Gito's admirable beauty had soften'd their rage, and seem'd without speaking to intreat their favour; when the maids unanimously cry'd out, "'tis Gito, 'tis Gito; hold your barbarous hands, help madam, 'tis Gito!"
Tryphœna to their cry inclin'd her ears, that already had anticipated her belief, and with eager haste flew to the boy.
Upon which Lycas that knew me very well, as much satisfied as he had heard my voice, ran to me, and taking my other parts on content, sed contiguo ad inguina mea luminibus deflexis movit officiosam manum "your servant Encolpius," says he, "'twill be no wonder how Euryclea that nurs'd Ulysses, at his return after twenty years absence, shou'd know him by a scar on his forehead, when 'tis consider'd, the most discreet Lycas, not beholden to the marks of any seen part of the body, so judiciously discover'd me by the most hid:" Tryphœna, having cheated herself into a belief that those marks of slavery we wore on our foreheads were real, wept; and began in a low voice, to inquire what prison cou'd stop us in our rambles; or whose cruel hands cou'd finish such a punishment without reluctancy. "I confess," added she, "they deserve some punishment with whom their masters are so justly angry."
Lycas was in great heat at Tryphœna's tenderness. "And thou foolish woman," said he, "can you believe, those marks were cut before the ink was laid? We should be too happy were those stains not to be rub'd off, and had justly been, as they design'd us, the subject of their laughter, if we had suffer'd our selves to be so grossly impos'd on in a sham inscription."
Tryphœna, who was not yet unmindful of our former amours, wou'd have pity'd us. When Lycas, still resenting the abuse he received in his vitiated wife, and the affronts at the porch of Hercules' temple, with greater rage cry'd out, "I thought you had been convinc'd, Tryphœna, that Heaven has the care of humane affairs, when it not only brought our enemies into our power, which they strove to avoid, but reveal'd it in a vision to us both; see what you'l get by pardoning them, whom Heaven it self has brought to punishment, for my part, I am not naturally so cruel, but am afraid the judgment I shou'd prevent from justly falling upon others, may light on my own head."
This superstitious harangue, turn'd Tryphœna from hindring our punishment to hasten its execution. When she began afresh as highly to resent the former affronts that was offer'd her, as Lycas did the repute of his modesty that he had lost in the peoples esteem.
When Lycas found Tryphœna was with himself eagerly inclin'd to revenge, he order'd to increase our punishments, which when Eumolpus perceiv'd, he endeavour'd to mitigate after this manner.
"I pity the wretches," said he, "that lie at your mercy. Lycas, they implore your compassion, and choosing me as a man not altogether unknown to 'em to perform the office, desire to be reconcil'd to them they once held most dear. Can you believe, 'twas by accident they fell into your hands, when all passengers make it their chief business to enquire to whose care they are to trust themselves? When you are satisfied of their intentions, can you be so barbarous to continue your revenge, but suffer free-born men to go uninjur'd where they have design'd. Even barbarous and implacable masters allay their cruelty when their slaves repent; and all give quarter to the enemy that surrenders himself. What can you, or will you desire more? You have at your feet repenting supplicants; they're gentlemen, and men of worth; and what's more prevailing than both, were once caress'd as your dearest friends. Had they rob'd you of your money, or betray'd your trust, by Hercules the punishment they've inflicted on themselves might have satisfied your rage; don't you see the marks of slaves on their faces; who, though free, to attone their injuries to you, proscrib'd themselves."
"To avoid confusion," interrupted Lycas, "give me a reason for all particulars as I shall ask you; and first, if they came with design to surrender themselves, why did they cut off their hair? for all disguises are assum'd rather to deceive than satisfie the injur'd.
"Next, if they expected to ingratiate them selves by their embassadour, why have you endeavoured in everything, to conceal them you were to speak for? whence it plainly appears, 'twas by accident the offenders were brought to punishment, and that you have us'd this artifice to divert our suspicion. Sure you thought to raise our envy, by ringing in our ears, that they were gentlemen, and men of worth; but have a care their cause don't suffer by your impudence; what shou'd the injur'd do when the guilty come to 'em to be punisht? And if they were my friends, they deserve to be more severely treated; for he that wrongs a stranger is call'd a rogue, but he that serves a friend so, is little less than a parricide."
"I am sencible," said Eumolpus, answering this dreadful harangue, "that nothing cou'd happen to these unhappy young men more unfortunate than the cutting their hair off at midnight, which is the only argument that may perswade you to mistake their voluntary coming here, for accidental; but I shall as candidly endeavour to undeceive you, as it was innocently acted: before they imbarkt they had designs to ease their heads of that, as troublesome as useless weight, but the unexpected wind that hasten'd us on board, made 'em defer it; nor did they suspect it to be of any moment where 'twas done, being equally ignorant of the ill omen, and customs of mariners."
"What advantage," reply'd Lycas, "cou'd they propose to themselves by the loss of their hair? unless they thought baldness might sooner raise our compassion: Or can you believe I wou'd be satisfy'd in your relation? when addressing himself to me, What poyson, said he, thou villain, has eat your hair off? To what god have your sacrilegious hands offer'd it?"
The fear of punishment struck me speechless; nor cou'd I find any thing to urge in my defence against so plain an accusation. Then the confusion I was in, my disfigur'd face, with the equal baldness of my head and eye-brows, gave a ridiculous air to everything I said or did; but when they wip'd us with a wet spunge, the letters melting into one, spread o'er our faces such a sooty cloud that turn'd Lycas's rage to a perfect loathing. Eumolpus cou'd not endure to see free-born men against all law and justice so abus'd, and returning their threats with blows, not only was our advocate but champion too. He was seconded by his man, and two or three sick passengers appear'd our friends, that serv'd rather to encourage us, than encrease our force.
Upon which I was so far from begging pardon, that without any respect I held my fists at Tryphœna, and plainly told her she shou'd feel me, if her lecherous ladiship, who only in the ship deserv'd to be punisht, was not content to decline her pretentions to Gito.
The angry Lycas was all rage at my impudence; and very impatient of revenge when he found, without any concern for my own cause, I stood up for another's.
Nor was Tryphœna less disturb'd at my contempt of her; at what time every one in the vessel choose his side and put himself in a posture of defence.
On our side Eumolpus's slave distributed the instruments of his trade, and reserv'd a razor to defend his own person; on the other, Tryphœna and her attendants advanc'd, armed with nothing but their nails and tongues; which last supply'd the want of drums in their army; when the pilot, crying out, threaten'd he wou'd leave the ship to the mercy of the waves if they continued the bustle rais'd about the lust of two or three vagabonds.
This did not in the least retard the fight; they pressing for revenge, we for our lives: in short, many fell half dead on both sides; others withdrew, as from greater armies, to be drest of their wounds; yet this damps not the rage of either side.
Then the bold Gito, drawing out that part of him Tryphœna most admired, clapt a bloody razor to't, and threaten'd to cut away the cause of all our misfortunes, but Tryphœna did not faintly send to prevent so cruel an act: I often offer'd at my throat too, but with as little design to kill my self as Gito to do what he threaten'd: he the more boldly handl'd his because he knew it to be the same blunt razor he had us'd before; which made Tryphœna very apprehensive of his tragic intentions.
Upon this, both sides drew up their ranks, when the pilot perceiving how commical a war it was, with much ado was perswaded to let Tryphœna dispatch an herald to capitulate: Articles immediately according to the custom of countries being mutually agreed off on both sides; Tryphœna snatcht an olive-branch, the ensign of peace, that stuck to the image of prosperity pictur'd in the ship, and holding it in the midst of us, thus addrest her self.
