most perfidious and infamous person he had no other exercise then to ruin the honours of those he could meet with for whether their simplicities suffered him to surprize them or that they resisted his dishonest desires he did not forbear to slander them his tongue was so dangerous that he spake ill indifferently of all women publishing as soon lies as truths and vaunting of that which he did not as well as of that which he did The disorders of his life mounted to such an excesse that he had a design to enterprise upon the honour of his owne Sister the sacred limits of bloud her proper vertue nor my vigilant care could not retain him I was advertised of his pernicious project by a servant whom he thought to have rendred adherent to his abominable intentions because she had suffered him to communicate them unto her but this was a discreet Maid who had given him this audience but only that he might confide in her and hinder him from seeking to another who it might be would not have carried her self so discreetly therein She did but hear him to learn his resolutions and give me notice thereof that I might prudently prevent them When this Maid had told me what she knew thereof I could scarcely believe her the thing was so prodigious but considering the manners of the person and comparing them with the discourse of this Maid I found he was capable to commit actions yet more monstrous I would be wise in this affair and inform my self of the truth to the end that the vengeance I hoped to take might be esteemed just and not rash From that hour mine eyes were Sentinels over the words and actions of Lucian he made no step nor ever approached near the place where Olinde was so mine innocent Sister was called that I did not discreetly watch him from whence I found more confirmation of the truth of the report which was made me then I would have done yet I dissembled the trouble of my mind with intention to govern my self with such industry that at the same time his designes should be broken my Sister delivered from his persecutions his impudence chastised my vengeance accomplished and my self without feare of being known for the Author of his death I disguised my self in the night and followed him when he went about the streets to attrap him all alone and let him feele the violence of my choler in killing him One time amongst others when I went to search him with this designe after having long time walked about the Town and the places of debauches where I knew he ordinarily frequented without meeting with him in entring into the street where the house of Don Ignigo Orozco is situate one of the principall Cavaliers of the City I heard a confused noyse of voices I went towards this house and knew that it was there where the rumour was but yet I knew not what was the cause thereof at the same time I saw two men unknown which approached as I did with like curiosity I came to the doore and perceived the house all within to be on fire which did not only threaten to consume the Edifice but also the goods and persons which were therein and all this misfortune came by the negligence of a Lacquey who had fastned a candle against a woodden seeling From moment to moment the flames augmented with so much fury that some of the men were constrained to leap out of the windowes seeing the stairs on fire the women being lesse couragious stayed besieged in their chambers crying for mercy and causing great pitty to those who heard them Amongst the rest which suffered these fears I perceived through the flames and smoak a Lady whose beauty and cloaths testified her to be a person of esteeme and seeing the extreame necessity which pressed them I cast my self into the house and taking a great hammer from a man that I met which was come to give succour I broke a thin wall and entered into the chamber where the poore desolates were amongst the which I saw saw the originall of my first admiration which was in a swound I tooke her in mine armes and carryed her cut of this fearefull danger which threatened her making all the rest which were prisoners with her to come out As this accident hapned during the first sleepe of the whole family this lady was wakened in a fright and being presently cast into the floore was not clothed but onely with a petticoate and wast coate the one of sattin richly embroydered with flowers of gold and silver and the other pinked through the which appeared a breast of snow capable to inflame ice it selfe Seeing her so little covered I cast my cloake over her body I doe not know whether it was to keepe her warme or for feare she should inflame the heart of some other as she had done mine for what marble could have beene insensible of so many attractions As I carried her away being yet in her swound those two men which I met in coming to the dore came to me with their swords in their hands and one of them who had his face covered with cipres because he would not be known put himself in action to ravish from me the conquest which I had made with so much courage and to take from me the worthy object of my loue In this violence seeing my selfe without my sword which I had quitted having no use thereof against the fire I knew not what to doe but to use words and represent to them that their enterprise was not onely incivill but very cowardly and infamous to set upon a man without armes and in saving a lady of her condition from the fire The other woman which accompanied her alarmed with this insolence begun to cry for helpe then the companion of him that had set upon me in the cypres maske gave me a great thrust in the right side which passed quite through my body then turning his face he fled with the other I would have run after them but the blood which issued in abundance out of the wound rendered me so feeble that I fell downe at the second step In the interim this lady returned from her swound much more vigorous then before having two soules for one for I had given her mine Yet she was like to dye for feare opening her eyes and seeing a man at her feete all covered with blood and whose habits testified that he was not of base condition Whilst she was in this new astonishment the master and servants of a neighbouring house came out some to helpe this lady and others to assist to quench the fire which whilst they did the others carryed away this beauty to their house with one of her cosens which accompanied her At the same instant Don Jgnigo was told of the disaster which was arrived me in saving from the fire the most preticus goods of his house And without knowing who I was he ran
disinherited he without regarding the ordinance of his mother would possesse himselfe of the succession but he was hindred by two of the cosens of the defunct He had with them both words and blowes and in this difference he outraged Gentlewomen his Kinswomen with so many insolencies injuries and intemperances that it was decreed against him that hee should bee put into prison where hee staied a long while because no body regarded him all that hee undertooke issued very ill and in the end seeing himself abandoned by all the world and pressed with extream necessity besides the incommodities of prison he had recourse to me and writ to me conjuring me to assist him in the misery which he endured being abandoned of all his kindred and friends This letter was given me and many others wherein he reiterated the same prayers but I was not much moved to assist him I was insensibly growne into a certaine negligence which many times hindered me from undertaking this voyage I imagine that heaven permitted it to be so to chastise him for the evill he had done in being the cause of the death of her which was the cause of his life after the soveraign author of all things Seeing himselfe reduced to so great misery so far that he was not visited in his chamber by any but the other prisoners he had his heart touched with a very sensible repentance judging that all these miseries were come unto him by divine punition those who brought him his meat found him alwaies sighing and weeping Desiring then to appease the anger of God and do pennance for his fault he made a Vow with a good heart to employ a whole yeare in visiting on foot all the holy Sanctuaries of Spaine if it pleased God to deliver him from the miseries wherein hee was From that houre that he had thus acknowledged himselfe all things came to him according to his wish every one beganne to pitty him I arrived at Cartagene with intent to endeavour to serve him and before J saw any of my kindred J went to visit him in prison where after having embraced him with teares in his eyes he recounted to me from point to point the prodigious extravagancie which he had done which he believed was the originall of his misfortunes I blamed and chid him rudely for suffering himself to be carried away with such a folly and seeing the extreame sorrow which he had for it J became the vigilant solicitour of his affairs By my intermission they whom he had offended pardoned him seeing that they had a sufficient reparation having kept him two years a prisoner for not penetrating into the judgements of God they beleeved that it was onely by their meanes that Garcia had suffered this paine Not being content with having gotten him out of prison J would see the clause of the Testament of his mother and the cause of his dis-inheriting having examined it with counsell we learned that the Law deprived from succession those children who layed violent hands upon their Fathers or mothers or who attempted upon their lives and as the adversaries of Garcia could not prove that he was guilty of any of these cases for although hee was the cause of the death of his mother there was none but she and he that knew it the Judges before the Processe was begunne ordained that the Testament should be broken and that Garcia should be put into possession of the inheritance not onely of his mother but also of his father a few dayes after he was installed in his goods he enterprised to render his vowes beginning with our Lady of Piler of Saragoce one of the most holy places of Spaine where the blessed Virgin appeared to the Apostle St. James We left Cartagene at the same time hee to acquit himself of his vowes towards God and I of my duty towards my wife See Seignieur Fenise the cause of my voyage which you desired to know and the weake curiositie of my foolish Cosen who will be wise hereafter An example which sheweth us the misfortunes which arrive to those that will make such foolish experiences The entertaine of these pleasing divertisements endured untill their last dayes journey In approaching to Toledo Don Antonio and his brother renewed their thankfulnesse to Fenise taking leave of him and Marcell with a thousand civill complements Don Charles carried Don Antonio to the towne where Violante lived with Orambel who had like to have dyed many times with sorrow not knowing what was become of her husband since that hee went for Naples his unexpected presence carryed her from one extremitie to another the excessive joy which she received at his arrivall had like to have made her tender her soul in embracing him Don Antonio staied six daies with them and then he carried them to Madrid Fenise and Marcel arriving at Toledo were received with unspeakable joy the one of his mother the other of his wife the one to stay alwaies with his family and the other onely to regulate his affaires and take possession of an estate which his father had left him with the right of the eldest of his house The respect which every one bore to his merit made him happily proceed in his businesse vvhich being done the Idea features vertues and perfections of Magdelene which kept the most eminent place in his memory obliged him incontinently to take againe the way to Cartagene In few dayes he was with her to the great contentment of her father mother and brother who all expected him with great impatience to put him in possession of a treasure which he more passionately aspired unto then the highest fortune in the world It was his marriage with Magdelene which was celebrated before the ministers of the onely law where he publiquely gave her his hand as secretly he had done his heart under reciprocall promises of a perfect union they reaped the fruites of their loues which had taken encrease and maturitie amongst so many different dangers surmounted by their hardy resolutions and according to the ingenious conduct of our Heros Having passed some monthes amongst his wives friends he would let her know his for this effect by the consentment of their father and mother and her particular approbation he carried her to Madrid there to establish his house and habitation where now he passeth his life with this marvell of beauty and wisedome with all delights which are to be tasted in this world A successe which may serve for a certaine proofe that in case of marriage the union of soules is made in heaven the alliance of bodies upon earth Jn the varietie of rare adventures described in this volume the marvellous effects of love and fortune are seene whereby one may know that the one surmounts all the greatest hazards that can oppose him and the other although she be inconstant and many times maglignant she neverthelesse favoureth generous courages and aydeth them to accomplish their designes when they are
