as well as he could a hard Bed intreated the grieued Clori to lie downe and giue her wearied body some rest But his intreaties could doe no good vpon the wofull Dame which much troubled him so that hopelesse of her receiuing comfort by his meanes night growing further on and his eyes somewhat drowsie he fell fast asleepe by her but had not taken a full houres rest when the liuely image of Iacinta represented to his dreaming fancie iust as hee saw her struggling with the furious waues the heauy slumber so wrought vpon his sences and his disquietnesse was such that it awoke him with the horror and affright that such a sad remembrance might produce in which anguish sitting bolt vp in his bed and looking about him for the passionate Clori hee found her wanting vvhich not a little affected his mind doubtfull whether belike carefull of her honestie as misdoubting his promise she might chance to haue hid her selfe amongst the neighbouring trees he ran hastily out of the Cottage to seeke her carrying onely with him a strong sheep-hooke for his Armes and defence But no sooner got hee out of the strawie Lodging when he heard the trampling of footsteps guided as he supposed toward the high Rockes and Spring-head of a neere-running Fountaine Gerardo hastening thither a pretty way from him espied a Bulk going apace downe toward a Brooke to which all those running Springs of the hilles pay their tribute giuing it the name of a goodly Riuer and withall looking more warily as hauing the bright shining Moone to helpe him he might plainely behold by her womans Garments that it was Clori who made so fast away and that though he lowdly called on her she still held on her course without affoording an answer which made him not a little amazed mend his pace and so breaking thorow the intricate boughes and rough thicket in a trice hee ouertooke her but so out of breath that vnable to stay himselfe ouerthrowing her they both came tumbling downe together neither had they so stopped from falling into the Brooke but that Gerardo seeing himselfe almost lost with incredible celeritie maruellously recouered himselfe yet seeing Clori stirred neither hand nor foot fearing the suddennesse of the fall might cause this trance taking her in his armes he returned to the Cottage where laying her on bed and kindling some dry stickes before the rest of the company might be raised with the accident hee brought her againe to her sences but opening her eyes it was with such grieuous sighes and extraordinary affrightment that the poore Gentleman himselfe euen suffered with her and thinking verily that all this in Clori proceeded from some despairefull imaginations with the best language that his wisedome could present to memory hee indeauoured to cheare her till at length her body wearied with the continuall toyle of her mindes burdensome sorrow her delicate necke subiect to the pillow and her selfe to soft rest she gaue way to Gerardo though with more warines then formerly to do the like Towards morning they awoke and being day rose at what time the faire Clori desirous to return to her way and taking thankefull leaue of Celio and his shepherds accompanied onely by the solitary Gentleman till such time as he might set her directly for Cesarina they both left the Cottage and being not long after arriued at the parting place Clori would let him go no farther to the no little discontentment of his noble heart and seeing him stil obstinate to goe with her she aduertized him of the danger which by beeing seene with her might happen to him if so be by those that in all likelihood were sent after her from Seuil he should be found in her company Wherefore Gerardo acknowledging her good aduice though much against his wil followed it taking leaue with teares but first thorowly instructing her that she might not misse her way and returning with a slow march to his owne ere long they lost each others sight Gerardo hauing his mind still busied in the poore Dames wracked fortunes could willingly haue wished them if possible added to his owne rather then haue heard them as he did to bee hers or now seene her againe all alone perhaps subiect to the like mishap And in the midst of these pious considerations vpon a sudden her last nights fearefull flight came to his remembrance and her ouer-earnestnesse to haue him at present leaue her company all this resolued in his noble brest besides condemning his vn-manly cowardize that for a little feare or respect of his owne safety he should leaue her thus desperately to her selfe his resentment was such that setting all inconueniences aside hee resolued to follow till hee might see her safe at her iourneys end and with this deliberate purpose turning backe in a moment he got to the place where they tooke leaue and passing a pretty way further seeing that as farre as euer he might discerne he could get no sight of her beeing much troubled and thinking it vnpossible she should be gotten so farre of her way in so short space so blaming his owne slownesse and looking more narrowly vpon the troden path he might see the print of Clori's little foote which hauing traced as a Guide to his iourney hee soone perceiued by the Tracke that shee had turned out of the right way to a thicket of tall Oakes neere certaine old and ruinous walles wherefore he falling likewise into the same path had not gone farre in it when the skie beginning to waxe cloudie there arose a sudden and furious gust of wind which blew so forcibly towards him that hee was scarce able to keepe on his way But he more couragiously animated by such violence without resistance went on and quickly got to the decayed building where by one of the lowermost walles he found some of Clori's apparel and passing further more euen all to her very Smocke which he no sooner beheld when his grieued eyes began to runne streames of teares his heart presaging some disaster and looking towards heauen he might see before him the wretched naked body of the mournfull Dame that as then newly had desperately cast her selfe from a spreading Oake hung in the ayre by meanes of a strong nooze made by a scarlet Swath-band that girded her tender Waste which performed the stead of a halter Blessed heauen cride Gerardo with a fearefull voice Let not thy clemencie permit such a losse of this faire Soule and in so saying he instantly got to the trees top where vnsheathing a short wood-knife hee had on he cut the mortall knot and Clori now in her last agony fell to the earth whither her fortunate restorer comming soone after to her found that her breath was quite departed the white and red of her cheekes turned into muddy green pale and bloudie and her goodly eyes euen started out of the Christall frame of the smooth snowie Forehead the soft skeines of her flaming haire entangled and promiscously disordred and
die the streets were in a trice euen strewed with people and the women vnaccustomed to bee seene got to their doores and vpon their Turrets with confused showtes of gladnesse to be spectators Whilst these things past in euery corner of the vproard Cittie the Turkes and Moores that were with Palomeque in the Palace wearie of reuiling commaunded a vvild horse to be brought and tyed him with cords to his taile and in that manner he was dragged to the Market-place where those dogges perceiuing that if they passed farther on the Prisoner dying in that torment might escape others more cruell and bloody prepared for him mooued with their rauenous desires they made him to bee vnbound and a base Moore that was to be his Executioner suddenly stepped out who fixing on the ground a paire of Stockes neere Palomeque of some yard long he layd hold on his left legge and putting it thorow a hole of the logge proceeded in his Office saying Faithlesse Christian is it possible that the Viceroy hauing pardoned thee by offering thee life if thou wilt turne Moore persisting so obstinately in thine errour thou wilt rather suffer thy selfe to be torne in pieces Consider wretched man whilst yet thou hast breath and time to repent thy folly beseeching his Highnesse to vse his accustomed pitty and clemencie to thee To this not falling one iot from his high courage with an angry tone Palomeque suddenly replied Wretched Barbarian thou and all those of your damned Sect that behold me are those that blindly erre and are most miserable since following the senslesse abuses of a cursed Impostor you suffer your selues to run headlong into damnation and therefore I neither feare the torments of so loathsome nasty a generation nor make any other reckoning then thou hast seene of their menaces Cut diuide teare and dis-ioyne this wearied Trunke of mine vvhen you haue done all and that this feeble body perish by your miscreant hands yet my soule neuer forsaking her true Creator shall mount to heauen and his diuine goodnesse shall I doubt not giue mee courage and sufferance for the extremest tortures you can inflict and with this raising a more then manly voyce he concluded crying out A Christian I am and a Christian I will dye maugre your powers and Hels together No sooner had he so ended when the mercilesse Hang-man at foure or fiue blowes cut off his stirrop legge close by the knee and some Moores holding him from falling gaue order to the same Barbarian that as hee had cut off the legge in the supporting