"What fury did these sudden broils engage,How have their guiltless hands deserv'd your rage?No Paris a stol'n dame to Troy conveys,No witch Media here her brother slays:But slighted love must needs resenting be:And midst the waves who is the raging heNow rob'd of arms that can attempt my fate?By whom is simple death so little thought?Let not your murderous rage out storm the seas,And dangers of the angry waves increase."
When in a great heat Tryphœna had thus said, both armies stood still a while, and reviving the treaty of peace, put a stop to the war. Our captain Eumolpus prudently us'd the occasion of her repentance, and having first severely chastiz'd Lycas, sign'd the articles, which were as follow.
"Tryphœna, you do from the bottom of your heart, as you are in perfect mind, promise never to complain of any injury you have receiv'd from Gito; nor mention, upbraid him with, or study to revenge directly or indirectly any action of his before this day; and to prevent your forcing him to an unwilling compliance, be it further agreed, that you never kiss, coll, or bring him to a closer hug, without the forfeiture of 100 denarii: And for better security, that you always pay your mony, before you have your ware.
"Item, you Lycas, from the bottom of your heart, as you are in perfect mind; do promise never to reproach, or insultingly treat Encolpius, either in words, or gestures: But, on the forfeiture of 200 denarii for each time you abuse him, behind his back."
Conditions thus agreed on, we laid down our arms: And, least any grudge might still remain, wipe off the memory of all things past, in repeated kisses.
All quarrels expir'd in universal shouts, and a sumptuous banquet that followed, spread equal mirth through the whole company: The vessel rung with songs, the ensigns of their joy: and the occasion of a sudden calm, gave other diversions: Here a little artist bob'd for fish, that rising, seem'd with haste to meet their ruin: There another draws the unwilling prey, that he had betray'd on the hook, with an inviting bait: When looking up, we saw sea-birds sitting on the sail-yard, about which, one skill'd in that art having plac'd lime-twigs, made 'em his booty. Their downy feathers, the air whirl'd about: The other, the sea vainly tost too and fro.
Now Lycas began to be friends with me: and Tryphœna, as a mark of her love, threw the bottom of her wine upon Gito: At what time, Eumolpus, quite drunk, aim'd at rallery on those that were bald and branded; till having spent his life-less stock, he return'd to his verses; and designing an elegy on the loss of hair, thus began.
Nature's chief ornament, the hair is lost,Those vernal locks, feel winter's blast:Now the bald temples mown their banish'd shade,And bristles shine o' the sun-burnt head.The joys, deceitful nature does first payOur age, it snatches first away.Unhappy mortal, that but nowThe lovely grace of hair, did'st know:Bright as the sun's or Cynthia's beams,Now worse than brass, and only seemsLike th' mushroom, that in gardens springs.From sporting girls, you'll frighted run,And that death will the sooner come:Know that part of your head is gone.
He wou'd have condemn'd us to hear more, and I believe worse than the former; if an attendant of Tryphœna, had not disturb'd him: who taking Gito aside, dress'd him up in her mistresses tower; and to restore him perfectly to his former figure, drawing false eye-brows out of her patch-box, placed 'em so exactly, Nature might have mistaken 'em for her own work.
At the sight of the true Gito, Tryphœna wept for joy: Who, not before, cou'd hug him with so real a satisfaction.
I was glad to see his loss so well repair'd: Yet, often hid my head, as sensible I appear'd with no common deformity, whom even Lycas thought not worth speaking to: But 'twas not long e'er the same maid came to my relief, and calling me aside, dress'd me in a peruke no less agreeable: for being of golden locks, it rather improv'd my complexion.
But, Eumolpus, our advocate, and reconciler, to entertain the company, and keep up the mirth, began to be pleasant on the inconstancy of women: how forward they were to love, how soon they forgot their sparks: and that no woman was so chast, but her untry'd lust, might be rais'd to a fury: nor wou'd he bring instances from ancient tragedies, or personages celebrated in antiquity: but entertain us, if we wou'd please to hear, with a story within the circle of his own memory: upon which the eyes and ears of all were devoted to him: who thus began.
"There was at Ephesus a lady, of so celebrated virtue, that the women of neighbouring nations came to join their admiration with that of her own country: This lady at the death of her husband not content with tearing her hair, or beating her breast, those common expressions of grief; but following him into the vault, where the body plac'd in a monument, she, after the Græcian custom, watch'd the corps, and whole nights and days continu'd weeping; the perswasions of parents nor relations cou'd divert her grief, or make her take anything to preserve life, the publick officers at last, she guarding the body for 'em, left the vault; and lamented by all for so singular an example of grief, liv'd thus five days without eating.
"All left her but a faithful maid, who with tears supply'd her afflicted lady, and as often as the lamp they had by, began to expire, renew'd the light; by this time she became the talk of the whole town; and all degrees of men confest, she was the only true example of love and chastity.
"In the meantime there happening a trial of criminals, the condemn'd were order'd to be crucify'd near the vault in which the lady was weeping o're the corps of her late husband. The soldier that guarded the bodies lest any might be taken from the cross and bury'd, the night after observ'd a light in the vault, and hearing the groans of some afflicted person, prest with a curiosity common to mankind, he desired to know, who, or what it was? Upon which he enter'd the vault, and seeing a very beautiful woman, amaz'd at first, he fancy'd 'twas a spirit, but viewing the dead body, and considering her tears and torn face, he soon guest, as it was, that the lady cou'd not bear the loss of her husband: he brings his supper with him into the vault, and began to perswade the mournful lady not to continue her unnecessary grief, nor with vain complaints consume her health: That death was common to all men; and many other things he told her, that use to restore afflicted persons to that calmness they before enjoy'd: But she mov'd anew at the comfort a stranger offer'd, redoubl'd her grief, and tearing her hair, cast it on the body that lay before her.
"The souldier however did not withdraw, but with the like invitations offer'd her somewhat to eat, till her maid o'recome, I presume, by the pleasing scent of the wine, no longer cou'd resist the soldier's courtesie. When refresht with the entertainment she began to join her perswasions to win her lady; 'and what advantage,' began she, 'wou'd you reap in starving your self? in burying your self alive? What wou'd it signifie to anticipate your fate?'
"'D'ye think departed souls will value it?'
"'Will you, madam, in spite of Fate, revive your husband? Or will you shake off these vain complaints, the marks of our sex's weakness, and enjoy the world while you may? The very body that lyes there might make you envy life. We don't unwillingly obey when we're commanded to eat or live.' The lady now dry with so long fasting, suffer'd her self to be o'recome; nor was she less pleas'd with her entertainment, than her maid, that first surrendered. You know with what thoughts encouraging meats inspire young persons. With the same charms our souldier had won her to be in love with life, he addrest himself as a lover; nor did his person appear less agreeable to the chaste lady, than his conversation; and the maid, to raise her opinion of him, thus apply'd her self:
"And arm'd with pleasing love dare you ingage,E're you consider in whose tents you are?"
"To make short; nor even in this cou'd the lady deny him any thing: Thus our victorious souldier succeeded in both; she receiv'd his imbraces; not only that night they struck up the bargain, but the next and third day: Having shut the door of the vault, that if any of her acquaintances or strangers had come out of curiosity to see her, they might have believ'd the most chaste of all women, had expir'd on the body of her husband. Our souldier was so taken with his beautiful mistress, and the privacy of injoying her, that the little money he was master of, he laid out for her entertainment, and, as soon as 'twas night, convey'd it into the vault.
