIVINE COUNSELL HYDASPES SENDETH 
 
 GREETING. 
 
 I certifie you of the victorie which I had of the Persians, yet 
 I make not any great accompt of the successe I had in speed- 
 
 259
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E ing so well, because I consider the changes, and unstablenesse 
 X of fortune, but salute and commend by my letters the priest- 
 
 Hidaspes hode, which as at all times, so hath it verie well at this time 
 letters to the told me truth. Therefore I pray you, and as I may com- 
 counsellers of maun d e y O u, to come into the place appointed, that with 
 your presence you may make the sacrifice more acceptable to 
 all the people of Aethiopia. 
 And to his wife Persina thus : 
 
 Understand that we have wonne the fielde, and that 
 Hidaspes toucheth you most neere, are in good health. Wherefore 
 letter to his make some sumptuous provision to doe sacrifice of thankes- 
 wife Persina. giving to the Goddes, and when you have shewed the wise 
 men our letters, and exhorted them to bee present, make 
 hast to bee in the fielde before the citie, which is consecrated 
 to our Gods, the Sunne the Mone, and Bacchus. When 
 Persina had read this letter, shee said : Surely this was my 
 dreame that I had this night, I thought that I was with 
 Persinas childe, and brought foorth a daughter which was manageable 
 dreame. presently, and I gesse that my sorrowe in travel betokened 
 the battaile, and my daughter the victorie. Wherefore go 
 into the citie, and tell them of these joyfull newes. The 
 postes did as shee commaunded them, and with garlandes 
 of the hearbe Lotos, and groweth by Nylus, up on their 
 heads, and braunches of palme in their hands which they 
 shaked, and shewed in the chiefe places of the citie, 
 uppon great horses, made report of victorie, and if they had 
 said nothing else thereto, their gesture, and the habite of 
 their bodies, would have declared the same. There- 
 fore all Meroe was soudainely full of joy, and the people 
 flocked together, and sacrificed day and night in every 
 family, streate, and tribe, and went oft to the temples and 
 were not so gladde of the victorie, as that Hidaspes was 
 Hidaspes well well, because that manne hadde by equitie and courteous 
 beloved of his usage of his subjectes, so woonne the hearts of them, that 
 subjects. {-hey loved him as their father. Persina after shee had pre- 
 pared great droves of oxen, and horses, and many Sheepe, 
 Quailes, and Griphes, with all manner of other living thinges, 
 and sent them before into the sacred fielde, that of everie 
 one kind of them might be a just hecatombe, and such as 
 260
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 were left should serve for that publike feaste, shee went to B O O K E 
 the Gymnosophistes, which dwell in the grove of Pan, and ^ 
 
 fave them Hidaspes letters, and praied them to fulfill the 
 inges request in that behalfe, and do her a pleasure, and be 
 an ornament by their presence to the sacrifice. They willed 
 her to stay a while, and went themselves into the temple to 
 pray, and asked counsell at the Goddes what was best to doe, 
 ana returned by and by. And Sisimithres which was chiefe 
 of the kinges counsell, said : We will come, Persina, for the 
 Gods command us so to do : mary they foreshewe that there 
 shall be a sturre and businesse in the sacrifice, but it shall 
 have a very good and delectable end, because that destinie 
 shal without your travaile bring to light a member of your 
 body, and parte of the kingdome which was lost. All terrible 
 thinges, saide Persina, shall have the better successe, if you be 
 by : and I will send you worde, when I heare that Hidaspes 
 is almost come. You need not (quoth Sisimithres) send us 
 any worde when hee will come, for to morrowe morning will 
 he be heere, and so shall you have knowledge by his letters 
 anon. And it happened so in deede : for as soone as Persina 
 was departed, and almost come home to the kings palace, a 
 poste gave her letters from the kinge that told her that hee 
 would be there the next day. Then by and by the contents 
 of these letters were notified in the towne, and the men 
 onely were commaunded to meete them, but the women 
 might not goe out of the citie because that the sacrifice 
 should not be defiled by any meanes, in as much as at that 
 time they sacrificed to the cleanliest Goddes, the Sunne and 
 the Moone, and therefore might no women be present, but 
 the priest of the Moone alone, which was Persina, for that 
 the king is the Sunnes priest, and the queene the Moones, 
 by the custome of the countrie. Cariclia also should be 
 there, not as a looker on, but a sacrifice to the Moone. 
 Then was there great adoo in the citie, so that the men Nylus, Asaso- 
 would not tarie till daie, but laboured all the night, to goe ba j and Asta- 
 over the flood Astabora, some by the bridge, other that A Tthioia d b^ 
 dwelled a farre off in boates that were made of reedes, s ^ e j\!j[ eroe . 
 whereof manie growe there on the bankes sides : the boates 
 be verie swift, as well for the matter that they be made of, 
 
 261
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E as also for their burden, for they never carie above two or 
 ^ three persons, for the reede is cut into two parts, and of 
 
 either will they make a boate. Meroe is the chiefe citie of 
 Meroe. Aethiopia, in maner of an Ilande three cornerd, about the 
 which Nilus, Astabora, and Asasoba do runne. At the 
 head is Nilus, and that is divided into two partes : the other 
 two floudes runne on both sides one by an other, and meete 
 at length, and fall both into Nilus, by reason of the great- 
 nesse thereof, which is such that almost it maketh the Island 
 The length imitate the maine land (for it is three hundred threescore 
 and breadth of and fifteene mile long, and sixescore and five broad.) It 
 the Ilan ingendreth beasts of wonderful greatnesse of all kindes, but 
 Meroe is. especially elephantes, and as there growe trees without the 
 travaile of men, so doth it bring foorth much other fruite. 
 For beside that, there are palme trees of great height, which 
 Wheate and beare stores of palmes, there is come and wheat of such 
 other fruite of tallnesse, that it will hide a man on horsebacke alwayes, 
 Aethiopia. an( j some times though he sate uppon a Camele, and it 
 bringeth foorth so much that they reap three hundred 
 times so much as they sow, and the reede that growes 
 there, is such as wee spake of before : so that all that 
 night was bestowed on passing over the rivers : which 
 done, they went to meete Hidaspes, and received him with 
 great shoutes and clamours, as if he had bene a god, and 
 those went a great way before. When he was almost come 
 into the sacred field, the Gymnosophistes came, and gave 
 him their hands, and welcommed him with kisses. When 
 they had done, Persina met him in the temple porch. 
 When they had made an ende of their prayers, and thankes- 
 giving for his victorie, and safe returne, they made them 
 ready to the publike sacrifice, and he sate in a tabernacle 
 made ready before for that purpose : that same was made of 
 foure reedes, newly cut downe, foure square, so that at everie 
 The reedes of corner stoode a reed to stay it up in steede of a piller, the 
 Aethiopia are toppe was made round, and covered with divers boughes, 
 great belike. |.} le f a j res t whereof were braunches broken from the Palme 
 trees. In an other tabernacle hard by this upon places above 
 were set the images of that countrey Gods, and the pic- 
 tures of the noble men, especially of Memnon, Perseus, and 
 262
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Andromeda, whom the kings of Aethiopia suppose to be BOOKE 
 the authours of their stocke. In other seates beneath sate X 
 
 the Gymnosophistes, and had in maner their Gods over 
 their heades : about these stoode a crue of souldiers round, 
 which with their shields before them kept backe the multi- 
 tude, and reserved a place in the midst for the sacrifices 
 without all tumulte or disease. As soone as Hidaspes had 
 in fewe woordes declared to the people his victorie, and 
 what he had done else luckily for the common wealth, he 
 commaunded them who had to do with the holy affaires to 
 beginne their sacrifice. There were three altars made, two The manner of 
 which appertained to the Sunne and Moon were set together: their sacrifice, 
 the third that was Bacchus, was erected a good way off, to 
 him they sacrificed al manner of living things, because that 
 his power is wel knowen, as I suppose, and pleaseth all. 
 Uppon the other altars to the Sunne were offered yong white 
 horses, and to the Moone, a yoke of oxen, by reason that they 
 helpe them in their husbandrie. Not farre from thence, while 
 these thinges were in doing there was a soudaine uncertain 
 voice heard (as is like would be among such a multitude) 
 which cried : Let the sacrifice which our countrie accustometh 
 to do, be now made for all our safeties, then let the first 
 fruits that were gotten in the warre be offered. Hidaspes 
 perceived that they called for humane sacrifices, which are 
 woont to be offered of those that are taken in straung 
 warres, and beckened with hand, and told them that he 
 would by and by doo what they required : and therewith he 
 commaunded the prisoners appointed for the purpose to be 
 brought foorth, among whom came Theagenes, and Cariclia 
 not bound, but garded about with men : all the other were 
 heavie, and good reason why, saving Theagenes, and Cariclia 
 smiled, and went with a cheerefull countenaunce, and alway 
 looked upon Persina, so that shee also was moved therewith, 
 and sore sighing said : O husband, what a maide have you 
 appointed to be sacrificed ? I knowe not whither ever I 
 sawe so faire a creature ? what a stout stomach ? what a 
 beautifull visage hath shee? with how couragious a heart 
 beareth shee this fortune ? how doth shee move my minde, 
 by reason of her flouring age ? If the daughter that I had 
 
 263
 
 BOOKE 
 X 
 
 Captivitie, 
 
 warre, etc. 
 
 maketh many 
 
 evil deedes to 
 
 be pardoned. 
 
