coming from the City Our Guide told us there was no doubt to be made but they were Christians come abroad to scoure the Valley this being just their time of going out and against the consent of us all and before we were aware he called out to them who to our Astonishment answered in Arabick They are Christians Seize them says a Moor that at least I may have something to wreck my Revenge on and saying so they advanced towards us Immediately finding the Danger we had fallen into by the unhappy Spaniards hasty speaking he thought to make some part of amends by telling us that if we could climb to the top of the Rock our little Party would be sufficient to defend it against an Army for some time and that after it was Day the Moors would not venture to stay so near the City we followed his Advice with a Diligence equal to our threatned danger and were ascended to a good height by that time our Enemies were got to that part of it we had quitted But oh Heavens How great was our astonishment when not only by the Voice but Day coming on we knew the chief of our Enemies to be the enraged Hamet who as soon as he discovered who we were and finding us stand in a Posture to defend our selves with our Swords and the loose Stones we had pick'd up on the top of the Rock He called out Yield your selves miserable Slaves said he and hope for the sake of that cruel Beauty you would have robbed me of to have your Lives spared but if you offer at the least resistance expect Death with the utmost aggravation of Torments But all being resolved to defend our Lives to the last he had no other Answer but by the Stones we threw at him wherewith enraged he commanded all his Men to a light who were about forty in number and climb the Rock to take us which they did leaving only enow to hold their Horses those who were most bold to get at us were by the stones we threw soon tumbled down again to their Master my Valiant Lord with the two first Stones went from his hand depriving two of our Enemies of their Lives This strange and unequal Combat lasted above an hour in which time Hamets Men were reduced to half their number but on our side the Eunuch and our Spanish Guide were both slain by the Arrows were shot at us and not one but had received a wound or more When Hamet transported by the resistance we made and at the loss of his Men with those were left he assaulted us a-fresh and when he had not above ten left with him alive gained the height of the Rock My Dear Master with Astolfo by his side did Actions almost past belief till wearied with so long a Dispute and grown faint for want of that Blood had gone from them thorow several wide Passages were made in their Bodies they were just ready to sink under an unequal number of Enemies when Astolfo despairing either of safety or Life retired and left him I had endeavoured from the begining of the combat to appear not less concerned for maintaining our Liberty than the rest had been but at that time weakened by the want of Blood had run from my several wounds I was fallen down unable to give any further Assistance to our almost vanquisht Party having only Life enough left to keep my Eyes open that I might see what would become of my dear Master and I confess when I saw Astolfo had left him alone against all our Enemies I began to doubt with my self whether his quitting the Combat was not an effect of fear till I soon perceived it was despair had drove him before his Death to take a last farwell of his Beloved Roselinda who had remained offering up her Prayers for our safeties from the begining of the Fight He ran to her with as much speed as his weakness would permit and taking her in his Arms I could hear him faintly say farewell my most unfortunate Wife since I cannot live for you at least give me the satisfaction of dying in your Arms to which she answered Oh my Dearest Astolfo be assured I can never quit thy Arms to be forced into those of a barbarous Infidel but since it is the pleasure of Heaven that we must dye let it be in one anothers Arms and let us thus entwined fly together to Eternity I could not hear their last words but saw them haste to the top of the Precipice and embraced very close together threw themselves down to the bottom where they ended their unhappy lives Then casting my eyes towards the place where my Master was fighting I saw him fall dead in the midst of his Enemies which dreadful spectacle took away the remainder of my Spirits and I sunk down with some satisfaction that I should not outlive him But how strangely was I surprized when coming to my self again I was lying in a fair Room with two or three Servants waiting at the Bedside I would gladly have asked where I was admiring to hear they spoke Spanish but did not recover my speech till the end of eight days When I had got strength enough by their care of my wounds to inquire how I came into that place and wherein I deserved to receive kindnesses more than I could hope for among Strangers One of them told me that I was in the Governors House of Antiquera who would let no means be omitted which might conduce to my recovery I exprest my thanks for their care of me with all the acknowledgment I could but being more concern'd for my Master than my own welfare I intreated them to let me know what happy accident had brought me thither and if they could to inform me what was become of those remained in the same condition I was in on the Rock One of those assisted near me was about satisfying my request when he was interrupted by the Governours coming in to make me a Visit and being informed who he was I would have raised my self in the Bed to receive him when he stept to the side of it and hindred me saying I was not in a Condition to use Ceremony and that he had deferred till then coming to see that I might not be disturbed of that Repose was so necessary for me but that being told by the Chyrurgeons I might with safety be discoursed with he was come to give me an account how I fell into his hands and setting down on a Chair by the Bed side he let me know that himself going out with a Party the Morning of our Combate at a good distance from the Rock he saw people on the top of it but believing them some of the Garrison were got up thither to descry if the Country were free from those who almost every Night infested it he kept on his way at an easie pace when one of his Company told him he could discover naked Swords in their
