Gulbeas overcome with the strength of her disease peirc'd to the quick at Issoufs illness and weakned with the violence of her Crisis could not answer those tender assurances but with Tears which made her faint away Here it was that Poor Issouf had need of his whole stock of reason to resist so much Grief and yet Act nothing that might betray the secret he was forc'd to rest contented with sighs which were attributed to his late fainting Gulbeas was long in that condition and beginning to Breath again Boullaster who fear'd some new accident endeavour'd all she could to bring back Issouf from his afflicted Mistriss He could not resolve on such a sad separation which he foresaw would be eternal He would fain have expir'd near what he lov'd yet he was forc'd to obey his Mistriss's orders who made signs to him not being able to spake and gave him her hand which he kiss'd protesting that he would not out live her All those accidents which had accompanyed so sad an enterview was not sufficient to overcome our unfortunate Lovers It happen'd that passing by one of the doors of the Seraglio where there stands Baltadges which are certain varlets from without that one of them distrusting the feigned Gevahers going which was become careless through her grief and pain fancy'd it a disguise and stop'd Issouf by the arm Boullaster whose Wit was always at hand without speaking to the Baltadgj for fear of bringing more to them drawing near dropt into his hand a ring which she pull'd of her own Finger and pressing his hand she thereby oblig'd him to give liberty to this poor Lover to get out who thought much less on the present accident then on Gulbea's troubles So soon as Issouf was return'd to his Palace he went to his Bed his Feaver increas'd and finding himself press'd with that disease which kill'd him he would employ that little time he had to live in taking leave of his dear Mistriss and to give her his last farewell I dye for you Incomparable Gulbeas and Death is the more pleasing to me because I hope that its Cause which was your Crisis will be that of the prolongation of your days I should dye without trouble had I the certain news of it The disease presses upon me and I employ that little time which is left me in giving you testimonies of a love which I shall carry to my grave happy if that last moment can better convince you then divers Years of Sighs and Tears have done Adieu all lovely live and remember that the same love which restores you to Life is the Cause of my Death No sooner had he ended his Letter but he immediately sent it with the Ring on his Finger in which his Mistriss's name and his were Ingraven on a very clear Ruby to Boullaster and was presently seis'd with a disturbance in his head and a redoubling of his Feaver which depriv'd him of his Senses and Speech which never return'd again but with the last sigh which he vented in pronouncing the lovely name of his Mistriss Gulbeas whose Crisis had put out of all Danger the sweat having Dissipated the Tumors of the Plague was more Distemper'd in the Mind then the Body Issouf's silence and Boullaster's stay from giving her an Account of all that had pass'd since their parting did strangly Perplex her and giving her sad Warnings of what was coming she felt most mortal disquiets she would Weep all Day and the Night was pass'd in Watchings or in Terrible Visions which foretold her nothing but those Dangers which she fear'd The same night that Issouf expir'd she thought that a Woman of a Prodigious height as Lean as a Skelleton and of a frightful Deformity her Hairs spread abroad approaching her with the Face of a Fury a great Knif in her Hand was opening of her side and pulling out her Heart All those Nocturnal Visions Augmented her Sorrows She had made Choice of me for her Confident ever since Issouf's adventure I did endeavour to Divert her and turn her off of all those Melancholy Thoughts nothing could Administer Comfort to her But it was much worss when Boullaster came to the Seraglio some days after Issoufs Death to acquit her self of the last Commission which he had given her So soon as she did see her she earnestly Inform'd her self of Issouf's welfare but the Jewish Woman's silence who could not dissemble nor keep in her Tears gave her easily to understand that truth which she fear'd to learn Ah! Cry'd she Issouf is no longer in being and presently fell in my Arms in a Swoon When she was come to her self again Issouf's Letter and Ring which Boullaster put into her Hands not being able to speak one word did Confirm that Sorrowful News She Divers times kiss'd those dear Pledges of Issouf's eternal Constancy Water'd them with her Tears and did hang the Ring at her