with choller approached her and gave her two boxes upon the eare and at the same instant withered the roses and lilies of her cheeks I being offended with this barbarous insolence and rashness that he had to use her so unworthily in my presence I went to him with my sword in my hand rebuking his brutality with offensive words He who knew me not drew also his sword and fighting one with another I warded his blowes and gave him two upon the body which he could not avoid then in despight of what they could all doe to stay me I saved my selfe and went out of the house without being known to any one yet having a great desire to know the day following the names of these persons and the occasion of these strange aecidents Don Louis whom we call Poleron was upon the passage of his history when Clitor and the Judge of the Towne entred into the prison the first to see if the unknowne prisoner was of those that did hurt Fenise and the other protesting that he knew very well what belonged to his Office They were all in suspence to see what would be the issue of these words but their attention was turned into affliction knowing that his designe was to send them to Toledo Fenise had an apprehension thereof the unknown prisoner trembled for feare and Don Louis doubted the execution thereof Seeing the danger wherein Fenise would be returning into the hands of his enemies he endeavoured by prayers and fair words to divert the intention of the Judge and although that Clitor affirmed that the unknowne prisoner was none of those that had hurt Fenise he changed not the resolution which he had made all the grace that they could obtaine was that the prisoners should be removed from the dark place where they were into a chamber but bound to â—wo posts When they were come into the light Fenise â—aced his companion and saw in him the origiâ—all of his disgraces he saw himselfe neare to Laure when he thought himselfe to be far from â—er He was almost without motion and sense so much had joy transported him but without â—estifying the excesse of his joy he contented himselfe to speak to her with the mute language of his eyes which often expresse the feelings of the heart more intelligibly then the tongue can doe Laure of her side made such signes with her eyes as rendred faithfull proofs of the constancy of her love Don Louis who perceived all these amorous actions seeing that they were alone in this chamber having had licence of the Judge to visit his friend prayed them to explicate the Aenigmas of of their gestures Fenise spoke and told him Deare friend only in telling you the name of this person shewing Laure I answer to all the demands you can now make me you having heard me so often speak it This is Laure that incomparable beauty which hath charmed my soule her presence hath surprized me with so excessive a joy that if it was not moderated with the sorrow that I have to see her suffer so many evils for my sake it would take away my life Then turning himselfe towards Laure Ah deare object of my happinesse is it possible that my destiny may be appeased Is it true that it is you my imagination perpetually occupied with your image doth she not deceive me What amongst so many torments can I enjoy so extream a felicity Without lying I have good cause to complain of your rigour that hath hindred me so long time the enjoying thereof in disguising this night the delicious organ of your voice Speak to me dear Mistresse let me see that my glory is not a dream tell me what marvellous adventure hath reduced you to this misery which produced me so great good fortune Laure who might rather be called Aurora letting fall liquid pearls upon the vermillion roses of her cheeks answered him My dear Fenise I have striven much with my self to use the dissimulation whereof you complain and hinder my self from letting you know what company you had in your prison I wanted but a little of declaring my selfe when I saw you brought thither but honour which you know is so delicate a thing obliged me to this severe retention so that your love being guided by respect and civility you have rather cause to be satisfied with me then blame me You cannot doubt of my passion since that for to give you most particular assurances thereof I have violated paternall respect and also that which I owe to my person in giving occasion to speak to the prejudice of my vertue But if our destiny have made us miraculously to meet againe it seems it is but to run the same fortune and make us hope for a more free conveniency to entertaine our selves with the fortunes that have arrived us since our separation the which obligeth me to pray you to give me leave to remit untill another time the satisfaction of your just curiositie Don Louis who heard these discourses was so lively touched with compassion besides the inclination which he had to serve Fenise that he vowed from this moment to hazard all that he esteemed as well of his goods as person to deliver them from the tyranny of this barbarous Judge And in the opinion which he had to come to the end of his design he endeavoured to comfort Laure giving her hope that she should see her self presently at liberty with her Lover This comfortable friend having left them in this expectation and being gone to put his project in execution the impertinent Judge came to tell them he had changed his resolution and that it was not necessary to carry them both to Toledo that for the love of Poleron he would leave Fenise and only take the other At this advertisement Laure felt her heart gnawed cruelly and revenging her misfortunes upon her selfe let fall teares from her eyes which were able to have softned Marble Fenise on his side repented himselfe for having so easily believed Don Louis and for suffering himselfe to be taken prisoner he could not resist the apprehensions of his passion nor Laure overcome the vehemency of her love so that when she saw her selfe untied from this post she approached her Lover and without being seene of those who were to carry her she fell vpon his neck for to embrace him By good fortune a swoond seized her at the instant which stayed the effect of the Judges proposition Having perceived this swoond they took all care possible to remedy it but not with so much diligence but that the rest of the day passed which forced them to attend untill the morrow for to carry her to Toledo judging that it was better to deferre it then to hazard in the night the losse of a prisoner which might be taken from them in the dark Fenise beheld this image of death whose sorrowes he felt in his heart neverthelesse he was presently glad seeing that the Officers of the Judge
certain quarrel and that seeing he would not turn Christian had given him his liberty with money and a good horse for to returne into his countrie having before disguised him like a Spaniard to the end he might passe more securely and not be knowne what hee was And this was the cause that I demanded his assistance believing him by his habits to be a Gentleman of our nation Having much lamented my misfortunes I must resolve to have patience and referre all to divine mercy in comforting my selfe that I am falne into the hands of a man of excellent behaviour which he learned in Castile We arrived in this town where being received by his father with open armes and cherished by the King he is now his onely favourite I hold the same place towards him he loveth me with passion as being as he saith the onely pleasure of his life he hath never spoken to me to change my religion for hee beleeveth that ought to come voluntarily without any force or restraint The contentments which hee giveth mee and the care he hath to see me served are so great that there are but two things which trouble me the profession of my faith and my dear Country without that there is no felicity in the world that can be entire The reception he hath made of you accompanied with so many honours testifie that he esteemeth you much I have often heard him speake of you before your arrivall as of a Gentleman most accomplished therefore you may assure your selfe of his amitie and believe that he will employ himselfe in all occasions where you shall have need of his credit and also for your returne into Spaine when you shall desire it If I could but follow you and that you would but carry me thither with you I assure my selfe you would have cause to commend the acknowledgment my brother and I should make you for it Fenise was about to answer her but upon the instant a servant came to advertise them that the Bacha their Lord was coming thither which obliged him to attend another occasion Eusemie retired into her chamber by the same door shee came which shee shut as before and leaving Fenise in great admiration made him know in the end that Mahomet and she had been the cause of the pains which hee had suffered having been like to have lost his life shamefully being accused for killing Don Pedro and kept prisoner for that subject Mahomet excused himself to Fenise for having left him so long alone Fenise replyed by those civilities which are ordinarily used in such complements then they continued to speake of times passed wherein they both tooke great pleasure Thereupon they came to tell them that dinner was ready where the stranger was magnificently treated after the fashion of the country In the interim Mahomet made a lodging to be prepared for him in the towne sending all things necessary for a houshold The evening being come he was carried to take possession of his house whereof he remained absolute master Here one may finde occasion to marvell at the inconstancy of things and the strange mutation of fortune It is not Long since Fenise was tossed by the fury of contrary windes and at the present he hath the winde of favour in poape not long since he was tumbled and tormented in a ship and now he is courteously received in a Palace yesterday he was naked and to day clothed with rich ornaments yesterday in a storme at sea and to day honoured upon earth yesterday fearing to be made a slave and to day possessing the graces and favours of a prince He had an extreame passion to see the daughter of Frederick which we call Magdalene as well because it was her proper name as also being more pleasant to the eare then that of Catife which they had given her at Algier Fenise was become amorous of her without seeing her but by the simple relation of her beauties which he had heard her Father make He dyed with impatience to attaine to this pleasant vision But forasmuch as the passions of love are wounds that reach to the very bottome of the breast they must have a long time to be cured so that to think to arrive at the end without passing by the middle is either a thing impossible or very dangerous so that his discretion was willing to give leasure to time to work with her without using violence Whilst Fenise renewed his acquaintance with the Bacha Mahomet and received his favours Frederick ravished with joy for the happy encounter he had made and the faire hopes which were given him would carry newes thereof to his daughter that she might partake in his contentment but he found the breach of the wall made up and his passage stopped the owner of this Garden had repaired this breach it may bee for his proper commodity or it may be because he had seen him passe that way Seeing himselfe thus deprived of this little good that rested to him he begunne againe to lament his misfortunes and with teares in his eyes came to seeke his consolation in the wits of generous Fenise His dwelling was not now where he had lodged he passessed the house which Mahomet had made to be accommodated for him He received him there with the most courteous welcome that was possible and told him that he had obtained his libertie having let Mahomet know that he was father to one of his most intimate friends and from that hour he retained him to dwell with him in expecting some meanes for the deliverance of his daughter Magdelene Frederick embraced him anew with a thousand thankes for the affection which he had testified to him But Fenise observed the sadnesse which he had in his countenance and asked him the cause thereof Then Frederick declared unto him that his last consolation was taken from him the place being stopped by which he passed to see his daughter Fenise having known the cause of his displeasure led him into a Gallery which was on the back side of his lodging from whence one might see the Kings house on that side the tower was which was over against it and in shewing it to him he sayd If that be the tovver vvhereof you have spoken to me you need not so much despaire as you doe Alas it is the same answered Frederick but the distance from hence thither is too great to speak to her if we had occasion to give her advice of any thing yet we are happy replyed Fenise that we are no further from it but that from the one place to the other we may easily know and distinguish the features of the face let us then content our selves with what it pleaseth heaven to give us perhaps it will furnish us with some invention from whence we may draw more benefit then we can imagine Frederick suffered himselfe to be perswaded by this consolation and determined to keep watch in this Gallery looking every moment if
