was shut up with Awe and Terror This moving sight struck our generous Princess with mortal Anguish the compassionate Fidelia wept over him and it was hard to say which of the Three bore the most significant Characters of Despair The Princess omitted nothing that cou'd express her infinite sorrow nor to comfort him while there were any hopes he yet might do well At last she try'd by Questions to find out the unsearchable Cause but all her inquiries return'd without satisfaction If the gallant Saladine said she has so much confidence in my Friendship as to trust me with the secret of his mysterious ilness he shall find I shall concern my self in his sufferings as if they were my own I Conjure you therefore no longer to hide the cause of your indisposition but if I have any prevalence over you or you value the repose of one who has an interest in your welfare declare what it is that burthens your Spirits and presses down your noble Nature to such an extremity Tho' there was a great deal of kindness in these words yet the guilty Blood stole into his Cheeks his Eyes were sunk down and a fatal shiv'ring shook the Foundations of the Bed He still had a check of shame on him tho' she seem'd so much interested in his Affliction and to encourage the discovery But at last assuming more resolution he rais'd his Eyes up to hers and she encountring 'em in the very minute of his greatest langour she saw there was something in his Heart which he fain wou'd reveal but that he was withheld by some secret reluctance He struggled long between his pains and his fears she saw him in perplexity and he saw her in trouble for him This indeed seem'd a fair opportunity for him he thought now to hazard all not doubting but he shou'd soon be out of a capacity of seeing her displeas'd with him by the approach of that Hour which he had been impatlently expecting but he was not long of that Opinion his fears return'd upon him and after all his strugglings he was forc'd to resolve rather to die than to tell her Just as he had thus determin'd the Physicians came in and cut off all farther Conversation for that time The impatient Princess felt violent vexation at this cross Adventure and she had rather have spar'd 'em that visit than have been so unseasonably interrupted But not thinking it convenient to tarry longer and being already a little resented to be found in his Cabbin she quitted it not without great regret to leave him in that condition But now behold what a turn of Fortune for while the indulgent Princess had been conversing with him Fidelia spying a Paper folded up in the Form of a Letter seal'd and carefully laid by his Pillow she took it up and was amaz'd to find it inscrib'd to the Princess Nuberia She made sure of so happy an Accident and carrying it with her into the Princesses Apartment she gave it her to read who open'd it with eager hast and found it thus When I am Dead and my torments at an end let it be known to the Divine Nuberia that for her I dye I cou'd not live to see her anothers and being unworthy to possess her I chose rather to end my Passion with my Life than to live in perpetual Misery Let this be a Memorial of my Love and let me be pity'd by all succeeding Lovers Saladine 'T is impossible to describe the different effects this Letter produc'd in the Breast of the Astonisht Princess she cou'd not but look upon this discovery as an injury to her Birth and to the Circumstances of her Condition she knew it was not fit for her to hear of Love from any person at such a critical juncture when she was just going to be the Wife of another But then she considered the deplorable state of the dying Saladine and how much he chose to suffer rather than make it known and then she really wisht him happier A long time her duty and her inclination contended for possession and spite of all opposition at last her pity triumph'd She his consider'd her self the cause of mortal dejection she consider'd how full of respect his behaviour had all along been and to what an extremity he was now reduc'd And these Reflections wrought upon her more than all the Rhetorick he cou'd have us'd The tender hearted Fidelia was no less mov'd than she that faithful Maid had a high Opinion of his Vertues and now endeavour'd to confirm the Princess in those kind Sentiments She Advises her again to visit him and represented to her the necessity of saving so precious a Life to which the Princess reply'd What can I do Fidelia Thou know'st I 'm not at liberty to hear of such a passion my cruel Father has sacrific'd me to his Ambition and how shall I withstand the force of my Destiny But Madam she was presently interrupted you may see him you may allow him to be so far happy as to let him see you pity him if you can allow him no more You 're not yet in the Court of Philippia here are no Eyes to watch you nor Tell-tales to publish any Breach of Decorum you are not yet subjected to the Austerity of those Rules that misfortune will come soon enough In the mean time therefore ask your self how necessary it is to save a Life which you confess is not indifferent t' you and resolve over all Scruples to visit him again The disconsolate Princess was at a stand how to carry her self in such a perplexity she found but little inclination to disobey her but she cou'd not easily consent to put her self into the opportunity of an Amour which by no means consisted with her Honour But when she consulted her Heart these Obstacles were of little force and after she had determin'd what to do she prepar'd to see him again The dying desponding Saladine knew nothing of this Accident he every Hour expected Death and had framed that Letter to let his beloved Princess know he dy'd for his insolent Passion While he was now musing on the approaches of his fate he was amaz'd to see them enter his Cabbin again The Princess held in her Hand the guilty Paper and he knowing it to be his his Astonishment and Shame was beyond all Confinement Then no longer doubting but that she knew all he was ready to yield up his Breath with Remorse and Confusion He cry'd out in an extasy of penitence Oh Heav'ns what have I done How has my treacherous Hand betray'd me Oh Madam Let me not live to meet your Eyes My guilty Flame has undone me and I now deserve to become your detestation The Queen lookt on him with some glances of Compassion and tho' she still remembred this tenderness was not to be justify'd yet she cou'd not forbear saying Here Unhappy Saladine Take back your guilty Declaration and with it My good wishes for your Health and if you