Neck as a Mark that she Devouted her self to her Lover's Ghost and having remain'd sometime without Speech her Face from Pale as it was became Red and as if she were become Furious Fatal Destiny cry'd she thou Renders me my Life in killing what I Love and thou sellest me very dear that which I can no longer Love seeing that he with whom I design'd to share it is no more Why didst thou not kill me or why didst thou Conduct him here that I might be further oblig'd to him of my Life after so many Services so ill rewarded I will no longer Live after such an Accident Alas what will Life signifie to me after that he who Animated me is Dead No Issouf I design'd not to Live but for you and I should be unworthy of your Love should I have any other thoughts That Death which was to have taken me off has not spared me in taking of you It has doubly slain me in depriving me of what I Love and permitting me to Linger out a Miserable Life which shall be but a Continual Death You Live Issouf and your most happy shade enjoys at present the Pleasures of the Elisicumfields and I shall never cease Dying till I am reunited to you Then Addressing her self to the Ring This Ring continu'd she shall be henceforth the Faithful witness of my Love and seeing it could not Vnite our Bodies during our Lives it shall be the indisso lubbiletye of our Wills and the Mark with which I will appear before you I will continually wear it in my Bosom and it shall Accompany me in my Grave seeing you could not have any other thought when you sent it me at your Death than that of uniting me more strictly to you in the other World. She had continu'd and gone on further with her Complaints if the presence of our Companions had not interrupted their Course and oblig'd Boullaster to retreat The Grief for his Death brought her into a Lingering Feaver which has caus'd that Languishing Condition you see her in and of which there is
all the Cautiousness which she us'd to conceal her design the Prince was inform'd of it endeavour'd all he could to dispose his constancy to submit to it He beleiv'd himself stronger then he was in that point but after he had well Consulted himself he knew but too well how much Agnes's presence was necessary to his welfare Madam said he to her one day his Heart ready to break and his Eyes full of Tears which of the Actions of my Life may have caus'd you to resolve on my Death Though I have never told you how much I Love you I am Perswaded that you are not Ignorant of it I have been forc'd to silence during many years for yours Constantia's and my own sake But it is no longer in my power so to constrain my self and I ought to express my self at least once with you Receive therefore the assurance of a passion full of respect and of heat with the offer of my Fortune which I should not wish better but to share it with you Agnes answer'd not at first to these words but with abundance of Tears at last having dryed them up and looking on Don Pedre with an Air which gave him to understand that she was not well agreed with her wishes If I were capable of that Weakness which you would inspire me with My Lord reply'd she you were oblig'd to Punish me for it What Constantia is scarce in her Tomb and you would have me to offend her thus No my Dear Princess added she with more vehemency No she who you have so much weighed down with favours shall not deserve the curse of Heavens and the scorn of Men by so perfidious an action Do not therefore my Lord â—bstinate your self in a design which I shall never approve of You owe Constantia ever after her Death such a fidelity as may justifie you and I to repair those Afflictions which I have caus'd her I ought to avoid all Conversation with you Go Madam reply'd the Prince changing Colour go and expect the News of my Death in those places where your Cruelty shall Conduct you They shall follow you close and that War that now employs our Neighbours will soon procure it me Those words made the Beauteous Agnes of Castro to feel that her innocence was not altogether such as she had taken it to be and that her Heart did concern it self for the Prince You owe the Preservation of your Life unto the Prince and Princess that Constantia has left you she tenderly reply'd Would you abandon their Youth to Don Alvares Live my Lord live and Permit the most unhappy Agnes to fall a single Sacrifice Ah! thou Cruel Maid reply'd the Prince why do you order me to Live if I cannot live without you Is it an effect of your hatred No My Lord reply'd Agnes with some concern I hate you not and would to Heaven that a little of indifferency would come and assist my Weakness cause me not to say more You perceive my Blushes expound them as you