pricketh down with a period; that the stars are sticklers in Venus'
court, and desire hangs at the heel of destiny: if it be so, then by
all probable conjectures, this match will be a marriage: for if
augurism be authentical, or the divines' dooms principles, it cannot
be but such a shadow portends the issue of a substance, for to that
end did the gods force the conceit of this eclogue, that they might
discover the ensuing consent of your affections: so that ere it be
long, I hope, in earnest, to dance at your wedding."
"Tush," quoth Ganymede, "all is not malt that is cast on the kiln:
there goes more words to a bargain than one: Love feels no footing in
the air, and fancy holds it slippery harbor to nestle in the tongue:
the match is not yet so surely made, but he may miss of his market;
but if fortune be his friend, I will not be his foe: and so I pray
you, gentle mistress Aliena, take it."
"I take all things well," quoth she, "that is your content, and am
glad Rosader is yours; for now I hope your thoughts will be at quiet;
your eye that ever looked at love, will now lend a glance on your
lambs, and then they will prove more buxom and you more blithe, for
the eyes of the master feeds the cattle."
As thus they were in chat, they spied old Corydon where he came
plodding to meet them, who told them supper was ready, which news made
them speed them home. Where we will leave them to the next morrow, and
return to Saladyne.
All this while did poor Saladyne, banished from Bordeaux and the court
of France by Torismond, wander up and down in the forest of Arden,
thinking to get to Lyons, and so travel through Germany into Italy:
but the forest being full of by-paths, and he unskilful of the country
coast, slipped out of the way, and chanced up into the desert, not far
from the place where Gerismond was, and his brother Rosader.
Saladyne, weary with wandering up and down and hungry with long
fasting, finding a little cave by the side of a thicket, eating such
fruit as the forest did afford and contenting himself with such drink
as nature had provided and thirst made delicate, after his repast he
fell in a dead sleep. As thus he lay, a hungry lion came hunting down
the edge of the grove for prey, and espying Saladyne began to seize
upon him: but seeing he lay still without any motion, he left to touch
him, for that lions hate to prey on dead carcases; and yet desirous to
have some food, the lion lay down and watched to see if he would stir.
While thus Saladyne slept secure, fortune that was careful of her
champion began to smile, and brought it so to pass, that Rosader,
having stricken a deer that but lightly hurt fled through the thicket,
came pacing down by the grove with a boar-spear in his hand in great
haste. He spied where a man lay asleep, and a lion fast by him: amazed
at this sight, as he stood gazing, his nose on the sudden bled, which
made him conjecture it was some friend of his. Whereupon drawing more
nigh, he might easily discern his visage, perceived by his physnomy
that it was his brother Saladyne, which drave Rosader into a deep
passion, as a man perplexed at the sight of so unexpected a chance,
marvelling what should drive his brother to traverse those secret
deserts, without any company, in such distress and forlorn sort. But
the present time craved no such doubting ambages,[1] for either he
must resolve to hazard his life for his relief, or else steal away,
and leave him to the cruelty of the lion. In which doubt he thus
briefly debated with himself:
[Footnote 1: windings.]
ROSADER'S MEDITATION
"Now, Rosader, fortune that long hath whipped thee with nettles, means
to salve thee with roses, and having crossed thee with many frowns,
now she presents thee with the brightness of her favors. Thou that
didst count thyself the most distressed of all men, mayest account
thyself the most fortunate amongst men, if Fortune can make men happy,
or sweet revenge be wrapped in a pleasing content. Thou seest Saladyne
thine enemy, the worker of thy misfortunes, and the efficient cause of
thine exile, subject to the cruelty of a merciless lion, brought into
this misery by the gods, that they might seem just in revenging his
rigor, and thy injuries. Seest thou not how the stars are in a
favorable aspect, the planets in some pleasing conjunction, the fates
agreeable to thy thoughts, and the destinies performers of thy
desires, in that Saladyne shall die, and thou be free of his blood: he
receive meed for his amiss, and thou erect his tomb with innocent
hands. Now, Rosader, shalt thou return unto Bordeaux and enjoy thy
possessions by birth, and his revenues by inheritance: now mayest thou
triumph in love, and hang fortune's altars with garlands. For when
Rosalynde hears of thy wealth, it will make her love thee the more
willingly: for women's eyes are made of Chrysocoll, that is ever
unperfect unless tempered with gold, and Jupiter soonest enjoyed
Danaë, because he came to her in so rich a shower. Thus shall this
lion, Rosader, end the life of a miserable man, and from distress
raise thee to be most fortunate." And with that, casting his
boar-spear on his neck, away he began to trudge.