place he should do the same to his sword-arme seruing both members alike vvhich had beene the cruell terrours to their nation This was as the former fulfilled and our valiant Spaniard now turned into a double Spring of blood the griefe and torment of his dismembred corps could not but be euen insupportable but heauen gaue this blessed Soule strength and courage to suffer filling with amazement all the Turkes Moores and Renegates by whom in infinit numbers this horrible spectacle was incompassed After this the body vnder-propped by foure persons they expected till the Gibbet was set vp where he was to bee hoysted and fastened vpon Tenter-hookes which was soone done and his body caught vp in the midst by a Pully to the highest part of the Gibbet and being furiously let downe againe fixed vpon the Yron hookes which were set vpon the fearefull Engine and so the expiring body was strooke thorow by those sharpe points but the blessed Palomeque in midst of that dolorous Traunce lost not the least part of his manly courage rather in all those cruell and fearefull torments the marueilous splendour of his true faith and firme affection to his Redeemer shined more gloriously vpon vvhom calling vvith miraculous perseuerance he gaue vp the ghost after hee had remained almost foure and twenty houres in that terrible anguish to the generall astonishment of a vvorld of barbarous Turkes and Moores present at his glorious departure The next morning vpon the Boord to which his arme and hand was nailed appeared an Epitaph in Verse written in a faire sheete of white Parchment which beeing read by many Christians before the Moores could take that and the member downe to burne them and my selfe hauing beene one amongst the rest that had a sight of it I thinke it not amisse for the goodnesse to make repetition of it vnto you Fixe Christian Passenger thine eyes On this braue hand that Trunke that lyes Now a void Carkase prey to Fowle That late inclos'd a glorious Soule Weepe not for him that ioy'd to dye To liue a Martyr lastingly Dry vp thy teares for him who blest Pitties our woes that want his rest Let such as loue their Countries good Dye Skarfes in Palomeque's blood And weare the Red that when some he Halfe Barbary in Armes shall see Hereafter with the Skarlet sight Whole Squadrons he may put to flight You Captiues home to Spaine that wend Those golden Sands bid Tagus send His Ransome and Granada's Towne Thy sacred Mount this Martyr crowne Here ceased the compassionate Christian leauing Gerardo to equall pittie but with much more admiration at the strange successe and now before their Patron should bee at home to finde fault with their long being abroad they were willing by way of preuention to returne to the Lodging You heard before how Gerardo had a Chamber appointed by himselfe where separated from the other Captiues he might with some cheerefulnesse passe the irkesomnesse of his slauerie Hither taking leaue of his companions he entred and ready to sit him downe in a little corner where his bed stood vpon the Couerlet contrary to his expectation he found his supper wrapped vp in a poore course linnen Clowt which was a loafe of bread and some little fruite and giuing thankes presently to his diuine Maker who in so great miserie had granted this particular fauour vnto him about to cut the bread hee found a piece of paper which to conceale the bulke and bignesse of the same was oft folded stucke in it which held him in no small suspence till vnwrapping the folds hee might see a womans hand as he gessed in Spanish Characters which though an ill one to reade yet looking more warily vpon the Letters he might make a shift to collect out of them the insuing Contents Christian Heauen that hath permitted thee to come to so great misfortune comfort thy afflicted heart be of good courage and despaire not of thy remedy If the Patron this night set a price vpon thy ransome and it may seeme excessiue to thee be not troubled with his exorbitancie nor disquiet him with thy excuses rather because thou canst not help it yeeld to his demand asking first sufficient respite In which time if from Spaine thou shouldest not be relieued God Almighty may be pleased that here thy wants shall be supplide I enioyne thee no secresie since thine owne affaires will well represent vnto thee how much
my Cap and disguize made my selfe better known So that when she was fully satisfide out of pure astonishment long it was ere shee would leaue crossing her selfe and with the sudden alteration this vnexpected change had caused said Are you Gerardo in beholding you sure I become blind Who should it be deare sweet said I but he you name who transformed into your precious selfe am neuer absent from you Lord my best Sir quoth she how came you hither What base attire is this concealed your Noble being froÌ„ me whither do you go Do you think I meane to vndoo my selfe or feare that my being so slightly guarded may make mee a prey to bloudy Robbers that frequent the vncouth Mountaines I cannot thinke said I North-starre of my desires that there can be so cruell a Thiefe who seeing those diuine lookes would not cast his armes at your snowy feet touching my coÌ„ming hither know Fernando my friend worthy al confidence and my selfe haue thus on horseback followed after you and if you please to giue a reward to my small labour though to beare the name of your Seruant is sufficient vouchsafe that I may this night speak to you since if you be willing no occasion can bee wanting I willing said she if that be all the difficulty neuer go from me Oh no that were vnfit Mris said I your Cousin will come out and though my disguize might excuse her not knowing mee I am loth to put it to the venter Well a Gods name leaue me a while said she expect me somewhere where we may not be seene Thus I returned to my friend and making known my successe vnto him withal the fright my disguize put my Mistris in it gaue him notable content And so as well to beguile the time of my expectation to see my Mistris as also to excuse the transformation of my base disguize in imitation of the valiant Hercules giuen ouer to the vnbridled Loue of Iöle by way of allusion hee tooke a subiect in these following Verses 〈…〉 that strong Club of his 〈…〉 feet the twelue sad labours laid That 〈◊〉 a glorious Constellation made Whose Owner 〈…〉 high mounted is With Iöle doth change 〈…〉 of this Giues him her Reele and Spiâ—dle womans Trade With which the Semi-god growes 〈◊〉 â—paid And to her worke to fall thinkes not amisse She like a second sterner god of Warre Appeares and he of wanton Venus shewes A perfect draught fond Louers to descry Yet I not wonder since I know there are Stranger effects that Cupid doth disclose With Bloud Stars Words and pow'rfull Sympathy Whilst we discoursed of these and other matters Clara and her company were gotten to Supper and she ere the Cloth was taken away faining an excuse with her Maid onely accompanying her came thorow the Court by our Chamber and going toward the farthest part of it sent her backe onely bade her call if she should be missed I perceiuing the deuice soone followed after and though my feete had wings yet Clara fained the necessitie of her returne hauing staid so long onely said Now Gerardo you haue no reason to complaine since you see how true I am to your desires When said I owner of my life â—an I forme complaints of you that may not proue vniust since with this present fauour onely my reward is more then had I vndergone an Vlissian Nauigation You doe ouer-much indeare it said shee but tell mee Thinke you to see me at Auila if to my griefe my Aunt change not her minde though doubtlesse in this I hope Heauen will be propitious to me To this I answered From the very houre nay instant mine eyes beheld you and my soule made election of your rare personage I determined to follow you not to Auila which is so short a step but euen the whole world ouer and of this pure truth deare Pledge rest assured and satisfied T is well said my Mistris I am alone and like a vveake vessell acknowledging the aduantage of your strength am therefore forced to beleeue you confident that time at length must best discouer your constancie and my affection Yet tell me meane you now to accompany me to Guadalupe No my best Mistris said I for though I cannot enioy a greater happinesse yet I feare beeing missed at Talbora it might happely breed some ouer-curious suspition to excuse which as loth to hazzard your reputation I had rather lose my longing Your warinesse doth much please me said she continue it still and when you heare of our returne neglect not but that very night come to the vsuall stand and till then farewell for I feare I haue staid too long You must not so part quoth I to leaue mee in so long absence without a fauour from you that may cherish my hopes of seeing you and in so saying with all my might I tooke her about the necke and to her seeming anger and my glory gathered the sweet flowers from her rare lips at which I cannot set downe how altered how angry shee was at my licentious boldnesse But in such warres peace is soone made so loue to whom we became both subiects easily forced her to pardon my boldnesse and confirme our friendship by hanging a rich chaine about my necke and precious iewell at it which formerly serued to adorne her owne brest