heate of choller doth increase courage and an injury whilst it is frosh doth rouze and stirre up revenge Lorenzo rose up from the forme whereon hee sate and with close imbracements claspt Don Iuan in his armes and sayd having so generous a brest as yours is Senor Don Iuan it is needlesse to move it by setting before it any other interest then that of that honour which you shall gaine in this action the which shall be wholly yours in case we come off happily with this businesse And for an addition I offer unto you all whatsoever I have hold or possesse as farre as I am or can bee able And if you like of it I would willingly that wee should take our journey to morrow morning for I shall be able to day to provide all things necessary for it I like very well of it replyed Don Iuan But I pray give me leave Senor Lorenzo that I acquaint therewith a gentleman my companion and friend of whose valour and silence you may be bolder to build upon then on mine Since that you Senior Don Iuan have as you say taken my honour to your charge dispose thereof as you please and speak thereof what you will and to whom you will how much more to your companion and friend who be he what he will bee being of your choyce cannot choose but be good This said they imbraced each other and tooke their leave Signor Lorenzo telling him that he would send one unto him the next morning to call him and that they would take horse without the Citie and goe on their pretended journey in some disguise that there might no notice be taken of them Don Iuan came home and gave an account to Don Antonio and Cornelia of that which had passed with Lorenzo and the agreement made betweene them Lord blesse me said Cornelia great Sir is your courtesie and as great your confidence How and so suddainly have you put your selfe into a businesse so full of inconveniences And how do you know Sir whether my brother will carry you to Ferrara or some other place But whither soever hee shall carry you you may assure your selfe that there goes along with you faithfulnesse it selfe though my selfe I confesse as a wretched and unfortunate woman doe stumble at the motes of the Sunne and am afrayd of overy shadow and can you blame mee for being afrayd since that my life or my death dependeth on the Dukes answer And what doe I know whether or no hee will answer so temperately that my brothers choller may containe it selfe within the bounds and limits of his discretion And say it should breake out doe you thinke that he is to deale with a weake enemy And doe not you likewise thinke that all the while that you shall be absent I shall remaine hanging betwixt heaven and hell fearefull and suspensefull expecting the sweete or bitter newes of the successe of this businesse Doe I love so little either the Duke or my brother that I doe not dread the disgrace and misfortunes of them both and feele the anguish of them in my very soule You discourse much and feare more Lady Cornelia said Don Iuan. But let me perswade you amongst so many feares to leave some place for hope Put your trust in God in my industrie and good desires I doubt not but you shall see yours fulfilled with all felicitie and happinesse Our going to Ferrara is not to be excused as little my desisting to assist your brother as yet wee doe notknow the Dukes intention as little whether he know that you be missing And all this we must know from his owne mouth no man can better put this question unto him then my selfe And Lady Cornelia I would have you to know that the welfare and content of your brother the Duke I have placed in the apples of mine eyes and will be as carefull of them as I am of these Heaven prosper you Senior Don Iuan replyed Cornelia and give you the power to bring this businesse to a good issue and me a thankfull acknowledgment for the good comfort I receive from you In the midst of these my troubles thanks to your goodnes I hold my selfe very fortunate Now however feare may afflict me in your absence or hope hold me in suspence me thinkes I would faine see you gone and as faine see you quickly returne Don Antonio approved the determination of Don Iuan and commended the good correspondence which Lorenzo Bentivogli's confidence had found in him Morecover hee told him that hee would goe to accompanie them in regard of that which might happen not knowing whether things would bee fairey carried and so for feare of the worst would be ready if occasion served to see how the game went and to prevent all foule play O by no meanes said Don Iuan as well because it is not meete that the Lady Cornelia should be left alone as also that Signor Lorenzo may not thinke that I would as if I wanted true valour underprop mine owne weakenesse with the strength of others What concernes you concernes mee answered Don Antonio and therefore though unknowne and keeping aloofe off I meane to follow you and I presume my Lady Cornelia will bee well pleased therewith Neither will shee remaine so all alone that shee shall want one to serve attend and keepe her company Whereunto Cornelia answered it will be a great comfort to me gentlemen that yee goe both together or at least in such sort that if need should require you may ayde and helpe each other and since that to my seeming you goe upon a peece of service which may be subject to much perill and danger doe me the favour Gentlemen to carry these reliques along with you and shee had no sooner said so but shee tooke from out her bosome a Crosse of Diamonds of inestimable valew and an Agnus Dei They looked both of them on these rich Iewells and did valew them in more then they had the hatband But they returned them backe againe unto her saying That they did carrie reliques with them though not so well set forth and richly adorned yet at least as good in their qualitie Cornelia was very sorry that they would not accept of them but in fine shee must doe as they would have her The woman tooke great care and paines in tending and cheering up Cornelia and knowing the departure of her masters for they had acquainted her therewith but not what they went about nor whither they went she tooke it to her charge to looke well unto the Lady whose name as yet shee did not know so that they might not at their returne have any just cause to finde fault The next day betimes in the morning Lorenzo came to the doore and found Don Iuan ready for his journey in a handsome riding suite his rich hat making somewhat the more gracefull show by reason of its intermingled blacke and yellow feathers but the hatband hee
much startled therewith made her bosome her pillow A sudden passion seized on them all and rising from the boord they addressed themselves to procure her recoverie But he who gave best evidence of his sorrow was Rodolfo who that the sooner he might come in to helpe her out of meere haste stumbled and sell twice but neither with unclasping her gowne nor unlacing her petticote nor with sprinkling water on her face did she come again to her selfe but rather the rising of her breast and the fayling of her pulse which they could not finde to move or stirre went giving precise signes and apparant tokens of her death And the men and mayd-servants of the house more passionate then well advised cryed out aloud on she is dead she is dead This sorrowfull newes accompanied with such woefull lamentations came at last to the eares of Leocadia's Parents whom for a more pleasing occasion Dona Estefania had kept close and secret till she saw a fit time for to bring them forth in publicke who together with the Priest of the Parish for he likewise was shut up with them breaking the order given them by Estefania came forth into the roome where they were The Priest made in quickly for to see if by any signes she gave any tokens of repenting her selfe of her sinnes to the end that he might absolve her of them And whereas he thought to have found but one in a swound he found two For Rodolfo was now in the like case lying with his face on Leocadia's breast his Mother gave way unto him and was willing that hee should draw thus neere unto her as unto a thing that was to bee his but when she saw that her Son likewise was without sense and lay as it were for dead she was likewise upon the point to lose hers and had questionlesse lost it had she not presently perceived that Rodolfo began as hee did to come againe to himselfe who was much ashamed that they had seene him run into such extreames But his Mother as one that divined of that which her Sonne thought sayd unto him be not ashamed Sonne of these extreames which thou hast committed but bee ashamed of those which thou shouldst not have committed when thou shalt come to know that which I will no