 The manner 
 
 how the 
 Aethiopians 
 tried the vir- 
 ginitie of the 
 yong men and 
 maidens ap- 
 pointed to be 
 sacrificed. 
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 by you, which was so evill lost, had lived, shee would have 
 bene almost as old as shee. But husband, I would to God ye 
 might deliver her by some meanes from this perill, surely I 
 shuld have great comfort if shee served at my table and 
 waited uppon me. Perhappes also the unhappy creature is 
 a Greeke, for never was there such a face in Egypt. Shee is 
 a Greeke answeared he in deede, borne of father and mother, 
 whome shee hath promised to shewe at this time, but I am 
 sure shee shall never be able to doe that. But that shee 
 should be delivered from this sacrifice it is not possible, 
 though I would, and yet am I moved somewhat too with the 
 maide, and have compassion uppon her : you knowe that the 
 law requireth a man to be offered to the Sunne, and a woman 
 to the Moone, and because shee was brought me first and 
 ordeined for this purpose, the people would be content with 
 no excuse, onely one healpe there is, if shee be found not to 
 be a cleane maide, without meddling with man, when shee 
 shall goe to the fire, seeing that the lawe willeth that shee 
 be as well cleane also, that is offered to the Moone, as he 
 that is sacrificed to the Sunne, as for Bacchus it made no 
 great matter. But take heede that if shee be founde to 
 have accompanied with men, it be no honestie to take her 
 into your house. Then said Persina, let her be found to 
 have done that, so shee may be saved : captivitie, warre, and 
 banished life, so farre from her owne countrie, excuseth her 
 though shee have done any such thing, whose beauty is 
 sufficient to make her to be forced. While shee spake thus, 
 and wept, but wold not have them that were by to perceive 
 so much, Hydaspes commaunded fire to be brought, then were 
 the yong children gathered together, and the priestes (which 
 onely may touch it without any harme) brought it out of 
 the church, and set it in the middest, and bade all the 
 prisoners treade upon it. All those that trode upon it were 
 burned in the soles of their feete, and were not able to abide 
 it any while, their were spittes of golde laid to the fire, which 
 was wrought to such purpose, that it would burne every tin- 
 chast person, and him that was foresworne, but such as had 
 lived otherwise might treade upon it and have no harme. 
 Wherefore they appointed these to Bacchus and other 
 264
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Goddes, saving two or three maides of Greece, which were B O O K E 
 found to have kept their virginitie. After Theagenes also X 
 
 put his foote to the fire, and was found a maide, there was 
 great wondering, both for that he being so tall and beauti- 
 full, as also because he was so young and lusty, and had 
 never to doe with any woman, and so he was appointed to 
 be offered to the Sunne. Then spake he softly to Cariclia, 
 and said : Is sacrificing the reward of such as live cleanly 
 in Aethiopia, and shal they be slaine. that keepe their 
 virginitie? But Cariclia why do you not nowe manifest 
 your selfe ? What other time doe you looke for hereafter ? 
 wil you tarrie till one come to cutte our throtes ? Utter I 
 pray you, and tell your estate, perhappes when you are 
 knowen you shall save me, if not, yet you without doubt 
 shal be out of daunger, which thing when I see, I shalbe 
 better content to die. When shee had answered him, that 
 her time was nowe at hand, and that the whole estate of her 
 fortune was set upon sixe and seven, shee tarried not, till 
 they commanded her, that had charge of that matter, but 
 put uppon her the holy garment, that shee brought from 
 Delphi, which shee alway carried in a little fardell about 
 her, wrought with golde, and other costly juelles, and when 
 shee had cast her haire abroade, like one taken with divine 
 furie, ranne and leapt into the fire, and stoode there a great 
 while without harme, and her beauty then appeared a great 
 deal more, so that every man looked upon her, and by reason 
 of her stoale thought her more like a Goddesse, than a mortal 
 woman. Thereat was every man amazed, and muttered sore, 
 but nothing they saide plainely and woondered beside al 
 other things, that shee being more beautifull then any 
 mortall woman, and in her best youth had not lost her 
 virginitie : so that divers in the company were sorrowfull 
 that shee were fit to be offered, and would if they wist howe, 
 gladly have delivered her, for all that they were very super- 
 stitious. But Persina above all other was most sorrowfull, 
 so that shee said to Hydaspes, Howe unhappy is this wenche, 
 which boasteth so much of her virginitie at such unseasonable 
 time, and must die for all this praise, but husbande, howe 
 shall we doo with her ? He answeared, You trouble me in 
 2L 265
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E vaine, and for naught take you pitie upon her that cannot 
 X be saved, and hath bene kept from the beginning (as may be 
 
 gessed) for the excellencie of her nature to the Goddes alone. 
 Then spake he to the Gimnosophistes, and saide : Right wise 
 men, seeing that all thinges are ready, why do you not beginne 
 to do this sacrifice ? God defend (said Sisimithres in Greeke, 
 that the people might not heare it) for we have defiled both 
 our eyes, and our eares too much with this that is done 
 already. As for us, we will goe aside into the church, for 
 we our selves mistake, and suppose that the Goddes doe not 
 allowe such abominable sacrifice, as is done with men and 
 women, and I would to God that wee might also disallow 
 and foredoo all the other sacrifices, whiche are made with 
 slaughter, in as much as in our opinion that sufficeth which 
 What sacrifice is done with prayers and other sweet savours. But tarry 
 the Gods like y OU ^f or there j s no dout but the king must needes be 
 there to appease the people) and do this uncleane sacrifice, 
 because of the olde customes and decrees of Aethiopia, that 
 muste needes be done, yet so, that you shall have neede to 
 purge your selfe afterwarde, and shall scante be able to do it, 
 I thinlce that this sacrifice shall not come to any good end, 
 for diverse causes, but especially for that God hath tolde me 
 so, and because the fire standeth about these straungers, and 
 signifieth that there is some God that defendeth them. 
 When he had said thus, he and the rest that sate by him 
 arose, and wente their way. Then Cariclia leapt out of the 
 fire, and ranne to Sisimithres, and fell flatte at his knees (in 
 spite of the officers, which woulde have stayed her, because 
 they thought that her humility was for nothing els, but to 
 crave that she might not die) and saide : Most wise men stay a 
 while, for I have a cause to pleade with the King and Queene, 
 and must have judgement thereon, and I heare that you onely 
 geve sentence upon such noble persons. Wherefore abide, 
 and bee you judges of this plea of life and death, for you 
 shall know that it is neyther possible, nor just, to offer me 
 to the Goddes. They heard what shee sayde, gladly, and 
 spake to the king, saying : Heare you O king, this appeale, 
 and what this straunger requireth. Hydaspes smiled a little, 
 and said, What judgement may this bee ? Or what have I to 
 266
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 doe with her ? By what meanes should I come in her B O O K E 
 danger ? That which shee wil say (quoth Sisimithres) shal X 
 
 declare. But (quoth Hydaspes) talce heede least this that you 
 do be no judgement, but plaine wrong : if I that am king 
 shal stand to pleade with a prisoner. Sisimithres answered, 
 Equitie and justice have no respect of honour and estate, Sisimithres 
 but he speedeth best, that bringeth best reasons. Hydaspes defineth jus- 
 said : The lawe geveth you leave to determine the contro- j lce ^ X jj ^j 
 versies betweene the king and his subjectes,not with Aliens and Jj[ tlie <f ue ti e a 
 strangers. Sisimithres answered, Wise and discreete men doe and points 
 not measure just things by countenaunces, and outwarde ap- therof. 
 pearaunce, but rather with equitie. Wei (quoth Hydaspes) let 
 her speake, seeing it is Sisimithres pleasure, but it is manifest 
 that she will speake nothing to the purpose, but some foolish 
 devised things, as such as are in extreame perill are com- 
 monly woont to doe. Cariclia, though els she were of a 
 very bold spirite, for hope of her delivery out of these 
 daungers, which she trusted would come to passe, then was 
 shee passing merry, when she heard Sisimithres name, for 
 that was he that first tooke her, and gave her to Caricles a 
 tenne yeres past, when he was sent Embassadour to Oroon- 
 dates about the Smaragde mines, and at that time he was 
 one of the Gymnosophistes, and cheefe of all the rest. Then 
 knewe not Cariclia him by his face, because she was separated 
 from him very young, and but seven yeres olde, marry she 
 remembred his name, and was the gladder for that, because 
 that she trusted that he would be her advocate, and help her 
 to be knowen. Therefore she helde her hands up to heaven, 
 and sayd alowde that all might heare : O Sunne, the founder 
 of my Auncesters petygree, and the other Gods, and noble 
 men, you shall beare me witnesse that I say nothing but 
 trueth, and help mee in this place, to which I shall bring 
 due proofe, and there beginne. Doo you commaunde, O 
 King, strangers, or this countrey men to be offered ? 
 Strangers (quoth he). Then is it time (said she) that you 
 seeke other to be sacrificed, for you shall finde me to be one 
 of this countrey borne, and your subject. He marveyled at 
 this, and said she lyed. Soft (quoth Cariclia) you woonder 
 at small things, there be greater matters then this, for I am 
 