saying Though you haue angred mee yet in hope of your repentance receiue this pledge in remembrance that she that now parts from you to Guadalupe beares you with her set in the secret Relicke of her heart Faine would I haue replide but the comming of her Maid hindered me wherefore slipping into a corner Clara passed on and my selfe soone went backe to my Chamber where Fernando and I with equall content tooke our rests seeing my suite so much bettered by these prosperous beginnings which being the Originals of my present ills 't was necessarie my good Leriano I should be thus prolixe in recounting them Wee neuer so much as staid for day-light but taking horse with good speed in few houres Fernando got to his lodging and I to my Fathers house Fifteene dayes my inflamed heart suffered in the torment of my Mistresses absence and vpon the ioyfull night of her arriuall like a most punctuall Louer Fernando in my company some houres before the vsuall time I expected the vp-rising of my bright Sunne which at length more glorious then he that vsually giues his light appeared from her accustomed window Excessiue ioy they say oft causeth sudden death and though by heauens particular goodnesse in me it wrought not that sorrowfull effect yet it so troubled me that I was scarce able to send forth those effectuall reasons Loue and desire prompted me with What my tyed tongue made difficult I remitted to the action of my eyes hands with which laying hold on those whiter then snow of hers imprinting my lips in their pure Chrystall my outward actions declared my inward motions In no lesse suspence was my
and fidelitie of an old trusty seruant whom hee loued as an adopted sonne which and the being a loyall Biscayner by birth made the discomfortable Gentleman rely the more vpon his faith and honesty His good fortune afterward or rather my ill starres brought him to the end of his intended Voyage and hauing made sale of his few commodities seeking vvithall some kinde of imployment as presuming vpon the ability of his good parts he came in a fit coniuncture at such time as my Father hauing lost his Bailiffe and Ouerseer of his Herds newly dead was hearkening after another and by accident they both met my Father as well satisfie vvith Leonardo's person and presence as the other with his affable and generous disposition wherefore striking vp on both sides for the manner of seruice and recompence he remained with him and so carefully discharged his dutie that in short time my Father might see the increase of that estate that was vnder his hands with so plentifull an income that now he himselfe though present began to forget and giue ouer all toile dis-burdening his cares vpon Leonardo's shoulders with whose vigilancie hee liued at ease All this while our Bayliffe forgets not the intent of his Voyage nor those Pledges that expected him at home for with his owne stocke together with my Fathers bountie he had now gotten a good estate of money and goods together multiplying the same yeerely by the great and rich fraights that yeerely passed betwixt Spaine and the Indies so that before his seuen yeeres were accomplished he was esteemed one of the richest men in the Kingdome which made him thinke vpon his returne and Countrey and in this minde one-day as my Father and he were alone he made knowne his purpose vnto him which vvhen hee heard I cannot expresse the resentment it caused in his passion and hoping yet that his entreaties might disswade Leonardo he sought all he could all in vaine to diuert him and yet the other fearing to bee thought vngratefull for so many benefits receiued if he should not something satisfie with the iust cause of his departure after hee had made knowne his right name and qualitie withall what Pledges he had left behinde that long looked for his returne so effectuall and powerfull were his reasons that my Father had not a vvord to reply against them and the discharge hee gaue caused not this effect alone in my Father but obliged him also to beare him company awaking in his heart the dead affection of his house and home And so resolued on their Voyage against the going of the next Fleete in the Interim they had leisure to exchange sell and put off all their goods and cattell which to an incredible number they had in those parts so that not long after with two Ships richly laden and a prosperous Voyage they arriued at the famous Port of Saint Lucar of which we his kindred hauing had former notice by the arriuall of a Barke of aduice vvere there in a readinesse to receiue him My Father before they came on shore taking him whom hee held as his best friend to him in priuate thus discoursed Most assured I am friend Leonardo that you are sufficiently perswaded of my loue and affection as I of yours in which particular you cannot exceede me I would therefore that no humane accident should dis-linke this our amity or that by absence it should any way be slackned To make it the more lasting and perfect I haue thought vpon a meanes your selfe consenting that shall make that not onely whilst we liue firme but strengthen it in our posterity by mixing our blouds and conforming with my desire by giuing your only daughter to my only son Roberto Milanes for such is my vnfortunate name to Wife which may soon take effect if Heauen haue been pleased to blesse these our Pledges with the life that we desire I shall bee glad herein to receiue your resolution Leonardo's answere was to cast himselfe at my Fathers feete his eyes starting out teares of content and mustering vp the seuerall delights of his soule with words worthy his noblenesse after he had extolled my Father in his actions he not onely offered him his onely Daughter which he demanded for me but ioynd to it a new transcendent protestation of goods life and honour and so embracing each other on shore they came to our infinite content that expected him who had now beene eighteene yeeres from his natiue soyle my selfe being about sixe yeeres of Age when he left Spaine I forbeare to expresse my owne ioy which he may onely conceiue that knowes what it is to bee the sole sonne of a Father Wee stayed not long in the Port for such was my Fathers longing to see his desired home that we were quickly at Seuil where I being acquainted with his minde touching the match disposed my selfe like a dutifull sonne to obey his command preparing my selfe vvith all alacritie to the iourney in the meane time that a Post was now returned sent by Leonardo as soone as he came on shore to his City and home with the newes of his landing and the Posts returne as it gaue my Father-in-Law infinite content by hearing of his deare Wife and Daughter so it caused no lesse in me to bee informed by the Messenger to the full of my desire of my Spouse her excellent parts and admirable beautie which made mee stand vpon thornes till I might depart though my Father-in-law lost no time for vs both and sending before him the best part of his goods and treasure and after taking a passionate leaue of his dearely intimate friend my Father setting downe the day of my setting forward by such time as we should heare of his arriuall at home hee betooke him to his way and comming in few dayes to his iourneys end Consider worthy Gentles if at his welcomming those ancient teares for his departure might be renued though producing at present a more different effect My Father-in-law with the generall encrease he found in his house aswell of the small estate hee left as the rare beauty and discretion of his beloued Isdaura health and content of his Wife seruants and whole Familie Iudge whether he could chuse but rest most thankefully obliged to gracious Heauen to whose goodnesse yeelding a due acknowledgement he gaue notice to his Wife of the intended match and finding her conformable to his wish to the generall gladnesse of his houshold and friends hee began to prepare for the ensuing Nuptials The day of my departure now at hand with my Fathers blessing and a leaue taken of yours and my deare friend Leriano accompanied with a seruant or two in foure dayes Posts I came in sight of the ancient walles of Toledo my Wife and her Father Countrey and Mansion where beeing arriued and at the house in stead of a ioyfull receptable I found it nothing but a harbour of griefe teares and confused sadnesse a thing that caused great