"In the mean time the relations of one of the malefactors, finding the body unguarded, drew it from the cross and bury'd it. The souldier thus rob'd while he was in the vault, the next day, when he perceiv'd one of the bodies gone, dreading the punishment, he told the lady what had happened; and, added that with his sword he wou'd prevent the judges sentence; if so be she wou'd please to give him burial, and make that place at once the fatal monument of a lover and a husband.
"'The lady, not less merciful than chast; 'Nor wou'd Heaven allow,' said she, 'that I shou'd at once feel the loss of the only two in the world I hold most dear; I'd rather hang up the dead body of the one, than be the wicked instrument of the other's death.' Upon which she order'd her husband's body to be taken out of the coffin, and fixt to the cross, in the room of that which was wanting: Our souldier pursued the directions of the discreet lady, and the next day the people wonder'd for what reason that body was hung on the cross."
The seamen were pleas'd with the story. Tryphœna not a little asham'd, lovingly apply'd her cheek to Gito's, and hid her blushes: but Lycas wore an air of displeasure, and knitting his brows, said he, "if the governour had been a just man, he ought to have restor'd the husband's body to his monument, and hung the woman on the cross." I don't doubt it made him reflect on his own wife, and the whole scene of our lust when we rob'd his vessel. But the articles he agreed to, oblig'd him not to complain; and the mirth that ingag'd us gave him no opportunity to vent his rage.
Tryphœna entertain'd her self in Gito's arms, pressing oft his neck with eager kisses, and oft disposing his new ornament, to make it appear more agreeable to his face.
At this I was not a little out of humour, and impatient of our new league, cou'd neither eat nor drink any thing: but with side-looks wisht a thousand curses on them both; every kiss and every look she gave him, wounded me. Nor did I yet know whether I had more reason to repent the loss of my mistress, or my comrade; he having rob'd me of her; and she deluded him from my arms: Both were worse than death to me. And to compleat my misery, neither Tryphœna spoke to me as her acquaintance, and once grateful lover; nor did Gito think me worth drinking to; or what's the least he cou'd, common discourse with him: I believe he was tender of the new return of her favours, and afraid to give her another occasion to fall out with him: Grief forc'd a flood of tears from my eyes, and I stifl'd my complaints, till I was ready to expire.
When Lycas perceiv'd how well, tho' in this trouble my yellow ornament became me, he was inflam'd afresh; and viewing me with lovers eyes, addressed himself as such, when laying aside the haughty brow of a master, he put on the tender complacency of a friend: but his endeavours were fruitless. At last meeting with an intire repulse, his love turning to a fury, he endeavour'd to ravish the favours he could not win by intreaty; at what time Tryphœna unexpectedly came in, and observing his wantonness; in the greatest confusion he hid his head, and ran from her.
Upon which the more lustful Tryphœna askt, and made me tell her, what those wanton caresses meant; she was inspired with new heat at the relation; and mindful of our old amours, offer'd to revive our former commerce; but worn off my legs with those employments, I gave her invitations but an ill return; yet she with all the desires of a woman transported by her passion, threw her arms about me, and so closely lockt me in her imbraces, I was forc'd to cry out; one of her maids came in at the noise, and easily believing I wou'd force from her the favours I had deny'd her mistress, rusht between, and loos'd the bands: Tryphœna meeting with such a repulse, and even raging with desire, took it more grievous at my hands, and with threats at her going off, flew to Lycas; not only to raise his resentments against me, but to join with him in pursuit of revenge.
By the way observe, I had formerly been well receiv'd by this attendant of Tryphœna, when I maintain'd a commerce with her mistress, upon that score she resented my converse with Tryphœna, and deeply sighing, made me eager to know the occasion; when she, stepping back, thus began, "If you had any sparks of the gentleman in you, you'd value her no more than a common prostitute; if you were a man you wou'd not descend to such a jakes." These thoughts not a little disturb'd her; but I was asham'd of nothing more, than that Eumolpus, suspecting the occasion, shou'd in his next verses make our suppos'd quarrel the subject of his drollery; and lest my care to avoid it shou'd prove no means of discovering it.
When I was contriving how to prevent his suspicion, Eumolpus himself came in, already acquainted with what was done; for Tryphœna had communicated her grief to Gito, and endeavour'd at his cost to compensate the injury I had offer'd her. Upon which Eumolpus was on fire, and the more, because her wantonness was an open breach of the articles she had sign'd.
When the old doctor saw me, pitying my misfortune, he desir'd to know the whole scene from my self; I freely told him of the gamesomeness of the lewd Lycas, and Tryphœna's lustful assault, that he was already well inform'd of; upon which, in a solemn oath, he swore to vindicate our cause, and that Heaven was too just to suffer so many crimes to go unpunisht.
While we were thus ingag'd a storm arose; now thick clouds, and th' inrag'd flood eclypst the day, the seamen fly to their posts as fast as fear cou'd make 'em; and, pulling down the sails, leave the vessel to the mercy of the tempest; for the uncertain winds made them hopeless of any direct course; nor did the pilot know which way to steer; sometimes the unguided ship was forc'd on the coast of Sicily, often by contrary winds 'twas tost near Italy; and what was more dangerous than all, on a sudden the gathering clouds spread such horrid darkness all around, that the pilot cou'd not see over the fore-castle; upon which all despair'd of safety; when Lycas threw himself before me, and lifting up his trembling hands, "I beseech you Encolpius," began he, "assist the distress'd, that is restore the sacred vest and timbrel you took from the image of the goddess Isis; be merciful as you are wont.'' At what time a whirlwind snatcht him up, and threw him howling midst the flood, and soon a spiteful wave just shew'd him us, and drew him back again.
Tryphœna, hastily taken up by her faithful attendants, and plac'd with her chief goods in the skiff, avoided a most certain death.
I, lockt in Gito's arms, not without tears, cry'd out, "And this we have merited of Heaven, that only death should joyn us; but even now I fear fortune will be against it; for see the waves threaten to o'erturn the vessel; and now the tempest comes to burst the lov'd bands that unite us; therefore if you really love Encolpius, let's kiss while we may, and snatch this last joy even in spite of our approaching fate."
When I had thus said, Gito threw off his mantle, and getting under mine, thrust his head out at top to reach my lips; but that the most malicious wave might not ravish us asunder, he girt himself to me with the thong that bound his wallet; and "'tis some comfort," said he, "to think that by this the sea will bear us longer e're it can divorce us from each other's arms. Or, if in compassion it shou'd throw us on the same shore, either the next that passes by wou'd give us a monument of stone, that by the common laws of humanity he wou'd cast upon us; or at least the angry waves, that seem to conspire our separation, wou'd unwittingly bury us in one grave, with the sand their rage wou'd vomit up." I was satisfy'd with my chain, and, as on my death-bed, did now contentedly expect the coming hour.
In the mean time the tempest, acting the decrees of Fate, had rent all the rigging from the vessel; no mast, no rudder left, not a rope or plank, but an awkward shapeless body of a ship tost up and down the flood.
The fisher-men that inhabited the sea-side, expecting a booty, in all haste put out with their boats; but when they saw those in the vessel that cou'd defend their own; they chang'd their design of pillaging to succouring.
After a salute on both sides, unwonted murmurs, lilre that of some beast, labouring to get out, proceeded from beneath the master's cabin; upon which, following the sound, we found Eumolpus sitting alone, and in his hand a large scroll of paper that he was filling, even to the margent, with verses; we all were amaz'd to see a man amuse himself with poetry, at a time when he had reason to think each minute wou'd be his last, and having drawn him, malcing a great noise, from his hole, we endeavour'd to recover him from his frenzy; but he was in such a heat to be disturb'd, that "'Sdeath," said he, "let me make an end of this couplet, it finishes the poem;" on which I took hold of the mad man, and order'd the still murmuring poet to be hall'd on shore.