to the disconsolate fair One covering his Joy with as much Temper as he cou'd not to give her any Jealousy that he knew of her Aversion to the Voyage and she receiv'd the News with wonderful Serenity tho' her Heart was in no good Condition to disguise her Satisfaction Soon after this lucky turn it fell flat Calm not a Breath of Wind ruffled the Face of the Deep the Elements were in perfect Tranquility the floating Palaces lay wantoning on the Bosom of the Ocean the sporting Nercids danc'd around 'em wondring at this universal Stillness Now they mov'd neither one way nor other their Ships rode on the smooth Pacifick as they had been held by their Anchors their Sails flatted against the Masts and the idle Sailors had nothing to employ em The Face of Heaven had not one Cloud that threatned them the Weather seem'd to be settled in this Halcyon and Morning and Evening Fogs demonstrated no near approach of an alteration It seem'd indeed as Fate had contriv'd it for the Wishes of the labouring Saladine who desir'd nothing more than to dwell for ever in the Company of his charming Princess The fair Nuberia too cou'd not hear of this revolution without warm emotions of Joy as it delay'd a while her arrival to her Destiny and gave her a longer injoyment of the noble General whom she began to value with a more than ordinary Esteem She had been sensible in this part of her Voyage of his frequent Diligences and a thousand Turns of Gallantry with which he hop'd to please her she saw in all his Actions an Air of Nobility and such a profound Submission that even her exalted Quality cou'd hardly countenance it But above all she distinguisht that Desire which she perceiv'd he had to please her which with the rest of his Tenders took such root in her Heart that she cou'd not forbear showing on all Occasions the Satisfaction she received in his Services She now thought it no Crime to wish him well and if a little Tenderness mixt with it she had not Power to controul it 'T is true she consider'd she was going to tie her self for everlasting to the Embraces of her contracted Husband and that her Duty wou'd not warrant her Inclination for any other Person but tho' she was of an inviolable Vertue and in all Things paid a solemn deference to her Honour and to her Father's Will yet the Image of the generous Saladine wou'd break in upon her most serious Reflections and make her whither she wou'd or no regard him with some concern He on the other hand grew every Day more inflam'd he found he lov'd in good earnest but the dread of offending her kept him from revealing it This constraint he put upon his Passion serv'd but to increase it and the more he strove to conquer it the more unconquerable it grew This set him sometimes on extravagant Projects now he wou'd resolve to let her see it but presently he apprehended the discovery might be fatal if she shou'd receive it with Displeasure Sometimes he determin'd to prepare her by making an interest with Fidelia but knowing the uncorrupted Duty that Lady paid her Princess he was afraid it might miscarry on that side too Never was a poor Lover agitated with so many different resolutions as he was he felt intolerable Pains yet if he shou'd attempt to ease 'em it might add to his Afflictions by seeing her offended He found he now lov'd with all the fury of Distraction his mind was never at rest but when his Eyes were on her his Visage chang'd his Health left him his Body sicken'd and all the Faculties of his Soul were at War one with another He no longer took any Care of the Expedition the Business of the Voyage was quite out of his Memory and the charge of his Commission lay buried in profound Oblivion These violent Convulsions threw him into a Fever yet he chose to suffer on with invincible Fortitude rather than divulge the Cause of his Pain But tho' he strove with his Passion 't was in vain to strive with his Distemper his Illness daily increast and all his Physicians were in consultation about his Recovery They readily found out his Disease but the Cause was beyond their Search to no Purpose were their Applications made the Symptoms of Death had already markt him for another World and they had nothing in their Art that cou'd remove ' em When the News of his Danger was carry'd to the Princess she was extremely griev'd and the more because she doubted if it wou'd consist with her Character to visit him She cou'd have been contented to have eas'd him of one half of his Illness for she lookt on him with the same tenderness as if she had a Brother in his Condition But Maugre all Ceremonies she found she cou'd contain her self no longer and sending her dear Confident to know if a Visit wou'd be agreeable to him that Maid ran to his Apartment and found him almost in the Arms of Death At the Name of the Princess he started from the Verge of Life and looking up to see who sounded that charming Name he saw it was the Faithful Fidelia He held forth his Hand to let the welcome Messenger know nothing cou'd give him greater Comfort and tho' his Tongue had not power to utter his Joy his Eyes confest it When the frighted Maid return'd to her Mistriss she related to her the deplorable Condition he was in and the trembling Princess hearing her with infinite Pity she hasten'd with her to the Scene where the expiring Lover lay At the first Sight of her his Spirits forsook him but striving to recover he wou'd have rais'd his Head to pay her his Acknowledgments for so undeserv'd an Honour but she approach'd his Bed time enough to prevent him and took her Seat by the Bed-side The poor unthinking fair here dispenc'd with the Decorum of her Quality as a Princess and as a Wife she consider'd the occasion too pressing to insist upon Formalities and she chose rather to deny for once her duty to her Honour than to the Necessity of her Friendship for the dying Patient She then beheld him in the Agonies of Death chang'd from what he was and she thought it Charity to administer all her good Offices for his recovery The Apprehension she had of his danger made him now almost dear to her who perhaps for want of such an occasion might have still kept her Heart secure but so it is that we oftentimes begin to Love when there is any danger of losing what before we only esteem'd Now it was that the Crisis of his Fate was at the highest there was but one way of saving his Life and that was guarded with innumerable Difficulties He had the pleasure of beholding his Divine Nuberia but where was that Tongue that cou'd reveal his Suff'rings His Eyes languisht on the beloved Object as they were rivetted to 't but his Voice
AN ACCOUNT OF SPAIN BEING A New Description of that COUNTRY and PEOPLE And of the SEA PORTS along the Mediterranean Of Ceuta Tangier c. Written by a French Gentleman who was in disguise Aboard the English Fleet With an Account of the most Remarkable Transactions of that Fleet. To which is added A Large Preface concerning the Establishment of the Spanish Crown on the DUKE of ANJOU LONDON Printed for Joseph Wilde at the Elephant at Charing-Cross 1700. TO THE Most Noble PRINCE HENRY DUKE of NORFOLK Earl Marshal of England One of His Majestys most Honourable Privy Council Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter c. May it please your Grace THE following Letters contain some general remarks of what happen'd in the English Fleet that was sent to the Mediterranean toward the letter end of the last War with some observations of the posture and disposition of the Spanish Nation as it then stood The Account is not so particular as it might have been I wish something more had been said of the History and Politicks of that People that it might have been more seasonable for this present juncture when the eyes of all the World are pointed to that Empire But to make amends for that Omission I take every thing in it to be very justly describ'd most of it having occur'd to my own experience and to the Knowledge of all the Curious in that Voyage And as I can affirm the Account to be just so there is little or nothing said that ever has been mention'd by any other Author I have form'd it into a Book for your Graces perusal and am happy that I can lay it at your