whereof he believed himself secure banished all his griefs he had not long attended but some body came in and an amorous transport immediately laid him prostrate at the feet of a Princess where he lay fighing for some minutes without being able to speak but at length It is then permitted me to see you Madam said he in the most tender manner in the world and in despight of all the difficulties which had taken from me all hopes I can speak to you of my Love Solyman had fixed his eyes upon the face of a person who heard him and the Moon lent him so much light as to let him see that fortune had most cruelly deceived him and that all which he thought he had spoken to Eronima was addressed to the Queen Sultaness If his Surprize at this Adventure was great that of Racima's was not less she saw a man at her feet who appeared very amorous The Customs of the Seraglio made her Mistress of his life she then deeply resented Mahomets inconstancy the vengeance she hoped for from the Janisaries seemed too flow and beholding Solyman whom she instantly knew as an instrument wherewith she might the more readily succour her self she resolved not to neglect this occasion Do you certainly know that I am Racima said she angerly to him and the place where I see you with the discourse which you use to me give me the power over your life since you are Bassa to the Emperor and that nothing can secure you from his wrath if I acquaint him with your undertaking Solyman was less sensible of the danger that threatned him than of the joy that he had spoke nothing which could discover Eronima chusing rather to feign a thing quite opposite to his sentiments to conceal the truth of them Yes Madam he replyed I know you are the Queen Sultaness and that I have not less offended the Emperor in approaching this place than in discovering to you the state of my heart we cannot guide love as we list 't is a passion which observes no rule and since it does absolutely possess me I shall find more sweetness in dying after I have declared it to you than in living with a secret that hath made me languish so long a time The Sultaness knew her Beauty sufficiently to perswade her that the Bassa's vows were real and sincere he had seen her oft enough upon publick occasions to become amorous of her and she being desirous to gain a man absolutely whose ambition to please her might render him capable of all things since he had already exposed himself to such imminent dangers you may possibly find greater difficulties to encounter another time said she but the present temper of my Soul is favourable to you as well as the season of retiring in the Seraglio and if you truly think what you speak it shall be your fault if you are not very fortunate but be sure you narrowly respect what it is you engage in I do not only require love in you but submission zeal and perseverance you must assure me of a perfect obedience to what soever I shall demand of you I give you two days to consider of it at the end whereof you shall return to me in the same place and at the same hour to receive from me the measures of your Conduct To what constraint soever this accident might engage the Bassa he chose rather to submit to it than to give the least suspicion of the truth he told Racima all that he possibly could to perswade her that he was amorous of her he promised her to return to her the same person that she could desire him She left him in this manner and he expected Eronima a long time being in a great Consternation by this Adventure he pretended to make her a thousand reparations for this fault to which his misfortune had enforced him but it was in vain and he went out of the Sultanesses Grotto to seek the grand Gardiner and finding him in the first Ally I am said he to him the most unfortunate of all men You would be so replyed Morat and your impatience in going out of the Grotto hath deprived you of Eronima's sight What would you tell me replyed Solyman That she sought for you said the Bostangi Bassa and that not finding you in the Grotto she is returned into the Seraglio and hath robbed me of the conversation of Bassima I am undone Morat cryed Solyman He then recounted to him what had passed and they were both of opinion that Eronima at her entrance into the Grotto had heard what Solyman said to Racima and moved with anger and jealousie had retired Morat comforted his Friend and promised him that he would disabuse the Princess by Bassima and procure him some more happy rendezvous He advised him at last to pursue his feigned passion which would render him Master of Racima's confidence and of all the Mysteries of the Seraglio and made him absolutely remember not to fail the Queen Sultaness of the Meeting which might do him a vast prejudice they went out of the Gardens together and did not part that night Morat heard in the morning that Bassima was sick at which Solyman despaired because this would retard his justification The two days that Racima gave him ran away too swift against his inclination and at the appointed hour the grand Gardiner conducted him to the Sultanesses Grotto no sooner had he entred therein but the Queen Sultaness arrived attended by a Slave who immediately retired You see said she with how great confidence I render my self to the first marks of your love my facility ought to surprise you but in short are you prepared to act implicitly all that can perswade me to think that you seek only to please me and have you no remorse that you have already engaged so far The Bassa was so confused that Racima might easily have discovered it had not the place been so dark but he concealed his disorder as much as possibly he could and did so well perswade the Sultaness that she no longer doubted of his sincerity and taking the habit of a Woman Slave which she had hid in the Grotto she put it upon the Bassa and covering his face with a Veil made him follow her to the Seraglio which he did but with an agitation difficult to be expressed As soon as Racima was entred into her Chamber she commanded all persons to withdraw except the Slave who followed her to the Grotto and for the greater security she made Solyman go into a Closet and observing some emotion in his countenance Is it said she to him Love or Fear to see your self in a place you believe to be dangerous that makes you unmoveable do but love and never trouble your self there is nothing wanting to the precautions that I take and if the possession of my heart be dear to you you have now the power to gain it for ever you did not tremble at introducing
which are not my due I know too well that I have justly merited my misfortune in contributing towards yours but 't is in some measure to oblige you to remember me with some pity Although my Discourse was irregular it had continued had not the Princess interrupted me The Sentiments whereof you speak said she have been too advantagious to me to find an ill reception and I have no less reason Sir to complain than you since there can be nothing more cruel to a generous Soul than a necessity of appearing ungrateful I know the value of my obligations to you your merit is not less known to me and can you believe I shall be able to enjoy any repose so long as I must reproach my self with the loss of yours I wish to Heavens most generous Solyman that you could penetrate the very bottom of a heart which never found any thing but your self worthy its esteem you would there discover that it is truly sensible and incapable of forgetting what is due unto you it is not just that in removing my self from you I should deprive you the advantages of your Victory which I can assure you without blushing has extended beyond the Empire of Constantinople believe then that if that moment which seperates us prove bitter to you I shall not find it more sweet and that if I should hearken only to my inclination I should follow the fortune which fastens you to the Ottoman Empire or I should consent to see you allyed with my own but Sir what would the world say to see the Daughter of Demetrius a Princess who to be miserable neither loses her name nor family follow a Bassa of Mahomet or suffer him to wander with her from Sanctuary to Sanctuary Ah! cruel point of Honour said I which I must purchase with so many woes you shall depart I will not follow you Heaven shall decide the rest and you may appoint what place you will be conducted to Eronima replyed many obliging things to me which served only to augment my grief she acquainted me she had a design to retire her self towards the Western Emperour and conjured me withal to hasten her departure which I perform'd with as much dilligence as if it had been for my good fortune at length she embarked one night under the conduct of two Grecians whose liberty I had obtained and some Women of hers who had not forsaken her I have not force enough to tell you what I then did nor what revolutions I had in my heart my despair triumphed at Eronima's constancy her looks appeared tender to me she could not hide some sighs from me I saw her weep but my dear Morat she left me at the same instant and all these favourable appearances served only to render her loss the more cruel unto me I instantly resolved not to inform my self of her hoping that her absence would assist my recovery but when a person loves it is impossible to judge of the time to come my disquiet obliged me to send Ibrahim into the West who made his Voyage in vain and returned without the least intelligence of Eronima and I was divided betwixt dispair that some accident might arrive to him and