When with some trouble we had got him on shore, we very pensively enter'd one of the fishermen's huts, and howe're we feasted on our meats the sea had corrupted, we had no comfortable night of 't.
The next day, as we were proposing how to bestow our selves, we discover'd an human body floating on a little wave that made to shore: I stood still concern'd, and began with more diligence to see, if what was presented to our view was real.
When, finding it to be a man's: and "who knows," I cry'd out, "but this wretch's wife, in some part of the world, secure at home, may expect his coming; or perhaps a son, ignorant of the fatal storm, may wait the wisht arrival of his father; who with so many kisses seal'd his unwilling parting: These are our great designs! vain mortals swell with promising hopes, yet there's the issue of them all! see the mighty nothing how it's tost!"
When I had thus bemoan'd the wretch, as one unknown, the sea cast him on land with his face, not much disfigur'd, toward Heaven; upon which I made up to it, and easily knew that the but now terrible and implacable Lycas was lying at my feet.
I could not restrain my tears; but, beating my breast, "Now where's," said I, "your rage? where your unruly passions? now you're expos'd a prey to fish and beasts; and the poor shipwrackt wretch, with all his boasted power, now has not one plank of the great ship he proudly call'd his own. After this, let mortals flatter themselves with golden dreams, let the weary miser heap up ill-got wealth for many years; 'twas but yesterday this lifeless thing was priding in its riches, and had fixt the very day he thought to return. How short, alas! eyes the poor wretch of his design! but 'tis not the sea only we should fear: one the wars deceive; another by some accidental ruin, even at the altar, meets a grave; third by a fall in running anticipates his arrival to the goal; eating oft kills the greedy; and abstinence the temperate. If we rightly consider it in this sea of life we may be shipwrackt every where; but we vainly lament the want of burial to a wretch that's drowned; as if it concern'd the perishing carcass, whether flames, worms, or fishes were its cannibals. Whatever way you are consum'd, the end of all 's the same. But fish, they object, will tear their bodies; as if their teeth were less gentle than the flames; a punishment that we believe is the highest we can inflict on slaves that have provok'd us; therefore what madness is 't to trouble our lives with the cares of our burial after we're dead; when the best of us may meet the fate he vainly strives with so much diligence to avoid?"
After these reflections, we perform'd the last office for the dead, and tho' his enemies, honour'd him with a funeral pile; but while Eumolpus was making an epitaph, his eyes roam'd here and there, to find an image that might raise his fancy.
When we had willingly acquitted our selves of this piece of humanity to Lycas, we pursu'd our design'd journey, and all in a sweat soon. reacht the head of a neighbouring hill, from whence we discovered a town seated on the top of a high mountain; we did not know it, till a shepherd inform'd us 'twas Crotona; the most ancient and once most flourishing city of Italy; when we enquir'd of him what sort of people inhabited this renown'd place, and what kind of commerce they chiefly maintain'd, since they were impoverish'd by so many wars?
"Gentlemen," said he, "if you have designs of trading, you must go another way; but if you're of the admir'd sort of men, that have the thriving qualifications of lying and cheating, you're in the direct path to business; for in this city no learning flourisheth, eloquence has not a room here; temperance, good manners, nor any virtue can meet a reward; assure your selves of finding but two sorts of men, and they are the cheated, and those that cheat. A father takes no care of his children, because the having of heirs is such a mark of infamy, that he who is known in that circumstance, dares not appear at any publick game or show, is deny'd all publick priviledges, and only herds among those that all men piss upon. But single men, who have no tyes of nature that oblige the disposal of their wealth, are caress'd by all, and have the greatest honours confer'd on 'em; they are the only valorous, the only brave; nay, and only innocent too. You're going to a city," added he, "like a field in a plague-time, where you can observe nothing but one man devouring another, as crows dead carcasses."
The prudent Eumolpus, as a thing so surprizingly new, began to be thoughtful, and confest that way to riches did not displease him. I believ'd it the effect of a poetick gaiety, that had not left his years. When, "I wish," continued he, "I cou'd maintain a greater figure, as well in habit as attendants, 'twou'd give a better colour to my pretences: By Hercules, I'd throw by the wallet, and soon advance all our fortunes."
Promising therefore to supply his wants, "we have with us," said I, "the sacred vest of Isis, and all the booty we made at Lycurgus's village; and you have given me such hopes, Eumolpus," added I, "that were the goddess her self in my power, I'd pawn her for money to carry on the design."
Upon which, said Eumolpus, "why delay we the bringing of our hands in use? and if you like the proposal let me be called your master."
None e're condemned a project that was no charge to him; therefore to be true to his interests, we engag'd in an oath before we wou'd discover the cheat to suffer ten thousand racks; and thus like free-born gladiators selling our liberty, we religiously devoted both soul and body to our new master.
After the solemn ceremonies of our oath were ended; like slaves, at a distance, we salute the master of our own making. When beginning to exercise his authority, he commanded us to report that our ancient lord (meaning him) griev'd at the loss of a son, who was a great orator and comfort to his age, was unhappily forc'd to quit the place of his abode, lest the daily salutes of those that expected preferment under him, or visits of his companions, might be the continual occasions of tears; and the late shipwrack had added to his grief, having lost to the value of twenty thousand crowns; tho' he was not so much concern'd at the loss of his money, as of his large retinue; that, he fear'd, would make them not proportion their thoughts to his greatness; and to add, that our lord had mortgages on half the estates in Africa, and mighty sums at use on personal security; and cou'd raise of his own gladiators, disperst about Numidia, a force able to plunder Carthage.
After this, that his actions might agree with his condition, 'twas concluded necessary to wear an air of discontent; that he should with a stately stiffness, like quality, often cough, and spit about the room; that his words might come the more faintly from him; that in the eye of the world he shou'd refuse to eat or drink; ever talking of riches, and sometimes, to confirm their belief, shou'd break into these words; Strange that such or such a seat shou'd disappoint my expectation, that us'd to be blest with so large an increase! And that nothing might be wanting to compleat the humour, as often as he had occasion to call any of us, he shou'd use one name for another; that it might easily appear how mindful the lord was even of those servants he had left in Africk.
Matters thus order'd, having, as all that wou'd thrive in the world, implor'd the assistance of Heaven, we began our march, but both Gito did not like his new slavery, and Eumolpus's hir'd servant, bearing most of our baggage, in a little time beginning to be uneasie in his service, wou'd often rest his burden; and with ten thousand wry looks, and as many curses for our going so fast, at last swore he would either leave his charge, or go quite away with 't. "'Sdeath," said he, "d'ye think I'm a pack-horse, or a dray, that you load me thus? I was hir'd for a man, not a horse; nor am I less a gentleman by birth than any of you all; tho' my father left me in a mean condition." Nor content with reproaches, but getting before us, he lift up one leg, and, venturing his choler at the wrong end, filled our nostrils with a beastly scent.
Gito mockt his humour, and for every crack he gave, return'd the like, that one ill-scent might stifle another.
