THE NOVELLS OF Gio. Francesco Loredano A NOBLEMAN OF VENICE Translated for diversion into English LONDON Printed for Thomas Fox at the Star and Henry Lord at the Duke of Monmouth in Westminster-Hall 1682. GIO. BATTISTA FVSCONI TO THE READER THese Novels being carelesly scattered up and down I thought it my duty diligently to collect them into one Volume Flowers bound up together in a Posie do make a much better shew than when they lye strowed abroad here and there Accept Courteous Reader the Stories of a Writer that knows also how to compose Histories The Book would have been much bigger if the Author being imploy'd in more important Studies had not refus'd to gratifie my Request May you live free from enthralling Passions which is as much as to say happy THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER HAving pleas'd my self for some little time in translating I thought good to give others an hour or two's diversion in reading of these Amorous Discourses If I have detracted any thing from the worth of my Author by coming short of the politeness of his Style I have also added something to his praise by publishing his Work to those that understand nothing of his Language I beg your acceptance and bid you farewel The Argument Aleria a most beautiful Lady being not in the least moved by the many Courtships and Addresses of the Marquess Arderico becomes inclined to love him only for that he is highly commended by her Husband His good word effects that which all the sollicitations and services of the other could not do The Marquess on the contrary being acquainted herewith upon the very point of enjoying the fruits of his love doth generously quit his pretension NOVEL I. AMong other the Ladies in the famous City of Vicenza which did ravish both the eyes and hearts of all Men the beauty of Aleria of the Noble House of the Counts of Malosi did so far exceed that of the rest that it left no room neither for detraction nor amendment The fairest faces gave place to that aspect which would have been thought Divine if by her Courtly Carriage she had not discovered some graceful Tracts of Humanity This Lady who was Courted by those also that despaired of obtaining her yielding obedience only to those affections which obliged her to prefer true merit did consent to be Married to the Count of Sanca Croce a Gentlemen both for Birth and Vertue inferiour to none He had no Quality that was not amiable nor any thing in him that was not admirable The Wedding was celebrated with that splendor which was befitting their Noble Estate Those who in the general Celebration did bury their particular consolation did not refrain from being present at this Solemnity although in others rejoycing they saw cause of mourning Musick and dancing which have power to ravish even those hearts that are most deeply affected with Melancholy could not asswage the grief of their minds who together with the beauty of Aleria did lose the hopes of their lives Yet many by their dextrous ingenuity making a vertue of necessity not being able to subdue their affection did direct it to other Women Others knowing their eyes to have been the instruments of letting in love to their hearts resolved to deprive them of such their complacency by withdrawing them from their beloved object They fled away from that Climate wherein the Sun did not shine but in favour of others Some following the rules of him that taught the Remedy of Love set themselves to spy faults in that Face which being of heavenly beauty could not be thought exempt from Clouds Onely Arderico the Marquess of Castel Novo raising his hopes above the impossibility of the Enterprise found that the Solemnity of this day had made his love more ardent whilst others had thereby applied remedies to their passion He being as I believe in an extasie of grief was assisting to all the Offices of that day imitating those foolish Flies which so they may enjoy the light of a Candle do not care if they burn themselves in its flame He endur'd his torment with so much impatience that the least effect of his distracting amazement was the forgetting of himself The Feast being over he found new fuel added to his fire The absenting himself did not extinguish but foment his flames Wretched Arderico felt his love grow the hotter for being farther from the refreshing beauties of Aleria She on the contrary did give such pure demonstrations of her zealous affection to her Husband that all hope except that of Arderico's which was devoted to obstinacy would have turn'd to despair But he nevertheless loving so much the more for his being less beloved let slip no occasion of discovering to her his disease His eyes were continually fixed upon her he assaulted her with sighs and ask'd pity of her by his looks in sum he waiting on her in all places and courting her at all Balls there fell out no accident which he did not signalize either by some demonstration of obsequiousness or testimony of his affection Yet Aleria either not believing or not caring to be belov'd never lookt upon him but with an indifferent eye And although the rules of good manners did oblige her to yield to him in dancing and to correspond with him in saluting yet she did it without the least acknowledgment of his affection Arderico having no other means to insinuate his love into the mind of Aleria had recourse to his Pen and with much ado his tears intermixing with the Ink and defacing his Writing he formed this Letter Fair Lady I should think I did deserve the rigors of your disdain for discovering my affection if I did not know that every heart stands obliged to love things that are divine The rays of your beauty have kindled so great a fire in my breast that I should believe the hiding it to be rather an effect of stupidity than of Vertue Aleria I love you and if the ties of Love were so powerful as those of Religion I would say I adore you But what my Pen conceals will be made manifest in my soul if you please not to disdain the services of Your most humble Servant Arderico Having sealed the Letter he bethought him of the best way how to convey it safe into the hands of Aleria Her Servants though gained by the excesses of his Liberality yet durst not attempt the affections of a Mistriss so chast that she gave not the least motive for temptation To make use of other persons he thought it both scandalous dangerous wherefore he resolv'd himself to be the Porter He pitch'd upon a day when she was at Church perhaps more adored than adoring And coming as near to her as well he could deceiving the suspicion and observation of many whilst Aleria was intent upon her mental Devotions he conveyed the Billet into her Prayer-Book which by chance she had laid behind her There was not any one that perceived it Aleria