 267
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E not onely one of this countrey borne, but of the bloud royall. 
 X Hydaspes despised her words, and turned away as though 
 
 they had beene to no purpose. Then (quoth she) father 
 leave off thus to despise and refuse your owne daughter. 
 Therewith the king not onely despised, her, but waxed very 
 wroth, accounting that judgement great scorne, and in toller- 
 able wrong, and said : Sisimithres, and the rest, how long 
 shall she abuse my over great patience ? Is not the maide 
 starke mad ? who of singular boldnes with lies seeketh to 
 avoyde death, and saith she is my daughter, as if it were in 
 a Comedie, and this but of a desperate mind, and fond 
 devised matter ? For my part (as you know) I never had so 
 good lucke, as to have a childe, onely once it was tolde me 
 that I had one, but I lost her by and by. Wherefore let me 
 carry her away, that she delay the sacrifice no longer. No 
 man shall carry me away, said Cariclia, except the Judges 
 commaunde, and you your selfe are judged nowe, and doo not 
 judge, nor determine. Perhaps, O king, the lawe suffereth 
 you to kill straungers, but neyther this lawe, nor the lawe of 
 Nature will, that you kill your owne children, for the Goddes 
 shall proove this day, that you are my father, though you 
 say nay. Every controversie in lawe, O king, standeth upon 
 By wrytings two points especially, that is to say, proofe by wrytings, and 
 and witnesses confirmation by witnesses. I will bring both to prove that 
 is every con- j am vour daughter, for a witnesse I will bring none of the 
 troversie in * , i . > if .\. j c ji j 
 
 law deter- common sort, but him selfe the judge, for the judges opinion 
 
 mined. maketh greatly on his side that pleadeth any matter : and I 
 will lay before you a writing which shall tell you both mine 
 and your estate. As soone as she had sayd this, she tooke 
 her fascia, that she carried about her, and unfoulded it, and 
 gave it to Persina. As soone as she sawe it, she was straight 
 so amazed that she could say never a word, and looked a 
 great while upon that which was written therein, and the 
 maide together, so that for feare she trembled, and sweat 
 sore, and was glad of that she sawe, marry shee was much 
 troubled with the suddennes of the chaunce, which hapned 
 in such sort as no man would beleeve it. Beside this, she 
 feared if it were opened, least Hydaspes woulde suspect some- 
 what, and be too light of beleefe, or angrie, and perhaps 
 268
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 punish her, in so much that Hydaspes seeing her so amazed B O O K E 
 saide : Woman, what meaneth this ? Doth ought conteined 
 in this wryting thus trouble thee ? O king, my Lord and 
 husband (quoth she) I have nothing to say thereto, but take 
 it, and reade it your selfe, the same shall teach you wel 
 inough : and as soone as she had geven it him, she sate 
 downe againe very sadde. When Hydaspes had it, and had 
 called the Gymnosophistes to reade it with him, he ranne 
 over the same, and marveyled much thereat him selfe, and 
 perceived well that Sisimithres was abashed, and that sixe 
 hundred thoughtes arose in his minde, so that he looked oft 
 upon the fascia, and oft upon the maide. When he had red 
 all, and was throughly instructed as wel of her exposition, as 
 the cause thereof he said : I know well that I had a daughter, 
 for al that it was told mee that she was dead, and Persina 
 said so her selfe also to me, yet now I know that shee was sent 
 abroade to seeke her fortune. But who was he that tooke 
 her up, saved her, and nourished her thus, or who was he 
 that carried her into ./Egypt ? was he taken with her ? to be 
 short, how may I know that this is she, and whether that 
 which was cast foorth, bee not dead, and some man when he 
 hapned to finde this, would abuse his good lucke, and geve 
 them to this maid, and make her play this part, and so 
 scorne the great desire that we have to have a childe, by 
 suborning some changeling, and colouring the trueth with 
 this fascia. To this Sisimithres answered, I can resolve you 
 of your first doubt : for I am he that tooke her up, and kepte 
 her secretely, and carryed her into Aegypt when you sent me 
 Embassadour thither. You knowe well ynough that we may 
 not lie. And I know this fascia, which is written with the 
 letters of the kinges of Aethiopia : wherefore we neede not 
 doubt that it was devised any where els, and you have good 
 cause to know it, because it was written with Persinaes hand. 
 But there were other tokens also that I gave to him who 
 received her of me, which was a Greeke, and by seeming a 
 good and honest man : I have them also said Cariclia, and so 
 shewed them the juels, with which sight Persina was more 
 astonied then she was before. And when Hydaspes asked 
 her what they were, and whether she knewe any of them ? 
 
 269
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE 
 X 
 
 gave him none other answere, but that shee knew them, 
 marry it was better to make further trial of these things at 
 home. Then was Hydaspes troubled againe, and almost 
 beside him selfe : but Cariclia said, These tokens my mother 
 gave me, but the ring is yours, and then she shewed him the 
 Pantarbe. Hydaspes knew it, for he gave it to Persina 
 when he was betrothed to her, and said, These tokens be very 
 good and mine owne, but yet I know not that you have them 
 as my daughter, and have not come by them by any other 
 meanes. For to omit other things, your colour is strange, 
 and the like is not scene in Aethiopia. She was white too 
 (saide Sisimithres) that I brought up, and the terme of 
 yeeres doth well agree with the age of this maide, for that 
 the time of the exposition was seventeene yeres agone, and 
 she is seventeene yeres olde, more her eyes wil prove no lesse, 
 and all the habite of her body is like her that I sawe at that 
 time. Sisimithres (quoth Hydaspes) you have saide very 
 wel, and rather have defended this cause as an advocate, then 
 sate upon it in judgement : but beware that while you go 
 about to take away part of this doubt, you charge not my 
 wife with a very hard matter. How is it possible by reason, 
 that seeing we be both Aethiopians, shoulde begette a 
 white childe? Sisimithres then looked aside upon him, 
 and smyling scornfully said, I can not tell what ayleth you, 
 that you presently be thus affected, that you object this 
 patrocinie to me as a fact woorthye blame, which I thinke 
 I ought not to neglect. For wee call him the best judge 
 which is a patrone and defender of equitie, but why doe I 
 not rather defend you then the maide ? seeing that I have 
 prooved you to be a father by the helpe of the Gods. And 
 should I nowe despise her, whome I have kept for you from 
 her cradle ? But thinke as you will of us, we passe not a 
 So ought all point. For wee live not to please other men, but seeke to 
 good^ men to content our owne consciences with onely honestie, and meere 
 equity. As touching your question of her colour, the fascia 
 aunswereth you, that Persina conceyved such a figure by 
 looking upon Andromeda, when you had to do with her : if 
 you desire to bee fully satisfied herein, and be made to 
 beleeve without deniall, the picture is at hand, looke up on 
 270 
 
 Who is the 
 best judge. 
 