action which might incite the King to give him his liberty as a reward of it and by his order I prevailed with my kind Patron Mahomad that he should be allowed Arms when he came to the Battel assuring him they would not be imployed to the Kings disadvantage We began after a months slow march to approach so near the enemy that our Outguards had often Skirmishes and we found their Army very strongly encampt having a great River on one side and a large Wood covering the other the King setting down about a League from them after a Nights refreshment of his men drew up his whole Army in Battalia and so marcht till we faced the Enemy believing they would lye close within their Intrenchments but Albazin the famous Rebel who commanded them was as forward and earnest to decide all by a Battel as the King could be and before half the Morning was spent both Armys began to draw so near in a large Plain before Albazins Camp that the Archers could no longer be hindred from beginning the fight but receiving that word of command they were impatient for a most bloody and obstinate fight commenced which was not decided without the loss of many thousand lives Albazins Army consisted of much an equal number with the Kings but he had the advantage of at least eight thousand Horse though fewer in Foot The King behaved himself like a wise General and bold Souldier charging where his men were most prest upon but not being seconded by them with a like courage his success not only grew doubtful but the Enemy making a fresh charge with a strong body of Horse he kept in reserve from the beginning of the Battel his Right Wing was forced to give ground having the misfortune to behold his Left in a greater disorder the Main Body only standing obstinately to it being engaged in a close fight where all other Arms but their Swords were grown useless Mahomad fighting near the King I kept as close to my Master who by my Patrons procurement was allowed a Horse and to enter the Battel where his great Actions were for some time obscured in the Croud he fought amongst but upon Albazins fresh Charge when our Horse began to give ground he prest forward to the Front and was got close up to the King when he perceived him surrounded by the Enemies Horse which Albazin led in Person the Kings party made so weak a resistance that he already feared himself a Prisoner to his rebellious Vassal and my Master believing then was his time to dye gloriously or merit his freedom turning about to me said Now Julian believe I fight to cut my self a passage into Italy I fight in hopes of seeing Diana again and am assured of Victory in her Name Ending those words he clapt Spurs to his Horse having a strong Javelin in his Hand and pressing close to the King Sir said he you must still Conquer Heaven cannot be propitious long to a Rebel against a lawful Prince As he uttered these words a Horseman of the Enemy whose Garb made him remarkable had forced a way so near the King with a party which followed him that he was just seizing his Bridle having called to him to yield when my Master clapt in between them and thrust his Launce quite through his body the King having the satisfaction of seeing his Enemy tumble from his Horse dead at his Feet which action struck such a terror to his Foes and gave such new life to our fainting men seeing that blow seconded by two or three more which proved as fatal to those came in his reach that as the one began to take up from their eagerness of Victory and the other rallied again not only making good their ground but prest after their Prince who with my Master by his side began to recover fresh hopes of retrieving the Battel on that part But if the face of Victory seemed to change where we were it was much otherwise in other places for one acquainted the King that his Left Wing was almost totally routed and the main body shrinking under the Enemies force was likely soon to follow the example of their Companions This sad intelligence drove him quite into despair making him cry out what what can we do more but save our selves by flight Conquer Conquer said my Master hast where your presence may reanimate your men and be assured of Victory here The King took his counsel only saying as he drew off Heaven preserve the life of my valiant Slave and I shall not doubt of Victory The King had scarce left us when Albazin angry to find such a stop put to his proceedings as my Master had given them advanced before the rest of his men and coming near my Master Slave said he since thy Courage is so great be honoured in receiving thy death from Albazins hand my Master replied not a word to him but receiving the strong charge of his Launce upon a little Target he had on his left Arm returned him such a thrust with his as had almost thrown him quite out of his Saddle and turning his Horse short upon his Enemies Crupper made him feel the weight of his Scimitar before he had well recovered the shock of his Spear Albazin was a man of extraordinary courage and being quite