feet in a time when your confinement at home by a troublesome pain and sometimes your want of Company gives you leisure to read it over And tho' I know your Graces Palate to be exceeding Nice in all sorts of reading yet I am not more discourag'd at that than I am animated with your Goodness and Indulgence The opportunities I have had of your Conversation were very fortunate to me by them I had the Honour of being known to your Grace By them I have been present at some of the Politest Discourses that I have met with and by them I have of consequence refin'd my own Capacity and I can't chuse but say I was astonisht to hear the first Peer of England whose Nobility has been of late years less Curious of these finer Studies talk so well My next thought was may my Lord pardon me that if the Duke of Norfolk were stript of all his Titles and cou'd come upon the Square to converse with such as me there is not a Man on earth whose Society I shou'd so much covet But in the pleasure of that thought I forgot my distance not considering that Nature as well as the scituation of your Birth had put so great a Bar betwixt you and me that like the Sun you can't be look'd at but with the Clouds between My Lord I was born with an antipathy to flattery and I hope I have said nothing that can be so understood I 'm sure I wou'd avoid it if I knew where it look'd like it but in your Graces Character 't would be hard to say too much and it is the World's unhappiness not to know you as well as I do I am at a loss My Lord how to acknowledge the Honours I have already receiv'd and nothing but your Permission cou'd make me sin again by laying this trifle under your Patronage but when I consider'd the Curiosity your Grace has for Books and the particular inquiries you made of the Country here mention'd I thought I had a fair occasion of putting your Name before this which I hope will give you some satisfaction I wish it were in my Power to cover something better than this Imperfect Account with your Illustrious Protection but 't is the Debtor's curse to be always in Arrears and I don't know how to offer your Grace any thing that will not want a blush to hide it But your Grace is often exercis'd in Acts of Clemency and 't is but the habit of your Goodness to Pardon The Contemplation of that Vertue gives me unspeakable pleasure therefore with the greater assurance I address this Book and with profound humility remain Your Graces most Dutiful Servant E. LEWIS THE PREFACE THis Year will be famous in Chronicle for the Death of the two greatest Monarchs in Europe the Pope and the King of Spain and of one who might have been as great as either the Duke of Glocester whose short life has been as much lamented as that of any young Prince who was ever born with a relation to the English Throne But for the first that I Nam'd one wou'd think he had prevail'd with Nature to allow him a few Months longer than his Natural Lease on purpose that he might live to see the end of the Century and to perform all the sacred Ceremonies of opening the year of Grace that he himself might hammer down the Gates of Eternal life to be sent up to Heaven on the Wings of a Million Jubilee indulgences of his own granting The good Old Man is now with the Conclave of the Fathers shut up in the limbo of everlasting darkness and bound up with the rest of that gang to be try'd at the last day as well as we The other liv'd till he had lost all hopes of an Heir and when he found he cou'd raise no posterity to take his mantle from him he left it to be scrambled for by them that can catch it just in such a distracted manner as a better Man did once before him that is to him that best deserves it and 't is more than I expect if this late Monarch of Spain has not by his Will laid a Foundation for a War of as Menacing consequences as that Macedonian did when he bequeath'd the World to him who had the longest Sword and the best Army This Saint of a King is now laid down in the regions of Night and his Death has left all Europe as much in the dark as he himself now lies in the Royal Pantheon The amazement that the World now stands in is because he has Nam'd the Duke of Anjou his successor who in all probability will be invested with that Empire and for ought I see there 's no opposition made against him I hope our Politicians who are of another Opinion will not be offended with me for saying so especially when they shall hear that I am as much as they can be against the Crown of Spains falling into the House of Bourbon But since there 's so little stir among those Powers who are most concern'd against it I can't foresee what interruption the young King can meet with I wish with all my heart the Emperor and the Princes of Europe wou'd look about 'em before it be too late before the Scepter is put into his hands and
Value my satisfaction preserve your life These unexpected words were life it self he needed no other remedy to restore his Health and already he felt his Heart reliev'd and the powers of his Soul quickned up to Joy and Rapture Then looking on her with Eyes divided between Awe and Extasy he told her if he deserv'd not to dye for what he had done he wou'd live to make the remainder of his Life the witness of her indulgent Goodness Then in a Moment his illness began to abate his Fever left him his Countenance resum'd its usual lustre and thro' all his Veins the vital Blood ran temperate and healthful All Signs of dangers were remov'd his Reason return'd and his Senses possest their former Occupations No Marks of Desperation appear'd any longer nor any Raptures but what he utter'd in the admiration of her Mercy The Princess was much joy'd at this alteration she told him That if the recovery of his Health depended so much on her power she was sorry she cou'd not always be his Physician that she had consideration enough for the Merits of so generous a Man but it was entirely against her Honour to Answer his Passion as it deserv'd but if he cou'd be satisfy'd with such a place in her Heart as wou'd not invade her Duty she shou'd conceive for him the most tender Friendship but that if she were at liberty to chuse a Lover that cou'd be most grateful to her she cou'd not fix better than on the Gallant Saladine There needed no more to finish his recovery he cou'd not hope to break off the Nuptials she was going to Celebrate and all the Ambition he coveted was but to see himself in her good Opinion and in some possession of her Heart He heard her last words with transporting joy and tho' there was a great deal due to the presence of so illustrious a Princess yet he broke out from all Constraints of Decency into an extravagance of Passion Oh ye Celestial Powers he cry'd too happy Happy Saladine and can the generous Princess pardon me Can she forget my daring Insolence and forgiving me the Sentence of Death which was my due raise me to Life and bid me live for ever Oh let me rave a while with boundless Extasy till I have utter'd this excess of joy that fills my grateful Soul Yes I will live since you command me and live a thousand thousand Ages till I become immortal as my Love and carry to the end of Nature the Triumph of your Eyes She wou'd have checkt his Transport but he was in no condition to hear Reason his Flight was too lavish to be bound up to Rules and he spar'd nothing that express'd his Gratitude and her Generosity At