But he had not stepped back two or three paces, but a new motion
stroke him to the very heart, that resting his boar-spear against his
breast, he fell into this passionate humor:
"Ah, Rosader, wert thou the son of Sir John of Bordeaux, whose virtues
exceeded his valor, and yet the most hardiest knight in all Europe?
Should the honor of the father shine in the actions of the son, and
wilt thou dishonor thy parentage, in forgetting the nature of a
gentleman? Did not thy father at his last gasp breathe out this golden
principle, 'Brothers' amity is like the drops of balsamum, that
salveth the most dangerous sores?' Did he make a large exhort unto
concord, and wilt thou show thyself careless? O Rosader, what though
Saladyne hath wronged thee, and made thee live an exile in the forest,
shall thy nature be so cruel, or thy nurture so crooked, or thy
thoughts so savage, as to suffer so dismal a revenge? What, to let him
be devoured by wild beasts! _Non sapit qui non sibi sapit_ is
fondly[1] spoken in such bitter extremes. Lose not his life, Rosader,
to win a world of treasure; for in having him thou hast a brother, and
by hazarding for his life, thou gettest a friend, and reconcilest an
enemy: and more honor shalt thou purchase by pleasuring a foe, than
revenging a thousand injuries."
[Footnote 1: foolishly.]
With that his brother began to stir, and the lion to rouse himself,
whereupon Rosader suddenly charged him with the boar-spear, and
wounded the lion very sore at the first stroke. The beast feeling
himself to have a mortal hurt, leapt at Rosader, and with his paws
gave him a sore pinch on the breast, that he had almost fallen; yet as
a man most valiant, in whom the sparks of Sir John of Bordeaux
remained, he recovered himself, and in short combat slew the lion, who
at his death roared so loud that Saladyne awaked, and starting up, was
amazed at the sudden sight of so monstrous a beast lying slain by him,
and so sweet a gentleman wounded. He presently, as he was of a ripe
conceit, began to conjecture that the gentleman had slain him in his
defence. Whereupon, as a man in a trance, he stood staring on them
both a good while, not knowing his brother, being in that disguise: at
last he burst into these terms:
"Sir, whatsoever thou be, as full of honor thou must needs be by the
view of thy present valor, I perceive thou hast redressed my fortunes
by thy courage, and saved my life with thine own loss, which ties me
to be thine in all humble service. Thanks thou shalt have as thy due,
and more thou canst not have, for my ability denies me to perform a
deeper debt. But if anyways it please thee to command me, use me as
far as the power of a poor gentleman may stretch."
Rosader, seeing he was unknown to his brother, wondered to hear such
courteous words come from his crabbed nature; but glad of such
reformed nurture, he made this answer:
"I am, sir, whatsoever thou art, a forester and ranger of these walks,
who, following my deer to the fall, was conducted hither by some
assenting fate, that I might save thee, and disparage myself. For
coming into this place, I saw thee asleep, and the lion watching thy
awake, that at thy rising he might prey upon thy carcase. At the first
sight I conjectured thee a gentleman, for all men's thoughts ought to
be favorable in imagination, and I counted it the part of a resolute
man to purchase a stranger's relief, though with the loss of his own
blood; which I have performed, thou seest, to mine own prejudice. If,
therefore, thou be a man of such worth as I value thee by thy exterior
lineaments, make discourse unto me what is the cause of thy present
fortunes. For by the furrows in thy face thou seemest to be crossed
with her frowns: but whatsoever, or howsoever, let me crave that
favor, to hear the tragic cause of thy estate."
