_Kinge Cyrus perswaded by Araspas, to dispose himselfe to loue a ladie
called Panthea, entreth into a pretie disputation and talke of loue
and beautie. Afterwards Araspas himselfe falleth in loue with the
saide ladie, but she indued with greate chastitie, auoydeth his
earnest sute. And when shee heard tell that her husbande was slaine
in the seruice of Cyrus, she killed herselfe._
Before the beginning of this Historie, I thought good by way of Proeme,
to introduce the wordes of an excellente writer called Lodouicus Cælius
Rhodoginus, who saith that S. Hierome the most holy and eloquent father,
affirmeth that vertues are not to be pondered by the sexe or kinde, by
whom they be done, but by the chaste and honest minde; wherewith if euer
any woman was affected, truly it was the fayre Ladie Panthea: for which
I would no man should blame me of vngodlines, or indiscretion, in that I
do remember a woman mentioned in profane authours, because at this
present I am not minded to make vewe of Christe his secretes which are
his deuine Scriptures, wherein be contayned the Ghostly liues of sacred
dames, wherein also aboundantly doth shine and glitter, the celestiall
mercie of our heauenly Father. But let the Reader remember that we be
now conuersant in the auncient monuments of other profane aucthours, and
out of them do select most pleasant places to recreat ech weary minde.
This Panthea therfore as Xenophon writeth, and partly as S. Hierome
reporteth, was the wyfe of Abradatas a noble personage, and in warlicke
factes very skilfull, dearely beloued of Cyrus king of Persia, with whom
this Lady Panthea was captiue, at the ouerthrow of the Assyrians. King
Cyrus then after his enemyes were vanquished, hearinge tell of this
gentlewoman, called vnto him one of his dearest frends named Araspas
which was a Median borne, the very minion, playe felow, and companion of
Cyrus from his youth: to whom for the great loue that he bare him, he
gaue the Median robe of from his owne backe at his departure from
Astiages into Persia. To this gentleman, king Cyrus committed the
custodie of the ladie, and of her tente. Abradatas her husbande (when
she was taken prisoner) was before sente in ambassage to the king of
Bactria by the Assirian king, to intreate of peace, because he was his
familiar frend. When Araspas had receiued the keeping of the ladie: he
asked Cyrus whether he had seen her, “No truly” said Cyrus. “Then haue I
(saide Araspas): and haue chosen her specially for your owne person. And
when we came into her pauilion, none of us could tell which was she, for
she set vppon the grounde, with all her women about her, and her
apparell was like vnto her maides. But we desirous to know which was the
maistres, beheld them all, and by and by shee seemed to excell them all,
although she satte with her face couered, loking downe vpon the grounde:
and when we bad her to rise vp, all the rest rose up also. She did farre
surmounte her maides, as well in making and lineamentes of body, as in
good behauiour and comelinesse, although she was clad in simple
apparell: the teares manifestly ranne downe her eyes vppon her garments,
distilling downe euen to her feete; to whom he that was most auncient
amonges vs said: ‘Be of good chere lady: we heare tell that you haue a
very valiaunte man to your husbande, such one whose practize and
experience is well knowen and tryed amongs greatest princes,
notwithstanding we haue chosen for you a gentleman, that is not
inferiour to him, either in beautie, force, wisedome or valiaunce. And
we do verely beleeue, that if there be any man in this world, worthie of
admiration, it is Cyrus our Prince and Lorde, whose paragon wee haue
chosen you to bee.’ When the Lady hearde them saye so, she tare the
attirement from her head and body, she cried out, and all her maides
skriched with her. At which times the greatest part of her face
appeared, and so did her necke and handes: And assure your selfe (Cyrus)
to vs that viewed her well, it seemed impossible, that such a creature
coulde be borne of mortall parentes in Asia. Therefore sir, looke vppon
her in any wise.” To whom Cyrus said, “The more praise ye giue her, the
lesse minde I haue to see her, if shee be such one as you haue saide.”
