were with me and presently after I found my selfe a captive in Algier which you see now Consider in what port you are arrived and whether you had not better to have served for food to sea monsters then to have falne into the hands of these earthly ones I have languished fourteene yeares in this misery where it seemes my life hath taken another nature since that I dye not to avoid so many displeasures I have many times written to Madrid and sent my wife worde of my sad disafter but what ever diligence I have used I could never receive an answer I doe not excuse her of negligence nor ill nature I have too much proofe of her goodnesse and vertue but I thinke my letters never went so far I feare that the King of Algier who will not put my daughter nor me in the number of slaves to be ransomed hath stayed them for these infidells are most faithfull to their soveraigne so that I know not now if I have yet any body for me nor whether my wife be in heaven or earth My daughter I have told you of is called Magdelene but the barbarian that ravished her from me hath taken from her that name and called her Cirife at the end of six yeares of our captivitie the pirate seeing day by day the beauty of this little one increase made her serve him as an instrument to get the favour of Selin King of Algier he gave her to him to dispose of her as he thought good The Prince was much pleased with this present and to testifie the esteeme he had thereof he promised to gratifie him upon all occasions when she was taken out of mine armes her clothes were not so poore but that they rendered her considerable and testifyed that she was issued from christians of great qualitie which obliged the King to esteeme her as much as if she had beene his proper child He hath brought her up like a queene in effect I know he pretends to qualifie her with that greatnesse and marry her I apprehend that that will be executed sooner then is thought of and so there may be a soule lost and a desolation for mine old age The onely good that I have resting amongst so many displeasures is that I see her sometimes by a window of a Towre where by good fortune the King hath lodged her the halfe of the circum ference of this towre comes from the Kings lodgings against the gardens of the Citizens having betwixt them but a little lane of five or six paces over full of briers and bushes With diligent searching some meanes to approach this prison I have found a breach in a wall which seemeth to have beene made for me by some angell by it I goe to the foote of the tower and â—hiding my selfe in the thornes and grasse I speake sometimes to Magdalene whilst she maketh a shew to recreate her selfe in taking the ayre by the window and by the veiw of the gardens In the little time we enjoy this common contentment I speake to her of no other thing but that she remember she is a christian that she take heede of violating her faith whatsoever is offered her or said to her and that she hope that God who never leaveth his will receive our vowes and one day give us the recompence of our travells and constancie See deere country man the subject of my afflictions and miserie which you may helpe me to lament as you told me at your arrivall if peradventure you have not particulars which oblige you to imploy your teares for your selfe and if it was nothing but the losse you have made of your libertie you will not want cause of teares Alas there is so long a death prepared for you amongst chaines and travells that I assure my selfe that you will be sorry you were not buried in the waters as your companions which I esteeme much happier then your self Hitherto Fenise had harkened to the afflictions of others but from that moment he begun to feare those that threatened him but when the courage is firme there is no adversitie that can astonish a man nor danger capable to terrifie him Fenise having a while considered the finistre predictions of Frederick and studied by what industry he might prevent these future disgraces he made him this discourse In harkening to the recitall you have made me of your misfortunes I have conceived in my minde what may remedy you and it may be you will judg so when I have communicated it unto you But to oblige you the more to second my intentions I wil tell you newes of the child you went to search amongst the bushes neere Toledo He was named Louis as his mother desired I have not onely knowne him but that knowledge is passed into an affection he is one of my intimate friends I have left him at Valence at a gentlemans house a friend of mine called Leonard in whose house he hath recounted to me his whole life whose beginning answers to all the particulars you have told me thereof A labourer found him in the place where you went to seek him he had care to bring him up and entertaine him untill his decease and in making him inheritour of all his estate he gave him a little purse wherein was the paper that you saw his mother hung about his neck which he yet carefully keepeth So great a transport of joy seized the heart of Frederick that he wanted not much of falling at the feet of Fenise when when he told this newes But after a little silence it is possible said he that my stars begin to be weary with persecuting me what will heaven give me this contentment in my last dayes and assure me that my child liveth Alas if I could perswade my selfe as you say I should no longer esteeme my selfe unhappy although I be a slave and charged with chaines Yet you give me so many markes thereof and your manner of speaking hath so much appearance of truth that I willingly believe it For that which concerneth the proposition you make to execute a designe which may produce some happy successe doe not doubt my fidelity I ingage to you my faith to expose my selfe to all sortes of hazards to serve you untill the losse of my life if there be neede assuring my selfe that before any thing is undertaken you will judge that it is all that a slave can offer Doe not believe answered Fenise that I make so little esteeme thereof as onely to hazard it on the contrary the industry I have advised my selfe of tends onely to its conservation and safety I can speake the Arabick language in perfection having learned it of a slave of my fathers by a secret providence of heaven who foresaw this present necessitie With that I have some money which is saved with me from the passed shipwrack I put it into my bosome when I entered into the ship at Livorne My designe is to buy by your meanes
disinherited he without regarding the ordinance of his mother would possesse himselfe of the succession but he was hindred by two of the cosens of the defunct He had with them both words and blowes and in this difference he outraged Gentlewomen his Kinswomen with so many insolencies injuries and intemperances that it was decreed against him that hee should bee put into prison where hee staied a long while because no body regarded him all that hee undertooke issued very ill and in the end seeing himself abandoned by all the world and pressed with extream necessity besides the incommodities of prison he had recourse to me and writ to me conjuring me to assist him in the misery which he endured being abandoned of all his kindred and friends This letter was given me and many others wherein he reiterated the same prayers but I was not much moved to assist him I was insensibly growne into a certaine negligence which many times hindered me from undertaking this voyage I imagine that heaven permitted it to be so to chastise him for the evill he had done in being the cause of the death of her which was the cause of his life after the soveraign author of all things Seeing himselfe reduced to so great misery so far that he was not visited in his chamber by any but the other prisoners he had his heart touched with a very sensible repentance judging that all these miseries were come unto him by divine punition those who brought him his meat found him alwaies sighing and weeping Desiring then to appease the anger of God and do pennance for his fault he made a Vow with a good heart to employ a whole yeare in visiting on foot all the holy Sanctuaries of Spaine if it pleased God to deliver him from the miseries wherein hee was From that houre that he had thus acknowledged himselfe all