please but still consider that the less Aversion I find in me towards you the more guilty I render my self and that I ought not to see or spake to you In fine My Lord if you oppose my retirement I declare that Don Alvares as odious to me as he is shall serve me as a fence against you and that I shall rather resolve to marry a Man which I abhore than to favor a passion which has caus'd Constantia's Life Well Agnes reply'd the Prince with looks full of sorrow follow those Motions that your Barbarous Virtue inspires you with Take those cautious Measures which you judg most necessary against an Unfortunate Love and enjoy the Glory of having refus'd all to my desires He retired at these words and all troubled as was Agnes she would not retain him Her Courage overcame her Grief and she thought more then ever on her depart It had been difficult for her to leave Coimbria without the Kings consent and not to defer that which appear'd so necessary to her she was at Don Alfonses Apartment Maugre Don Alvares interests he shew'd her a severe brow and yet not being able to give his consent to her request you shall not stir from hence said he and if you are wise you will here share and enjoy any Friendship with Don Alvares I have design'd another way Sir answer'd Agnes and the World has no share in it You might except Don Pedre reply'd the King of Portugal his condition may satisfy an ambitious Person but you would not succeed Constantia who so tenderly lov'd you and Spain hath more Princesses wherewith to fill a part of that Throne which I am to leave to my Son Sir reply'd Agnes touch'd to the quick with that discourse If I had any dispositions for Love and designs of mariage the Prince should be perhaps the only Person on whom I could fix them and you Sir know that if my ancestors wore no crowns yet they were not unworthy of them However I will be gone and I believe not my self a Slave in a place in which I came free This bold Answer which discover'd truly Agne's Character did startle Don Alfonse and at the same time did vex him also You shall go when we shall think it convenient reply'd he and without being a Slave at Coimbria you shall however expect our orders there Agnes well saw that there was no shrinking from thence and she was so troubled at it that she kept her Chamber for many days without daring to inquire after the Prince and that solitude sav'd her the labour of seeing Don Alvares During this Don Pedre fell sick with so much violence and danger that the fear of his Death was general Agnes could not doubt but that it was an effect of his troubles she at first believ'd her self sufficiently strong to see him dye rather then prove favourable but some small reflections did soon convince her of the contrary She found not in the bottom of her Heart that cruel constancy which she thought to be so firmly establish'd there She felt some trouble and disorder shed Tears made wishes and finally discovered all her Weakness None could behold the Heir to the Crown and a Prince that so well deserv'd it in that extremity without a general affliction The People who lov'd him did pass whole days at the Palace Gates to learn news of his health and the Courtiers were sorrowful Don Alvares alone could conceal a Malicious Joy before the King under sorrowful appearances Elvira full of tenderness and perhaps of remorse suffer'd on her part also The King who though he condemn'd his Sons love did however love him could not resolve to loose him and Agnes de Castro who knew the excess of his grief expected the end with strange agitations Finally after more then a Month of fears some little hopes did appear The Prince himself with Don Alvares were the only two that had no joy at it but Agnes did
Issouf's Declaration of Love who began to please me The Jewish Woman who had too much of Experience not to discern my feigning did Press me to take the Box I did it protesting it was meerly in Complaisance and to free me from her Importunities I pulling out the Billet found under it a little Packet which inclos'd a Selam but because I can Read well I instantly open'd the Billet which was express'd in these Terms To See and to Love you Divine Gulbeas have been to me the same thing The Gods who have made you so Fair ought to have made you more sensible also or not have possess'd we with so much Love and so little of hopes My Passion is as Ancient as the knowledge which I have had of your Merit and Time which Consumes all things has serv'd but to increase it There are pass'd divers years since I am no more my self and that I live but for you I pass both days and nights in that part of the Garden where I did hear you Sing and Play on your Instruments and from whence