“And whye so?” (quoth Araspas). “Because (sayde Cyrus) if I should go to
see her, hearing you make this reporte of her beautie (leasure not
seruinge me thereunto) I am afraide, lest she would sone alure me to go
many times to behold her. Whereby I might perchaunce, grow negligent in
my matters of greatest importance.” The yong gentleman smiling, said,
“Thincke you Cyrus, that the beauty of a woman, can force a man
vnwilling, to attempt a thinge that should not be meete for him. If
nature haue that force in her, she would compell all men alike. Do you
not see, that fire burneth all men after one sort, because it is his
nature? Beautifull thinges be not had in equall estimation, some be of
great price, some not so, some do regarde this, some that. For loue is a
voluntarie thing, and euery man loueth what he list. The brother is not
in loue with the sister, but of another she is loued. The father is not
in loue with the doughter, and yet she is beloued of another. For feare
and law are able enough to restraine loue. But if there were a law made
to commaund men, that they which did not eate, should not be hungrie,
and they that did not drinke, should not be a thirst, and that no man
should be cold in Winter, and hotte in Sommer, that lawe coulde not
compell men to obeye: for men by nature be subiect to those infirmities.
But to loue, is a thinge free and voluntarie. Euery man loueth thinges
that be his owne, as his apparell and other his necessaries.” Wherunto
Cyrus replied: “If loue be voluntary: how can it be that a man may
abandon the same, when he liste? But I haue seene men weepe for sorowe
of loue: I haue knowen them that haue beene slaues to loue, who before
they haue loued, haue thoughte thraldome, the greatest euill: geuing
awaye manye thinges, which had beene better for them to haue kept: and
haue prayed to God to be exonerated of loue, aboue all other diseases,
and yet coulde not be deliuered, being bound with stronger imprisonment
then if they had beene tied with chaines, yelding themselues to their
louers, seruing them with all obedience. And when they be hampered with
such mischiefes, they seeke not to auoide them.” “They do so in deede as
you saye (aunswered the yong man:) And therefore such louers be
miserable, wishing still to die and yet still continue in their woe and
calamitie: And where there be a thousande wayes to bereue them of life,
yet they do not die. Some of them fall to stealing and robbing of other
men. But when they haue robbed and stolen anye thing thou with the first
thinkinge theft vnnecessary, doest condemne them as theeues, whom thou
dost not pardon, but punish. In like maner the beautifull doe not
councell men to loue them, or couet that is not lawful: But miserable
men shewing themselues inferiour to all lustes and desires, doe in the
ende accuse Loue to be the authour of their miserie. Good and honest
men, althoughe they desire golde, beautifull horses and faire women, yet
they can well ynoughe abstaine from them all, as not subiect to them
more then is meete: For I my selfe haue beholden this woman, which
seemeth to be a surpassing faire wight: and yet I am now with you,
I ryde and do other thinges accordinge to my dutie.” “Peraduenture (said
Cyrus) you went soner awaye, then loue coulde haue time to fasten vppon
you: For fire touchinge a man, doth not straite burne him: And woode is
not by and by in flame, yet would I not willingly touch fire, nor behold
beautiful persons: and I would giue you counsaile Araspas, to beware how
you suffer your eyes to rolle, and wander vpon faire women: for the fire
burneth them, that touch it: and beautifull folke, do kindle them, that
behold them a farre of, in such wise as they burne for loue.” “I warrant
you Cyrus (sayd Araspas:) for if I do continually loke vpon them, I wil
not so be drowned in loue, as the same shall prouoke me to do any thing
that doth not become mee.” “You saye well, sayd Cyrus, Therfore keepe
this woman as I bid you, and loke wel vnto her: For peraduenture she is
taken in good time.” And so they departed: The yong gentleman marking
the singuler beautie of the Lady, and perceyuing her great honesty, he
hauing custodie of her, thoughte he woulde do her pleasure, and by
gesture sawe that she was not ingrate and vnthanckfull, but very
diligent: She caused her seruauntes to prepare all thinges in readines
at his comming in: and if he were by chaunce sicke, shee toke order that
he shoulde lacke nothinge: vpon which occasions, he fell in loue with
her: and no maruaile, for she was (as before is saide) a woman very
fayre and amiable. Afterwards king Cyrus desirous to send a spie into
the countrie of Lydia, to learne what the Assyrians did: Araspas which
had the keepinge of the fayre Lady, seemed most mete for that purpose.