length he stopt and she Answer'd in such Terms as these I have already done more for the brave Saladine than I can justify to the present dependence of my Affairs but I have consider'd every thing and I find all too weak for my Inclination It becomes me not to say more perhaps I have said too much already Only that if our Fortunes had so ordain'd it I cou'd have been content without the Temptation of a Crown to have shar'd my happiness with him She blush'd for what she had said and not able to look up she let fall her Eyes and wish she had not said so much As it gave her confusion so it increast his Happiness and now the reviv'd Lover who a moment before wou'd have parted with his Life for an Expiation of his Guilt liv'd to see himself forgiv'n and what was infinitely more belov'd Now be undertook to talk with the freedom of a Lover and while his Tongue was recounting the violence of his Flame his Heart and his Sighs kept time with his passionate Relation His languishing Looks pleaded powerfully for him and he who knew to a syllable the way to a Ladies Heart made every gesture humour the distressful Tale Now he play'd the Orator indeed his Tongue was Tipt with softness his Eyes with Fire his Breast beat to the Accents of his Voice and every thing he utter'd was Musick to the attentive Princess ' Twou'd be very hard to describe our General with all the advantages which he now possest for notwithstanding his Illness he had an Air of sweetness in his Face and in every Action such a persuasive Allurement as was not to be resisted The Princess receiv'd a sensible Impression of all he said and did she found her Heart already totter'd and when she wou'd again have consulted her Reason she had no power to think She represented to her Fancy that she had never seen any thing more worthy of her and now she was not determining whether she shou'd love him or no for that was already decided and 't was too far gone to be recalled Her Heart became absolutely his and there wanted but the consent of Fortune to make 'em the happiest Couple in the World Now the distances of their Quality and all reservation was laid aside our Lover grew more assur'd by the encouragement she had giv'n him and taking her fair Hand he held it to his Lips with such ardency as very much affected her She grew less scrupulous as he grew more assur'd and she mistrusted not those innocent allowances in the possession of one she esteem'd so much and whom she had found so worthy of her Confidence Thus were they highly satisfy'd with each other she was exceedingly pleas'd to see she had such power over him as to restore him to Life at her pleasure and he was in no ordinary degree of rapture to see such a change in his condition to be redeem'd from the jaws of Death and Despair and to see himself rais'd from such dejected Miseries to a felicity infinitely above his hopes But alas how short were these starts of joy they presently call'd to mind that they were not ordain'd for one another that they were within few days of parting never to behold each other more Soon as that dismal thought seiz'd 'em they were both cast down into mortal Affliction All the Terrors of Despair sate in their Faces and they became the pity of the sorrowful Fidelia And now to increase their Grief the Weather grew Cloudy the Calm was blown away with a boist'rous Eastern Gale their Sails were all trimm'd for the pursuit of their Voyage and they hurry'd on with such precipitancy that to their insupportable sorrow they saw the fatal Shore where they were to part for ever Who can describe the extremity of their suff'rings at the discovery of that infernal Coast The Weeping Princess was past all Comfort and the furious Saladine ready to plunge into the bottomless deep to prevent the parting moment which was but preventing one Death by another But vain were their Complaints the remorseless Wind increas'd and they fled before it with such fury that they plainly saw the Shore within few Hours Sail of ' em The nearer they approacht it the
more deplorable were their sorrows and they now macerated and tore ' emselves with the utmost apprehensions of Despair abandon'd to their Suff'rings and Distress The Princess lay like one bereft of Reason Fidelia sympathiz'd with the Melancholy of her dear Mistress and the inconsolable Saladine had hers as well as his own Torments to afflict him In that Frenzy he cou'd not forbear running into her Cabbin where he found his Charmer overwhelm'd with trouble and throwing himself at her Feet beg'd to die in that posture rather than to see her torn from him to an Everlasting Separation What did he not say to move her But there needed no further Arguments to make her pity him she already found him so dear to her that she was within a moments consideration of running the hazard of disobeying her Father and flying to some far distant safety with her belov'd Saladine But these were only Chimera's of a Distemper'd Brain she talkt of things impossible and now there was no way to escape her Destiny The Storm began to sing louder and the faster it blew the nearer they drew to the unwelcome Scene The Sea was now grown outragious the Billows tost 'em to the Skies and the darken'd Heav'n as if it mourn'd for their Calamity was painted with the Visage of horror and death In this Tempest they hop'd for some unexpected adventure as being on an Element apt for Changes at least to delay a while their parting but the Wind had no compassion of 'em it Whistled still louder and drove 'em forwards with such impetuosity that now the Shore was just under their Bows and spite of all their care the Ships in hazard of perishing The alarm of this danger frighted all but the despairing Lovers the Officers ran to the General for Orders in this extremity but they might as well talk to the Clouds as to him He was not at leisure to regard the safety of his Fleet being agitated with a greater Storm in his Breast and whatever shou'd become of 'em he was in no condition to prevent it Immediately they dropt their Anchors hoping to ride out the Storm but all their caution was little enough to secure ' em The Gulph of of Moco has always been notorious for Shipwrack the Sea runs there with incredible fury and a thousand Vessels have found their destruction in its implacable jaws No Wonder therefore at this time the danger astonisht all them who were tender of their safety for throughout the whole Fleet there was not one who expected not Death and who did not make it his business to shift for himself All but the desperate Saladine and his Princess were fearful of being stranded on the Shore but they had so little taste of Happiness that Death wou'd have been more welcome to 'em than Life on any terms but of enjoying each other for ever But seeing no hopes of such a Fortune they gave ' emselves up with ready Resignation to whatever shou'd befal ' em In few Hours they cou'd behold several of their Ships cast on the Shore and the drowned Mariners tost on the relentless Beach as a Token of what they were now to expect This dreadful sight gave all the Spectators unspeakable horror but to our disconsolate Lovers it appear'd with a quite different Face Not that they wanted pity for those miserable Wretches who were perish'd but it gave 'em hopes of suff'ring the same Death themselves and they were prepar'd to receive it with wonderful Alacrity The Princess