longer conceale from thee though I thought to have deferred the doing of it untill a more joyfull conjuncture I would have thee therefore to know Son of my soule that this gentlewoman whom you see lying thus in a swound in mine armes is thy true Spouse I style her thy true Spouse because my selfe and thy Father have made choyce of her to be thy wife for that which I presented to thee in the picture was a false one When Rodolfo heard this transported with his amorous and enflamed desire and the name of Husband removing all those rubbes which the honestie and decencie of the place might lay in his way he brake through the company and laying his face to that of Leocadia remained as one expecting that his soule should breathe it selfe forth and either bring hers backe againe or make it's abode with hers for ever But when the teares of all through extreame griefe went still more and more encreasing and when through excesse of sorrow their lamentations and out-cryes augmented more and more and grew lowder and higher and that the hayres of the head and beard of Leocadia's Mother and Father by taring and pulling of them up by the rootes beganne to waxe lesse and lesse and that the shrill exclamations of their Sonne Rodolfo with their noyse and clamour peirced the Heavens Leocadia returned againe unto her selfe and with her returning to life returned that joy and content which had absented themselves from the brests of those that were about her Leocadia sound her selfe linked close with fast embracings in Rodolfo's armes and sought by honest force to unloose her selfe from them But he sayd unto her no sweet Mistresse it must not bee so it is not meet that you should strive to get your selfe forth from forth his armes who holds you alreadie fo fast in his soule With these kinde words Leocadia came wholy to her selfe and perfectly recovered her lost sences and Dona Estefania made an end of going any further forward with her former determination speaking to the Priest that he should forthwith without any further delay espouse her Sonne to Leocadia He did so because there was no difficultie that interposed it selfe for the hindering of these Espousalls Which being now fully ended and finished I leave it to some choycer Pen and to some other wit more refined then mine to recount the generall joy and gladnes of all those that were there present the embracements which Leocadia's Parents gave Rodolfo the thankes which they gave to Heaven and to his Parents the fayre offers of love and friendshippe on their parts the admiration and wonder of Rodolfo's Comrades who so unexpectedly saw the very selfe same night of their arrivall there so sayre a match made up And they wondered the more when they knew by Dona Estefania's discourse before them all that Leocadia was the Damosell which in their company her Sonne had violently stollen and carried away Nor did Rodolfo remaine any whit lesse suspensefull and for the better certifying himselfe of this truth hee entreated Leocadia that shee would acquaint him with some signe or token whereby hee might come to the full knowledge of that which hee did not doubt of because his Parents had so well approved his matching with her whereunto she made this answer When I returned and came to my selfe from out another swounding I round my selfe deare Sir in your armes without mine honour but I thinke it now well employed since that in this my latter comming to my selfe I finde my selfe in the same armes I did then but with much more honour And if this token be not sufficient let that suffice of the Image of a Crucifix which none could steale from you but my selfe which you could not chuse but misse the next morning And if that bee the very same which your Mother hath now in her keeping you are the Image of my soule which I highly adore and you shall bee still neerest and dearest unto mee as long my deare as God shall permit us to live together Wherupon hee embracing her a new their Parents bestowed their benedictions upon them and all the rest that were by bid God give them joy Supper came in and the Musitians were come which were before hand provided for this purpose Rodolfo beheld himselfe in the looking-glasse of his Sonnes face The Grandfathers and Grandmothers on both sides wept for very joy nor was there any corner in all the whole house which was not visited with a Iubilee with exceeding great content and gladnesse And although night did flie away with it's blacke nimble wings yet it seemed to Rodolfo that it did goe and walke not with wings but with crutches so great was
another kind of content then at first tooke pleasure and delight in beholding him and did even enforce me to beleeve that they were pure truths which I read in his face and behaviour His eyes were the intercessours and procurers of speech his speech the Interpreter of his desire his desire the inflamer of mine and of giving faith and beleefe unto his To these he added promises oathes teares sighs and all that which to my seeming a firme and constant lover could possibly doe for to expresse the integretie of his loving affection and the stedfastnesse and sinceritie of his heart and minde And in me poore soule who had never seene my selfe in the like occasions and dangerous adventures heretofore every word was a Canon shot which did batter down a part of the Forte of mine honour every scalding teare was a flaming fire wherein my honesty was scorched and burnt every sigh a furious wind which did in such sort augment the flame that it came to consume that vertue which untill then had beene never touched and lastly having plighted his faith and truth to me to bee my husband in despight of his parents who had provided another wife for him I did set all my retirednes at six and seavens not caring which way the world went and without knowing how my selfe I delivered over my self into his power my parents being unacquainted therewith without having any other witnesse of my folly and inconsiderate rashnesse then Marco Antonio his Page for this is the name of the disturber of my rest and quietude and searse had he taken of me the possession of that which hee so much desired but that within two dayes after he disappeared and was gone neither his parents nor any other person being able to tell or imagine which way he tooke or what was become of him In what a woefull case I was let him speake that is able to speake it for I know not nor ever knew more save onely to bewayle and lament it I did chastise my hayres as if they had beene in fault and guilty of my errours I did martyrise my face because I conceived that it had given the occasion of all my mishap I cursed my fate accused my too quick determination I did shed many and infinite teares I saw my selfe even almost choaked betwixt them and those sighes which vented themselves from forth my grieved soule I silently complayned on heaven I reasoned and discoursed with mine imagination to see if I could discover any way or part that might leade to my remedy And that which I found was to put my selfe into mans apparrell and in that disguised habit to absent my selfe from the house of my parents and to goe seeke out this second Imposter Aeneas and this cruell and faithlesse Viveno this defrauder of my good thoughts and of my lawfull well grounded hopes and so without sounding to the bottome or diving any deeper into my discoursings occasion offering me a riding suite of my Brother and a Nag of my Fathers which I sadled in an exceeding darke night I got me packing with purpose to goe to Salamanca where as it was afterwards told me it was thought Marco Antonio might hap to be for he likewise is Student there as before I told you and my brothers chamber-fellow Nor did I omit to take good store of Crownes with me against all chances that might befall me in this my unthought on journey But that which doth most trouble me is least that my parents should follow after me and finde me out by my cloathes and by the Nag which I have brought along with me But put case I did not feare this yet am I afrayd of my brother who is in Salamanca by whom if I come to be knowne the perill is easie to bee apprehended whereunto my life is put for though he may heare my excuses in my discharge yet the least point of his honour will weigh downe the ballance and oversway all the satisfaction that I shall bee able to give him Notwithstanding all this my principall determination is though I loose my life in the pursuite to seeke out this false hearted man my husband for hee cannot deny himselfe so to be unlesse he will give the lye to those pledges which hee left in my power which are a Ring of Diamonds and the Poesie therin speaking thus