I do not envy the happiness of my Mistress in possessing your whole Heart I only bewail the misery of my Fortune which hath put me in a condition to be despised even by those for whom I continually do services Having thus spoken she kissed his Hand which she held pressed between her own with so much passion that Lovanius who at first laughed at her folly being not able to resist any longer let himself be overcome by sensuality so much the rather because the Features of Aleria were so excellent that he rather would have been counted a fool than a constant lover who should have let slip the occasion of enjoying her Lovanius and Aleria were ingulfed in Amorous Pleasures when Deadora thinking long e're she was called and perhaps not being without jealousie since true Lovers pay this interest for their pleasure having seen her Husband in bed she came softly down into the ground Chamber There having found her lover engaged in amorous action being hurried by a precipitous rage without remembring the dangers that were imminent to her Life and Honour she began furiously to lay about her both with her hands and tongue Traitors said she do you thus triumph over my disgrace are these the rewards of my confidence and fidelity I 'll handle you in such manner that by seeing you buried in my destruction I will rejoice that my ruine shall not be infested either by your derision or lasciviousness These words were accompanied with so many blows and bites that fetched bloud in many places about Aleria Lovanius in this interim throwing himself at her feet entreated her with such sweet words as would have softned the hardest stones Sometimes he put her in mind of the danger their lives were in Sometimes he excused his own errour promising amendment And other times he protested that his body had sinned without the consent of his soul Deadora nevertheless being deaf to these supplications and humiliations continued her assaults both in words and deeds when Gelasius with a look full of horrour and fierceness came thither He had waking long attended Aleria's coming whereupon rising for to look after her he came where he heard though not distinctly the complaints of Deadora the crys of Aleria and the prayers of Lovanius Gelasius therefore taking a Poniard in his Hand ran in a rage whither the noise called him He had no sooner seen Lovanius embracing his Wifes knees but he concluded him to be the enemy of her Chastity and the reputation of his House wherefore running furiously on him he wounded him in such manner in the head that not being able to support himself he fell flat upon the ground with the Agony of Death upon him which also appeared more terrible unto him because he saw that his sensualities had prepared a grave not only for himself but also for Deadora Gelasius seeing Lovanius in a condition not to live long much less to make any defence turning about to his Wife with a tone so terrible that would have struck horrour into the stoutest heart he said Woman thy offence is so heinous that to let it go unpunished would be an effect rather of weakness than of compassion Yet the characters of my former affection being still imprinted in my mind I will pardon thee but on this condition that seeing this Adulterer hath gotten thy heart thou wilt by the help of this weapon tear it from his breast Deadora taking the Dagger with an undaunted courage greater than is required in any Woman said unto him Sir the errors of love do deserve some kind of pardon because they proceed rather from Fate than out of choice But I confess my self unworthy of it because I could not regulate my dissoluteness She spoke these words and then making as if she would have run the Dagger into Lovanius's body she stabb'd her Husband to the heart who scarce could say Cursed Woman dost thou thus in one moment rob me of my Honour and my Life but losing his Speech in a number of groans in a manner threatning rather than yielding to death he unhappily departed this life Deadora having performed this much more generous than just enterprize she ran to suck in the last breath of Lovanius who striving against the pangs of Death spoke thus unto her My dear Deadora I now dye contented in that I dye not unrevenged Pardon me I pray you and let the chastisement of an humane errour terminate with him that hath committed it For Gods sake let not your anger disturb my ashes But Oh me this is the last minute of my life Give me O my Dear your last kisses for a consolation at this my departure In ending these words he ended his days Deadora being oppressed with grief stood immoveable as a Statue and after a Deluge of tears she cryed out saying Stay a little O thou Soul of my most dear Lovanius 'T is not just that thou shouldst go alone into the Shades In saying so she gave her self a Stab upon the Heart and thereupon in a moment she pow'red forth her Soul with her Bloud Aleria who in the representation of these Tragedies had suffer'd the torments of a thousand Deaths flying from the sight and interrogation of all those whom the noise had drawn thither in great numbers and hating at once both to see her self and the light retired unto the uppermost part of the House Thereby fitting a Cord and therewith miserably expiring she gave a worthy reward to her own immodesty From hence it may be gathered that the joys of all illegitimate love do terminate in sorrows and that unchast affection can have no other than an unhappy end The Argument The Countess of Castelnovo in a certain great exigency sends for assistance to the Marquess Oliverio He being fervently enamoured of her doth most readily comply with her desires The Countess having her want supplied doth by a neat contrivance carried on by favour of the night both save her own honour and satisfie the discretion of the Marquess NOVELL IV. IN the City of Alexandria situate in the Province of Puglia upon the Confines of Monferrat there was a most Noble Gentlewoman whom I will at present distinguish by no other name than that of the Countess This Lady was graced with such singular perfection of Beauty that she could not be beheld by Men without ardent love nor by Women without great envy The content which Lovers had in looking upon the most admirable features of her Face did extort from them the loss of their liberty In short this glorious Sun did dazle the hearts no less than the eyes of the Spectators He was rather deem'd a fool than wise who could not be subject to such sweet Tyranny and he was almost reputed a Sacrilegious Person who did not offer up his heart in Sacrifice to this idolized Beauty This Treasury of all the riches of Nature was by right of Matrimony in the possession of the Count de Castelnovo a Gentleman endued