Saladyne sitting down, and fetching a deep sigh, began thus:
SALADYNE'S DISCOURSE TO ROSADER UNKNOWN
"Although the discourse of my fortunes be the renewing of my sorrows,
and the rubbing of the scar will open a fresh wound, yet that I may
not prove ingrateful to so courteous a gentleman, I will rather sit
down and sigh out my estate, than give any offence by smothering my
grief with silence. Know therefore, sir, that I am of Bordeaux, and
the son and heir of Sir John of Bordeaux, a man for his virtues and
valor so famous, that I cannot think but the fame of his honors hath
reached farther than the knowledge of his personage. The infortunate
son of so fortunate a knight am I; my name, Saladyne; who succeeding
my father in possessions, but not in qualities, having two brethren
committed by my father at his death to my charge, with such golden
principles of brotherly concord, as might have pierced like the
Sirens' melody into any human ear. But I, with Ulysses, became deaf
against his philosophical harmony, and made more value of profit than
of virtue, esteeming gold sufficient honor, and wealth the fittest
title for a gentleman's dignity. I set my middle brother to the
university to be a scholar, counting it enough if he might pore on a
book while I fed upon his revenues; and for the youngest, which was my
father's joy, young Rosader"--And with that, naming of Rosader,
Saladyne sate him down and wept.
"Nay, forward man," quoth the forester, "tears are the unfittest salve
that any man can apply for to cure sorrows, and therefore cease from
such feminine follies, as should drop out of a woman's eye to deceive,
not out of a gentleman's look to discover his thoughts, and forward
with thy discourse."
"O sir," quoth Saladyne, "this Rosader that wrings tears from mine
eyes, and blood from my heart, was like my father in exterior
personage and in inward qualities; for in the prime of his years he
aimed all his acts at honor, and coveted rather to die than to brook
any injury unworthy a gentleman's credit. I, whom envy had made blind,
and covetousness masked with the veil of self-love, seeing the palm
tree grow straight, thought to suppress it being a twig; but nature
will have her course, the cedar will be tall, the diamond bright, the
carbuncle glistering, and virtue will shine though it be never so much
obscured. For I kept Rosader as a slave, and used him as one of my
servile hinds, until age grew on, and a secret insight of my abuse
entered into his mind; insomuch, that he could not brook it, but
coveted to have what his father left him, and to live of himself. To
be short, sir, I repined at his fortunes, and he counterchecked me,
not with ability but valor, until at last, by my friends and aid of
such as followed gold more than right or virtue, I banished him from
Bordeaux, and he, poor gentleman, lives no man knows where, in some
distressed discontent. The gods, not able to suffer such impiety
unrevenged, so wrought, that the king picked a causeless quarrel
against me in hope to have my lands, and so hath exiled me out of
France for ever. Thus, thus, sir, am I the most miserable of all men,
as having a blemish in my thoughts for the wrongs I proffered Rosader,
and a touch in my state to be thrown from my proper possessions by
injustice. Passionate thus with many griefs, in penance of my former
follies I go thus pilgrim-like to seek out my brother, that I may
reconcile myself to him in all submission, and afterward wend to the
Holy Land, to end my years in as many virtues as I have spent my youth
in wicked vanities."
Rosader, hearing the resolution of his brother Saladyne, began to
compassionate his sorrows, and not able to smother the sparks of
nature with feigned secrecy, he burst into these loving speeches:
"Then know, Saladyne," quoth he, "that thou hast met with Rosader, who
grieves as much to see thy distress, as thyself to feel the burden of
thy misery." Saladyne, casting up his eye and noting well the physnomy
of the forester, knew, that it was his brother Rosader, which made him
so bash and blush at the first meeting, that Rosader was fain to
recomfort him, which he did in such sort, that he showed how highly he
held revenge in scorn. Much ado there was between these two brethren,
Saladyne in craving pardon, and Rosader in forgiving and forgetting
all former injuries; the one submiss, the other courteous; Saladyne
penitent and passionate, Rosader kind and loving, that at length
nature working an union of their thoughts, they earnestly embraced,
and fell from matters of unkindness, to talk of the country life,
which Rosader so highly commended, that his brother began to have a
desire to taste of that homely content. In this humor Rosader
conducted him to Gerismond's lodge, and presented his brother to the
king, discoursing the whole matter how all had happened betwixt them.
The king looking upon Saladyne, found him a man of a most beautiful
personage, and saw in his face sufficient sparks of ensuing honors,
gave him great entertainment, and glad of their friendly
reconcilement, promised such favor as the poverty of his estate might
afford, which Saladyne gratefully accepted. And so Gerismond fell to
question of Torismond's life. Saladyne briefly discoursed unto him his
injustice and tyrannies, with such modesty, although he had wronged
him, that Gerismond greatly praised the sparing speech of the young
gentleman.