Magdelene or the Christian slave which served her should come to the window But because she had there presented her selfe three or four times without seeing Frederick because of the accident that was happened she made no more account to appear there judging that there was some great impediment happened to their felicity This opinion was the cause that Frederick passed a whole week in measuring the length of this Gallery and counting the minutes of every day In the end as he was deploring his misery being out of all hope of ever seeing againe his dear daughter for the last time he cast his eyes upon the window and saw Magdelene and her slave who looked upon him contesting together whether it was he or no for the unknown house and gallery where he was put them in this doubt Then Frederick lifting up his eyes to heaven in action of thankfulnesse and extending his armes towards her leaning over the parapet made himself known and put them out of doubt He let them understand as well as he could by his actions why he could come no more to the foot of the Tower and that from thenceforwards he might see her from the place where he was because he dwelt there and was no longer slave then after a little time Magdalene made to him the signe of farewell untill the next day and shut her window for fear of abusing the favours of fortune or that Selin should perceive them Fenise at that time stirred not from Mahomet courting and entertaining his affections and when the night obliged him to retreat Frederick made him the recitall of what he had seen and that he hoped to have the same contentment the next day That he thought it would not be amiss to make Magdalen believe that he was her Brother of whom he had many times spoken to her to the end she might present her self more freely Our Cavalier found this no ill invention because it suted to his desires he told him he should absolutely dispose of his person and life But dear Frederick said he when a man enterpriseth an affaire difficult dangerous and serious he ought to foresee all the inconveniences imaginable which may hinder his design for to attempt to surmount them and come to a happy successe We must then goe here with great warinesse and take exact heed to our selves in the beginning for feare of failing in the end You said as I remember that Magdalene is so recluse and retired that no one seeth her but the King and from thence I fear that she will not shew her self seeing me with you imagining that I am some Turk but to warrant us from this danger I think it fit to change my habits I have found an invention to get the box brought hither which we buried at the entry of the forrest where I found you after my shipwrack I will take an habit that is therein and then when Magdalen shall see me clothed after the Spanish fashion you may the better perswade her that I am her Brother Frederick approved of his opinion and Fenise shewed him a suit made for the Country of gray cloth covered with plate lace of gold and silver and compleat with all other furniture The day being come so impatiently expected by these two friends Frederick set himself upon the watch in the Gallery and not long after saw the window open and Magdalen and her slave appear He made her a sign to stay and went to fetch Fenise to let him see his daughter he came he saw and was overcome the imagination which he had formed to himself of the beauties of Magdalen was very imperfect in comparison of the originall which he admired During his ravishment Magdalen carefully considered him astonished with this new fashion of habit and with the grace and good countenance which he had yet without knowing who he was Her spirit was much troubled to explicate this Aenigma but in the end her father forced her by imbracements and other signes to comprehend that it was her Brother She understood it and then her admiration was converted into confusion endeavouring to divine by what meanes he was come into that place for she had learned of her Father the History of his birth and losse Fenise made all the gesture of respect and love he could devise to testifie to her that he was not only her Brother but her slave and defendor she rendred him those reverences and salutations which courtesie obliged her to testifying with her armes that she imbraced him with her heart Whilst Magdelen and Fenise entertained themselvs with these mute complements Erimene attentively considered our Cavalier this was the name that this Christian slave had taken to disguise her own by much regarding him she thought she knew him and well remembring her self she remembred his name and the place where she had seen him She judged that since they endeavoured to give an impression to her Mistresse that this was her Brother it was not necessary to declare to her what she knew for fear of breaking some favourable project to the contentment of her Father she resolved to keep silence and see to what end would come all these confusions In the interim it was not permitted them to stay any longer in the presence one of another Erimene carefull to manage occasion made signe to Frederick and Fenise to retire yet advising the old man to be at the same place two hours after and when the Sun was neer setting Magdelen made them the sign of adieu and shut her window leaving our Cavalier more captive then all the slaves in Barbary having sacrificed to her at the very instant of his first regard his liberty heart and life resolved to hazard all to deliver her from the subjection wherein she was He returned to change his habits and take those of a Turk to go visit Mahomet He was very carefull to conserve his good will and observe him in every thing that he might make use of his credit if there should be occasion thereof although he had declared nothing to him of his design nor of the intelligence he had with Frederick for fear his zeale to serve the King might surmount the amitie which he bore him He knew so well how to make use of the favours of this Moor that he made him believe he took no care to return into his Country and that after so many misfortunes received there he would renounce it and was determined to stay there with him as long as he should please Mahomet finding himself obliged to his affection would testifie the esteem that he made thereof by installing him in the charge of Subbacha an office of justice as one may say Corrector or Judge of politick Government which Fenise willingly accepted seeing it was an excellent meanes to bring about his design seeing that this charge made him be feared of the people esteemed by the Nobles and generally beloved and respected of all The night begun to extend it self
flying messenger and a cypher which I would have us use we shall presently come to the end of some high enterprise the secret of our cypher shall be to take the neighbouring letters to those we have need of as for example in stead of an A. take a B. for B. take C. for C. D. and so untill Z. for the which Z. we will take two AA then for to say I adore you I would put these letters K. BEPSF ZPW. yet if you finde not this convenient you may let it alone but for my part I shal alwayes much esteeme this eypher as most necessary to my good fortune and the secret Thus ended this letter which left some kinde of sorrow in the minde of Magdalene because she assured her selfe that this unknowne Cavalier was her brother This proximitie did not please her for as much as it did not accord with the love that begun to take place in her heart Erimene that penetrated into her most secret thoughts perceived well that there was something in the letter that pleased her not and to be cleared of the suspition which she had conceived she prayed Magdelene to tell her what it was that troubled her to the end she might comfort her Deere companion of my caprivitie said Magdelene to her you have just occasion to complain of me if I should reserve any secret from you and to testifie that my heart is open to you I will tell you truly that since the houre that my father made me to see the Cavalier I have had extraordinary troubles I know not whether it proceed from the influence of the stars Blood or the graces of that gentleman but I have suffered since that moment unquietnesses which I have hitherto beene ignorant of and also I have a certaine sorrow that he is so neere unto me I have said enough I am ashamed that I have so freely confessed my fragilitie unto you The ingenious Erimene having heard these words which confirmed what she had before imagined thought that this was a proper occasion to declare reciprocally to Magdelene the secret which she had hidden from her to incourage her love which ought to serve as a foundation to the edifice of their liberty Since that you have spoken to me with so much freedome said Erimene J am obliged to imitate you lest J give you occasion to accuse me of ingratitud and this shal be now to acquit me of that which J owe to the affection which you have so particularly testifyed unto me Vntill this present J have concealed from you my true name birth and country not to follow the ordinary custome of those who seeing themselves in a miserable condition vaunt to be of a greater extraction then they are to the end to move compassion or courtesie in others J told you at our first meeting that J was called Erimene that J was of the kingdome of Aragon and of meane condition at this present J will confesse the truth to you J am called Leonor Velazquez J am of Toledo and of noble birth Then she made him an ample narration of all the history which we have already recited of the death of Felix and her servant and the cruelty of Don Jouan her brother as it hath beene said in the first booke then she continued saying Having then considered by the tragique end of this unhappy lover which dyed for being disguised in my person by the cruelty of Don Jouan my brother and seeing also that he had slaine her in thinking to have killed me J conceived so great a hatred against him and his presence was so odious to me that since that time it was impossible for me to stay in his company For to separate my selfe entirely from him J lest Toledo and went with one of my cosens to the towne of Leride scituate in the province of Catalogna Amongst the pleasant conversations of this towne J saw a Cavalier whose perfections and good offices which he rendered mee obliged me to give him my heart and soule that J might not be reputed scornfull nor ingratefull But with your permission J will attend a more convenient time to recount unto you how J came to see him what ingaged me to love him what adventure brought me into this region and what subject hath ravished from me this object of my affection J will not for the present entertaine you with other things but what may be proper to comfort you in the paine you are in and moderate the unquietnesse of your spirit For this cause J tell you that this Cavalier which they disguise with the name of Don Louis is called Fenise J have divers times spoken and discoursed with him as being the intimate friend of my brother Don Jouan J knew then all his kindred and as soone as your father let us see him with him in Spanish habits J knew him to be the same J have now told you But having reasoned upon the disguisement under the which your father presented him to us J doe imagine that he did it for feare his presence which was unknowne to you should give you some apprehension To tell you by what meanes he is come hither how he hath made friendship with your father nor by what title he possesseth the house where he dwelleth I cannot for they are things I have no knowledge of but of his valour generositie discretion and wit I can much commend although not so much as his merits deserve so that if your sorrow proceede from the feare you have he is too neere you you may banish it at this instant and place instead or it a hope to arive one day at a glorious successe provided that we can but recover our deere libertie I this day see answered Magdalene that heaven is interessed in the alliance of our amitie I receive so much consolation from you that I do no longer fear what troubles can befall me the knowledge which you have given me of this Cavalier disperseth all the confusions wherewith my spirit was troubled In the paine which I had to believe what my father would make me understand I was a little moved to wish him well but for the present I must confesse to you that he possesseth my heart and that I take an extreame pleasure hi the increase of my affection I perceive now nothing that can trouble me upon this subject but feare that he should want inclination to esteeme my amitie No No answered Leonor you must not trouble your selfe a new I have experience enough to judg of him the just contrary to that thought I can assure you that he loveth you And that it must be so I will give you a testimony cleare enough let us looke againe upon the letter looke you regarde this example which he giveth you to use the Cypher it is not without mystery that he useth these words I adore you ading afterwards yet if you finde this not convenient you are not constrained the will ought to be