little Girl The God of Love brought it so about that this young couple did sacrifice their whole affections unto the Shrine of his Divinity Giacintha was with Isabella to congratulate the safe return of her Brother who was present at this Complement which made it not difficult for her by glancing words and eyes to declare the passion of her heart In brief there passed not many days but by the mediation of Isabella these two Lovers were contracted with a mutual promise of Matrimony But Fortune for the most part envying the happiness of Lovers order'd the matter so that a Cosen of Don Piedro's called Leonora who was more than hansom and extreamly rich fell grievously in love with him Don Piedro perceived it but his heart being otherwise engaged made as if he saw it not and that with so much caution that Leonora was ready to despair At last seeing her self despised or at leastwise not well accepted of she took to her Bed leaving the Physicians little hopes of her recovery the wounds of her heart proving to be incurable The Mother of Leonora having the experience of many years did easily know that her Daughters sickness proceeded from love She therefore by the help of one of her Maidens penetrating into the certainty and original of it applied her whole endeavours to find out the remedy She sends for Don Piedro and in words bedewed with tears and sighs she offers him her Daughter telling him punctually the occasion of her indisposition She urged her entreaties by letting him know that he could not meet with a more rich or a more honourable Match The Laws of good breeding compelled Don Piedro to make a courteous answer And hoping that the time requisite for treating and getting the consent of her friends might administer some cure to this Malady he remitted the conclusion to the sole will of his Father to whom as his duty was he entirely referred himself After this he went in to see his Cosen which filled her full of hopes that do easily take place in the breasts of young Virgins Leonora in the mean time taking courage from the words tho they were not binding and continued visits from Don Piedro in a very short time recovered her former health Giacintha on the other side wanting many of his Visits did most miserably afflict her self and frequently inculpate the Loyalty of Don Pietro He not being able to endure her resentments thought of weakning her jealousie by discovering the whole truth unto her Hereupon Giacintha being in a great rage with a furious tone said unto him Never speak to me nor presume to see me more if you do not make your Kinswoman know that you are my Spouse and cannot be hers Neither my Heart nor my Honour will suffer any Rival In saying so she made a motion to be gone but was stopt by Don Piedro who with horrible imprecations asserted his own constancy and promised the next day to undeceive his Cosen Giacintha being willing to lay a further obligation upon Don Piedro for the performance of his promises made her self sure to him by an Oath Don Piedro in these delightsome amours having lost all that circumspection that before made him cautious went to see his Cosen who having wholly chased away her disease was only attending the perfect consummation of her recovery He was received in the most affectionate manner that a loving soul could put in practice But the appearing of some trouble in his looks gave occasion to Leonora to ask him the cause of it After a little slight denial Don Piedro said It is not justice Madam that I should betray your good affection and falsify my own promises My behaviour hath hitherto been rather feigned than candid I had a mind to recover you but I cannot satisfie you Bear with my Fortune that hath obliged me to another I have pass'd my word and am contracted to Giacintha nor can I disengage my self without losing my life 'T is enough answered Leonora yet had you better have letten me dye than to revive in me the tyranny of passion Patience the heart that cannot bend may break Having said this she went out of the Chamber and retired into a Closet where she let loose the reins of her anger which thus dictated unto her Sir The injuries that are done to honour do call for revenge even from those that have no interest therein For this reason I counsel you to look well to the guard of your House whose Honour is endangered by Don Pietro de Ponzes If blinded by destiny you should think this to be a Forgery your own eyes when circumspect will give you testimony of the truth hereof She sealed the Letter without subscribing it and sent it by a Footman belonging to the Father of Giacintha This done she returned into her Closet for to write another while Don Pietro being doubtful what resolutions an incensed Woman might take made haste away Afterwards Leonora went out of the Closet to her Mother begging her Blessing for that she was afraid she should never see her more Her Mother chid her saying O Daughter do not use these hateful expressions to me unless you intend to shorten my days Leonora with tears in her eyes left her Mother She had not gone far but sending forth a deep sigh she fell down dead All the House ran to her succour and believing her to be only in a Swoon they applied all things proper to bring her to her self again All their endeavours were in vain and the Doctor being come knew her to be dead indeed In stripping off her Cloths there fell from her Bosom a Letter which being directed to her Mother spake thus Dear Mother I my self have undertaken to chastise the intemperance of my sensual appetite by taking Poison to expel my immoderate affection I thought Death would be more pleasing to me than to see my Cosen in the Arms of another Woman I beseech you pardon the displeasure which this my resolution shall have given you by judging it necessary to terminate the disquiet of my heart Adieu dearest Mother adieu Your unfortunate Leonora This unhappy accident occasioned great disturbance in the minds of her Mother and Kindred and some there were unacquainted with her Love-affair that did so far err in their judgment as to impute this her sudden death unto her great riches Giacintha knowing her self to be unwillingly guilty of this Woman-slaughter had a mind to have some affectionate discourse about it with Don Pietro Whereupon she sends privately to tell him that she desired to see him that very night Don Pietro went accordingly and was as at other times conducted into a low Chamber by a servant who afterwards stood as Sentinel at the Door Giaccintha was scarce come into the room when Don Garzia who by the Letter that did tax his honour was made very vigilant was at the apartment of his Daughter But not finding her there he went on to that of his Son