Transported to meet such opposition from a Slave flew at him with his Scimitar designing his next blow should decide the controversie but being intercepted by my Masters Shield he only received a slight wound in his Arm and requited it with a larger in Albazins Shoulder while the Warriâ—rs were engaged in a single combate all the Souldiers on both sides forbore Fighting to be Spectators of what the Event of it would be each side conjecturing their Fortune to depend on the Success of their Champion and after a sharp Dispute both covered with Blood and raised to the highest transports of Fury by the resistance they met with weary of further delay they closed and grappled one another on Hors-back each striving to pull his Adversary from his Saddle and at once spurring their Horses both came to the Ground together but my Master happily falling uppermost before Albazin could recover himself from the disorder of a Fall with such a weight upon him my Master drawing a short Puniard from his Side stabb'd him to the Heart and Leaping upon his Feet as a Trophy of his Victory he pulled Albazins Green Turbat from his Head and clapped it on his own that Colour being worn by the Rebel as a Note of the Sanctity he pretended to having at first by a Religious Cheat reduced all those who were of his Party from their Loyalty The death of their Leader struck such a damp in the Hearts of our Enemies that those who a little before thought themselves Conquerors after a weak Opposition betook them to their Heels being pursued and slaughtered at Pleasure by our Men who followed the renowned Frederick with a full
Christian Although the difficulty of having a City Gate opened was not easily to be removed believing so fair an opportunity would scarce offer again I was resolved to further it all I could Alstolfo having told me that both my Master and himself were resolved to expose their Lives to the utmost Peril and rather kill Hamet in his House than let Roselinda be Ravished by him The City of Antiquera was at that time in the Power of the Spaniards being but seven Leagues from the Place where we were so that if we could get forth untaken notice of having once entred the Mountains the discovery of us if pursued would be difficult but how to find the way created us most trouble all being Strangers in that Country to which Astolfo answered that Hamet having bought a Spanish Slave since his Arrival they might easily take him with them who would doubtless serve as a Guide I sent Astolfo back desiring him to provide all things ready against the next Night and in the mean time I enquired out who had the Charge of that Gate we purposed to pass and finding him a young Man in whose Company I had been where most People used to resort and Converse together as soon as I had found him falling into Discourse of the difference between Spain and Africk he seemed to like the former chiefly for the Recreation he had in pursuing such Game as the Neighbouring Mountains were stored with and hearing me declare my self a great lover of Hunting he presently invited me to go along with him the next Morning and that in order to it we might go and lye the same Night at a House he had half a League out of Town I accepted the offer for the Night following saying I would bring a Friend or two with me so we parted till the next day in the mean time having given notice to the rest to be ready two hours within Night I would not be seen by the young Moor till toward the Evening when I believed he would expect me ready to go and then finding him at his Gate waiting only my coming to be gone I told him an unlookt-for business would forcibly detain me till some time within Night but if he would order the Gate to be opened for me and my Friends we would certainly be with him long before Morning he was very desirous of staying for me but I pretending to accept no such Compliment perswaded him to set forward first commanding the Guard to let me and who ever came with me through at any time of the Night After he was gone I waited at my Lodging till the time drew near for my Master and his Companies coming forth and then finding the Back-door of the Garden to Hamets House at the time I had appointed came forth my Master Astolfo Roselinda the Eunuch and the Slave who had with Joy undertaken to be our Guide As soon as I came to the Gate according to the Order had been given they let us all forth without asking any Question and taking the Way our Guide directed a little after Midnight we reached the Mountains as we were on the way the Eunuch told us that Hamet coming early home and visiting Roselinda stayed no longer than to tell her that the following Night she must either by force or freely yield and so leaving her went to Bed whom he lockt in and then brought forth all his Companions to me whose Design of flying to the Christians he much wondred at till acquainted with my disguise All that night we travelled without meeting any Body having reached about three Leagues the ways being so Rocky that Roselinda could scarce climb the Hills with all the Assistance we afforded her and though we had got the advantage of the Suns Light yet our Journey all day was as tedious being perswaded by our Guide to leave the Road for fear of a pursuit so that what with our going about and making a way thorow the Sedge of the Mountains it was within an hour of Sun-set when we came to the utmost of the Hills from whence we could discern a spacious Plain and a League from the Foot of the Mountain on a rising Ground that Christian City grown famous by holding out so long against the Moors that the Grandchildren of those who first shut up the Gates at that time maintained the Walls against their Enemies having