things came to him according to his wish every one beganne to pitty him I arrived at Cartagene with intent to endeavour to serve him and before J saw any of my kindred J went to visit him in prison where after having embraced him with teares in his eyes he recounted to me from point to point the prodigious extravagancie which he had done which he believed was the originall of his misfortunes I blamed and chid him rudely for suffering himself to be carried away with such a folly and seeing the extreame sorrow which he had for it J became the vigilant solicitour of his affairs By my intermission they whom he had offended pardoned him seeing that they had a sufficient reparation having kept him two years a prisoner for not penetrating into the judgements of God they beleeved that it was onely by their meanes that Garcia had suffered this paine Not being content with having gotten him out of prison J would see the clause of the Testament of his mother and the cause of his dis-inheriting having examined it with counsell we learned that the Law deprived from succession those children who layed violent hands upon their Fathers or mothers or who attempted upon their lives and as the adversaries of Garcia could not prove that he was guilty of any of these cases for although hee was the cause of the death of his mother there was none but she and he that knew it the Judges before the Processe was begunne ordained that the Testament should be broken and that Garcia should be put into possession of the inheritance not onely of his mother but also of his father a few dayes after he was installed in his goods he enterprised to render his vowes beginning with our Lady of Piler of Saragoce one of the most holy places of Spaine where the blessed Virgin appeared to the Apostle St. James We left Cartagene at the same time hee to acquit himself of his vowes towards God and I of my duty towards my wife See Seignieur Fenise the cause of my voyage which you desired to know and the weake curiositie of my foolish Cosen who will be wise hereafter An example which sheweth us the misfortunes which arrive to those that will make such foolish experiences The entertaine of these pleasing divertisements endured untill their last dayes journey In approaching to Toledo Don Antonio and his brother renewed their thankfulnesse to Fenise taking leave of him and Marcell with a thousand civill complements Don Charles carried Don Antonio to the towne where Violante lived with Orambel who had like to have dyed many times with sorrow not knowing what was become of her husband since that hee went for Naples his unexpected presence carryed her from one extremitie to another the excessive joy which she received at his arrivall had like to have made her tender her soul in embracing him Don Antonio staied six daies with them and then he carried them to Madrid Fenise and Marcel arriving at Toledo were received with unspeakable joy the one of his mother the other of his wife the one to stay alwaies with his family and the other onely to regulate his affaires and take possession of an estate which his father had left him with the right of the eldest of his house The respect which every one bore to his merit made him happily proceed in his businesse vvhich being done the Idea features vertues and perfections of Magdelene which kept the most eminent place in his memory obliged him incontinently to take againe the way to Cartagene In few dayes he was with her to the great contentment of her father mother and brother who all expected him with great impatience to put him in possession of a treasure which he more passionately aspired unto then the highest fortune in the world It was his marriage with Magdelene which was celebrated before the ministers of the onely law where he publiquely gave her his hand as secretly he had done his heart under reciprocall promises of a perfect union they reaped the fruites of their loues which had taken encrease and maturitie amongst so many different dangers surmounted by their hardy resolutions and according to the ingenious conduct of our Heros Having passed some monthes amongst his wives friends he would let her know his for this effect by the consentment of their father and mother and her particular approbation he carried her to Madrid there to establish his house and habitation where now he passeth his life with this marvell of beauty and wisedome with all delights which are to be tasted in this world A successe which may serve for a certaine proofe that in case of marriage the union of soules is made in heaven the alliance of bodies upon earth Jn the varietie of rare adventures described in this volume the marvellous effects of love and fortune are seene whereby one may know that the one surmounts all the greatest hazards that can oppose him and the other although she be inconstant and many times maglignant she neverthelesse favoureth generous courages and aydeth them to accomplish their designes when they are
signe to know me In ending the reading of this letter I begun to be ignorant of the author and the confusion wherein I was made me wish that the terme which shee had given me was expired to be delivered therfrom I passed the night in this impatience and the houre being come I rendered my selfe at the place assigned where I presently saw arrive too women who had their faces covered with cipresse which I did not thinke strange because it was the fashion put I was astonished with the brightnes of the beauty of one of these women which she permitted me to see in letting fall her vaile upon her shoulder as not thinking thereof and lifting it up againe at the same time I remained as immoveable at the splendour of this object and as this had vailed againe her face the other discovered hers thereby to let me know that it was she that had brought me the Letter Then I thought it convenient to premeditate some little discourse wherewith to approach this Beauty for he doth much that is able to passe the first incounter of a faire Lady with respect and without committing some impertinency Then animating my resolution and using all all the courtesie I could possible I said to her Madam if I be too bold thus to accost you the confusion which this paper hath given me and this messenger which brought it me may serve me for excuse I have learned by the discourse thereof that Heaven is willing to render mee worthy to serve you and that you desired that I might come hither to receive the honour of your commands And since that I am come and have seen there rests nothing but to overcome the obstacles which would oppose themselves to your contentment as I shall doe without doubt when you ordaine mee Then this Lady againe discovered her admirable countenance and looking upon me with gracious eyes Cavalier said she I esteem my self much indebted to your courtesie which merits more praise then excuse but I blame her who hath caused you to come hither and whose imbecility hath at this time so greatly prejudiced mine honour Saying so she turned towards Feliciane so was she called that accompanied her and severely chid her Shee who was prepared of what she ought to say made a thousand excuses to Teodore this was the name of that Lady who coming againe to me spoke this language I must confesse I writ what this woman gave you and that I am very happy that it light in the hands of a person of merit as you are although I doe not know you to be of the quality of him to whom I had intention my letter should have been given who is a brave Gentleman Thereupon I tooke occasion to tell her what I was but feigned to be come to the Court for better occasions then those that kept me there She answered me that the courteous actions I had shewn her would serve for warrant to my words but that her affaire was a secret praying me to pardon her if she told me nothing thereof for although she judged I might be confided in for things of much greater importance so it was continued she that the little knowledge which she had of me hindred her ftom taking the boldnes of communicaâ—ing her secrets unto me She said all this to the â—nd to oblige me to promise her to see her afterwards But being at Madrid rather to execute the effects of hate and vengeance then seek the pastimes of love I neglected this occasion and