content of Don Iohn that onely at parting desired Fabia to conceale and content her self with his promise till such time as their marriage might be effected without distaste to his friends and kindred to which she easily condescended as willing in all things to satisfie him like an obedient wife With this warie secrecie the Louers held on in their priuate meetings till such time as Fabia grew to be with child and her Gallant without all feare of heauen to a treaty of marriage with a dainty Dame and neere Kinswoman of his which in short time without Fabia's notice was effected But what hand may rule my weary Pen if I should goe about to set downe the mocked Fabia's griefe What tongue would without faltring expresse her soules immense sorrow as soone as she heard the bitter newes of his faiths breach that was her onely Owner 'T were to take fresh breath to begin a new Tragedy may her teares and sighes then rest in the Readers consideration which as abundant and continuall so hard they were to be concealed from her parents to whom as her womanish feare would permit her she discouered the state shee was in of being two moneths pregnant they accompanying in her mournfull discomfort sought rather wisely to marry her then by impossible pleas more to defame her And therefore without many delaies married her to a person of their ranke but one that had good meanes with whom her defect one way and excesse another vn-noted shee passed for a maid and some eight moneths after was deliuered as legitimate of a lustie Boy and so quickly with the Infants pleasing company she blotted out of her mind the abhorred remembrance of the true periur'd Father Some ten yeeres vvere expired after the childs birth in all which time iust Heauen blessed not the vngratefull Don Iohn with any issue to his no small griefe for that one of his brothers whom he deadly hated was necessarily to succeed him in the Estate And now quite desperate of any fruite by his wife he proposed to himselfe the Boy hee had by Fabia for his heire and hereupon not content to haue most trecherously wronged her but trusting to wealth and friends insensible of the poore Fabia's disgrace hee sought by Law to recouer his sonne and to this purpose petitioned to an ordinary Iudge who for admitting so scandalous a demand deserued an extraordinary punishment And so his seruants bringing in witnesse of the close meetings that were betweene them as also of the iust computation and time of her deliuerie by sentence of Law the Iudge dispossest him that loued the Boy as his owne and adiudged him to be restored to the periur'd false yet true Father With the affront done him Fabia's poore husband and fell into a desperate sicknesse and soone after died so she poore soule remained without honour sonne or husband such are the cruell effects of an vnrelenting proceeding The wicked Sire was now most iocund in his new sonne called likewise Don Iohn and causing him to bee most tenderly cockered and brought vp but the Boyes owne good inclination to all vertuous qualities made him in few yeeres grow to that towardlinesse that hee was generally beloued and so highly commended that euen in his owne father it begat enuie For the step-Dame there needes nought bee said since their hatred and malice is their generall inheritance yet the prudent Don Iohn as discreetly boare his mother-in-lawes ill-will as from so tender yeeres might bee expected neither did hee in all the plenty and fortune of his new Estate shew the least forgetfulnesse of his old habitation where euery day once at least his owne poore Mother was by him seene and serued but his father and step-mother so much stomacked this that they wholly repented them of claiming him and next making little or no reckening of him withdrew all manner of allowance either to sustaine or clothe him whereupon the young Gentleman was forced to sue them according to Spaines custome for meanes which by sentence were allotted him to the value of seuen hundred Crownes to bee annually payed him But the vertuous youth considering his mothers wants needed more reliefe then his owne was content to part with his annuity to her which done he went with a kinsman of his fathers that dearely loued him to the City of Lisborne where that party was prouided of a place of good credit in the Kings Gallies There Don Iohn in his kinsmans company liued happily enough till vnderstanding by Letters from his mother how hardly his cruell father proceeded in the paiment of her monies his duty hastening him hee returned thither Well knew he that begat him the cause of his so suddaine arriuall neither did his wife ignore it who like a curst step-Dame desired nothing more then the poore young mans ruine which was soone after effected for her diuellish intent finding sufficient admittance to her husbands dis-affection was made knowne and finding in him no lesse desire of his sonnes riddance they both resolued and the future Filicide parted with this bloody purpose toward the great City of Seuil where he might without any difficulty finde choice of murderers to dispatch his onely sonne And so hauing by chance lighted on the foure fore-mentioned Rogues agreeing with them to kill him for two hundred Crownes of which fiftie were to be payed in earnest they returned backe together and entred that night Tartesia where the diuellish father informed of the sonnes being in his mothers house instructed them for the manner of his dispatch and so leading them on to the vnfitting sacrifice and house thus sayd That before is the doore there 's no more to bee done but one of you knocke aske for Don Iohn and as hee comes out the rest may so deale with him that he may saue himselfe a reuenge and giue mee satisfaction There wanted not by Heauens prouidence some one to ouer-heare these last words and witnesse against this accursed Iudge that pronounced so sharpe a decree vpon his owne blood and this was a poore old woman who not dreaming of any such accident stood as then at a close Lattice-window from whence she might also view how that hauing as they were instructed asked for the innocent Youth iust as he came out of his mothers house they gaue him his deaths wound But he died not very soone after which bred no smal distemper in his trecherous father as fearing his wound was not mortall enough or belike his pleasure done he repented him of the fact but from hence he tooke occasion to pay with some twenty Crownes ouer-plus the inhumane murderers telling them he agreed for his sonnes death which they had not effected but onely giuen him some slight hurts for which they had already receiued sufficient recompence There wanted no replies from the impatient men who now repented them they had not first â—laine him by the way But seeing how much it concerned them all to be secret cursing his base proceeding
roomes that in the midst of the Tower serued to keepe filth and rubbage which was cast into them ghessing that some of the lights thorow those Chambers might happely looke towards his Mistresses window and so fitting some stones together that he might the better clime vp to them being mounted seeing there was little hope of his purpose that way going angrily downe as he laid hold vpon one of the iron grates barres to keepe himselfe from falling the one halfe of it slipt from him at which strange accident something troubled yet looking more narrowly vpon the broken barre he might see that it was cunningly filed and as it seemed to dissemble the matter neatly giued together with soft Waxe and some other bituminous matter that the filing might not be perceiued Whereupon leauing it ioyned as hee found it vvithout being by any body espied he went vp againe to his Chamber but not so satisfied with the matter and ignorant of the Author made him thinke it miraculous though considering his owne loose life he thought himselfe altogether vnworthy of so celestiall a fauour But as afterwards he came to know not Angels but mē were the Authors of the same for there hauing been not long before two Gentlemen Prisoners in that Tower and in some danger of their liues they tryed that remedy and the very same day they thought to haue effected their liberties they were vnexpectedly as was Gerardo remooued to another lesse close Prison whereby defrauded of their hope the fruit of their vnperceiued handy-worke remained to the good fortune of our Prisoner to which hee speedily prepared his nimble apprehension as also his bold courage all little enough in an occasion so desperately hazardous and taking with a little clue of thred that serued him for making vp his Letters the depth from the light to the square of the Towers foundation hee found some ten fathom but from the square to the ground he could not measure by reason of the maine stones that ietted out yet his principall intent beeing but to quit the Tower made him to take no care for a second leape and so without more adoo tying the sheetes of his bed and a thinne Quilt he had together which might make in al some sixe or seuen fathom remitting the rest to the nimblenesse and actiuitie of his body and taking away when it grew towards night the barre sure that the Iaylor was abroad before it might grow darker and he returne he recommended himselfe to heauens protection and so determined his sally though seeing the depth he had to passe wrought no small feare in him howsoeuer the hope of his liberty and his loue more then life making him boldly winke against all danger he instantly began to let himselfe downe crossing his legs and armes strongly in the sheets from the end of which fetching a sudden friske hee alighted without any danger vpon the Square and from thence by certaine old ruinous walles scrambled to the ground giuing Heauen infinit thankes that with so little labour and without making any humane creature priuy to his purpose hee had so vnexpectedly escaped Gerardo knew not his Brother Leoncio's lodging nor where any the rest of his friends lay ignorant of the Iliberian streetes as hauing neuer been there before the time of his imprisonment And therefore not to hazzard his good beginning by giuing cause of suspition to any that should meete him he got him the surest way as he thought by fetching a tedious compasse about into the Citie when he supposed himselfe at the farther end of it hee enquired after a certaine