Galeatus of Mantua did a little more: for when he was almost mad for love of a fair Maid in the City, she to try him belike what he would do for her sake, bad him in jest leap into the River Po if he loved her; he forthwith did leap headlong off the bridge and was drowned. Another at Ficinum in like passion, when his Mistress by chance (thinking no harm I dare swear) bad him go hang, the next night at her doors hanged himself.

Money (saith Xenophon) is a very acceptable and welcome guest, yet I had rather give it my dear Clinia, then take it of others, I had rather serve him, then command others, I had rather be his drudge, then take my ease, undergo any danger for his sake, then live in security. For I had rather see Clinia then all the world besides, and had rather want the sight of all other things, then him alone; I am angry with the night and sleep that I may not see him, and thank the light and Sun because they shew me my Clinia, I will run into the fire for his sake, and if you did but see him, I know that you likewise would run with me.

So Philostratus to his Mistress, Command me what you will, I will do it; bid me go to Sea, I am gone in an instant, take so many stripes, I am ready, run through the fire, and lay down my life and soul at thy feet, ’tis done. So did Æolus to Iuno.

—— Tuus ô regina quod optas Explorare labor, mihi jussa capescere fas est.

O Queen it is thy pains to enjoyn me still, And I am bound to execute thy will.

And Phædra to Hippolitus,

Me vel sororem Hippolite aut famulam voca, Famulamque potius, omne servitium feram.

O call me sister, call me servant, chuse, Or rather servant, I am thine to use.

Non me per altas ire si jubeas nives, Pigeat gelatis ingredi Pindi jugis, Non si per ignes ire aut infesta agmina Cuncter, paratus ensibus pectus dare, Te tunc jubere, me decet jussa exequi.

It shall not grieve me to the snowy hills, Or frozen Pindus tops forthwith to climbe, Or run through fire, or through an Army, Say but the word, for I am alwaies thine.

Callicratides in Lucian breaks out into this passionate speech, O God of heaven, grant me this life for ever to sit over against my Mistris, and to hear her sweet voyce, to go in and out with her, to have every other business common with her; I would labour when she labours, saile when she sailes; he that hates her should hate me; and if a tyrant kill her, he should kill me; if she should dye, I would not live, and one grave should hold us both.

Finiet illa meos moriens morientis amores.

Abrocomus in Aristænetus makes the like petition for his Delphia,

—— Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam lubens.

’Tis the same strain which Theagines used to his Clariclea, so that I may but enjoy thy love, let me dye presently: Leander to his Hero, when he besought the Sea waves to let him go quietly to his Love, and kill him coming back.

Parcite dum propero, mergite dum redeo.

’Tis the common humor of them all, to contemn death, to wish for death, to confront death in this case, Quippe queîs nec fera, nec ignis, neque præcipitium, nec fretum, nec ensis, neque laqueus gravia videntur; ’Tis their desire (saith Tyrius) to dye.

Haud timet mortem, cupit ire in ipsos —— obvius enses.

Though a thousand dragons or divels kept the gates, Cerberus himself, Scyron and Procrustes lay in wait, and the way as dangerous, as inaccessible as hell, through fiery flames and over burning coulters, he will adventure for all this. And as Peter Abelhardus lost his testicles for his Heloissa, he will I say not venture an incision, but life it self. For how many gallants offered to lose their lives for a nights lodging with Cleopatra in those daies! And in the hour and moment of death, ’tis their sole comfort to remember their dear Mistress, as Zerbino slain in France, and Brandimart in Barbary; as Arcite did his Emely.

—— when he felt death, Dusked been his eys, and faded is his breath, But on his Lady yet casteth he his eye, His last word was, mercy Emely, His spirit chang’d, and out went there, Whether I cannot tell, ne where.

When captain Gobrius by an unlucky accident had received his deaths wound, heu me miserum exclamat, miserable man that I am, (instead of other devotions) he cries out, shall I die before I see Rodanthe my sweet heart. Sic amor mortem, (saith mine author) aut quicquid humanitus accidit, aspernatur, so love triumphs, contemns, insults over death it self.

Thirteen proper yong men lost their lives for that fair Hippodamias sake, the daughter of Onomaus King of Elis: when that hard condition was proposed of death or victory, they made no account of it, but couragiously for love died, till Pelops at last won her by a slight. As many gallants desperatly adventured their dearest blood for Atalanta the daughter of Schænius, in hope of marriage, all vanquished and overcame, till Hippomenes by a few golden apples happily obtained his suit.

Perseus of old, fought with a sea monster for Andromeda’s sake; and our S. George freed the Kings daughter of Sabea (the golden legend is mine author) that was exposed to a Dragon, by a terrible combat. Our Knights errant, and the Sir Lancelots of these days, I hope will adventure as much for Ladies favours, as the Squire of Dames, Knight of the Sun, Sir Bevis of Southampton, or that renowned peere,

Orlando, who long time had loved dear Angelica the fair, and for her sake About the world in nations far and near, Did high attempts perform and undertake;