of what was to be done weâ— saw one of these men to descend by the ladder into the cellar carrying in his hand a dark lanthorn shut and the other stayed in the street to attend him then we perswaded our selves that they were noâ— theeves and atributed this action to love thinking that it was some servant to one of the Maids of the house upon this imagination Leonor was a little more at quiet esteeming that provided that heâ— honour was safe she ought not to torment her selfe with what others did so vve took patience vvithout making noise but presently after vve heard one approach to our chamber and put a key into the lock thereupon I put out a candle vvhich vvas vvithin the chimney to the end I might not be seen by the person vvhich vvas entring and prayed Leonor to take courage and not to cry out for if she did she vvould undoe her self and me also Thereupon the door vvas opened and vve savv the same man to enter that had before gone dovvn into the cellar vvith his lanthorn I vvas then hidden under the Tapistry neare the bed of Leonor vvhere she vvas laid dovvn vvho seemed to vvaken in starting and to be ready to cry out At the instant this unknovvn came to her vvith his face masked bidding her make no noise nor avvake any one saying it vvas a robbery of honour vvhich he vvould make and that his love had engaged him to this enterprise Leonor sate up and laid her hands upon his stomack to put him back no no said he in embracing her your resistance will serve to no purpose you must either willingly or unwillingly adhere to my passion or lose your life The mask which covered his infamous face could not so disguise his voice but that I knew it was Lucian and withall I remembrâ—d what Glicere had told me so that full of wrath and indignation I cast my self upon him before he could put himself in defence or know with whom he had to doe I plunged the blade of a great ponyard into his breast wherewith he was so surprised and frightned that without staying for a second blow he left his hold and fled to the Balcony window by the which I was to have gone out and cast himself down into the street upon the pavement almost dead with his hurt and fall and all soyled with his bloud His two companions which attended him seeing that there was a man fallen from that window came to see who it was and as they returned in the obscurity they touched the tricker of a pistoll which Lucian had hanging at his girdle and which was so well directed that it blew two bullets into the head of one of his confederates which fell downe dead by him so paying for the charity which he had in being his Scout The other seeing his companion so ill treated believed that he which had leaped from the window had used this stratagem for to kill them both by foul play so that fearing to have the like misfortune with his Comrade he fled hastily away Seeing things in this estate and the perill which we ran both of us Leonor if it should be discovered that the murder was done in her house and I being known for the homicide I resolved to warrant my self from all inconveniences by absenting my self from Leride and taking Leonor with me for after the first fault a hundred others are committed For this effect I went down from her chamber into the cellar by which Lucian was got in I went up the ladder into the street drew it from the window and fastned it to a cord which Leonor threw me from her window then she fastned it to the crosse bar of the window which being done she couragiously descended but we had not taken heed enough of the length and fastning of the ladder it wanted six or seven steps of touching the earth so that Leonor fell this distance and if I had not half received her in mine arms I believe that the tomb of her youth and life would have been at the foot of this ladder yet for all my catching her she hurt one of her feet against the pavement so much that it was impossible for her to goe one step I leave you to think in what pain I was then on the one side I had a spectacle of two dead men on another a house broken with these I found my self engaged to defend and assist a person which was so dear to me and to whom I had so many obligations and yet constrained to warrant my selfe from so many accusations that threatned me I assure my self that the best wit would have been much confused amongst so many disgraces for my part I doe avow that I found my self extreamly amazed and knew not what to resolve upon one while I thought that the most convenient remedy for me was to leave Leride but considering that I was unprovided of necessaries for a voyage I changed my opinion After a thousand various thoughts I determined not to stir yet untill I saw what brute would be published of this strange successe and also we thought it expedient that Leonor should return into her chamber the resolution was easie but the execution very difficile because of the hurt the had got in falling I got the ladder again into the window to the end she might passe by the same way that Lucian had made for us But the poor Lady was extreamly afflicted when she saw that she must goe down a place so foule and slimy yet seeing that there was a necessity she took courage I passed the first and taking her upon my shoulders went downe the ladder and carried her into her chamber I represented unto her that she ought not to apprehend any thing although she should be accused of the death of these two men on the contrary this action would be esteemed most glorious when the occasion should be knowne nothing more lawfull then to defend life and honour against those that would set upon them Having thus resolved her I took leave and retired my self by the same way I descended Before I went from this house I came to the two dead men I took the pistoll from the girdle of Lucian and put it into his hand and did the same with the poyniard to the other to give cause of belief that they had killed one another the invention succeeded happily enough since that all that saw them were of that opinion The Justices having imployed above fifteen dayes to inform themselves of the fact believed that the dead men had been their own proper murderers During this time Don Ignigo Leonors Uncke was taken with an apoplexy which took him away in lesse then twenty foure houres and as one misfortune never commeth without company two dayes after his death a Burgois one of my friends came to advertise me that a certain neighbour of Don Ignigos was extreamly glad as well of his decease as of the occasion
generous and brave Knights of Malta seeing that they were Turkish vessels prepared themselves to give them a brave reception although they knew their force to be far inferiour as well because of their three vessels as of the great number of Barbarians which exceeded theirs but their courages and valour supplyed this inequality As soon as they saw them approach within Cannon shot the Maltans gave them a salute with two of their greatest pieces which incontinently sunk their first vessell Then Fenise tooke away their Turkish colours where the Crescents and Halfe-Moones were and put in their places Christian colours as the Turks do sometimes to deceive the christians when they meet them upon their coasts and adding to this signe the Castalian tongue wherein the implored the grace assistance of these knights they made the effect of their artillery to cease So that when Roustan knew the fault which he had committed in not believing Nazouf it was impossible for him to fly or for to defend himselfe Seeing himself in this extreamity and to take away the glory from the Knights of triumphing in his taking and to exempt himselfe from the paine which he might receive in their hands he commanded the bottom of his vessell to be pierced and by little and little it made a hole into the sea in the presence of the Maltans rather chusing to lose his goods and life than to see himselfe a slave to those who had been at his mercy if he would have believed Nazouf The Knights were very sorry for the losse of this Conquest but this sadnesse was lost in the joy which he received who commanded the Galley when he knew Don Iame his Nephew This was that Uncle that he thought to have found in Sicily as it hath been already sayd who being newly honoured with the Knights of Saint Iohn went from Malta to Cartagene for an affaire of great importance Don Iame extreamly glad of this good fortune after having embraced the knees of his Uncle named those to him in whose company he was Fenise and Frederick saluted him and after a thousand actions of Grace and as many testimonyes of a generous rejoycing they all entred into the Galley and went to Cartagene as well because it was the Port whither this Gally tended as also not to be separated from the Knights that had delivered them from so notable a perill because they feared to meet other dangers from which they could not escape being alone The End of the Third Booke THE FOURTH BOOK OF FENISE THE Galley of the Knights of Malta took Port most happily at Cartagene to the great pleasure of all that were therein and particularly of Frederick because he expected to there to see againe a person with whom he hoped to finde consolation the rest of his dayes he also rejoyced that he had brought againe his dear Daughter to the place of her birth and to see her served by Fenise whom he esteemed to bee one of the most accomplished Cavaliers of his Nation and for that cause agreed with all his heart to the honest designes which he had for her Leonor was also most contented to finde her self out of slavery and near Don Iame as passionately in love with her as in the beginning of their affections Mahomet on his side thought himselfe most happy to see himselfe in a country where he might easily performe the intention he had to become Christian and also to satisfie his desires in marrying Eufemie She also thought her self much bound unto him for his honest proceedings towards her whilest she was under his power In briefe every one of them was perfectly glad to be so miraculously escaped from the tyranny of the Barbarians even Charles the slave of Mahomet felt his part of this felicitie seeing himselfe honoured and esteemed by all as well for his generous actions as for the advantages which nature had put upon his countenance which made him suspected to be of other birth then what he had reported They were all so strongly bound together in affection that they sound their separation extreamely troublesome The generous Frederick considering that his house was spacious enough to receive them invited them thereunto to repose themselves as long as they pleased All those that could habited themselves after the Spanish fashion doing it before they came out of the vessell for feare of being overthrowne by the curiositie of the vulgar The liberalitie of the knights was showne in this action in giving clothes to those who had need thereof Every one of them as they descended kissed the earth of their deare country they imbraced one another all acknowledging themselves to owe their liberty to the wit and courage of Fenise who with courteous complements thanked Frederick for the favour which he offered them but was of advice that since that it was night that they might lodge together in an Inne as strangers that they might accomodate themselves the next day with all things necessary to be civilly cloathed before they made themselves knowne besides it was expedient to informe themselves secretly of their proper affaires after so long absence This proposition was approved by all the company who tooke their leaves of the Uncle of Don Jame assuring the other knights that they would send them the next day the cloathes which they had lent them they left them their vessell to dispose of as they should think good and having taken out their coffers and boxes wherein were the Jewels and other things the most precious which were brought by Magdelene Leonor Eufemie Mahomet they went to that Inne which was nearest the port The next day every one accomodated himselfe with what he had neede of and the night being come Frederick prayed Fenise to doe him the honour to accompany him to his house and under pretext of demanding newes of a Cavalier his kinsman see if they could know him In entering into the streete he perceived some people who were before his house he approached and saw great light in the roomes which appeared through the windowes and also many persons which went in and out moved vvith joy Then Frederick regarded Fenise without speaking a word being extreamely astonished from whence these testimonies of rejoycing should proceed and desiring to be cleared therein he informed himselfe by a man which came out of the house without a cloake and who had the fashion to be one of the domestiques You know very little answered he if you bee ignorant that the Widow of Seigneur Frederick is marryed again to day since she is a Lady of great renown Saying so he briskly passed by leaving Don Frederick in greater confusion than before Then turning himselfe towards Fenise Deare Friend said he what doe you think of this answer Is it possible that he speaketh truth I doubt not of it replyed Fenise nor you ought not to thinke it strange for after an absence of fifteene years which are passed since you were heard of it is