Marco Antonio is Theodosia's Husband If I meet with him I will put him to the question vvhat it vvas that moved him so quickly to leave me And in conclusion I am fully resolved that hee shall comply vvith his promised vvord and faith made unto me vvhich if he refuse to doe I will kill him shevving my selfe as ready to take revenge as I was facile in suffering him to wrong me For that noblenesse of blood which my parents have given me goes rovvsing up my spirits and puts such metall into them that they already promise me eyther a remedy of my received vvrong or a full revenge of my offered affront This noble Sir is the true and unfortunate History vvhich you so much desired to knovv vvhich may sufficiently pleade the excuse of those sighs and vvords which did avvake you out of your sleepe That vvhich I novv beg and intreace of you is that since you cannot give me any remedy yet at least you will give mee your best counsell and advise whereby I may be able to avoyd those dangers which may oppose themselves and stand in my way and to qualifie and moderate the feare which I have of being found out and to facilitate the means which I am to use for the obtayning of that which I so much desire and stand in neede of Hee who had attentively hearkned to the History of inamored Theodosia continued a great while without returning her so much as one word so long that she thought he was asleepe and that hee had heard nothing of all that shee had sayd And for to certifie her selfe of that which shee suspected shee sayd unto him Sleepe you Sir Indeede it is not amisse that you should sleepe because the grieved and afflicted person who recounteth his miseries and misfortunes to him that is not sensible of them it is meete that they should cause in him that heareth them rather sleepe then pitty I sleepe not replyd the Gentleman but rather am so broad awake and so sensible of your disadventure that I doe not know whether it may bee sayd that it grieveth mee in the selfe same degree as it doth you and therefore the counsell which you crave of me shall not only end in advising you but in helping you as far forth as my abilitie and strength shall inable mee But seeing that in the manner which you have held in recounting unto me your successe you have manifested the rare understanding wherewith you are indowed me thinkes that answerable thereunto your owne rendred up wil should not have so mightily mis-led you so that it seemeth your own inclination and
Adorno with which newes Don Rafael was wonderfull well pleased conceiving that since so without any further trouble hee came to have knowledge of that which did so much concerne him it was a signe that the businesse he had in hand would have a good end He entreated his friend that hee would exchange his Mule with him for his fathers Nag telling him that hee was to goe to Salamanca and was loath to carry along with him so good a Nag so long a journey The other who was a well bred man and his friend was content to exchange with him and tooke it to his charge to deliver the Nag to his father They two brake fast together and Theodoro alone by himselfe and the time of parting being come they tooke their leave each of other and Don Rafaels friend tooke the way that led to Cazalla where he had a goodly Lordship Don Rafael did not goe out with him and that hee might the better give him the slip he told him that he must needs returne that day to Sevill And therefore as soone as he was gone their beasts being brought forth having made their reckoning payd their host saying Adieu they rode forth of the Inne leaving as many as remayned therein wondâ—ing at his great beauty gentle carriage who for a man had no lesse gracefulnes metalland sweetnes of behaviour then his sister They were no sooner gone thence but Don Rafael told her the newes which he had received concerning Marco Antonio and that he thought it fit that with all possible diligence they should make for Barcelona where ordinarily the Gallies which eyther passe into Italy or come for Spaine stay a day or two and in case they were not as yet come they might stay expect their arrivall that there without doubt they should finde Marco Antonio His sister said unto him that he should doe what liked him best for her will was his Don Rafael then calling to the Muletere whom he brought along with him told him that he must have patience for it stood him upon to goe to Barcelona assuring him that he would give him good content and pay him well for the time he should continue with him The Muletere who was a good follow as blithe a lad as any of his function and one who knew that Don Rafael was a liberall gentleman made answer that he would goe with him to the end of the world and do him the best service he could Hereupon Don Rafael demanded of his sister what moneys she had brought along with her she replyed that she had not told them that she knew no more concerning them save that they had put her hand into her fathers Cabinet seven or eight times and tooke it out full of Pistolets according to that quantity Don Rafael imagined that it might bee a matter of some 500. Crownes which with other two hunded which hee had and a chayne of Gold which he wore about his necke he thought himselfe very well provided And the better for that he verily perswaded himselfe that he should meet with Marco Antonio in Barcelona with this perswasion they slacked no time they made all the haste they could without loosing one dayes journey and so without any let or impediment befalling them they came within two leagues of towne which is nine from Barcelona named Yqualada They had notice upon the way how that a gentleman of quality who was to go Embassadour to Rome stayd in Barcelona expecting the Collies which were not as yet come thither newes which liked him well gave him much content with this good tidings they jogged merily on till they were upon entring into a little wood out of which they saw a man come running looking behind him as one that had bin shrewly affrighted Don Rafael put himselfe before him saying unto him my honest friend why dost thou fly away so fast or what is it hath befallen thee that with manifestation of such great feare hath put wings to thy feete and made thee make so much hast will you not that I runne with haste answered this affrighted man since that I have miraculously escaped from a company of out-lawes and high-way robbers that keepe this wood to pray upon passengers This is not well sayd the Muletere it is not well I tell you robbers at this time of day wee are like to smart for it they will make novices of us Brother be not dismayd doe not vex or grieve your selfe at it for they have done their businesse and are gone by this time having left bound to the Trees of this wood above 30. passengers stripping them even to their very shirts Onely they left one man at libertie that he might unbind the rest after that they had recovered a little mountaine from whence they would give him a signall to set them free If this be so sayd Calvete for so was the Muletere called wee may safely passe because that place where these robbers make their pray doe not for a pretty whiles after returne thither againe And this I am able to assure you of as one that hath fallen twise into their hands and am well acquainted with their trickes and fashions it is true that hee tells you sayd the man Which being heard by Don Rafael he resolved to passe forward and they had not gone farre when loe they lighted on those that were bound being above 40. persons whom hee that they had left loose fell to unbinding of them as fast as he could it was a strange spectacle to see some starke naked others clad with the robbers tattered rags some weeping to see themselves robd and stript of all that they had others laughing to see the strange formes and fashions of their fellowes and how odly they look't when their feathers were pluckt from them and outed of their gay cloathes This man reckoned up to a farthing what they had taken from him that other that a Box with an Agnus Dei in it which he brought from Rome did more grieve and trouble him then all the rest of the things though of great valew which they tooke from him In conclusion all that passed there were nothing else but teares and the loud lamentations of those miserable dispoyled passengers All which not without a great deale of sorrow the two brothers beheld rendring thankes to heaven that it had freed them from so great and imminent a danger But that which hath wrought more upon their compassion and stirred up most pitty in them especially in Theodoro was to see fast bound to the trunke of an oake a young youth of the age to seeming of 16. yeares with a shirt onely to his backe and a paire of linnen breeches but of so faire and beautifull a countenance that he moved and inforced all that beheld him to take pitty of him Theodoro alighted to unbinde him and he returned very courteous and thankefull language for the received benefit And to make