been besieged and blocked up near seventy years We made what possible hast we could down into the Plain hoping before Night to enter our City of Refuge but the difficulty of descending the craggy Cliffs where there was no Path took us up so much time that it was quite dark when we recovered the bottome of those asperous Mountains and though we were got into a High-way which our Guide told us Lead to the City yet fearing to encounter any Party of Moors who used to be abroad in the Night we left the Tract and by the direction of our Spanish Captive going almost half a mile within the Plain we came to the Foot of a large and steep Rock which rose in the middle of the Valley being to be got up but on one side the other making a very high Precipice At the bottom of this fatal Rock we thought it convenient to Repose our selves as in a place of security till the days approach when our Spaniard told us there would be no hazard of meeting any Enemies the Christians using to be abroad every Morning to scour the Coast of those Parties of Moors who many times by the Nights shelter have adventured under their very Walls either to Alarm them or take up any they could find stragling without their Lines Fredericks loyal servant coming to this part of his Relation was interrupted by a crowd of Sighs forced a passage from his Breast but a little suppressing them and drying the Tears from his Eyes I wish Madam continued he I might here conclude my Story since what remains to acquaint you with I am confident will occasion no less trouble to you than pitty for those unfortunate people whose Adventures you have heard The fair Dutchess could not suppress her foreboding sorrow to find how unwilling he was to let her know any more but striving with her self and in a manner expecting the worst She desired he would leave nothing untold which concerned any of that miserable Company and leaning on Nise with a Handkerchief wet with Tears before her Eyes she listened to the conclusion of his History Since you must not be disobeyed said the sorrowful Roman I am to acquaint your Highness that we spent most part of the Night with satisfaction enough in repeating our past Adventures joyful that in a few hours we hoped to find our selves in a place of safety and the first dawn of the Morning was welcomed by us all at which time in a Road not far from the Rock we heard the trampling of Horses and soon after discovered a Party as we guessed
Love In the disguise of a Peasant I came a little before Sunset to the Garden where perceiving the Door half open and adventuring to look in I was so fortunate to behold my fair Mistriss sitting on the side of a Fountain with a Maid by her and Leriano whom I knew to be her Kinsman I had waited but a little while delighted with the admiration of her Beauty when I saw her rise and walking alone through several Allies in the Garden came at last close to the Door where I stood and adventuring within it I gave her a Letter I had provided telling her it was from her Brother Celauro She had scarce taken the Paper from me when I perceived by her Blushes and the disorder she seemed to be in that I was known to her but just as I was about to speak her Cousen coming that way after her I was forced to retire from the Garden and thence entring the Wood where Alauro had waited for my return I gave him an Account of my success After that day I had the oportunity of seeing her several others at the Chappel of a Village not far from her Fathers house always concealing my self in a rustick Disguise however not unknown to her from whom I seldome wanted the satisfaction of a smile it being impossible for me to speak to her Don Fernando being always in sight but upon what occasion I could then by no means know she was kept shut up within her house for near two Months without my being able to see her which afterwards I learnt was through her Fathers jealousie finding she took more freedome among the innocent Villagers than his scrupulous disposition would allow upon so long a deprivation from her Sight I grew so Melancholy that overperswaded by my friend I removed to seek some Diversion in this City whether I was no sooner come but my Anxiety was increased by an Information I received that Lariano who as a Kinsman was received in her Fathers house had declared himself her Servant and as was believed would by her Father be admitted to a nearer Alliance and as an aggravation of this disturbance it was added to me that Celauro her Brother being returned succesful from Court resided in this City not only enquiring after me as an Enemy but as was believed he had heard something of my assiduity about his Fathers Country-house in Disguise these concerns joyned to the impossibility I thought there was of proving succesful in my Love had almost brought me to a resolution of quitting the City again and spending some time in Travel to seek by absence a Cure for my Distemper when Fortune was pleased strangely to confirm me in a Resolution of indulging my Passion My Friend Alvaro for whose sake I was contented to stay some days in Town at that time was happy in the Favours of his Mistriss Cassandra whom sometimes visiting by night I remained his Centinel in the Street either to prevent or advise him of any approaching danger several nights I had observed a Man hid in his Cloak pass by me with more Curiosity than I could well approve of though I still let him alone to avoid the disturbance a Street-quarrel might give my Friend and his Mistriss till at last grown weary of the observance he took of me I went towards him who coming forwards to meet me Cavalier said he without giving me time to speak if you have no business in this Street where I see you