his way his wife would come help him and make him to be carried away and looked unto Fernand not finding him made no great diligence to search him hee imagined that he was not so hurt as he had believed and that he was gone to tell his disaster to his companions to oblige them to revenge him in this imagination he made hast from thence and tooke Charitie with him hee set her upon her mule and mounted upon his horse and tooke the way by which he was come returning towards Madrid because the nearest place of retreate was that way otherwise they would have been benighted 〈◊〉 the wood and it may be in danger to finde â—â—e companions of Leon it was a great distance betwixt this place and the towne where Fernand thought to lodge to passe the night in securitie which gave him leasure discreetly to informe himselfe who she was and of the voyage she made and who had engaged her into this danger Charitie to testifie how much she esteemed her self bounden to his generositie recited nakedly unto him all that shee knew of her self as well her name and condition as the accident which was arrived me in her lodgings moderating in the end the shame of her fault with the promises of marriage which I had so solemnly made her Fernand hearkened to all this discourse with astonishment and admiration seeing himselfe to be one of the principall personages in this tragicall History He remembered himselfe that the next day I was to marry Cleonte the Gentlewoman whereof I told you and who was to be esteemed for having amongst other good qualities neare twenty thousand pounds for her portion besides the hope of inheriting yet as much more from her father Confidering then that it was in his power to repaire the honour of this faire Gentlewoman and to bring againe consolation and joy to her mother he found himselfe engaged in conscience and generositie not to neglect it being arrived at their Inne and having taken a little repast he would let her see how usefull his meeting with her might be to her yet without declaring what he knew of my project to marry Cleonte for feare of surcharging her with new afflictâ—â—â— Madam said he I thanke my good fortune that she hath this day given me occasion to serve you in such manner as none but a brother could doe He did not think to have made so just a comparison for this time I will breake my voyage to Seville whither I was going as well as you when I met you and for your sake I will againe take the way to Madrid hoping there to procure you that contentment which you desire from Don Antonio It is a Cavalier whom I know and whom I hold so religious that if hee hath sworne to marry you as I believe he hath since you say so he will never violate his faith and it may bee hee would already have done it if he had known where to have found you it is therefore I would counsell you to return with me to Madrid At these words Fernand saw that Charitie lifting her eyes up to heaven made an action which testified that shee had some repugnance to the effect of this proposition being ashamed to goe alone with a man and not daring to speak her feeling she covered with the pretext of fear to be known No no Mistresse said he fear nothing confide in me if your quality and beauty would not oblige me to respect that which I beare to Antonio whose wife I believe you will be would make me use you with all sort of reverence I will lodge you in a place where no body shall know you in the interim I will see this Cavalier and I assure my self that you vvill have cause to praise his loyaltie and my diligence Charitie was altogether charmed with these spatious consolations she passed the rest of the night in some repose of spirit thanking God every moment for having assisted her with so magnanimous a courage and disposing her selfe to be conducted by the prudence of this brave Cavalier At breake of day he went to knock at the door of her chamber and told her that it was time to depart and that they must hast to Madrid if shee would see a good successe of her affaires she was presently ready and they went gladly together They arrived that day at dinner time in an Inne where they found the Commissary deputed by the President of Castille to apprehend the theeves which upon these waies robbed all the passengers who had already taken and hanged up the companions of Leon. Don Baptiste father of Cleonte having appointed and chosen the day of our marriage had invited all his friends for that time amongst the which Don Ariel the Uncle of Charitie was the most considerable after his kindred this Uncle that lived at Seville and to whom she went to sue to his good nature to receive her to him being the onely possessour of the estate of her house setled upon the eldest as I have already told you He left Seville to come to Madrid and take part of the contentment of his friends The next day after the adventure encountered by Don Fernand hee passed that way near unto which Leon had drawn and hidden himselfe This miserable wretch having been so long time abandoned from succour and almost lost all his blood and mortally hurt decayed by little and little seeing that Fregonde did not come and that he heard passengers goe that way he begunne to make pittifull cries at the instant that Don Ariell passed by the place where he was Then this charitable and courteous Cavalier made his traine to stay and alighting the first went where hee heard this lamentable voice he saw upon the ground a strong man enclining to gray of about fifty years of age of a sterne visage full of scarres and soiled with blood as all the rest of his body was who made him this broken discourse being oppressed with paine and weaknesse Sir said hee through Christian charitie have pittie of a miserable sinner to whom just heaven this day maketh its vengeance felt I have a recitall to make you whereby I shall discharge my conscience it God assist mee with life and breath to doe it and give ease to a great family which I have put in extreame griefe a long while agone saying so a great weaknesse stayed his speech Don Ariell curious to know what this hurt man would say sent for water to a little rivelet that ranne thereby they cast it into his face and he opened his eyes then setting him up handsomely against a tree two men of Don Ariels holding him up he begun again his discourse Which way doe you go Sir sayd he I go to Madrid answered Ariel Alasse Sir replyed the hurt man you may well oblige then persons of condition that are of that towne and in so doing render my soul lesse criminall Speak my friend sayd Ariel take courage I will do it
friend said I not daring to speak to her as a woman in the presence of this peasant you shall bee presently at your owne house saying so this man and I tooke her up and carryed her to the house of a Cavalier my intimate friend called Don Jovan de Valazquez This was not without much paine and apprehension of being met by the Justices who made their walk at that houre This Cavalier had a Sister who in charitie took an extreame care of Laure whilst I went to seek Chirurgeon to whom I payed as much for his crecy as cure as I had done to him that helped me to carry her The Chirurgeon having taken away a handkerchief which I had put in her wound to stay the bloud did carefully dresse it but he could not yet give us any hope of her recovery Behold Poleron how rudely Fortune used mee she was not onely content to deprive me of all sorts of goods but also of all my hopes thereof In the interim the absence of Laure being perceived all her Fathers house was in an uproare but the brute passed not the doores as well because the honour of a family is in danger of Shipwrack when it is tossed by the windes of popular mouthes as also to make way the better to the revenge her Brothers hoped to take thinking by this silence to take away all apprehension to their enemy They incontinently perswaded themselves that there was none in the towne capable of the Ravishment of Laure but my selfe for they knew well that I served her and that she had some inclination to mee so that they were resolved to pull out my heart and seek me even to the center of the Earth if I should be there This project was not so secretly kept but it came to the knowledge of one of their servants whom I had obliged with divers presents who came to give me advice thereof At her first seeing me she demanded where Laure was and I being afraid of a double intelligence from those that are for them will give most counterfeited to be astonished faigning to know nothing of her absence shee who was discreet enough pressed me no further Well well sayd she in what place soever she is doe not often frequent her for her brothers have espies to trappe you both together and take away your lives at the same time If you bee wise get away from this place otherwise you are in danger to be slaine doe not neglect my counsell I desiring to conserve my selfe more for the consideration of Laure than mine own went to Cigarales which are the chiefest Farmes belonging to the Citizens of Toledo and lived in the house of a Farmer who before had served in my fathers house I much desired to hear newes from Laure and to let her hear from me but I durst not confide in any one And although I had no great cause to be in paine for her having left her in such hands yet I could not continue long time where I was being ignorant in what estate she was A heart that wants that which it desireth is in perpetuall inquietude I knew not whether I was dead or alive so that to know certainely the estate of my life it was necessary that I should search â—fter newes of that of Laure. I went disguised to Toledo where I was scarcely arrived when I perceiâ—ed the younger brother of Oliban who saw me and â—ollowed me doubting it was I I made many â—urns one way and another to try if he looked after â—â—e but seeing that in truth he had discovered me was constrained to leave the town onely passing â—efore the house of Don Joüen the keeper of the â—easure of my felicity not very well satisfied â—eing all the doores shut up fearing that some evill â—â—d befalne Laure. I was not gone farre from Toâ—â—do when turning my selfe I perceived three men â—ding full gallop after mee I imagined that these men had a designe upon me therefore I went into the next thicke wood to hide my felfe from them being behind a very thicke tuft I saw them passe by me very much troubled having lost the sight of me they looked here and there doubting what to doe And because I was not in too secure a place I went amongst the rockes knowing it rather desperatenesse then valour to attend their comming where perceiving my selfe amongst so many precipices and not knowing which way to avoid them I lighted and left my horse at hazard I had wandred amongst the rockes almost two houres searching the refuge of some shephards cabin when I so happily found you neere the fountaine where I was catched by mine enemies whilest you went to fetch me habits to disguise my selfe Fenise thus could his history to Poleron when when the Judge of the towne assisted by the Pregnotory and serjeants came into the house hee had beene told that Fenise was arrived in that towne in other cloathes and that he was some spy disguised addressing himselfe to him with an action fierce and barbarous told him that he was the Kings prisoner Fenise astonished at these words asked him the cause the house said the Judge thinking he had demanded the house whither he would carry him prisoner continuing to speake upon this conceipt you are pleasant said he to enquire of mâ— the house whither I will carry you you shall goâ— whither I please I here represent the King obey away to prison He was so cholerique and spake sâ— fast that his words stumbled one upon another theâ— made so much hast to get out of his mouth if Fenise was astonished at his arrivall he was now altogether confused but using prudence he endeavoured to moderate the too violent motion of this rustique magistrate he told him he did not aske for the house whither he would have him but the reason of his imprisonment the which instead of appeasing him provoked him the more in such manner that he went to have layd hold of this infortunate Cavalier if the Pregnotory had not told him that he ought not to proceede with so much incivility against a gentleman the Judge being thereupon freshly angred fell to cuffs with the Pregnotory untill the blood came from both their noses This little tragy-comedy did not at all please Fenise for having beene acted upon his occasion he feared to pay the charges thereof by some rude useage Poleron being of the same opinion counselled Fenise to suffer this brute to doe what he would assuring him to take him presently out of his power he confiding in this suffered himselfe to be taken prisoner They put him in the same prison where the young man was that the judge had taken the same day that Fenise was hurt and who had suffered him to lye there without questioning him expecting a fitt occasion to send him to Toledo knowing himselfe not capable enough to forme a processe of so high a nature By the light of a lampe they chained Fenise as a criminall of
