But then desiring glory more to get By _Parthian_ name, which erst my father had, I sent to _Artabane_, without of let, Ambassage great, with giftes his minde to glad: And for his daughter them perswade I bad, Desiring him to giue the Princesse mee to wife,[1157] The cause of lasting loue, an end of [mortall] strife. 42. By this both ioynde in one, wee might for ay Of all the world the diademe possesse: And might to each in all attempts be stay, In fight our foes by firmer force suppresse. When they my message thus did there expresse, At first hee fearde deceyte: agayne I sent: Wherewith hee was at last full well content. 43. By giftes I wrought, and plight my fayth withall For truth to him, and for his daughter’s loue, And hee began mee sonne in lawe to call: Which new reporte did all the _Parthians_ moue Us to receiue, our frendships firme t’approue, Reioysing now such league at last to see, Whereby they might from _Romayne_ warres bee free. 44. And so I entred _Parthia_ as mine owne, The _Parthians_ mee receiu’de with triomphes great: When mine approache to _Artabane_ was knowne, In playne before the city of his seat, Hee came to meete me with a nomber great, Ware garlands gay, in golden vestures clad, With all the ioy and triomphes might bee had. 45. So when great multitudes assembled were, Their horses lefte behinde and bowes layd downe, Amongst their cups deuoyde of force the feare, By nombers great the chiefe of all the towne, Which came to see the brideman’s highe renowne, Disorderly vnarmde as so they [gazing] stand, I gaue my souldiers signe, to take the blade in hand.[1158] 46. And downe by sword they fell, they could not flye, The king escaped scarce,[1159] conuey’de by horse away: Their solemne garments long, theire flight did tye, A slaughter great of _Parthians_ was that day, Wee sackte their Townes, and noble men did slay. From thence I past t’_Azamia_, after this To hunt, and gaue my selfe [a while] to bath in blisse. 47. Thus hauing runne my reckelesse race vnkinde, And doubting both of treason and my thrall, I sought by curious artes of sprites to finde Who should procure in th’end my fatall fall: _Materniane_ at _Rome_ should search for all, Hee should enquire my fate, of all the skillfull men,[1160] And write hereof [with speede] what was their mindes agen. 48.