Friarie in the Sub-vrbs in which a neere friend of his one of the Religious Order at that time liued where he arriued but by reason it was now vvaxed somewhat late though he knocked and called lowd in the Porch yet no body came as belike not willing to heare at least not to open to any that knocked at that time of night which made him not daring to returne againe into the Citie or passe further on resolue to climbe the Garden wall and as he proposed to himselfe hee forthwith put it in execution but this boldnesse might very well haue cost him his life for hee was no sooner gotten vpon his feete on the other side when suddenly with the noise his fall made two fierce Mastiues the Gardens keepers so vnexpectedly clozed with him that without giuing him leaue or leisure to help himselfe they tumbled him flat vpon his backe Gerardo had about him a knife of about his hands length the onely weapon allowed him in the Prison and so seeing himselfe halfe woorried hee couragiously drew it out and instantly thrust one of them into the short ribs who with the paine he felt leauing him hee might the better grapple with his companion that hauing but onely fastned vpon the folds of his Cloake gaue Gerardo leaue to get vp and with incredible nimblenesse to skippe into the neerest tree but so bitten and wounded that hee verily thought the anguish and cold aire would kill him before morning but by that time it began to be light his comfort was to see one of the fierce Curres weltring in his owne bloud but sorry though and vnwilling to make himselfe Owner of the distaste which the good Friars were like to receiue with this accident especially in such an occasion when he came to be protected by them hee thought fit to get him from thence and so hoping the fore-gates might bee open going out the same way he came hee came without being by any seene to the Porch where asking for his friend the party was quickly brought vnto him who not onely ioyfully and charitably welcomed him but seeing how the Dogges had in seuerall places of his body bitten him he was very carefull to get his wounds healed Some few dayes after by aduice of both the good Friar with another his companion was to goe into the Citie where instructed well what he should doe hee discreetly learnt the whole state of Gerardo's businesse beeing informed that at the instant when hee was in the Tower missing there were seuerall searches made for him and the Iudges also caused his Brother Leoncio to bee apprehended together with his seruants suspecting that by his meanes his brother had escaped so they went very cunningly to work to sift out the truth but the new Prisoners beeing found innocent enough of the matter Leoncio tooke no great care of it onely that which troubled him most was the vncertainty of his brothers welfare touching which the Friar soone satisfied him by letting him know though not where that his Brother was very wel and in safety so that hauing left him much contented within a few dayes after himselfe with his seruants at liberty he might see his loued Brother and with his comforting wisedome giue him the surest aduice for the dispatch of his affaires That vvhich most of all afflicted our Gentleman was absence and the remembrance of his gracious
consider the sinfull course he was now in which hee ought rather to leaue or indeed conuert his life into a deuout and Christian profession Lastly weighing with himself that happely all those Religious soules were not indebted to such bitter sacrifices nor worthy for their crimes of the torments they put themselues to that his iustly might merit yet notwithstanding they poore men tearing their macerated flesh held on that strict course his contrition was such that without further expectation shutting the doores of his desires and retiring his vvearied remembrance from the intimate affection of Lisis he resolued to leaue her and it in the state it now was and vvith this happy determination about to returne he stumbled and had like to haue fallen vpon his man who carelesse enough of any such accident lay fast asleepe vpon the cold earth not hauing in all this vvhile once perceiued his Master vvhich made him not a little vvonder but awaking him he bade him follow and so they held on their way faire and softly to the Citie So farre backe on his vvay was hee gotten as to come iust euen vvith Lisis her Tower and Bay-window vvho no sooner saw one passe by as being sure it could be no other then her Louer but with a tender and pittifull voyce she began to call him which notes touching Gerardo's eares like Syrens accents worked in him the effects that they in the heedlesse Mariner depriuing him so strangely of his remembrance as if there neuer had beene any such things as vvhat formerly befell him so vnable to go further on the strong Remora of his disordinate lust seizing his ill-gouern'd Barke hee returned backe where his Mistris expected him excusing as well as he could his stay but she desiring more neerely to bee satisfied cast downe the Rope to which as hee would haue tyed the Ladder foure men rose hastily vp out of those ouer-growne weedes that encompassed the walles and with drawne swords set vpon him and his seruant It may well be supposed how much the accident amazed him but perceiuing the certaintie of his danger he fell as speedily to his defence Gerardo by reason of the Ropes shortnesse to fasten the Ladder to it had gotten vpon a little dung-hill which stood to more aduantage then the rest of the ground so raised by some trash that was ordinarily throwne out of the windowes whereby his enemies not able to incompasse him round were forced to come all before which made his resistance somewhat the lesse difficult though all had beene insufficient if at the same instant with the noise and clashing of weapons some other company had not issued out of the house who came in to the hottest of the skirmish These were the Father of Lisis and his Kinsmen who lying in close ambush to effect their purpose and seeing by the other vnlookt-for occasion their reuenge was preuented yet thinking that now with lesse danger they might apprehend or kill the partie they made forward to the euent but heauen was pleased to free Gerardo from that extremitie and to permit that they who fought with him supposing these new commers were of his partie began to retire so that he encouraged too by the approch of the latter presuming vpon what his Contraries imagined began now with his seruant to let flie at them amaine laying manfully about him as they in like manner sent their returne of blowes till at length the one partie pressing forward and the other flying backward they were gotten as low as certaine Elmes that adorne the Valley where inuironed with darknesse one of those that first set vpon Gerardo fell downe crying out for confession which Gerardo no sooner heard but calling to his man to make away they both by helpe of the thicke-growing trees hid themselues and fetching a wide compasse returned to the Citie and himselfe to Sanctuary At this time Lisis who seeing the mortall danger her Louer was in was falne into a faint swoune and new come out of it no sooner tooke notice of her father and kindred when perswaded verily that they knowing of her affection meant by that cruell meanes to preuent her and ouercome with this miserable imagination fearing the like sacrifice should be made of her and at last hearing that pittifull voyce from amidst the armed troope call for confession withall that her father and friends returned hastily into the Fort her amorous passion suggesting to her it was her Gerardo surprized with her sudden griefe and none neere to comfort or hinder her hauing the Ladder in her hand without farther delay she stepped vpon it but had scarce gone foure steps downe when intangled in her coates and weakened by the sudden affrightment or the secret iudgement of high Heauen so disposing it she tumbled downe to the ground at the instant that her father arriuing in the height of his reuengeful furie to his sad griefe soules torment became a witnes of the lamentable disaster the bitternes of which bereauing him of iudgement he was euen ready to haue accompanied his vnfortunate child they that accompanied him too came out with Torch-light but going to the place where Lisis fell found her not for by reason of the hilles slopenesse thereabouts and the force of her fall with her owne forgetfulnesse shee was sent as farre as the thicke Elmes where the party fell that the wretched Dame tooke for her Louer and though pitifully bruised with her fall it seemed she would be a sharer with him in his mortall agonie Here then with extremity of anguish the discomfortable father found her and though the vitall breath had not quite left the pale disfigured Trunke shee was as good as dead whose miserable body the father taking in his armes and sprinkling her wanne face with his teares acknowledging too late his rash proceeding such and so great were his wofull lamentations as might haue turned as Niobe to softnesse but his griefes did not so end for his kinsmen going to see the dead Gerardo that lay in those gloomie shades resolued of their doubts to their strange admiration might perceiue the death-strucke bodie of the gallant Liseno whose reuengefull mind had hurried him to that end he you may remember offended with Lisis and enuying the happinesse of her new Louer not onely contriued the Letter and aduice giuen to her father but assoone also as he had notice of the Prisoners escape suspecting and not without likelihood that at one time or other hee would not faile shortly to see his Mistris his opinion not deceiuing him hee purposed so to handle the matter that Gerardo might no longer follow his pretension and thinking that to take reuenge cruell enough of Lisis vvas to remoue from her the cause of her affection vvith this intent hauing seuerall nights vvatched Gerardo this his owne last hee tooke three of his friends vvith him sure friends indeed that so basely forsooke him vvhen he had his deaths wound that hiding themselues