 doe.
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Andromeda, who is as wel expressed in the maide, as in the B O O K E 
 picture without any difference. This said, the officers x 
 
 brought the image which was carried away before, and 
 when they had set it by Cariclia, there was such a shoute 
 among the people, by reason that those who were neere, 
 tolde them that were a farre off, and coulde not heare what 
 was done, that for joy they wist not what to doe. So that 
 Hydaspes also could not distrust any longer, but stoode (a 
 great while, what for joy, and woondering) still and styrred 
 not. Yet quoth Sisimithres we want one point, strippe up 
 your sleeve maide, for there was a blacke spotte above your 
 elbow : it is no shame to be stripped for triall of your 
 parents and kindred. Cariclia uncovered her left arme, and 
 about it there, was in a manner a mole, much like to the 
 strakes that Elephants have. Persina could rule her selfe no Cariclia 
 longer, but suddenly went out of her throne, embraced her, knowen to be 
 and wept, and for the exceedingnesse of her joy, which shee ^ ht r 
 coulde not conceale, shee made a certaine muttering, and 
 she wanted but little to have fallen with Cariclia. Hydaspes 
 had pittie upon the woman, when he saw her lament so, and 
 him selfe was like affected in his minde too, but he kept 
 teares out of his eyes, as if they had beene made of Iron or 
 home, and so looked upon that which was done. And 
 although his mind was mooved as well with a fatherly affec- 
 tion, as with a manly courage, so that he was drawen both 
 wayes, yet he was at length overcomed of nature, which 
 overcommeth al things, and did not onely suffer him selfe to Nature over- 
 be perswaded that he was a father, but was also affected like commeth all 
 a father : so that, when he saw Persina fell with her 
 daughter, hee tooke her up, embraced Cariclia, and with 
 teares, as with an offering, made a fatherly league with her. 
 Yet did he not forgette what he had to do, but stoode stil 
 a while, and looked upon the people, which were affected like 
 him, and through joye, and pittie, wept to see that strange 
 hap, and would not heare the cries which commaunded 
 silence. Wherefore he stretched out his hand, and bade 
 them be still, and when he had appeased them, he said : Ye 
 that be present, the Goddes contrary to all hope, have 
 declared that I am a father, as you both heare and see, and 
 
 271
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E that this is my daughter, it is proved by many arguments : 
 X yet do I owe such good will to you, and my countrey, that 
 
 All the Ora- without regard either to the succession of my blood, or joy 
 tionofHydas- that I have to be called a father, which all by her are like 
 pes, declareth j- o ensuej am re ady to offer her to the Goddes for your 
 dutieof agood behoofe : and although I see you weepe, and are affected 
 king. like men and have pittie upon the untimely age of the 
 maide appoynted to die, and to see me without all hope of 
 succession hereafter, yet must I needes, though you say nay, 
 perfourme the custome of our countrey, and rather have 
 regard to the publike utilitie, then my private profite. 
 Surely I know not whither it be the Gods will to geve her 
 to me, and take her away againe at one time (as they did at 
 the first when she was borne, and now are like to ao after 
 she is found) but I leave that to be scanned by your discre- 
 tion : for I cannot determine whither they would have her 
 sacrificed whom they have banished into the farthest part of 
 the world, and by a wonderfull chance brought to me againe 
 like a prisoner. Which thing seeing it falleth out thus, 
 though I have not slaine her as an enemie, nor indammaged 
 her since she was prisoner, yet now I know that she is my 
 daughter. I will make a sacrifice of her, if you desire it, 
 without more a doo : neyther will I yeelde to affection, 
 which in another father perhaps deserved pardon, nor be 
 abashed, nor desire you to be good to me, and graunt me 
 this favour that the lawe of nature requireth, in sparing her 
 for my fansie, because we may appease the Goddes some 
 other way, but even as you have beene like affected as I, and 
 as sorrowful for my mishaps as your owne : so wil I make 
 more account of your weale publike, then mine owne private 
 commoditie, without any respect at all to this miserie, 
 neyther will I set by sorrowfull Persinas teares, who hath 
 now at this time sene her first child, and is a mother, and 
 shal by and by be spoyled thereof. Wherefore if you wil 
 leave your weeping, and fruitelesse pittying of me, and let 
 us goe to our sacrifice. Now to thee my daughter (for first 
 and last will I call thee by this pleasant name) whose 
 beautie is peereles to no purpose, and hast found thy 
 parents in vaine, which hast in an ill time hapned upon 
 272
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 thine owne countrey, worse to thee then any strange lande, 
 who hast bene safe in other countreyes, but art in danger of 
 death in thine owne, trouble not my mind with sorrowfull 
 weeping, but if ever thou diddest shewe thy selfe to be of stout 
 courage and princely mind, now pluck up thy heart, and 
 follow thy father, who cannot provide a marriage for thee, 
 nor bring thee to bedde in any costlie bowers, but make 
 thee ready for sacrifice, and beare beefore thee, not such 
 tapers as are used at bri dalles, but appointed for sacrifice, 
 and is in will to make an offering of thine unspeakable 
 beautie : arid you gods beare with me if affection hath 
 caused mee to speake any thing scant godly or religiously, 
 who have both called her my daughter, and am ready to 
 take her life away. When he had saide thus, he tooke 
 Cariclia by the hand, and made as though he would have 
 carried her to the fire upon the altars above, and desired 
 them to let the woordes that he spake, take such roote in 
 their minde, that they would suffer him to do as he said. 
 The whole multitude of the Aethiopians was moved with 
 this that he said, and would not suffer him to lead Cariclia 
 one foote further, but cried out suddenly alowde Save the 
 maide, save the bloud royall, save her whom the Goddes 
 will have saved, wee thanke you, you have done to us so 
 much as the lawe requireth, we acknowledge you for our 
 good king, acknowledge your selfe to be a father, the Gods 
 forgive us this offence, you shal more displease them if you 
 withstand their wil : let no man be so bold as to kill her, 
 whom they have preserved : you that are the father of the 
 people abrode, be father in your own house at home also. 
 And sixe hundred thinges like these spake they to him. 
 Last of al to declare that they woulde not let him in deede, 
 they stepte before him, and would not suffer him to goe 
 forward, but desired him to appease the Goddes with 
 some other sacrifice. Hidaspes was content with all 
 his harte to yeeld in this matter, and without much 
 a doo to beare this wished inforcement, and gave the people 
 leave to wish him joy of his good luck that he had, whom 
 he saw to be very joyfull, thinking that anon they would 
 make an end of their owne accord. But he standing neare 
 2M 273 
 
 BOOKE 
 X 
 
 Tokens that 
 
 the people 
 
 loved their 
 
 king well. 
 
 The people 
 
 will not let 
 
 Cariclia be 
 
 sacrificed.
 
 BOOKE 
 X 
 
 Cariclia by 
 many circum- 
 stances de- 
 clareth her 
 love, but her 
 father under- 
 standeth her 
 not. 
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 to Cariclia, saide : Deere daughter, that thou art my child, 
 both by tokens is proved, and wise Sisimithres beareth 
 witnesse, but above all, the favour of the Gods hath de- 
 clared. But what fellow is this, that was taken with thee, 
 and is now at the altar ready to be sacrificed, or howe did 
 you call him your brother when you were brought into my 
 presence at Siene first ? For I thinke that he shall not be 
 proved my sonne too. For Persina had no more but you at 
 one time. Cariclia blushed, and cast down her eyes, and 
 saide : I told you an untroth in that I said he was my 
 brother, but necessity forced me to make that excuse. But 
 what he is in deede, he can tel you better then I : for he is 
 a man, and therefore wil not be afraid to speak more boldly 
 then I that am a woman. Hydaspes not perceiving what 
 shee meant, said : My daughter, pardon mee, because I have 
 caused thee to blush in asking thee a question, whereto a 
 maide ought not to aunsweare. But sit you in the taber- 
 nacle with your mother, who will be more gladde of you 
 nowe, then when you were borne of her, and wheras shee is 
 il at ease, comfort her with your presence, and tell her your 
 affaires. I will see to the sacrifice, and seeke out some 
 other maide, if there be any to be found that in your steed 
 may be sacrificed with the yong man. Cariclia almost 
 cried out, when shee heard that the young man should be 
 sacrificed : yet (because it was best) with much a doo shee 
 concealed her madde affection, and touched the marke 
 againe almost, and said : Syr, you shall not neede to seeke 
 any other woman, seeing the people have remitted through 
 me that parte of the sacrifice. But if any require it, you 
 shall not onely seeke an other woman, but another man too : 
 if you do not, then muste you sacrifice none other but me 
 with him. God forbid (said he). But why say you so ? Shee 
 answeared, because that the Goddes have appointed that I 
 muste both live and die with this man. Hidaspes not yet 
 perceiving the effect of the matter, said : Daughter, I praise 
 this your courtesie, in that you have pity upon this Greke 
 straunger, and your fellow, with whom in your journie 
 you have falne acquainted, and desire to save him. But 
 he cannot be delivered from this offering. For neither 
 274
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 pitie, nor religion wil admitte that the custome of our BOOKE 
 countrie be all broken as concerning the making of sacrifice X 
 