you any the least griefe or sorrow At these words Marco Antonio opened his eyes and steadily fixed them on Leocadias face and having recollected himselfe and taken her in a manner into his knowledge more by the Organe of her voyce then by her countenance with a weake and feeble voyce as one that was full of paine hee sayd unto her say on Sir what you please for I am not yet so neare my end that I cannot listen unto you neither is this voyce of yours so harsh and unpleasing unto me that it should cause any fastidiousnesse or loathing in me to heare it To all this Dialogue Theodosia was most attentive and every word that Leocadia uttered was a sharpe Arrow that went athwart her heart and wounded likewise the very soule of Don Rafael who also heard her And Leocadia prosecuting what shee had begunne went on thus if some blow on your head or to speake more properly if one greater hath not lighted on my soule it could not Semor Marco Antonio beate out of your memory the image of her who not long since you were wont to say was your glory and your Heaven you may very well call to your remembrance who Leocadia was and what was the word that you gave her signed in a Schedule with your owne hand nor can you bee forgetfull of the worth of her parents the integritie of her retyrednesse and honestie and of the obligation wherein you stand bound unto her for having applyed her selfe to your gust and liking in all whatsoever you desired If you have not forgotten this howbeit you see me in this so different a habit you may easily know that I am Leocadia who being fearefull least new accidents and new occasions should quit me of that which is so justly mine as soone as I knew that you were gone out of the countrey treading under foote and sleighting all whatsoever though never so infinite inconveniences I resolved with my selfe to follow after you in this habit with intention to seeke you out in all parts of the earth till I had found you out whereat you ought not to marvaile if your selfe hath at any time felt the force of true Love and the rage of a deceived woman Some troubles I have passed in this my demande all which I account well bestowed with that discount which they have brought with them in making me so happy as to see you And considering the case wherein you are if that it shall please God to take you from this to a better life by your doing that which you ought as worthie your selfe before your departure out of this life I shall thinke my selfe the happiest woman in the world promising you to betake my selfe to such a course of life after your death that but little time shall be spent therein before I follow you in this your last and inforced journey And therefore first of all I beseech you for the love you beare unto God to whom my desires and intentions goe directed next for your owne sake who oweth much to your qualitie and therefore ought to bee the same you are And lastly for my sake to whom you owe more then to any other person in the world that now presently you will receive me for your lawfull spouse not permitting that justice should inforce you to that which with such and so many reall obligations reason ought to perswade you unto And here Leocadia stopt the current of her speach and sayd not a word more and all they that were in the roome were in a wonderfell still silence all the while that shee talked with him and with the same stilnesse and silenee they expected what answer Marco Antonio would make her which was this I cannot Leocadia deny my knowing of you for your voyce and countenance will not give me leave so to doe Neither can I deny how much I am bound unto you nor the great worth of your noble parents togeather with your owne incomparable honestie and retirednesse neither doe I nor will I esteeme you in lesse for that which you have done in comming to seeke me out in a habit so different from your owne but for this I do shall ever esteeme of you in the highest degree that may be imagined But since that my time you say is now come and that I likewise beleeve that this may be the last day of my life and since that such kinde of trances as these are the Chrysolls of truth purifying the Gold from the drosse truth from falsehood I will tell you a truth which if it shall not bee now pleasing unto you it may bee that hereafter it may turne to your good I confesse faire Leocadia that I lov'd you well and so did you mee and likewise I confesse that the schedule which I made you was more to comply with your desire then mine owne For many dayes before that I had signed it and set my hand thereunto I had delivered up my will and my soule to a Damsell of the same place where I live whom you very well know Her name is Theodosia the daughter bee it spoken without disparagement of as noble parents as yours are And if I gave you a schedule firmed with my hand I gave her my firmed hand and accredited with such workes and witnesses that I remaine impossibilited to give my libertie to any other person in the world That which passed betwixt my selfe and Theodosia was the obtaining of that fruit which shee could give mee and which I was willing shee should give me plighting my faith unto her that I would be as truly I am her husband And if at one and the same time I left both her and you you suspensefull and deceived and shee fearefull and as shee thought robbed of her honour I did therein unadvisedly and undescreetly and as a young man as I am without any discourse or judgement Thinking with my selfe that all those things of this nature were but tricks of youth and of little or no importance and that I might doe them without any scruple at all Accompanied with other the like thoughts which came then in my head which did solicite me to doe that which I did which was to goe for Italy and to imploy therein some few of my youthfull yeares and afterwards to returne home to see what was become of you and of my true Spouse But heaven as it should seeme being offended and having complayned of mee to the highest power there I verily beleeve that God hath permitted given way to put me into that condition wherein you see me to the end that by confessing these truths arising from my many sins I may pay in this life that which I owe and you remaine dis-deceived and free being at your owne liberty to doe that which shall seeme best in your eyes And if at any time Theodosia shall come to have notice of my death shee shall know both by your â—elfe and by these that are here present how
I am though it bee to the cost of my credit Hearing her say so it seeming unto me that she had neede of that which she desired without making any reply I tooke her by the arme and through by lanes brought her to my lodging Santistevan the Page opened mee the doore I willed him to with draw himselfe and so without his seeing of her I conducted her to my chamber Whereinto shee was no sooner entred but shee threw her selfe on my bed and fell suddainely into a swoune I drew neare unto her and uncovered her face which shee had covered with her mantle and discovered therein the greatest beautie that humane eyes had ever seene shee might be to my seeming about some eighteene yeares of age rather under then over I stood a while amazed at the beholding of such rare and singular beautie But calling my selfe to remembrance I hastned to sprinkle a little water on her face wherewith shee came to her selfe tenderly sighing And the first word that shee spake unto me was Doe you know me Sir No quoth I nor is it fitting that I should have had the happinesse to have knowne so much beauty O unhappy is that beautie sayd shee which heaven bestowes upon some for their greater misfortune But this gentle Sir is no time to commend beautie but to remedy mischiefes I shall therefore intreate you by that worth and noblenesse that is in you that you will leave mee heere shut up and suffer none to see me and that you will presently returne to the same place where you met with me and see if there be any maintaining a quarrell each with other Side I beseech you with neither part nor favour any of those that you finde in this duell but seeke to make peace betweene them for whatsoever hurt shall light on eyther side it will helpe to make mine the gaeater I left her shut up and am going to see if I can end this difference and make them friends Have you any more to say Don Antonio sayd Don Iuan Why