obscure a place and curiously observing each grace and feature to which was added a natural modesty and simplicity of behaviour was wholly ravish'd in the contemplation of her Beauty and vow'd to himself he would be Master of her affections how dear soever it cost him No sooner had Mortaign entertain'd these thoughts but a lucky opportunity and most favourable to his designs offer'd it self for Mollard told him that he rented a small Tenement of De Coucy who now su'd him for two Heriots and therefore intreated his good word to his Father in his behalf which he promis'd and with thanks for his kind reception departed Under pretence of discourse and business with Mollard Mortaign made frequent visits to Iosselina whose Chastity he attempted with variety of Gifts and Presents which she modestly refus'd to accept upon so dishonourable terms and assur'd him that as a chast and virtuous Reputation was the greatest part of her Fortune so she would never exchange it for the infamous portion of shame and misery Mortaign was now out of all hopes of success but rather than miss his aim was resolv'd to play his last stake and promise Marriage and accordingly told her that notwithstanding the inequality of their Birth and Fortunes he would condescend to marry her provided she would first permit him to enjoy his desire Iosselina flattering her self with the hopes of advancement consented to it and now finding her self with child which her Father likewise discover'd to his great grief and sorrow advertis'd Mortaign of it who one night stole her away from her Father's and sent her ten leagues off from Durency to a poor Kinswomans house of his where she was deliver'd of a fair lusty Boy Calintha Mortaign's Mother who knew nothing of these passages advised him to marry and proposes a match to Monsieur De Vassey the Seneschal of La Palisse between his only Daughter Madamoyselle La Varina and her eldest Son Mortaign The Parents readily concluded and upon sight the young Couple agreed so that it was now generally reported the Marriage would be suddenly solemniz'd This News startl'd Iosselina who considering she must look to her self being now dis-inherited by her Father and having no Friend left to assist or advise her she resolves to write Mortaign a Letter to re-mind him of his promise and desire some relief for her self and her Son Josselina to Mortaign YOU prevail'd upon my Honour with the sacred promise of making me your Wife 't is true I credulously believ'd your Oaths and consented to my shame but it was under the solemn pretence of Marriage and though we wanted the Ceremony yet Heaven is witness to the Contract which now you resolve to violate What though the sweetness of my Youth and the freshness of my Beauty have now lost their charming powers over you yet methinks the innocent smiles of that lively Image you have left to my care should raise some pity in your breast But if you will not advance my Fortunes yet make not shipwrack of my Life as you have of my Chastity and since all my support must proceed from you it will be high ingratitude in you to deny her Maintenance who hath given you a Son and extreme cruelty not to allow the poor Babe wherewith to live who receiv'd his life and being from You. I hope you will prove more natural to Him and more charitable to Me otherwise be assured that such unkindness will never be long unpitied of men or unpunish'd of God Josselina With this to Mortaign she sent another of the same effect to his Mother Calintha which they receiv'd when he as an unworthy Gentleman triumphs in his sin and mocks at her poverty and will neither relieve her or the Child but burns the Letter without any further concern at it Calintha's malice was so great that she not only refus'd to assist them her self but commands him that he should not supply them with any conveniencies and heartily wishes them both in another world At the hearing of this cruel News Iosselina fell into a swoon and had not some accidental assistance came in she had then ended her life and misery together Barbarous Calintha understanding in this interim poor Iosselina's residence was so devilishly bent against her that she persuaded her Landlady in a dark and cold night to turn her and the Child out of doors and suffer her to have no other shelter but the ground for her bed and the Heavens for her covering In this distressed condition with the unfortunate Babe in her arms she wander'd all night through the fields and places unknown when by the morning light she discovered a Village which she knew where she sold her cloaths from her back to relieve her self and her Child Here she continued some time in great extremity when at last forc'd by meer want and necessity she acquainted some persons with her sad and deplorable condition who advis'd to send Mortaign his Son home and provide for her self This was not so secretly discours'd but it came to the ears of La Varina Mortaign's Mistress at La Plaisse who presently withdrew her affection from him and her Father his respect which Mortaign perceiving and imagining it was upon the account of Iosselina swore he would destroy both her and her Son and the better to dissemble his design he gave orders that she should be lodg'd in a better Inn where she was furnish'd with all necessaries and further sent her word that he had provided a Nurse for his Son and would shortly send his Lacquey for him and take more particular care for her support and maintenance if she would keep things private to her self Iosselina was much rejoyced hereat and within three days Mortaign sent his Lacquey Le Verdure for the Babe which with many tears and kisses she delivered to him Le Verdure following his Masters command and being now four leagues from Villepont strangles the pretty Infant whil'st it smil'd in his face and wrapping it in a linen cloth threw it into the River Lignon Mortaign being thus rid of the Son makes a bargain with Le Palma Iosselina's Host and his Lacquey Le Verdure for 200 Franks to stifle the Mother in her bed which they perform'd and buried her body in the Garden As soon as these Villains had perpetrated this cruel murther they went over to Durency to give Mortaign an account and receive their reward which having done they continued several days together frolicking and drinking when at last Le Palma went home to Villepont to his Wife Isabella who being an old woman and he a young man she was jealous of his stay supposing he went out in company with Iosselina whereupon she entertain'd him with this salutation Le Palma quoth she you are very unkind so soon to forsake your Where Josselina For which he gave her the lye call'd her Whore and exprest himself highly passionate and angry She continued her railing and provok'd him to that degree
compleat Pattern of Vertue and Learning and the only Phaenix of her Age and Sex The Care and Industry of Dribellus was soon discovered by the great Improvement of his Pupil which Patricius was no less sensible of and constantly encouraged with his bountiful Hand Twelve Months were now passed in which Dribellus by his obliging behaviour had equally charm'd the tender Affections of Petronella and won the good Opinion of her Father and Mother both highly commended his modest Carriage and sweetness of Temper from whose indefatigable pains they hoped to reap those great advantages his studious Labours so fairly promised The constant society of Dribellus with Petronella had now endear'd them to each other and the unhappy Flames of Love warm'd their Breasts with mutual Kindness and Respect which Dribellus no sooner discovered by the languishing Looks of Petronella but he resolved if possible to raise a future Fortune there where at first he only expected a present Support and Maintainance To this end he courted all Opportunities to enjoy her Company and frequently exchanged his Lectures of Rhetorick for the more pleasing discourses of Love which he soon found were no less acceptable to his Mistress than the other had been grateful to his Pupill Thus they continued for some time courting each other with Amorous Glances and melancholly Sighs the dumb but powerful Rhetorick of bashful Lovers till at last Dribellus in express Terms discovered his Passion to her at which she seemed very much surprized but having recovered her self told him she had been always very sensible of his great Respects to her in those diligent Instructions she received from him which though she was in no capacity to retaliate she would never forget and hoped the Bounty and Generosity of her Parents would in some measure answer his Merits whilst she could only reward him with a Thankful acknowledgement Dribellus who well knew the great Wit of Petronella could not mistake the true sence and meaning of his discourse though her Prudence and Modesty diverted it to another Subject presently reply'd Dribellus has no such haughty Thoughts of his past Service to think he ever could oblige the fair Petronella or in the least deserve a return of that sincere Affection he professes to her I love my fairest Petronella I leve and no reward is valuable with me but what gives me your Heart or robs me of my Life if your Kindness bids me live I live your Servant or your frown at the same minute commands me to dye your Martyr Petronella blush'd and what Modesty would not suffer her to utter in words she spoke in her languishing eyes and abrupt sighs live Dribellus live and let that cruel Maid be for ever forsaken who bids her lover dye At this Dribellus took Heart and pursued his Amours with so vigorous an Attaque that the Lady made a willing Surrender and promised that the Heart he had so bravely conquered should ever be the Trophy of his Victory Dribellus having thus gain'd an assurance of Petronella's Affections endeavoured by all means to fix it beyond the Power or Cause of ill Fortune and accordingly some few days after finding Petronella in the Garden began an Assault upon her Vertue with all the specious pretensions of Affection that Love could inspire him with Petronella who had already yielded up her heart to Dribellus thought the sacred trust of her Honours might be reposed in the same Breast with equal security Thus with kind Caresses and wanton Dalliances did this subtil Thief rob her of the Flower of her Virginity and with the sighs and denials of a languishing Maid she at last exchanged the native Innocence of her Soul and Vertue of her Mind for Shame Folly and Dishonour This was the first step they made in those crooked Paths of Wickedness which they afterwards so much delighted in who by the frequent Repetition of their unlawful Pleasures were now grown so careless and secure as if they gloried in their sins and were neither sensible of their shame nor apprehensive of the punishment which with a silent pace constantly pursues the lustful Criminal Before this was discovered by any of her Relations a young Gentleman who lived at Larissa the Birth-place of Achilles not far from Oeta whose Name is Polissus the eldest Son of Abridatus a Gentleman of very considerable Estate and Family was recommended to her Father as a Person who would be a very suitable Match for his Daughter who with a very handsome Equipage was now come over to Hypata to court her Fame had spoke loud of the Perfections of Petronella both in Body and Mind and after some days Converse found himself absolutely conquered by the Charms of her Witand Conversation which were more irresistible than those of her Face and Beauty in both which she appeared so illustrious that Polissus was straight made a Prisoner by her and fast fettered in the golden Chains of Love This gave the Lovers an unexpected disturbance who with Sighs and Tears express the present Trouble and Anguish of their Minds they curse the coming of Polissus and charge him as the sole Author of their Unhappiness and Misery Dribellus looks on him with Envy and Petronella with Disdain she could not willingly afford him one amorous glance all her smiles were counterfeit and the best Entertainment she could give him was upon force and constraint whil'st he sighs and throws himself at her Feet without moving her to the least Pity or Compassion but Polissus grew daily into the favour of her Parents though he found little progress in the heart of the Daughter and although Patricius himself interposed his Paternal Authority to recommend him to her Affections told her of his Riches and fair Possessions the Nobility of his Family and his Personal Endowments yet she slighted and contemned him and one day told her Mother that though she did allow Polissus to be a compleat Gentleman yet it was impossible for her to act so great a violence upon her self as to force her Affections to love that Person she ever had an aversion to and should think her self more happy in the cold Arms of Death than the Embraces of that Husband that she could not affect The Mother moved with the Tears of her Daughter took pity on her but her Father being of a more stern and austere Nature grew enraged at her denial and was so far from admitting her impertinent Reasonings that he resolved to force her to compliance and not suffer her longer to resist his Will and Pleasure and to that end dispatched a Messenger to Abridatus Polissus his Father in order to seâ—tle all things for the intended Marriage Patricius finding all his Endeavours fruitless and his Daughter so perverse and obstinate that neither his Threats could force her or his Endearments win her began to consider with himself what could be the true cause of her Contumacy and Dislike he saw nothing in the Person or Behaviour of Polissus