fancy that she had not contracted a real confidence in me Other Conquests whither I always carried my affection succeeding that of Constantinople Mahomet fixed his resolution upon that of Negropont we found there an obstinate resistance which cost the Emperor much time and many men the Venetians had sent thither very considerable Forces which were prepared to receive us but all this served only to make the Ottoman Triumph more glorious and after the general Conquest of the whole Island the ancient City of Calchis surrendred like the others and the Emperor forced all that could oppose him Before I had loved Eronima I fought like a man who husbanded both his Honour and Fortune but now I only sought occasions with a design to die I precipitated my self with pleasure where I saw any danger And I protest to you that my carelessness of life gave me no small share in this Victory which having secured the Emperors pretensions and all things being quiet he retired to the Pallace to injoy a little repose after this Expedition A continual succession of prosperities placed him in that happy state where pleasant Ideas make so deep an impression when Orcam Bassa presented him with a fair Captive whom he had taken at the Siege of Calchis They who first saw her beheld her with admiration and deplored her fortune which destined her to the slavery of the Seraglio But Morat do but conceive my astonishment imagine my grief when I knew this Captive to be the same Eronima whose absence had caused me so great Sufferings I found her more beautiful than ever but subjected to a misfortune from which all the violence I had committed upon my self could not defend her and I was the second time covered with the gore of her Defendants Straight our eyes embraced each other with a mutual acknowledgment of love in spight of all the troubles that oppressed us but if mine expressed their tenderness by their glances upon the Princess hers declared an absolute order to do nothing that might betray us the danger was great which I feared not for my own part neither perhaps did Eronima for hers nevertheless it behoved us to restrain our selves since the least discovery could produce nothing to us but most dismal effects As Eronima at first sight cancell'd all that had hitherto taken possession of Mahomet's Heart he became no sooner amorous than jealous and suffered us no long time to partake the pleasure of seeing her in his presence The Princess was shut up in a place by his order whereunto none but Women and Eunuchs had access yet finding her too much exposed at Calchis he sent her to Constantinople with all the precaution his love required without any possibility of my seeing her I understood at Calchis that she suffered Shipwrack upon the Coasts of that Island and that the Governor thereof was smitten with her and had used all his endeavours to make her sensible of his passion and had detained her there contrary to her inclinations But she had parted for Constantinople without leaving me the least subject of consolation had not Ibrahim assured me he could deliver a Letter to her which notwithstanding the great danger I did run the risque and it succeeded better than I durst hope for Eronima answered my Letter the Contents whereof were these To Eronima IF the fear of displeasing you did not exercise a greater power over me than that of irritating the Emperor I would either die at Calchis or you should not enter into the Seraglio But Madam I heard all that your eyes spoke to me and the obedience I yield to them is a new proof of my passion which you ought to remember with some pity lament the unfortunate man who in losing you loses all the tranquillity of
adding thereunto a rallery which perhaps may force me to break thorow the bounds of my duty to you Is it possible replyed the Emperor that you could believe me capable of taking away Eronima's life and that you should know me so ill you whom I have ever distinguished from the rest of my subjects by a sincere esteem and confidence Alas Sir cryed Solyman have I not seen Eronima's head in your hands and have you not appeased the Janisaries by this barbarous sacrifice 'T is true said the Sultan that I have quieted their rage but the head that you saw was not Eronima ' s one of Racima ' s Slaves served us to secure the life of Eronima and to restore peace and tranquility in the Seraglio and in the extremity whereto I saw my self reduced I chose rather to send her from me and lose all my repose than to see her fall into the hands of the Janisaries who would have had no respect either to her beauty or my love you shall learn the rest from Altagis seeing that Eunuch come in said he and shall judge by his discourse whether you have any occasion to complain Solyman was amazed the Emperor went into his Closet and Altagis spoke to the Bassa in this manner You know how obstinately the Janisaries persued their Insolencies after you were at liberty all the Seraglio revolted against Mahamet and Racima alone commanded all there whilst they without endeavoured to break down the Gates which the Emperor courageously defended taking less thought for the conservation of his own life and dignity than for Eronima's safety whom he saw so nearly threatned considering at last that all his efforts were but in vain and were now going to be surmounted he generously resolved to have her conveyed out of the Seraglio aad leaving a small number of his Friends to amuse the Enemy he ran to Eronima's Chamber which I by his order had not quitted All our Galleries were deserted fear had obliged all the Sultanesses and the Slaves to retire the Eunuchs were otherwise employed and the Emperor finding no obstacle Flie Madam quickly said he to the Princess go seek in places more fortunate that repose which my passion hath robbed you of delay not one moment the Janisaries are making themselves Masters of this place and I tremble lest they should surprise you the faithful Altagis shall conduct you and I shall die with content when you have nothing to fear save her my dear Altagis and if it be possible secure her from all perils which can threaten her The Princess would have replyed but the Emperor would not give her time we were just beginning our march when I espyed a Favourite Slave of Racima's posted by her Mistresses Order near Eronima's Appartment to observe what passed she would have cryed out to interrupt our escape without respecting the Emperor I avow to you Solyman the zeal I have for my Master made me cruel I took off the head of this Woman Slave with one blow of my Cymeter and considering at the same time it was a means to secure our secret I disfigured the face and presenting it to the Emperor Hold Sir said I appease the Janisaries in telling them this is the Head of Eronima whilst I conduct her from these places to some securer Refuge The Sultan followed my advice besmeared his Cymeter in blood and shewed himself to the Janisaries in the manner you saw him after he had given an adieu to the Princess full of tenderness You may well be astonished that in the Womens Seraglio which is ordinarily so frequented we could be able to do what I have told you without being discovered but I have already observed to you that every one was retired some for fear and others upon the necessity of their Employs I had then time enough to oblige the Princess to take the Slave's Garments and to cloath her with her own she could not resolve upon this without difficulty but I assisted her to make this Exchange and afterwards conducted her to the most remote Corner of the Gardens and put her into the hands of some Women who usually live there to be serviceable to the Slaves of the Sultaness making them believe she was one of Racima's who having unfortunately displeased her was forced to abscond for some time There she now continues in great safety I returned to the Seraglio where no body doubts of her death and Racima not finding her Slave thought she had fled to save her self during those Commotions preferring her liberty before the Sultanesses Favour This Discourse of Altagis created an inexpressible joy in Solyman he presently banished from his heart all the horrors that had occupied it and seeing the door of the Emperors Closet open he went to throw himself at his feet and to speak to him all that his acknowledgment his love could inspire I did not deceive you said the Prince to him with a sigh you are now going to enjoy all Eronima's tenderness and the pleasure of making your own to appear as for me I fight and perhaps may conquer but if Love shall always tie me to her I will go seek in Wars the end or the cure of all my Woes she is still within the Bounds of the Seraglio take her out of this place which in time may prove fatal to her I have already sacrificed my repose to her and I will yet sacrifice to her the resentment which I may justly have for your enterprise against our Laws and against my Love 't is to you that I bequeath her since I am destined to lose her I could deprive you of her as well as my self by banishing her my Empire but my jealousie is not of so blind an interest Most just reflections have made me decide in your favour and since I have judged you worthy of my esteem and my friendship I cannot remit a Princess whom I have adored and who still is more dear to me than my Life into better Hands than yours I do love her and 't is by this reason that I find some consolation in giving her to a person of whom she is beloved 'T is thus that Mahomet who hath hitherto passed for a cruel Soul and who hath sufficiently confirmed it by the pretended death of Eronima doth revenge himself of a pityless Mistress and of a Rival who hath so highly offended him The Bassa was so charmed at what he heard that hardly could he give the Emperor any part of the praises due to his Generosity he condoled the unlucky chance of so great a man and was convinced that he alone was the person worthy of Eronima and having returned thanks a thousand times for his life and his good fortune he went to seek Morat who was to receive the Princess from the Hands of Altagis at one of the Garden Gates This News was not less surprizing to the Gardiner than it was to Solyman Although the Night was far advanced Morat ran to the place