 for victorie : beside this, the people will not be content, 
 which scant was moved by the goodnesse of the Gods to 
 pitie thee. Then said Cariclia, O king, for perhaps I may 
 not call you father, if the gentlenesse of the Goddes hath 
 saved my body, let the same gentlenesse also save my hart : 
 who is my hart, the gods which have by fatall destinie 
 appointed this, doo knowe very wel. But if this will not be 
 granted, and that the slaughter of this straunger must 
 needes adorne this offering, graunt me one request. Lette 
 me kil the sacrifice, and I wil get me a name of stoutnesse 
 among the Aethiopians, with a sworde which shall be the 
 greatest thing, and deerest that ever you shall be able to 
 give me. Hidaspes was troubled with this, and said : I 
 understand not what this contrarietie in your mind meaneth : 
 who even now did goe about to defend, and save the 
 straunger, and nowe would with your owne hand kil him, 
 as if he were your mortall enemie : Neither do I see what 
 honestie or glory can be in this fact, for one of your age. 
 But put case there were, yet may you not by the lawe, for 
 this is onely lawfull for the priestes of the Sunne, and Moone, 
 and that not to all, but to the man that hath a wife, and 
 the wife that hath a husband. Seeing it is so, your virginitie 
 will not let you have your request, which whereuppon it 
 should grow, I cannot tell. Truely saide Cariclia to Persina 
 in her eare, that neede not to lette me, for if you will be 
 content mother, there is one that can supply that name well 
 enough. We will be content saide Persina merily, and God 
 willing wee will mary thee to such a one as we shall thinke 
 worthie both for you and us. Cariclia spake more plainly, 
 You need not choose him, that is chosen already, and as shee 
 was about to say somewhat more openely (for the present 
 perill that shee sawe Theagenes in before her face imboldened 
 her, and made her lay aside .her maidenly shamefastnesse) 
 Hidaspes would heare her no longer, but said : O ye Gods, 
 howe seeme you to mingle evill things, and good together to 
 us, that you may lessen one way or other this unlocked for 
 felicity of mine, in as much as you have given me a daughter, 
 
 275
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E that I thought not upon, but have made her in a manner 
 X mad : for shal we not judge her foolish, that speaketh too 
 
 fond things ? She called him her brother that was not so. 
 When she was asked what this straunger was, she answeared 
 shee knew him not : then sought she to save him as her 
 friend, whom shee knewe not: which when it was denied 
 her, she besought mee that shee might kill him as her most 
 enimy. When this could not be graunted her, because it 
 was lawfull for none to do it, but such a one as had a 
 husband, shee said that shee was married, and named not 
 to whome. How can shee have a husband, whome the fire 
 declared had never to do with her ? Except this do erre in 
 her alone which is the surest rule that the Aethiopians have, 
 and never yet was proved contrarie, and would give her grace, 
 when shee trode uppon it, to be unburned though shee had 
 lost her maidenhede. At fewe wordes, I never saw any but 
 she, that made the same man her frend, and enimie in one 
 minute of an houre, and fained to have a brother, and 
 husband, which never was so. Wherefore wife go you 
 into the tabernacle, and see if ybu can bring her to her 
 wittes againe, which is either made madde of the God that 
 commeth in this sacrifice, or else is beside her selfe with too 
 much joy, for the good lucke that shee looked not for. 
 And I will goe answere the ambassadours which came from 
 diverse countries, and receive such things, as they bring to 
 welcome mee home after my victorie, untill they have found 
 out an other to be killed in her place, whom I have appointed 
 for that purpose. As soone as he had said thus, he sate in 
 a high chaire, not farre from the tabernacle, and commaunded 
 the legates to come, and let him see what they brought. 
 Harmonias the herauld asked him whither all should come 
 together, or orderly everie nation by it self. Lette everie 
 one come orderly (quoth he) that I may honour every man 
 as hee deserves. Therefore (quoth the herauld) shall Meroe- 
 Meroebus a bus your brothers sonne come first, who came even nowe, 
 yong king to but he tarrieth till the souldiers that be about us do make 
 whomCariclia n j m rO ome. Thou dolt (quoth Hidaspes) why diddest not 
 ilsed to wife th u tel me of him presently ? seing thou knowest that he was 
 ' no legate, but a king, and my brothers sonne that deceased 
 276
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 but late, whome I have placed in his throne, and by adop- B O O K E 
 
 tion have made mine owne heire too ? All this I knewe, 
 
 O king, saide Harmonias, but I thought it best to tary a 
 
 time, for if a herauld, have neede to do any thing, especially 
 
 he ought to tarrie and wait for opportunitie of time. Pardone 
 
 me therefore I beseech you, if I durst not be so bold as to 
 
 break off the pleasant talke, that you had with the Queenes. 
 
 Let him come therefore nowe said the king. He went as he 
 
 was commaunded, and came by and by againe with his charge. 
 
 Then came Meroebus, a tall and proper yong man, at that 
 
 time comming to mans estate, for he was seventeene yeere old, 
 
 and higher then al other that were there, and had a comely 
 
 crewe of goodly fellowes that waited upon him, and the 
 
 Aethiopian armie with great admiration and reverence, made 
 
 him ready way. Neither did Hidaspes tarry in his seate, 
 
 but arose to welcome him, and imbrace him with a fatherly 
 
 affection, and sette him beside him, and taking him by the 
 
 right hand, said, My sonne you come in good time, you shall 
 
 beside celebration of this solemne sacrifice, with me for my 
 
 victorie, be royally married. For our Goddes and the 
 
 founders of our stocke, and the other heavenly personages, 
 
 have provided me of a daughter belike which shall be your 
 
 wife : the secrecies whereof you shal know hereafter, at this 
 
 time if you have ought to do with the people under your 
 
 dominion, tell mee. 
 
 Meroebus when he heard of a wife, what for joy and 
 shame, could not hide him selfe so in his blacke colour, but 
 that men might perceive that he blushed, and after he had 
 stayed a while, he said thus : Father, the other legates that 
 come, will give you of the best, and most precious thinges 
 that growe in their countries : but I, because you have bene 
 valiant in battaile, and declared your excellent manhoode in 
 noble exploites, have thought it good to give you a like gift 
 hereunto, and therefore I give you a man so well practised in Meroebus 
 bloudshedde and warre, that tnere can none bee found which presenteth 
 dareth to have to doo with him, in wrastling, and fighting Hidaspes with 
 
 .., , i x- 1 j j 11 f J.T. a Champion, 
 
 with plummets or leade, and m all manner of other exercises 
 
 so sturdie, that no man is able to withstand his strength. 
 Therewith he badde the man come foorth. He stept out, 
 
 277
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 BOOKE and fell downe before Hidaspes, and was of such stature, 
 x being a man of the old making, that when he stouped to 
 
 kisse the kinges knee, he was as high almost as those that 
 stoode about him. This done, he tarried not till he was 
 commaunded, but put off his apparel, and stoode naked, and 
 made chalenge against all that would come, either with 
 weapon, or with hand. After the king sawe that none would 
 come foorth, though he had made diverse proclamations, he 
 said : You shal have a gift of us like your selfe. And then he 
 commaunded to fetch an old elephant, which was very great. 
 When the beast was brought, he received it gladly, and the 
 people soudainely fell in a great laughter, being well pleased 
 with the kings civilitie : mary after they had laughed, and 
 jested enough, it seemed they were ashamed of their fact. 
 
 The Seres After him came the ambassadoures that the Seres sent, 
 give Hidaspes an d brought to him two garmentes, one purple, and an 
 
 two garments o t ner white, the yarne thereof was spunne of the spiders that 
 of very strange , , . , ', . J , - A f , ./., . j 
 
 worke. breede in their countne. Alter these giites were received, 
 
 and they had desired the king that such of their countrie 
 
 men as were condemned in his prison might be delivered, and 
 
 What the had obtained their sute, the embassadours of Arabia Felix 
 
 ambassadours came and offered to him odoriferous leaves, both of olives, 
 
 of happy Ara- an( j cmamon> an( J other sweete favours that grow in Arabia, 
 
 worth many talents, so that every place was full of sweete 
 
 What the odours. After these came they of Trogloditis, and brought 
 
 Trogloditae golde, and a couple of Gryphes with bridles of golde on their 
 
 gave, and the heades. Then came the Bleminges which caried bows, and 
 
 arrowes made of dragons bones, and said : we bring you, 
 
 O king, such giftes as are not in value equal to the other, 
 
 yet was there good accompte made of them (as you can say 
 
 your selfe) at the floud in battaile against the Persians. They 
 
 are (quoth Hidaspes) more worth then other of greater 
 
 price, for these are the cause why the other are brought us : 
 
 and then he bad them tell him what they requested. When 
 
 they desired to have their tribute abated, he released them 
 
 of all fourteene yeeres. This done, when all were come that 
 
 had any message to doe, and were as well, or better rewarded 
 
 then their giftes deserved, last there came the legates of 
 
 the Axiomitae, who payde no tributes, but were his con- 
 
 278
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 federates, and in league with him, wherefore they rejoyced B O O K E 
 with him for his prosperous, and luckie voiage, and brought 
 him giftes too, and among other a beaste of wonderful and rare The Axio- 
 nature, as bigge as a Camel, whose colour was spotted, and itae S lve 
 uppon his skinne there was like scales, his latter part was s ^aunTbeast 
 very lowe, and Lionlike, but his shoulders, forefeete, and w hi c h is here 
 breaste, were farre beyond the proportion of his other described and 
 members : his necke was slender, and though the rest of his of the fashion 
 
 bodie was great, vet was his throate very smal, his head was 1 s ^ X' 
 * i 1-1 Vi i 1. j i- L 'L L i called Camel- 
 
 in fashion like a Camels head, but it was not past twice so O pardalis. 
 