civilly took â—eave of her Teodore stayed there very ill satisfied with her â—ndustry and the little power which the darts of â—er eyes had had over my heart she had good cause â—o be astonished therewith for they had so many â—llurements and charmes that it had been imposâ—ble for another lesse afflicted then me to have reâ—sted their force So that considering my coldnes â—â—e knew not whether she ought to attribute it to â—ontempt or accuse me of want of judgment haâ—ing not conceived her intentions She finding her selfe pressed with her passion resolved to hazard what she had the most deare to satisfie it and what is it which a woman animated with love will not prove to content her desires and render those things easie which seemes impossible unto her But for to render this discourse lesse troublesome unto you I must here make a digression You must know then that during this time I met Don Alonso whom I believed to have been far from Madrid after embracements and ordinary complements which passe amongst friends he told me that besides his passed sorrowes he had a new displeasure at his heart this inquietude made me curious to know the cause thereof then in renewing unto mee his ancient protestations of amity he told me that the day before he was amongst young men such as seek their pastime every where and who give to their senses all they can wish for who having discovered where Eufemie was and knowing that he had heretofore had design for her had let him see her unknown to her he being disguised for that cause that he had like to have died at the instant of this Vision and in this cruell displeasure it was some ease to him to advertise me thereof to seek meanâ— to remedy it the most discreetly that could be possible These newes stirred up so violently my vengeance that nothing seemed hard to me to execute hee named to me the street and house and then left me Almost at the same time a servant that was unknown to me came to tell me that there was a Lady in such a house that desired to see me in the evening and communicate unto me something of importance and presently went her way the house which she directed me unto was the very same that Alonso had told me of where resided the originall of my opprobry I considered the great impudence of her that desired to see me in stead of flying from me which made me suspect some treason but amongst these confusions passing beyond all apprehensions I went to the lodging with a ponyard hidden This new Messenger stayed for me at the doore and conducted me into a chamber where I found a candle upon a cup-board a â—ittle removed and betwixt the wall and bed a woman in petticoat and wastcoat I had scarcely perceived her and begun to draw my ponyard liftâ—p mine arme to strike her when she cryed Ah Sir what will you doe I stayed my selfe hearing by the sound of her voice that it was not â—he I imagined in the same time I ran to the candlestick and in approaching her I knew that it was Teodore whose feare had so increased her beauty besides the art which she had joyned to nature that 〈◊〉 had taken her for a Goddesse if I had not rememâ—red my self to have spoken with her in the meadow of St. Hierosme I was so extreamly surprised with â—his accident that I doubted whether it was fond â—magination or
might revenge himselfe of this cruell without noyse Hee would not see her in her prison for feare the violence of his anger should cause him to commit some publique excesse a thing extreame ill in a governour and magistrate but he resolved to convey her into some place where without witnesses he might examine her make her give account of her life The better to accomplish his design he delivered the old woman that accompanied her who seeing her selfe at liberty gave new hopes to Laure to solicite and and obtaine her deliverance at what price so ever it should be After having tryed all meanes possible and seeing she advanced nothing she addressed her selfe to a Magician from whom she got a writing and a ring which she brought her assuring her that if she tooke it from her finger when shee found her selfe in any danger in speaking words contayned in that paper which she gave her she should surmount it That she should not at all be afraid of what should be presented before her that she should be assisted with succours more then humane which should overcome the force of her adversary Fenise impatient to execute his revengfull project made ingeniously to be reported amongst those that knew of the imprisonment of Laure that having found her innocent by the depositions of the delivered prisoner and Alcinoe her companion he would also oblige her with the same favour For this effect he sent for her one night by a man he confided in who told her that he had charge from the governour to conduct her to a towne four leagues from Tarente where he was to leave her She trusting in the charms which Alcinoe had given her presently resolved to goe with this man He set her upon his horse behinde him and by night carryed her to a Rendez-vouse where Fenise was to meete him as he did being there he commanded the conductor of Laure to leave him and to returne to Tarente Laure seeing her selfe thus abused and abandoned to the mercy of Fenise whom the passion of vengeance furiously inflamed began to take off her inchanted ring and speake the words which were given her Vpon the instant before that Fenise could speake any word he saw himselfe invironed with a whirlewinde and dust so thick that he could see nothing about him presently he imagined that there was some magique in this accident he armed himselfe with the signe of a christian and incontinent this obscuritie was changed into lightnesse which neverthelesse frighted him more then the darkenesse for he saw himselfe invironed with fire whose flames seemed to mount unto the clouds and although he was in so terrible a danger he did not forbeare to looke about where Laure was but the he saw her no more not knowing whether the flames had devoured her or some divell had carryed her away in the whirlewinde and dust In fine having stayed some time to consider this prodigious vision from whence he knew not how to escape he he heard a fearefull thunder in the ayre and at the same instant the fire went out and he found himselfe all alone without having suffered any hurt but that of feare heaven grew cleare and the moone very bright which gave him meanes to finde his horse he came on he got on horse backe and returned to Tarente his minde filled with a thousand confusions as well with what he had seene as the doubt he was in that the divells had carryed away Laure to chastise her themselves or if they were so much her friends that they had ravished her to defend her from the effects of his vengeance Being arrived at his house he sent for Marcel and told him all that had passed whereupon they discoursed together some time without being able to judge any thing certainely At that time Marcel tooke leave of Fenise with a thousand faire complements and as many protestations of amitie made of one side and of the other He returned to Naples and Fenise stayed yet a yeare in his government Then he received a letter from the Vice-Roy which obliged him to goe presently to him and at his arrivall he gave him a pacquet which he had received from Don Ambrosio his father who finding himselfe old and feeble desired to see him yet once before he left this world The Vice-Roy approving this paternall feeling and seeing the good nature of Fenise who was very willing to obey his father permitted him to goe for Spaine upon condition he would returne as soon as he could possible promising also of his part to render him at his returne more signall testimonies of the esteem he made of his merit With this civill leave Fenise left Naples and went towards Rome the town he desired to see before he returned into his country judging that he might be accused of little curiositie to have left Italy without seeing so marvailous a Citie From thence he went to Florence and continuing his voyage he arrived at the foot of the Alpes where night tooke him farre from the place where he hoped to have lodged And whether it was hee knew not the way or that Fortune would yet play with him he lost himselfe if one may call that a losse which caused him to obtaine