Many questions passed, but at last Gerismond began with a deep sigh to
inquire if there were any news of the welfare of Alinda, or his
daughter Rosalynde?
"None, sir," quoth Saladyne, "for since their departure they were
never heard of."
"Injurious fortune," quoth the king, "that to double the father's
misery, wrongest the daughter with misfortunes!"
And with that, surcharged with sorrows, he went into his cell, and
left Saladyne and Rosader, whom Rosader straight conducted to the
sight of Adam Spencer, who, seeing Saladyne in that estate, was in a
brown study. But when he heard the whole matter, although he grieved
for the exile of his master, yet he joyed that banishment had so
reformed him, that from a lascivious youth he was proved a virtuous
gentleman. Looking a longer while, and seeing what familiarity passed
between them, and what favors were interchanged with brotherly
affection, he said thus:
"Aye, marry, thus should it be; this was the concord that old Sir John
of Bordeaux wished betwixt you. Now fulfil you those precepts he
breathed out at his death, and in observing them, look to live
fortunate and die honorable."
"Well said, Adam Spencer," quoth Rosader, "but hast any victuals in
store for us?"
"A piece of a red deer," quoth he, "and a bottle of wine."
"'Tis foresters' fare, brother," quoth Rosader; and so they sate down
and fell to their cates.
As soon as they had taken their repast, and had well dined, Rosader
took his brother Saladyne by the hand, and showed him the pleasures of
the forest, and what content they enjoyed in that mean estate. Thus
for two or three days he walked up and down with his brother to show
him all the commodities that belonged to his walk.
In which time he was missed of his Ganymede, who mused greatly, with
Aliena, what should become of their forester. Somewhile they thought
he had taken some word unkindly, and had taken the pet; then they
imagined some new love had withdrawn his fancy, or happily that he was
sick, or detained by some great business of Gerismond's, or that he
had made a reconcilement with his brother, and so returned to
Bordeaux.
These conjectures did they cast in their heads, but specially
Ganymede, who, having love in her heart, proved restless, and half
without patience, that Rosader wronged her with so long absence; for
Love measures every minute, and thinks hours to be days, and days to
be months, till they feed their eyes with the sight of their desired
object. Thus perplexed lived poor Ganymede, while on a day, sitting
with Aliena in a great dump,[1] she cast up her eye, and saw where
Rosader came pacing towards them with his forest bill on his neck. At
that sight her color changed, and she said to Aliena:
"See, mistress, where our jolly forester comes."
[Footnote 1: despondency.]
"And you are not a little glad thereof," quoth Aliena, "your nose
bewrays what porridge you love: the wind cannot be tied within his
quarter, the sun shadowed with a veil, oil hidden in water, nor love
kept out of a woman's looks: but no more of that, _Lupus est in
fabula_."
As soon as Rosader was come within the reach of her tongue's end,
Aliena began thus:
"Why, how now, gentle forester, what wind hath kept you from hence?
that being so newly married, you have no more care of your Rosalynde,
but to absent yourself so many days? Are these the passions you
painted out so in your sonnets and roundelays? I see well hot love is
soon cold, and that the fancy of men is like to a loose feather that
wandereth in the air with the blast of every wind."
"You are deceived, mistress," quoth Rosader; "'twas a copy[1] of
unkindness that kept me hence, in that, I being married, you carried
away the bride; but if I have given any occasion of offence by
absenting myself these three days, I humbly sue for pardon, which you
must grant of course, in that the fault is so friendly confessed with
penance. But to tell you the truth, fair mistress and my good
Rosalynde, my eldest brother by the injury of Torismond is banished
from Bordeaux, and by chance he and I met in the forest."
[Footnote 1: quantity.]
And here Rosader discoursed unto them what had happened betwixt them,
which reconcilement made them glad, especially Ganymede. But Aliena,
hearing of the tyranny of her father, grieved inwardly, and yet
smothered all things with such secrecy, that the concealing was more
sorrow than the conceit; yet that her estate might be hid still, she
made fair weather of it, and so let all pass.