doe not you thinke that I have sayd enough replyed Don Antonio since that I have told you that I have under lock and key in my Chamber the greatest beauty which humane eyes ever saw Doubtlesse it is a strange case answered Don Iuan but now I pray hearken what betided me And presently he related unto him all the whole successe of his businesse and how that the babe which they had given him was at home in the house in the custody and keeping of his shee-servant and the oder that he had left with her for the changing of those rich into poore Mantles and to carry him to some Nurse that might breed him up or at least to relieve this its present necessitie by giving it suck and he signified further unto him that the difference which he came to inquire after was ended that all was well and quiet how that he himselfe was in that quarrell and that all those as hee did imagine who were in that bickering were gentlemen of great both qualitie valour They both did blesse themselves and did wonder and admire at each others fortune so made all the haste they could to returne home for to see what the lockt up Lady had neede of In their way homeward Don Antonio tolde Don Iuan that he had promised that gentlewoman that none should see her nor come into that Chamber save onely himselfe since that there was not any one thing wherein he could doe her a greater courtesie Tush that 's nothing sayd Don Iuan I will not want some one devise or other for to have a sight of her for already I long extreamely to see her you having given such extraordinary commendation of her beautie Whilst they were thus discoursing on the businesse and by the light which one of those their Pages brought Don Antonio by chance casting his eyes on the hat which Don Iuan wore he saw how it did glitter shine with diamonds He took it off froÌ„ his head saw that those sparkling lights beamed forth their rayes from their fellowes which were curiously ranked in an exceeding rich hat-band They both of them looked againe and againe upon it and having well viewd it they concluded that if they were all fine and perfect as they appeared to be they could not be lesse worth then twelve or thirteene thousand duckets By this they certainly knew that they in this quarrell were persons of principall note and qualitie especially be that was succoured by Don Iuan who as he well remembred told him that he should take the hat with him and keepe it because it was knowne They commanded their pages to withdraw they did so then Don Antonio opened the doore to his chamber and found the Lady sitting on the bed leaning her cheeke on her hand trilling downe tender teares Don Iuan out of the desire which he had to see her made a shift to put his head halfe way within the doore which he had no sooner done but in that very instant the glittering of the Diamonds shined on those eyes which rayned downe soft showers of teares and lifting them up shee said come in my Lord Duke come in why will you give me with so sparing a hand the riches of your presence Hereunto replyed Don Antonio here Lady is no Duke that neede to excuse himselfe for his not seeing of you How said shee no Duke he that did peepe in at the doore even now is the Duke of Ferrara whom the richnesse of his hat cannot conceale from me Truly Lady I can assuâ—o you that the hat which you saw no Duke weares it and if you are willing to be put our of your errigâ— give him leave that weares it to come in With all my heart sayd shee let him come in though if he should not prove to be the Duke my sorrowes and misfortunes will be the greater All these words Don Iuan heard and seeing that bee had leave given him to enter with his hat in his hand he came into the Chamber and as soone as he had thus presented himselfe before her shee presently knew that he who had this rich hat was not the person shee tooke him to be And therefore with abtroubled voyce but with a quicke and â— imble tonguesâ—… sayd 〈◊〉 him O unhappy O raise rable that I 〈◊〉 Tell me Sir I 〈◊〉 you and that instandy with out â—…ding me any longer in suspence whether or no you doe know the master and true owner of this hat where you left him and how you came by it is he happily alive Or is this the newes which hee sends mee of his death O my dearest good what strange successes are these Is it possible that I should see thy pledges here and yet see my selfe without thee shut up in a chamber and in the power of I know not what Spanish gentlemen O the feare of loosing my honestie would it would quit mee of my life Patient
your selfe Madam sayd Don Iuan. For neither is the owner of this hat dead neither are you in such hands that you shall receive any the least wrong in the world but shall be ready to serve you as farre forth as their force and strength can reach even to the laying downe of their lives for to defend and protect you For it is not meete that that faith of yours should prove vaine which you have of the Spaniards goodnesse And since that wee are of that nation and principall men in our countrey for here and on this occasion that may well now become me to say which elsewhere might be accounted arrogancy be confident Lady and rest you right well assured that that decorum towards you shall bee kept and observed which your noble and gracefull presence deserveth I beleeve replyed shee no lesse but notwithstanding I pray Sir tell me how this rich hat came into your possession Or where is its master who besides his other titles is Alfonso de Este Duke of Ferrara Then Don Iuan that he might not holde her further in suspence recounted unto her how that he found one in a quarrell that himselfe tooke part with a gentleman who in all likelihood by that which he had gathered from her speeches must be the Duke of Ferrara And that in the fray he had lost his hat as I likewise had mine and by chance lighted on this in stead of mine owne and that the sayd gentleman when I offered it unto him hee wanting a hat not knowing then whether it was his or mine owne for it was darke intreated me to keepe it for it was a hat that was well knowne and that the quarrell was ended without the gentlemans receiving any hurt or himselfe And that after all was ended there came in some company which to his seeming were either the servants or friends of him whom he imagined to be the Duke who besought me that I would leave him and so we parted he showing himselfe very thankefull for the assistance which I had given him So that swete Lady this rich hat came into my power just in the same manner as I have delivered unto you and its owner if it be the Duke as you speake him to be it is not a full hower since I left him safe and sound Let this truth suffice in part for your comfort if hee be the man wee both pitch upon that you know the Duke is well To the end gentlemen that yee likewise may know whether I have reason or good cause or no for to inquire after him be attentive and listen unto mee and you shall heare I know not what other name I may give it my sad and unfortunate History All the while that this passed their shee servant entertained her selfe in feeding the babe with honey and in changing those his rich into poore mantles And now that shee had quite made an end of dressing it she was going to carry it to the house of some Midwife as Don Iuan willed her And passing with the babe close by the Chamber where shee was who was about to begin her promised History the poore little thing cride and so strongly that the Lady heard it and starting upon her feet she did attentively listen thereunto and heard the cry more distinctly and sayd Gentlemen what creature is that which seemeth to be but newly borne it is a childe sayd Don Iuan which this night was laid at our doore and shee that lookes to our house is going to seeke out one that may give it sucke For Gods sake bring it hither to me sayd the Lady for I will doe this charitable office for other folkes children since heaven will not let mee doe it to mine owne Don Iuan called in the woman and tooke the childe from her and to satisfie her desire put the babe into her armes saying withall you see Lady the present that hath this night beene bestowed upon us And this is no newes for few moneths goe over our heads but that wee finde at our doores such kinde of unlookt for commodities Shee tooke the babe into her armes and shee looked wissely as well on his face as on those poore though cleane cloathes wherein it was wrapt and presently without being able to refraine weeping the tender teares trickling downe her cheekes shee threw the vayle that covered her head over her brests that shee might with the more modestie give the babe sucke and applying it to her brest shee joyned her