the greatest treasure his spirit could have knowledge of Besides the coming on of the night he was accompanyed with a violent tempest of thunder and lightning which made him remember that wherein he was when he had designe to be revenged of Laure. After which heaven poured downe such torrents of raine which gliding downe the Mountaines threatened our adventerour to force him into the precipices In the end after having suffered much paine and apprehension he saw himselfe by the light of a flash of lightning neare the mouth of a deep caverne he approached it yet fearing by saving himselfe from one danger to cast himselfe into a greater imagining that this place under ground was the retreate of some Beares or Lyons he had no intention to enter therein but onely so farre as to guard himselfe from the raine that fell from the clouds but he had scarcely begunne to stay and take breath when he perceived a light within the cave Divers thoughts came into his minde believing that he was falne into the hands of some Brigands and after having consulted a little what hee ought to doe he resolved to try his fortune in this occasion he called two or three times but there was nothing but the eccho of his voice which answered him Then animating his resolution he tied his horse to a bush and approaching to the light he saw extended upon the ground a humane person having a face yellow leane and wasted in briefe so hideous that she seemed to be death it selfe Her body was covered with a coat of haire-cloth rude and pricking her haire was yellow and so long that it was able to cover her whole body her hands dry and without flesh being crossed upon her breast embracing a Crosse
great storme At this fearfull advertisement every one quit the attention of these prophane discourses and begunne to looke to his conscience and to be troubled with the apprehension of shipwrack They entered into the Gulfe of Leon when Heaven begun to be troubled with a double obscuritie that of the night and that of the storme wherein the windes were so violent that they seemed to move the sea unto the very bottome In a little time the tempest became so furious that all in the ship were fearefull every one cryed out with a good heart for divine assistance and demanded pardon for his faults The Mariners themselves were so amazed that they knew not their compasse nor what to doe or command the cords masts and sailes were broken one from another sometimes the waves lifted up the ship to the clouds and then again cast it down into the most profound deeps It thundered and hailed and the aire produced lightning which served them but for to see things fearfull In the end after having suffered a long storme a wave cast them against a Rock where the ship was split and then some were buried quick in the waves and others ranne to the last remedy of Shipwrack endeavouring to prolong their lives as long as they could floating upon tables and packs Fenise seised upon a square chest wherein was his equipage and so abandoned himselfe to divine mercie and to the misericord of the waves Heaven favourable to his vowes would not let him serve for food to the sea Monsters but had care to conduct him for after having felt all the evils that feare could cause about break of day he saw himselfe neare to shoare which yet he could not come to because the waves seemed to sport with him sometimes they made him almost to touch the land and then cast him much further off then he was before In the end having againe invoked divine assistance the necessity wherein he was taught him to make use of his armes in stead of oares he employed the last vigour of his courage and tooke port betwixt two Rocks kissing the ground and giving God thankes for the miracle he had done in delivering him and from this instant he accounted himselfe a second time borne into the world The sea grew calme and the day by little and little grew light and let him see the pittifull relicts of the Ship and the spoiles of his companions which floated upon the waters He looked about him of all sides to see if he could perceive the top of some Towre or Steeple of some Towne or Village that he might go thither to demand some sustenance but he saw nothing that could give him any hope of relief he had wherewithall to recompence those that should assist him for in this extreame misfortune he had resting a good summe of money which he had in gold about him and in his coffer but at this time it was unserviceable unto him After he had consulted what he ought to doe he left the sea shore sometimes turning back as well to lament his companions who were drown'd as for fear the sea should yet follow him to make him suffer the same shipwrack hee advanced into a field not knowing whither he went nor in what land he was he heard in approaching to a grove a man lamenting which spoke Spanish then joy glided into his heart thinking that he was arrived upon the coast of Spaine and coming neare him by little and little he heard him speake these words Oh great God! the onely recourse of afflicted soules hast thou resolved to abandon me amongst these barbarians for to finish here my daies without enjoying that dear consolation administred unto those who are born under the knowledge of thy Lawes and the true Religion Lord thy will be done if it bee thy pleasure I must resolve to suffer it Ending these last words he gave a great sigh and held his peace because he had perceived our unfortunate Cavalier Fenise who at first imagined himselfe to be in Spaine his owne country now learning the contrary by these words converted his joy into sadnesse presuming that he was upon the coast of Barbary he approached to him that complained and thus saluted him My friend if you finde alleadgement to your troubles in complaining to these trees do not leave to continue behold here another infortunate which may keep you company and helpe you to weep if you please since that it seems by your language that we are of the same country For me I am a Spaniard and native of Madrid Oh God answered the other who was a venerable old man a strange encounter And in embracing him with teares in his eyes what misfortune continued he or what divine power is it that hath conducted you hither Then Fenise asked him in what countrey hee was and then told him of his Shipwrack the most succinctly that hee could for he was so weak that he could scarcely speak After he prayed him to give him something to eat and presently Fredrikc so was this old man called prayed Fenise to expect him amongst the trees and went in diligence to fetch him bread and drinke made of Lemmons and Sugar wherewith Fenise refreshed himself Having thus taken acquaintance one of the other our Cavalier prayed Fredric to tell him by what accident he came there and was obliged to passe the rest of his life in that barbarous region as his complaints had let him understand The old man desiring to satisfie the curiositie of Fenise made him this discourse THE HISTORY OF FREDERICK The illustrious towne where the Court of Spaine is ordinarily kept is the place where I saw my first day as well as you if you be of Madrid as you say I am of noble linage yet I never saw my father he being taken from me by a dangerous sickness before I could have knowledge of him He left me his onely heire and under the conduct of a mother who neglected too much to keep in my youth to which my riches gave mee more libertie than was reasonable Amongst these liberties I made such debauches as I will not recount unto you having been so excessive that to compare that time with the life I lead now I have cause to esteeme my selfe happy although I am farre from it and besides it would augment your wearinesse by a troublesome attention In this age my heart begun to be warmed by love by the perfections of a Gentlewoman of a great family whose carriage was civility it selfe and whose beauty was the object which made all admire its author It Would be superfluous to tell you the arts inventions and subtilties I used to declare unto her my passion and the paines I tooke to finde a favourable occasion to perswade her to compassionate my torments you may imagine them in representing unto your self that she was the most recluse of her time You shall only know that whatsoever services or testimonies of fidelity I could render