Fortune, that saw how these parties valued not her deity, but held her
power in scorn, thought to have a bout with them, and brought the
matter to pass thus. Certain rascals that lived by prowling in the
forest, who for fear of the provost marshal had caves in the groves
and thickets to shroud themselves from his trains, hearing of the
beauty of this fair shepherdess, Aliena, thought to steal her away,
and to give her to the king for a present; hoping, because the king
was a great lecher, by such a gift to purchase all their pardons, and
therefore came to take her and her page away. Thus resolved, while
Aliena and Ganymede were in this sad talk, they came rushing in, and
laid violent hands upon Aliena and her page, which made them cry out
to Rosader; who having the valor of his father stamped in his heart,
thought rather to die in defence of his friends, than any way be
touched with the least blemish of dishonor, and therefore dealt such
blows amongst them with his weapon, as he did witness well upon their
carcases that he was no coward. But as _Ne Hercules quidem contra
duos_, so Rosader could not resist a multitude, having none to back
him; so that he was not only rebated, but sore wounded, and Aliena and
Ganymede had been quite carried away by these rascals, had not fortune
(that meant to turn her frown into a favor) brought Saladyne that way
by chance, who wandering to find out his brother's walk, encountered
this crew: and seeing not only a shepherdess and her boy forced, but
his brother wounded, he heaved up a forest bill he had on his neck,
and the first he stroke had never after more need of the physician,
redoubling his blows with such courage that the slaves were amazed at
his valor. Rosader, espying his brother so fortunately arrived, and
seeing how valiantly he behaved himself, though sore wounded rushed
amongst them, and laid on such load,[1] that some of the crew were
slain, and the rest fled, leaving Aliena and Ganymede in the
possession of Rosader and Saladyne.
[Footnote 1: beat.]
Aliena after she had breathed awhile and was come to herself from this
fear, looked about her, and saw where Ganymede was busy dressing up
the wounds of the forester: but she cast her eye upon this courteous
champion that had made so hot a rescue, and that with such affection,
that she began to measure every part of him with favor, and in herself
to commend his personage and his virtue, holding him for a resolute
man, that durst assail such a troop of unbridled villains. At last,
gathering her spirits together, she returned him these thanks:
"Gentle sir, whatsoever you be that have adventured your flesh to
relieve our fortunes, as we hold you valiant so we esteem you
courteous, and to have as many hidden virtues as you have manifest
resolutions. We poor shepherds have no wealth but our flocks, and
therefore can we not make requital with any great treasures; but our
recompense is thanks, and our rewards to her friends without feigning.
For ransom, therefore, of this our rescue, you must content yourself
to take such a kind gramercy as a poor shepherdess and her page may
give, with promise, in what we may, never to prove ingrateful. For
this gentleman that is hurt, young Rosader, he is our good neighbor
and familiar acquaintance; we'll pay him with smiles, and feed him
with love-looks, and though he be never the fatter at the year's end,
yet we'll so hamper him that he shall hold himself satisfied."
Saladyne, hearing this shepherdess speak so wisely, began more
narrowly to pry into her perfection, and to survey all her lineaments
with a curious insight; so long dallying in the flame of her beauty,
that to his cost he found her to be most excellent: for love that
lurked in all these broils to have a blow or two, seeing the parties
at the gaze, encountered them both with such a veny,[1] that the
stroke pierced to the heart so deep as it could never after be rased
out. At last, after he had looked so long, till Aliena waxed red, he
returned her this answer:
[Footnote 1: assault.]
"Fair shepherdess, if Fortune graced me with such good hap as to do
you any favor, I hold myself as contented as if I had gotten a great
conquest; for the relief of distressed women is the special point
that gentlemen are tied unto by honor: seeing then my hazard to rescue
your harms was rather duty than courtesy, thanks is more than belongs
to the requital of such a favor. But lest I might seem either too coy
or too careless of a gentlewoman's proffer, I will take your kind
gramercy for a recompense."
All this while that he spake, Ganymede looked earnestly upon him, and
said:
"Truly, Rosader, this gentleman favors you much in the feature of your
face."
"No marvel," quoth he, "gentle swain, for 'tis my eldest brother
Saladyne."
"Your brother?" quoth Aliena, and with that she blushed, "he is the
more welcome, and I hold myself the more his debtor; and for that he
hath in my behalf done such a piece of service, if it please him to do
me that honor, I will call him servant, and he shall call me
mistress."
"Content, sweet mistress," quoth Saladyne, "and when I forget to call
you so, I will be unmindful of mine own self."
"Away with these quirks and quiddities of love," quoth Rosader, "and
give me some drink, for I am passing thirsty, and then will I home,
for my wounds bleed sore, and I will have them dressed."