though more private in his Sins which at last were punish'd by a cruel and ignominious Death Amongst the variety of lewd Women whose Company and acquaintance were his only Pleasure and Delight Favonia was one a common Strumpet and as notoriously infamous as any of her Profession who considering the great Estate Erasto would be Master of upon the Death of his Father resolv'd to make the best advantage of him and by counterfeiting a Religious Sorrow and Penitence for 〈◊〉 miscarriages of her former Life to gain him for 〈◊〉 Husband or else absolutely rerefuse him those eâ—â—oyments he so passionately longed for Erasto attempted her with noble Presents and richer 〈…〉 would consent to his Desires which she slighâ—â—d with scorn and contempt telling him that all the Glories of Rome laid at her Feet should never prevail upon her fix'd Resolution to Honour and Vertue and that as her more youthful days had been prodigally spent in the Pleasures of Sin and Wickedness so now her riper Age and the whole remainder of her Life should be intirely dedicated to Vertue and Goodness Erasto pursued her with all the Temptations his Suit and Fancy could invent but still in vain whereupon he at last consented to marry her which was privately solemnized by Father Iacomo the Priest to the great Satisfaction of Favonia and the utter Ruin of Erasto Two months this Marriage was conceal'd from Rigidoro but he at last was acquainted with it and charged Erasto with the Truth of what he had heard that he had married Favonia the most impudent Courtezan in all Rome Erasto acknowledged that he was married and without his advice or consent for which he humbly begg'd his Pardon that the Person he had married was call'd Favonia but chast and vertuous as the most modest Nun and however her Reputation had been formely stain'd she had washt out those Spots with Tears and Repentance and though possibly she had been loose and dissolute in her Virgin State she was now a most loving Chast and Vertuous Wife Rigidoro was so highly provok'd to hear his Son vindicate Favonia's Fame and justifie his own Errour that he immediately turn'd him out of Doors and disinherited him telling him with a deep Oath he would rather give his whole Estate to the Lazaretto than relieve his utmost Distresses with the least expression of common Charity or Kindness Erasto acquainted Favonia with Rigidoro's Cruelty saying if he continued his severity toward him he cancell'd all his Obligations of Duty and Respect to him by his barbarous and inhumane Usage and that he would Study a Revenge which should make him as miserable as himself And being now reduc'd to great Poverty and Want and finding his Father inexorable notwithstanding he endeavour'd a Reconciliation by a most profound Submission to him owning his Fault and begging his Pardon for his Offence resolv'd with his own hand to Murder him in the Street rather than see him live in a plentiful and prosperous Estate whilst he starv'd for want of Bread Thus the Devil encourag'd him to the most villanous Sin of Parricide without any prospect of Happiness to himself but as he gratified present Revenge by destroying that Life from whence he had receiv'd his own and since to live miserably is the most grievous punishment of Life he resolv'd a violent Death should make his Father as unhappy as he was wretched To this end he watch'd frequently in the dark of the Evening over against Rigidoro's House and seeing him come forth without any Attendance followed him and suddenly ran his Rapier in at his Back quite through his Body upon which Rigidoro fell to the Ground Dead and Erasto made his Escape Presently after the Body was found and within three days decently buried great search was made for the Murtherers but no Person discovered on whom they could fix the Guilt Erasto who was constantly haunted with the Terrors of an evil Conscience and the dread of that Punishment he had so justly deserv'd fled aboard one of the Popes Galleys which was bound for Sicily and was afterwards taken by two Turks Men of War belonging to Tunis and all the Seamen and Passengers who surviv'd the Fight which was very bloody either made Slaves aboard their own Vessels or dispos'd to Land-Servitude amongst whom Erasto was sold ashore to Barbarossa a Person of principal Note and Command in Tunis Erasto had now leisure to reflect on the vitious and wicked Courses of his former Life and particularly on the bloody and inhumane Murther of his Father which he now saw in some measure punish'd by the Miseries of his present Condition which wrought Complaint Sorrow for the Evils he now suffer'd under rather than a true and sincere Penitence for his notorious Offences But though Barbarossa his Patron was severe and cruel Adulla his Wife was more kind to him and often when her Husband was abroad brought him Victuals into the Garden where he work'd above what was allow'd him or the other Slaves had which Erasto interpreted as a particular Respect and Love to his Person which made her so charitable and bountiful to him and hop'd to improve to a more considerable Advantage The other Slaves grumbled at Adulla's Kindness to Erasto and acquainted Barbarossa with it who presently entertain'd jealous thoughts of his Wife and us'd Erasto with the greater Severity which Adulla being sensible of redoubled her Kindness and upon the first Opportunity exprest her more particular Love to him which Erasto readily Embrac'd promising that no Torments should ever extort a Confession from him of those obliging Favours he receiv'd Their Amorous entertainments had been many and frequent which Barbarossa was not altogether ignorant of but willing that their Crime should be as apparent as he intended their Punishment dissembled his Anger and one day pretending to go abroad conceal'd himself in the House till he had notice by one of the Slaves who was a Spye over all their Actions that Adulla was retir'd to her Chamber and had sent for Erasto who was gone in to her upon which he followed up and surprized them in the very Act. The next day Erasto and Adulla were carried in Chains before the Divan and there accus'd by Barbarossa of Adultery which was so undeniably prov'd against them that Erasto was condemn'd to be flead alive and Adulla delivered to her Husband to be punished as he thought convenient who immediately ordered two of his Slaves to strangle her Thus dyed Erasto miserably at Tunis whilst Favonia return'd to her old profession at Rome and liv'd in all the lewdness and debauchery of a common Strumpet till at last she was infected with the foul Disease and died with Shame and Ignominy in the Burdello's Fornication Incest and Adultery are three Furies with Virgins Faces but their shining Locks are plated Serpents like Syrens they sing Melodiously till they have charm'd us into Misery and made us more ugly in our Natures than the Companions of Ulysses in their
himself The hour being now come and the matter carried secretly that Christineta might not hear of it they post away to the Park where they found Gasparino and Sebastiano when alighting from their Horses they threw off their Doublets and drew their Swords No less doubtful than bloody was the engagement between Gasparino and Pisani when at the third encounter Gasparino run Pisani through the heart at which he fell stark dead to the ground Sebastiano running to congratulate Gasparino for his Victory Sfondrato call'd to him to prepare himself which he did and so with various fortune they fought till providence resolving to make both parties equal losers after they had breath'd three several times Sfondrato run his enemy Sebastiano through the small of the belly and so nail'd him to the ground bearing away his life on the point of his Rapier which done their wounds were dress'd Gasparino fled to Parma and Sfondrato to Florence Christineta at the News hereof was infinitely griev'd tore her hair in fury and swore by all the Powers above the death of her beloved Pisani should be reveng'd as deep as it was now lamented Some time after Gasparino having obtain'd his Pardon returns home from whence he began presently to renew his love to Christineta first by Letters then by his Friends and at last in person She dissembling her malice thought this a fit opportunity to be reveng'd on him for the death of Pisani and finding him very earnest in his Sute appoints to meet him in the Nuns Garden at six next morning No sooner was Gasparino gone but she agreed with two Ruffians Bianco and Brindoli for 100 Duckats to murther him Gasparino and Christineta are both early up but with different intents and so are Bianco and Brindoli They all meet she walks in publick they hide themselves in private when immediately in came Gasparino and approaching Christineta with his Hat in his hand to salute her she utter'd these words Gasparino this place I first had conference in with Pisani and here I purpose to have my last with You At which words the Ruffians issued out and killed him but with some noise and resistance Christineta thinking him not dead enough runs to him thrusts her Handkerchief in his mouth and with a Stilletto stabs him many times into the body with this bloody Speech This I sacrifice to the memory of my dear Love Pisani Then throwing the body into the Well of the Garden the Ruffians fled at a Postern and Christineta went to the Nuns Church The Nuns in their Cells having heard the clashing of Swords acquaint the Abbess with it who with other company coming into the Garden found the Postern open saw the Alleys bloody and suspected Murther whereupon she order'd the Garden to be search'd but forgot the Well The Magistrates being advertis'd of it caused enquiry to be made among all the Chyrurgeons who having fresh-wounds came lately to be cur'd Rhanutio a principal Chyrurgeon informed them of Bianco and Brindoli who being both sent for and examin'd how they came by their wounds they said they had a quarreâ— between themselves for which they fought at six in the morning in the Nuns Garden at St. Clare which agreeing with the relation of the Nuns all was ended But Gasparino having been now missing from his Lodgings two whole nights which his Lacquey confirm'd upon examination with some other circumstances of suspicion the Judges order'd Bianco and Brindoli to be imprison'd examin'd and tortur'd which they stoutly bore without confessing any thing The Garden was again search'd and the Well which was neglected before when letting down their hooks they brought up some pieces of wrought black Taffata which Gasparino's Lacquey did affirm his Master wore when he last saw him and searching more narrowly they brought up the dead body with thirteen several wounds whereupon all concluded Bianco and Brindoli guilty A little Boy standing by ask'd what cloth that was in his mouth which being pull'd out was found to be a Cambrick Handkerchief with Christineta's Name upon it Upon this she was apprehended in the midst of her pleasures but upon examination deny'd she knew any thing of his death until she was adjudg'd to the Rack when she confessed the fact and that in revenge of Pisani's death she had hired Bianco and Brindoli to murder him for 100 Crowns The Ruffians were condemn'd to have their right hands cut off and then to be hang'd and their bodies thrown into the River Po. Christineta was first hang'd and then burnt and her ashes thrown into the Air which Executions were perform'd to the great satisfaction of Justice and all the spectators May all Christians read this History with a holy dread and remember it with horror and detestation If thou wilt shun the Punishment be sure to avoid the Crime for if the wages of sin is Death sure none but a Madman will lay out his pains to be so rewarded HIST. III. Mortaign and Josselina Mortaign deluding Josselina with promise of marriage gets her with child and then causes his Lacquey Le Verdure and Le Palma her Host to murder her and her Son Isabella Le Palma's Wife by her jealousie of her Husband discovers the murther upon which they are all taken and executed NOt far from the City of Lyons in France near Darency a small Countrey Village dwelt an honest Farmer call'd Andrew Mollard who being a Widower had one only Daughter named Iosselina whom he intended for his Heir a Maid of that blooming Beauty that she was justly call'd Iosselina the Fair. Within a league of Mollard's house dwelt a rich Gentleman who had several Children of which the eldest was Mortaign but young in years though of great hopes and nobly educated in the Families of several Persons of Honour Mortaign having now liv'd some years in Paris was desirous to see his Father De Coucye who was both aged and sickly as also to be present at the Nuptials of one of his Sisters who was to be married to a Gentleman of Avergne The Wedding being over and Mortaign weary of the diversions of the Countrey resolves upon his return to Paris but the night before his departure De Coucy fell dangerously sick of a burning Feaver which for the present put a stop to his journey During his stay in the Countrey as he was walking one day in the Fields he sprung a Pheasant which flying to the next Woods he sent for his Hawk but having rang'd far and near for several hours in quest of his Game which he could not recover he grew very thirsty and ' spying Mollard's house at a distance made up to it Mortaign seeing a man in the Vineyard demanded if he might have any Wine there Mollard answer'd Yes and guessing by his face who he was courteously invited him into his house where being set down he sent his Daughter Iosselina for Wine and what other homely Dainties his house afforded Mortaign admiring to see so fair a Maid in so