her for the space of two years it was impossible for me to hear one word from her mouth to obtaine one favour from her hands or to perceive any hopefull signe In the end she was overcome by my perseverance and not by her negligence but who could resist so long a pursuit without being an insensible rock the strongest places and Towers inaccessible have been gained rather by industry then valour Troy Numance and Carthage serve us for examples thereof what marvaile was it then that adorable Persinde could alwayes resist against the art force and courage wherewith I daily assaulted her She was under the guard of a Mother the most sharp and austere woman that was in all Madrid Persinde feared so much that she never looked upon her without trembling Neverthelesse by succession of time and increasing of obstacles our loves grew so great that I obtained what I desired I saw Persinde in her chamber by the intermission of certain women her Governours who often betray the honours of Maids in making shew to defend them In one word our private meetings were so familiar that within a few dayes Persinde possessed a living gage of our affections Love that had made her commit this fault inspired her with industry to hide it and means to remedy it when it should be time She approached her term when her Father had a fancy to send her to Toledo to see one of her Cousins which she had there and to recreate her self with the famous sports which the Citizens then made Persinde discovered to her her secret as to her most confident friend and after that Agarise so was her Cousin called had testified the displeasure she had for this accident She promised to assist her in all she could possible to avid the scandall the season being come of reaping that fruit into her hands which had taken maturity in her womb Agarise writ to the Father and Mother of Persinde praying them to be pleased that she might yet keep her Cousin with her and that her leave might be prolonged for some time which they easily granted I rendred my self Burgois of Toledo the day of her arrivall to the end to serve her and contribute all that should depend upon me to her assistance when there should be occasion and for this cause I saw her almost every night in the presence of her Cousin But one day when Persinde begun to be set upon with ordinary paines her Cousin and she determined to leave the Town and go to the Farms neer Toledo which are called Cigarales where Agarise had acquainted a woman with this affaire who was prepared to receive them when they should come But they were scarcely got half way when violent paine seized poor Persinde Then Agarise feigning another pressing necessity left the Coach with her and retiring themselves amongst some bushes which were happily there Persinde was delivered of a Sonne they wrapped him in linnens and covered him with a little mantle of silke and gold which they had brought for that purpose rather taking care to make hast then to trim up the Infant This being done Persinde drew out of her pocket a paper and having diligently blotted out all that was written therein shewrit these few words Christian this Infant demands Baptisme have a care thereof and let him be called Louis She hung this note about his neck with a silk ribband and abandoned him to celestiall mercy They returned speedily to their Coach and without going further returned to Toledo feigning that Persinde was sick by the way There was a great space of time betwixt their return and the houre I was accustomed to visit them which was the cause of a misfortune which maketh me yet sigh The night being come I went to make mine ordinary visit where I learned this newes and the place where I should finde this poor little innocent I departed in diligence and sought on all sides with a torch I visited the inside and outside of every bush that was in the place whither they had directed me but without finding any thing Feare seized my soule at the beginning fearing that he was devoured by some wild beast and yet seeing no bloud spilt nor any of the cloaths of the child I imagined that some charicable person having heard it cry had taken it away to give it a better lodging After I had passed almost the whole night in visiting three or four times the same place to the end I might not be accused of negligence I returned to Toledo with intention to report otherwise to Persinde for fear of killing her with grief The time of my going to see her being come I made her believe that I had put the infant in a place of security and that she needed not further thinke therof Not long after Persinde having recovered her colour returned to Madrid with letters from Agarise her Cousin which thanked her Unckle and Aunt for the honour she had received from them in the visit of her Cousin let them know that she had been a little sick so that all this affaire was happily overpassed if the absence of the child had not afflicted us My Mother deceased incontinently after this successe and by her losse I remained in full liberty to match where I thought good I then determined to demand Persinde in marriage but having acquainted her therewith she counselled me not to do it for fear I should thereby receive some discontentment seeing that her Mother pretended to make her religious And although she knew not that Persindes inclinations stood that way yet she used all possible diligence to make her condiscend to her will A great tyranny to make a person by constraint take a condition against heart Having had certain advice of the intention of thi rigorous mother and being assured of the affections of Persinde I stole her away one night an carried her to Cartagene a towne scituate upon the sea shore and where the greatest part of my estate was I stayed with her there some yeares we leading a very happy life Heaven gave me another child which was a daughter faire as an Angell she had all the features of her mother but yet more sweet and charming I loved her above all things in the world J could not be a moment without seeing her and nothing pleased me so much as her innocence She was about three yeares old when on a summers evening I had a great desire to walke with her in a little place which I had neere the towne of Cartagene and stay there untill the next day at the same houre but I departed too late for the night tooke me by the way I held this little minion in mine armes having taken her from her nurse which carryed her and without thinking thereof I was invironed with a troope of pyrates who tooke her with my heart out of mine armes presently I found my selfe in a vessell companion to many slaves deprived of my deere child and servants who
upon the face of the Earth when venerable Frederick rendred himself in the gallery and saw immediatly the window open and Erimene appear holding a bow and arrow which she shot against a wall a little further off then the place where he was making a signe to him that he should take it up Erimene having seen him doe what she desired departed and shut the window Frederick perceived that this arrow had a little paper rouled about the end thereof instead of a pile and industriously accommodated he judged that there was some mystery hidden he untied it and saw that it was a letter directed to him he presently went to finde Fenise to let him read the same with him not being willing to have a secret which he should not have full knowledg of They opened it and saw that it was the Castalian tongue containing this discourse THE LETTER OF MAGDELENE TO FREDERICK HER FATHER Sir THe signes and gestures which you have lately made to me letting me understand that the Gentleman which accompanied you is my Brother which was lost from his birth hath left my spirit in a Labyrinth so confused that it is impossible to get out thereof without a more clear and ample explication I cannot comprehend how he should be come into this barbarous Country with the habits he weareth and be in liberty without having renounced Christianity which I cannot believe he hath done for being issued from your bloud he could not have committed so cowardly a perfidiousnesse and so infamous an impiety and although my just curiosity might merit some satisfaction yet I do not hope that you can content it I am now held so short that it