face to his and did feede it with her milke and bathe the face of it with her teares And in this manner shee continued without lifting up hers so long as the childe did not leave the teate In the interim all foure of them remayned silent The child suckt indeede but drew no milke for they that are newly delivered cannot presently give the brest And so shee falling into the reckoning what little or no sustenance shee gave it shee returned the babe to Don Iuan saying in vaine have I have I shew'd my selfe charitable I seeme to be but a Novice in these cases I pray Sir give order that this child have his palate moystned with a little honey and by no meanes give way that it be carryed out in the open ayre at this time of night through the streets let it be day first and before that it be carryed hence bring it once more againe unto me for I take great comfort in looking upon it Don Iuan returned the babe to the woman and gave order that she should entertaine the time with the child till it were day and that dressing it up as neately and handsomely as shee could shee should put thereon those rich Mantles wherein he brought it thither and that she should not bring the babe unto him till he first called for it This done comming againe into the Chamber and they three being all alone this faire Lady sayd unto them Gentlemen if you will have me to speake give mee first something to eate for I feele my selfe begin to faint and not without cause considering the manifold occasions of my griefe Don Antonio ranne presently to his Cabinet and tooke forth sundry sorts of Conserves and other sweet-meates whereof this fainting Lady did eate some wherewith shee came to her selfe having dranke a draught of cold water after them and being now somewhat quieted and of better cheere and comfort shee sayd sit downe Gentlemen and hearken unto me They did so And shee raysing her selfe up on the bed sitting thereon upright and covering her feete well with the skirts of her cloathes shee let fall on her shoulders a vayle which shee ware on her head leaving her face bare and open representing the Moone in its clearenesse or rather the Sunne when it shineth brightest Liquid pearles did distill downe from her eyes which shee wiped away with a most pure white Hand-kercher and with such hands that betweene them and the linnen he must have a good discerning judgement that
the lamentable Ruines of unhappie Nicosia The bloud of thy valiant and unfortunate defenders being yet scarce drie If as thou art senslesse thereof thou hadst any feeling at all in this desolate and woefull estate wherein now wee are we might joyntly bewaile our misfortunes and that wretched estate and condition wherein wee are And happily having a companion in them it would help to ease mee in some sort of my torment and make that burthen of my griefe the lighter which I finde so heavie I had almost sayd insupportable for mee to beare Yet there is some hope left unto thee that these thy strong Towers dismantled and layd levell with the ground thou mayst one day see them though not in so just a defence as that wherein they were overthrowne raised to their former height and strength But I of all unfortunate the most unfortunate man what good can I hope for in that miserable straight wherin I finde my selfe yea though I should returne to the same estate and condition wherein I was before I fell into this such is my misfortune that when I was free and at liberty I knew not what happinesse was and now in my thraldome and captivitie I neither have it nor hope it These words did a Christian Captive utter looking with a sad and heavie countenance from the rising of a hill on the ruined Walls of the late lost Nicosia And thus did he talke with them and compared his miseries with theirs as if they had beene able to understand him The common and proper condition of afflicted persons who being violently carried away with their owne feigned fancies and imaginary conceptions doe and say things beyond all reason and without any good discourse and advisement Now whil'st hee was thus discoursing with himselfe from out a Pavilion or one of those Tents pitched there in the field not farre from him issued out a Turke a handsome young man of a good presence an ingenious aspect and accompanied with spirit and mettall answerable to his lookes who drawing neere unto the Christian without much ceremonie yet in a fayre and civill way sayd unto him Sir I durst lay a wager with you that those your pensive thoughts which I read in your face have brought you hither You read aright answered Ricardo for this was the Captives name they have brought mee hither indeed But what doth it avayle mee since in no place whether so ever I go I am so farre from procuring a peace that I cannot obtaine a truce or any the least cessation of them Nay rather these Ruines which from hence discover themselves unto mee have rather increased my sorrowes Those of Nicosia you meane replied the Turke What other should I meane answered Ricardo since there are no other which here offer themselves to my view You have great cause quoth the Turke to weepe if you entertaine your thoughts with these and the like contemplations For they who but some two yeares since had seene this famous and rich Island of Cyprus in its prosperitie and peaceable estate the Inhabitants thereof enjoying all that humane happines and felicitie which the Heavens could grant unto men or themselves desire and now to see them banished out of it or made miserable slaves in it Who can bee so hard hearted as to forbeare from bewailing its calamity and misfortune But let us leave talking of these things since they are remedilesse and let us come to your owne bosome sorrowes for I desire to see if they bee such as you voyce them to bee And therefore I earnestly entreate and beseech you and conjure thee by that which thou owest to those good offices I have done thee the good will I beare thee the love I have showne thee and by that which ought to obliege thee thereunto in that wee are both of one and the same Country and bred up in our Child-hood together that thou wilt deale freely with me and lay open unto me what is the cause which makes thee so exceeding sad and melancholy For how be it Captivity alone of it selfe bee sufficient to grieve the stoutest heart in the World and to checke its mirth though otherwise naturally inclined thereunto yet notwithstanding imagine that the current of your disasters hath a farther reach and deeper bottome For generous minds such as thine is do not use to yeeld and render up themselves to common ordinary misfortunes in such a measure as to make shew of extraordinary sorrowes And I am the rather induced to beleeve what I conceive because I know that you are not so poore but that you are well enough able to pay any reasonable Ransome they shall require of you Nor are you clapt up in the Towers of the blacke Sea as a prisoner of note or Captive of consideration who late or never obtaines his desired liberty And therfore youâ—ill fortune not having taken from you the hope of seeing your selfe a free man and yet notwithstanding all this when I see thee so much overcharged with sorrowes and making such miserable manifestations of thy misfortunes It is not much that I imagine that the paine proceeds from some other cause then thy lost liberty which I entreat thee to acquaint mee withall offering thee all the assistance I am able to give thee Perhaps to the end that I may be serviceable unto thee Fortune in her wheeling hath brought this about that I should bee clad in this habite which I so much hate and abhorre Thou knowest already Ricardo that my Master is Cadi of this Citie which is the same as to be it's Bishop Thou likewise knowest the great sway which he beareth here and how much I am able to do with him Together with this thou art not ignorant of the fervent desire and inflamed zeale which I have not to dye in this estate which I thus seeme to professe but God knowes my heart and if ever I should come to be put to my tryall I am resolved openly to confesse and in a loud voice to publish to the whole world the Faith of Iesus Christ from which my few yeares and lesse understanding separated mee though that I were sure that such a confession should cost mee my life for that I may free my selfe from losing that of my soule I should thinke the losing of that of my body very well employed Out of all this which hath beene sayd unto thee I leave it to thy selfe to inferre the conclusion and that thou wilt take it into thy deeper and better consideration whether my proffered friendship may be proffitable and usefull unto thee Now that I may know what remedies thy misfortune requires and what medicines I may apply both for the easing and curing of it it is requesite that thou recount it unto mee the relation thereof being as necessary for me as that of the rich Patient to his Phisitian assuring thee in the faith of a friend that thou shalt deposite it in the deepest and darkest den of