 bigge, as the Libian ostriches heade, wherein he roled his 
 eyes, terrible, as if there had bene in them some redde leade : 
 his gate was never chaunged, but went not like no beaste 
 either of the earth or water, but he moved his legges on 
 either side both at once, so that he moved his right legges, 
 and left legges, not in order, nor one after another, but all 
 his halfe body, with either of them : he was so tame and 
 gentle to be dealt with all by use, that he would be ruled of 
 his keeper with a little corde, and rather follow his will, then 
 the line he was tied in : as soone as the beast was brought 
 in sight, all the people were afraid, and soudainely called it 
 of the fashion and principal parts of his body Camelopardalis, 
 and it made a great aray in all the place about the which 
 the men stoode. For such a chaunce befell, at the altar of 
 the Moone stoode two bullockes, and at the altar of the 
 Sunne, foure white horses to be sacrificed : when the 
 monstrous and straunge beast came in sight, they were as 
 sore troubled, and afraid as if they had sene a sprite, 
 and one of the bulles, which as might be thought 
 sawe the beast alone, and two horses brake out of their 
 handes that helde them, and ranne about as fast as they 
 could, mary they could not breake out of the compasse of 
 the army, because the souldiers with their shieldes had 
 made, as it were a wall round, but they ranne here and 
 there, and overthrewe all that stoode in their way, were it 
 vessel or any thing els, so that there was a great shout, as- 
 well of those to whome they came for feare, as also for joy 
 and pleasure that other had to see them overrunne their 
 mates, and tread them under their feete. Wherefore Per- 
 
 279
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E sina and Cariclia, could not be quiet in their tabernacle, but 
 X commaunded to drawe the curteine aside, and looked upon 
 
 A wonderfull that, that befel. There Theagenes either moved with his 
 active feate of O wne manly courage, or else sturred forewarde with strength, 
 Iheagenes. gen j. ^ m Q f Q. OC J ? wn en he sawe his keepers that attended 
 uppon him, dispersed here and there, with the tumulte start 
 up soudainely (for before he kneeled at the altar, and looked 
 every minute to be slaine) and tooke up a cleft sticke, whereof 
 there lay a great many upon the altar, and leapt uppon one 
 of the horses that was broken loose, and holding him by the 
 mane in steede of a bridle, and with his heeles, and the cleft 
 sticke making him to go, folowed the Bull. At the first 
 every man thought that Theagenes would have bene gone, 
 and therefore incouraged one another that they would not 
 let him goe out of compasse of the souldiers. But by that 
 hee did after, they sawe he did it not for feare, not to avoid 
 the sacrificing : for when he had overtaken the Bull, in verie 
 short time, he tooke him by the taile, and drave him forward 
 of purpose to weary him in making him runne faster, which 
 way so ever he went, hee followed after him, and with great 
 skill so tooke heede to his shorte turnes, that they hurt him 
 not. After he had aquainted the Bull with this, he rode 
 at his side, so neare that their skinnes touched, and their 
 breathes and sweatte were mingled together, and he made 
 them keepe so equall a course too, that those who were a 
 farre off deemed that they had bene made but one, and 
 commended Theagenes to the heavens that had so straungly 
 yoked a horse and a Bull together. And upon this looked 
 all the people : but when Cariclia saw it, shee trembled and 
 quaked, because she knew not what hee meant, and was as 
 sore afraide of his hurt, if he should by ill happe have a fall, 
 as if shee should have bene slaine herselfe, so that Persina 
 espied it, and said : Daughter what lackest thou ? Thou 
 seemest to bee in every daunger that this straunger is in. 
 Truly I my selfe also am somwhat moved with him, and I 
 have pitie of his youth, and I wish that he might be saved 
 from this danger, and be not sacrificed, so that the service of 
 the goddes might not be altogether imperfect and neglected 
 of us. That is a jest in deede (said Cariclia) to wish that he 
 280
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 might not die for that cause that he might not live. But B O O K E 
 mother, if you may save the man, you doo mee a pleasure. 
 Persina not suspecting the troth, but that shee was a litle 
 in love with him, said : Although he may not be saved, yet 
 be not afraid to tell thy mother what acquaintaunce thou hast 
 with him, why thou shouldest be so carefull for him, though 
 in deede this be a youthfull motion, and scant convenient for 
 a maide ? A motherly nature knoweth how to conceale her The property 
 daughters facte, and also one woman anothers escape, be- * a mot herly 
 cause perhaps they are like affected. When Cariclia had 
 very sorowfully wept, shee saide : In this point above all 
 other I am unhappy, because when I speake to those that 
 are very discreete, and quicke witted they understand me not, 
 and when I tel them my calamities, they think I touch them 
 not : nowe am I forced to tell the plaine troth, and hereafter 
 to accuse my selfe openly. As shee had saide thus, and was 
 about to tell her the matter truely, shee was stopped by a 
 great crie of the people againe. For Theagenes, after he 
 had let the horse runne as fast as he could, so long till his 
 breast was equall with the Bulles head, he let him go at 
 libertie, and fell upon the Bulles head betweene his homes, 
 and cast his armes about his head like a garlande, and 
 clasped his fingers on his forhead before, and let the rest of 
 his body hang downe by the right shoulder of him. So that 
 the Bull in going, hurt him a little. After Theagenes per- 
 ceived that he was weary with the great burthen, and his 
 muscules were faint with too much travell, and that hee 
 came before the place where Hydaspes sate, he turned him 
 selfe before, and set his feete before the Bull, who beatte 
 upon his hoofes stil, and so tripped him. He being let of 
 his course, and overcome with the strength of the young man, 
 fell downe upon his head and shoulders, so that his homes 
 stucke so fast in the ground, that he could not move his 
 head, and his feete stoode upward, with which he sprawled 
 in vaine a great while, and by his feeblenes declared that he 
 was overcome. Theagenes lay uppon him, and with his left 
 hand held him downe, but lifted his right hand up to heaven, 
 and looked merrilie upon Hydaspes, and all that were there 
 els, who laughed, and were much delighted with that sight, 
 2N 281
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E and they heard that the Bull with his lowing declared the 
 X famousnesse of the victorie, as wel as if it had beene declared 
 