is scarcely permitted me to leave the presence of Selin his passion and jealousie is so violent that he yet doubteth if I be where he findeth me this is it that hath hindred me so long time from seeing you and will yet deprive me of that contentment But I have found an invention whereby we may entertain one another by writing and letters during the silence and obscurity of the night The King hath certain birds of the bigness of Black-birds which sleep all the day I know not whether it be by custome which is given them or their proper nature but it seems that Heaven hath so ordained it for our consolation particular In the night they fly and feed by candle-light whither hunger makes them go as they see it He hath given me one of them which shall be our faithfull messenger if you please this is the industry we will use The night being come you shall be in your Gallery with a candle in a cleare lanthorne and when I shall see that light I will put out mine in my chamber and let go the bird he shall have a letter delicately fastned under one of his wings he will fly strait to you and pearch near your candle you will easily take him for he is very tame then you may untie his letter and having seen it if you please answer it you may fasten it in the same manner you shall see then take away your candle and I will light mine and come to the window and presently the bird will return to me To proceed therein more securely and avoid danger which may incurre if our art should be discovered let us make proof therof with a little piece of white paper in stead of a letter Make your self ready the night after this and be in the Gallery about twelve a clock God prosper happily the invention to his honour and glory Frederick and Fenise embraced one another seeing so cleare an appearance of a power to communicate and resolve together some great enterprise for their common liberty Magdelene being couragious and Erimene very ingenious It was she that had written this Letter for although the other knew the Castalian language having learned it of Erimene she was not so expert as to write in that stile they praised and admired this favourable invention as in truth they had cause it being extream rare secret and subtill but there is nothing that a woman will not finde out to surmount the obstacles vvhich oppose her contentment In vain doe fathers and husbands shut their doors and wall up their windows and guard their walls to avoid scandall and to take from their Daughters and Wives the intelligence they might have with their Lovers the more they are shut up the more leisure is given them to exercise their wits and to invent means to overcome what hinders them there is no Tower high enough nor locks nor doors nor walls strong enough to conserve their honours if they doe not guard them themselves Fenise glad to see so fair a way laid open to his hopes prepared an answer to this sweet letter that the messenger might not stay that came to fetch it The time assigned to Frederick being come he rendred himself at the place assigned with a candle in a lanthorn for feare the wind of the birds wings should put it out or that she might offend her self and without attending long he heard a signe given at the window of the Tower and at the same instant the angelicall bird came and pearched upon his arm which he presented to her for that effect near the candle Fenise and he took her safely findding the white paper and untying it put their answer in the place thereof then hiding their light according to the instructions received they saw that of the the towre to appeare and let goe this faithfull and able confident in the twinkling of an eye she rendered her selfe betwixt the hands of her mistresse who gave her the most sweete and amiable nourishment of her face accompanyed with a thousand amorous kisses payd her the portage of the letter she brought The hand wherein it was written was knowne by Erimene confirming her in the opinion she had that this Caviler which Frederick would have passe for the brother of Magdelene was a gentleman of Toledo to whome she had often times spoken and seene verses of his writing yet she did not declare her thought to Magdelene who impatient to know what this letter contayned prayed Erimene to reade it FREDERICKS ANSWER TO HIS DAVGHTER MY daughter it must be some Angelicall spirit that hath given you this invention it is so excellent that I cannot enough praise it I scarcely complaine any longer my disaster having this admirable maner of comforting my selfe with you but we must goe discreetely to worke to prevaile in our deliverance from the tyranny wherein we are I hope it by the aide of God and the courage of your brother who taketh great care for our comune contentment A strange adventure hath brought him hither to take parte of our miseries or to deliver us from them his liberty is conserved by the meanes of a powerful friend he hath in this towne let this suffice you for the present If we can but conserue this communication by the intermission of this
wound upon the opinion that the Chyrurgeons closed it up too soon Consider how much this secreet imports me for having declared to thee if thou deferrest the execution thereof and that I doe not see the effect of the powder which I put into thy hands in the time that it ought to operate thy life shall suffer for it and thou shalt pay for the fault of having disobeyed my will The impatience I had to get out of the hands of this divell incarnate obliged me to take the powder which he presented to me and to assure him of my fidelity praising God that he had declared unto me these abhominable intentions Behold this diabolicall powder and I discover nakedly unto you the damnable enterprises of this wicked man assuring my self that your wit and prudence will so ingeniously carry the businesse that neither you nor my self run any danger You ought to be the protector of my life since that I shew my selfe infidell to this Traytor for the conservation of yours At the end of this discourse I remained so confused and so moved against this monster of abominations that if I had been in case to have risen out of my bed I had then attempted to doe it to go find this cursed man and satisfie my self by his blood But having passed this first motion of choler I said to Glicere that since that the effect of this venomous powder was so slow that she must make him believe that I had taken it and for my part I would seem to be indisposed complaining to feele my self fall away every day and that in the interim I would search means and occasion to catch this piper in the snares which he had layd for me Glicere retired upon this assurance and I had a desire to give this empoysoner the same venome which had prepared for me but because the effect thereof was so slow I feared that he should perceive the double intelligence of Glicere and so his rage might cause him to serve her as he had done Fabrice for not having executed his will and again that in taking the preservative against the powder knowing the composition thereof he might escape my hands and finde some other more ready invention to make me perish under his I determined then to seek some other way to revenge my self imagining with my selfe that since that the term was thirty daies I should finde one wherein no one but himself should bee in danger During this long time which I had been deprived of the sight of Leonor my health and love encreased every moment She who acknowledged her selfe my obliged for the great service I had done her wished also to know me and to testifie her thankfulnesse she would willingly have sent mee some message but she was fearfull to be esteemed light not knowing what judgement I might make of this liberty After having contended with these irresolutions she layd all her fears on one side and her love on another but the last carried her beyond all considerations She made me a complement by a maide that served her excusing her selfe for having been so negligent in sending to enquire of my health Lucian saw her enter into my chamber and envious of the honour which I received remembered himself of his first design to ravish Leonor in the house of Don Ignigo which made him observe the behaviour and words of the Maide she afterwards told me that her Mistresse was