of impatience that he struck her a box on the ear which fell'd her dead to the ground upon this noise the Neighbours came in and supposing his Wife dead apprehended Le Palma and carried him before the Procurer Fiscal of La Palisse who committed him to Prison Isabella being recover'd complains to the Fiscal of her Husbands cruelty towards her gives a true account of the occasion of the quarrel adding that if Josselina is not her Husbands Strumpet she believes he is her Murtherer of which her Maid can say more Iaquela the Maid upon examination declar'd That her Master Le Palma and Le Verdure were together at midnight in Josselina 's Chamber and since she was never heard of Le Palma being charg'd with these points deny'd every syllable that he neither was in her Chamber nor knew what was become of her but being judg'd to the Rack confessed the Murther in the several particulars Sergeants were presently sent to Mortaign and Le Verdure they met the Lacquey in the way and seiz'd his Master in bed Le Verdure upon the torment confessed the murther of Iosselina and her Son and Mortaign being examin'd with great penitence owned the guilt he was charg'd withal whereupon Le Palma was condemn'd to be hang'd and burnt Le Verdure to be broken on the Wheel and his body thrown into the River Lignon and Mortaign to be broken on the Wheel his body burnt and his ashes to be thrown into the Air which on a Market-day was accordingly executed in La Palisse Let all Maidens learn to preserve their Chastity by the example of Josselina and men by Le Verdure and Le Palma not to shed innocent blood for the lucre of money and by the lamentable end of Mortaign to be less inhumane bloody and lascivious HIST. IV. Alsemero and Beatrice-Joanna Beatrice-Joanna causeth de Flores to murder Alonso Piracquo who was a Suter to her that she might marry with Alsemero who being wedded to her and finding her in Adultery with de Flores kills them both Alsemero afterwards treacherously kills Thomaso Piracquo in a Duel for which being beheaded the murther of Alonso is discovered and punish'd NOt many years since at the City of Valentia in Spain lived Don Pedro de Alsemero a young and Noble Cavalier who wholly applying himself to the Wars added to his own plentiful Estate as large a share of Honour and Reputation This Gentleman whose temper altogether inclin'd to Martial affairs resolv'd to leave his own Countrey now in peace and enter himself into the Society of the Valiant Knights of Malta and accordingly went to Alicant where he stay'd in expectation of a favourable wind During his abode here going one morning to Church he observ'd a young Lady kneeling over-against him with whose Beauty he was so surpriz'd that it was difficult to determine whether Love or Devotion more inflam'd his heart and inspir'd his thoughts Mass being ended he enquir'd of the Priest who this Lady was her Name and Quality The Priest told him She is Daughter to Don Diego de Vermandero Captain of the Castle and her Name Donna Beatrice-Ioanna The next morning Alsemero rose early and went to the same Church in hopes fortune would bless him with a second sight of her whose charming Graces had already so far prevail'd upon him when entring the Quire he saw her upon her knees at prayers in the same place Alsemero who thought himself extremely blest with so lucky an opportuity resolved to improve it to the best advantage and kneeling down by her not having the patience to wait till Mass was ended whisper'd his affections in her ear interrupting her Devotions with his amorous Complements vowing to live and die her affectionate Servant The Lady check'd his bold Address with a modest reprehension which Prayers being ended Alsemero renew'd with all the passionate expressions of a vigorous Lover and after several refusals at last prevail'd to wait upon her to the Castle where the Captain her Father received him with all imaginable respect and in return for his civilities to his Daughter shew'd him the rarities and strength of the Fort. Alsemero continued his addresses to the Lady by frequent visits which the Captain her Father seem'd to encourage by a generous and courtly reception In Alicant liv'd a young Gentleman of Noble Extract and plentiful Estate whose name was Alonso Piracquo a compleat Courtier and passionately in love with Beatrice-Ioanna Piracquo who had a long time conceal'd his affection resolves now to make a visit to Vermandero and acquaint him with his passion for his Daughter which he accordingly did Vermandero receiv'd him with all the demonstrations of respect and kindness thank'd him for the favour he did him in his honourable proposals which he highly approved of and was of nothing more ambitious than an alliance with a person of so great worth and merit Thus we see Alsemero rivall'd in his pretensions to his Mistress by an unknown Cavalier but however though Piracquo had gain'd the Father Alsemero had already won the Daughter who carried her self with that prudence and respect to Piracquo that he liv'd in hopes whil'st Alsemero had the assurance of her love and affection Vermandero after some time understanding the inclinations of Beatrice-Ioanna which more respected Alsemero than Piracquo now declared himself in behalf of Piracquo and with an austere look commanded her to direct her affections accordingly which she not observing he withdrew himself to his Countrey-house at Briamata and took her privately along with him Piracquo had here the opportunity of courting his Mistress which was deny'd Alsemero who had already gain'd the Fort which Piracquo in vain endeavoured to storm Piracquo made his constant visits whil'st Alsemero could only sollicite by Letters which were powerful enough to preserve the heart he had already obtained Several Letters had passed between Alsemero and Beatrice-Ioanna without the privity of Vermandero when the last told him That as he was sole master of her affections so she earnestly coveted his company which she desired that evening at eleven when she would acquaint him with a secret which concern'd them both Alsemero upon this advice took post and arriv'd at the hour appointed when going privately into Vermandero's house he found Diaphanta her waiting Gentlewoman attending his coming who directed him to Beatrice-Ioanna's Chamber And here with the Readers leave I 'll draw the Curtain before those amorous Complements and more familiar Dalliances with which the Lovers entertained themselves In discourse Beatrice-Ioanna cast out some doubtful expressions to this purpose That before Piracquo was in another world there was no hopes for him to enjoy her for his Wife in this Alsemero presently understood the sense of it and offer'd to send him a Challenge and fight him which she would by no means admit of and desired him to leave Alicant for a short time and return to Valentia and for the rest says she repose your self upon my constancy and affection The
Piracquo not suspecting any treachery threw away his Sword too and with the same civility addressed himself to Alsemero who suddenly drew his Pistols out of his pocket and shot the one through his head and the other through his breast upon which Piracquo cry'd out O Villain O Traytor and fell down dead The News of this murther with the treachery and flight of Alsemero was presently known and the Criminal Judges ordered a speedy pursuit after him in the midst of his hast his Horse fell with him and broke his fore-leg and Alsemero's right arm when endeavouring to escape on foot he was presently overtaken and surrounded by six horse-men against whom he defended himself like a Gentleman and a Souldâ—â—r when at last his Rapier being broke he was forced to yield himself their Prisoner Thus was he brought a pitied spectacle to Alicant where he was condemned to lose his head and being upon the Scaffold and seeing no hopes of life he discovered Don Alonso Piracquo's murther by De Flores in all its circumstances protesting his own innocency only in the concealment of it Of which the Judges being advised they caused his head to be taken off for Thomaso and his body to be thrown into the Sea for concealing Alonso's murther and the bodies of De Flores and Beatrice-Ioanna to be taken out of their Graves and burnt at the common place of execution and their ashes thrown into the Air. Thus we see the Iustice of Heaven will at last overtake the bold offender and though he seems at present to triumph in sin and praise the success of his iniquity yet let him consider the end of it will be bitter and that though God does forbear yet he will not forgive without a sincere repentance HIST. V. Sypontus and Victorina Victorina causeth Sypontus to murder her first Husband Souranza which is strangely discovered and Sypontus executed Afterwards she poysons her second Husband Fassino for which her Maid Felicia being condemned and upon the point of Execution her innocency is cleared by a miraculous discovery of the truth and Victorina hang'd and burnt IN the Reign of Leonardo Donato Duke of Venice there lived a worthy Gentleman called Seignior Iacomo Beraldi who had one Daughter named Donna Victorina a young Gentlewoman rich noble and fair and courted by several persons of the first rank and quality in Venice Amongst other sutors Seignior Sypontus was most esteemed by the Lady but having lately suffered great losses by the Turks her Father recommended Seignior Souranza to her affections who as he was of a far greater Estate so was he now in his declining age and wanted those warmer Charms which the youthful Sypontus was blest withal and the sprightly Victorina most affected However her Parents forc'd her affections to submit to their will and within few days she was married to Souranza but Sypontus to use the Venetian phrase was her Enamorato and she his Courtizana Victorina now grew so notoriously vitious that she perfectly hated her Husband and wish'd him every day in another world which she often hinted to Sypontus but he seem'd to take no notice of it till one day hearing of two great losses which had befallen him in the Levant Seas which amounted to at least 70000 Checchines and knowing Souranza to be very rich he resolv'd to make himself master of his Estate by murdering him and marrying his Wife This was concluded on and three days after Souranza going to his house of pleasure near Padua upon the bank of the River Brenta Sypontus hired two Watermen to assasinate him who being sworn to secrecy as Souranza return'd after three days stay in the close of the evening Sypontus in disguise entred his Boat and with his Ponyard stabb'd him to the Heart cut off his Nose and Beard that he might not be known and threw him into the Sea and the Waterman after him that he might tell no tales and making hast home sent this Letter to Victorina Sypontus to Victorina My dearest Victorina I Have begun and ended a business which infinitely imports your good and my content The party hath drunk his fill of White and Claret and is now gone to his eternal rest I hope a little time will wipe off your Tears and confirm our Ioys Iudge by this the sincerity of my love who will rather endanger my life and hazard my hopes of a future Heaven to enjoy the present Paradice of your Company We must for a time refrain each others company that we may the sooner meet and embrace with more content and less danger Sypontus Victorina was extremely pleased at the News but the better to hide her malice began to complain of her Husbands long stay and sent a Nephew of his own to see how he did who brought word that he was come from thence four days before and that after all the enquiry he had made he could hear nothing of him Victorina appear'd all in tears and griev'd above measure for fear any mischance had befallen him What she did in appearance his friends did in reality when word was brought that a dead body was taken up by some Fishermen and landed at St. Mark 's Stairs Seignior Souranza the Nephew went presently to the place and observing the body more curiously at last espy'd a red spot in the Neck and a Wart under the left Eye-lid by which marks he was too well assured it was the body of his Uncle Seignior Baptista Souranza The body was decently interred and Victorina remained the most disconsolate Widow in the World Souranza the Nephew who had formerly made some observations on the carriage and behaviour of Victorina vehemently suspected her of this Murther and for the more effectual discovery enquires of Felicia Victorina's waiting Gentlewoman what persons most frequently visited her Lady when she nam'd Sypontus that he sent her many Letters and that there was much love and familiarity between them Souranza conjur'd her to intercept some of their Letters which she promised to do and in a short time after being sent to fetch her Lady a pair of Romish Gloves she opened an Ivory Box where she found the Letter which Sypontus sent to her Souranza having read the Letter accused Sypontus and Victorina of this murther before the Criminal Judges They were examined but deny'd the Fact and disown'd the Letter upon which they were separately committed to Prison Sypontus suspecting the discovery of this Letter was by the treachery of Victorina sent a Letter privately to her in which he charged her with it but she in her answer to him so well cleared her Innocency to his great satisfaction that he now resolved no torments should force him to accuse her The next day he was put to the Rack where he endur'd the torments with admirable constancy but the next day the torments being redoubled upon him he confessed the Letter his and himself guilty of the murther and totally clear'd Victorina Upon this he was condemn'd to lose his head