felt not those fears which were common to her Sex in such Emergencies her Courage was as much as was necessary fortify'd with the presence of her Saladine and in his Arms she was resolv'd to end her Life He too who was grown careless of his own Life neglected for a while even hers and because he saw he cou'd not be hers in Life he rejoyc'd to think they shou'd die together This indeed was grateful to him for a time but at length he consider'd she deserv'd better Fortune than to perish for want of the means of safety and he now was of Opinion to prevail with her to have some regard to her self Accordingly he went to her and Conjur'd her by all the happiness she wisht him not to remain longer Aboard but to give him leave to get a pinnace ready to carry her a-shore and to leave him to the Mercy of the Sea who was willing to die if he cou'd secure her from the ruin which threatned her He told her there was less danger in venturing out than in remaining where she was that if she wou'd consent to go he wou'd give in charge to his chief Officers to Pilot her a-shore and to set her safe from the hazard of Shipwrack That indeed he wou'd attend her himself but he cou'd by no means set his Feet on the Country where she was to be for ever lost to him and that the torture which he shou'd feel to part with her wou'd be too conspicuous and might give her Subjects occasion of censuring that Reluctance with which he was to see her torn from him Tho' there was a great deal of Reason in what he urg'd she cou'd not hear it without a Resentment which show'd her violently offended no Sir she cry'd there is no safety for me where I have not the gallant Saladine to bear me Company and as we are now in the Moment of eternal Perdition I can rather consent to perish with you than to indure the anguish of parting with you to sustain a Crown which will prove a Torment to me under the fatal Separation which it makes betwixt us Then abandon'd to Distraction she cry'd Oh forgive my Honour If I transgress the Bounds of Decency to tell the faithful Saladine how much I Love him Hence away with all Impediments of Duty of strict Obedience and contracted Vows let me be Mad till I have rav'd enough and told the generous Man how dearly I adore him Oh take me to your Arms and hide my Blushes let me be wrapt within your fast Embraces and never wake but to behold you mine The Amorous Saladine was ravisht with this sudden Tenderness in all his Joys he never hop'd for such a Declaration but now his Soul was all on Fire Ye bounteous Gods he cry'd What Words are these Oh let me hang upon your lovely Knees and prostrate on the Earth receive this Blessing Then starting from that Posture he flew out into a Transport Let the Seas roar and let Destruction reign since I am made thus happy Then running to her Arms he added Now now thou God of Whirlwinds strike us down sink us together to the vast Abyss but let no Bolt of Thunder part our Arms Oh Joy too great to bear here his Breath fail'd him and the weeping Princess ready to expire with the moving Spectacle sunk down into his Arms and they both remain'd as if they had been Dead The diligent Fidelia who never left 'em was in little
better Condition but knowing the Danger of calling for help she used all the Means she cou'd to bring 'em to Life Saladine first recover'd and finding the Princess entranc'd in his Arms 't is impossible to tell the various Passions that possest him He held her still in his Embraces and looking on her with Eyes that languisht with the heaviness of his Heart he was ready again to sink to Death but seeing her in that insensible Condition he ventur'd to let down his Cheek to hers and to touch those Lips that now cou'd not be open'd to accuse him But 't was with so much Awe that if she had awakt and felt him she cou'd not be offended with the Violence His busy Eyes ran over all her Perfections and he gaz'd at her as if indeed he never were to behold her more and he cou'd have wisht to Die that very Moment without the desire of any further Happiness At length she open'd her Eyes and finding her self in his Embraces she was a little stagger'd at her Weakness and at another time cou'd not have pardon'd her self such a Confession of her Love But now 't was too late to hide her Passion she was intirely resign'd to her Inclinations and she thought nothing too much for that charming Man who knew how to use her Indulgence without invading her Honour Soon as she collected her Spirits she lookt on him with such Tenderness as cou'd proceed from nothing but her Excellency of Pity and Generosity and he met those Glances with such a Languishment that nothing cou'd be more moving than this dumb Conversation He rais'd her up and as well as he cou'd desir'd her to be compos'd but her Trouble was too great to be comforted and he was in no good State to give it her Fidelia who was least concern'd tho' not without her share of their Misery prevail'd with her to retire she suffer'd her self to be carry'd whither she wou'd and giving Saladine her Hand to support her she was conducted to her Bed She strove not to oppose 'em but finding in her tortur'd Breast no Disposition to Rest she laid her down while the lamenting Maid did what she cou'd to divert her But in vain was all she said her Heart was overcome with Melancholy and she cou'd think of nothing but of the dreadful Hour that was approaching She now lost all Hopes of perishing in the Storm for the Sky clear'd and the Face of the Deep was grown smooth and calm and every Minute she expected the fatal Summons to debarque Saladine being withdrawn to his own Apartment begun to ruminate on his miserable Condition he saw nothing before him but Misery yet 't was some comfort to him to think he was belov'd but how short was that Comfort For he soon concluded his Condition the worse that being advanc'd to so great a Happiness he was in a Moment to be depriv'd of it for ever When he perceiv'd the Weather grow fair his Torture was doubled he now lookt for the Embassadors from Shore that were sent to receive her and every thing he heard he thought was they He was not long deceiv'd for upon the ceasing of the Storm they who were appointed to attend her to the Court came Aboard and now Spite of all his Afflictions he was constrain'd to meet 'em and to give 'em the Honours that were due to their Characters When the Dying Nuberia saw the fatal Messengers 't is inexpressible her Anguish and Dejection she look'd on 'em as they had been her Executioners and she had hardly Fortitude enough to support her self to receive their Homage She show'd so little Complacency for the Errand they came upon that the quick sighted Philippians were at a loss how to behave themselves but not daring to press beyond her Pleasure they withdrew to give her Time to prepare for her solemn Departure Tho' she had been a great while arming for this unavoidable Necessity yet again her Grief return'd when she consider'd her lost Saladine She had but another Moment to see him and that was to be spent in utmost Sorrow But being resolv'd to have her eternal Farewell she sent privately for him and he was conducted by the faithful Confident to the last Scene of their Interviews This Meeting as it was the last of their Lives so it was attended with the most deplorable Circumstances She now omitted nothing that cou'd assure him of that indearing