often unimployed you will do well not to be a hinderance of anothers Design wherefore I desire you to quit it either in Curtesy or by Necessity Did not Necessity require my Presence said I in Curtesie I might perhaps be induced to Retire but am not to be frighted from a place I have once fixt my self in Then you must be beaten out replied he at the same time directing his Sword to my Breast but receiving his Thrust upon a Buckler I held out mine proved so Faâ—â—â— as to lay him dead at my Feet whereupon finding the danger I was in and seeing People approach from all Parts upon hearing the Cries of my wounded Adversary before he Expired I hasted as fast as I could out of the Street at the end of which seeing some Officers enter I was forced to turn not able to imagine any way whereby I might escape till coming close to the Wall of a Garden took up one part of the Street not without some difficulty I climbed to the top of it and Leaped down into the Garden resolving to conceal my self there till the Bustle in the Street was over in the mean time walking along one of the Allies at the end of it I discovered a Light in a low Window which coming nearer I found was that of a small Summer-house at the bottom of a Walk of Orange Trees going softly toward it and the Casement being open I perceived a Woman leaning on the Table with a written Paper before her which after fetching a Sigh or two she read so as I could overhear words to this effect This Morning my Brother coming to our Lodg prevailed with my Father to let me bear Estella Company while the Solemnity lasts She will deliver this Paper to you and if possible contrive some way for our having an Enterview when you will have the satisfaction if it prove one to you to know you are not hated by me Just as she had made an end of Reading her Paper rising up by a glance of her Face I was surprized to see my self so near my adored Narcissa but presently the Jealousie of thinking the Paper she had wrote was designed for some more happy Lover than my Self not able longer to be silent Is it possible Madam said I that the sincerest Passion in the World is despised by you She was too much surprised at the Sight of me in that place to be able to return a word in Answer to my Complaint but having recollected her self after giving me leave to express my Love with all the endearment I could Had my Thoughts said she been as indifferent towards you as you imagine they are I had perhaps been free from the disquiets I have but too often met with since I saw you in the Wood yet do not presume too much upon the freedome of my Confession that I never beheld a Man I could allow more worthy than Felicius the Restraint I live in may partly excuse the owning what is no more than a just return to the firmness of your Love And the Note you see here was designed for no other but your self to let you know of my being in the City it is impossible to express the Joy her words infused in me but not giving me leave scarce to speak she was earnest of knowing how I came into the Garden I told her of the Accident had made me seek shelter there so that unwilling to expose me to the danger I was threatned with in the Street She at last
Host consuming it in the consideration of what course I should take to know what was become of him whom I could not but hope to be still alive since he had escaped so miraculously from the River I resolved to visit Tunis although I exposed my self to a certain slavery which in a few days I performed having met with an English Ship was bound thither to Trade I embarqued my self and in less than a month after my Masters being carried away I was landed in that considerable City of Affrick It had been my Fathers mischance when young to be taken and kept six years a slave in Tripoli during which time he had perfectly learnt the Arabick Language and for a diversion had taught me so much of it that I could discourse indifferently well in it and it stood me so much in stead that cloathing my self in the Moorish Garb I was credited to be what I pretended my self a Moor of Tetuan taken a slave by the Christians so young that I had almost forgot my own Language and that having by my hard labour got enough to procure my ransom I was landed there in order to return to my own Country So that being lookt on as an absolute Moor I had as much opportunity as I could wish to inquire after my dear Master though a great while without any effect till one day hearing some Slaves talk of their Captivity and inquiring from what part they had been taken one of them told me he was a Mantuan brought over much about the time I knew my Master was lost and examining him more particularly of what other Slaves were taken with him I learnt not without a transport of joy that he came thither in the same Vessel with my Master that by the Moors care of his wounds both during their Voyage and a-shore he had been perfectly recovered and since was bought by the King of Tunis for a vast price Upon this intelligence I was so continually about the Seraglio that at last I discovered my dear Master in a Dress much different to what I was wont to behold him he was pleased to tell me my presence was not a little welcome to him though he lookt shyly on me fearing by my wearing a Turkish Habit I had been turned Renegado till giving him an account of all I had done his goodness but too much acknowledged my love to him For the first time we durst not be too long together lest my Disguise should grow suspected and afterwards when we met our Consultation was how possibly to procure his enlargement from a Master never admitted a ransom for his Slaves so that all our hopes must depend on the Kings being procured to give him to some