But, even here, Eumolpus returning to his old humour: "Young men," began he, "this poetry deceives many; for not only every one that is able to give a verse its numbers, and spin out his feble sence in a long train of words, has the vanity to think himself inspir'd; but pleaders at the bar, when they wou'd give themselves a loose from business, apply themselves to poetry, as an entertainment without trouble; believing it easier to compile a poem than maintain a controversie, adorn'd with a few florid sentences. But neither will a generous spirit affect the empty sound of words; nor can a mind, unless enricht with learning, be deliver'd of a birth of poetry; there must be the purity of language, no porterly expression, or meanness, as I may call it, of words is to be admitted; but a stile perfectly above the common, and with Horace,—
"'Scorn the unletter'd herd,And drive 'em from you.'
"Besides, you must be strictly diligent, that your expressions appear of a piece with the body of the discourse, and your colours so laid, that each may contribute to the beauty of the whole. Greece has given us a Homer and the Lyricks for example; Rome a Virgil and an Horace; the purity of whose language is so happily correct, others either never saw the path that leads to poetry, or seeing, were afraid to tread it. To describe the civil wars of Rome would be a master-piece, the unletter'd head that offers at it, will sink beneath the weight of so great a work; for to relate past actions, is not so much the business of a poet, as an historian; the boundless genius of a poet strikes through all mazes, introduces gods, and puts the invention on the rack for poetick ornaments; that it may rather seem a prophetick fury, than a strict relation, with witnesses of meer truth. As for example, this rapture, tho' I have not given it the last hand.
"Now Rome reign'd Empress o're the vanquished ball,As far as earth and seas, obey'd by all:Uneasie yet, with more desires she's curst,And boundless, as her empire, is her thirst.In burden'd vessels now they travelled o'reThe furrow'd deep to seas unknown before:And any hidden part of land or sea,That gold afforded, was an enemy.Thus fate the seeds of civil fury rais'd,When great in wealth no common pleasure pleas'd.Delights more out of fashion by the town:Th' souldiers scarlet now from Spain must come;The purple of the sea contemn'd is grown.India with silks, Africk with precious stone,Arabia with its spices hither come,And with their ruin raise the pride of Rome.But other spoils, destructive to her peace,Rome's ruin bode, and future ills encrease:Through Libyan desarts are wild monsters chas'd.And the remotest parts of Africk trac'd:Where the unwieldy elephant that's ta'en,For fatal value of his tooth is slain.Uncommon tygers are imported here,And triumphant in the theatre;Where, while devouring jaws on men they try,The people clap to see their fellows die.But oh! who can without a blush relateThe horrid scene of their approaching fate?When Persian customs, fashionable grown,Made nature start, and her best work disown,Male infants are divorc'd from all that can,By timely progress ripen into man.Thus circling nature dampt, a while restrainHer hasty course, and a pause remains;Till working a return t'her wonted post,She seeks her self, and to her self is lost.The herd of fops the frantick humour take,Each keeps a capon, loves its mincing gate,Its flowing hair, and striving all it can,In changing mode and dress, t' appear a man.Behold the wilder luxury of Rome,From Africk furniture, slaves, tables come,And purple carpets made in Africk loom.Thus their estates run out, while all aroundThe sot-companions in their wine are drown'd;The souldier loads, neglected is his sword,With all his spoils the dearly noble board:Rome's appetite grows witty, and what's caughtIn Sicily, to their boards are living brought:But stomachs gorg'd, (a dearer luxury)Must with expensive sauce new hunger buy.The Phasian banks, the birds all eaten, gone,With their forsaken trees in silence moan,And have no musick but the winds alone.In Mars's Field no less a frenzie reigns,Where brib'd assemblies make a prey of gains.Their servile votes obey the chink of gold,A people and a senate to be sold!The senate's self, which should our rights maintain,From their free spirits, stoop to sordid gain,The power of right by gold corrupted dies,And trampled majesty beneath it lies:Cato's pretence the giddy rout neglect,Yet did not him, but him they rais'd deject:Who, tho' he won, with conscious blushes stands,Asham'd o' th' Power he took from worthier hands.O manners, ruin, and the people's shame!He suffer'd not alone, the Roman name,Virtue and honour to their period came.Thus wretched Rome does her own ruin share,At once the merchant, and at once the ware,All lands are mortgag'd, and all persons bound,And in the use the principal is drown'd.Thus debt's a feaver, and like that disease,Bred in our bowels, by unfelt degreesWill through our thirsty vitals ev'ry member seizeWild tumults now to arms for succour call,(For what may dare and never fear a fall.)Wasted by riot, wealth's a putrid sore,That only wounds can its lost strength restore.What rules of reason, or soft gentle ways,Rome from this lethargy of vice can raise?Where such mild arts can no impression make,War, tumult, noise and fury must awake.Fortune one age with three great chiefs supply'd,Who different ways, by the sword that rais'd 'em dy'd;Crassus's blood, Asia; Africk, Pompey's shed;In thankless Rome, the murder'd Cæsar bled.Thus as one soil alone too narrow were,Their glorious dust, and great remains to bear,O're all the earth their scatter'd ruin lyes;Such honours to the mighty dead arise.'Twixt Naples and Puteoli there is,Deep in the gaping earth, a dark abys,Where runs the raging black Cocytus stream,That from its waters sends a sulphurous stream,Which spreads its fury round the blasted green,O're all the fatal compass of its breath,No verdant autumn crowns the fruitful earth;No blooming woods with vernal songs resound,Nothing but black confusion all around,There lonely rocks in dismal quiet mourn,Which aged cypress dreadfully adorn.Here Pluto rais'd his head, and through a cloudOf fire and smoke, in this prophetick mood,To giddy fortune spoke,—All ruling Power,You love all change, and quit it soon for more;You never like what too securely stands;Does Rome not tire your faint supporting hands?How can you longer bear the sinking frame,The Roman youth now hate the Roman name.See all around luxuriant trophies lye,And their encreasing wealth new ills supply.Golden aspiring piles here heav'n invade,There on the sea encroaching bounds are made.Where fields contriving as from waters sprung,Inverted nature's injur'd laws they wrong.So deep the caverns in the earth some make,They threat my empire, and my regions shake;While to low quarries others sink for stone;And hollow rocks beneath their fury groan.Proud with the hopes to see another day,M'infernal subjects 'gin to disobey:Fortune be kind, still I'le their fure dare,Turn all your smiles, and stir up Rome to war,And a new colony of souls prepare.Our sooty lips no blood have taste,With thirst Tisiphone's dry throat does wast.Since Sylla's sword let out the purple flood,And guilty earth grew fruitful from the blood.The black grim god did thus to Fortune say,Reaching her hand, the yielding earth gave wayThe fickle goddess, thus returning, said,Father, by all beneath this earth obey'd,If dangerous truths may be with safety told,My thoughts with yours a just proportion hold:No less a rage this willing breast inspires,Nor am I prest with less inflam'd desires;I hate the blessings that to Rome I lent,And of my bounty, now abus'd, repent:Thus the proud height of Rome's aspiring wall,By the same dreadful god 'twas rais'd, shall fall.Their blood I'll offer as a sacrifice,T' appease the ghost of their departed vice.I already see Pharsalian armies slain,The funeral piles of Thessaly and Spain:Egypt and Libya's groans methinks I hear,The dismal sound of arms now strikes my ear,An Actian sea-fight, and retreating fear.Make wide the entrance of your thirsty soil,New spirits must i' th' mighty harvest toil;Charon's too narrow boat can ne're convey,Scarce a whole fleet will waft the souls away;Pale furies be with the vast ruin crown'd,And fill'd with blood, remangle every wound.The universal fabrick of the world,Rent and divided, to your empire's hurl'd.She scarce had spoke; e'er from a cloud there flyesA blasting flame, that bursting shook the skyes;At Jove's avenging thunder, to his hell,From the clos'd earth, affrighted Pluto fell.When soon the angry gods their omens