y vnderstanded, and
the wickednesse of the Varlets, mine accusers wel wayed and
considered." Then he began to rehearse all the things done by
hym for the seruyce of his crowne and maiestye, and finally into
what daunger he did put himself, when he kylled the Lacedemonian
king, that went about by treason to murder him: whych enterpryse
might appeare vnto him to bee a sure and euident testimony, that
hee ment nothinge hurtfull or preiudiciall to his highnesse: and
that hee esteemed not his life, when hee aduentured for his
seruice and sauegard to employ the same: and after these
alleaged causes, he added briefly, that the loue which his
maiesty knew to be betweene him and Euphimia his Daughter, ought
to haue persuaded him, that he had rather haue suffered death
himselfe, than commit a thing displeasant to Euphimia. And
knowing that a more offensive thynge coulde not chaunce to hir,
than the vilent death of her father, hee myghte well thyncke
that hee woulde haue deuysed the death of a Thousande other,
rather than that horible and abhominable deede, sutch as hys
greatest Ennemy woulde neuer haue done, mutch lesse hee whych
was bounde vnto hym by so many Receyued Benefittes, for whose
seruice and preseruacion he had dedicated and vowed hys Lyfe and
Soule: but if so be his maiestie's rancor and displeasure could
not be mitigated, but by doinge him to death, hee desired that
none of his alleaged reasons should bee accepted, and therefore
was there ready to sacrifice his life at his maiestie's
disposition and pleasure. Acharisto by nature could tel his tale
excedingly well, and the more his tongue stode him in seruice,
the greater appeared his eloquence: whych so pierced the minde
of the king and persuaded the Counsellers, and other of the
Court, as he was demed giltlesse of the treason: and the matter
was so debated, and the King intreated to graunt him pardon, as
he was accompted most worthy of his fauour. Then the kyng, by
the aduise of hys Counsell, was perswaded, that by force of hys
proclamation, hys daughter should be giuen to Acharisto in
mariage, and his kingedome for a dowrie, bicause hee had offered
his owne heade, accordyng to the effecte of the same. So the
kinge repentinge himselfe that he had offended Acharisto, in the
end agreed to the aduise of his Counsell, and gaue him his
daughter to wife: whereof Euphimia was so ioyful, as they bee
that atteyne the summe of their heart's desire. The father liued
one who