But Araspas chaunced to fall in loue with the Ladie, in suche wise as he
was forced to breake his minde vnto her, for the satisfying of his
pleasure: which request, like a faithfull and louing woman to her absent
husband, she denyed. Howbeit she would not accuse Araspas to Cyrus,
being a fraide to set variaunce betweene frendes. Araspas thinkinge it a
great shame and reproche vnto him, not to obtaine his desire: threatened
the Lady, that if she would not yeld to his request, he would haue it
perforce. Then the woman fearing violence, kepte the thing no longer
secrete, but sente one of her Eunuches to Cyrus, to discouer the whole
matter: which when he heard, he laughed hartely at Araspas, that sayde
and made his vaunte that he was superiour to loue, sending Artabasus
with the Eunuch, to commaund him not to force the woman: but if he could
by fayre meanes allure her, he would not be against him. When Artabasus
came to Araspas, he rebuked him, both for his infidelity in the thinge
committed vnto his charge, and also for his wickednesse, iniurie, and
incontinencie. Wherwithall Araspas wepte for sorowe, beinge oppressed
wyth shame, and confounded with feare, for the displeasure of Cyrus:
whiche thing Cyrus vnderstanding, called him, and priuely sayd thus vnto
him. “I see Araspas that you be afraied of me, and much ashamed: but be
contente, for I knowe that the goddes haue bene vanquished with loue,
and haue learned what thinges the wisest men haue suffered for loue: and
I haue accused my selfe, bicause I could not conteine, being in companie
with faire personages: and of this mishappe happened to you, I my selfe
am the occasion, for I compelled you to that inuincible matter.” Araspas
making aunswere sayd: “You be in this thing, O Cyrus, euen like vnto
your selfe, as you be in all other: you be mercifull, and full of
clemencie: but the brute that shall rise hereof is, that whiche maketh
me moste pensife, for so sone as the rumour of my calamitie is
dispersed, mine enemies will reioyce, and my frendes will counsaill me
to flee, lest youre maiestie do hainously take reuenge of mine offence.”
“Well Araspas, said Cyrus, by that opinion and brute, you shall do me
greatest seruice, and profite very muche my confederates.” “How can that
be (said Araspas)? where in for that respect shall I be able to doe you
any seruice?” “If presently (quoth Cyrus) you do make as though you
fledde from me, and by going to myne enemies, you maye wynne of them
great credite.” “Verely (sayd Araspas) I suppose that I and my frendes,
might raise a rumour indeede, that I am fled from you for feare.” “So
may you (sayd Cyrus) returne vnto vs againe, when you knowe our enemies
secretes; for I thinke they will make you priuie to all their counsell
and deuises: and you being in credit, shall be made priuie to all their
appointementes whiche wee desire to knowe.” “I will euen nowe depart
(sayd Araspas) for it is very likely, that this my departure, may seme
to be an argument of trouth, bicause I seme to flie for feare of
punishement.” “Can you in that maner forsake faire Panthea” (quoth
Cyrus). “Truely (said he) it euidently nowe appeareth, that I am endewed
with two mindes: with the one I haue plaied the philosopher, with loue
that vntrue Sophistre: for ther is no one minde which is good and badde,
and at one time is rapt with the loue of good and euil thinges, ne yet
at one instant can wil and will not together. Wherefore it is manifest,
that ther be two mindes; when the good minde ruleth, it doth things that
be honest, when the euill is superiour, it worketh ill: and now the good
minde, by making you his frende and confederate, doth puissantly
gouerne.” “Well (sayde Cyrus) if you goe, you must beware, that your
credite may increase amonges them: tell them hardly the somme of our
indeuours, but in suche wise as our doinges may bee lettes to their
practises. And this shall hinder their deuises muche, if you saie that
we determine to inuade their countrie: for hearing this, they will not
assemble their whole power, euery man fearing his priuate part: and see
that you tary with them a good space, and looke which partes they meane
sonest to approche, the same be moste conuenient for vs to knowe: and
bid them to be ready, whensoeuer they thinke time: for when you shall
depart from them, although they know you to be priuie to their order,
yet they must needes kepe the same, and be afrayd to alter it, lest they
confounde them selues through their sodaine chaunge.” Thus Araspas
departing, telling his moste trustie seruauntes what hee would have done
in this matter, went his waye: but Panthea hearing that Araspas was
gone, sent to Cyrus this message conteining these woordes.