indifferency for the Queen which were soon changed into a version upon this matter he opens his very Soul to Wolsey alone The Cardinal who did not love this Princess was glad of it and began immediately to insinuate into the Kings mind a design of a Divorce not that he intended to make Ann Bullen Queen for he proposed the Alliance of the Dutchess of Allencon Sister to the King of France for Henry that so he might bring that Prince over to his Interests and that he might at the same time have a Queen absolutely for him and a Mistriss for the King who was in some measure his Creature The King who thought she could content her self with his love consented to the Alliance with France and left the Rupture of his Marriage to Woolsey's care The Power which the Cardinal had in England his Intrigues at Rome and his intelligence in France gave him great hopes for the Divorce and the second Marriage But Ann Bullen who had both Vertue and Resolution was not of the humor to indulge the Kings Passion as he desired She received his first assurances of it with a respect more full of coldness then he expectde This resistance augmented his love and to render himself more agreeable he sought for succours in his Divertisements he invented Plays and Feasts and all this was only advantagious to Piercy who appeared there with so much grace and activity that Ann Bullen respected none but him and was only sensible of his sighs The Queen who foresaw part of her Misfortunes by the Kings coldness to her lived in a deplorable sadness All the Passion of young Bullen could not consolate Blunt by reason of Henry's Inconstancy She saw every day her own credit to fade and her Rivals to flourish and the immoderate ambition which possessed her cast her Soul into an estate of perpetual fury and In the mean time every one began to speak of the King's change the Queen Blunt and all the Court were convinced of it by the constant care he had for Ann Bullen but they also observed that she took no pains to manage this Conquest Piercy had too powerful an interest in this Affair not to examin it carefully he was persuaded of the fidelity of Ann Bullen but the concurrence of such a Rival as Henry was notwithstanding an unhappy Cross and what ever her preference might be for him he had reason to fear so puissant an Authority He saw Ann Bullen every day â—nd at all hours he remarked â—ome melancholy in her eyes â—nd as he loved in such measure â—hat her least troubles were the â—hief Subject of his dispair be â—eared she had taken some secret displeasure and conjured her tenderly to make no Mystery of it to him He found her one day in so extraordinary a melancholy that he sighed several times and she perceived it not finding something of cruelty to his love in this Novelty he brake a silence which began to make him impatient I know not Madam said he what your heaviness presages to me but it makes me fear 't is something unluckey there is no appearance that you have not still the same bounty for me as you had before nor do I believe I have rendred my self unworthy of it nevertheless I see a surprizing change in you It may be said your eyes did not know me or that they would not give themselves the trouble to look upon me I see nothing in them but a cruel indifferency It seems they never did know you have loved me Can it be possible that your Court is agreed with those No she replied interrupting him with a sigh do not expound a languish which you have caus'd to my disadvantage I love you with too much Justice ever to cease loving you and this trouble which you have observed by my silence and by my melancholy is only an effect of that tenderness I have for you Do not hide my good Fortune under such cruel appearances replied Piercy Tell me the true cause of this condition wherein I now see you if you love my repose I fear said she Fortune has no good will towards me and I am jealous of her favours I know says Piercy she hath created me a dangerous Rival but I am assured of your Constancy and I neither fear his merit nor his power You do me justice said Ann Bullen and I do again reiterate my Vows I have so often made to you That I will never love any but your self But Piercy if that tenderness which the King declares for me be not capable to move me his Authority which obliges me to suffer it will prove but a fatal Experiment I protest to you it is with great impatience that I am forced to spend those few Moments with him which I would most willingly bestow upon you and that he can see nothing in my eyes but discontent which ought to repulse him Piercy loved too well not to find a sensible delight in this obliging discourse of Ann Bullen he returned her his Thanks for it in most passionate terms and continued his discourse saying Make my interest with your Parents Madam before the King explains himself and I will secure my own and you can by establishing my good fortune hinder the King from thwarting us An Bullin loved Piercy sufficiently to consent to every thing that might secure her self for him Now it was openly discoursed that the King would divorce his Queen and Marry the Dutchess of Alencon and the opportunity was favourable enough to Piercy's intentions who declared them to old Bullen and he accepted of this Alliance without difficulty as being very advantagious to his Family Blunt learnt this News of her lover with such joy as for some time suspended her jealousy But old Bullen would not consent to this Marriage betwixt Piercy and his Daughter till the King and the Earl of Northumberland had approved it There was then a necessity to speak to them of it and as Annâ— Bullen had great reason to fear some obstacles she would not employ ordinary persons in this Negotiation She prayed the Dutchess of Suffolk by whom she was tenderly beloved as being her Confident during her secret Intelligence with Brandon to make the King consent to Piercy's good Fortune it waâ— not without some confusion thaâ— she explained her self to thâ— Dutchess but the interest oâ— her heart overwhelmed her Modesty The King had much Friendship and very great Respect foâ— the Dutchess of Suffolk she suspected as well as others the designs that he had upon the heart of Ann Bullen but as he never had told her any thing of it she feigned ignorance and acquainted the King her Brother That she having a Friendship full of esteem for Ann Bullen she ardently desired to see her Married to Piercy a Person of Merit and humbly begg'd His Majesty to consent to it The King blusht at this discourse of his Sisters and judged that Ann Bullen had given the Princess this employ
how great was the joy of Blunt when she saw the disgrace of her Rival she promised her self that the Queens first going out of the Tower should be to the Scaffold and she prepared her self to act a terrible part in this Tragedy Immediately were published some of the Reasons which the King said he had to complain against the Queen whereupon she was severely examined but nothing could be found capable to condemn her She looked upon this as a return of the same fortune that had raised her to that height and saw that it was the King's inconstancy alone that had caused it The affection she had retained for Piercy was innocent enough to hinder her from blushing though all the World were privy to it and as for her Brother and Norris she could not comprehend the meaning of it She submitted to the King's Orders without suffering the least murmur against his injustice to escape out of her mouth and protesting that she was innocent she was careful to spare him only accusing her own misfortune of her ill treatment But although she appeared so reserv'd to the publick she did not forbear to give her grief a liberal current when the Lords arrested and carried her to the Tower The remembrance of her first Engagements with Piercy and the sweet correspondence that created them so many happy days now returned fresh into her Imagination she considered that the King had been the only interrupter of that blessed Estate and that his Love in pretending to raise her to a Throne had been the sole foundation of all her miseries she detested the condition of a Queen and the memory of Woolsey who had ruined her by his Artifices The Viscount Rochefort could not in the least imagine what should be the cause of his imprisonment he accused the Kings new passion of it and judged that his Sisters misfortune was only the effect of her Husbands levity and that fortune who had made him participate in her favour would involve him in her troubles The Intricacies he had had with Blunt and his knowledge of her aversion to the Queen made him dispair of her assistance neither did she employ her cruelty against him for his own sake As for Norris who some days before saw himself in that happy State that contracted the envy of all the Courtiers and having himself carried on the Intrigue betwixt Seymour