He let not one moment of the hour appointed slip before he was at the Chamber of Aleria Their complements and endearments are referred to the consideration of those who have been the subjects of the like entertainment Aleria was already gotten into Bed expecting to give vent in amorous embraces to those passions which do torment the minds of Lovers Arderico being abashed to see himself prevented began to strip himself with all diligence Whilst with an amorous impatience he was pulling off his Clothes he askt Aleria the reason why after so many slightings of the proofs of his affection she had so suddenly condescended to his desires at a time when he was assigning over all his pretensions unto desperation My Love answered Aleria the extraordinary Character of your Merit so lively represented to me by my Husband hath so entirely subdued my Spirit that I did not believe I could live without you and here she repeated to him all that her Husband had said Well then said Arderico had neither my love nor my service any power to win your heart if the Voice of the Count your Husband sounding forth my praises had not charmed your Soul It is even so replied Aleria God forbid added Arderico putting on his Clothes again that I should injure him who by such generous expressions of favour towards me doth Violate the Chastity of the most noble Woman Pardon me Aleria I cannot serve you to the prejudice of his Honour who by his Encomiums so much advanceth the merit of my Quality In saying so he went hastily out of doors by this action teaching men the true Worth of Gentility Husbands that they ought not to speak too much in praise of other men to their Wives and prescribing unto Women more especialy to those that are Married not to run the hazard of setling their affections on a Man who may be changed every moment The Argument Epidorus a young man of Florence falls unwarily in Love with a Masquerade that he did not know and believing her to be a Noble Lady called Leena he very earnestly sues for love unto her Having obtained his Suit whilst he thinks he enjoys her he finds himself encircled within the Arms of a Chambermaid whom in his own defence he is forced to Marry NOVEL II. THere came to Venice for to recreate himself in time of Carneval Epidorus a young Florentine of a very mean Extraction but who had by the avarice of his Father gotten to himself some sort of Reputation This young Man by the Death of his Progenitors was possessed of so great an Estate that it gave not only light to the obscurity of his Birth but made him also ambitious of enjoying those pleasures which are oftentimes sought after by the greatest Personages There was no Feast Play nor Publick Revelling in Venice unto which he would not go One Evening at a Ball he found himself love-stricken by an imaginary beauty The stately Gate and rich Attire of a Masquerade did so bewitch his fancy that he confessed himself her Lover before he could see her face Neither did the career of his loving Dotages stop here for having warily followed her after she went from the Ball he saw her go into the House of one of the chief Gentlemen of that City who among other temporal blessings was happy in a very beautiful Wife He imagining that this Masquerade was Leena for such was the fair Ladies name of that House grew more and more in Love and his Passion was confirmed when he saw Leena the next day wear part of those ornaments which he had observed on the Masquerade Taking therefore courage from the difficulty of the Enterprise he resolved to try all means possible Fortune was not averse in offering them unto him whilst that very Evening the same Masquerade came again to the Ball. He after having waited some time on her seeing no little correspondence in her eyes the press of People leaving no room for observation accosted her after this fashion Madam iâ— my tongue were not afraid of committing a rash offence it would venture to disclose the passion that I nourish in my breast and would intercede for a love which is so much the greater by how much the longer it is concealed If you knew said she the person that is disguised under this Habit you would heartily repent your having given so much liberty to your tongue I do not rely answered Epidorus upon outward appearances but upon the knowledge of your singular merit which is matched to an excellent beauty You says the Masquerade so you get the name of a lover do not care if you are reputed a Lyar. Tell me how can you judge of the beauty of my face which you have not seen otherwise than Masqued One may very well replied Epidorus give judgment upon the brightness of the Sun although it be shaded by a Cloud and my wicked eyes have forcibly introduc'd the bright image of your beauty into my heart Lady Leena it is impossible to conceal your self from the affection of a Lover who hath the eyes of Argus To say that I adore you is the greatest testimony that my mouth can utâ—er but the least sentiment that my heart â—an express It lyes in you to make me â—appy Great enterprises have great diffiâ—ulties attending them But Love that â—an rob Jove himself of the power of his Thunder can also make level even Mounâ—ains of impossibility He would have gone on if that the Masquerade with â—ome shew of anger had not interrupted â—is discourse saying When you spoke to me as to a person unknown I did bear with your ignorance but now seeing that â—ou know me and yet with a presumption â—reater than becomes you dare still to â—empt me I cannot but blame your insoâ—ence If I did not fear the prejudice ariâ—ng to my honour from one so inferiour â—o my Quality Repentance should be the â—east punishment of your rashness But whilst she was speaking these words her â—ands and her eyes did betray her tongue â—nd did assure Epidorus by all the favours â—ossible that those resentments were the â—mpulses of honesty and not the effects of â—nger And here the Ball broke up whereâ—pon it behoved Epidorus to retire accomâ—anied with all those inquietudes which do â—ssault the youth and imprudence of a lover He expected the next night which was the last of the Carnevale with those passionate desires which are wont to attend an enamoured Soul The Stars had scarce made any shew of the light they had borrowed from the Sun when he went to the usual Ball. A little after came the Masquerade very well known although shâ— had us'd a great deal of cunning to conceal her self from the curious eye of Epidorus He taking her by the hand endeavour'd to give credit to his affection with these words Fair Leena you may by your new disguise very well impose upon the eyes of others but not upon my hearâ— which with its unusual