I did sometimes spake to you That place once the Confident of my Delights is now the same of my Sorrow and will soon be that of my Death if you cause not my Destiny to alter not being any longer capable of Life without seeing you I am not Ignorant of the difficulty of the Attempt but most Incomparable Beauty if you will afford me but a little pitty who Languishes for you and the happiness of casting my self down at your Feet leave all the rest to Prudent Boullasters Cares she will know how to manage my Bliss and your Reputation The Reading of this Billet gave me the Curiosity of unfolding the Selam It was Compos'd of a grain of Grape a little Race of Ginger a small piece of Cole and Alum lapp'd up in white and yellow Silk which signified as follows I wish My Eyes that you were perfectly inform'd of that Love which I feel for you It deprives me of my self and if you take not pitty of the Condition I am in I shall Dye while you will enjoy an happy Life Honour me with an Answer and put an end to my sufferings Though I feign'd not to be well pleas'd at this Declaration which I thought something too free my Heart was very well satisfied with Issoufs Constancy It spoke to me in his hehalf and there needed not any great effects to perswade me of his Love and to inspire in me some tenderness towards him The Jewish Woman who studied my Countenance perceiving the Effects of the Letter and of the Selam did presently offer me the Jewels with which I was already adorn'd My reason which was not yet wholly prepossess'd made me to refuse them and to Represent to her the wrong which it might do to my Reputation should the Sultaness discover it and that I could not accept of a present that would be the cause of my Ruine At the same time I undid those Jewels which I return'd her with the Box retaining nothing but the Letter and the Selam Boullaster who a long Practice had render'd expert was of Opinion that sometimes a too great earnestness does impede the success which is most desir'd did endeavour to convince me by a means to which I could make no resistance She told me that my Beauty being Assisted with so powerful an Addition I might please the Grand Segnior and peradventure be made Sultaness The Ambition of Reigning at least in an Emperors Heart carried it above my Reason and made me consent to receive the Present She would gladly have had me as ready to have receiv'd Issouf in my Appartment My Heart did not reject the proposition had not my reason render'd me inexorable Finally after long instances and reiterated intreaties I consented to see him in the Garden Boullaster could have wish'd to acquit her self handsomly of her Commission that I had given her an Answer Honour and Reason oppos'd it but Love did engage me to let him know by a Selam that his Passion was not unpleasing to me it was lapp'd up in an Handkercheif of Silk Embroider'd with Gold wrought with my own Hand after which the Woman retir'd pretending before my Companions who had surpris'd us in the Conversation that she left those Jewels with me that I might shew them to the Sultaness Issouf impatient to learn the success of his enterprise expected his Agents return who made him an exact Relation of all that had pass'd and gave him that Handkercheif which I had sent him The Joy which he resented at the receit of this assurance of the acceptance of his Passion did Transport him in such manner that without examining what it contain'd he kiss'd it a thousand times and water'd it with his Tears with the most tender Expressions that Love could inspire Boullaster who would not interrupt him during the height of his Transport when he was come to himself again a little made him to take Notice of the Selam It was Isabella Silk a Sprig of Jessemy a little bit of Spunge some Time and some Mirtle I cannot express to you the excess of the Joy which Issouf conceiv'd at it it was so great that he was struck Speechless and that Rapture had lasted longer if Boullaster as Curious as he was Contented had not press'd him to give her the Exposition of it I accept your Vows said the Selam be perswaded of my Constancy provided you be so I pray Heaven to bestow you on me and that our Souls may be inseparably joyn'd together Is it possible most Amiable Gulbeas said Issouf that my Passion is agreeable to you is it not to deecive me and to Laugh at my Grief that thus you seek to engage me further and kissing the Handkercheif he said dear Pledge of the fidelity of she who I adore will you be it also of the sincerity of her Heart Then Addressing himself to the Selam and you Dumb Mouth will you assure me the duration of her new Born Love He had said more but all Moments were Precious to prepare