Children which produced different effects La Frange highly approved and passionately lov'd De Salez whil'st he on the contrary could entertain no thoughts but what show'd his slight and disesteem of her At the same time there was a Nobleman called the Baron of Vaumartin who to repair the Debaucheries of his youth courted La Frange in marriage but more out of respect to her Fortune than affection to her Person and being put off with only verbal complements by De Clugny the Father and La Frange the Daughter was at last acquainted that his sute would be but vain and fruitless for De Salez was that happy person she lov'd and admir'd De Salez was in this interim grown acquainted with Monsieur de Soulange a Gentleman of ' small Estate but blest with three Daughters fam'd for their Beauties thro' the whole City of which the Phaenix was La Hay the youngest De Salez who had contracted a friendship with Monsieur de Soulange that he might have the better colour to visit his Daughters as other young Sparks of the Town did grew passionately in love with La Hay who as she was exceeding beautiful so did she in her mien and behaviour appear with all the graces of modesty and goodness But though in publick she seem'd an unspotted Virgin yet was she in private a professed Courtezan nor was she so secret in her lascivious delights however she obliged her Gallants to conceal her favours but she was suspected of dishonesty by all chast and virtuous persons Amongst others of her Enamorato's De Salez was one who doting on her delicate Complexion and counterfeit Modesty spent all his hours in visits to La Hay and with his best art and policy laid siege to her chastity but such was her subtilty that knowing he lov'd her and was the only Son of a rich Councellor she resolved to decoy him in for her Husband and would not by all his costly Treats and constant sollicitations be won to his embraces and consent to his lustful desires This folly of De Salez and subtilty of La Hay was not manag'd with that privacy but Argentier his Father took notice of it and considering De Soulange's mean Extraction and Poverty and his own Nobility and Wealth was high incensed with De Salez for his courtship to La Hay told him she was a Strumpet and swore if he did not leave her and marry La Frange he would disinherit him and never repute him for his Son But De Salez is resolute in his folly and contemning his Fathers advice privately contracts himself to La Hay and promises as soon as providence shall be so kind to him to call his Father into another World he would consummate the Espousals In the mean time the Baron of Vaumartin seeing all his addresses to La Frange was unsuccesful and his Debts and Creditors growing clamorous upon him resolves with himself that so long as De Salez lives to whom La Frange had entirely devoted her self he must never expect to be happy in her arms and therefore to remove this obstacle concludes to send him a Challenge since it would appear more noble and generous to kill him in the field than privately murder him by Poyson or Ponyard The next day by his Page he sent him this Letter Vaumartin to De Salez IF you seek the cause of my malice you may find it in the Lady La Frange's affection to you and hatred to my self wherefore think it not strange that I command my Pen to invite you and your Sword to meet me at five in the morning to morrow on horse-back without Seconds behind the Jacobins Garden Could that sweet Lady have affected Me more or You less we might have proved as true Friends as now our Reputations conjure us to live or die honourable Enemies Vaumartin De Salez having received and read this Challenge wondred at it considering he neither regarded La Frange nor valued her affection But lest Vaumartin should think by his declining the Combate it was for want of courage to meet him he called the Page and bid him tell his Master he would not fail to breakfast with him at the time and place appointed The morning being come our Champions met bravely mounted with each his Chyrurgeon at the place assigned where they no sooner saw each other but setting Spurs to their Horses they closed furiously and at the third encounter De Salez ran Vaumartin through the body when dropping his Sword his body fell from his Horse stark dead to the ground De Salez galloped to the next Village to dress his wounds and then provided for his safety by flight All persons rejoyced at the good success of De Salez whose Father and Friends with much difficulty at last obtain'd his Pardon But no sooner was De Salez return'd but he renewed his visits to La Hay to the great grief of his Father and dissatisfaction of all his Relations Sometime after Argentier being oblig'd upon some considerable business to go to Paris both advis'd and charg'd De Salez during his absence to forbear his visits to La Hay and for fear he should forget his commands as he was on the way to Paris he writ this Letter and sent it to him Argentier to De Salez IT is out of a religious and fatherly tenderness that I now send thee these lines for thy Youth cannot see what my Age knows how many miseries attend Vice and how many blessings wait on Virtue If La Frange be not fair yet she is not contemptible If therefore thou wilt leave a Saint to marry a Strumpet then take La Hay and forsake La Frange but if thou wilt forsake a Strumpet to marry a Saint then take La Frange and leave La Hay In the First thou shalt find content and honour but in the Second shame and repentance This Letter shall be a witness betwixt God my self and thee that if thou perform not my commands I will deny thee my Blessing and deprive thee of my Lands Argentier De Salez was infinitely troubled at this Letter to see his Mistress disgrac'd and himself oblig'd to so difficult a task that he was not able to hide his discontent from the observance of La Hay who desirous to know the reason of it as he was one day asleep on the Couch she div'd into his pockets where she found his Fathers Letter and having perused the contents with choler awak'd De Salez and with the Letter in her hand called Heaven and Earth to witness her Innocence and the wrong his Father had done her and that whatever he might out of malice or prejudice say or think she hop'd the world entertain'd a more honourable opinion of her whose Virtue was as chast and Reputation as unspotted as the envious and deformed la Frange De Salez at last with the most powerful expressions of the sincerity of his affections to her appeas'd her raging passion and solemnly swore that he would never be prevail'd upon
the Fee-simple of his Mill and within three days with a small Cord steals into her Chamber and strangles her when carrying her to the Mill-boat in the Pond he fastned a piece of a Mill-stone with a strong new Rope to her middle and sunk the body in the deepest part of the Pond The next morning away goes the Miller to tell his young Master what he had done who were both over-joy'd at the success of their Villainy A month was scarce past when Moreni La Valere's second Husband with some other Gentlemen his Friends had a mind to hunt a Duck and made choice of this very Mill-pond for their sport where the Duck and two Dogs are no sooner in but coming to the place where Lucia was sunk and tied they leâ—t the Duck and howl'd and bark'd at each other without stirring thence which the Gentlemen observing they presently imagined that some body was drown'd there but before they proceed to search they intend to make a second tryal after dinner and for that time call'd off their Spaniels At their return the Dogs do as they did in the morning which confirms their jealousie so they desired to draw up the Sluce and let the water out of the Pond which the guilty Miller refused to do upon which the Gentlemen seem'd to desist and went into the Mill to play at Cards for Wine which the Miller offer'd to fetch from the Town there being none nearer and when he was gone they drew up the Sluce and by that time the water was half out they saw the dead body float but the face was so mangl'd and disfigur'd by the Fish it was impossible to know the person They all concluded the Miller guilty whom they apprehended at his return and shut him up in his Mill till the body was own'd which not long after happened by her Father and Mother who knew her cloaths and affirm'd it to be their Daughter Lucia Mâ—reni rid to Roan and acquainted the Judges with this deplorable fact who sent for the Miller and examin'd him of the same murther which he deny'd and forswore whereupon he was order'd to the Rack at sight whereof he confessed himself to be the sole author and acter in this murther and spoke not a word of Pharamond whereupon he was adjudg'd to the Scorpions to know if any person was accessary with him but he not able to endure the cruelty of that torment confessed that his young Master Monsieur Pharamond hired him to strangle Lucia for which he gave him the Fee-simple of his Mill. Upon this Mercot was condemned to be broken alive on the Wheel but execution was deferr'd till Pharamond was taken who was then gon to Morleaux At his return he was suddenly apprehended and imprisoned and upon hearing his Indictment read and Mercot's Confession presently acknowledged the Fact for which he was condemned the next day to be beheaded when mounting the Scaffold he first publickly own'd the murther of Lucia and then confessed he hir'd Prochier to poyson his Brother De Bushie and had contracted with him for three hundred Crowns more to poyson La Valere which he had effected had not Providence preserved her by punishing him with so sudden a death For which he heartily craved pardon of God and then his Head was chopt off and his Body for his Brothers death burnt to Ashes Mercot was broken on the Wheel and Prochier's dead Body digg'd out of the Grave and in the Coffin burnt by the common Hangman and his ashes thrown into the Air. So strong is the deadly poyson of Revenge that it breaks through all ties of Friendship bonds of Relation and rules of Religion The desperate Pharamond to satisfie his malice murders his Brother and to please his unchast desires first râ—bs Lucia of her Virtue and then of her life for which his Body suffers the punishment of the Law and his Name perpetual Infamy HIST. X. Formoso and Almira Almira twice attempts to poyson her own Sister Corinna by the means of her waiting woman Doria but being both times disappointed she hires Nicon an Emperick to poyson Doria Almira is kill'd with a Thunder-bolt and Nicon hang'd Corinna to revenge her Lover Formoso's death murders her Brother Puteoli for which she dies immur'd AT Lisbon the chief City in Portugal liv'd Don Sebastian Florenzo a Nobleman great both by Blood and Revenues he married the virtuous Donna Andrada a Lady of eminent Quality and Perfections by whom he had one Son called Don Puteoli and two Daughters Donna Almira and Donna Corinna Don Puteoli whose Education was abroad in his travels acquaints himself with Don Formoso de Castello a Gentleman of refin'd conversation and courtly behaviour Puteoli that he might perpetuate the friendship which was thus happily begun with Formoso invites him to Lisbon to his Fathers house proposing a marriage with his eldest Sister Almira Formoso very courteously embraced his offer and went with him where he was generously receiv'd by Don Sebastian his Father and saw his two Daughters the stately Almira and matchless Corinna but with different sentiments for Corinna the youngest had already taken possession of his heart where the other had not made the least impression whereupon Formoso made his court to Corinna and desires her in marriage of her Father which he refuses but offers him the eldest alledging that he would give her the same preference that Nature had done who as she was his eldest should be first disposed of However Formoso persists in his love to Corinna and continues his sute to her Father which Puteoli earnestly but in vain sollicits for him so obstinately resolved was Don Sebastian in behalf of Almira that he was forced to take leave of his beloved Corinna when the faithful Lovers mutually express'd their kind endearments to each other and vow'd eternal constancy Formoso civilly took his leave of Sebastian and Puteoli and return'd to his Castle ten leagues from Lisbon at Villamont and in this recess made it his only comfort to converse with Corinna by Letters which were secretly convey'd to her and hers to him by his faithful Page Honorio who making love to Doria Almira's Woman passd unsuspected The frequent visits of Honorio at last raised jealousie and mistrust in Almira who suspected they were only pretended to Doria whil'st in reality they were design'd to Corinna whereupon she order'd Doria to sound him but Honorio would not make any discovery but at last an unhappy accident did that for her which all her artifice and cunning could not attain for one Sunday-morning when Corinna was walking in the Garden Almira went into her Chamber to see for a little Book which not finding where she expected she put her hand into her Sisters pocket of the Gown she wore the day before and instead of that pulls out Formoso's last Letter to Corinna which she shews to her Father who was very much concern'd at it and severely checkt Corinna for entertaining a private correspondence with Formoso
that time and all of them remanded to strict confinement The Judges sent away post to Tours to advertise Du Mont of this disaster who with all speed came to Dieren where upon view he own'd his Fathers dead body and with showers of tears decently interr'd him in the next Church The Judges acquainted him with the manner of the discovery the certain suspicion they had of Briant and Father Constantine who were fled upon it and that they had Lauretta his Wife and her Maid and Ostler in Prison that the two last had been put to the Rack but would not confess any thing but strongly justified their Innocence and that Lauretta had so good a repute amongst all her Neighbors that they exempted her from the torment Eight days were now past since these wretches first fled in all which time they had not gone above seven leagues from Dieren when on the tenth night being extremely tired at the entrance of a Wood they spy'd a stray Horse grazing and coming nearer to him Briant knew him to be De Ferio's Horse At this they were very jovial and making a Halter of their Girdles and Garters they both mounted hoping to recover St Iuan three miles off before night But not being acquainted with the way they wander'd all night and were now farther off than before They feared every Bush was an Officer and to add to their trouble their Horse began to tire when alighting by turns to ease him they took the nearest way and hoped to get thither before people were up it being yet early in the morning Providence directing Du Mont the same way within a mile of St. Iuan he overtook them and eying the Horse well knew him to be his Fathers or very like him and what more confirmed his suspicion was that one of the two persons was a Priest and the other much resembl'd the description that was given of Briant He now and then made a halt by pretending to mend his Bridle or better girt his Saddle that they might keep before him Coming now to St. Iuan they went in at the Sign of the White Lion where he followed them without seeming to take notice of hem but as soon as they were gone into a Room he sent to the Criminal Officers and apprehended these two persons upon suspicion that they were the same who fled and by all circumstances were guilty of his Fathers murther They confidently deny'd it but in searching their Pockets they found store of Gold about them and several pieces more with some Jewels quilted in their Doublets which confirmed them in their belief that they were the persons and were really guilty The Prisoners the next day with a strong Guard were sent over to Dieren where they were again examined and still as impudently deny'd it upon which they were both adjudg'd to the Rack and at the first wrench Father Constantine confess'd the murther in all its circumstances and affirm'd that Briant and himself were the sole acters and Lauretta Ioanna and the Ostler absolutely innocent and ignorant of it The like did Briant after some time upon which the others were acquitted and discharged and Constantine and Briant condemn'd to be hang'd next morning and their bodies burnt to ashes which was executed