Arcadia. Sir Philip Sidney

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      Chapter 5

      Argalus and Parthenia

      A steward explains to Musidorus what has happened to Kalander’s son Clitophon, who has gone to help Argalus, the cousin of Gynecia. Both Clitophon and Argalus are now held by the Helots’ new captain, who joined the Helots after killing another man. Argalus had been captured by the Helots after killing their captain Demagoras, the man who disfigured Parthenia (Kalander’s niece and Argalus’ love). (1593 ed. 8v.١١)

When they came to the supping-place, one of Kalander’s servants rounded6 in his ear, at which—his color changing—Kalander withdrew into his chamber, commanding his men diligently to wait on Palladius and to excuse his absence by some necessary business he had presently to dispatch. They did accordingly, and for a few days forced themselves to let no change appear; but though they framed their countenances ever so cunningly, Palladius perceived some ill-pleasing accident had fallen out.

      One day, again set alone at supper, Palladius called to the steward and desired him to tell him the matter of Kalander’s sudden alteration. After some trifling excuses the steward at last confessed that his master had received news that his son Clitophon, before the day of his near marriage, chanced to be at a battle fought between the gentlemen of Lacedemon and the Helots. The Helots had won, and they took Clitophon prisoner when he himself tried to gain the release of a friend of his whom they had captured. That friend, a poor young gentleman, had offered great ransom for his life, but the hate those peasants conceived against all gentlemen was such that every hour he was to look for nothing but cruel death, which hitherto had only been delayed by the vehement dealing for him of the Helots’ captain, who seemed to have a heart of more manly pity than the rest.

      The loss of his son had stricken old Kalander with such sorrow that his abundance of tears were not sufficient to witness it. He retired alone, tore his hair and beard, and cursed his old age that had not made his grave stop his ears from such advertisements.

      Meanwhile his faithful servants wrote in his name to all his friends, followers, and tenants. Philanax, the governor, was refusing to deal in it because it was a private cause, yet he gave others permission to seek their best redress so long as they wronged not the state of Lacedemon. There were now gathered upon the frontiers good forces that he was sure would spend their lives in any way to redeem or revenge Clitophon.

      “Now sir,” the steward said. “This is my master’s nature. Although his grief is such that to live is a grief to him and even his reason is darkened with sorrow, yet the laws of hospitality (long and holily observed by him) give still such a sway to his proceeding that he will no way suffer any stranger lodged under his roof to receive, as it were, any infection of his anguish—especially you, toward whom I know not whether his love or admiration be greater.”

      Palladius could scarce hear out his tale with patience, so was his heart torn into pieces with compassion of the case. He admired Kalander’s noble behavior, the kindness of Kalander’s respect for him, and desired to find some remedy. He also thought of his dear friend Daiphantus, whom he judged suffered either a like or a worse fortune. Therefore, rising from the board, he desired the steward to tell him particularly the ground and event of this accident. By knowing the circumstances he might find a way to help. Whereunto the steward easily in this sort condescended:

      “My lord,” said the steward, “when our good king Basilius with better success than expectation took to wife (even in his more than decaying years) the fair young princess Gynecia, there came with her a young lord, first cousin to herself, named Argalus, led here partly by the love and honor of his noble kinswoman, partly by the humor of youth, which ever thinks that good whose goodness he sees not. In this court he received such good increase of knowledge that after some years spent, he so manifested a most virtuous mind in all his actions that Arcadia gloried that such a plant was transported here. He was a most rarely accomplished gentleman, excellently learned, but without any vainglory; friendly without factiousness; and valiant, so as for my part, I think the earth has no man that has done more heroic acts than he.