Courtier who would be willing to see him exchanged for a considerable sum of money During the time we were taken up with these Considerations there happen'd an occasion which I was willing to lay hold of as what might much conduce to my Lords enlargement A Noble man of Tunis called Mahomad Alli having a young Son whom he desired to have instructed in Musick and hearing I had learnt a proficiency in that used in Italy during my Captivity sent for mâ—â— making great offers of requital if I would take upon me the teaching of his Son which I willingly offered and in a few weeks gained the Fathers heart by the improvement his Son had made in the Science I was thought a Master of And being of himself a man more desirous of knowledge than the generality of his Country men are he took a great delight in hearing me relate the Manners and Customs of Christendom so that at last I was grown so much in his favour as to be intrusted with the management of his Affairs and ordering his House in the City when he went to divertise himself at a Seat he had some miles out of Town where he used often to be as I learnt drawn thither by the love of a fair Christian Slave had been presented him and finding his good opinion of me so great that he exprest a willingness to do me any considerable kindness I could beg of him One day when he was much delighted to hear me play on the Harp I told him among the Kings Slaves I had met with a young man whom I knew in Italy and whose Friends had been so particularly kind in conducing to my deliverance from a long Captivity that the only thing I would beseech of him was if possible to get that Slave out of the Kings hands which he might beg for not without hopes of success and give me leave as a grateful requital to him and his Friends to set him at liberty as soon as he heard what I desired of him he blamed my modesty in asking so small a Boon and promised that very day to procure what I sought not doubting to speed in it At the time he went to the Seraglio to procure my Lords liberty I went to acquaint him the good news of a freedom he might soon expect but all our joy was dissipated at Mahomads return who told me that although my request was small yet at that time impossible to be granted for the King having news of a Rebellion in the farthest part of his Dominions which being slighted at first had given the Rebels time to carry all before them so that the King resolving to go in person with an Army against them all his Slaves were appointed for the journey and that he himself being commanded to attend the King in the expedition resolved to intrust the Government and Ordering of his Family to my care until his return If I was grieved at the certain prolongation of my Masters captivity that concern was doubly aggravated at the consideration of being separated from him so long a time as that was like to be if he should ever return I used all the arguments I could to perswade Mahomad I might accompany him but in conclusion it was almost by a forced licence that I went having declared that if he thought me unworthy to be near him where he might be exposed to continual dangers as soon as ever he was departed to the Army I would return to my Native Country and Friends in Tetuan A few days after the King began his journey finding at the Randezvous he had appointed a compleat Army of thirty five thousand men all well appointed besides the usual attendants on a Camp he proceeded with short journeys n t to harrase his men before they came up with the enemy having heard by those he had sent out that they seemed to expect him and it was believed would stand a Battel I should pass over what concerns the Wars of Tunis without troubling your Highness to hear any thing of them but that my dear Master made a considerable character in that War during our march I had all the opportunity I could desire of seeing and discoursing with him his resolutions were to attempt the doing some remarkable
Prisoners under Hatches leaving only half a dozen of the Lustiest on the Deck to help them at their work in ordering the Tackle among which my Master happened to be one The Ship which they had discovered making them to be Turks about an hour before Sunset was come up so near them that on each side they began to make use of their great Shot having put abroad the Colours of Sicily for they durst not adventure on either part to Board the Wind being very fresh and the Sea running as high Now Madam I must acquaint you with a desperate Attempt of my always undaunted Lord who percieving a Ship of his own Country so near and he engaged on the contrary part resolving either on death or Liberty snatching up a Headpiece lay on the Deck he clapt it on and half naked as the Turks had made him leapt into the Sea with an intent to get on Board the Ship of his Countrymen the Pirates seeing him swiming in the Water made severel Shots at him with their Arrows some of which were directed so well that the Helmet preserved his Life the Waves being a sufficient Armour for the rest of his Body and the Sicilians perceiving what passed used so much diligence to recover him on Board them that bearing up to him and throwing out a Rope which he laid hold of they got him safe into their Vessel The Fight continued some time after till the Wind increasing and Night coming on decided the Controversie and the next Morning they were out of sight of their Enemies When they were at quiet from the Turks the Captain of the Sicilians hearing my Master was his Country-man sent for him into his Cabbin to examine who he was but could learn nothing more than that he was descended of honest Parents in Messina and had spent most of his Time in Travel having been several years