accordingly The remainder of De Ferio's Gold was restored to Du Mont to the general satisfaction of all parties The Devil first tempts us with the delight of some forbidden pleasures that he may draw us into more dangerous Crimes Thus Constantine and Briant in their Luxury Drunkenness and Whoredoms only gave him earnest for some greater sin they were ready to commit upon as fair an invitation which he offer'd in poor De Ferio and they accepted to their own Ruine and Destruction HIST. XII Leonardo and Cordelia Leonardo basely murders Durel in the street Cordelia Durel's Mistress betrays Leonardo to her Chamber where she shoots and by the assistance of her Maid Sabrina kills him with a Ponyard Sabrina flies for the fact and is drown'd Cordelia is apprehended hang'd and burnt AT Montpelier in France dwelt Cordelia a young Lady of greater Beauty than Wealth adorn'd with many excellent Qualities and Perfections but all were sullied by one Vice of Unchastity which she was too frequently addicted to She was now Mistress of her Person and Fortunes her Parents being dead which was attended with the interment of her own Honour and Reputation Amongst other Gallants who were her Enamorato's she was particularly delighted with the company of Monsieur Leonardo Nephew to the Duke of Turenne a Gentleman of more Wealth and Discretion who was absolutely bewitch'd to her than spent whole days and nights in her Courtship and Entertainment Leonardo not content to enjoy her favours in private used often to make his boast how kind and obliging Cordelia had been to him which she understanding at their next meeting severely taxed him with it and check'd him for it and as an argument of her high displeasure forbid him her company and vow'd never to see him more Leonardo was extremely grieved at this but however continued his visits and by all the sacred protestations imaginable endeavoured to purge himself of so malicious a scandal Cordelia who did in part believe him judging his Innocency by his Constancy re-admitted him to her favour with most dreadful threats of a sharp revenge if he ever relapsed into the same Error Much about this time Monsieur Durel a brave young Gentleman came to Montpelier where he no sooner saw Cordelia but he lov'd admir'd and was totally enamour'd of her but his Courtship was only a piece of Gallantry not in the honourable way of Marriage Cordelia whose pretensions to Honour were as great as any bodies was wholly averse and deaf to his requests Her denial made him the more eager to contrive some means to attain his desires which after he had in vain endeavoured an unexpected accident presented him with by Madamoyselle de Sinclere a rich young Lady who seeing him dance fell in love with him of which she gave many shrewd signs that he could not but be sensible of it though his heart was pre-possessed with the Charms of Cordelia Madam de Sinclere knowing that Cordelia was the cause of his indifferency to her acquaints him that Cordelia was already engaged and Mistress to Monsieur Leonardo This stings him to the heart when confirmed by Sabrina Cordelia's waiting woman whom he had gain'd by Gold to confess that Leonardo was the only happy man there but that he had like to have been discarded lately for a word he let fall to her dishonour Durel hearing this and being told that Leonardo was but a Coward insinuates himself into his acquaintance and becomes his most familiar and intimate Companion Durel making use of this opportunity contrives a match at Tennis with Leonardo for a Collation and beats him so taking Monsieur le Roch and Monsieur le Mot they went to the Tavern where they were very pleasant Monsieur
save his Fathers life but it would not be accepted so the next day he was hang'd having first freely forgiven his Son and ask'd forgiveness of him for his Mothers murder As for Augustino after this infamous death of his Father he remov'd from Rome and return'd to his Grandfather Spondy who received him with many demonstrations of joy and affection and at his death made him sole Heir of all his Goods and Estate Tho' the Vengeance of Heaven may seem to sleep for a time it still keeps a watchful eye over the impenitent offender The perverseness of Spondy causes disobedience in Servia which is punish'd by the bloody cruelty of her Husband whose barbarous Murther Heaven at last revenges by the hand of his unknown Son Augustino HIST. XVI Morosino and Imperia Imperia in Love with Morosino causes him and his Companions Astonicus and Donato to stifle her Husband Palmerius in his Bed The Murther is discovered by Morosino's Gloves for which they are all apprehended and executed IN the famous City of Venice lived a young Gentleman called Seignior Angelo Morosino who in Company of Seignior Astonicus and Seignior Donato Embarqu'd for the Islands of Corfu and Zant and after a short stay there were bound for Constantinople but by the way forc'd by a Storm they put into the Harbour of Ancona which belongs to the Pope In which place being oblig'd to stay by contrary Winds the three Merchants out of Devotion went up to Loretto where having spent two dayes in visiting the Holy Chappel on the third early in the morning Morosino leaving his â—riends in Bed went to Mass where at her Devotion he saw a young Lady incomparably fair at whose sight he was so enflam'd with Affection to her that he could willingly resign all the Powers and Faculties of Soul and Body to her Service Mass being ended he followed her out of the Chappel and seeing her only attended with a Waiting Woman and a Lacquey with great Respect and Civility offer'd his Service to wait upon her home and after several Complements which passed between them obtain'd the favour to take her by the Hand and gracefully conducted her to her Fathers House whose name was Seignior Hiâ—râ—nimo Bondino and she his only Daughter Dona Imperia Morosino at the door took his leave though she courâ—â—ously invited him in and beg'd the Honour to wait upon her in the Afternoon whispering in her Ear that so great was the present Violence of his Passion to her that he fear'd he should not be able to acquit himself with that decency as became a Cavalier to a Person of her Merits and Quality In the Afternoon he made his visit to her acquainted her with his Name and Quality his intended Voyage to Constantinople but chiefly with his constant Resolution to seek her in Marriage both of her self and her Father and so expert was he in the Art of Love that in three weeks time the Winds continuing contrary he made her many Visits and amorous Courtships and at last obtain'd her Consent to be his Wife at his return from Constantinople He then address'd himself to her Father Bondino who was so averse to it that neither his Intreaties and Perswasions or her Tears and Prayers could melt his heart into a better Temper Morosino now acquaints his two Friends Astonicus and Donato with his Affection to Imperia and brings them next Morning to see her they highly commend his Choice and use all their Endeavours to gain Bondino's Consent but he is so resolutely obstinate that no Arguments can in the least affect him This grieves the two Lovers to the Heart to see they must now be parted for the Master of the Ship had sent word that the Wind now blowing fair he should with all Expedition weigh Anchor and set Sail for Corfu Morosino seeing the necessity of his departure again moves Bondino for his Consent but he proves inexorable when going to bid Imperia Adieu he sacredly Vows to live unmarried till his Return which shall be within a year and then to marry her and as a Pledge of his Fidelity and Constancy presents her with a rich Diamond Ring from his Finger and she him with a fair Bracelet of Orient Pearl as a sign of their mutual Contract to which Astonicus and Donato are both Witnesses This done they took Horse for Ancona and presently Embarqu'd for Corfu and Constantinople Bondino three months after provides her another Husband old Seignior Palmerius a rich Merchant of Ancona at least sixty years of Age and withal of a deform'd Personage and morose and sullen Temper but this old Dotard is so taken with Imperia's Youth and Beauty and the encouragement he received from Bondino that he comes to his House and makes down-right Love to her In the Interim her Father had charg'd her to receive him with all Respect and accept his Affections which with Tears in her Eyes she flatly told him she could not Obey she was fixt already and would marry no Person but Morosino Bondino with Fury in his Face told her he expected no other answer but her dutiful Complyance with his Commands and in a Passion left her to the Company of old Palmerius who enter'd at the same time and with all the kind Expressions he was Master of offer'd her the intire command of himself and his Fortunes in Exchange for her Love and Affection She told him If this was all his Errand she did assure him she neither would nor could dispose of that which was already in the possession of another and so left him to his own Meditations Palmerius returned to Ancona but two months after to the great Joy of Bondino made a second Visit and now both day and night they importune Imperia to consummate the Marriage and to that purpose her Father gives her good Words and Palmerius rich Gifts and Presents but she will neither hear the one nor accept the other however Palmerius grows obstinate in his Suit and her Father resolute in his Commands to avoid which she locks her self up in her Chamber and concludes that her only preservation can be in the Company of Morosino whose Return she earnestly desires and accordingly furnishes Seignior Mercario her faithful Friend with Gold for his Journey and this Letter to her beloved Morosino Imperia to Morosino COuld you measure my Affections by my Sorrow for your Absence you could hardly tell whether I love or grieve more for I am assur'd that all the Seas between Ancona and Constantinople are not able to wash away your Memory from my Heart and Soul Nor can the Sands of the Shore compare in Number with those Sighs and Tears I daily offer to you If then I am as dear to you I heartily beg you will leave Constantinople and come to Loretto for my Father Bondino is ready to force me to leave my young Morosino for old and wither'd Palmerius Iudge now how unkind you will be to send an Excuse and not bring your self Farewell my Dear
may the Angels preserve thee and fill thy Sails with fair and prosperous Winds till they land thee safe in the Embraces of thy Imperia Mercario in three Weeks arrived at Constantinople found out Morosino and delivered the Letter which he perus'd and after a solemn Entertainment return'd him with this Answer Morosino to Imperia THy Health and Constancy makes me as joyful in the Receipt of thy Letter as thy Fathers disrespect to me and love to Palmerius makes me sorrowful Our Hearts are now sacredly united only live in two different Bodies which Love and Breath the same desires and I would now at thy câ—mmand return thee immediately that part of thy self I am fâ—rc'd to divide from thee would the necessity of my Affairs give me leave to 〈◊〉 Constantinople for Loretto The Seigniory of Venice have by their Ambassadour Landy here resident made me Consul of Aleppo but what this year cannot the next shall perform O thou my dear and sweet Imperia repute 〈◊〉 not ingratitude in me to send thee this Letter for I do dâ—clâ—re in the presence of Men and Angels my Excuse is as sincerely true and unfâ—igned as my Affection to Imperia which can never dye buâ— with Morosino Imperia receiv'd this Letter both with Anger and Joy with Anger because he came not in Person and with Joy that iâ— came from him whose Victim and Martyr she resolv'd to dye rather than live Palmerius his Wife But her Father one way and Palmerius another still haunt her at all times and places without intermission who finding after six months more elaps'd his Labour lost he resolves at once to strike at all and to that end proffers Bondino that if Imperia will become his Wife he will Endow her with the one half of his Lands and give up all his personal Estate into his Hands to purchase her more This offer so wholly won Bondino that in hast he told his Daughter the generous proâ—fer of Palmerius and bid her dispose her self to marry him speedily or else he would utterly renounce and for ever disown her to be his Daughter Imperia hears her Fathers cruel Commands which she only answers with Sighs and Tears but at last told him Sir You know I both saw and engag'd my Love to Morosino before I ever knew Palmerius nor can his Riches compare with Morosino 's Vertues Heaven that is Witness to those Vows I made Morosino will certainly punish my perfidiousness nor is it out of Disobedience to your Commands that I reject Palmerius but in respect to those Sacred Oaths I made Morosino Bondino after several Threats in a Chafe left her who presently resolv'd to send Mercario with a Gold Watch set with Diamonds and a second Letter to Morosino in these words Imperia to Morosino I Had little thought that Profit or â—râ—ferment had been dearer to thee than Imperia or that the Seigniory of Venice or their Embassador Landy had more power to have sâ—aid thee at Aleppo than I to have requested thy Return to Loretto judge now what a poor half I am of thee whâ—n by thy volâ—ntary absence thou wilt wholly resign me to another and that Palmerius must be my Husband when I desire nothing more than to live and dye thy Wife Come away therefore my dear Morosino and blame not me but thy self if thy absence and my Fathers Obstinacy bereave me of my sweet Morosino and thee of thy Dear Imperia Morosino receives this Letter and Presently blushes to see himself thus outstrip'd by her in Kindness when advising with his two Friends Astonicus and Donato after ten days feasting of Mercario and a generous Reward for his pains he sent him back to Imperia with a fair Chain of Gold and a rich Diamond Ring fastn'd thereto a pair of Turkish imbroydered Bracelets and this Letter Morosino to Imperia THy Beauty and Affection shall both command my Resolution and my Self I will therefore shorten the time of my Stay and convert a whole year into a few Months for to Right the life of my Heart I value the Affection and Company of my sweet Imperia above a Conâ—ulary Dignity the Treasures of Turky or the richer Indies O then