 with a trumpet. On the other side was a great shoute of 
 the people, that said plainly nothing that one could under- 
 stand to his praise, but with their wide throates, and gaping 
 mouthes (as in like assemblies doeth oft happen) they seemed 
 to extoll him to the heavens with one consent. Then by 
 commaundement of Hydaspes, the officers ranne, and some 
 brought Theagenes to him, other tyed ropes about the Bulles 
 homes, and tooke up the horse, and led them to the altars 
 againe. And as Hydaspes was about to say somewhat to Thea- 
 genes, the people both delited with the young man, and were 
 singular-lie minded to him, ever since they sawe him first, and 
 also marvelling at his strength, but rather for spite they had at 
 MeroebusAethiopian champion, cryed with one voice, Let this 
 fellow be matched with Meroebus man, let him that received 
 the Eliphant, have to doo with him that overcame the Bull. 
 And because they were very instant, Hydaspes was content : 
 wherefore the Aethiopian was brought forth straight, who 
 looked cruelly round about him, and went on his tiptoes stretch- 
 ing him selfe and shaking his armes very arrogantly. When he 
 was come neare, Hydaspes saide to Theagenes in Greeke, 
 Straunger, the people willeth that you shall have to doe 
 with this fellowe. I am pleased to doe as they will have me, 
 said Theagenes : but in what sort must we be matched ? In 
 wrastling, quoth Hydaspes. Why shall we not rather fight 
 with swords (quoth he) that either I may do some excellent 
 fact, or els with death if I be slaine, content Cariclia, who 
 hitherto hath concealed our estate, or rather geven me my 
 last farewel. What you meane (quoth Hydaspes) to talke 
 of Cariclia I know not, but you must wrastle, and not fight 
 with weapon, because it is not lawfull to see any bloud 
 shed before the sacrifice be done. Then Theagenes per- 
 ceived that Hydaspes doubted least he should be slaine, and 
 said : You doe wel to keepe me for the Goddes, and they 
 shall have respect to my businesse. And then hee tooke 
 dust, and cast it upon his armes and shoulders, that were 
 yet sweatie with the chasing of the Bull, and shaked that 
 off, that it stacke not fast to his body, and then stretched 
 282
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 foorth his hands, and tooke some footing, and bent his legges B O O K E 
 a little, and stouped lowe, at a worde all partes of his body 
 were ready, so that he stoode, and with great desire awayted Theagenes 
 for the advauntage at the close. The Aethiopian seing wrastleth with 
 this laughed irefully, and triumphed scornefully upon him : ^^odJ^! 
 and ranne suddenly upon him, and with his elbowe hit commethhim. 
 Theagenes in the necke, as sore as if he had striken him 
 with a leaver, and then drewe backe, and laughed againe at 
 his owne foolish conceite. But Theagenes like a man alway 
 from his cradle brought up in wrastling, and throughly in- 
 structed in Mercuries arte, thought it good to geve place at 
 first, and take some triall of his adversaries strength, and 
 not to withstand so rude a violence, but with arte to delude 
 the same. Therefore he stouped lower, and made semblance 
 as though he had beene very sorrowfull, and layde his other 
 side to receive his other blowe. And when the Aethiopian 
 came upon him againe, he made as though hee would have 
 fallen flat upon his face ; but as soone as the Aethiopian 
 began to despise him, and was incouraged well, and came 
 unadvisedly the third time, and lyfted up his arme againe 
 to take holde of him, and putting his right arme under his 
 left side, and by lifting up his hande, overthrewe them on a 
 heape, and casting him selfe under his arme pittes, gryped 
 his gorbelly with much a doo, and forced him with his heeles 
 to fall on his knees, and then leapt on his backe, and clasp- 
 ing his feete about his privie parts, made him stretch out 
 his legges, wherewith he did stay up him selfe, and pulled 
 his armes over his head behinde him, and laide his bellie 
 flatte upon the earth. For this fact the people gave a 
 greater shoute then they did before, and the king him selfe 
 could stay no longer, but started from his seate, and saide, 
 O hatefull necessitie : what a man are we forced to kill by 
 our lawe ? And when he had called him unto him, he said : 
 Young man, there lacketh nothing, but that thou be crowned 
 before the sacrifice: surelye this thy famous and notable 
 victorie, but unprofitable, and not continuall to thee, 
 deserveth a crowne. But for as much as I can not deliver 
 thee from this present perill, though I would, yet will I doe 
 al that I may for thee, without breache of the lawes. And 
 
 283
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E therewith he put a crowne of golde uppon Theagenes head, 
 X and divers men did see him weepe. Theagenes saide, Then 
 
 I require you to let me obtaine this request at your hand 
 according as you have promised. If there be no way to 
 escape this murthering commaund me to be killed by the 
 hand of her that is found your daughter to day. Hydaspes 
 was bitten with this word, and considered Cariclias request, 
 which was like this, yet hee judged it no great matter to 
 skanne it narrowly at that time, and saie : Stranger, I bade 
 thee aske that which might be graunted, and I promised to 
 perfourme it : beside, the lawe precisely willeth, that she 
 that killeth the sacrifice, shoulde have a husband. She hath 
 a husband too, saide Theagenes. This man is mad, said 
 Hydaspes, and beside him selfe, and one that hath geven 
 over him selfe to death. The fire declareth that she is a 
 maid unmarried, and neither had to doo with man, except 
 you meane this Meroebus (I cannot tel how you should 
 come by knowledge thereof) which is not yet her husband, 
 but I have promised her to him. Neither is he like to be, said 
 Theagenes, if I know Cariclias minde, and if you wil beleeve 
 Meroebus me as a sacrifice. Good sir, said Meroebus, no sacrifices 
 offended be- that be alive, but such as be killed, and cut up, doo with 
 cause his their intrailes tell the southsayers what shall insue. Where- 
 ^ ore ^her you said well that this straunge merchaunt was 
 mad, and spake nothing to any purpose. Therefore if you 
 will, let one carry him to the Altar, and when you have dis- 
 patched your other matter that you have in hande, then 
 may you goe about the Sacrifice. Then was Theagenes 
 carried as commaundement was geven. But Cariclia, who 
 was comforted a little because of his victorie, and hoped for 
 better lucke ; when she sawe him ledde away, was then in 
 sorrow againe, and Persina comforted her divers wayes, and 
 tolde her that he might happen to be saved, if she woulde 
 tell her the rest more plainly. Cariclia seeing the time 
 woulde permitte her to drive off no longer, tolde the chiefe 
 and principall pointes to her. That while Hydaspes asked 
 if there were any moe who had ought to say, Hermonias 
 answered, Here are no mo but the people of Siene, which 
 with other presentes brought letters from Oroondates, and 
 284-
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 they came but even now. When Hydaspes gave them leave 
 to come to him, they delivered the letters, which he opened 
 and redde : the contents whereof were these : 
 
 To Hydaspes the gentle and fortunate king of the 
 Aethiopians, Oroondates the great kings deputie, 
 
 sendeth greeting. 
 
 For as much as when you overcame me in battell, but more 
 in lofty courage of mind, you gave me a whole deputishippe 
 of your owne courtesie, I shall thinke it no marveile if you 
 perfourme a small request now. There was a certaine maide 
 who in carriage from Memphis, happened to fall into your 
 handes by chaunce of warre, and it was tolde me of such as 
 were with her, and escaped out of your danger, that you com- 
 maunded her to be carried captive into Aethiopia, this wench 
 I desire you to sende me, both for her owne sake, but most 
 for her fathers, for whom I would see her safe kept, he hath 
 travelled farre for her, and in this travel he was taken prisoner 
 in this time of warre by my souldiers, which lay in garrison 
 in Eliphantina, whom I spied, when I tooke the viewe of 
 those that escaped out of the battell, and he desired that he 
 might be sent to your clemencie : you have such a man 
 among the rest of the ambassadours, as may with his manners 
 alone declare that he is a gentleman, and woorthy onely with 
 his behaviour to obtaine his desire at your hand. Sende him 
 backe againe to me, O king, merry, who is not called onely, 
 but hath beene ere now, a father too. When he had red 
 this, he asked which of these is this that seketh for his 
 daughter ? They shewed him a certaine old man, to whom 
 he said : Straunger, I will do any thing at Oroondates 
 request, but I commaunded ten onely to be brought hither, 
 and for as much as one of them is knowen not to be thine, 
 looke uppon all the rest, if thou canst h'nde her take her 
 with thee. The old man fell downe and kissed his feete, 
 and after he had looked upon them al, as they were brought 
 before him and found her not whom he sought, he was very 
 sadde, and said none of these O king is shee. You knowe 
 (quoth Hidaspes) there is no want of good will in me, if you 
 find her not that you seeke for, blame fortune. For I give 
 you leave to looke that neither here is any other beside these, 
 
 285 
 
 BOOKE 
 X 
 
 Oroondates 
 letters to 
 Hydaspes. 
 
 Caricles com- 
 
 meth into 
 Aethiopia to 
 seeke Car iclia.
 
 AN ^ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E nor in the tentes : when the old man had bent his browes 
 
 X and wept, he lift up his face, and looked round about him, 
 
 and soudainely ranne foorth as though he had bene madde. 
 
 And when he came to the altar he did winde his cloake 
 
 round like a rope (for he had a cloke on then by chance) 
 
 and cast it about Theagenes necke, and cried that al men 
 
 might heare : I have found thee mine enimie, I have gotten 
 
 thee thou mischiefous and accursed fellow : and although 
 
 the officers would have staied him, and plucked him from 
 
 him, he hanged so fast upon him, that he obtained leave to 
 
 bring him before Hidaspes, and the counsell. And there he 
 
 spake thus : This man, O king, is he who like a thiefe hath 
 
 taken my daughter from me, this is he who hath made my 
 
 house desolate, and without any child, he hath taken my 
 
 hart even from the altars of Apollo. And nowe he sittetn 
 
 at the altars of the Goddes like a good and devout man. 
 
 Al that were there were moved with that which he did. 
 
 Mary they understoode not his words, but they marveiled 
 
 at his woorke. And when Hidaspes bad him tell plainely 
 
 what he meant : the old man (that was Caricles) concealed 
 
 the trueth of Cariclia, fearing least if shee were dead by the 
 
 way, that he should have much adoo with her true parentes. 
 