in Captivity but was in requital of what he said informed by the Captain that the King of Sicily dying about two Months before without Heirs the Crown was descended to Count Frederick in the right of his Mother who was Niece to the deceased King and that He guided by a Youthful curiosity had some years before left his Country to Travel not being then so much as the presumptive Heir to the Crown the King having a Son living who died in the flower of his Youth two years before his Father and being further examined by my Master how the Government was at present managed he told him that by the Kings will the Councel had taken the Charge of all affairs untill the Return of their Prince having sent out several Ships to all Ports of the Continent thereabouts to inquire if possible they could learn any News of him and that himself was abroad upon that Account If my Master was surprized with an unexpected Joy to find himself after being so happily restored to his freedom the expected Successor to a Crown he declared to me that the delight he received from such an alteration of his Condition was chiefly that he had a Present by it not unworthy your Highness acceptance but to pursue my Discourse continued Julian finding how pleasing what he said was to the Dutchess after the Captain of the Ship had fully satisfied him in all circumstances which so nearly concerned him but how can you expect said my Master to find the Prince you are in search of when by a long absence his Contenance is not known to any of you 't is true replied the Captain neither my self nor any in this Ship know him but should any but the true Prince declare himself such when he arrived in Sicily there are enew who are acquainted with him then said my Master as soon as you arrive in Sicily be assured you shall have a certain intelligence where he is The Captain and all his Company overjoyed at news so little expected from that moment directed their Coarse homewards and being favoured with a fair wind in few days came to an Anchor under the Walls of Messina my Master all that while keeping himself concealed and going a-shore with the Captain they went together to the Councel which upon their landing they heard was sitting but before they entred into the Palace some of my Masters former acquaintance seeing and knowing him immediately the news ran through the whole City that their King was returned which being soon confirmed on all hands never were acclamations greater than the Sicilians expressed at that time The Counsel the next day resigned the Government into his hands and not many after he was solemnly Crowned But that his happiness might not be too compleat while he was solicitous in setling the affairs of State that he might hasten his Voyage hither to lay his Crown at your Feet a sudden information deprived him of all that joy he thought incapable of interruption for a Ship arriving in the Port from Mantua the King commanded the Captain of her to attend him that he might inquire some news of your Highness the ignorant Seaman told him the common Discourse of this place was that your marriage would speedily be consummated with the Prince of Mayorca who a few days before his departure was arrived there for the effecting of it The occasion of this report I presume your Highness knows was grounded upon the magnificent appearance of that Prince in your Court with hopes of accomplishing his design but finding how averse you was to the alteration of your condition soon returned with disappointment to his own Country The information my Prince received from the deceived Captain was as he told me an affliction too sensible to be expressed and he has since condemned himself for being so weak as to upbraid you of inconstancy though he confessed the reason you had to believe him long before dead might be a sufficient excuse for your making choice of so considerable a Prince to be your Husband however this disturbance and the assurance of your being anothers made him negligent of sending to acquaint you either that he was living or of the alteration Heaven was pleased to make in his condition and in this State I found his affairs when I arrived at Sicily having after I departed from your Highness spent a month at Sea in a fruitless search till coming in sight of that Island more out of a desire to see the Country had given birth to my Lord than any expectation of hearing any thing concerning him I put into the Harbour and going a-shore I was informed by some persons I met on the strand what a general joy the Islanders were filled with upon the return of their long absent King who was Crowned a few days before and being offered by them to be brought to his presence which I accepted your Highness may please to guess how much I was surprized to find my Master in the person of their King his goodness was always too great to me to be forgotten by him so that I was