Esteem she had of him and taking a Bracelet from her Arm put it upon his conjuring him never to part with it till some happier Occasion shou'd make her capable of sending to him again She hop'd one Day to make him better Acknowledgments if she had Strength enough to Survive this doleful Parting and ending her Discourse with Repetitions of her everlasting Friendship she gave way to that torrent of Tears which burst from her delug'd Eyes The unhappy Lover receiv'd her Present with such a dejected Air as if it were only to put him in Mind of his eternal Misery but the Assurances she made him of being eternally his Friend was yet some small Mitigation He yet hoped the varieties of War might give him an occasion of seeing her Country again that he might hear how she liv'd in her new Majesty and what Remembrances she still preserv'd of him After this he wou'd have thrown himself at her Feet to take his final Adieu but she rais'd him by the Hand and suffered him to take her once more into his Arms as being the only Happiness she had now remaining for him He prest her lovely Bosom close to his and with a Groan that brought up his very Soul he cry'd farewel She had but just Strength enough to eccho him and with a fainting Voice she reply'd eternally Adieu He then let fall his Arms and turning away his Eyes he strove to hide that Weakness which depriv'd him of any further Speech and staggering to the Door he went he knew not whither All Things being got ready for her departure she prepar'd for 't without asking any Questions and without any further Ceremony entred her Pinnace still keeping her Eyes fixt on the expiring Saladine and as the Vessel bore her away to the fatal Shore the unfortunate Lover gaz'd at her till he cou'd behold her no more Thus my dear Brunet you have the Story of that unfortunate Princess which some time ago made a great Noise in that part of the World where it was acted The best thing that can be said of it is that it is true and our Author has omitted all flourishes to keep to Reality The Princess of this Story is still alive and I am told the royal Catolinus prov'd just a Bridegroom as she prophecy'd of him but the poor Philippians were disappointed in their Hopes of an Heir for Heav'n has not Blest that Crown with any Issue from that renowned Woman tho' they were Daily in expectation of one which they hop'd to obtain thro' the intercession of their
at him Soon as the roaring beast saw him he ran furiously towards him and there being no Body else in the Lists the Sailor must now make the best of a bad Market the poor Fellow still stood his Ground and when the Bull came near him he try'd to amuse him with his Hat as he had seen the Spaniards do with their Cloaks and throwing it between his Horns it signify'd as much as if he had held his Hand against a Thunderbolt for down he came upon his Back with his Face to the Bulls one of the Bulls Feet on his Stomach and one of his Horns thro' his Cheek and out at his Mouth One wou'd have thought these Braves that saw him shou'd have run in to his Rescue but not one of 'em stirred tho' the defeated Hero lay every Moment expecting Death till of his own accord the generous Beast got out his Horn and as if he had been sensible of his Conquest left him on the Ground and walkt on as if he were satisfy'd with his Victory Soon as the Bull quitted him then they run Races who shou'd first see if he were living and finding no other hurt about him but that of his Cheek he was carryed to the Hospital and soon afterwards Cured If you have the Curiosity to ask on what Occasion these Bull-Feasts are generally made take this Account which was given me of that which I was at The Duke of Medina Sidonia Captain General of Andaluzia had a Son at the point of Death his Life being given up by the Physicians the Duke had recourse to the Prayers of the Church as his last Remedy and particularly addrest a Monastery of Augustines in the Town where he Dwelt to offer up their Intercession for him In some Time after the Gentleman recover'd and the glad Father thinking his Recovery had been an effect of the Prayers of the Convent presented it with these 33 Bulls to be first Baited for publick Diversion and as a Token of his Gratitude their Carcasses to be devoted to the Holy Fathers This is not always the Reason of 'em for sometimes the King or some Grandee entertains Embassadors with them before the royal Palace at Madrid or for want of a better Occasion sometimes the Mob When ever the latter happens it is done to pacifie their Clamours for they are always Mutinous in a Time of Scarcity and then the King appoints 'em a Bull-Feast which is both Sport and Supply to ' em Tho' generally this is perform'd here with Circumstances of great Ostentation yet in Barbary they have 'em in ten times more Splendour Those African People being lovers of all sorts of Cruelty and not to be pleas'd but with such savage Diversions But so much for their publick Sports I cou'd now make you merry with another kind of Gallantry very much in practice among these Spaniards I mean that of Pimping and Intriguing And tho' these two Excellencies are chiefly prevailing among the Laity yet to give the Church its due the Clergy are very dextrous at any thing wherein a Woman is concern'd But since I have mention'd the Reverend Clergy let me not traduce 'em without entring their Convents and Chapels and examine what sort of private Devotion they practise and I can assure my Friend whoever sees 'em in their cells tho' they are zealous pretenders and carry to the World such a Face of Austerity will find nothing less than Mortification among ' em Consider My Friend I am not speaking of all that are in Religious Orders God forbid I shou'd accuse so solemn a Life with general Prophannes No Brunet I have a profound Reverence for that Monastick Holiness which inspires the greatest part of 'em but yet as in all other Societies there are even among these some Corrupt Members which shame the Sanctity of our most Holy Communion and are Weeds that ought to be torn from the Earth and Rooted out from the Churches of the Faithful I am now speaking of those abandon'd Hypocrites who have other secret Causes for their entring into holy Orders than Contrition and Repentance That there are such every Age hath inform'd us and every Convent or there wou'd be a little work for publick Scandal or for Confession and such severe Chastisemenas as are often exercised in ' em It was my Fortune to be acquainted with some of these we are now speaking of Brave Fellows My Friend Men who wou'd stick at nothing to gratifie their Appetites or to serve a Companion If a Husband or a Brother be in the way they have devices to remove 'em and such subtil Stratagems as will hardly admit of Opposition That what I say is true every English and Dutch Officer that 's here will bear me witness for there 's hardly a Gentleman in the Navy that loves an Intrigue and can part with his Money but has been helpt by one Friar or other of his acquaintance Tho' I am very much scandaliz'd at so great an infamy which gives occasion to our Adversaries to reproach us yet in spite of all shame 't is an absolute truth and so much the more deplorable It may well be answer'd if it shou'd be ask'd how these Vermin have a knack at Pimping above any other People that by the power they have when they receive the confessions