state to the other end of the beame whereunto the first was tyed who was very glad to have a companion to entertaine himselfe with Whilst they were tying Fenise the other attentively regarded him thinking that hee knew him and when they were alone without light he disguising his voice demanded of our Cavalier the cause of his imprisonment my misfortune is the onely cause answered Fenise for I doe not believe that I have deserved this punishment by the tone of his voice the first prisoner confirmed himselfe in the opinion that he had that he knew Fenise yet he was so amazed with this strange incounter that being night he thought he dreamed when an infortunate person receives any contentment hee thinkes it an illusion Fenise had also the curiositie to enquire the misfortunes of his companion who answered him alwayes in a disguised voice You and I are of different opinions you say your ill fortune hath brought you hither I that my good fortune hath conducted me and rendred my captivitie a thousand times more deare to me then libertie I never heard any but you said Fenise say that paines were pleasant libertie troublesome imprisonment delightfull yet I esteeme my selfe happy answered the unknowne in regard I finde two sorts of contentment the one reall and the other in appearance and although the latter be not he that presumes it so doth not desire it lesse then the first so that I finde my prison lovely my chaines favours and my paines delightfull I am of the nature of those that love their captivitie The pearle conconserves and nourisheth it selfe in a prison of a shel the diamond formes it selfe in congealed dew the gold ingenders and augments by the Sun-beames in the Entrailes of the Earth and the soule which is the most perfect of all creatures next unto the angels doth so well please it selfe in the prison of humane bodies that she cannot quit them without great trouble the same cause have I to love my condition Love makes me finde delight in torments felicitie in misfortunes and pleasure amongst these paynes He answered Fenise hath no great experience of the effects of love that taketh his afflictions for contentments Alas love the world would be at quiet if it could avoid thy reaches and warrant it selfe from thy deceipts For my part I have a thousand times proved that all the evils that our miserie hath cast upon us in nature are found in him and without going about to tell them in particular I demand what tumult is there in the World which he causeth not What sedition which he stirreth not up Noyse which he makes not What feare which proceeds not from him He is the most cruell Enemy of men He betrayeth them under flattering appearances He makes them swallow poyson deliciously prepared in embracing them he kills them In brief he is of such a nature that there are none but those that know him not that esteem him therefore I wish that he may possesse the soule of him that is cause of my misfortunes it is the most rigorous vengeance that I can desire Fenise said this with so much vehemency that he thereby testified the passion which moved him and the force of his apprehensions whereupon his companion answered without doubt you loue in such a place where your affections are little regarded since that you speak so ill of him who hath been the cause of all the good that the Earth now possesseth that the World admireth and that Nature adoreth Love is the originall of our life He provides us nourishment without him the Earth would not bring forth those savoury fruits which serve us for food and without him men would have no communication together He peopleth Cities He governeth Common-wealths He is the Spring of Peace and Joy His effects are Force greatnesse of Courage Liberality and Courtesie He is the Father of boldnesse and Generosity And I could give you examples of all that I have told you in my proper person if I did not feare more to weary you by giving eare unto them then to tire my selfe by relating them In conclusion I maintain that there is nothing without love yea that he is among contrary Elements I doe not deny answered Fenise that Love hath all these properties but as no man is bound to say more then he knoweth of him I that have found in his Garden nothing but thornes and brambles I tell you what I have seen what I have experimented and what I have learned of himselfe I doe avouch that of all humane contentments there is none like the pleasures of a Lover who is beloved with a reciprocall Affection but this happinesse endureth so little that the happiest Lover can scarcely vaunt himselfe to be arrived at the beginning of his pleasure but at the same instant he loseth it Fenise and the unknowne Prisoner passed the rest of the night in this pleasant contestation the the one considering the miserable estate whereunto fortune had reduced him not being able to have newes from Laure the other satisfied with the favours of his destiny desiring alwayes to alledge the affliction of his companions but seeing that opportunity was not yet offered he determined to have patience and not to make himselfe known but to very good purpose As soon as it was day Poleron went to visit his Friend to confirme him in the assurance which he had given him to deliver him from the hands of that insolent and ignorant Judge Fenise thanked him for the care that he had of him and told him that he was happy in his misfortunes to be a prisoner with a man of so excellent a wit whose pleasant conversation had much diminished his sorrowes Poleron turned himselfe for to behold him but the Prisoner having seen him enter had turned his back against the light and lay halfe along upon the beam feigning to be asleep as well not to be in view as for to hearken if amongst their discourses he might finde any thing that might concerne him The two Friends believing that sleep had seized him begun to discourse together and amongst the discourses which they held Fenise did observe so many judicious reasons in Poleron that he found them to exceed the wit of a Shepherd as already he had seen other testimonies thereof Desiring then to content his curiosity he made him this discourse I might believe dear Poleron that you did not love me with a good heart if you should refuse to give me the clearing of an opinion which I have conceived and which doth trouble me Your Countenance your Courage your Actions and your Discourses agreeth so little with the birth of a Shepherd that I have imagined divers times either that you are not descended of the Line of these country Shepherds or that Heaven and Nature have taken a most particular care to forme your Body and Wit to render you worthy of a higher fortune then that of this habitation Truly answered Poleron I should
truth I did not know whether Alonso mocked me or no. In fine after a long suspension of minde the apprehensions of hate gave place to those of love and as I went to demand her pardon for my errour there came into the chamber the servant that came to seeke me from her â—ccompanied with Feliciane her first confident who â—ame running at the clamour of Teodore thinking that I would take away the life of her that had ravished from me my liberty and seeing me yet have the ponyard in my hand which glissened by the light of the candle they fled crying murder and for help I went after them to stay them and upon the staires I met lascivious Eufemie coming up with a torch in her hand to know from whence proceeded this great disorder For me I confesse that when I knew her my whole body begun to tremble being ready to discharge it self of the heavy burden of my affront but as soone as she saw me with the ponyard in my hand feare of death so violently transported her that she cast her selfe out of a window of the staires which looked into the Court I was very glad to see her resolution thinking that in saving her selfe from my rigour she would chastise her selfe but it happened otherwise I put my head out of the window thinking to have seen her broken to pieces upon the pavement and I saw her in the armes of Don Pedro he who had debauched her who happened to be directly under the window at the instant of her fall he saved her in receiving her into his armes for he was strong and the window not very high I ran hastily to take the occasion that was offered me to be revenged of them both in the same time and ponyard them both together but the two servants had shut the doore of the stairs which entred into the court Seeing then so many obstacles to the execution of my design choler so violently surmounted me that I went up the staires to cast my selfe out of the same window I did it as soone as thought it but my fall was not so happy as that of Eufemie I hurt so extreamely one of my legges that when J would have gone to have ruined my enemies it was impossible for me to goe which gave them leisure to save themselves Teodore altogether confused with this prodigious rumour got quickly to her lodging wherein she entered without wakening her father J doubt not Gentlemen but that you desire to know by what accident Teoddre came into this place but J will tell you the reason thereof Eufemy was lodged neare her house and Teodore knowing the life which she led determined to be acquainted with her by the intermission of Feliciane who went to make complements to her from her in the quality of a neighbour At the end of some few dayes she demanded permission of her Father for her Mother was deceased to goe see one of her cosens that was sick The good man seeing his daughter excited with so charitable a desire gave her leave upon condition that Feliciane should accompany her for he confided in her and thought the Chastity of Teodore in great safeguard with her They went abroad together made some turnes in the streets and stayed under a doore where they disguised themselves as well as they could for feare of being known and so entered into the house of Eufemie She seeing Teodore at her house was ravished with that honour as they are ordinarily who meddle with the trade she did when other women come to visite them Eufemy imbraced her a thousand times transported with joy and admiration and after many faire words given and received of one and the other Eufemie prayed Teodore to tell her wherefore she had taken the pains to visit her Then without suffering her selfe to be much entreated she â—ngeniously declared to her that she had made choice of her lodging to satisfie an extreame passion that she loved a Cavalier which shee was a going to send for and for that purpose she prayed her to lend her a chamber for a little time that passing for a Courtizan she might without being known content her amorous desires Consider a little how this Gentlewoman prostituted her honour to adhere to her sensual fantasies but what is it that a woman animated with love wil not prove to make easie the things that seem to her impossible let us now return to the house of Eufemie to see what happened there after the hurt which I had received in leaping out of the window Her servant which fled away seeing mee with the Ponyard in my hand went in a fright to fetch a Justice who being arrived made me be carryed to prison without any formalitie in a chaire Before that this officer was entered into the house the Pregnotory had received the depositions of two witnesses who said that I had given to a woman three great stabs with a Ponyard and that they had seen the wounds The vulgar are such lyars that they affirme to have seen that they onely dream'd of and hold for truth what they have heard say as if they had seen it They would then know in what estate the hurt person was but they found nothing but witnesses of my justification neverthelesse I remained three weekes a prisoner Doe but see a little how rigorously the innocents are handled by those people they call Justices In the mean while Eufemie her protector changed either the country or quarter but if they were in Madrid they were well hid for in six moneths that I stayed there it was impossible for me to hear news of them what diligence soever I could use As long as my captivity lasted Teodore sent often Feliciane to see me and to offer me assistance and mony but not having need neither of the one nor other both because of my justification and not being in want I thanked her remaining alwaies extreamly obliged to her good will and indebted to her affection whereof she rendered me sufficient proofes during my imprisonment If my body was set at libertv my soule was enchained the beauty of Teodore captivated all my powers my understanding understood nothing but of her my memory had no other image my will walked not but by the shadow of hers She simpathized to all my feelings I failed not to be every night at the foote of her walls and she never wanted to be at her window I lived not but by her presence nor her heart was ever at ease but when she saw me One night when I went to prattle with her and give nourishment to my flames her father surprised her which was the cause that the window was walled up and that this Sun was long time eclipsed from me After having suffered much for her absence I had a Packet brought to me from the Poste wherein was a Letter directed to the Father of Teodore I presently imagined that this was not done without mystery in this thought