himself for this Enterview The difficulty of this enterprise did cast him in a new Sorrow and plung'd him in a Melancholy more profound then the former He was in a dispair of finding in the Seraglio a Friend so faithful as to be trusted with his Amours and his Impatiency did increase still as he grew nearer the so desired time After he had much Tormented himself on the means of bringing about his design he remembred that there was a Master Gardner nam'd Ousta Mehemet who was greatly oblig'd to his Father and that that consideration might engage him to do him Service he resolv'd to find him out Ousta Mehemet who had preserv'd for Issouf a natural Inclination receiv'd him with Demonstrations of a perfect Friendship and great protestations of acknowledgments of the good Offices which he had receiv'd from the Bassa his Father Though Issouf was satisfied of Mehemets fidelity and that
Maids Hands that she might deliver it to Constantia with the first opportunity telling her that Agnes had dropt it This was the Substance of it I employ not my own Hand to Write to you for Reasons that I shall acquaint you with How happy am I to have overcome all your Scruples And what Happiness shall I find in the Progress of our Intreague The whole Course of my Life shall continually represent to you the sincerity of my Affections pray think on the secret Conversation that I require of you I fancy still that all Persons that approach you deprive me of something of my due I dare not spake to you in public Therefore come this Night where you know I conjure you to it by all that I have suffered Mention no more Constantia to me she must be satisfy'd with my Esteem since that my Heart could be none but Yours The false Portuguise Servant obey'd Elvira exactly the very next day perceiving Agnes coming from the Princess she brought the Letter to Constantia who receiv'd it and found in it that which she was far from thinking on Never did tenderness produce so sorrowful an Effect as then Alas they are both Guilty said she sighing and notwithstanding that Tendency which I find in my Heart to justifie them my reason must needs Condemn them Unfortunate Princess Sorrowful Subject of Fortunes Capricios why canst thou not Dye seeing thou art not of a Humor to Revenge thy self Don Pedre ought you to give me your Hand when you knew you could not give me your Heart And thou fair and ungreateful Agnes wer 't thou born to produce the Evil of my Days and to be the cause of my Death After she had given some Moments unto the violence of her Sorrow she call'd to her that Person who had brought her the Letter charg'd her not to spake of it to any body and then order'd that no body whatsoever should be Admitted into her Chamber Then did she with more Liberty think on him whom she could not inspire with Love and on her that betray'd her The trouble of her Soul did not hinder her from seeking some means to excuse them And desirous to do all that she could for Don Pedre she took a firm Resolution of not complaining of him Elvira was not long without being Inform'd of what pass'd and of the Princess 's Sorrow whence she hoped for all that she could wish Agnes far from imagining any such Storm return'd to Constantia and learning her indisposition she pass'd the rest of the day at her Chamber door to learn some News of her but she was not permitted to enter That Novelty did surprise and disturb'd her The Prince had the same fate and was startled at an order that was not to concern him Finally the next day Constantia appear'd but with so much Dejection that it was difficult to believe that she had suffer'd much Agnes was the most pressing to approach her The Princess could not contain her Tears They both kept silence along time Constantia did attribute that of Agnes to some remorse and that Unfortunate Maid not being able to contain any longer is it possible Madam said she that two days can have depriv'd me of all that Bounty which you had for me What have I done And for what Crime are you thus to punish me The Princess look'd languishingly upon her and did not answer her but with a sigh and Agnes offended at such a reservedness went out after an hasty manner which contributed much to make her be thought Guilty After this the Prince came who found Constantia more disturb'd then usually and he most obligingly did Conjure her not to neglect her Indisposition My greatest good is not the Preservation of my Life My Lord answer'd she I should take more care of it did I love you less But she could not go on and the Prince being put into a Consternation through her disturbance did most sorrowfully sigh'd without answering which caus'd her an increase of Sorrow To this some grains of