they discover who are Corrupt and having known that the rest is easy And that these Villains are sometimes as successful in Debauching innocent Maids as they are in continuing the pollutions of others already Defil'd has been notoriously prov'd by Examples that have occur'd to my particular knowledge and the reason is plain why the Priesthood is more mischeivious that way because the doors of every Family lie open to them and that reservation which Parents use in guarding their Children from all the World beside is put by at the approaches of a Priest who wherever he comes is as familiar as if he were one of the Domesticks The liberty which they thus assume as it is the particular priviledge of the Church so it is very serviceable to 'em in their Designs of every kind but principally to insinuate for Alms and Benevolences in which they are so dextrous that 't is a hard matter to avoid 'em For besides the Artifices they use by fair means they have always the necessities of the Church to pretend and when good words won't do they have a Purgatory and Damnation to awe the unknowing Vulgar I wou'd not say this of the Roman Clergy if I did not know it to be litterally true for as I wou'd be thought impartial in my remarks of every thing I undertake to Relate so in this particular I woud shun all detraction and cover as much as I cou'd the nudities of the Catholick Communion but to deal plainly with a Friend I found within these holy Societies very much Corruption and Degeneracy I found Abstinence and Chastity which are their Principal vows no more than nominal Vertues but I saw every
where an egregious abundance of Slothfulness and Luxury with a disguise of Hypocrisy to cover it and to keep up the reputation of the Cloyster I say not this universally of Religious Orders it were pity if this shou'd be generally true of these recluses without question there are multitudes of Saints among 'em but granting that yet 't is beyond all controversy true that they have extreamly degenerated from their first institution and instead of giving themselves up to Works of Piety and the study of the sacred Scriptures as their Primitive Fathers did they are sunk down into a Lethargy of Ignorance and Stupidity I believe my Friend it wou'd not be very difficult to find a reason for this Apostacy when we consider how easily they give admission to every lazy indigent Wretch that can give little or no Account of his Faith taking the sacred Habit only to skreen him against the Gripes of Poverty and the injuries of Fortune But one wou'd think notwithstanding all this that among so many idle People who have nothing to mind but their Prayers and their Study that there shou'd not be a greater show of Learning not to mention any thing else but let Brunet believe what I now tell him that in all the Conversation I have had with 'em I scarce met with one in twenty that had any other Language than that he was born with or at the best if his Practice at the Altar had furnish't him with some loose Fragments of Latin it was commonly no more than wou'd serve to ask me what Country-Man I was or to tell me how many Masses are said in a Day Not but that there are some of 'em great Masters but these are so few that a Traveller may weary out his Patience before he can meet with one who can satisfie his Curiosity in any question of importance The Jesuits are the only Order by whom the more polite Studies are incourag'd of these indeed there are many great Criticks in all manner of Sciences and 't is with which Wisdom that they are appointed the Missionaries to go Abroad for the first thing they study is Humanity and that in the chief place fits 'em for these wonderful Expeditions which they are sent upon into the parts of the World Besides this they are perfect Proficients in all the parts of the Mathematicks than which nothing can be more necessary for the conversion of the Eastern Nations who are extreamly bigotted to Augury and the study of the Stars The Method which these cunning People have to recruite their Order with a succession of ingenious Men is very remarkable for in all Countries where they are they ingross to themselves the Education of all the Youth and when they find a Boy of a toward spritely wit as it 's easy out of sometimes a Thousand as I have known in one School they secure him to themselves and bring him up to their Order By these means they never want a supply of able Men to carry on their Designs and to preserve their Superiority over every other fraternity At this time I was recommended to make a Journey to a Monastery of Carthusians distant some four Leagues from hence My company was a French Merchant and a Religious of his acquaintance so crossing the Bay we rid it in two Hours but after such a barbarous manner that as bad as I love walking it had been much for the advantage of my Bones if I had footed it thro' all the bad ways Our Mules for here are rarely any Horses were some of them which alwaies ply at the landing Place cover'd with Packsaddles instead of Padsaddles and Rein'd with Halters instead of Bridles The seats of these Saddles are as flat as a Cushion but not half so soft and the fall on each side stretcht out so wide that 't is as bad as the rack to sit on 'em And to all this the sawcy Muleteer tho' there be but the Tail to ride on will be sure to be up behind you if you don 't out gallop him or threaten him with more than bare words In this manner we went and when we came within sight of the Monastery we dismounted giving our Mules in charge to the Owners who footed it as fast as we rid Here we took out a Bottle and some Provision and what was remaining after we had done we sent to our Jockeys but the proud Spaniards tho' they were ready to starve for Victuals refus'd our leavings and sent us back in answer That if we thought 'em not good enough to sit down with us they thought ' emselves too good to take up with our Orts. This was Demonstration beyond whatever I had heard of the Pride of these rascally Peasants but indeed in every thing else that we had to do with 'em we found 'em always the same We entred the Monastery and because I was mightily smitten with this superb Building I can hardly forbear you giving its Description I was so delighted with every thing I saw that tho' I had seen that in Lyons which is justly counted the finest in France I cou'd not suffer any comparison between this and that neither in the Architecture nor Decoration Thro'out the World the Houses of this order are the most Magnificent of any and as much as they out-do all others so much does this exceed all that I had seen of the same Foundation The reason of this grandeur is evident for they admit none into their Habit but Persons of the highest Quality who generally bring all or the best part of their Estates in along with 'em and dedicate 'em to the Monastery This which we now speak of has such prodigious Revenues that in a Year of scarcity in the City of Cales they undertook to supply that populous place with Provision of all kinds for Twelve Months out of their own Magazines The number of Fathers in the House was Originally limited to Thirty Three but at this time there were no more than Eighteen and we were inform'd there seldom are more because of the rigid and insupportable severities of their Vows We were likewise told that when it was first Erected the reputation of the House brought from all parts of the Kingdom such as offered ' emselves to it but when they had a while groan'd under the rigours they were forc't to observe they were no longer able to indure 'em and because there was no returning to the World they sent ' emselves down to Hell by desperate and violent Deaths For five Days of the Week they are deny'd all Conversation or so much as the sight of one another only Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Afternoon they enjoy for their Relaxation and 't is upon these Days the House is open for Strangers to see When we went in we met with some of the Fathers coming out they surpriz'd us e're we expected 'em and I confess I was never so terrify'd with the sight of human Creatures before In