my fair and sweet Imperia live my dear Wife and I will assuredly dye thy loving and constant Husband Morosino This Letter Imperia receives with no small Joy which is suddenly blasted by Bondino's Cruelty who to bring her to his Will debarrs her of all Liberty and takes away from her her Jewels and best Apparel and makes her more his Prisoner than his Daughter whereat she is so cast down that despairing of Morosino's Return and vanquish'd by her Fathers Tyranny and Palmerius his Importunity grants his Suit and three days after was solemnly contracted and married to him Palmerius after his Marriage prov'd so amorous and kind that he left no cost unbestow'd on her but this was not the conâ—ent she desir'd his age was too frozen and cold for her warm vigorous Youth While Affairs went thus at Loretto ten months after his promise Morosino with his two friends Astonicus and Donato land at Ancona where Mercario meeting with him salutes him with the News of Imperia's Marriage with Palmerius at which they both grieve and wonder By this time Imperia heard of their Arrival and Mercario is employ'd to beg a private Visit of her which is immediately granted and the next night in her own house they met At Morosino's first entrance into her Chamber she fell at his feet and beg'd his Pardon he took her up with all the passion and tenderness imaginable and then with mutual Embraces they reviv'd those Affections which their long absence might have buried in Oblivion and as he promises her that she shall be his sole and only Love so she willingly protests to him that he shall be more her Husband than Palmerius Thus for that night they part Next morning Morosino and his two Companions give a publick visit and are courteously receiv'd by Palmerius and in the afternoon Morosino and Imperia meet in the Garden remote from her House where she was not able to deny whatever he had courage to ask These unlawful Pleasures make her beg into slight her old Husband and in a short time so Bold and Impudent was she grown in the practice of her adulterous Embraces that they were now become Customary of which her own Family and Servants especially Richardo Nephew to Palmerius a youth of eighteen could not but take notice of it and make their Remarques upon it Morosino was not content only thus to enjoy Imperia but knowing that his Expences far exceeded his Estate and considering that Palmerius his Wealth would bear up his Port and Imperia so much his own that she was fit for any impression and capable of any Design that would advance his Fortunes and confirm their Contents resolves to Murder Palmerius To this end at their next meeting they consult on it and after divers wayes propos'd it was at last agreed to
sends Orminta this Letter Araneo to Orminta THy Letter has rather confirm'd than diminish'd my Confidence of the Truth of those Bestial Crimes thou art guilty of and I prize the Apology of thy Innocency at so low a rate that I disdain it for thy Sake and thy self for thy own I grieve at thy Maid Dians Death fearing that you both have been concern'd in it and if you are so be assur'd that God will revenge it to his Glory and punish it to your Confusion Araneo This Letter inflames Orminta with envy and malice who now again repairs to her Brother Delrio as to her Champion shews him Araneo's Letters and requests his Advice to regain her Honour either by bringing home her Husband or removing him out of the World that her wrongs may dye with him and be buried together in the Grave of Oblivion Delrio prays her to refer it to his care and gives her good night the next morning taking an intimate and valiant friend call'd Seignior Gramont along with him they went to Madrid where being arriv'd he wrote a Challenge to Araneo and sent it by Gramont who deliver'd it to him Araneo having read it with a cheerful Countenance return'd this answer Pray tell Delrio that my Friend my Sword and my self will be at his Service to morrow at the hour and place appointed The morning no sooner appear'd but Delrio with his friend Gramont came to the Prado on Horse-back and the like did Don Araneo with a Gentleman nam'd Don Francio Thurino in his Coach As soon as they saw each other they threw off their Doublets and without Complements drew and pass'd furiously after several Breathings at the first bout Don Araneo ran Delrio clean through the Body wherewith falling he redoubles his Thrust and nails him stark dead to the Ground so binding up his Wounds by a private way he went home to his Lodging and the next day causes Delrio's Body to be decently buried after which Gramont returns home and from point to point relates the Issue of the Combate to De Cortez and Orminta adding withal that he was so reserved and strange that he refused to write to either of them which though they seemed to be troubled at they still continued their beastly sins as if they either not feared or not believed a Judgment to come About ten days after as Orminta was riding to Coimbra to visit a sick Kinswoman as she came within a small League of the Town a Hare suddenly starts up between her Horses Legs which so frighted him that he stumbled and then threw her to the ground and kicking her with his hind foot struck her in the Forehead and dashed out her Brains At this instant as the Foot-boy was lamenting the death of his Mistress there fortuned to pass by two Corrigidors or Officers of Justice of Coimbra in their Coach who seeing the mournful Spectacle allighted out of the Coach and enquired who she was whereof being informed by the Foot-boy they took up the Body and carried it to Coimbra from whence they sent to De Cortez desiring him to come thither and take order for her Funeral In the mean time they secured her â—ings Jewels and other Apparel and searched her Pockets likewise for Gold in one whereof they found the lâ—st Letter which her Husband Don Araneo had sent her from Madrid and for the reading thereof withdrew themselves to a private Chamber whereby understanding the obscene Pleasures Adultery and Incest of De Cortez with his Daughter in Law they much wondred but when they read the Clause wherein he taxeth them for Dian's Death they say little but agree to seize and 〈◊〉 De Cortez assoon as he shall come thither In the inâ—â—rim thâ—y aâ—k the Foot-boy if his Lady had not a Maid named 〈◊〉 he said Yes and that she was lately murthered but by whom unknown that her Father lâ—vâ—d at St. 〈◊〉 and was called Seigniour Paulo Castrucchio they secured the Boy and sent presently for Castrucchio this done De Cortez the same night arrived and was seized when he least thought of it and committed close Prisoner The next morning came Castrucchio who hearing all the former Passages and Don Araneo's Letter believes them guilty and craves Justice on De Cortez for the same After Dinner they sent for him to appear and Castrucchio accused him but De Cortez stoutly denyed it and being put to the Rack bore the Torments of it with a fortitude beyond his Agâ— or Strength Castrucchio then prayed eight days time to make good his accusation which is freely granted and in two days time brings in a new Indictment against him for poysoning his Lady Aspatia Upon this he is sent for to appear a second time but as before so now he resolutely denies all and is adjudg'd again to the Rack but before his Torments the Judges sent some Divines to him to work upon his Conscience which they did with so good effect that he confessed himself guilty of poysoning his own Lady but altogether innocent of Dian's Death Then being ask'd if Orminta was guilty he said true it was that she bought the poyson and he administred it for which her dead Body was that afternoon burnt at the common place of Execution and De Cortez was condemned to loose his head from which Sentence he appealed to Santarem where the first Sentence is confirm'd and an addition thereto that his Body should be burnt and his Ashes thrown into the Air. The next morning a Scaffold was erected at his own Door whereon he lost his Head the rest of the Sentence being executed to the satisfaction of Justice and content of all the Spectators Thus the wicked Lust of old De Cortez meeting with the insatiable Ambition of young Orminta they agreed in a hellish Contract which the Devil witnessed and the Vengeance of Heaven severely punished HIST. XVIII Benevente and his two bloudy Daughters Fidelia and Celestina cause Carpi and Monteleon with their two Lacquies Lorenzo and Anselmo to murther their Father Captain Benevente Monteleon and his Lacquey are drowned Fidelia hangs her self Lorenzo condemned for a Robbery on the Gallows confesses the Murther Carpi is beheaded and Celestina beheaded and burnt IN Otranto a City of Apulia in Italy dwelt an ancient rich and valiant Gentleman termed Capt. Benevente who by his deceased Lady had a Son named Seignior Alcasero and two Daughters called Fidelia and Celestina who continued at home with their Father whilst Alcasero lived altogether at Naples with the Spanish Viceroy Capt. Benevente was a Gentleman beloved and honoured by all the Nobility of Apulia so that his House was like an Academy for all Martial Exercises and as the Beauty of his two Daughters amongst so great resort could not be long unseen or uncourted so were they addressed to by many Persons of great Worth and Quality who sought them in Marriage but such was the averseness of their Father's Temper that he constantly crossed all motions of that nature
to the great Trouble and Discontent of his Daughters Alcasero is now returned from Naples to Otranto and his two Sisters acquaint him with the severity of their Father's Humour towards them and desire him to intercede for them who dealt so effectually with his Father that he told him he had provided the Baron of Carpi for Fidelia and the Knight Montâ—leon for Celestina and that in fifteen days they would come over to see them at which the young Ladies were extreamly pleased Within the time appointed these two Noblemen come and are assoon misliked Carpi being Crookbackt and Monteleon lame of a Leg Benevente receives and entertains them nobly whilst his Daughters treat them with Frowns and Disdain he tells them plainly they shall marry these and no other the Father presses them and the Noblemen importune them to confirm the Contracts but they plainly answer they neither can nor will force their Affections to comply with all his unreasonable Commands The young Ladies are very much dissatisfied with their Father's Perverseness who they think usurps too much upon the freedom of their choice by his positive and rigorous Orders This at length bred ill bloud and they begin to hate him which Fidelia first discovers to her Sister in her Complaints That for her part since her Father is so resolute she had rather see him laid in his Grave than be forced by him to marry that Man she cannot affect Celestina declared her self of the same Opinion adding withal that the sooner he was dispatched the better Thus they conclude his death and as to the manner of it after many Consultations they think it most safe to engage Carpi and Monteleon to effect it To this end they now change the Scene and pretend to love those they mortally hated which so pleases the two Noblemen that with much urgency they importune them to Marriage but they told them it was impossible so long as their Father lived for though he seemed to countenance and encourage them in their Suit yet he had given them express Commands not to love them which was the true reason of that Slight and Disrespect they had all along received them with The Noblemen were taken in the trap and never considered the Treachery of those deceitful and bloudy minded Ladies but joyntly engage themselves in a short time to remove him who was the mistaken Subject of their Hate and his Daughters Disobedience Capt. Benevente used often after Dinner to ride to his Vineyard and now and then to a neighbouring Village Carpi and Monteleon took their â—acquies Lorenzo and Anselmo and disguising themselves set upon him at the corner of a Wood with their Swords and Pistols attended only with his Servant Fiamenti whom after they had murdered they carried their Bodies to the top of an adjacent Hill and threw them down into a deep Quarry full of thick Bushes and Brambles Then they consulted of their Flight Carpi took Post to Naples and Monteleon with his Lacquey rode to Brundusium but on the way Monteleon's Horse fell down dead under him and he was forced to dismount his Lacquey and ride his horse leaving him to follow after a-Foot At length near the Village Blanquettelle he met with a swift Ford passable only with Horses which constrained him to take up his Lacquey Anselmo behind him but in the midst of the Water his Horse stumbled and so violent was the Torrent of the River that before they could recover themselves they were both drowned By this time Benevente and his Man were both missing and not to be heard of Alcasero who was now at Naples was acquainted with it by his Sisters and grievously laments for fear any mischief should have befallen him promising great rewards to any person who could give intelligence of him After five dayes search and no news of him his Daughters with all the counterfeit Passions of Sorrow begin to suspect he is murthered by his Servant Fiamenti who alone went out with him and had not since been heard of Alcasero's Grief was as real as theirs was feigned and left nothing unattempted that might lead to a discovery but all had hitherto been in Vain when it happened one day that some Gentlemen who were hunting the Stag near Alpiata he being now tyred with a long pursuit ran for Shelter in to the Quarry among the Bushes whither the Hunters following him they discovered two dead Bodies which the Crows had pitifully mangled and approaching nearer they knew them by their Cloaths to be Benevente and his Man Fiamenti which they gave Alcasero and his Sisters notice of the Bodies were brought to Otranto that night in a Coach where they were the same Evening interred with as much decency as the short time would allow but with Floods of Tears from Alcasero whilst his two Sisters wept like Crocodiles Next day News came that Monteleon and his Lacquey were both drowned which added yet more to the satisfaction of these bloody Sisters who heartily wished that Carpi and his Lacquey might meet with the same Fate Six weeks were now past since the Funeral of Benevente when Alcasero began to think it strange that Carpi came not to condole with him for his Fathers Death and renew his Suit to his Sister which made him entertain some jealous thoughts though at the same time he had no probable ground of Suspicion But about a Month after Carpi having heard nothing of the Premises sends a Lacquey over to Fidelia at Otranto with this Letter Carpi to Fidelia THere are some reasons for which I have not lately seen Otranto what they are none can better imagine than your self when thy Sorrows are overblown I will come to thee having now given thee so true and real a proof of my Affection that thou canst not in Iustice ever doubt thereof I pray signifie to me how thy Brother stands affected towards me Thy Answer shall have many kisses and I will ever both honour and bless the hand that writ it Carpi The Lacquey comes to Otranto delivers the Letter to Fidelia and requests her Answer But she was now wholly altered from her former Resolutions a deep Melancholly seiz'd her even to despair she hated all Company was afraid of her own Shadow and thinks every House will fall upon her Head this makes her forsake her Devotion look pale and gastly in which condition at the Importunity of Carpi's Lacquey she returned this Answer Fidelia to Carpi MY Fathers Death hath altered my Disposition for I am wholly addicted to Mourning and not to Marriage I pray trouble not your self to come to Otranto for the best Comfort I can receive is that it is impossible for me to receive any I never doubted thy affection nor will give thee cause to fear mine for I am resolved either to marry thee or my Grave How my Brother stands affected I cannot tell but I think he neither loves thee for my sake nor my self for Thine Live thou as happy as I fear I