punishment with their fists vpon him and so there might be quid pro quo one for another This then grew to bee partly a matter of laughter and mirth but 't was mournfull indeed to see how vnmercifully those base vn-manly Infidels layd vpon the poore Frier euery one of them reaching him such knockes that had not some few of them better minded shifted him away hee might very well haue beene banged to death Thus the distressed vvoman was left all alone like a silly sheepe in midst of those insatiable Woolues who presently adiudged her to go along with her Owner and so to be a Mahometan perforce Certaine it is that the compassionate Frier vvould not for feare of his life haue thus returned had there beene any possible hope of recouering her God sure had a hand in all of whom none ought to demand a reason who doth nothing without it Our Patron hauing her home againe began to exercise his former crueltie by vvhich shee vanquished but chiefly by seeing her selfe thus vnfortunately abandoned began to grow lesse coy more pliant which he perceiuing a little also slackened his hard vsage and to make short a thing common amongst them turned off his other vviues thinking by this demonstration of his he might the better attaine to his Slaues affection vvhich indeed fell out accordingly she resoluing vnable longer to resist to free her selfe from the intolerable misery shee endured Three yeeres haue they liued in this sort so contentedly as that this change of his hath not onely caused a singular admiration through all this Cittie but with an extraordinarie conformitie of manners hath wrought maruellous effects in him turning him from rude and beast-like to ciuill and affable as your selfe best of all can iudge hauing had experience and which may most of all be wondred at in all his actions hee is wholly ruled and gouerned by the aduice and counsell of his faire wife who is onely wayted on by women captiues saue two Eunuch Renegates that you may haue many times seene ouer-seeing vs. Here Fulgencio finishing his relation Gerardo doubled his thankes but thence-forward his cares increased the more by hauing now more notice of her that wrote his former Letters but the care of his Ransome was incomparably greater and the lingring of that lesse to be indured It grew now towards Supper time so his captiue friend taking leaue gaue way to Gerardo to receiue another Ticket which hauing opened he read it with the content you may by and by perceiue At length Gerardo the day I most wished to see since I first saw you in Captiuitie is at hand I noble Signior am a Christian and one that were she knowne to you your pittying heart would helpe bewaile her sad misfortunes which so publikely notorious cannot but in part haue come to your notice as also the cruell affliction by which my frailtie was at last vanquished though I was neuer desperate to forsake my Faith wherefore heauen I trust taking compassion on my Soule will affoord me some remedie the which with confidence I rely vpon helped by your valorous determination and of that I haue had some experience as you shall know in a fitter occasion Looking accidentally in t some Papers of yours which were taken with the rest of your Clothes a-ship-boord I espied your name so that knowing you I cunningly dealt with the Patron that giuing you good vsage he should likewise propose the price of your ransome I prepared you in like manner to what you should doe to giue him all the satisfaction possible in your answer that so your person might in the Interim of your monies not being payd enioy the greater liberty Touching my present purpose it is so to dispose and gouerne our affaires that without their preiudice we may once out-liue this miserable Captiuity for which I haue waited till this present occasion which is the Pyrates and shipping wintring now in safe harbour our Patron goes to his Tillage where he is like to busie himselfe for some twenty dayes at least and with this happy coniuncture notwithstanding our Renegate Guardians remaine behinde I haue so well ordered the matter that your industry helping it shall doubtlesse obtaine the successe wee would wish for and therefore for more securitie my opinion is that you communicate the businesse with such of the Christian Captiues as you may best trust in this manner and forme ensuing First of all you may let them know that they shall not onely haue all Ferru his Armes that are heere remaining but the keyes also of his chiefest roomes that so beeing furnished with all necessaries the rest may be by your selfe and them performed to which purpose it would be in the next place fitting to know how we might rigge and set out one of the Frigots that lyes naked in the Hauen for this once compassed it will not bee difficult for vs to get from Argiers by letting our selues downe from that part of the wall that ioynes to our house and so hauing our victuals ready of which our warehouse hath plenty enough for many Ships we may set saile and away to Sea Well know I Gerardo that if my deuice suite with your discretion and our companions consider the facilitie that is offered there will be no inconuenience in the effect or say there should be some little let no small doubt hinder vs and suffer not for heauens sake your selfe me and so many poore Christians that languish in this miserable thraldome to misse the blessed opportunitie of their desired liberties let mee therefore by the Captiue that brings your meat know your resolution her I haue still trusted and I know you may do the like for to speake to mee is as impossible as mount the clouds so warie and watchfull are our suborned Keepers Heauen keepe direct and incourage your Noble generous heart Hardly could Gerardo keep in his ioy from breaking into lowdnesse as soone as hee had read the maruellous Contents of this discreet Letter in whose consideration busied and mincing as it were each particular restlesse he spent the lasting night and longing to impart the important businesse making first choise of the well-knowne Fulgencio his brest he vp and told him all from the first letter to the last and hauing giuen him so strict an account he found as willing entertainment of the braue exploit in his couragious heart as he could possibly expect who thanking his friend with teares of his gladnesse for imparting so great a good vnto him desired him to leaue the ordering of it to his care and industry as being better experienced in the Countrey humours and conditions of the Christian Captiues and therefore best knew to select those which might be fittest for the turne and also the best meanes for the furtherance of their attempt Gerardo vvillingly resigned the vvhole businesse to Fulgencio vvho hauing made it knowne to as many as he thought good to the generall approbation their flight vvas resolued on
the Bulwarke and without being espied went downe to the farther side of the Citie and there in a Plaine betwixt two of the wall-gates he tooke a Frigots Rudder drawing it from vnder certaine Raisin Frailes whereon three Moores at the instant lay asleepe which thing to seem credible must needs haue been miraculous And with the same speed boldnesse he went againe to the Bulwarke and from thence let himselfe downe to the shore and leauing the Rudder vvith the rest of the Oares he gaue Gerardo and his company diligent notice that the maine difficulty was ouerblowne so that they who were gotten downe began to striue who should fastest carry Barrels Sacks Bags Candles Ropes Cordage and binders for the Oares And being thus in the midst of their preparation some nine or ten Christians being yet to let down there chanced to passe by vnluckily on the Citie side of the wall a Turke that liued in the same street who going carelesly homeward they that were vpon the wall hearing his steps began to feare and thinke he must needs espy them for besides his approaching neerer to them hee carried a Lanterne to light him in respect of the nights darknesse vnable therfore as they thought to preuent the mischiefe otherwise they resolued to cloze with him and to kill him if it were possible which one of them willing to effect ranne him thorow the body with a halfe Pike but not deadly wounded he cryed fearefully out insomuch that some Moores comming to the noise seeing what had hapned began to proclaime from the wals that the Christians were vp in Armes which exclamation seconded by the Warders of the Bulwarke and Shore the vnfortunate Captiues about the Wall dispersing themselues disorderly vp and downe the Citie gaue ouer their hopes of libertie for hearing all that hurry they much