should so much eclipse your memory as to forget those sweet endearments that were both given and received Is it possible that those sprightly kisses which every moment brought our very Souls unto the confines of our lips should have instill'd the Water of Lethe into your heart I shall rather put my self into Oblivion than forget the pleasure I receive by such sweet remembrances The Countess interrupted him saying My Lord Marquess I will undeceive you it not being just that your Opinion should arraign my Honesty which hitherto hath had no other stains than those which it may have receiv'd from your desire and belief For to please you I put a trick upon you thereby to answer in some measure both my own obligation and your affection Your amorous actions of the last night were with my Chambermaid Aleria my Birth and the Honour of my Husband not permitting me more She is here at hand for to testifie unto you the truth hereof Oliverio did not stay to hear any further but being devilish mad went home to his house devising a thousand ways how to bring the Fame and Life of the Countess to destruction Yet consulting afterward with reason he admired the prudence of that Lady who without any prejudice to her Honour could fasten so fine a Jest upon her Lover and changed his Sensuality into Friendship and Respect Here Ladies of Honour may be instructed how to defend themselves in such hard cases without hazarding their Reputation and Gentlemen may be warned not to attempt the Chastity of a prudent Lady since they get nothing thereby but frauds and repulses It not being blame-worthy to make use sometimes of evasions for to escape the tyranny of necessity The Argument The Count of Villa Franca being deceived by finding of a Letter doth believe his Wife to be an Adulteress And whilst he goes about to take her in the fact he finds out new matter of suspicion He was near taking a very severe revenge upon her when he is informed of her innocency and given to understand that the errour did arise from a certain likeness of Characters NOVEL V. A Gentleman who for that he is of High Birth we will call him by the borrowed name of the Count de Villa Franca for to avoid the heat of Summer did retire with his Wife near to the Euganean Hills to enjoy the Air of a little Mount whereupon in spight of the Dog-days there was a continual Spring Here he passed away his time by spreading Nets for Birds and setting traps for Beasts He robbed his Body of rest and his eyes of sleep for to sacrifice them to the hopes he had of prey He always got up before Sun-rising and it seemed that this New Titon did nothing more than make love to Aurora One morning among the rest while he was in search of some young Nightingals before they were well fledg'd he followed his Game to the very outmost Confines of his Vineyard which being very great had no fence either of Walls or Hedges And looking narrowly after those little Birds-nests who by crying after the old one did unwittingly betray themselves he cast his eye upon a Letter that lay among a company of leaves and did seem as if it were afraid of being discovered He taking it up and diligently observing the Seal was on a sudden agitated with divers thoughts Scarce had he opened it but that seeing the Character and Subscription to be his Wifes he grew Horn-mad After a little pause which was accompanied by those tumultuary passions that do assault a Soul that is govern'd both by honour and by love he cursorily read over the Letter which contain'd these expressions Friend She that loves cannot do all that she would Fortune would not be accounted a Goddess if she did not many times drive the patient sufferings of a lover into desperations Pardon therefore that impotency which hitherto hath been accidental and not voluntary She that is in love is always more unhappy than all others because she coveteth more than others This night only Fate grants me the favour of a consolation to my impatiences They that have authority to watch over the motions of my affection shall be either absent or consenting I in an Habit different from that of my Sex will convey my self into your embraces The love I bear you will not let you run the hazard of any danger it being far from being possible I earnestly desire your answer without delay to th' end that I may govern my self to your satisfaction I being both by election and obligation Your most humble Servant Felicia These Characters did so deeply wound the Soul of the Count that the least part of his fury was to threaten death Doubt and uncertainty could get no place in his mind who by the Subscription by the Seal and by the Hand-Writing was too much assured of his Wifes inconstancy He made such imprecations against Heaven the Earth and Himself with sentiments so vigorous as would have mov'd impiety it self unto compassion At length considering that dissimulation was the best means to facilitate his revenge he returned hastily into his Lodgings and there transcribing his Wifes Letter and counterfeiting the hand he Sealed it up and carried it back again to the place where he found it Afterward hiding himself at a convenient distance as far as he could well see he observed a Boy that came to take away that Letter and a little after to bring thither another He was desirous to see it and found it without Seal or Subscription to speak these words Fair Lady Favours are then most to be priz'd when they come least expected I would express my thanks if I could either impart the Sentiments of my Soul unto my Pen or could requite in any part the honour that is intended me I will wait upon you that I may not be wanting to your satisfaction I have no greater testimony at present of my love than to let you know that I can and will obey you The hours will seem ages unto me and I shall hasten every moment with a wish that I may the sooner see you Farewell my dearest my most beloved and my fairest one M. O. The Count being wholy possessed by rage and passion and having his thoughts fixed on revenge left the Letter in its place and retired to his own House And although the wanness of his face and the wildness of his looks did discover the trouble of his mind yet covering his grief with a feigned smile he said he must go away presently for the City although the day before he had not appointed to go till after Dinner Felicia did not at all contradict him but did rather give him some little business in charge which might detain him there the day following These were all accidents that did aggravate his Suspicion and did turn all his patience into fury The Count went to the City attended by the greatest part of his Servants and afterwards