privately convey'd the Opiate Powder into her Mess without any Suspition About an hour after the Powder began to operate so effectually that though she endeavour'd to divert the Drowsiness which had so strangely crept upon her by walking in the Garden and other violent Agitation yet at last it prevail'd and she was forc't to retire to her Chamber where she repos'd herself upon the Bed charm'd into a deep Sleep by the powerful Medicine Dr. Parmel narrowly watch'd her and seeing her go into the Chamber followed after and there found her upon the Bed fast asleep whereupon observing the rest of the Family were otherwise busied thought he might now securely prosecute his wicked Design and locking the Chamber Door treacherously robb'd sleeping Cleandra of her Honour and Virginity which her waking Vertue had constantly defended against all the Temptations of Lust and Charms of Love The Doctor having thus far accomplish'd his Ends opened the Door and went out undiscover'd leaving Cleandra fast asleep who continued so for several hours till the soporific Vertue of the Powder was extinguished and then wak'd without being in the least sensible of the Injury she had received from those villanious Practices of the Doctor but as pleasing Dreams or the sportive Frolicks of Fancy and Imagination presented her with Dr. Parmel two days after took his leave and return'd to Venice expecting with Impatience the Issue of this odd Experiment Five Months after Seignior Makenti whose Recovery had been retarded by frequent Relapses return'd to Marli in perfect Health and earnestly desired that his Espousals with the fair Cleandra might now be no longer deferred which his own Misfortune had been the unhappy cause of but being acquainted that his Mistress had for some time been very much indispos'd and now kept her Chamber desired to see her whom he found so strangely alter'd he scarce knew her to be the same but by the faint Remains of that flourishing Beauty which had once reign'd in her Face and made a Conquest of his Heart Seignior Makenti was equally surpriz'd and griev'd to see her in this Condition she was grown pale and lean her Eyes were livid and hollow and all the expressions of her Tongue spoke an inward and setled discontent of Mind Seignior Conto and his Lady were no less afflicted and advised with several of the most eminent Physitians what should be the Cause of her Distemper and what the most proper and speedy Cure they all agreed she was with Child and her Disease no other than the natural Infirmities of Women in such Cases which her Parents heard with Horrour and Amazement The Doctors being gone her Father and Mother with Tears in their Eyes conjur'd her to tell the Truth and discover who was that lustful Paramour that had despoyl'd her of her Honour and brought that stain and infamy upon their Family which all their Tears were not able to wash away Cleandra with no less trouble and astonishment deny'd the Guilt of such lewd Debaucheries and by all the Sacred Powers of Heaven protested her Innocence and unspotted Chastity The Sighs Tears and passionate Imprecations of Cleandra perswaded her Parents at last to think the Doctors mistaken in their Judgments and that the swelling of her Belly which they considered as an Argument of her Pregnancy was occasioned by a Tympany or some other Praeter-natural Tumour which was the real Cause of her present Distemper Some time after Dr. Parmel came over to Marli and excus'd himself that the multitude of Business had made him so great a Stranger and wanting in those respectful Visits their great Civilties obliged him to and missing Cleandra at Dinner particularly Inquir'd how she did and if she was yet marrried Her Mother answer'd with a Sigh that she was very ill and had been so for two months past in which time she had not stirr'd out of her Chamber Dr. Parmel seem'd very much concern'd at the young Ladies illness and desired he might be admitted to see her and that he should think himself extreamly happy if the best of his Art and Skill could contribute any thing to her Recovery Her Mother told him she was afraid she already too well understood her Distemper which in due time Nature would discharge of it self and that indeed she was asham'd any Friend should see her in that Condition which would end in Shame to her self and Disgrace to all her Relations The Dr. seem'd wholly ignorant of what she meant though extreamly pleas'd at the success of his Design and still more earnestly prest to see her which at last she consented to and conducted him to Cleandra's Chamber whom he found alone extreem Pensive and Melancholy The Doctor after he had exprest his Respects and Sorrow for her present illness desired to feel her Pulse and after several other critical Observations more for form than any thing else told her Mother her Distemper now would not be of long Continuance that she was certainly with Child and all that he could direct was as a Friend and not a Physitian that they would prevail with her to confess who was the Father and by a speedy Marriage prevent that Disgrace which otherwise was unavoidable whereupon the Mother desired him to use his Endeavours with her to discover the Person and that she would withdraw that Cleandra might with more Freedom discourse him and accordingly did so After the Dr. had said what he thought convenient in pursuit of that Question which he himself was only able to answer he took his leave and told her Mother that was he not assur'd by all those infallible Symptoms he had observ'd that she was with Child her solemn Protestations to the contrary would almost perswade him to credit what she had said in her own Vindication upon which her Mother ask'd him if it was possible for a Woman to Conceive in her Sleep without being sensible of those Pleasures of Fruition and the Person she enjoy'd to which the Dr. answered it was possible and that we might observe it in several Persons who walk in their Sleep and do those several Acts of which they have no remembrance when they wake This one Argument prevail'd with Seignior Conto and his Lady to believe Cleandra was with Child and at the same time innocent of the Guilt and ignorant of the Person for she had oftentimes walked about her Chamber and sometimes down into the Dairy and so to Bed again without remembring one tittle of it next morning After several Considerations what was to be done in a matter of so much difficulty and that did they know the real Father he might possibly prove to be the Groom or Footman where the discredit and reproach of such a Match would be equal to the infamous Name of Courtezan the Dr. told them that if they thought him a worthy Husband for Cleandra he would marry her immediately nor did he value her being with Child nor who was the Father since he was so well satisfied her
my self of the greatest contentment I cou'd have wish'd and without which my life henceforward will be but a death Live then Great Honour'd Happy Rich most Dear Valeria and by marrying with Beltimore become the Glory of thy Kindred whilst I go miserable poor unhappy and forlorn Mellinto spinning out the remainder of my sad days in melancholly Groves and solitary Retirements Much adoe had they to part these two Lovers from each others Armes A heart as hard as Adamant could not but have relented at so Tragical a scene of Sorrow The words of Betrothing being rendred back the very next morning the Lord Beltimore made his visit to Valeria vainly flattering himself it was now no longer in the power of fate to blast or cross his Amours he promis'd to make her a Lady settle his whole Estate upon her having no Children and that the Writings should be seal'd before the Marriage was Consummated which was appointed two days after Beltimore generously sent Mellinto a Bag with 2000. Checquins with all the Expressions of gratitude and an assurance of his perpetual Love and Friendship which he as Nobly return'd with this Complimental Letter Mellinto to the Lord Beltimore MY Lord I am no stranger to your favours neither am I ignorant of your being Master of a liberal and grateful soul but as I never was in a Capacity to oblige you so I cannot with Iastice to my self receive your Lordships present which must make me a Debtor to you more then ever I shall be able to repay If your Lordship thinks my resigning Valeria to you had a respect to my own Interest or your Satisfaction you much mistake me all my good wishes center in the fair Valeria whom I endeavour to render as compleatly happy as I make my self wretched and miserable Upon no other Terms would I have parted with her whom I value above the Treasure of both the Indies and was I that Potent Monarch who sees the Sun both rise and set in his own Dominions I would lay my Crown at your Feet to preserve Valeria in my Armes Mellinto Valeria was in presence when Beltimore receiv'd this Answer from Mellinto which made so deep Impression on her that the next morning which was design'd for the Wedding she rose early and attended only by her Maid went over to Mellinto and was privately married to him of which she immediately sent her Father an account Modenni spar'd no words to express his rage and fury nor did Beltimore conceal his deep Resentments of the Affront done to his Person and the disappointment to his longing Expectations The Father utterly disown'd his Daughter and would not admit of a Reconciliation though they offer'd the most powerful reasons for what was done by the Intercession of Friends Mellinto had but a very small Estate which the Expences their Quality oblig'd them to soon Consum'd nor would Cruel Mordenni relieve their distresses though he daily heard of their complaints But these wants made no breach between this loving pair who were constant in their affections happy in the midst of poverty and contented in the extremity of misery It unfortunately hapen'd that Mellinto and Valeria walk'd out together one Evening more to divert their Melancholy thoughts than any Pleasure they could take in viewing that single Acre which was all the Remainder of their Land on which fed their whole Herd of Cattle two loving Mulls the living Riches and support of their Family Mellinto upon some urgent occasion in their return staid behind and Valeria went on to take her usual walk upon the Beach where she had the prospect of those Galleys which Row'd by A Turkish Galley belonging to Algiers having just landed their Boat immediately seiz'd all they met with on the Strand and amongst others Valerea who in sight of her Husband was carried off to the Galley which lay hard by with Spanish Colours this dreadful sight he saw heard her Skreaks and outcries which peirced his Heart but he was too far distant to make any attempt tho his best endeavours would have prov'd fruitless and unsucessful in her Rescue He saw her gone beyond recovery and tears and complaints were but in vain when like a constant Friend and loving Husband he plung'd himself into the Sea and swam up to the Galley where he was taken up and brought before the Captain who told him he was come to follow his Wife and neither fear'd their Cruelty nor beg'd their Pitty that freedom without her Company was a more miserable slavery to him then they endured who tug'd at the Oar. The Turks very much admir'd his Transcendent Love and Courage for they had seen some of his Country Men rather choose death than endure a life so Severe and Cruel Amongst some others that he knew a Board there was a Young Gentleman nam'd Placento about 22 Years of Age whose Father was next neighbour to Mellinto Placento lying chain'd to his Oar as the rest were was not able to endure the Turkish Cruelty â—ut contriv'd an escape and Commuicated the Methods of it to Mellinto intreating him to bear him company who told him he had made himself a Voluntary slave for the sake of his Wife and would scorn that Ransom which did not first purchase her liberty before his own much less would he run the hazard and danger of his project and then leave her behind to their merciless fury and revenge However Placento proceeded and was happy in the success which he effected in this manner he had observed that the utmost liberty they had was no further then their Chain gave 'em leave which reach'd to the end of the Bench where there was a large hole for the necessity of nature Placento having prepared his Chains to come off upon easie Terms goes to the Hole one Evening as they â—ay at Anchor and according to the Custom of the Turks cry'd Ala Banda which is the signal they are oblig'd to give when they go to that Convenience otherwise they are Bastinado'd The Slaves were all asleep and only the Sentinells awake upon the fore or hindeck who mistrusted nothing Placento first pul'd off his Coat which he underprop'd with two sticks and then got off his Fetters his legs being so fallen away since his being a Slave that they grew too small for his shackles and committing himself to the Sea landed safe upon an Island not far off but though his Person was gone his Coat was severely threatned with Bastinado 's before his real escape was discovered At their return to Tunis the Captain of the Galley acquainted the King with the whole account of their surprizing Valeria walking on the Beach and how her Husband Mellinto swam after in Love to his Wife and made himself a Voluntary Slave rather than be depriv'd of her Company The King was much mov'd with the Relation of so faithful constant a Love and within three days gave them both their Freedom In the interim the Lord Beltimore having