doubted the good successe of their friends who on the other side taking vp their Oares and Rudder and in midst of their determinate squadron the faire Captiue and her Maid went towards the Sea-side where the Frigot was which Fulgencio kept still in his aime where setting the women a-boord and the most of the luggage some of them resisting the on-set of the Warders others fitting to the Oares and a third sort weighing Anchor in spight of those that went about to hinder them Gerardo's exhortations and entreaties giuing new life and courage with maruellous valour and celeritie they put to Sea where trusting to their good fortune they began to row so stoutly that in a very little time they were gotten two Leagues a-head the land and setting vp Masts and Sayles with a prosperous gale of winde they sailed on till morning by when they might see themselues to their no small ioy gotten neere fifteene Leagues to the East of Argiers Our Gerardo grew to be extremely desirous of knowing who the faire Christian might be but the winde as God would haue it beginning to change into North-West the fury of it increasing and the Seas beginning to goe very lofty eased him quickly of that care and made him more carefull with the rest of his Companions to looke to the safety of the Vessell they poore soules most sorrowfull to see their contrary fortune â—owing with all might and maine laboured to resist the force of the vn-mercifull windes but being altogether vnable to preuaile were forced backe to the shore-ward and so endeuouring to shelter themselues in a Creeke some twenty miles Eastward from Argiers they set their Prowes thither-ward at the iust time that two other sayles in the same danger designed themselues to their course but our Frigot in some doubt for feare of a worse matter what to doe at last euen desperate suffered her selfe to bee forced on by the winde in great danger of being swallowed vp by the waues till seeing the two Vessels steere towards them they were forced to prouide for their defence suspecting as by and by they might plainely see they were enemies The two were Frigots who the day before laden vvith fuell for the Viceroy of Argiers his prouision had set saile from Sargel and though they thought at first to coast along by the shore yet fore-thinking they might haue some foule weather they ghessed it more safe to keep the maine and so driuen on by a strong Leuant that turned after to Nor-west they were glad with the Christians to direct their course to the same shelter whom ouer-taking and seeing what they were vvith terrible noise and barbarous outcries they set vpon them and beeing two well manned against one poore vnprouided Vessell getting her in the midst of them they furiously sought to lay her a-boord but the Christians fighting with equall courage and more desperate were not so speedily boorded but making braue resistance vvounding and killing the Barbarians they yet made a party good with them but at the instant that the Christians beat off the Turks and kept them from entring it happened that an vnlucky Arrow shot Fulgencio and striking him to the heart layd him a-thwart one of the Frigots Benches vvith vvhich disaster Gerardo beeing much in his mind griefe-strucken and his courage failing him to cheere vp his companions that fainted with the misfortune the enemy perceiuing their deiectednesse re-beset and furiously at last began to boord them yet here the battell at the last push seemed to bee againe renued and with streames of blood that increased the Christians shewed most remarkable valour chiefly the vndaunted Gerardo vvho vvith his sure Semitar once his Patrons scowring the Decke fore and off more fierce and furious then a Quartanary Lyon dealt fearefull blowes on all sides the bloody skirmish held on a pretty vvhile till such time as fresh Turkes comming on by heapes and discharging their shot and Arrowes like Haile seuenteene of the Christians fell and the rest remained in wofull plight But in this miserable state Heauens Creatour whome the distressed soules ceased not to inuoke taking compassion on their extremitie when it seemed most impossible for any to escape from death with his powerfull force against which the fury of the Elements is nothing most miraculously succoured them by affoording as a minister of his pleasure the vnexpected helpe of a tall Ship which at this time weather-beaten came where the fight was and no sooner discouered the Barbarian Sailes and the lone Frigots danger when presuming vpon the truth shee began to let flie a Chace-piece and after played vpon the Turkes so furiously with the rest of her Artillerie that seeing themselues in danger of sinking they were glad to quit the yeelded Christian Vessell to looke to the safety of their owne and so quickly turning their Prowes to Barbary with losse of some thirty persons they betooke themselues to flight The lustie Ship was not forward to follow them as fearing the danger and neerenesse of the Coast but they within her were glad so to haue freed the hard-beset Frigot whose Passengers hauing sung thankes to Heauen for their
comming to the place vp I got where Ismenia expected me Me thought as then deare friend my dis-ioynted limâ— were shattered from my bodie and that my afflicted heart opprest with some future mischiefe leaping within me began to rent and teare in fine neuer such a stupid sadnesse possest mans faculties though at the present I enioyed all the happinesse I could in this world desire Ismenia soone tooke notice of my trouble though no other light was by then what might haue been sent from her sparkling eyes and so with equall astonishment and some few sighes she said Is it possible Don Iayme that your extraordinary sadnesse thus should lessen our ioyes last night you would not haue me so much as see you neither could I obtaine an amorous word from you in stead of many that one who so freely deliuered vp the possession of her selfe might haue expected and now you proceed againe with the same strangenesse for Heauens loue loued Sir leaue this irkesomnesse the occasion of which I am wholly ignorant of at least hide it not from me since fit it is that your Ismenia should now bee partaker both of your good and bad What griefe thinke you could here bee equall to that my soule indur'd hearing such bitter vn-imagined misfortune What tongue or words might expresse the raging torment of my griefe-strucke heart seeing Ismenia with such simplicitie to treat of my weightiest lifes affaires But for all this not bending a iot vnder my passion I resolued to try whether she iested and after perceiuing her to be terribly altred when I denied my hauing been at all with her the night before knowing then plainly that there had been some mistake and that some other had been my substitute so powerfull was the anguish of my heart that my spirits failing I swouned in Ismenia's armes who presently causing her Maid to bring a light and perceiuing in my lost colour the truth of her ill fortune not any way suspecting my affection which she euer held to be vnfained she began by degrees to feare she had been beguiled and with one experiment was quickly satisfied that she was for remembring her selfe at that instant of a little Relicke and Purse which was found vnder her Pillow she knew it was left by him that possessed the place and her honour within the Purse also there was a little Booke with Pictures in whose first leafe the Owners name the false Don Martin was written which her Maid no sooner heard when roaring out and turning to the afflicted Ismenia and me that had now my sences better about mee she said You need not Master and Mistresse trouble your imaginations longer or search for farther euidence of the truth for vndoutedly the treacherous Author of this villanie is Don Martin which heauen knowes I might beast that I vvas haue helped if the feare of some greater misfortune had not forced me to silence howsoeuer I could neuer be perswaded that his base thoughts would euer haue aimed at such an end Know therefore vvorthy Sir that as soone as you had absented your selfe from this Citie leauing for better conuenience your conueyance of Letters to the said party as soone as I had carried my Mistresses first vnto him after some speech he broke at last with mee saying My Mistris was much deceiued in affecting you to thinke to receiue the like recompence for that your returne of loue was not onely contrarie but that by your dissembling you sought too to reuenge the enmitie of your houses vpon her honour and that to confirme this to bee so vnmindfull of her hauing violently stolne a certaine Dame from a Nunnery you liued lasciuiously with her at your owne home This he told me but so weakely hiding his owne passion that I well enough ghessed at the falshood by perceiuing the Owners infirmitie his cares ended not so but with all opportunities hee returned to the former theame declaring himselfe at last so far as to offer me some gifts of value if I would make knowne his affection to my Mistris insisting also to haue me perswade her how treacherously you dealt with her and the aime and intent of your fained affection but the loue I euer bore to your noble proceeding the loyall seruice I owe to my Mistris made me not onely shut mine eares to such base offers but desire her to sollicite your speedy returne