if you do not dart your Thunderbolts at this impious Villain Dercella hearing these words of her Mother and thinking she was imposed upon by Assirdus fell a weeping and with such lively expressions of grief as would have softned the hardest heart she said Why O Cruel Man hast thou betrayed a poor simple and innocent Girl Why hast thou deceived me by a piece of Treachery which is the more execrable for having been hid under the Mask of Love Where where O inhumane Wretch hast thou learnt such unnatural Cruelty that even savage Beasts are not guilty of Pray Mother pardon that rashness which did not think by its Sensuality of offending the Laws of Nature nor the satisfaction of her that gave me my being She would have gone in if Assirdus who hitherto had been as immoveable as a Stock had not interrupted her saying Dercella Whosoever doubts of my Fidelity may as well doubt of her own Sensibility I do declare my self yours and offer my self ready to confirm my declaration by a lawful Marriage which shall be no longer in effecting than you are in consenting Eudosia was much more enraged at these words whereupon redoubling her out-crys she furiously ran to satisfie her anger by the force of her hands Dercella love not permitting her to see Assirdus wronged without defending him interposed for to pacifie her Mother but she growing more and more outragious was near upon some mischievous resolution if the sudden appearing of the Count had not staid her and struck her dumb He had impatiently for some time waited the return of his beloved but not seeing her come he went out of the Chamber to seek her not without fear that this her staying might portend some disaster As soon as he heard the out-crys his fears were increased so that he came hastily in where Eudosia by scratching and biting was giving vent to her furious passion They were all amazed at this appearance and the Count was much astonished at the sight of Assirdus whereupon Eudosia began to ask him how he got into the House To which the Count answered by the invitation of Dercella Thou lyest said she and except Assirdus there 's no man can brag of having my love The lye replied he from a Girl makes no matter and the rather because this Writing doth declare you guilty In saying so he drew forth a Letter and being about to read it he was interrupted by Assirdus who spake unto him O unfaithful friend this Letter belongs to me It is true added the Count but you refusing to come hither I supplied your place and have enjoyed her with a promise of Marriage Then answered Assirdus shall Dercella have two Husbands I also having enjoyed her by the same promise Eudosia now perceiving that whilst she went about to deceive others she her self was deceived and being unwilling that the publication of this accident should be an occasion of Town-talk spoke thus to the Count and to Assirdus Sirs if you will as becomes Gentlemen keep to your words of Marriage I will see that you shall have the same persons that you have enjoyed For my part said the Count I do think my self honoured in confirming what I promised Assirdus said the same yet were they both very much concerned knowing that Dercella could be Wife but to one of them The wonder ceased when Eudosia discovered that she was the Author of this Letter and had submitted to the Count supposing him to be Assirdus The Count who had no greater end than to enrich himself and therefore made no distinction between the Mother and the Daughter shew'd himself well contented And hereupon the Weddings were celebrated with extraordinary Mirth and Jollity Giving to understand that who so keep themselves within the bounds of honesty may always expect a good end to be the consequent of their just desires The Argument Arsinda being left a Widdow promises to marry the Count of Rocca Battuta But being cozened with a Letter counterfeited by the Marquess Odorico she refuseth the former and makes a Contract with the latter At length the fraud being discovered by one of her Maidens she will not have the Marquess but hastneth away to celebrate the Counts Funeral whom she believed to be dead Yet finding him alive and being followed by the Marquess they all come to an untimely end NOVEL VII ARsinda who in the City of Lisbon was Mistress of all those Prerogatives that do make an accomplisht Woman having â—een two years marry'd was left to bewail â—he fatal cutting of that Knot which she wished might never have been loosned But although she did with admirable expressions of sorrow honour the exequies of her Husband yet it was not long before she repented the sacrificing of so many tears to those unhappy ashes and perswaded her self that they were but vain kind of demonstrations which being derided of all those that observed them did hurt to the living and no good to the dead Hearkning therefore to the incitements of sense and the proposals of her Relations who invited her to marry again she tyed her heart no less than her word to Daletes the Count of Rocca Battuta And although Women do many times err in their choice yet she was esteemed the more prudent and vertuous for chusing a Gentleman that was so excellently well qualified The Nuptials were concluded on by the authority of those that had most power over them and Arsinda making use of that liberty which is usual with Widdows did one day privately introduce the Count into her Garden there to express that content which she now began inwardly to enjoy At this meeting there was no demonstration either of love or respect wanting The Count did declare how much he was honoured in being preferred before others and Arsinda extolled his merit which had constrained her to make him sole owner of her heart While they were thus contending with these affectionate declarations there came in a Page who delivered a Letter into the hands of Arsinda She not so much as looking upon the Seal with a loving confidence gave it to the Count. He receiving it very courteously opened it and saw that without any subscription it said thus Fair Lady Your excuses are more courtly than necessary and I am more fit to receive than to deserve your favours I know that experience doth assure me of your affection but my heart being jealous even of its own desires doth sigh to see this day which not only denys me but communicates unto another those beauties which are not mine though I am permitted to enjoy them I should be afraid that the just title of the Count would condemn my possession as tyrannical I being but a paramour if the power of the Will did not surpass that of the Law Do not O fair one in company of your Spouse lose the memory of your Gallant who is more deserving of your love because less desiring to impose upon you the ties of Matrimony and whose