 But he tolde that briefely which was little hurtfull in this 
 
 Caricles tell- sorte : I had a daughter, O king, if you had seene howe wise, 
 
 eth Hidaspes an( J f a ire withall shee had bene, you would have thought that 
 
 how Cariclia j fa d j cauge fo j do ghee j dd her Hfe j 
 
 came out of . . . /-.. . , . , . , 
 
 Greece. virgimtie, and was one of Dianas pnestes, which is honoured 
 
 at Delphi : that maide this jolly Thessalian, hath stolne out 
 of Apolloes temple : as he came being captaine of a holy 
 ambassage to Delphi my native citie there to celebrate 
 a certaine feast. Wherefore it may well be deemed that he 
 hath offended also against you, for that he hath displeased 
 your God Apollo (which is all one with the Sunne) and 
 defiled his temple. Furthermore, a false priest of Memphis 
 was his companion in perfourmance of this his shameful and 
 heinous fact. After I had bene in Thessalia, and required 
 to have this fellowe, and they were all content to deliver 
 him to mee as a common plague of their countrie, where 
 soever he were founde, I went to Memphis, which I deemed 
 286
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 to be a place whither Calasiris would goe for diverse causes. B O O K E 
 
 When I came thither, I founde him deade, as well he had X 
 
 deserved, and was tolde by his sonne Thyamis, of all that 
 
 belonged to my daughter : how that shee was sent to Siene 
 
 to Oroondates, where not finding Oroondates (for I came 
 
 thither too) at Eliphantina I was taken prisoner, and staied : 
 
 from whence I came at this present in humble sort to seeke 
 
 my daughter, and you shall doe me (unhappy man) a good 
 
 turne, and a deede well beseeming a king, if you will accept 
 
 the deputies request made in my behalfe. And then he 
 
 helde his peace, and weapt bitterly to confirme that he 
 
 saide, Hidaspes turned to Theagenes, And what say you to 
 
 this (quoth he?) Theagenes answeared, All that he hath 
 
 laide against me, in this accusation, is true : I am the thiefe, 
 
 the unjust man, and the robber. As touching him : yet 
 
 have I done you a good turne. Therefore said Hydaspes, 
 
 restore that which is not your owne, that because ye are 
 
 vowed to the Goddes, ye may be a cleane, and glorious 
 
 sacrifice, and not seeme to be punished for your offence. 
 
 Nay (quoth Theagenes) not he that did the wrong, but 
 
 he that hath the commoditie of it, ought by justice to 
 
 make restitution. Seeing therefore you have her, restore Who ought by 
 
 her, for it is Cariclia, whom he also will confesse to be your justice to 
 
 daughter. No man coulde rule himselfe any longer, but r ? ake rest 
 
 they were disordred in everie place. Sisimithres, who had ' 
 
 withhelde himself a good while, for al that he knew the 
 
 whole matter that was in handling, till it were bolted out, 
 
 which by little and little came to light, then he came to them, 
 
 and imbraced Caricles, and said : Your adoptive daughter, 
 
 which I once delivered you, is well found, and knowen to be 
 
 their daughter, whom you know your selfe well enough. 
 
 Cariclia also ranne out of the tabernacle like a madde woman, 
 
 without regard what became of her kind and age, and fell at 
 
 Caricles feete, and said : O father, no lesse deere to me, than 
 
 those that begate me, take what revenge you wil of me, 
 
 without any regard to the excuse, which some man might 
 
 alleadge that it was the Goddes will, and their doing. 
 
 Persina on the other side kissed Hydaspes, and said, 
 Husband, judge that all this is so, and be sure that this yong 
 
 287
 
 AN ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E Greke is your daughters husband. The people in another 
 X place rejoyced, and almost daunced for joy, and with one 
 
 consent were all gladde of that which was donne, marry all 
 they understoode not, but gathered the most part of Cari- 
 clia. Perhappes also they were styrred to understand the 
 trueth by inspiration of the Gods, whose will it was that 
 this should fall out woonderfully, as in a Comedie. Surely 
 they made very contrarye things agree, and joyned sorrow 
 and mirth, teares and laughter together, and turned feare- 
 full, and terrible things into a joyfull banquette in the ende, 
 many that weapt beganne to laugh, and such as were sorrow- 
 full to rejoyce, when they founde that they sought not for, 
 and lost that they hoped to finde, and to be shorte, the 
 cruell slaughters wnich were looked for every momente, were 
 turned into holy sacrifice. Then sayde Hidaspes to Sisi- 
 mithres : Right wise man what must we doe ? To refuse the 
 sacrifice of the Gods is a wicked act, but to offer them which 
 they have provided for us is the duety of devoute men : we 
 must therefore bethinke us what is best to do. Thereunto 
 Sisimithres answered not in Greeke, but in the Aethiopian 
 tongue, that all might understand him, thus : Through too 
 To much joy much pleasure, O king, the wisest men are often times 
 blindeth the blinded, you might have perceived at the first that the 
 
 wisest men Q O( j(j es liked not the sacrifice which was ordeined, who have 
 oftentimes. j , , ., . , .,.'. 
 
 nowe every way declared that happy Cariclia is your 
 
 daughter even at the very altars, and have brought him, 
 that brought her up out of the middest of Greece, as it 
 had bene of purpose : they have feared and troubled the 
 horses and Bullockes too, that stoode before the altars, 
 wherby they declared that the greater sacrifices, which have 
 bene used among our auncesters shoulde nowe cease, and be 
 used no more. And beside, declared this yong Greeke to be 
 the maides husbande which may be the ende and conclusion 
 of this comedie. Lette us therefore suffer divine miracles to 
 sinke in our mindes, and be healpers of their will, and doo 
 more acceptable sacrifices to them, and leave murthering, of 
 men, and women for ever hereafter. After Sisimithres had 
 said thus so lowde that all might heare him, Hidaspes who 
 understoode also the tongue wherein he spake, tooke up 
 288
 
 OF HELIODORUS 
 
 Theagenes and Cariclia, and saide : Seeing that these thinges B O O K E 
 bee thus appointed by the will and pleasure of the Goddes, 
 I thinke (howe seemeth it to you that be here also) that it is 
 not good to strive against them : wherefore before them who 
 have preordained this, and you also which seeme with your 
 consent to followe their fates and destinies, I wish that these 
 two may increase and growe in wedlocke, and give them Theagenes 
 leave to rejoice either other, that they may ingender and an< * Cariclia, 
 have children. And if you shall thinke it good, lette this , are n e ,. 
 decree be confirmed with sacrifice, and lette us fall to wor- Hidaspes, and 
 shipping of the Goddes. The army consented thereto, and are made 
 with clapping their handes gave a signe that they were con- priests, he the 
 tented with the match. S "he e the Ud 
 
 Hydaspes then came to the altars, and ready to beginne Moones 
 sacrifice, said thus : O Sunne our lord, and lady Moone, for 
 as much as Theagenes and Cariclia are declared to be man 
 and wife by your good willes, I am sure you will accept of 
 their offeringes, and suffer them to doo sacrifice to you. 
 This saide, he tooke off his owne miter, and Persinas, which 
 were the notes of their priesthoode, and set one upon 
 Theagenes head, which was his owne, and the other upon 
 Cariclias that was Persinas. When this was done, Caricles 
 remembred him selfe of the Oracles answere at Delphi, and 
 sawe that fulfilled in deede, which was promised before of 
 the Goddes. Which was, that after they nedde from Delphi, 
 they should come at length to countrie scortcht 
 
 with burning Phoebus beames : The prophecy 
 
 Where they as recompences due, in the end of 
 
 That vertue rare doe gaine : the second 
 
 In time to come ere it be long, booke ful- 
 
 white Mitres shall obtaine. filled. 
 
 Thus after they had on these white miters, and were made 
 priestes by the voice, and opinion of Hidaspes, and had 
 done sacrifice very well, they roade in Charlottes drawen 
 with horses, Hidaspes and Theagenes in one, Sisimithres 
 and Caricles in an other, and Persina with Cariclia in the 
 third, but theirs was drawen with two white oxen to Meroe 
 with great joy, and melodie of instrumentes of musicke, to 
 2O 289
 
 AN .ETHIOPIAN HISTORIE 
 
 B O O K E accomplish the secreter affaires of wedlocke in the citie for 
 X more solemnities sake. Thus endeth the Aethiopian historic 
 
 of Theagenes and Cariclia, the authour whereof is Heliodorus 
 of Emesos a citie in Phoenicia, sonne of Theodosius, 
 which fetched his petigree from the Sunne. 
 
 THE END OF THE TENTH AND LAST BOOKE OF 
 
 HELIODORUS HIS AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORIE. 
 
 290
 
 EDINBURGH 
 
 T. &* A. CONSTABLE 
 
 Printers to Her Majesty 
 
 1894