and the King much less apprehended such a return as should wholly overwhelm him at one instant not imagining that a Letter which he had written to an old Confident of his concerning his secret passion for the Queen should happen into the Kings hands however that was not the only cause of his disgrace for the King in reading that called to mind what he had heard him speak in going from the Ball at Callais But whilst these three persons expected the event of this Affair all the Court interessed themselves herein differently The King possessed with his new amours gave himself up intirely to those pleasures wherewith his inconstancy flatter'd him and the Queens imprisonment hindred him not from prostrating himself at Seymours feet Blunt would have sacrifized all things to have recall'd him to her she employ'd all her Charms and Craft to succeed herein but seeing all was labour lost and although she knew that in destroying the Queen she did but labour to advance Seymour yet she chose rather to serve that Rival of hers that revenged her than she who stole the King's Heart from her without this there had not been the least appearance of justice in her cruelty and her bloody incompassionate Soul furnished her with means for the most black and horrid infidelities As the Viscount Rochefort had most passionately loved her he often wrote to her in the height of their Correspondence but to hide that commerce which some lost Letter might discover he styl'd her Sister She conveys two of the most tender of these Letters into the Queen's Closet in seducing by her interest those who had opportunity to do it and never hesitated to destroy a person whom she had adored to be revenged of her Rival The King searched all the Queen's papers amongst which he found these two Letters of Blunt's which were written in these terms LETTER I. You know well dearest Sister that I love you in so passionate a manner that I should prefer the advantage of pleasing you above all the Fortunes of the Universe and I shall esteem my self the most happy of all men if I could but one day make you forget the King I possess neither his rank nor his merit but I have more love and more fidelity than he make tryal thereof and you shall find my words are as sincere as my heart LETTER II. The King beheld you yesterday with so great application that I am allarm'd thereat you promised that you would have no amorous aspects for any person but my self and yet I see you seek his with too much diligence I avow to you dearest Sister that I am jealous of you have I deserv'd that you should break your word with me and will you renounce those bounties which I have had reason to praise Manage your self with the King since Fortune will have it so but remember that all your tenderness is due to me and that a few happy minutes are not sufficient for the repose of my life and that I expect a continuance of your favours to assure me of the possession of your heart All that was in these two Letters might very well be supposed as written to the Queen and the King had no sooner read them but felt himself transported with present revenge but considering at length that he was obliged to keep some measures herein he gave order that the Queen's Process Viscount Rochefort's and Norris's should be drawn up according to the usual forms His passion for Seymour and some little remorse for Queen Katherine destroyed all the small pity wherewith Anne Bullen could inspire him and though she was much more amiable than any thing that he could ever love nothing interceded more for her but that destiny which caused her loss created greater woes and suffered them to Reign As soon as the Queen had notice that her Process was forming she wrote to the King not thinking to make him relent but in some measure to justifie her self she had much stability and was little desirous of life and considering how much fortune had travers'd her and what a train of miseries were mix'd with her favours she found that death was a slight pain and an assured refuge from all sorts of misfortunes and in this meditation she wrote thus to the King TO THE KING SIR I Write not to your Majesty in hopes of obtaining any favour for my self but I am obliged to assure you before I dye that I am much more sensible at the remembrance of your favours than the injuries you do me at present and though you treat me as a Criminal I do
magnificence of her Apparel in the face of a mourning Scaffold and a doleful assembly wholly invested with tears and grief The Queen appeared with the same Grace that was constantly admired in her her Countenance was undisturbed and nothing could be seen in her Visage but Security and Majesty she was Veiled all over with Mourning and in the midst of all these dismal objects her Looks which were cast upon all her spectators infused grief and despair into all their hearts Even Blunt her self that fierce and implacable Enemy of the Queen's now felt that guilt hath its limits and that fear and trembling are constantly its Attendants the constancy of the Princess made her to shiver and she could not hinder her self from considering that she was the cause of all those evils These reflections wrought a beseeming pensiveness upon her and if her eyes had been examined they would have been found much more troubled than the Queen 's The Maids of Honour to this Princess were extreme disconsolate she exhorted them oftentimes to be constant according to her example and seeing the Executioner attended only her order she spake in particular to her Divine and afterwards addressed her self to all that could hear her As I die your Queen said she and the Artifices of Envy cannot bereave me of that quality although they have rob'd me of the Kings tenderness which was much more dear unto me I am joyful that I can assure ye in the last moments of my life that I have never dishonoured him either in my Actions or Thoughts but in protesting my own innocence to ye I do not pretend to render his Majesty criminal I do declare that I have great cause to extol him and his great favours to me do sufficiently perswade that without most powerful reasons he had never abandoned me to so deplorable a Fortune I die without repining imitate my stayedness and pardon yours as I do mine Enemies and let that pity which my misfortunes can create in you be declared in the favour of a little Princess whom I leave to the Kingdoms and who is now going to be left to the hatred of the King her Father and to the cruelty of those who have destroyed me Her Birth is illustrious and although my Blood is not so noble as the Kings yet at least it merits the esteem and protection of honest people Assist one day if there be occasion those legitimate Rights which her Condition hath given her I recommend her in general to the People to the Nobility and Gentry and in particular to all those who are concerned at my misfortune After this I die praying for Prosperity to the King and Peace and Plenty to his Kingdoms After these words she turn'd her last thoughts towards Heaven and received her Death like a true Heroine Blunt beheld her Head severed from her Body with horror to which was joyned a more sensible amazement when she saw the Viscount Rochefort appear She had loved him as far as her ambition was able to permit her the deplorable Condition wherein he was his innocence which she so well knew and his sad and languishing Countenance gave her most mortal stabs to the very heart He fixed his eyes upon her and reserving a large proportion of kindness for her notwithstanding all her Intrigues he sighed at the remembrance of their former pleasures and not being able to comprehend that a person whom he had adored should come to be an eye-witness of his death and of a death of this nature he expressed to her by his dying looks the astonishment that her cruelty had caused him he utter'd many sighs which reached Blunt's ears and Pierced her heart which till then had been impenetrable in her seeing the fatal blow given to the Viscount Rochefort she felt all the injustice he suffered remorse bereaved her of her soul a mortal paleness spread it self over all her face and not being able to continue longer upon this dismal place she was carried off before the Execution of Norris which followed the Queen's and Viscount Rochefort's The King heard the news of this Catastrophe not without some confusion and was inclinable to have been touched therewith but flatterers who always make it their chief business to extol the weaknesses of Kings soon stifled these motions and exhorted his Majesty to be resolute wherein they so well succeeded that the Queen was scarcely expired but he married Jane Seymour His Constancy for this Queen was of longer continuance than her life she dyed within a year after the marriage in Childbed with Prince Edward The fury of Queen Anne's Enemies was extended even to her Daughter and they obliged the King to declare Queen Anne's Marriage null as he had that of Queen Katherine's and the two Princesses Mary and Elizabeth to be illegitimate After the Queens death Piercy lived but a few languishing days and wanted incredible strength to hinder the effects of his resentment he quitted the Court and sought for employments answerable to the sad state of his condition As for Blunt she was punished for all her crimes by the Kings constant inconstancy and by the death of her Son upon whom she had laid the foundation of so great hopes and to whom Fortune had decreed such glorious advantages She dyed suffering that misery her cruelties had justly deserved being