ambition is not to be your companion but your servant The Count made an end of reading this Letter with many signs of impatience which brought such a confusion of disdainful thoughts into Arsindas mind that she became speechless The bloud flushed into her face not to shew any guiltiness but that it might not suffocate her heart which by a greater palpitation than ordinary did shew the resentments due to the rashness of that Paper The Count taking this silence for a confession of her fault with an odious because feigned smile that began and ended in the same minute said unto her Madam Your promise of Marriage to me was needless since for ought I understand Gallants are more pleasing to you than Husbands These words making Arsinda to reflect more upon her own innocency than upon the Counts jealousie she did not suffer him to say any more but with a no less free than scornful behaviour after many sharp reproofs she even told him he himself was the Author of that Letter And without taking leave she retired into her Chamber leaving the mind of the Count cruelly tormented between Love and Jealousie The Count therefore supposing that the expressions of Arsinda were the more feigned for being so vehement and not being able to induce in himself a belief of her innocency he let himself fall into the hands of desperation his anger being arrived at that pitch that he could no longer endure her either as a Mistress or an enemy Without mentioning therefore to any body the madness of his resolution he took Horse and departed from the City hating all those things which might reduce to his memory the infidelity of her whom he was forc'd to adore though he thought her inconstant Being carried on more swiftly by the rage of despair than by the Speed of his Horse the night approaching he was constrained to take shelter in an Inn. Here with no less hatred to himself than to the conversation of others neglecting to bespeak any Supper he shut himself into a Chamber alone with an intent there to give vent to rather than allay the fierceness of his passion Being alone he abandoned himself up to sorrow to th' end that by by the Streams of his eyes he might in some measure disburthen the overflowing oppression of his heart At length being weary of Solemnizing with a Deluge of tears the Funeral of his hopes he thought of raising himself from misery by humbling himself before that Idol whose displeasure brought more terrour to his soul than any other sort of chastisement So taking Pen in hand he wrote as follows Fair Lady The heart is not subject to the faultrings of the tongue and repentance is the amendment of errors In confidence whereof my desires are flatter'd with the hopes of finding you to day as compassionate as yesterday I found you cruel I beseech you therefore O Fair One to bury in oblivion the extravagant excursions of a poor soul that did doat upon the ravishing delights of your converse and be pleas'd to re-establish me in your affection which will be the more dear unto me because I having most justly lost it you may the more graciously restore it unto me Altho I could excuse my fault yet I do freely confess it for to give the greater merit to your pardon whereof my rashness had made me unworthy Upon this sovereign act of your benignity doth depend the life of Your most devoted and obliged Servant Rocca Battuta Recommending this Letter to the Host both for its delivery and for an answer he returned to his former affliction thinking what effects his Writing might produce Whilst by tormenting thoughts he felt the Tyranny both of hope and fear he heard a mournful noise made by some sorrowful person Being a little comforted by these doleful tones and applying others unhappiness as a Plaister to his own Wounds he drew near to a Partition of Boards that divided the Room There he heard one speak some words indistinctly which did blame Love and Fortune as the authors of his oppression It now seemed that his passion was alleviated by the mixture of another's misfortune when a little after there came into the Chamber whence these sorrowful complaints did proceed a Man crying out Victory my Lord Marquess Odorico Victory By my ingenuity Rocca Battuta is wholly batter'd down and you to morrow shall take possession of Arsinda these Nuptials staying for nothing but your arrival in the City The Marquess who by exceeding patience had repelled his grief could not resist the assaults of these joyful tydings He cryed out like a Mad-man in conceits expressive of his great content Why then said he shall Arsinda be mine Is it possible that I shall be the Primum Mobile of that amorous Heaven which sent forth nothing but lightnings to set fire on my faithful affection O Fortune I will offer Sacrifices to thy honour O God of Love I thank thee And if heretofore I have rashly offended the sovereignty of thy power I do now repent me of it since that Arsinda is to be mine The Count being out of all patience and not considering that these accidents might carry him to some precipice with a loud voice he made himself to be heard in these terms Traitors your Treachery is discover'd and if Heaven doth not favour injustice or if my Sword hath not lost its edge shall be punished In uttering these words he ran furiously into the Hall with his Sword naked in his hand while the Marquess with equal fury came to meet him Here they began a duel with all the rage that hatred and jealousie could infuse into them The Count with a few blows would have worsted the Marquess if two Souldiers of his had not interposed in his defence The Fight being so unequal the Count was necessitated to take his life as a gift from them although his generous mind scorn'd to ask it and his passionate heart abhorred to receive it Being deeply wounded in two places he was by the Inn-keeper recommended to the Chyrurgeons whilst he disdaining to live without his beloved and hating to see her in the possession of his enemy thought there was no more proper remedy for his grief than despair The anguish of his wounds was much exasperated by the answer of Arsinda which coming from a Lady that generously insisted upon her honour did bring nothing but the expressions of an alienated affection and implacable aversion Her Letter spake in this manner Sir He that has the heart to injure a Lady of honour may also have the courage to endure her resentments Thus much I thought good to intimate unto you more for the sake of good manners than for your deserts I am sorry I cannot adjust the desires of my heart to the weakness of my Sex thereby to chastise the excursions of a tongue no less rash than infamous Do not abuse my patience by any more Letters for if you do rest assured that they being burnt into