Frederick the slave he demanded to buy was father to one of his intimate friends he gave him to him to doe with him what he pleased then he invited him to lodge in his house but Fenise excused himselfe therefrom judging that that might hinder the effect of his intentions yet he could not defend himself from staying dinner with him They begun to spread upon the ground a great piece of Tapistry upon which they dined Then he was obliged to receive the visit of a Turk of quality who came to speak to him about an affair of importance which caused Fenise to retire himself into an Anti-chamber to let them devise more freely together He walked there and thanked God that Mahomet had treated him so humanely and as he was upon these thoughts he saw a little doore open into the Anti-chamber where he was out of which came a faire Moore richly habited who seemed to be melancholique Our Cavalier saluted her with an action full of respect and humility The Moore made him a reverence after the mode of Spaine whereat Fenise was astonished but yet more when she approached him saying in the Spanish tongue THE CONTINVANCE OF THE HISTORY OF EUFEMIE CAvalier said she with a deep sigh I have heard all the recitall of the history you told to Mahomet wherein by having named Leonard a high Cavalier of the town of Valence you have moved my memory to discourse upon the misfortunes of my life and obliged my reason to acknowledge the faults which my impudence hath made me commit from whence I suffer a most rigorous unquietnesse of spirit I am the unfortunate Eufemie I am that unhappy cause of the troubles of Leonard my brother having preferred my sensuall pleasures before the duties of my birth and qualitie I will not cloake my miscarriages though love might render them excusable on the contrary I desire to make you a naked description thereof yet as short as I can possible whilst the absence of Mahomet giveth me leisure that by mine own shame I may in your person render some satisfaction to my brother since you say you are his friend I loved passionately a Cavalier which you have known from the mouth of my brother as your discourses have given me cause to presume but so passionately that I left my house to follow him he carried me to Madrid I ought to hide my face in telling you the infamous commerce that that man made me doe where he rendered mee a publique Courtizan not so much to satisfie his necessity as the vengeance he would take of my brother in my person and honour From Madrid for to save our selves from my brother who had discovered us wee went to Saragoce where wee stayed some moneths and there I had the reputation of the most faire and famous Courtezan of that age and as such a one was visited by the greatest Gallants of the towne During our stay there Don Pedro which you know to be the name of the cruell enemy of my brother and my renowne made friendship with a young Gentleman whose merits were were cherished and esteemed by a most noble Lady of an excellent wit and beauty and the better to expresse her perfections I pray you consider that they must needs be rare since that being of my sex and the originall of my misfortunes I am yet constrained to praise her Alexander so was this Cavalier called which she loved discovered part of the secrets of his soule and amongst others that of his flame to Don Pedro his new friend I may well say he gave him part of his fire since that he rendered him taken with the love of Cerinthe she was called so neverthelesse durst not enterprise to declare unto her his feeling for feare Alexander should be offended therewith and to avoide this inconvenience he betooke himselfe to art in all occasion wherein I was spoke of in the presence of Alexander Don Pedro spoke marvells of me as if I had beene the most accomplished with beauty wit and merit to the end to move him to love me and oblige him to breake that mutuall band of amity that was vowed betwixt them and thereby to imitate him and make Cerinthe his mistresse also to change In a word he conducted his designe so cunningly that it tooke as he imagined Alexander courted me Don Pedro seemed discontent therewith and to revenge himselfe got accesse neere Cerinthe which he found easy enough at the beginning there is no woman that is offended with being beloved and she that doth not disapprove of the service of a lover beginneth already to love Alexander taken with this new affection scarcely stirred from my lodging neglecting by this meanes to visit Cerinthe and she knowing his inconstancy rendered him the like making love with Don Pedro. By succession of time Alexanders father was advertised of his debauches he was told that his sonne entertained a courtezan a stranger which cost him much And forasmuch as old people are covetous and forget the follies of their youthes he could not excuse this of his sonnes He employed his credit so well that the Justice commanded me to quit the towne in a certaine time I seeing my selfe constrained to obey gave notice thereof to Don Pedro but instead of being sorry for it he seemed to be very well pleased with this newes because my absence gave him more libertie to passe his time with Cerinthe so that one day he told me that I might goe whither I would and that he could not then leave Sarragose I seeing my selfe so unworthily used by this perfidious and considering the resolution which he tooke to abandon me being distasted with my person I imagined he loved else where in this opinion I used such exact diligence that I discovered the cause of his disdaine as I have now told you I did not leave to require his assistance in this necessitie adding imbracements to words and representing unto him the obligations which he had to me yea imploying some times threats for my jelousie and his contempt carryed me to furious extreamities In the end either by reasons or fear I made him resolve to quit Sarragoce and leave Cerinthe but with designe to revenge himselfe cruelly of my persecutions as I have since learned He deferred our departure as long as he could possible and stayed untill the very last day the Justice had given me for that effect In the end wee tooke together the way to Valence he did nothing but curse by the way there came nothing out of his mouth but insolencies injuries and threatenings he drew his poynard and presented it unto me then he put it againe into the scabbard in briefe he so affrighted me that every moment I believed he was about to open my breast and pull out my heart he seemed to be so full of fury rage being arrived at our first Inne it was impossible for me to take any foode I went to bed weeping bitterly for my faults and endeavouring to
for some Jew Moore or Turke it is then from the vertue of this divine name that J hold my life liberty and the glory to see againe before mine eyes that deare Leonor alwaies loving and to whom before you Gentlemen J renew the vowes of my service promising her to accomplish when she pleaseth the faith of marriage which J have given her At this last word these contented lovers begun againe to continue their imbracements and talke together of their adventures to the great contentment of the rest of the company but the pleasures of the one and of the others lasted not long They perceived afar off a vessell to come towards them in so great hast that although they did all their endeavours to avoid it it was impossible for them so that it behoved them to quit the instruments of flight and betake themselves to those of defence Mahomet upon the instant made all the Turkes put off their habits and put them upon those which were habited like slaves to the end that if the vessell was commanded by some pyrate who was ignorant of their flight he might let them passe without setting upon them seeing them all in fashion of Turkes and conducted by him who might make himselfe knowne They gave armes to them who had none that they might not be surprised in case that they must fight as amongst others to Don Iame and the slave of Mahomet which he had brought along with him in whom he much confided who who was named Charles a man of an advantagious proportion and who seemed to be couragious Being then prepared the best they could to sustaine the shock this vessell which they feared approched them they presently knew that it was the Pirate Nazouf which came to fall upon them He had order from Selin to imploy all possible industry for to bring them back alive to Algier as well for to chastise them the more cruelly with long torments as also to warrant Magdelene from the hurt that might otherwise arive her which was the cause why Nazouf used all his endeavours to board them without using fire but he found more resistance then he imagined Mahomet Fenise Don Iame and Charles did marvels they foure alone defended a long time the entrance of their vessell Frederick and the other captives which were in the vessell of Nazouf when Fenise made himselfe master thereof testifyed also much courage The vessels were fastened together the heat of the combat made the combatants of the one and the other vessell passe it without thinking thereof so that they were together pel mell when they perceived another ship who seeing them together came so near them that all of them easily knew it This was the ship of Roustan which we have heretofore told you departed from Algier when Fenise took that Nazouf and arrested him prisoner Roustan was therein in person who being known by both parties was at the same time called by Mahomet and by Nazouf to help them being well assured that the party which he tooke would carry the victory Nazouf cryed out to him on onâ— side that they had betrayed the King and that they were fugitives that Selin his Lord had chosen him to follow after them being much interessed in his own particular honour and goods that he might use more care diligence to take them Mahomet and Fenise cryed out to him on the other side that Nazouf had deceived the King and that they were sent to take him again he having violated his prison and saved himselfe for fear of the punishment which he deserved that he was a deceiver and used this artifice to oblige him to assist him and that he had best take heed of lending his hand to him if he would not be declared a criminall to his Majesty These last words had so much power over Roustan that having considered the authority of those who spoke them to whose offices belonged this action which they did he regarded no more the reasons of Nazouf on the contrary he boarded his vessell and cryed to him that he should render himself as the rest also did which accompanyed him so that these confused voices amazed and troubled so much the spirit of poore Nazouf that without any further resistance he was constrained to yeeld and give up his arms Thereupon Mahomet and Fenise leaped into his vessell saying that hee must passe into theirs that they might be the better assured of his person Nazouf would not seeming to be halfe mad at the foule play which was played him not being able to defend himselfe therefrom 〈◊〉 nor so much as to make it known Roustan seeing these violent contestations saw that he was obliged to tell them that he would put him into his which was instantly executed contrary to the will of Fenise who neverthelesse durst not contradict â—t for fear of giving some shadow to Roustan Our Cavalier would willingly have had Nazouf under his hands to have diminished the forces of his adversaries but it was necessary for him to dissemble his discontent Part of those who accompanied Fenise were very glad of the happy successe of the stratagem the rest were in care how to finde means to separate themselves from Roustan which pressed them all to return to Algier Nazouf consented willingly to the effects of this proposition but Mahomet which feared the execution thereof found an invention to tell him that hee must before visit a little Isle where the Pirate Nazouf had hidden the booty which he would deceive the King of Thereupon Charles his slave came to him praying him to joyn his ship to that of Roustans that hee might leape nimbly thereinto and ponyard him This resolution did not seeme impertinent to Mahomet judging that if Charles could bring it about they might easily render themselves Masters of the vessell forasmuch as there was no other conductor But as they were about to execute this conspiration they discovered a Galley of Malta as soon as the Crosse was perceived by these Barbarians a cold fear glided into their veines which made them tremble for forasmuch as they are slaves to the devill they tremble at the sight of the Crosse Fenise and Don Iame faigned to be moved therewith and to be in fear of meeting them but in their soules they were ravished with joy seeing that this was the happy sign of their good fortune Mahomet made a shew of fighting with this Galley reanimating the courage of Roustan who considering the great booty they might make being three vessels against one took againe his spirits which were strayed with the apprehension he had and disposed himself to attach this Galley Who would not be astonished to see the force of covetousnesse upon the soules of these Barbarian Pirates where the love of riches hath greater power than the feare of losing their lives Behold them then ready to goe against this Galley but with designes much different They put before them the Ship wherein Nazouf was come and the