anger being added and all things tending to perswade the Princess that she was Sacrificed amongst them she did not enter on any discourse that might produce a right understanding so left her Husband retire without speaking to him Nothing is more capable of disturbing our Reason and of altering our Health then the secret Motions of Jealousy and Solitude Constantia who was accustom'd to spake freely to Agnes and who beleiv'd she was deceiv'd by her did Abandon her self to such Perplexity as quite did overcome her She fell violently Sick. The whole Court was concern'd at this Misfortune and Don Pedre was really Afflicted at it But Agnes appear'd more Concern'd then all the Rest Constantia's Coldness towards her her continual sighs and her obstinate Distemper caus'd that after she had sought after the occasion of it in all that she could recal into her Memory she began to fear her self and to reproach her self for all that the Princess did suffer Mean time the Distemper did so increase that Constantia's Life was extreamly fear'd and that she her self began to find that it was time to think no longer of it that though caus'd her no disturbance She look'd on Death as a great good and perceiv'd the despair those Persons approach'd her were in without the least Concern Don Alfonse who lov'd her and knew her Virtue was mov'd at the Extremity she was in and Don Alvare's who had not lost the least occasion of making him conceive that it was Jealousy which caus'd Constantia's Death did but too much Exasperate him against such Criminals as were most worthy of Compassion The King of Portugal was not of a Temper long to Conceal his Anger You give Examples said he to the Prince that will render your Memory very Illustrious and Constantia's Death of which none but you can be accus'd is the Unfortunate Effects of a Guilty Passion Dread Heaven after this and look on your self as a Monster that deserves not to Live. If my Blood did not still Plead in your behalf what might you not fear from my just Resentments But what may not the Imprudent Agnes to whom nothing Binds me expect if Constantia Perishes She that in my Court Foments your foolish Passion with vain hopes and causes us to loose so Amiable a Princess that you were not worthy to possess Don Pedre knew that Constantia was not Ignorant of his concerns for Agnes but he also knew with what Moderation she had always express'd her self on that point The Kings reproach was very sensible but his fault not being voluntary and that an Imperious Accident did force him to Love in despight of all his resistance he appear'd more Afflicted then Confounded Without well examining of me you have accus'd me Sir answer'd he and if my intentions were well known to you you would not may be find me so guilty I should take the Princess whom you say I Sacrifice for Judge of my Actions were she in a
Condition to be Consulted If I am Guilty of any Weakness her Equity has never reproach'd me of it and my Mouth has never informed Agnes of it But Sir though I had Committed some Fault wherefore would you Punish an Innocent Maid for it Who would perhaps Condemn them as much as you do Ah! Wretch reply'd the King she has but too much favour'd you and thy flames had not been so constant had they not been well rewarded Sir reply'd the Prince peirc'd with Sorrow for the wrong which was offer'd to Agnes you offend a Virtue most pure and those expressions which proceed from your Anger do not become you Agnes has afforded me no Favours I did never ask her any and I protest that I have not had so much as a thought against what I owe to Constantia While they were in this Discourse one of the Princesses Women came all in Tears to Advertise Don Pedre that she was at the last Gaspe Go look on your Work said the King and expect no longer from a Father who has but too much spar'd you but that Severity which you deserve The Prince did run to Constantia who he found Dying and Agnes in a Swound in the Arms of some Women That which had caus'd that redoubling of illness was that Agnes who could no longer bear the Princes indifferency had Conjur'd her to tell her what her Crime was and either to deprive her of life or restore her Friendship to her Constantia who felt that she must suddainly Dye would not retain a secred Anger against Agnes and after some words that prepar'd her to a sorrowful clearing of the business she shew'd her that Pernicious Note which Elvira had Compos'd Ah! Madam cry'd out the Beautiful Agnes after she had Read it Ah! Madam how many sorrowful disquiets had you spared me if your Heart had express'd it self with its accustomed Bounty It is not hard to see that this Letter is Artificial and that I have most Merciless