“Bee not sorie Cyrus, for the departure of Araspas to your enemies, for
if you wyll suffer mee to sende for my husbande, I doe promyse you, that
he shalbe a farre more assured frende then Araspas was. And I knowe he
wyll come with so great power (for your ayde) as hee is able to make,
for the father of the Assirian kyng, whiche nowe raigneth, was his
frende. But this kyng vppon a tyme, went about to make a diuorcement,
betweene my husbande and mee: therefore, knowyng that this kyng, doth
disdayne my husbandes good fortune, by hauing mee to wife, I am sure hee
woulde sone be perswaded to serue so noble a Prince as you be.” Cyrus
hearing her saye so, commaunded her to sende for her husbande, which she
did. Abradatas knowing his wiues tokens, and vnderstanding the effecte
of her message, spedely came to Cyrus with two thousand horsemen. They
that were the Persian spies, sent to Cyrus, declaring what he was. Cyrus
commaunded that forthwith he should be brought vnto his wife. When the
wife and husbande sawe eche other, they imbraced like twoo that mette
after suche troublesome aduentures. Then Panthea tolde her husbande the
goodnes, temperance, and clemencie of Cyrus towarde her. Who hearing of
her interteignement, sayde: “What shall I doe Panthea, to render thankes
to Cyrus, for you and mee?” “What other thing (saide Panthea) but to
indeuour your selfe, to bee suche a trustie frende to him, as he hath
bene to you.” Then Abradatas went to Cyrus, and when he sawe hym, he
tooke him by the right hande and sayde: “For the pleasures that you haue
done mee, O Cyrus, I haue no more to saye, but that I assure my selfe
vnto you, as your frende, your seruaunt and confederate: and what soeuer
I see you desyre, I shall imploye my selfe, to the vttermoste of my
power, to ayde and helpe you in the same.” To whome Cyrus sayde,
“I accepte you, and for this tyme dismisse you, to goe and suppe with
your wife: then you shall agayne be placed in my Tente about me amonges
your frendes and myne.” And when Abradatas sawe the preparation of
Cyrus, that hee made against his enemies, he addressed to make prouision
of armure, and thinges meete for the fielde for hym selfe. His wyfe
Panthea, had made of her treasure, a curate and helmet of golde, and
likewyse his vambraces, and had furnished the horses of the chariot with
brasen barbes.
When Cyrus had spoken diuerse oracions, for the incoraging of his armie,
and had taken order, howe all thinges might prosperously succede,
diuided his captaines into seuerall battailes, appointing euery of them
their charge: Abradatas shewed him selfe verie braue, and marciall in
his Chariot: who being about to put on a linnen breast plate, according
to his countrie maner, his wife Panthea brought him an armure of golde,
and a purple gowne down to his feete, after robe fashion, and a crimsen
skarfe. These thinges had she priuely wrought for her husbande, knowing
the measure of his harnesse, whiche when her husband sawe, he marueiled,
and said to Panthea. “Wife, haue you not defaced your jewels, to make
this armure?” “Truelye (said Panthea) I haue a more precious jewell then
this; for if you proue a valiant gentleman to other, as you haue done a
louing and trustie husband to me, you are my dearest jewell.” In saying
thus, she armed him, and would that no man should haue sene her: for the
teares trickled downe her chekes. Abradatas being in the fronte of the
armie, armed after this maner, appered a gallant and braue captayne,
whose nature and complexion agreed to his comelinesse. And taking the
raines of the chariot in his hands, he prepared him selfe to mounte vp.
Then Panthea, all other being commaunded to stande backe, saide: “Truely
Abradatas, if there be women, that esteme their husbandes better then
their owne liues, I thinke you knowe that I am one of them. Therefore
what neede I to expresse euery particular thing: my factes, as I thinke,
do perswade you more then woordes. And thus indeuouring my selfe
towardes you, our mutuall loue is such, as I had rather be buried quicke
with you, being a noble man, then to liue in shame. I regarde you with
the beste, and my selfe not as the worste. Great thankes we owe to
Cyrus, for his Princely interteignement of me, being a captiue and
chosen for him selfe, not like a prysoner with shame, but free, without
spot or blemishe to mine honor: and vsed me, as though I had bene his
brothers wyfe. And after Araspas departed from him, whiche had the
custodie of me, I promised him, that if hee would giue mee leue to sende
for you, that you should become more loiall and assured to him, then
euer Araspas was.” Abradatas delited with her chaste communication, and
tenderly laying his hand vpon her head: looking vp to heauen, made this
praier. “O most mightie Iuppiter, graunte that I may shewe my selfe an
housbande meete for Panthea, and a frende worthy of Cyrus, who hath so
curteously dealt with vs.” Thus speaking at the entrie of the chariot
seate, he went vp, and being set downe, the gouernour of the chariot
made fast the seate. Panthea hauing nowe nothing to embrace, kissed the
chariot seate, and so he went forth. But Panthea followed him priuelie,
till he tourned and spied her, to whome he sayde: “Be of good conforte
Panthea, Adieu and farewell.” Then her Eunuches and women, conueighed
her to her own chariot, couering the same with curteines.