silence never to come to light To all these words of his Ricardo gave an attentive eare though his tongue were silent but seeing himselfe oblieged by them and his owne necessity returned him thereunto this answer If as thou hast hit the right veine Oh my dear friend Mahamut for so was this Turke called touching that which thou imaginest of my misfortune thou couldst hit as right upon its remedy I should hold my selfe happy in my lost liberty and would not change my unhappines for the greatest happines that may be imagined But I wott well that it is such that all the World may take notice of the cause whence it proceedeth but that man cānot therin be found which dare undertake not onely the finding out of any remedy for it but of giving it any the least ease And to the end that thou mayst rest thy selfe throughly satisfied of the truth therof I will relate the same unto thee as briefly and compendiously as I can shutting up much in a few words But before I enter into this confused laborinth of my miseries I would first have thee to recount unto mee what is the cause why Azam Bashawe my master hath pitched here in this field these Tents and Pavilions before hee maketh his entry into Nicosia being deputed and to that purpose bringing his provision with him to bee Viceroy there or Bashawe the useuall stile or title which the Turks give their Viceroy's I will answered Mahamut answer your demand in a few words and therefore would have you to know that it is a custome amongst the Turks that they who come to be Viceroyes of some Province do not instantly enter into the Citie where their Predecessor resideth till he issueth out of it and leave the residence freely to his Successors Now when the new Bashawe hath made his entrance the old one stayes without in the field expecting what accusations shal come against him and what misdemeanours during his government they shall lay to his charge which being alleadged and proved are recorded and a note taken of them all possibility being taken away from him of enterviewing either to help himself by suborning of witnesses or by his friends unles he have made his way before hand for the clearing of himselfe Now the other being setled in his Residence there is given by him to him that leaves his Charge a scroll of Parchment sealed up very close and therewith he presents himselfe at the gate of the Grand-Signior that is to say in the Court before the Grand-Councell of the great Turke which being seene and perused by the Visir-Bashaw and by those other foure inferiour Bashawes they either reward or punish him according to the relation that is made of his Residencie In case that he come home faulty with money he redeems and excuseth his punishment but if faultlesse and they do not reward him as commonly it falleth out with gifts and presents he procureth that Charge which himselfe most affecteth For places of command and offices are not given for merit but for money all is sold and all bought They who have the Provision or as we stile it commission and authoritie for the conferring of charges and offices robbe those which are to have these offices and charges and fleece them as neare as the sheeres can goe And they again out of this their bought office gather wealth and substance for to buy another which promiseth much more gaine All goes as I tell you all this Empire is violent a signe that it will not last long For that reason then that I have rendred thee thy master Azam Bashawe hath remained in this field foure dayes and he of Nicosia that he hath not as yet come forth as he ought to have done the cause is that he hath been very sicke but is now upon the mending hand and will without faile come forth either to day or to morrow at the farthest and is to lodge in certain Tents which are pitcht behind this rising hill which as yet thou hast not seene and thy master is forth with to enter into the Citie And having made this already delivered known unto thee is all the satisfaction that I can give to your propounded demaund Listen then unto mee replied Ricardo but I know not whether I shall be as good as my word in cumplying with that which I formerly promised that I would in a few words recounnt unto you my misfortunes they being so large that to make up the full measure of them I want words enough to do it yet notwithstanding I wil do herein what may be and as time and your patience will permit But let me first of all aske you if you know in our town of Trapana a Damosell to whom Fame hath given the name of the fairest woman in all Slcily in whose praise all curious tongues have spent themselves and of whom the rarest judgements have ratified that she was the perfectest peece of beauty that the past age had the present hath and that which is to come can hope to have one of whom the Poets sang that her haires were golden wyars her eyes two resplendent Suns and her cheeks pure damask-roses her teeth Pearles her lips Rubies her necke Alablaster and that her parts with the whole frame and the whole with her parts made up a most pleasing harmony and most harmonious concord Nature spreading over the whole composure such a sweet delightfulnesse of colours so naturall and so perfect that envie it selfe cannot taxe her in any one particular And is it possible Mahamut that all this while thou hast not told me yet who shee is and by what name she is called I undoubtedly beleeve that either thou dost not heare mee or that when thou wast in Trapana thou didst want thy sences Mahamut hereunto answered that if shee whom thou hast set forth with such extreames of beauty bee not Leonisa the Daughter of Rodolphus Florencius I know not who shee is for shee alone had that fame which you speake of This is she oh Mahamut replied Ricardo this is she oh my dear friend who is the principall cause of all my felicity and of all my misfortune This is shee and not my lost libertie for whom mine eyes have do and shall-shed teares not to bee numbered This is shee for whom my heart-burning sighes inflame the ayre farre and neere And this is shee for whom my words weary heaven which heares them and the eares of those which hearken unto them This is shee for whom thou tookest mee to be mad or at least for a man of small worth and lesse courage This Leonisa to me a Lyonesse and to another a meeke and gentle Lambe is shee which holds mee in this wretched and miserable estate For I must give thee to understand that from my tender yeares or at least ever since I had the use of reason I did not onely love but adore her and did serve her with such solicitude and devotion as if neither
not to runne our selves upon some sandy-shoare but amongst very high Rocks which presented themselves to our view threatning inevitable death to our lives Wee saw on the t 'one side of us that other our fellow Galley wherein was Leonisa and all their Turkes and Captive-rowers labouring hard with their oares to keep themselves off as well as they could from running upon the Rockes The like did wee in ours but with better successe it should seeme and greater force and strength then the other who being tyred out with their travaile and overcome by the stiffenesse of the winde and blustering storme forsaking their Oares and with them abandoning themselves they suffered themselves wee looking upon them to fall amongst the Rockes against which the Galley dashing it selfe was split in a thousand peeces Night was then drawing on and so great was the cry of those that gave themselves for lost and the fright of those who in our Vessell feared to bee lost that not any one of those many things which our Captaine commanded was either understood or done by them onely they did attend the not forgoing of their Oares plying them still holding it for their best remedie to turne the Prow to the Winde and to cast two Anchors into the Sea to keep off death for a while which they held to bee certaine And although the feare of dying was generall in all of them yet in mee was it quite contrary for fed with the deceitfull hope of seeing her in that other World who was so lately departed out of this every minute that the Galley deferred its drowning or splitting against the Rockes was to mee an age of a more painefull death The high swollen waves which past over the toppe of our weather beaten Vessell and my head made mee very watchfull to see whether or no I