show,That bode destruction and approaching woe:Astonishment surpriz'd the darkned sun,As if the war already were begun;Approaching ills the conscious Cynthia knew,And blushing, from impiety withdrew.With hideous noise the falling mountains cleave;And streams repulst their usual courses leave.Ingaging armies in the clouds appear,And trumpets raising Mars himself to war.Now Ætna's flames with an usual roarVomit huge bolts of thunder in the air,Amidst the tombs and bones without their urns,Portending spirits send up dismal groans:A comet's seen with stars unknown before,And Jove descending in a bloody show'r:The god these wonders did in short unfold,Cæsar their ills no longer shou'd with-hold.Impatient of revenge, quit Gallick jars,And draw his conquering sword for civil wars.In cloudy Alps, where the divided rockTo cunning Grecians did its nerves unlock,Altars devoted to Alcides smoke.The temple with eternal ice is crown'd,Whose milky top so far in clouds is drown'd;You'd think its shoulders in the heavens boundNot the warm rays of a meridian sun,Or the hot southern winds can melt it down.So fixt with ice and snows it did appear,That its aspiring top the globe might bear.Here conquering Cæsar leads his joyful bands,And on the proudest cliff consid'ring stands.The distant plains of Italy surveys,And, hands and voice to heaven directed, saysAlmighty Jove and you, Saturnia, found,Safe by my arms, oft with my triumph's crown'd.Witness these arms unwillingly I wear,Unwillingly I come to wage this war,Compell'd by injuries too great to bear.Banisht my country, while I make the flood,That laves the Rhine, run purple all with blood.While the Gauls, ripe our Rome to re-invade,I force to skulk behind their Alps afraid:By conquering my banishment's secur'd.Are sixty triumphs not to be endur'd?A German conquest reckon'd such a fault?By whom is glory such a monster thought?Or who the vile supporters of this war?A foreign spawn, a mobb in arms appear,At once Rome's scandal, and at once her care.No slavish soul shall bind this arm with chains,And unreveng'd triumph it o're the plains.Bold with success still to new conquests lead,Come, my companions, thus my cause I'le plead,The sword shall plead our cause, for to us allDoes equal guilt, and equal danger, call:Oblig'd by you I conquer'd, not alone.Since to be punisht is the victor's crown,Fortune invokt begin the offer'd war,My cause is pleaded when you bravely dare,With such an army, who success can fear.Thus Cæsar spoke: from the propitious skyDescending eagles, boding victory,Drive the slow winds before 'em as they fly.From the left side of a dark wood proceedUnwonted crys, which dying, flames succeed.The sun-beams with unusual brightness riseAnd spread new glories round the gilded skies.New fir'd with omens of the promis'd day,Cæsar o're untrod mountain leads the way;Where th' frozen earth o're-clad with ice and snows,At first not yielding to their horses blows,A dreadful quiet in dull stiffness shows.But when their trembling hoofs had burst the chain,And soften'd milky clouds of hardned rain;So quick the melted snows to rivers run,That soon a deluge from the mountains sprung.But thus you'd think 'twere done by fates decrees,For the flood stopt, and billows rising freeze,And yielding waves but now are rocks of ice.The slippery passage now their feet betray,When soon in miserable heaps o' th' way,Men, horse, arms, in wild confusion lay.Now pregnant clouds, with whirling blasts are torn,And, bursting, are deliver'd of a storm:Large stones of hail the troubl'd heavens shoot,That by tempestuous winds are whirl'd about;So thick it pours, whole clouds of snow and hail,Like frozen billows, on their armour fall:The earth lay vanquished under mighty snow,An icy damp the vanquisht heavens know,And vanquisht waters now no longer flow.Thus all but Cæsar yield; on his huge lanceThe hero leaning, did secure advance.Alcmena's son did less securely rush,From the proud height of rising Caucasus;Or Jove himself, when down the steep he prestThose sons of earth, that durst his heaven molest.While raging Cæsar scales th' aspiring height,Big with the news, fame takes before her flight;And from Mount Palatine approaching ills,To frighted Rome, thus dreadfully she tells:A numerous fleet is riding o'er the main,The melted Alps are hid with Cæsar's train.That reeking from a German conquest come,And with a like destruction threaten Rome.Now arms, blood, death, and dismal scenes of war,Are to their eyes presented by their fear;With dreadful thoughts of coming war possest,A wilder tumult raigns in every breast.This flys by land, and that the sea prefers,And thinks his native soil less safe appears,The souldier trusts the fortune of the wars.Prest by their fate, thus as they fear they run.'Midst these disorders, through th' abandon'd town:A moving sight, wild tumults here and there,Follow the blind impulses of their fear.Vanquisht by rumour all, prepar'd for flight,Their much lamented habitations quit:Trembling, this takes his children in his arms,And that protects his guardian gods from harm.Scar'd from their homes, unwillingly they go,And in their wishes stab the absent foe.Some bear their wives, amidst ten thousand fears,In sad imbrace; and some their aged sires:The tender youth, unus'd to burdens, bearOnly that with 'em for which most they fear:Some less discreet, strive to bear all away,And only for the foe prepare the prey.So in a storm when no sea-arts availTo guide the ship with any certain sail;Some bind the shatter'd mast, with thoughts secure,Others are swimming t'ward the peaceful shore;While with full sails kind fortune these implore.But why do we of such small fears complain,With both the consuls greater Pompey ran,That Asia aw'd, in dire Hydaspes grownThe only rock, its pyrates split upon;Whose third triumph o're earth made Jove afraid,Proud with success he'd next his Heaven invade:To whom the ocean yielding honours gave,And rougher Bosphorus humbly still'd his wave.Yet he, of empires and of men the shame,Quitting the honour of a ruler's name,Meanly at once abandon'd Rome and fame.Now this to Heaven it self does fears impart,And the mild train of quiet gods depart;Frighted with wars they quit the impious world,And leave mankind in wild confusion hurl'd.Fair Peace, as leader of the goodly train,Beating her snowy arms, did first complain;A wreath of olives bound her drooping head,And to Hell's dark insatiate realms she fled.Justice and Faith on her attending went,And mournful Concord, with her garment rent.On th' other side from Hell's wide gaping jaws,A train of dire inhabitants arose:Dreadful errings, fierce Bellona there,Fraud, and Megera arm'd with brands of fire,And th' gastly image of pale death appear:Disorder'd Rage from all her fetters freed,Proudly 'midst these lifts her distracted head,And her hackt face with bloody helmet hid.On her left arm a target old and worn,Pierc'd with innumerable darts was born,And brands of fire supported in her right,The impious world with flames and ruin threat.The gods descending, leave their still abode,And the stars wondring miss their usual load;For all the inhabitants of Heaven come,Choosing their sides, with factious fury down.For Cæsar first Dione does appear,Pallas and Mars with his huge brandisht spear;Phœbe and Phœbus too for Cæsar came,And with Cyllenius, to fill the train,Alcides went, in all his acts the same.The trumpets sound, when from the Stygian shadeWild Discord raises her disorder'd head;From whose swoln eyes there ran a briny flood,And blood congeal'd otre all her visage stood;Her hideous rows of brazen teeth were furr'd,A filthy gore there issu'd from her tongue,With snaky locks her guarded head was hung;Rent and divided did her garb betrayThe image of the breast on which it lay;And brandisht flames her trembling hand obey.Thus from Hell's deeps she past with dire design,Up to the top of noble Appennine,From whose proud height she all the world descri'd,Earth, seas, and armies march on every side,And bursting out at length, with fury cry'd,Let murderous rage the world to arms inspire,That every nation may appear a fire:No age or sex shall from the war be free,No subtle fear be a security.The earth it self shall tremble, and the shockMake mountains cleft against each other knock.Marcellus guide the laws, Curior the crowd,Let Lentulus inspire the warlike god.But why is't Cæsar such slow measures takes?Not scale the walls? Nor force th' aspiring gates,Nor to the town, nor to the treasure makes?At Rome, if Pompey fears th' approaching foe,Let him to fatal Epidamnum go:Fill all its plains with blood. Thus Discord said,And impious earth her black decrees obey'd."