despised by the King and hated by all the world Queen Anne was generally bewailed and notwithstanding all that her enemies have been able to speak against her many sage Persons who knew her vertue have conserved a just veneration for her memory and have inspired the same sentiments into succeeding Ages She was not only Beautiful Generous and Benificent but was endowed with a true and real wisdom and was altogether worthy of that Grandeur to which she was raised The Princess Elizabeth her Daughter who now Governs England with so great splendor and glory inherits her Vertue as well as the Crown which is her undoubted right The Queen who had retired into her Apartment to give the Earl of Northumberland an intire liberty to relate the several interests which gave the occasion to that cruel Spectacle or rather perhaps to spare her self the grief of hearing the recital of those things wherein she was obliged to take so great a part no sooner learnt that the History of Anne Bullen her Mother was ended but she returned to the Company where perceiving that every one to make their Court was preparing to condole the destiny of this Princess whose Innocence Misfortunes and the Cruelty of her Enemies appeared so worthy to be lamented She believed it was sufficient to have made them comprehend that all the Calumnies invented and spread abroad against the honour of the Queen her Mother were only meer invectives formed by her Enemies or by those who acted the greatest part in this Tragedy Wherefore without dwelling longer upon a subject which she was too sensible of she promised them that at her return she would
power ought to give her fresh Allarms and trembled at my approach although I had thrown down my Cymeter and returned my Ponyard and my eyes far from threatning any new misfortune pronounced nothing to her but an assured Victory She told me afterwards that grief having bereft her of her senses she took me for a Barbarian who came to complete her disgrace and in these thoughts retiring some few paces Come not near Eronima cryed she unless thou comest to give me death thou art not the first of thy Nation who would not spare my Sex and this entertainment shall be more sweet to me than any pity which can prolong my misfortune These words full of resolution augmented my love Although I am born a Subject to Mahomet said I I am nothing the less disposed to render you all the Services you can demand and in bearing Arms for my Prince I shall never dishonour my self by committing cruelties I am mortally grieved to have contributed towards your misfortune and I would die in despair if I should not in some measure expiate the injury I have done you I am a Bassa to Mahomet and I have some favour in his sight which I shall wholly employ for you the reallity of my words were confirmed to Eronima by my sighs which are not usual to Barbarous Souls She considered me with a little more earnestness and not finding me of that cruel aspect her fear had perswaded her to If I have done you any injustice said she the condition you find me in hath sufficiently chastised me I stand in need of a generous protection and if my misery is capable to touch you with the least compassion you have an opportunity to demonstrate it in removing me from the sight of the Emperor whom I dread more than death I was over-joyed to see her disposed to shun Mahomet the time was short and as the Soldiers had left me at liberty with her I charged Ibrahim whose fidelity was well known to me to conduct her with some Women of her Retinue to a House adjoyning to the Pallace which he had made himself Master of and having not opportunity to stay longer I went to find the Emperour who was entred the City after he had seen the last of the Paleologues expire All possible order was taken this first night in Constantinople the Janizaries had the Guard of the Gates the rest of our Army guarded the Walls and the Emperor took his Quarters in the Pallace But I found my self little sensible of the success of our Arms it was Eronima alone that wholly occupied my thoughts and having contributed to her misfortunes my love reproached me of those glorious Actions for which I applauded my self before I saw her So soon as I could part with the Emperour I hasted to the House whereunto Ibrahim had conducted Eronima she welcomed me with much civility and an admirable constancy although she had heard the news of the Emperor of Greece his death and the rest of the Princes of her Blood If at the first sight she appeared beautiful to me she appeared much more so at this time her eyes were now less troubled her countenance more serene and her Habits put into greater order added new charms unto her I was now too amorous to conceal it and in spight of all my reservedness Eronima perceived what Mahomets Conquests had cost me my eyes were so tender and submissive that what passion soever she observed in them could not hinder her from granting me the pleasure to behold the splendor of hers She informed me then that she was Daughter to Demetrius Paleologus Brother to the Emperor Constantine that a dangerous sickness had detained him from going forth of Constantinople with his Imperial Family where he was constrained to attend the success of this War and after having spoken many obliging things to me she conjured me to facilitate her escape to some Sanctuary where she might be secure Imagine then how great my grief was to see her in this resolution of leaving me I had enjoyed no further pleasure in her sight than what made me sensible how contrary her desires were to the well-fare of my life and now that I must be forced to deprive my self of her sight for ever or contract her hatred in opposing her retreat here Love and Honour made a long engagement till my particular interest yielded to the Princesses pleasure and I resolved to suffer her departure though at the price of my life which I thought would expire with grief The hours that I passed in her company served only to render me the more amorous of her and she received my cares with great acknowledgment but I observed that she suffered my visits not without some pain in a place where her conduct was not known which consideration made me the rather determine to separate my self from her As soon as Mahomet had secured his Authority from all manner of Insurrections in Constantinople he caused all his treasure at Adrianople to be brought thither and after orders being given to establish his Houshold and beautifie the Seraglio he thought upon nothing more than seeking new Conquests Though he communicated this design unto me I wavered not to procure the departure of the Princess Eronima this effort was not made without causing a great alteration in my person which Eronima perceiving asked me obligingly what was the occasion thereof I was overjoyed that she observed me so much as to take notice of it and as nothing that can in the least flatter a Lover escapes his imagination I believed that at least in losing her I might hope to be pityed by her Madam said I the despair to which you see me reduced is but the beginning of a condition yet more unhappy since I am at the very point of losing you and in all appearance for ever What passion soever I may have replyed the Princess for my liberty if it costs you so dear I shall renounce it with my whole heart If you only wish for it I continued it is sufficient indispensably to engage me to procure it but Madam if this Action can merit any thing from you give me leave not to see you part without discovering the Secret of my Soul I should have been less indiscreet if it had been possible for me to die in your presence you are going Madam to leave me destined to all the rigours of absence my fortune is not considerable enough to offer you and you esteem me not worthy of fixing my self to yours I discourse to you of my love for the first and last time of my life and in spite of all the ardent sentiments I have for you I will be the person who shall conduct you to the Vessel which is to convey you from Constantinople and I will make sincere Vows and Prayers for the prosperity of your Voyage which will possibly cause my death not to exaggerate my unhappiness to you thereby to draw acknowledgments from you