which Don Martin no sooner heard and that you would bee backe when with a false smiling countenance he made me beleeue that all his former endeuours were onely to try my fidelitie as well as my Mistresses constancie and though I perceiued this was but like the Lapwing crying out in the false place yet I durst not make it knowne to my Mistris as thinking that if she should discouer it to you there must needs be some breach betwixt your selfe and Don Martin which might in the end light heauily vpon me to my Mistris and her friends dishonours This though well pondered silence is that which hath wrong'd you both and if the honest end for which it was meant cannot free the Owner from punishment Loe here 's the party before you inflict what reuenge on her you please Thus ending and all of vs falling into an exact consideration of each circumstance in this wofull misfortune as first how vnseasonably Don Martin vrged our exchanging Clokes next the beeing set vpon by those fellowes iust at the instant when I was to get to the window and my Contraries easie retiring comparing also the time that my false friend had to get into Ismenia's Chamber his silence all the while hee was with her with his commanding the lights to be first remooued and lastly his feare and fright by all these wee not onely knew Don Martin to bee the Actor of the Villany but the Author of the fray also plotting it with some friends or seruants of his in the manner related that whilst I should hazzard my selfe in his defence he might effect his treacherous purpose all these strong presumptions confirming poore Ismenia no humane thoughts can conceiue her infinite teares equall sighes hearts oppression sad groanes and frequent dismaying Many a dead traunce shee had in my armes and as often certainly had I seconded her if the raging desire of reuenge had not couragiously strengthened me In fine considering that for my sake shee had suffered so great an iniurie and how much also I was in point of honour obliged to mine owne satisfaction giuing her the best comfort that griefe would permit with a louing embrace I tooke leaue promising her faithfully not to bee at quiet till her honour were fully satisfied if not restored The next morning in the Torment you may well suppose I priuily lay in wait for my treacherous friend but after I had long and to small purpose watched I vnderstood that the day before he was ridden out of towne so that now it appeared plainely that hauing missed his Purse and knowing by it his
willed their Muletiers to guide them to a knowne Inne in that way called The Mary Magdalen but the poore fellowes were so wet and weary that though they laboured what they could to bring their Masters thither yet night and darknesse ouer-taking them they lost their way and the horsemen had much adoe to keepe themselues from tumbling headlong so steepy are the Cliffes and dangerous precipices of those Mountaines All of them well perceiued the misfortune and fearing yet some greater if they should all night long remaine thus to the inclemencie of the weather considering their danger they trooped together till at length when they least thought of it not knowing how or which vvay they were gotten to the foote of the Mountaine and being now in a Valley neere certaine mudde walles that ioyned as they might ghesse to a house drawing neerer to it they might perceiue it had some close entries on euery side so thinking they had met with no bad shelter all of them alighted And Gerardo supposing there wanted not some inhabitant there who taking pitie vpon their distresse might yet affoord them a better welcome about to knocke at the gate going as neere as he could hee might by the manner of the building hauing some small glimpse of it perceiue it to be a Hermitage whereupon forsaking his intent of knocking as perswaded that in so desart a place there could bee no body to open to them he turned back to the company But he vvas deceiued in his distrust for no sooner was he beginning to vtter his minde vvhen perceiuing the Hermitage doore open they might also see a venerable ancient man vvith a light in his hand come out whose long siluer Lockes gray beard as well as his Religious habit moued the by-standers vvith a kinde of deuout respect to draw neere The good old Father vvondred at the raritie though with gentle phrase he saluted them and cheerefully demanded the cause of their vnseasonable trauelling thorow those vncouth parts of vvhich being by Gerardo sufficiently satisfied and of the necessitie they were driuen to with most charitable entrailes he offred them his Cell for a Harbour where all of them entring more speedily then from his vveake Age might haue beene expected hee made them a reasonable good fire with whose warmth which they esteemed as an extraordinary dainty they by little and little dryed themselues and they that had beene before almost frozen vvith cold and sicke with wet were now newly reuiued and making ready their supper which was the Relikes of some dinner meates that their seruants carried in their Wallets together with some little fruit the old man set before them giuing God thankes that affoorded them so good a shelter they began to fall to All those Gentlemen were maruellously taken with the reuerend presence of the holy Man who at Gerardo's request sate with them for company to whose vvords and graue discourse they were more attentiue then sollicitous to taste of the Cates set before them So Supper ended Leoncio and Gerardo would haue begunne to renue their thankes for his curtesie which hee preuented vvilling them to attribute all to the higher powers to whom their thankes were solely due And so leading them by the hands the rest following they came to the foote of an Altar where by the light of a small Lampe they might behold a Crucifix to which they all kneeled and after their Deuotion were about to haue returned to their former seates when Gerardo rising vp perceiued that the ground where hee had kneeled vvas somewhat loose and as if it had beene but that day newly broken vp for a graue as true it was at vvhich maruelling and that any should be buried in so remote a desart or thinking perhaps they might be neere some towne desirous to be resolued he demanded the cause of the Reuerend Hermite from whom in stead of an answer he might see how vvith those hoarie skeines of his he wipte his grieued eyes to conceale their teares at vvhich vnlookt for resentment not a little wondring and much greedier to know this and the former cause he began with this effectuall entreaty thus to mooue him Honest Father though the demonstration of your eyes might interrupt my purpose since I presume by my question your teares haue been occasioned yet the force of my desires vvilleth me in the behalfe of this vvorthy company to importune your satisfying my request and making knowne the reason of your sudden sorrow that if any here may giue you ease or comfort it shall be no trouble or difficulty for him herein to serue you and therefore the sooner you declare your griefe the neerer growes your remedie Further had Gerardo proceeded so much vvished he to dispose the Hermit to his vvill but perceiuing that by the others beginning to speake himselfe vvas cut off with care and silence he gaue eare In all the time my loued Sonne that in this solitarinesse my wretched life hath been dedicated to Heauen I may safely promise you that neither temporall goods haue disturbed my mindes quiet nor worldly cares my penitence or soules saluation for which I must incessantly praise my Creator yet I cannot but acknowledge and esteeme as an especiall obligation vvhat your noblenesse hath imposed vpon me which I should most heartily repay in the kinde you demaund vvere not the time more necessary for your rest then my small paines for your satisfactions Rest your selues all therefore for the present for your weary trauell hath much need of it and to morrow morning I shall accompany you God vvilling to Guadalupe at which time I not onely promise to fulfill your command but ioyntly for your better edification to recount vnto you the stupendious life of that Graues Owner Here with a relenting groane hee finished his speech though in the hearers their desires began a-new and therfore falling againe to importune him they requested him not to deferre his Relation laying before him the hardnesse of their lodging and tediousnesse of the night which would be the better beguiled by their being by him kept waking so that at length loth to be held too obstinate hee was willing to obey but first he renues their fire with some pieces of dry logs and then the Brothers and whole company round besetting the good old man hee thus sets vpon their attentiue silence with the following Tragedy All wounds an effect of the soueraigne salue are lessened by their cure but if any carelessely touch them such rubbing encreaseth their dolour and their recouery is so much the longer deferred the same now befals me this last night I lost my best friend and though my Soule Gods creature be comforted yet her affection cannot but resent the blow that was inflicted with your demand I obey notwithstanding sacrificing my will to your wish and though it may bee some ease to my paine to diuert your wearinesse yet I must desire more that is to haue your attention beare a part in