When Eumolpus, with his usual freedom, had deliver'd himself of this, we arrived at Crotona, where having refresht our selves in a little inn, we took up at the next day, designing an enlargement of our house and fortune, we fell into the company of some parasitical Corbacchio's who immediately enquir'd what we were and whence we came? When, according to our contrivance, prudently advancing our characters, we told the credulous parasites whence we came, and who we were. Upon which, immediately all their fortunes were at Eumolpus's feet, and each, to ingratiate himself into his favour, strove to exceed the rest in presenting him.
While this flood of fortune was for a long time flowing on us, Eumolpus, 'midst his happiness, having lost the memory of his former condition, so boasted his interest, that he affirm'd none in Crotona cou'd resist his desires; and that what e're crime any of us shou'd act, he had friends enough to wipe off the guilt.
But, tho' our daily increasing riches, left my pamper'd body no desire unsatisfy'd; and tho' I flatter'd my self into an opinion that ill fortune had taken her last leave of me, yet not only the thoughts of my present condition, but the means of getting to 't, wou'd oft break in upon my joys, and bitter all the sweet. "And what," said I to myself, "if some one, wiser than the rest, shou'd dispatch a messenger for Africk; shou'd not we soon be discover'd? What if the slave Eumolpus, pickt up, glutted with his present happiness, shou'd betray us to his companions, and maliciously discover the whole cheat? We should then be put upon the strole again, and be oblig'd with shame to renew our former beggary. Heavens, how ill it fares with wicked lives! they ever expect the punishment they deserve."
Going out full of these thoughts to divert my concern, I resolv'd on a walk, but I had scarce got into a publick one, e're a pretty girl made up to me, and calling me Polyæmus, told me her lady wou'd be proud of an opportunity to speak with me.
"You're mistaken, sweet-heart," return'd I, in a little heat, "I'm but a servant, of another country too, and not worthy of so great a favour."
"No, sir," said she, "I have commands to you; but because you know what you can do, you're proud; and if a lady wou'd receive a favour from you, I see she must buy it: For to what end are all those allurements, forsooth? the curl'd hair, the complexion advanc'd by a wash, and the wanton roll of your eyes, the study'd air of your gate? unless by shewing your parts, to invite a purchaser? For my part I am neither a witch, nor a conjurer, yet can guess at a man by his physiognomy. And when I find a spark walking, I know his contemplation. To be short, sir, if so be you are one of them that sell their ware, I'll procure you a merchant; but if you're a courteous lender, confer the benefit. As for your being a servant, and below, as you say, such a favour, it increases the flames of her that's dying for you. 'Tis the wild extravagance of some women to be in love with filth, nor can be rais'd to an appetite but by the charms, forsooth of some slave or lacquy; some can be pleased with nothing but the strutting of a prize-fighter with a hackt-face, and a red ribbon in his shirt: Or an actor betray'd to prostitute himself on th' stage, by the vanity of showing his pretty shapes there; of this sort is my lady; who indeed," added she, "prefers the paultry lover of the upper gallery, with his dirty face, and oaken staff, to all the fine gentlemen of the boxes, with their patches, gunpowder-spots, and tooth-pickers." When pleas'd with the humour of her talk, "I beseech you, child," said I, "are you the she that's so in love with my person?" Upon which the maid fell into a fit of laughing. "I wou'd not," return'd she, "have you so extreamly flatter your self. I never yet truckl'd to a waiter, nor will Venus allow I shou'd imbrace a gibbet. You must address your self to ladies that kiss the ensigns of slavery; be assur'd that I, though a servant, have too fine a taste to converse with any below a knight." I was amaz'd at the relation of such unequal passions, and thought it miraculous to find a servant, with the scornful pride of a lady, and a lady with the humility of a servant.
Our pleasant discourse continuing, I desir'd her to bring her lady: she readily consented, and taking hold of her petticoats, tript it into a lawrel labyrinth, that border'd on the walk; 'twas not long e're she usher'd her lady to me; a beauty excelling even the flattery of painters; words can't express so perfect a creature; whatever I shou'd say of her wou'd fall short of what she was. Her hair spread all o're her shoulders, and seem'd in easie curls to wanton in the air. Her forehead oval, and that naturally inclin'd the hair to its advantage. The proportion of her eye-brows was most correct. Her eyes eclypst the glory of the brightest star. Her nose had an easie turn, and mouth was such Pragiteless believ'd Venus had. Then her chin, her neck, her arms, and feet, gently girt with embroider'd sandals, to whose whiteness the Parian marble wou'd serve but as a foil. 'Twas then I began to despise my old mistress Doris. And thus broke out:
"Sure amorous Jove's a holy tale above;With fancy'd arts that wait upon his love,When we are blest with such a charm as this,And he no rival of our happiness:How well the bull wou'd now the god become:Or his grey-hairs to be transform'd to down?Here's Danae's self, a touch from her wou'd fireAnd make the god in liquid joys expire."
She was pleas'd, and smil'd with such an air, that, she seem'd like the moon in all her glories breaking through a cloud, when addressing her self, her pretty fingers humouring the turn of her voice, "If a fine woman, and that but this year, has been acquaint'd with a man," said she, "may deserve your love, let me commend a mistress to you. I am sensible you have a comrade already, nor have I thought it below me to inquire it: But why not a mistress too? I enter the list on the same bottom with your comrade; nor do I desire to engross all the caresses; only think me deserving, and confer them as you please."
"Let me beseech you, madam," return'd I, "by all those cupids in your face and meen, not to scorn to admit a stranger into the number of your admirers. You'l find him most religious, if you accept his devotions, and that you shou'd not suspect I believe the way to this heaven, unlike all others, may be trod gratis, I present you with my comrade."
"What?" said she, "do you give him without whom you cou'd not live? On whose lips your very being hangs? Whom you so love, as I cou'd you." Her words were attended with such a grace at their delivery, and the sweet sound so, charm'd the yielding air, you wou'd have sworne some syren had been breathing melodies. Thus rapt with every thing so amazing, and fancying a glory shin'd in every part, I ventur'd to enquire what name the goddess own'd? "My maid, I perceive," said she, "has not inform'd you, I am call'd Circe; I would not have you believe tho, I bear that name, that I derive my original from Apollo; nor that my mother, while she lay in the god's imbraces, held the fiery steeds: Yet I shall know enough of heaven, if fate will give you to my arms. And who knows the dark decrees? Therefore come, my dear, and crown my wishes. Nor need you fear any malicious disturbance of our joys. Your comrade is far enough from hence."
Upon which she threw her downy arms about me, and led me to a plat of ground, the pride of nature, deckt with a gay variety of every pleasing object.
On Ida's top, when Jove his nymph carest,And lawless in open view exprest:His Mother Earth in all her charms was seen,The rose, the violet, the sweet jessamin,And the fair lily smiling on the green.Such was the plat on which my Venus lay,But secret our love, more glorious the day,When all around was bright, and as the nymph as gay.