your self into the Gardens where you might have been surprised by persons who would not have spared you do not deceive the good opinion I have of you 't is not sufficient for me to hear that I am beloved I must have the effect of all that I have required from you and you shall be happy since fortune puts me into a capacity to make use of you Solyman began to feel that he was not capable to continue this counterfeit for long time repented himself that he had believed the counsel of Morat necessity forced him to answer and he did all that he could possibly to content Racima by his words You know said she the injury that the Emperor hath done me in giving up himself to a Slave a brave Soul can ill suffer these sort of inconstancies I have put in practise all things to revenge my self the Janisaries have murmured they may yet make an Insurrection by my means but their Commotions perhaps may not reach my Rival I must have a more sure and expedite revenge and 't is from you Solyman that I demand it I pretend to punish Mahomet in giving you a heart which you deserve better than he but you must repay this Boon by a service that may establish my Repose Your hand must commit an illustrious Crime and must carry Mahomets own Arms and this Ponyard said she pulling out one of the Emperor's which she had hidden must punish his Infidelities and deliver the Seraglio from a Captive who makes it groan under her Lovers troubles In a word I command you forthwith to go even to Eronima's Bed and take away her life after such an Expedition expect the utmost of my Acknowledgment the Janisaries are for me my Son's Party is potent and some thing may happen to make you the Head of the Empire But Solyman said she seeing his Colour change you are disturbed do not abuse me she continued casting a furious look upon him and merit that confidence I repose in you Solyman was in so great a consternation at these words that he could not look upon the Sultaness without horrour but endeavouring to sweeten her eyes which by so wicked a design gave a threatning aspect If I were to fight the entire body of the Janisaries said he to her or force the Gates of the Seraglio you should not see me pause to do it at the least of your orders but Madam would you have me stab a Maid that hath no weapon to oppose me with but an innocent sleep can a Lover so barbarous be pleasing to you and is there no other way to revenge your Beauty stay a little till time disgusts the Emperor and scorn that change which is only ignominious to him If you truly loved me replyed the cruel Racima you would only have in prospect the glory of obeying this my proposition a little Blood which I too justly condemn wou'd not affright you alas you refuse me a trembling hand which perhaps would serve me ill my own shall find a readier path to the heart of my Enemy and in a few moments she shall be no longer in a condition to disquiet me This Transport redoubled the fears of Solyman never was any Lover seen in so deplorable an extremity the most violent Woman in the World extorting from him the worst of ills against a person he adored he must either destroy Eronima or himself if it should take the least breath and after a hundred different resolutions he fixeth upon this to manage Racima's inclinations and to deceive her at least till such time as he could advertise Eronima thereof and to put things in that posture to be wholly sacrificed to the Emperor's wrath I believed Madam you only sought to try me said he to her with a more free air but since you resolve to have Eronima 's life effectually I promise it with pleasure In the mean time said he the better to perswade Racima I shall plead for Mahomet that you shall no sooner be without a Rival but you shall restore him your heart This doubt intirely pacified the Sultaness whom Solyman's resistance had irritated She assured him that he ought to fear nothing and that he should have no reason to repent his serving her At length she told him that she had taken all her measures that he ought not to delay but a few minutes before he went to Eronima's Chamber that as soon as he had revenged her she would conduct him her self out of the Gardens and that on the morrow he should receive her Orders for all things that he was to do Whilst she was thus speaking he thought upon nothing but Eronima's safety one while he designed to declare this Adventure even to Mahomet but as this could not be done without discovering his passion for the Princess he was constrained to bethink himself not to tell it to any but she when Racima had introduced him into her Chamber All these vexations hindred him not from promising himself some pleasure in hopes to see her one moment At last the hour that he was to go arrived and he marched under the conduct of a Woman slave confident to Racima after he had received the barbarous instructions of the Queen Sultaness A profound silence now reigned over the whole Seraglio the Eunuchs were retired the Sultanesses at repose and all the Lights extinguished The Slave left the Bassa at the first Door of Eronima's Apartment which was left open by a treacherous Eunuch whom Racima had corrupted and after he had passed through many Chambers he entred into the Princesses Lodgings which were still light A mortal grief oppressed her ever since she heard his amorous conversation in the Grotto she had not stirred out of her Chamber and Bassima being sick had not undeceived her and believing every thing that might make her despair she spent her time in complaints When Solyman entred she was laid down on a Couch with her Cloaths on lamenting her Captivity less than the pretended Infidelity of her Lover she lay sometime without espying him at her Chamber door where he stopped but at length perceiving him and believing it was some Slave more careful of her than the rest who came to see if she wanted any thing Retire said she to him with a great deal of candor if I cannot take my own repose 't is unjust I should deprive others of theirs the forlorn Slave durst not advance She continued Your diligence does me no kindness now retire I command you Solyman stood thus no longer but cast himself at Eronima's Feet She thought still the Slave would have asked some favour of her but fixing her eyes upon his face she soon discovered notwithstanding her tears and his disguise some Lines which grief had not struck out of her memory she had neither power to rise nor to express her surprise her love that was irritated and his that was not found themselves equally without motion and a reciprocal trouble hindred these two persons who loved
the best of any in the world from saying any thing of it Yet nothing could hinder Solyman's sense of the pleasure in beholding the Princess which made him at this moment forget even the imminent danger that threatened him and notwithstanding Eronima's Resentments of his infidelity her eyes cast a tender aspect upon him and found him always too amiable The Bassa was just going to force his silence and to spare a long recital of his woes to justifie himself when a sudden noise causing him to turn his head he espied the Emperor coming into the Chamber and the Queen Sultaness conducted by many Eunuchs Racima could not introduce Solyman to the Seraglio with that secresie but Altagis a Black Eunuch faithful to the Emperor perceived it who knew all the Slaves and finding something extraordinary in the Visage of the Bassa partly suspected him and immediately went to advertise the Emperor thereof whose discourse disquieted him he knew by experience the Capaciousness of the Sultan Queens spirit and not being able to pass over the night without better informing himself he repaired to the Womens Appartment and afterwards to Racima's Chamber Her impatience to know what Solyman had done obliged her to follow him in a short time Mahomet not finding her in her Chamber was confirmed in the Eunuch's suspicions and went directly to Eronima's Lodgings now all was dark for the Emperor would suffer no Lights with him and Racima hearing a noise thought it had been Solyman imagining no other persons were awake in the Seraglio Is it you Solyman said she coming towards him have you sacrificed Eronima to me and have you merited that I shall make you happy The Emperor no longer doubting at these words seised the Sultaness by the Arm and accompanied this action with menacing words she knew the Prince's voice and despair seeing her self discovered taking away part of her reason she replyed only by injurious Language Mahomet stopped not to hear them the interest of Eronima called him to her entring then into her Chamber and causing Racima also to be conducted thither by the Eunuchs which Altagis had called at the sight of the Bassa there and the remembrance of the Queen Sultanesses words he trembled but fury succeeding his fear there was no point of cruelty to which desire of revenge did not transport his imagination Traitor said he to Solyman what comest thou to seek in these sacred places and what base commerce canst thou have with this guilty Sultaness Take my life Sir if that be capable of giving you satisfaction replyed the Bassa but take care for the preservation of Eronima's Dost thou perfidious wretch said the Sultan dost thou exhort me to be careful of that life which even now thou wouldst have sacrificed Let him be loaded with Irons Altagis take him from my sight and let him be close Prisoner till I determine the time and manner of his punishment The unhappy Solyman was several times tempted to discover the secret of his heart but the fear of displeasing Eronima or contracting any misfortune upon her prevented him so that he only cast upon her some glances full of love and despair but full of horror upon Racima and following the Eunuchs that led him away malicious fortune would make him appear yet more criminal in dropping the Ponyard which the Queen Sultaness had given him She found the Bassa appear too amiable and too obedient to see him led to the place where he must lose his life she was not troubled that she was the cause of her own misfortune and this thought rendred Mahomet and the very day odious to her 'T is I said she that conducted him hither and 't is me alone thou oughtest to punish I had armed him with thine own Ponyard to destroy my Rival and our enterprise unfortunately failing revenge thy self on me if thou darest she shall not long enjoy the pleasure of my loss and the loss of her shall not be the least of thy misfortunes Thus whilst Racima's fury expressed it self in this manner Eronima was just expiring in the Arms of her Women it was not enough for her to believe Solyman was unfaithful but she saw him ready to sheath a Ponyard in her Heart this reflection made Racima silent dryed her tears shut her eyes and put her into that condition which perswaded the Emperor she was now contented Whilst her rage thus pleased it self at