Enemies Can you believe the Prince so Imprudent as to employ another Hand then his own in such an occasion as this And do you think me so simple as to keep that testimony of my shame with so little Cautiousness you are not betray'd neither by your Husband nor by me I call Heaven to Witness and those Attempts which I made to get out of Coimbria Alas My Dear Princess how little have you known she that you have so Honour'd Believe not that if I have justify'd my self I shall ever suffer the Worlds Conversation No no there is no retreat distant enough for me to flye to and I shall so well conceal my face that it shall never give offence The Princess mov'd at Agnes discourse and Tears did press her hand which she held and fixing her looks on her capable to move compassion in the most insensible Souls If I have done you any wrong my dear Agnes answer'd she Death which I expect every moment will avenge you of it I ought also to protest to you that I have not ceased loving you and that I believe all that you say in giving you again my most tender affection It was then that that sorrow which acted on them both did reduce them to that extremity which caus'd the Prince to be call'd in He was incapable of doing any thing at the fight of them and notwithstanding those tender motions that inclin'd him towards Agnes he run directly to Constantia The Princess unto whom a cold clammy sweat did denounce her last moment felt that she had no time to loose and causing all Persons to withdraw that she suspected my Lord said she to Don Pedre Though I quit my life without repining I leave not you without regret and trouble But dear Prince I must overcome even dying and I will wholly forget my self to turn my thoughts only on you I reproach you not well knowing that it is inclination alone that disposes of Hearts and not reason Agnes is sufficiently Beautiful to inspire most ardent passions and sufficiently virtuous to deserve the best Fortune in the World. I also ask her Pardon for some small wrong which I have done her and recommend her to you as a Person most dear to me Promise me before I expire to give her my Place in your dominions It cannot be better fill'd You cannot make choice of a more perfect Princess for your People nor a better Mother for your Children And you my dear and faithful Agnes continu'd she lend not an ear to a too scrulous virtue which might oppose it self to the Prince of Portugals happiness Refuse him not an Heart that he is worthy of and give him that Friendship which you had for me with that which you owe to his Merit Take care of young Ferdinando and of the two little Princesses that will retrieve me in you spake of me sometimes to them Farewell live both happy and receive my last embraces The afflicted Agnes who had recover'd a little of strength lost once more all her senses Her faintness was follow'd with such violent Convulsions that her life was in very great danger But Don Pedre kept close to Constantia what Madam would you depart and with a belief that it were an advantage to me Ah! Constantia if my Heart has in any wise wrong'd you your own virtue punishes it against your will for it Think you me so barbarous as he was going to continue he perceiv'd that Death was closing for ever the generous Princess 's Eyes and it little wanted that he did not follow her But what an abyss of Sorrow was this to Agnes so soon as she learn'd during a respite that her reason receiv'd that Constantia was newly expir'd she would have destroy'd her self and gave a full scope to her dispair At the Noise of this Death both the City and Fields were in an uproar Elvira who then saw Don Pedre free to dispose of himself repented for having contributed to the Death of the Princess Don Pedre who accus'd himself of it did condole his Misfortune And Agnes who thought herself the true cause of it did promise to her grief that she would never forgive herself for it There was reason to watch her for diverse days in which she dryed not her Tears The Prince imploy'd them in a deep Mourning But when the first Notions of grief were over those of his love made him sensible that he was still the same Don Alvares who fear'd now the Prince's disengagement made new attempts to gain Agnes de Castro who was become insensible of all things but of her own discontent Elvira desirous to reap advantage from her own dexterity imploy'd all the Art and Craft in her brains to rekindle those fires wherewith the Prince had formerly courted her but his inconstancy was already limited and Agnes alone was to reign over his Heart She had taken a firm resolution since the Death of Constantia to give her self wholly up to retiredness for the rest of her Life Maugre