believed you are dead I do not so much marvell at this accident as I am troubled with the trouble we shall presently bring to the Feast when you shall make your self known which we must go about to do wisely and promptly for feare of a great disorder You have more cause to praise Persinde than to blame her since that he might have done this action sooner without any scruple of conscience and having attended untill this time she hath given you leasure to come to oppose the last execution Frederick approving these judicious reasons although he had his spirit much confused they entred into the hall where the assembly was covering their faces to see secretly the countenance of the future Bride and to know him which pretended to enter into the place of Frederick they put themselves into a corner standing upon a bench where certain people looked over the heads of others The first persons that Fenise cast his eyes upon as being in the place most eminent was Don Lovis his dear friend he who was the unknown sonne of Frederick and Leonard brother of Eufemie the Cavalier with whom he had made friendship after they had fought together near Valence as we have said before in the first book They were near the one to the other and with a Cavalier which Fenise could not see well enough to know but whom he judged to be of great condition as well by his rich habits as also because he took place of the other two Frederick nor Fenise knew not which was the pretended Bridegroom they demanded of one of those that was mounted upon the bench near who being as ignorant as they shewed them Don Lovis saying that it was he and that he was a stranger Fenise was much astonished at this prodigious encounter yet scarcely believed what this man had told him because of the inequalitie of their ages for he could not have more than twenty fix yeares and the woman might not onely have been his mother after the common manner of speaking but was indeed truly so Then he made a new experience of the â—ertue of Gold which makes conformity amongst things where there is no proportion In the interim Frederick ignorant of the thoughts of Fenise raised himself upon his toes attempting to see the pretended Widow he saw a troope of Ladies set in a circle but he could not distinguish his wife because they were all so brave and shining with stones then casting his eyes upon him they sayd should be her husband he was astonished at his great youth the more he considered all these things the more he was filled with confusion yet he said nothing leaving the conduct of this affair to the prudence of Fenise his spirit was moved with a thousand seâ—erall propositions which he made to himselfe to resolve how he should govern himselfe to declare the lawfull impediment of this Marriage without being the cause of some great dissention which seemed to be inevitable in this businesse In the end he found an invention to doe it without scandall He turned towards Frederick and told him that for to make this enterprise proceed happily he would advise him to return to the Inne to fetch the three Ladies who were there making them take their best attires and put their Mants upon them that is a great vail which the women have in Spain which they carry upon their heads which covereth all their bodies unto their heels also to pray Don Jame and Don Geronime to accompany them and if they would to bring Charles with them being of their company and in the interim he would have a care to hinder the solemnity of the Marriage if they went about it whilst he made this little voyage Frederick who had no other will but that of Fenise whom he knew to be as much affectionated to his interests as himselfe went incontinently to satisfie his desire Fenise seeing himself alone would do an action of gallantry which is esteemed in Spaine upon such occasions he glided behind the spectators and came to the Violins prayed them to look to his cloak and sword then he put a piece of cypresse before his face entred into the middle of the Hall and inviting the future Bride to dance who did not refuse him although he was unknown caused a Galliard to be sounded where he made himselfe admired in many things for besides his being well clothed his proportion disposition and action in this exercise ravished the eyes and affections of all the Assembly who died with desire to know who he was at the end of the dance he let fall industriously his cypresse as if it had been against his will and presently Don Louis knew him Never man had greater excesse of joy without losing his life then this Cavalier then had his speech failed him but his arms expressed his gladnesse he ran to embrace him and held him locked unto his neck untill Leonard who also knew him came to take part of his contentment testifying that he was almost angry that he had not possessed this felicity the first Don Fenise knew not which of them to welcome the better he looked upon them and imbraced them both at the same time making them the most courteous and amiable demonstrations his heart could invent After all these actions he took them out of the middle of the Hall and whilst the other Cavaliers and Dames of the Assembly were moved with this joy and devising together endeavouring to divine who it should be he spoke and testified to these two friends the astonishment which he had to finde them so happily at Cartagene and at the hour of his arrivall at Feasts and Nuptiall Solemnities which he esteemed said he as prodigious as joyfull for he yet believed that Don Louis was to marry her who brought him into the World To bring in the discourse which he had to hold him he prayed Leonard to permit him to entertaine Don Louis in particular and when he was retired he made him this discourse I believe that you are not ignorant that you are in the house of your Father this is it that hath given me an impatient desire to know by what meanes you came to the knowledge thereof At these words Don Louis made a gesture of admiration which was followed with this discourse My dear Fenise that which you tell me filleth me with as great aftonishment as your presence with joy so that although we have neither place nor time proper to make long discourses yet I have so great a desire to heare you explicate your self more clearly that for to oblige you thereunto I will presently satisfie your demand About two moneths after you was departed from Valence being revenged of the treachery of Don Jouan I went to Barcelone with intention to learn newes of Hipolite and see if there was means to remedy her sicknesse two dayes after my arrivall I learned of our friend Octave that her indisposition amended every day These newes animated
extremitie I desired to see this disloyall yet once to attempt to reduce him to reason and his duty I therefore went out by the favour of the night for this effect but considering that all men are dispenced from respect when they meet a woman alone in the streets and in the darke J stayed some ten steps from our house expecting that there should passe some one whom J might judge my selfe able to entreat to serve me for scout It seemeth that heaven amongst the infelicities which oppressed me would gratifie me with the good fortune of your encounter since that there had already passed three men of fashion good enough before you came to whom I spoke not a word but as if you had beene reserved for to render me this pious office my genius excited me to call you when you came neere me The prayer that I made to you when you stayed Sentinel at that doore which was not to trouble your selfe with the noyse which you might heare was grounded upon the hope which I had to receive satisfaction in this place for the injuries of this disloyall if he did not content me but two men that were with him hindred mine enterprise for I imagined they might stay the blow which I would give him or at the least having executed it they would put me into the hands of justice Seeing then that I ought not to hazard my selfe so rashly I approached to this ingrate with the action of a suppliant but in stead of receiving as he ought onely in consideration of my quality and to attribute to an excesse of love the resolution which I had taken to come finde him in this company he tooke occasion therefrom to treate me as a publique woman adding to the infamy of my violated honour the shame of seeing my face massacred by his rash hands Is there in the whole world a woman of so little courage that could support so many injuries without giving an exemplary chastisement to all ingrates Animated then with a furious and just anger I resolved to revenge my selfe yet this wicked man is happy amongst his misfortunes that he hath received his death from a hand which he hath so often kissed and almost adored If I haue not employed you in this action Seigneur Don Charles it was not that I believed otherwise but that you would have generously enterprised it but I repute your blood too noble to ballance it with that of a traytor Although I have taken away his life with a pistoll I doe not believe that I have used foule play for without that there would have beene too great inequalitie betwixt my weaknesse and his strength my rock and his sword what ever it was my victory ought not to have been doubtfull otherwise I should not have beene revenged In fine he is dead and God hath permitted iâ— to be so to accomplish the imprecations which he called upon him and for to chastise him for having violated the faith where he had called to witnesse the Almighty his glorious mother and all angelicall powers There is no doubt but you I shall be suspected for his death you because every one knoweth that you are his enemy and rivall and I for having taken vengeance of the perfidiousnesse which all the world knowes he hath done me for my part I will enjoy the vaine glory of my vengeance and avoid if I can the paine I may suffer being accused before my justifications may be received therefore I am resolved to absent my selfe Jf you will goe with me J shall testifie unto you the esteem which J have of your person and how sensible J am of the obligations which J have to you I have already provided what is necessary for that purpose There is an ancient servant of my fathers which attends me at his house with jewells of great price and some money which J have given him to keepe three good horses See if your heart wisheth to doe it time presseth and permits us to consult no longer things the least premeditated ofteâ— times issue the best Admiring her generositie considering her judicious reasons and above all suffering my selfe to be carried away with the love I bore her which was newly increased by the defeate of the enemy which she had taken away from mâ— I resolved to follow her with promise never to abandon her Vpon the instant we went to the mans house she had spoken of who was well advanced in yeares but yet sound strong of body and of great experience We tooke these three horses which Violante had prepared for to save her selfe with this man and a woman not thinking of encountring me and with the pearles diamonds and mony we put our selues diligently into the rode of Toledo and arrived there the next morning It was not judged expedient for us to stay there any longer but whilest Orambel so was our guide called could buy us poore country habits With this equigage we gained the mountaines neere to Toledo with designe to buy goods and flockes and inhabit there as we were in qualitie of country people untill we had given order for our affaires The age of Orambel agreed very well with ours for our plot we had made to say that he was our father he had the care of all our affaires and went sometimes disguised to Madrid to learne what was said of the things wherein we had interest for which cause we were not willing to goe further from the court I tooke the name of Lizeron and Violante the name of Lacinthe the better to disguise us We lived there in great repose imploying the time we two in perfectioning our loves after the manner of the shepheards described in Diana de Montemayor whilst that Orambel our adopted father governed household affaires During our abode there there arrived many strange encounters to us which I will not enterprise to recount unto you fearing to trouble you yet it is almost impossible for me to hinder my self from reciting one adventure that happened to us one day Then Don Charles made the discourse of his encounter with Fenise as it hath been said in the beginning of the first book adding in continuing thus we diâ—â—â—â—ed the troubles of a country life where the daies 〈◊〉 very long and great repose displeasing Vioâ—â—â— oâ—ten received letters from her Father which â—â—â—mbel went to fetch at her Aunts house amongst others she received one wherein her father let her know that hee was kept in his bed by a sicknesse which the Physitians presaged would endure a long time and therefore he could not return into Spaine that it was necessary for her presently to come into Italy to take possession of his goods to the end that if she remained an Orphan she should not bee a poore one Violante durst not undertake so long a voyage finding her selfe then indisposed she intreated me to take it for her saying that it would not be unbeseeming taking the quality of her husband I