so dolesome a Spectacle the Princess recovered a little strength by the care of her Slaves and casting her eyes upon her implacable Enemy You have acted more said she to her with a languishing voice than you designed to do the death which you prepared had been agreeable to me but the life which now is left me is going to be exposed to a thousand times more sensible evils The Sultan would have spoke to the Princess but she conjured him to give her some moments repose and as he only sought to please her he retired having first given orders to many Eunuchs to watch round her Apartments If I hearkned only to my just indignation said he to Racima thou shouldst not survive so many crimes but I must punish them with greater terror and Bajazet's Partisans shall see of what a Mother he has the misfortune to be born At length he caused her to be secured in her Chamber and after having set a Guard upon her he retired with Altagis who prudently counselled him not to publish an Adventure which so much dishonoured him and which might cause Racima's Creatures to make an Insurrection Mahomet knew the zeal of this Eunuch and following his advice which appeared so reasonable to him he concealed his wrath and left the people to divine at the cause of the Bassa's and Racima's disgrace Solyman was in a condition the most deplorable of all men he was much less concerned at the fear of death than at the horror of an accident which made him appear as Eronima's Assassin he continually thought upon this and preferred the good fortune of justifying himself beyond his own life the Princess had incessantly before her eyes the Image of her pretended Assassin if the Blackness of his Attempt did inspire her with any resentment it was soon obliterated by the Idea of that vengeance the Emperor was going to take She was now in the same Pallace where she first saw Solyman and where she received those Services which engaged her to so tender an acknowledgment Why said she oftentimes did he spare my life at such a time when I looked upon him with horror to take it after I had given him my whole esteem the sentiments I have for him have rendred all things else indifferent to me how many woes hath he cost me when I was constrained to shun him what griefs has he not caused me since I arrived at the Seraglio yet the barbarous man after he had taken his heart from me whose possession sweetened all my Sufferings comes to sacrifice me to the least favours of
my Rival yet in spight of all the infidelities he is guilty of my tenderness still interesses it self for him I have the weakness to lament him and I would save his at the expence of my own life Ah! cruel destiny of the Paleologeans she added in pouring forth a torrent of tears why dost thou so severely prosecute the Survivers The Princess continued in the like agitations all the succeeding days to this Adventure the Emperor redoubled his cares for her and his spight for Racima who notwithstanding her captivity and moreover that she was convicted of several grand crimes still hoped for succour from her subtle spirit Although the truth was not known of what had passed in the Seraglio none could be ignorant of the Queen Sultanesses disgrace and of Solyman's imprisonment it was diversly discoursed of but Morat alone penetrated the reasons thereof the indisposition of Bassima hindred him from learning the particulars the Emperor appeared so troubled and so reserved that he durst not speak the least syllable of it to him and Altagis who was his acquaintance stirred not from the Womens Appartments so that he was obliged to content himself with what he knew and to seek with some others of the Bassa's Friends the means which they thought most proper to appease the Emperor's wrath But whilst they hereunto applyed themselves vigorously the Queen Sultaness was not idle on her part her disgrace had not diminished her credit and seeing that all Mahomet's resentment was limited by her imprisonment She took advantage at his indulgence and entertaining a pernicious commerce with the Aga of the Janisaries she caused her Captivity to be published as nothing but the Sultan's injustice How great a shame is it for us says this Agent of Racima's loudly to see the Mother to the Heir of the Empire a Princess who loves glory and the repose of her Subjects sacrificed to the ambition of a Slave who renders Mahomet the weakest of all men The generous Solyman is at present chained with Irons for being ready to serve the Queen Sultaness and the Empire let us not doubt but the same misfortune will shortly befal us it is in your power brave Janisaries to put an obstacle hereunto you I say who are the only honour and support of the Empire elevate Bajazet upon the Throne give him early lessons of valour and generosity he will without doubt make good use thereof and you will assuredly signalize your selves hereby This Discourse was approved by a general shout the Janisaries spoke now of nothing but forcing the Seraglio to snatch the feeble Mahomet from thence to set up the young Prince in his place and to strangle Eronima at Racima's feet They loved Solyman whose valour was approved and murmured highly at his imprisonment Constantinople was divided in a moment the Janisaries the Port and even the Seraglio but the Queens Party was always the most potent the Janisaries were now in so great a number in the City that they alone were able to defend it The Queen Sultaness soon learn'd in what manner Fortune acted for her interest and promised her self by these favourable beginnings the liberty of Solyman the destruction of Eronima and the Coronation of Bajazet This Consternation less disquieted the Emperor for his own sake than for Eronima's his wrath excited him highly against Solyman whom he looked upon as the chief motive of this Rebellion he several times pronounced the sentence of his death but he could find none to execute it and as he was confined in the Seraglio the fear of Racima hindred the obedience due to his Orders You will lose your self Sir in taking off Solyman said the Chief of the Eunuchs to him you may from hence hear the Janisaries mention his name it appears sufficiently that his life is dear to them calm this Tempest which grows loud before you think upon vengeance and give not the Mutineers a new subject to rebel Mahomet was constrained to have some deference to these reasons he knew the necessity he had to shew himself to the Soldiers but he would not do it till he had seen Eronima again that at least he might have this satisfaction in case any accident should befal him to hinder it for the future He found her in her usual melancholy but accompanied with those Charms that made him forget the preservation of his life and grandeur I am just at the point of perishing fair Eronima said he to her is it possible you can refuse me at a time of misfortune and despair what you would not accord me in my prosperity I have lived without being able to make your heart flexible and must I die in the same misfortune can pity do nothing for me and shall the Janisaries in bereaving me of my Crown and Life have the pleasure to see me hated by you to the last minute The Princess who knew nothing of the troubles which menaced the Sultan's Grandeur was surprised at this Discourse I am not injust enough to make vows against the happiness of your life Sir said she and if it depended only upon me to establish it I should not forbear to wish it you earnestly Your Sentiments Madam are very generous said the Sultan but I wish they were more tender should you have a little bounty for me it were a weakness whereof you would not be obliged to blush and if you did but love unfortunate Mahomet he had perhaps acquired sufficient glory to justifie your heart You would enjoy but little by this advantage she replyed 'T is true the Prince interrupting her said sighing that fortune has declared her self against me and that she attacks my power and perhaps my life amidst all the Forces of my Empire but could I be assured of being beloved by you but one moment I should die with an intire satisfaction If you will not give me this Boon at least promise to bewail me The Janisaries would not trouble me if my passion for you were less violent 't is the fair Eronima that makes all things revolt against me Ha! Sir replyed the Princess give them the blood of a miserable woman who creates so many troubles my death will restore your quiet and make them more submissive You shall live in despight of them said the Emperor in a most tender manner and though it cannot be for me it shall be at least to conserve some remembrance of me The treacherous Solyman alone shall die he hath but too long survived his crime it is now time to punish him and revenge our selves You may put him to death when you please Sir replyed the Princess who was far from wishing the Bassa's death but I do not solicite you to lose a person whole valour has been so successful to you is he so criminal as to have prevented the Janisaries hatred and if he doth really love Racima is he not sufficiently punished for it Eronima was interrupted by an extraordinary shout and Altagis came in mightily affrighted to