receiv'd intelligence by some of the Neighbours of this sad Misfortune of Mellinto and Valeria in respect of their great fidelity like a Noble Gentleman had taken Care for their Ransom but dying before he could have any account of their Arrival at Tunis bequeath'd his whole Estate to Valeria and left it in trust with her Father who upon their return to Brurdusium enjoy'd it and liv'd out the rest of their days in a pompous plenty and happy Tranquillity Such is the inestimable value of Friendship and Conjugal Affection that he that hath found a true Friend in a Loving Wife hath found a double Treasure more to be priz'd than all the Gold of Ophir HIST. IV. Venon and Teudas Teudas being in Prison is set at liberty by his Friend Venon who purchaseth his Freedom and in regard of their great Friendship Marrieth the Daughter of Teudas by whom he had one only Daughter Named Rosana Who went in disguise with her Husband and Prince Sapor to the Wars in Hungary where being slain with her Husband after many signal proofs of their Valour are both afterwards honourably enter'd by the Prince in regard of the inviolable Friendship contracted betwixt them and the Prince AT Breslaw Chief City in the Dukedom of Silesia a Province of Germany lived two Citizens of good quality who lov'd each other entirely the one was Teudas a Goldsmith and the other Venon a Merchant Venon being gone to Vienna in Austria to buy some Commodities staid three Months in his Voyage and at his return found himself welcom'd with two disasters viz The loss of his Wife whom he dearly loved and the misfortune of his Friend who was cast into Prison and past hope of ever getting out it was not any disorder but rather his goodness which had reduced him to this deplorable Estate for being bound in a great sum of Mony for one of his Friends who prov'd insolvent he was condemn'd to the payment of it himself whereupon all that he was worth being sold his body was attach'd and clapt up into prison for the remainder In this place which may very well be call'd the Center of Misery and the Tomb of the living Venon came to see him who grievously complain'd of Fortune accus'd her of Injustice for reducing him to that miserable Estate for well doing But that which most troubl'd him was that he lost the means to marry his only Daughter her Age now requiring it fearing necessity should bring her into some vain and lewd course of life Venon stood not to comfort him with many words but came to promises which he soon confirm'd by effects He told him that his Misery was a mark of his Vertue against whom Fortune had sworn a proâ—essed Enmity that he should possess his soul in patience and seeing Friendship had cast him into Prison Friendship should fetch him out again that he had means sufficient to relieve his extream necessity and redeem him out of this misery which by the sacred laws of Friendship he had an equal Title to And I am so far pleas'd with your misfortune said Venon as it gives me the Opportunity of showing the sincerity of my affection to you in this necessity and that I am truly your Friend As for your Daughter let not that trouble you seeing I have lost my Wife I am contented to take her for my second if you will but if her Affections are otherwise disposed of I have wherewithal to give her a good Portion What unexpected Consolation was this to the heart of Teudas to hear these speeches from his Friend whose words he knew were as true as they were free He would have used some Complements to him but the greatness of the benefit going beyond his Thoughts Words and Thanks vanished in his Mouth No says Venon who judg'd of his Interiour Thoughts by the Exteriour alteration of his Countenance we need not give thanks for that which is our own If I am yours much more are all my goods yours and either you had no need of them or else it was your own fault you did not dispose of them at your pleasure before without any longer discourse he went presently home and fetch money and paid the sum Teudas was detain'd for upon which he was presently discharg'd Not long after Venon married Ermige the Daughter of Teudas who notwithstanding the great desparity of their Years lov'd him affectionately not only as a Husband but a second Father and esteem'd her self happy to be a Recompence to him who had with so much goodness and liberality releas'd her Father out of Prison Of so Amorous an Union of these two Hearts and Bodies Rosana was the fair product a Creature destind to love honourably and generously and was but two Months old when her Grandfather Teudas overcome with sorrow and grief for the loss of his Estate left this life to enjoy a better Her Father Venon who had much weakened his Fortunes in delivering his dear Friend out of Prison daily felt necessity approaching but Heaven which guards the just and will not suffer such noble Acts of Friendship to go unrewarded provided for him beyond all hope and expectation Venons grief was much like that Teudas felt in Prison seeing himself old he much feard he should not leave his Wife wherewithal honestly to maintain her self and bring up and match his Daughter But Comfort thy self O Venon with good Tobias and be assur'd that though poverty overtake thee yet thou shalt have means sufficient hope with Iob and thou shalt have all things restor'd to the double The Dutchess of Signits of a Noble House in Silesia reckon'd in the Rank of Princes being ready to cry out a Nurse was sought for to give suck to the Child she expected and Ermige was chosen to be one of the best that could be found in all Breslaw this came in good time to preserve this poor Family from necesity which daily encreased upon them The Dutchess was delivered of a Son whose name was Sapor who was delivered to Ermige to Nurse and Rosana put to another Ermige and her Husband were now both made part of the Dukes Household and when time came that Rosana was weaned and of some stature she was put to rock the Prince and find him sport as the manner of Children is thus grew Rosana gently like a Vine by its Elme Tree Sapor was not above three or four Years old when Venon died leaving both his Wife and Daughter to the Dutchess who look'd for no other Fortune but what proceeded from her Bounty The little Prince affected his Nurse and Rosana in such a manner that although he was wean'd yet they both tended him and waited on him Although it is a grand Error to say that the Parents beget the Souls as well as the Bodies yet since the disquesition of the Temperature and of the Organs through which the Spirit exerciseth it Functions hath great effect in regard of the firm Union of Soul and
but one mile distant from the Abbey where Samina was left to the charge of some Gentlemen soon receiv'd the news of my Lords departure for Court and in the dusk of the evening set â—ire to the outer Buildings and Stables which so surpriz'd the Family that all regardless of their Lady ran out to secure what they might and defend the Abbey from the flames but alas the hottest fire was within for his design working to his will he watch'd this opportunity of taking possession of Samina in the Abbey and securing the doors after him he apply'd himself to the Lady at the appearance of whom she swooned away but in a small time recovered and said Oh bloody Villain is there no limit to your Lust and Treachery No talking Madam says Romindus your Charms which soften'd me before made me delay and ruâ—n'd me but now they shall not interrupt me Madam I come o'r-gorg'd with Fury and Revenge be patient for you shall submit Your Beauty shall plead no more Rapine and Slaughter both attend And thus saying drew a Dagger The Lady shrieking was over-heard by some of her Servants who making up towards the door found it shut and thought that she might have shut it to secure her self The Fire being now extreme violent gave them reason to fear the ruine of the Abbey which made them all very busie and laborious to extinguish it which could not be done without much noise and clamour This pleas'd Romindus well for their tumult drown'd the cries of Samina whom he had wounded in several places though not mortally imagining that the sence of torture might move her to admit of his Embraces but all was without effect for with how much the greater violence and severity he us'd her with so much the greater constancy and chastity of spirit she renounced him After a great reluctancy recovering a Dagger from his hand she said You base and ignominious wretch dost think that Heaven cannot free me from thy lewd Embraces Yes thus thus stabbing her self I set my self at liberty My Honour far outweighs my Life and my blood shall cool the fire that burns within thee and thus speaking dy'd When Romindus had seen the firmness and Chastity of Samina he turn'd his Revenge upon himself and with the same Dagger stabb'd himself where he was found after the extinction of the fire with so much life remaining in him as to satisfie the spectators with a relation of this Tragical History and then expir'd breathing out his polluted Soul by the side of the chast and beauteous Samina who is left upon Record to future Ages as an eminent and virtuous defender of her Honour Thus the Virtue of Samina was most conspicuous and resplendant in her greatest extremity who rather chose the chast Embraces of a cold Grave than the hot polluted Arms of lustful Romindus In honour of whom an English Poet thus writeth When sinful Man from Paradice was driven Th' Almighty sent his Angel down from Heaven To guard the Tree of Life with Sword of Flame 'Gainst all who thither on Presumption came But Fair Samina whose forbidden Tree Could not by Lustful Man defiled be Had no such flaming Sword sent down from Heaven To guard her when into Temptation driven Her Virtue and her Honour were more great Which rather than foul Lust should separate In Death courageously sh'outbrav'd her Fate For when the Tempter fiercely did pursue She stabb'd her tender Breast and upwards flew To those unspotted Virgin Sp'rits above Who live in a most chast refined Love HIST III The Virtuous Imbrigis The Chast Imbrigis is contracted to Sueno but by the compulsion of her Father is married to Helga a rich old man The Baron of Fobroch afterwards falls in love with her and bribes her Husband that he might make an attempt upon her Chastity Imbrigis kills the Baron who went about to ravish her and stabs her self She recovers and marries Sueno after the Death of her Husband IN the Reign of Christiern the fourth King of Denmark liv'd in Copenhagen chief City of that Kingdom seated in the Isle of Zealand and usual residence of its Kings a rich old Burgher who had two Daughters the elder named Helda the younger Imbrigis both very beautiful Ladies though of so different inclinations that it seem'd a Prodigy for one Womb to produce such different fruits Helda was as lustful as she was fair placing her greatest pleasure abroad and in company Imbrigis as chast as beautiful and most delighted at home in the contemplation of Virtue and enjoyment of a solitary retirement These two different Beauties being ripe for Marriage were both severally courted but the excellent Beauty and Virtues of Imbrigis had more attractions than the Face and Riches of Helda however the Father resolv'd to marry the Elder first and accordingly disposed of her to Ericus a Gentleman of great Estate who had some little kindness for Helda but more for her Dower and she more regard to his rich Possessions and Lordships than his Person however the Match was concluded and the Marriage consummated but true love appeared not at this Hymen neither would the Blessing of Heaven attend upon such Marriages they both liv'd together in Adultery spending the remainder of their days in Discord and Infamy And now the old Burgher having disposed of his eldest and most beloved Daughter he began to think of a match for the youngest in which he resolv'd to consult more his own judgment and convenience than his Daughters affection and liking He had bestowed so large a Portion on his beloved Helda that he much streightned the Fortune of Imbrigis and could not expect any great and rich Husband for her unless such a one should be extraordinarily smitten with Love or some great disparity in their years however the Virtues and excellent Graces of Imbrigis had rendred her desirable to several persons of a sutable condition but none were so agreeable to the humour of the old Burgher as to obtain his approbation till Fortune and blind Love brought one as unsuitable to the Youth of the Daughter as he was acceptable to the covetous mind of the Father An ancient grave Doctor named Helga a Widower and one of the Heads of the Colledge of Sora in that Island being sent by the University to Court the Wheel of his Coach broke as he passed by the door of the old Burgher who being in his Porch invited the Doctor into his house whil'st the Coach was making fit which Helga readily accepted and there first saw the lovely and virtuous Imbrigis whose Wit and Beauty had such powerful Charms over him that notwithstanding the Snow which covered his head and the chilness of sixty Winters that had benumm'd his flesh he found the Ice which the Frost of Age had congealed about his heart begin to melt and all the fiery passions of a youthful Lover play in his breast which he strove to lay with Stoical Maxims and prudent Morals