was perswaded to conceal me in a Closet near her Chamber but as I was following her to it we were suspended by a great Noise and Bustle in the House and hearing it was made by the Officers who came in search of me not adventuring to let me go farther into the House by her direction I stept into a little Room near the Garden Door which she Lock'd upon me and went away to learn the occasion of the Families being up again I continued there two hours without the return of my Mistriss which began to Create new Fears in me So that I resolved to go out and make my escape the way I had come in but feeling in the dark for the Door I met with one that had a Spring-Lock which opened into another Room of the House and adventuring forwards into it seeing the Reflexion of a dim Light thorow the Crannies of another Door I opened it softly and was amazed to behold in the middle of a large Hall the Corps of a Man laid out with the Mantle of the Order of Calatrava upon him I was doubtful whether it should be Celauro or Estella's Brother both being Knights of the same Habit whose house I had learned from Narcissa it was she resided then in As I was standing in that suspence this strange Accident had put me in I saw a Woman Lighting Narcissa and Estella into the Hall so that fearful of being seen I made a shift to get back to my Prison and shut my self up not being able to open the Door I came first in at that I might have escaped thorow the garden The remainder of the Night and all the next Morning I continued in my Confinement more fearful of occasioning any Blemish to Narcissa's Honour by my appearance than out of any apprehension of the Danger my Life might be exposed to in the house of an Enemy but about Noon all the Doubts my mind was Agitated with were removed by seeing my Mistriss enter the Room and shutting the Door upon her after having some time given way to her Tears Ah Felicius said she to me how unlucky has your Hand been in proving the Occasion of that Grief fills the House we are in Estela's Brother is dead and was brought in last night from the place where you told me a Man had fallen by your Sword the Officers of Justice have been ever since in Search of his Murderer which as hitherto I must hope will continue unsuccesful for my Brother has so devoted himself to Revenge his Death that should You be known for the Author of it the Animosities of our Families would be renewed afresh and I must certainly for ever loose one I cannot hate Her grief would let her say no more and I endeavoured to dispel it with all the Arguments I could solemnly vowing to imploy the Life she preserved from the Violence of her Friends in a perpetual Adoration of her which Assurance she requited in letting me know Love had taken no weak possession of her Breast and that I could no way oblige her more than in being careful of a Life was more than indifferent to her in Order to which she resolved I should continue where I was till Night and then advised me for some time to leave the City I having not appeared publickly in it for many days before and having given me some Fruit she brought with her left me till an hour within night when bearing me Company to the farther side of the Garden our separation likely to be long was sufficiently afflictive As soon as I found my self at Liberty without farther delay I left the City and by Day-break reached my Country-house in Peniaflor having walked five Leagues that Night my Friend Alvaro was got thither before me who told me that hearing the noise in the street was made upon the unhappy young Mans Death whom he concluded I had killed and fearing if the adjacent houses should be search'd for the Murderer his Mistris's Reputation would be as much endangered as his own Person he went out into the Street and getting safe by the Crowd called at my house but learning nothing of me he took Horse and came to my Country-house hoping to find me having left his Servant Lisardo behind to bring us word the next day what was discoursed in the City about the Nights Rancounter But several days past without our receiving any considerable Information and growing impatient as Alvaro was to see Cassandra who had sent for him he went back to Alicant to make her a Visit and returning two days after I learnt from him that my Mistriss was with all her Fathers Family at their Country-House but were very suddenly to remove to a house he had newly bought in the City The same Evening no longer able to brook my tedious deprivation from her with Alvaro only in my Company we Rode to the Wood where I had first seen her and having assumed my antient rustick Disguise while my Friend stayed with our Horses I went towards Don Fernando's Lodge and a little from the Gate of it saw her walking with her Brother and several other Gentlemen leaning on the Arm of her beloved Cousin Estela Although I was careful of approaching too near them my adored Narcissa soon knew me and as I guessed by her Direction Estela coming from her towards me Shepheard said she with a low Voice the lost Lamb you seek may be found near the Garden-door about Midnight and immediately turning back to her Company I carelesly withdrew and finding Alvaro in the Wood where I left him gave him an Account of my Fortune And resting our selves under a Tree till the time was appointed by Estela we went together towards the Lodg leaving our Horses tied in a private place as soon as I came to the Garden Door finding it open just as I stept in my Mistriss and Estela met me who withdrawing a little way from us gave me all the freedome I could desire of assuring Narcissa that nothing but an insupportable Absence from her could be an affliction to me her kindness I found was not at all lessened by it and before we parted I learn'd from her that a Marriage was suddenly design'd between her Brother Celauro and Estela in Order to which her Father was removing to live in Alicant and withal that what I feared of her being designed for Leriano was come to nothing but that we were to expect more trouble how to disappoint Grotillus a worthy young Gentleman whose Addresses could not be more rejected by her than they were approved of by old Fernando however to prevent so long an absence for the future and that we might at leisure consult about the management of our Affairs she promised me to entertain an acquaintance with Cassandra Alvaro's Mistriss and by her to let me know how I should come to the Speech of her when in Alicant and telling me Estela was ignorant still of her Brothers Murderer she brought me to