where Altagis expected him and Solyman ravished with joy attended the Princess at his Friends House who advised him not to accompany her thither for fear of giving the least suspicion by the number of persons Eronima had seen all that passed with a warmness which much resembled an indifferency Solyman's infidelity had so touched her that she found not her self sensible at any thing else she heard he was alive but knew nothing of his innocence Morat having received her from the hands of Altagis spake several times to her but she had not the force to answer him at length they entred into the Bostangi Bassa's House and by the light of several Flamboes she saw Solyman he immediately prostrated himself at her Feet and there lay without being able to express himself his presence and his action equally astonished the Princess she had not seen him since he attempted her life and sighing for grief that she should still find in her self a tender inclination towards a person who deserved it so little Is it said she the regret that you could not sacrifice me to Racima's Fury that casts you into these transports or is it the displeasure you had to see the Emperor's Fiction succeed It was not long of me that you did not execute your Design neither was it the care I took of my own safety that secured it fortune would preserve me for a continuation of misfortunes which she has destined for me Ah! Solyman that you had not spared me that you had taken less pity on me at the taking of Constantinople Eronima's tears interrupted her discourse Solyman had leisure to answer and the Princesses eyes were full of languish which required his justification I should appear a thousand times more criminal than you can reproach me Madam said he and fortune was resolved to shew in my Adventure all her most fantastical and surprising tricks But my Princess in spight of all her appearances has not your heart taken my part Have you believed me capable of assassinating you I who have always adored you and who never sought any thing but you at the peril of my life and who respired no other pleasure than that of seeing you perswaded of my passion Ah Madam how happy had I been if you had a little sought for me Was I not a witness to your passionate discourse with Racima said Eronima in the Grotto And did you not come even to my Bed to sacrifice me to her jealousie 'T is true replyed the Bassa that I was in your Appartment and that she conducted me thither but if I might merit any thing from you it should be only by this Adventure that I might appear so criminal to you He then recounted to the Princess after what manner he was engaged into this Counter-plot which rendred him Master of all Racima's Secrets Morat seconded his Friend and wholly convinced the Princess that he was innocent she desired it too much not to be perswaded thereof and Solyman had yet a much more puissant Mediator than the grand Gardiner the lovely Eronima yielded tasted the pleasure to see her self out of the Seraglio and to find Solyman constant who in a few moments saw himself the happiest of all men after so many Traverses In the mean time Altagis gave the Emperor an account how he had disposed of Eronima This Prince who passed for the greatest of his age now found himself in a most deplorable estate his subjecting the Janisaries in putting an end to the troubles of the Seraglio had not quieted those of his heart At some hours he was resolved to abandon the Empire and renounce all the glory of his life to spend the rest of his days with Eronima but considering he could never make himself beloved of her that all the ardor of his passion the merit of his person and the splendor of the greatest fortune in the world were not capable of moving her he concluded that would not be the means to make him the more happy sometimes his jealousie inflamed him against Solyman for he alone possessed Eronima's affections he had merited death in violating the Laws of the Seraglio but resolving not to conquer himself by the halves he considered that in losing Solyman he should contract new Enemies against himself he generously triumphed over his passion abandoned the interest of his heart to his Glory and resolved not to thwart two persons whom fortune had united and love had favourised Racima on the other side endeavoured to banish Solyman from her heart the death of Eronima gave her hopes of the Emperors return to her but her Crime was none of those which are easily forgotten the Emperor always remembred it but he was too sensible of her power and durst not declare his just resentments he contented himself to see her seldom and to draw off what ever esteem or amity he ever had for her He found himself indisposed for some days and could not go out of the Seraglio it was imagined that Eronima was the cause thereof Solyman was taken up in telling her all that he had suffered for her she would not quit Morat's House and the Emperor came thither to visit her as soon as his health could permit this Honor which the Sultans give to few persons gave the Princess new Allarms Morat and Solyman were with her when the Sultan arrived the Princess and the Bassa changed their Countenances when he came in Be not disturbed said Mahomet to them 't is the design of securing your repose that brings me hither and afterwards to bid you an eternal Adieu As for you Madam he continued addressing himself to the Princess though you could not love me I hope you will not refuse me some esteem perhaps I have deserved it by the victory I have obtained over my passion nothing can for the future justifie me of the barbarous Action which I was obliged to feign and all those who shall read the History of my Life will look upon me as a Monster but I shall consolate my self in it for as much as it hath been serviceable to you Sir the Princess answered I have nothing to reproach my self of in respect of that esteem which you demand of me and if I have had any Sentiments opposite to yours they have not detracted from those which all the earth ought to have for your merit and now that I am overwhelmed with your Bounties that all your Generosity is declared in my favour what acknowledgments thereof ought I not to conserve If I have done any thing for you replyed the Emperor hitherto it can only be attributed to the interest of my Glory but I must yet go farther fortune which hath rendred me too happy against your Family hath not left you in an estate worthy of your self suffer me fair Eronima to repair part of those outrages she has committed against you and receive some succor without repugnancy from the hand of a Prince who still loves you in spight of all things that ought to hinder it the Present I shall make you is agreeable to your inclination 't is Solyman whom perhaps I should less have favoured at a time when reason had a less Empire over me he is of a blood respected amongst us there are no Kings whose alliance he may not hope for and I had designed my Sister for him you are perswaded that he loves you and I am not less certain that he is beloved by you accept him then with all that I possess in Asia the stately City of Trebizond wherewith I have inriched our Empice shall be your secure Sanctuary there pass all your days more happy than mine and there retain some remembrance of Mahomet Eronima and Solyman were so satisfied that for a long time their silence spoke for them at length they testified their Acknowledgments to the Emperor who told the grand Gardiner that since Solyman could not have Bassima he gave her to him as soon as the Princess could recover her Indisposition The Joy was equal amongst these three persons and Mahomet having continued with them some few moments after he bid them adieu which cost Eronima some tears returned to the Seraglio On the morrow the Emperor sent Solyman the Commissions for the Government of those places he had promised him the Princess worse dependance now was only upon her self gave her self for ever to him they made their voyage to Trebizond and there established themselves gloriously Morat espoused the Sultaness Bassima and the Emperor performed his promise to the Janisaries in conducting them to new Conquests FINIS A Catalogue of some Books Printed for and sold by W. Cademan at the Pope's Head in the New Exchange in the Strand Folio AN Institution of General History or the History of the World by William Howel L. L. D. in two Vol. Historical Collections or an exact Account of the Proceedings of the four last Parliaments of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory Pharamond Complete English Clelia a Romance English Parthanissa English An Heroick Poem on Thomas Earl of Ossery with his Picture neatly cut in Copper Quarto An Historical Relation of the first Discovery of the Isle of Madera The Protestant Religion is a sure Foundation c. by the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Derby The Jesuites Policy to suppress Monarchy by a person of Honour The great efficacy and necessity of good Example especially in the Clergy in a Visitation Sermon at Guilford by Thomas Duncomb D. D. A Sermon Preached before the King by Miles Barne Chaplain in Ordinary to the King A Sermon Preached at the Assizes at Lancaster by Henry Pigot B. D. God's Revenge against Murther demonstrated in the prosecution of Henry Symbal and William Jones Executed for the murthering Sir Rich. Samford Octavo and Twelves Spanish History or the differences that happened in the Court of Spain between Don John of Austria and Cardinal Nitard with all the Letters and politick Discourses relating to those Affairs Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Philosophy The English Princess or the Dutchess Queen a pleasant Novel Court Songs and Poems being an exact Collection The Temple of Death with other Poems by a Person of Honour Hogan Moganides or the Dutch Hudibras Liquor Achahest or the immortal dissolvent of Paracelsus and Helmont c. Philotrification by Dr. Sherley FINIS