fault who by neglecting the advantages offered you have indiscreetly fled from her that loved you and blindly pursued her that hated you This Don Diego is a Judgment from Heaven Acknowledge it and repent for it is always good to change Counsels when you may reap profit thereby I am the same that ever I was and as I have long set a great value upon your merit so I will endeavour all I can to recompence it If I did believe answered Don Diego that my blind constancy did not make me unworthy of your favour I would muster up all my Spirits and sacrifice the whole strength of my heart unto your Beauty and by my past ardors you may guess how fervent my future love will he 'T is enough Don Diego reply'd Isabella I am yours and you shall always find me so Your past aversion hath but refin'd my affection If this Night you will put on the Habit of a Gardner and come to my House I will make you to know that Women are not at all blame-worthy and that the defect is in Men who love without distinction as being guided more by Passion than Discretion Having thus spoken she left Don Diego I know not whether more joyful of his new Adventure or fearful of some new misfortune For calling to mind his late slighting of this Lady he thought it impossible she should preserve so much kindness for him as that instead of revenge she should bestow upon him those favours which are the the reward of long and faithful services and a loving correspondence But his sensual appetite prevailing above all other considerations he went as soon as 't was Night to the House of Isabella She received him most affectionately and afterwards conducted him unseen into a Ground-room which by a back pair of Stairs did lead into her own Chamber Here she pray'd him to dispence with staying a little till her Maidens who were naturally prying into these kind of secrets being retired might give a better opportunity for their amorous Thefts After this Isabella thinking it long e'er she were with Don Diego feigned her self not very well whereupon she dismissed her Servants and allowed some time for their going to sleep In the mean time Don Diego thinking every moment that did delay his satisfaction to be very tedious did believe that he was betrayed He saw the Room where he was besieged by enraging flames and it seemed to him that the Fire did upbraid his incontinency and by the purity of its ardor threaten to extinguish the impurity of his desires And the rather for that there came in to his mind the past ill opinions he had of Women and he perswaded himself that this was a trick put upon him by Isabella which indeed was but a meer accident The Servants had carelesly left fire in the next Room which having lain hid a Day and a Night broke out with so much fury that the poor lover was near being sacrificed He would have cried out but he durst not for fear being found in that place of being kill'd either as a Thief or an Adulterer He tryed to get out but could not Isabella having secured him by fast locking of the Door His fear was increased by the confused noise of those in the House who cryed out Fire Fire and hearing them already ask for the Key of his Chamber he knew not what excuse to make to those that should find him there But his danger did not admit of long consultation since he already began to feel the difference between the elementary and imaginary â—lames In these streights he heard a little Door opening into the Room which he had not till then observed And now he gave himself for lost beâ—ng he could not on the sudden bethink himself of any pretence that might serve to cover his guiltiness He was â—n some measure refreshed by the comâ—ng of Isabella who taking him by the â—and hastily drew him trembling out â—y the same private way that he went â—n saying to him Don Diego you are very unfortunate in your amours seeing that the House is on fire I do not â—ow wonder at other Women for having refused you Get you among the Crowd of those that run to the fire â—hat so you may go away unespied and we will order our business better for the future This succeeded happily â—o Don Diego for he making as if he were drawn thither by the noise having put off the Gardners Coat did manfully assist in putting out the fire which without his help would certainly â—ave dilated its Violences much farther After this he received publick Thanks from Isabella who in very affectionate and respectful terms did express heâ— own Gratitude and her Husbands obligation unto him Don Diego departeâ— more enamoured than before his inordinate affection gaining strength by this accidental opposition so that he continued to give fresh testimonies oâ— his respects towards Isabella who being desirous to bring her amorous practice to perfection sent him the following Letter My Dear It behoved me to moderate the ardency of my affection in the presence oâ— my Husband He is newly gone into the Country and I do in this Paper enclose my heart to you If the Fire oâ— our House hath not extinguished thaâ— of your Breast I shall expect you about the Third Hour of the Night 〈◊〉 desire that you would disguise youâ—self under the Habit of Austin my Servant and so by help of the Keâ— herewith sent you you may enter thâ— House without any the least suspicion In the mean time please to accept of her Services who professes her self to be Your most devoted and obliged Servant Isabella Don Diego upon the receipt of this Letter thought himself in Heaven wherefore his reading and kissing it over and over and the putting of it up in his Bosom were the least demonstrations of his joyful affection After this taking Pen and Paper he sent this answer My dear heart I being equally confounded by the greatness of your favour and the smallness of my desert cannot tell how to express my obligations I will come in the silent time of the Night and sacrifice my heart unto you I have nothing more valuable nor more proportionable to my desire and Love it self pretends to no more It is great reason that I should transform my self into the likeness of what I shall always be Your most humble and most obliged Servant Don Diego At length the Night came that was so often called upon by him whereupon in the Disguise and at the hour appointed he went to the House of Isabella He was near opening the Door when he saw himself assaulted by four Men who with Cudgels in their hands began to bang him soundly These were some debauched Youths who having been affronted as they pretended by Austin did there lye in wait to beat him and taking Don Diego by his Clothes to be Austin they did sorely rib-baste him Don Diego not being us'd to take blows drew