Here we prepar'd for battel, and through ten thousand kisses prest to a closer engagement; but a sudden weakness rob'd me of my arms. Thus cheated in her expectations, she highly resenting it, asks whether her lips, her breath, or some ill scent of any part of her, offended me. Or, if none of those, whether I fear'd Gito?
I was so asham'd of my self, that if there was any spark of the man left in me, I lost it. And finding every part of me feeble, and as it were lifeless: "I beseech you, madam," said I, "don't triumph over my misery; I'm surely bewitcht."
So slight an excuse could not allay her resentment, but giving me a disdainful glance, she turn'd to her maid, and, "I prithee Chrysis," said she, "be free with me, don't flatter your mistress. Is there any thing misbecoming or ungentle about me? Or have I us'd art to hide any natural deformity? I don't know how you've drest me to-day."
Upon which, e're Chrysis cou'd make a return, she snatcht a pocket-glass from her, and after she had practis'd all her looks, to try if any appear'd less charming than before, she took hold of her petticoats that were a little rumpled with lying on, and immediately ran to a neighbouring temple dedicated to Venus.
I could not tell what to say or do, but as if I had seen a vision, at last began with horror to consider whether I had been rob'd of any real joy.
So when a dream our wandring eyes betrays,And to our side some hidden gold conveys;Our busie hands the inviting treasure seize,And hid in guilty folds the fancy'd prize.Sweating we fear lest any conscious spy,Might search our bosom, and the theft descry.But with our sieep when all our joys are o're,And minds restor'd to what they were before,Concern'd, we wish the fancy'd loss regain'd,And with the image still are entertain'd.
This misfortune might make me justly think it not only a true vision, but real witchcraft; for I had so long lost my strength I cou'd not rise: My mind at last, a little freed, began by degrees to recover its vigour, upon which I went to my lodging, and dissembling a faintness, lay down on the bed. A little after Gito, being inform'd I was ill, came to me, much troubl'd; but to allay his concern, I told him I was only a little weary, and had a mind for a nap. Several things I talkt to him of, but not a word of my last adventure, for I was afraid because I knew he envy'd every one that had a charm for me, and to prevent his suspicion, throwing my arms about him, I endeavour'd to give a proof of my love; but disappointed of the expectation I had rais'd him to, he rose very angry from my side, and accusing my weakness, and strange behaviour to him, told me that of late he had found my chief favours were bestow'd in another's arms.
"My love to you, Gito," said I, "has ever been the same, but now my dancing-days submit to reason."
"Therefore," said he, laughing at me, "in the name of Socrates, I thank you, because like him, you propose to love me: Alcibiades, Encolpius, did not rise a virgin from that philosopher's side."
"Then," added I, "believe me, Gito, I hardly know I've any thing of man about me, how useless lyes the terrible part, where once I was Achilles."
When he found how unfit I was to confer the favours he wanted, and to prevent suspicion, of his privacy with me, he jumpt up and ran to another part of the house.
He was hardly gone, e're Chrysis enter'd my chamber, and gave me a billet from her mistress, in which I found this written:
"Had I rais'd my expectation, I might deceiv'd complain; now I'm obliged to your impotence, that has made me sensible how much too long I have trifl'd with mistaken hopes of pleasure. Tell me, sir, how you design to bestow your self, and whether you dare rashly venture home on your own legs? for no physician ever allow'd it cou'd be done without strength. Let me advise your tender years to beware of a palsie: I never saw any body in such danger before. On my conscience you are just going! and shou'd the same rude chilliness seize your other parts, I might be soon, alas! put upon the severe trial of weeping at your funeral. But if you would not suspect me of not being sincere, tho' my resentment can't equal the injury, yet I shall not envy the cure of a weak unhappy wretch. If you wou'd recover your strength, ask Gito, or rather not ask him for't—I can assure a return of your vigour if you cou'd sleep three nights alone: As to myself I am not in the least apprehensive of appearing to another less charming than I have to you. I am told neither my glass nor report does flatter me. Farewell, if you can."
When Chrysis found I had read the reproach, "This is the custom, sir," said she, "and chiefly of this city, where the women are skill'd in magick-charms, enough to make the moon confess their power, therefore the recovery of any useful instrument of love becomes their care; 'tis only writing some soft tender things to my lady, and you make her happy in a kind return. For 'tis confest, since her disappointment, she has not been her self." I readily consented, and calling for paper, thus addrest myself:
"'Tis confest, madam, I have often sinned, for I'm not only a man, but a very young one, yet never left the field so dishonourably before. You have at your feet a confessing criminal, that deserves whatever you inflict: I have cut a throat, betray'd my country, committed sacrilege; if a punishment for any of these will serve, I am ready to receive sentence. If you fancy my death, I wait you with my sword; but if a beating will content you, I fly naked to your arms. Only remember, that 'twas not the workman, but his instruments that fail'd: I was ready to engage, but wanted arms. Who rob'd me of them I know not; perhaps my eager mind outrun my body; or while with an unhappy haste I aim'd at all; I was cheated with abortive joys. I only know I don't know what I've done: You bid me fear a palsie, as if the diseast cou'd do greater that has already rob'd me of that, by which I shou'd have purchas'd you. All I have to say for my self, is this, that I will certainly pay with interest the arrears of love, if you allow me time to repair my misfortune."
Having sent back Chrysis with this answer, to encourage my jaded body after the bath and strengthening oyles, had a little rais'd me, I apply'd my self to strong meats, such as strong broths and eggs, using wine very moderately; upon which to settle my self, I took a little walk, and returning to my chamber, slept that night without Gito; so great was my care to acquit my self honourably with my mistress, that I was afraid he might have tempted my constancy, by tickling my side.
The next day rising without prejudice, either to my body or spirits, I went, tho' I fear'd the place was ominous, to the same walk, and expected Chrysis to conduct me to her mistress; I had not been long there, e're she came to me, and with her a little old woman. After she had saluted me, "What, my nice Sir Courtly," said she, "does your stomach begin to come to you?"
At what time, the old woman, drawing from her bosome, a wreath of many colours, bound my neck; and having mixt spittle and dust, she dipt her finger in't, and markt my fore-head, whether I wou'd or not.
When this part of the charm was over, she made me spit thrice, and as often prest to my bosom enchanted stones, that she had wrapt in purple; Admotisque manibus temptare coepit inguinum vives. Dicto citius nervi paruerunt imperio manusque aniculae ingenti motu repleverunt. At illa gaudio exsultans, "vides," inquit, "Chrysis mea, vides quod aliis leporem excitavi?"
Never despair; Priapus I invokeTo help the parts that make his altars smoke.
After this, the old woman presented me to Chrysis; who was very glad she had recover'd her mistress's treasure; and therefore hastening to her, she conducted me to a most pleasant retreat, deckt with all that nature cou'd produce to please the sight.
Where lofty plains o're-spread a summer shade,And well-trimm'd pines their shaking tops display'd,Where Daphne 'midst the cyprus crown'd her head.Near these, a circling river gently flows,And rolls the pebbles as it murmuring goes;A place design'd for love, the nightingaleAnd other wing'd inhabitants can tell.That on each bush salute the coming day,And in their orgyes sing its hours away.
She was in an undress, reclining on a flowry bank, and diverting her self with a myrtle branch; as soon as I appear'd, she blusht, as mindful of her disappointment: Chrysis, very prudently withdrew, and when we were left together, I approacht the temptation; at what time, she skreen'd my face with the myrtle, and as if there had been a wall between us, becoming more bold; "what, my chill'd spark," began she, "have you brought all your self to day?"