Cyrus after the battaile and victorie, had against Cræsus, called
diuerse of his men vnto him, and demaunded if they sawe Abradatas. “For
I marueile (sayde hee) that he commeth not vnto me: for before the
battell many times he appered in my presence.” Whereunto one of his men
answered: “The cause is (sir) that he is not aliue, for hee was slayne
in the battaile, as he inuaded the Ægiptians. The rest of his companie,
except his owne souldiours, fled from him, when they sawe him incountre
with the Ægiptian battaile. And then his wife Panthea tooke him vp, and
laid him in her owne wagon; conueighing him to a certayne place, by the
ryuer Pactolus. And (they say) that her Eunuches doe digge a graue to
burie him. His wife sitteth vpon the ground, apparelled with those
furnitures that he did weare, leaning her head vpon her knees.” With
whiche wordes, Cyrus was driuen into greate sorowe, clapping him selfe
vppon the thighe, and by and by mounted on his horse, and taking with
him M. horsemen, he went to mourne for his frende Abradatas. Moreouer he
commaunded Gadatas and Gobryas, to carrie the fairest apparell they
coulde get, to his good and honest frende that was dead, and to assemble
his oxen and horse, and all his beastes and cattell, whersoeuer they
were, that they might be sacrificed to Abradatas. But when he sawe
Panthea sitting vpon the ground and the dead corps lying by her, he wept
for sorowe, and said: “Alake good woman, thou trustie and faithfull
wife, doest thou thus depart and leaue vs alone.” And with those words
he tooke her by the right hand, and therewithall was presented the dead
hand of Abradatas, which the Ægiptians in the battaile had cut of:
whiche when Cyrus sawe, hee then lamented more then he did before: and
Panthea cried out. Who comforted by Cyrus, kissed the dead hand,
bestowing the same againe in place, so well as she coulde, and sayde:
“Thus it is chaunced Cyrus, but why do you beholde the dead body? This
death I knowe (quoth she) hee hath suffred for my sake, being none of
the lest aduentures whiche he hath hazarded for me. And perchaunce
Cyrus, he would haue done no lesse for you. For I exhorted him (like a
foole as I was) to attempte this aduenture, to thintent he might haue
shewed him selfe a frende of worthy remembraunce; whiche request he
accepted, to pleasure you and me: he hath valiantly bestowed his life
and is dead, and I vnhappy caitife that gaue him first counsayle, do
sitte here aliue.” Cyrus for a certayn space holding his peace, powred
forth aboundance of teares, and then said: “This gentleman (lady
Panthea) hath a commendable ende, for he died in victorie; but take
these furnitures, and adorne him there withall:” for Gobryas and Gadatas
were come with riche and costly apparel. Then hee sayde: “Bee sure he
shalbe honoured with greater thinges then these. A monument also,
according to his worthinesse, shalbe erected vpon his graue. Sacrifice
shalbe offered, meete for a man so valiant and puissaunt. Thou likewyse
shalt not be left comfortles; for in consideration of thy great
chastitie and vertue, I will honour thee and appointe a garrison to
conuey thee into what place thou arte disposed to goe.” To whom Panthea
sayd: “Be of good chere Cyrus, I wyll not hide from you the place,
wherein I am determined to bestowe my selfe.” Cyrus hearing her say so,
went away pitying the woman that was bereued of suche a husbande, and
lamenting the man that had lefte suche a wife behinde him, and was like
no more to see her againe. But Panthea commaunded her Eunuches to go out
of the place, till she had satisfied her selfe with teares, and
lamentations for her husbande: for she prepared to kil her selfe,
requiring her nursse to tarie by her, and commaunded her, that when she
was dead, she should shroude her and her husbande in one garment. The
nursse perswaded the Ladie, with humble wordes and supplications, from
her determined death, but she could not preuaile: and when she sawe that
her maistres tooke her woordes in ill parte, she satte downe and wepte.
But Panthea with a sworde, whiche she had prepared long time for that
purpose, killed her selfe, and laying her head vpon her husbandes
breaste, she yelded from her chaste bodie, her innocent ghost. The
Nursse seing that, cried out, and couered them both, as she was
commaunded. Cyrus vnderstanding the woman’s facte, was amazed, and
spedely went to see if she might be holpen. The Eunuches (being three in
nomber) seing their maistres dead, they likewyse drewe out their
swordes, and killed theimselues in the place, where they were commaunded
to stande. In memorie of which facte, Cyrus erected a noble monument to
the perpetuall prayse of chastitie and honest loue. Which (as Xenophon
reporteth) remained to his daies, with their names ingrauen in Syrian
letters.