and their Lives to Assault ' em Thus being on all sides prevented we with-drew further off and Cruiz'd off the Isles when a Furious North-West Blew us quite out of Sight of Land and put us to a Necessity of Shifting for our Safety This Storm continu'd for a Fortnight and was so Violent that the Birds were blown from Shore and came to Rest their Weary Wings on the Decks and Rigging of our Ships These Poor Creatures were Grown so Tame with Famine and Fateigue that it was an easy matter to take 'em with our Hands and there was hardly a Ship that had not Quails and Turtle-Doves sitting on their Yards The Tempest continuing still Obstinate and the Sea Running High as it always does in the Gulph of Lyons at length it was Determin'd to stand before it and Steer for the Island of Sardinia there was a Necessity for this for we began to want Water extreamly and in few daies Arriving there we Anchor'd in an open Road within four Leagues of Cagliari Here we found a Fresh Stream that Supply'd us immediately and when we had been a while at an Anchor the Country Peasants brought down Provisions in such Plenty that now all the Marriners Fed upon Fresh Meat Sardinia is an Island near adjoining to Corsica opposite to the Re-publick of Genoa and the Dukedom of Tuscany the People of both Islands are Accounted Barbarous but we found 'em quite otherwise unless we Value their Capacities by the Good Bargains we made and count 'em Fools because they Sold us Good Penny-worths They are indeed Notoriously Ignorant and Superstitious but far from being such Savages as they are Accounted in History and unless the Character belongs to the English who Riffled and Pillag'd the Poor Wretches I don't know of any Barbarity I saw while I was abroad The English to give 'em their Due are exquisite at that sort of Mischief for when they had any of those Poor Creatures in their Power they made no Conscience of Plundering them of what they had and turning 'em loose to Nakedness and Beggarly I 'le give you one Instance of this Kind because I wou'd not fix a Scandal on a People without good Reason and that is thus Two Souldiers having got Leave to go a Shore under pretence of Buying Fresh Provision bethought 'em selves of a Cheaper way of being Supply'd than by their Mony and Marching up into the Country came to a Poor Peasant's House who Liv'd Far from Neighbours an Honest Simple VVretch who Fed and Clothed himself with the Profits of his own Industry and kept about his House all that he was worth in the VVorld It was this Poor Man's Unhappiness to be at Home when those Stroalers entred his House without any Ceremony who seeing a strange People within his Doors Imagin'd 'em to be some of the English who he had heard were come into their Country and designing to Treat 'em with what he had he offer'd 'em the Bounty of his House sparing nor Meat nor Wine nor any thing that cou'd express his Satisfaction of seeing 'em there After he had given them of what he had and they had Glutted with all sorts of Plenty he loaded 'em with Fruits and other Good things and Offer'd 'em what Accommodation he cou'd make for their Lodging if they wou'd be so kind as to stay with him that Night They likeing well their Entertainment thought this was a good Opportunity to Enrich themselves and making their way up stairs in a Riotous manner they amazed the unwary Landlord who cou'd not guess what they meant by Running up and down in such Tumultuous Hast But The Poor amazed fellow who saw himself going to be Undone by these Rogues made what Opposition he cou'd to hinder 'em and as he Struggled and Pray'd that they wou'd offer him no Violence one of the Villains with his Dagger Stabb'd him to the Heart and laid him Dead at his Feet and when they had committed that Execrable Deed they Stripp'd the House bare and marcht away with the Spoils of their Villany This Bloody Action was afterwards made known to the Vice-Roy who Demanded Justice of the General the General making inquiry after the Criminals found 'em out and Sentenc'd the Principal to Death When this was Reported to the Vice-Roy he Desir'd no greater Satisfaction than to see 'em Condemn'd and being a Man of Generosity himself interceded for their lives only desiring they might be made sensible of their Crimes but that they might not be Executed The General with some Regret granted his Request but wou'd not let the Murderers yet know what had been determin'd so appointing a day for the Execution of the Principal and the Punishment of the other after the Military manner they were drawn out under a Strong Guard and a Battalion was Commanded ashore to attend the Execution And now behold a turn and the Justice of Providence on the Guilty Malefactor The Ruffian who gave the Fatal Blow was pinnion'd and upon his Knees ready for Death which he was to receive from a File of Muskets drawn out for that Purpose and his Companion plac'd close by him to Suffer the Terror of his Execution He who Headed the Battalion and carry'd the Pardon in his Pocket gave Orders that the Musketeers shou'd not Fire till he made the Signal but that all the Ceremony shou'd be made to Terrifie him a while with the Prospect of his Death the Lieutenant who had charge of the File knew nothing of the Pardon but supposing he was to be Shot according to his Sentence gave the Signal for Firing without asking any further Direction and in a Moment the Murderer was Torn to Pieces Judge now my Friend of the Precipitancy of these English but chiefly of the Divine Justice that wou'd not let such a Notorious Offender Escape the Punishment of his Blood-shed The other Delinquent was Punisht at the same time tho' not by Death and the Blood of the Murder'd Peasant so far atton'd The Officer who Commanded the File was Broke for his Rashness and the Colonel that shou'd have taken more care was made Prisoner but soon afterwards Releas'd The City of Cagliari is the chief of the Island exceeding strong and the Seat of the Vice-Roy this formerly was accounted so Noble a City when Gracchus took it for the Use of the Romans that Florus by way of Excellency call'd it Vrbs Vrbium tho' afterwards it was demolisht by the same Gracchus to disable the Natives but in more settl'd times it was Re-built and a second time Taken by the Saracens and at last restor'd by the Pisans to it's Primitive Lustre I never in all my Life saw so plentiful a Market as here nor every thing Sold at so cheap a Rate a dozen Chickens might be bought for a Shilling a Kid for 2 a Mutton for 4 and a Beef for a Pound all excellent in their kind It was evident this proceeded from the Scarcity of Mony among 'em as well as