extreamly troubled in her very soule for the evill that was befalne me upon her occasion and that she would esteeme her selfe extreamely happy to know the person to whom she was ingaged for so great a benefit as that was to have saved her from the fire and from those that would have ravished her person in fine that when I should be permitted to goe abroad if I would take the paines to visit her I should be very welcome These pleasant words ravished my soule by mine eares mine eyes testified what joy I received thereby and my tongue answered with courteous words that the first time I should goe abroade I would not faile to come kisse her hands and receive her commands Two dayes after I executed this promise went to salute this ravishing beauty which heaven hath let me see againe this day either to verify my narration or to give me an incomparable joy after three yeares absence I saw her then at her lodging I discoursed with her where I found the excellency of her wit and gave up my soule to her which she shall possesse as long as it shall be lawfull for me to dispose thereof In acknowledging my submissions she was content that I should call her my mistresse keeping alwaies the same respect towards her which I have done in your presence Yet in time the accesse which I had to her grew so familiar that one time I was so charmed with her conversation and stayed so late with her that the night surprised us before we thought therof for being together houres seemed but moments unto us her Uncle at that time came out of the towne he had a custome to shut the doore of his house in entring and to keep the keyes untill the next morning he did the same then so that it was impossible for me to get out to the great displeasure of Leonor fearing that I might be so rash as to attempt upon her honour though she might have beene well assured of the reverence I bore her yet seeing her selfe forced by necessity she was constrained to suffer me to stay in her chamber untill the time was come I might descend by a cord from a Balcony window which was over the streete the time came of my departing from her lodging by this way Leonor looked out of a window to see if there no body appeared that might discover me she perceived two men to stand still in a corner and told me that I might stay yet a little She was in perpetuall disquietnesse to get me out doing nothing but goe and come from the window to the place where I was and putting her head a new into the street she saw a third man with the two others one of them having a lanterne they approached together the house of Don Ignigo stayed at the sellar window then one of the three begun with a croe of iron to force and breake the barres of iron wherewith it was shut whilest the other two kept the watch looking all about if any one saw them or if there passed any body that might hinder their enterprise Leonor came presently to advertise me thereof I came softly to the window and saw that the grate was broken that they put down a ladder into the window Leonor was upon the point of wakening all the household servants but she was fearefull I should be discovered if peradventure the lodging should be searched and also that finding her in her clothes at this houre something might be suspected to her disadvantage Whilst we consulted
of the rape of Charitie for she believed that she was stolne away She went to the President and soveraigne magistrate of Castile let him heare her plaints and recitall of her disaster producing this letter which might give some light in these confusions There was a Commissary presently deputed to goe search the places about this tavern and to seise upon the host but although this ordinance was promptly made it could not be so diligently executed but two or three daies after the messenger arrived at the place where he had designe to reveale his secret to the Justice but as he thought to have done it he found not his letter which might render testimony of his declaration then judging that he should not be believed alone he went on In following his way he was taken by the same theeves amongst whom was the husband of Fregonde seeing himselfe thus in danger to lose his life and money he remembred himselfe of the name of the person to whom the letter was directed He demanded if Leon was not in their company and they told him that he was their chiefe at the instant he tooke him aside and told him in this torment of feare all that was contayned in the letter the apprehension of death wherein he was made him tell all Leon cunningly informed himselfe of all the circumstances that seemed important whereby he knew the riches of the proposed theft and the terrour which oppressed this unhappy man He gave him his liberty for his advise obliging him by oathe to discover nothing of what he had told him to any one See this unhappy messenger escaped from the hands of these thieves whilest on the other side Leon disbanded himselfe upon the instant and went all alone to attend the prey which he hoped for Whilest this was done Charitie was upon her way mounted upon a Mule and followed by her treacherous companion on foote going little journeyes and advancing towards the rendez-vous of these unhappy people where she was to lose in a moment all the gratifications which fortune had given her in many yeares her perfidious guide measured so well I would say so maliciously her time that she arrived towards night at Sierca Morena poore Charitie travelled in feare the heart the faithfull nuntio of good or evill advertised her of the danger she was going to fall into the effect thereof was not much delayed in passing by a close way Leon came out of a certaine place full of bushes and thornes and as a ravenous wolfe surpriseth an innocent sheepe this Lion ceazed with his clawes upon fearefull Charitie who fell in a swound for feare upon the instant the perfidious Fregonde begun to cry out and faining to run away she drew aside into the bushes and then this barbarian insensible of the griefe of this young gentlewoman without respect of her beauty searched her all over but he had scarcely begun this insolent action when he heard a horseman to approach him who being in this suspicious place favourable to theeves gallopped with his pistoll in his hand and the cock up this theefe could not so soon retire himselfe out of the way but this Cavalier was with him they were both of them in distrust the one believing they came to take him and the other that they would rob him because that Leon was equipaged in such manner that he might be well taken fora thiefe He seeing the posture of the Cavalier presented him with the mouth of his carabin which which he wore in a belt but by good fortune it tooke not fire the Cavalier lost no time but discharged his pistoll against his body charged with two bullets before he could draw his sword as he was going to doe Leon fell to the ground not dead but dangerously wounded Don Fernand lighted this was the revenger of the crimes of this theefe and ceazed upon his armes to serve himselfe therewith in case of neede He seeing himselfe so happily dispatched by the assistance of my credit went towards Seville as well for the desire he had to see so faire a towne as to make a young gentleman which dwelt there it being the place of his birth the first captaine of his little regiment being acquainted with him in Flanders to make him participate of his good fortune Just heaven which maketh us sometime to feele its rigours to give us afterwards abundance of favours permitted that Charitie came from her mortall trance wherein she was falne In opening her eyes she saw the trayteresse Fregonde with a visage of a fury of hell groaping yet in her breast where she had put her jewells and then with feeble voice What Fregonde said she are these the effects of a person who hath sworne to me an amitie inviolable ah cruell is it possible that thou art confederate with the theeves which have robbed me Don Fernand who seemed to be destinated for the protection of Charitie hearing this plantive voice ran presently to the place where she was he saw this maide along upon the ground and this cursed woman stripping her of her jewells and clothes Fergonde had heard the pistoll discharged but she thought it had beene her husband that had shot for some designe for she had not seene the Cavalier so that when he came neere her she believed that it was Leon who returned so much she was troubled and attentive to her wicked action The cavalier seeing this young beauty thus rudely treated moved with compassion and blinded with choler or it may be put forwards by heaven which serveth it selfe very often of one man to punish another gave her three blowes with his sword which made three issues for her soule to goe the sooner out of her treacherous body Charitie who saw this action imagined that she had done Fregonde wrong to suspecther of infidelitie and believed that this Cavalier was the same theefe that had stayed them so that she â—xpected the same misfortune that had befalne her companion but as death flyeth ordinarily from those that expect it it happened so to her Finish bloodsucker said she to Fernand finish to glut thy cruelty and take from me this languishing life He knowing that she tooke him for the theefe answered her Madame you see the defendor of your person and life and a gentleman that will expose his for your service if you please Charitie hearing these words found her selfe more confounded then before she knew not what to thinke thereof but considering that so courteous words could not proceede out of the mouth of a thiefe she called againe her spirits and stretched out her armes to the Cavalier who raised her from the earth He conjured her to assure her self upon his person and to believe that she was in the hands of a man of honour where there should be rendered her no displeasure Saying so he approached with her to the place where he had left Leon but he had drawne himselfe into the bushes hoping that the Cavalier being gone on
his way his wife would come help him and make him to be carried away and looked unto Fernand not finding him made no great diligence to search him hee imagined that he was not so hurt as he had believed and that he was gone to tell his disaster to his companions to oblige them to revenge him in this imagination he made hast from thence and tooke Charitie with him hee set her upon her mule and mounted upon his horse and tooke the way by which he was come returning towards Madrid because the nearest place of retreate was that way otherwise they would have been benighted 〈◊〉 the wood and it may be in danger to finde â—â—e companions of Leon it was a great distance betwixt this place and the towne where Fernand thought to lodge to passe the night in securitie which gave him leasure discreetly to informe himselfe who she was and of the voyage she made and who had engaged her into this danger Charitie to testifie how much she esteemed her self bounden to his generositie recited nakedly unto him all that shee knew of her self as well her name and condition as the accident which was arrived me in her lodgings moderating in the end the shame of her fault with the promises of marriage which I had so solemnly made her Fernand hearkened to all this discourse with astonishment and admiration seeing himselfe to be one of the principall personages in this tragicall History He remembered himselfe that the next day I was to marry Cleonte the Gentlewoman whereof I told you and who was to be esteemed for having amongst other good qualities neare twenty thousand pounds for her portion besides the hope of inheriting yet as much more from her father Confidering then that it was in his power to repaire the honour of this faire Gentlewoman and to bring againe consolation and joy to her mother he found himselfe engaged in conscience and generositie not to neglect it being arrived at their Inne and having taken a little repast he would let her see how usefull his meeting with her might be to her yet without declaring what he knew of my project to marry Cleonte for feare of surcharging her with new afflictâ—â—â— Madam said he I thanke my good fortune that she hath this day given me occasion to serve you in such manner as none but a brother could doe He did not think to have made so just a comparison for this time I will breake my voyage to Seville whither I was going as well as you when I met you and for your sake I will againe take the way to Madrid hoping there to procure you that contentment which you desire from Don Antonio It is a Cavalier whom I know and whom I hold so religious that if hee hath sworne to marry you as I believe he hath since you say so he will never violate his faith and it may bee hee would already have done it if he had known where to have found you it is therefore I would counsell you to return with me to Madrid At these words Fernand saw that Charitie lifting her eyes up to heaven made an action which testified that shee had some repugnance to the effect of this proposition being ashamed to goe alone with a man and not daring to speak her feeling she covered with the pretext of fear to be known No no Mistresse said he fear nothing confide in me if your quality and beauty would not oblige me to respect that which I beare to Antonio whose wife I believe you will be would make me use you with all sort of reverence I will lodge you in a place where no body shall know you in the interim I will see this Cavalier and I assure my self that you vvill have cause to praise his loyaltie and my diligence Charitie was altogether charmed with these spatious consolations she passed the rest of the night in some repose of spirit thanking God every moment for having assisted her with so magnanimous a courage and disposing her selfe to be conducted by the prudence of this brave Cavalier At breake of day he went to knock at the door of her chamber and told her that it was time to depart and that they must hast to Madrid if shee would see a good successe of her affaires she was presently ready and they went gladly together They arrived that day at dinner time in an Inne where they found the Commissary deputed by the President of Castille to apprehend the theeves which upon these waies robbed all the passengers who had already taken and hanged up the companions of Leon. Don Baptiste father of Cleonte having appointed and chosen the day of our marriage had invited all his friends for that time amongst the which Don Ariel the Uncle of Charitie was the most considerable after his kindred this Uncle that lived at Seville and to whom she went to sue to his good nature to receive her to him being the onely possessour of the estate of her house setled upon the eldest as I have already told you He left Seville to come to Madrid and take part of the contentment of his friends The next day after the adventure encountered by Don Fernand hee passed that way near unto which Leon had drawn and hidden himselfe This miserable wretch having been so long time abandoned from succour and almost lost all his blood and mortally hurt decayed by little and little seeing that Fregonde did not come and that he heard passengers goe that way he begunne to make pittifull cries at the instant that Don Ariell passed by the place where he was Then this charitable and courteous Cavalier made his traine to stay and alighting the first went where hee heard this lamentable voice he saw upon the ground a strong man enclining to gray of about fifty years of age of a sterne visage full of scarres and soiled with blood as all the rest of his body was who made him this broken discourse being oppressed with paine and weaknesse Sir said hee through Christian charitie have pittie of a miserable sinner to whom just heaven this day maketh its vengeance felt I have a recitall to make you whereby I shall discharge my conscience it God assist mee with life and breath to doe it and give ease to a great family which I have put in extreame griefe a long while agone saying so a great weaknesse stayed his speech Don Ariell curious to know what this hurt man would say sent for water to a little rivelet that ranne thereby they cast it into his face and he opened his eyes then setting him up handsomely against a tree two men of Don Ariels holding him up he begun again his discourse Which way doe you go Sir sayd he I go to Madrid answered Ariel Alasse Sir replyed the hurt man you may well oblige then persons of condition that are of that towne and in so doing render my soul lesse criminall Speak my friend sayd Ariel take courage I will do it