could espie floating upon those crump shouldered billowes the bodie of unfortunate Leonisa But I will not detaine my selfe now O Mahamut in recounting unto thee peece by peece the passions the feares the anguishes the thoughts which in that tedious and terrible night I had and passed that I may not goe against that which before I propounded and promised in relating briefly unto thee my misfortune Suffice it that they were such and so great that if death had come to me at that time hee needed not to have taken any great paines in taking away my life Day appeared but with appearance of a farre greater storme then the former and wee found that our Vessell lay riding out at Sea and a good waies off from the Rocks And having descried a point of the Island and perceiving that wee might easily double it both Turkes and Christians began to bee of good cheare taking new hopes and new hearts unto them fell anew to their worke in sixe houres we doubled the point and found the Sea more calme and quiet insomuch that with a great deale more ease they could handle and use their Oares and comming under Lee of the Island the Turkes leapt out to land and went to see if there were any reliques remaining of the Galley which the night before fell on the Rockes But even then too would not Fortune bee so favourable unto mee as to give me that poore comfort which I hoped to have had of seeing Leonisa's bodie in these my armes which though dead and broken I would have beene glad to have seene it for to breake that impossibilitie which my starre had put upon mee of linking my selfe therewith as my desires well deserved And therefore entreated one of the Renegadoes to dis-embarke himselfe to goe in search thereof and to see if the rolling of the Sea had cast her on the shoare But as I told thee all this did Heaven deny me and just in that very instant the Winde began to rise and the Sea grow rough so that the shelter of that Island was not of any benefit at all unto us Fetala seeing this would not strive against Fortune who had so violently persecuted him and therefore commanded them to right and fit the Galley to beare a little sayle to turn the Prow to the Sea-ward and the Poope to the Wind-ward and he himselfe taking charge of the Rudder sate at the helme suffering her to runne through the wide Sea being well assured that no impediment would crosse its course The Oares bare themselves very eeven being seated very orderly on their bankes and all the rest of the company got them into the Hold underneath the Hatches so that there was not a man to bee seene on the Deck save the Master who for his more safety caused himselfe to be bound fast to his seate giving thence direction to the Rowers for the better governing and guiding of the Vessell which made its way with that swiftnesse that in three dayes and three nights passing in sight of Trapana of Melazo and Palermo she imboked by the Pharos of Mecina to the wonderfull feare of those that were in her and of those likewise which behold them on the land In fine not to bee tedious in recounting unto thee the terriblenesse of this tempest which is beyond all expression I say that being weary hungry and tyred out with such a large compasse about as was the rounding of almost all the whole Island of Sicily wee arrived at Tripoli in Barbarie where my master before that he had reckoned with his Levant-men shared out the spoiles and given that unto them which was their due and a fifth to the King as the custome is fell sicke of a Plursiee accompanied with a burning Fever in that violent manner that within three dayes it sent him packing to hell The King of Tripoli seazed presently upon all his goods and the Alacade de los muertos which is an Office of Inquirie concerning the dead substituted by the great Turke who as you know is heire to those that are his naturall Subjects after their deaths These two possessed themselves of all my Master Fetala's wealth and I fell into the hands of him who was the Viceroy of Tripoli and within fifteen daies after he received his Patent for Cyprus with whom you see I am come hither but without any intention at all to ransome my selfe though he hath often told me that I should if I would and wondred why I did not do it all this while being as Fetala's Souldiers told him a principall person and a man of good meanes in his owne Countrey But I was so far from entertaining that motion that I told him that they had mis-informed him of my fortunes And if thou wilt Mahamut that I acquaint thee truely with what I thinke Know thou then that I will never returne backe againe to that place where I can no waies receive any comfort and where Leonisa's death will in part if not wholy bee imputed unto mee What pleasure then can I take either there or here in this my thraldome though I must confesse that the remembrance of her losse
the desire which he had to see himselfe all alone with his beloved Spouse at last came that desired houre They all of them went to bed to take their rest and the whole house remained buried in silence But so cannot the truth of this storie by reason that the many Children will not give way thereunto and that noble off-spring which they have remaining in Toledo And yet these happie couple are still living and long may they live to the joy and comfort of themselves their Children and Grandchildren All which was brought to passe by the permission of Heaven and by the force of that bloud which the valiant noble and Christian Grandfather of Luisico saw spilt upon the ground The end of the fourth Booke THE SPANISH LADIE THE FIFT BOOKE AMongst those many spoyles which the Conquerours of he famous Northern Island governed then by a most noble Queene carried away from the Citie of Cadiz Clotaldo Captaine of a squadron of Ships brought along with him to Mundolin metropolis of that Isle a Girle of the age of seven yeares little more or lesse and this contrary to the will and knowledge of the Generall who with great diligence caused search to bee made for the Childe that she might bee returned backe to her Parents who had complained unto him of the wanting of their Daughter humbly beseeching him that since his Excellencie was pleased to content himselfe with their goods and out of his noblenesse had left their persons free that they onely might not be so miserable and unhappie that seeing they were now left poore they might not be robb'd of their Daughter who was the joy of their hearts the light of their eyes and the fayrest and beautifullest creature that was in all the Citie The Generall caused Proclamation to bee made throughout all the whole Fleet that upon paine of death he whosoever had the Childe should restore her backe to her Parents But no penalties nor feares of punishment could move Clotaldo to obey the Generalls command For he kept her very secret and close in his owne Ship standing wonderfully affectioned though very Christianly to the incomparable beauty of Isabelld for so was the Childe called In conclusion her Parents remained without her very sad and disconsolate and Clotaldo beyond measure exceeding glad and joyfull He arrived at Mundolin and delivered up this fayre Mayde as a most rich spoyle to his Wife But as good lucke would have it all they of Clotaldo's house were Christians in heart though in publicke they made show to follow the religion of the Countrey Clotaldo had a Some named Ricaredo about some 12. yeares of age taught by his Parents to love and feare God Catalina the Wife of Clotaldo a noble Christian and prudent Ladie bare such great love and affection to Isabella that as if shee had beene her owne Daughter shee bred cherished industriated and instructed her and the Childe had such good naturall abilities that shee did easily apprehend and learne whatsoever they taught her With time and the kinde usage shee received she went forgetting those cockerings of her true Parents but not so much that she did cease to thinke on them and to sigh often for them And although she went learning the tongue of the Island yet did shee not lose her Spanish For Clotaldo tooke care to bring Spanyards secretly to his house to talke and converse with her And so without forgetting her owne naturall language she spake the other as well as if she had been born in Mundolin After that they had taught her all manner of workes which a well bred Damosell could or ought to learne they taught her to read and to write more then indifferently well But that wherein shee did excell was in playing upon all those Instruments of Musicke which might with most decencie become a woman accompanying the same with such a voyce which Heaven had bestowed on her in so rare and singular a kinde that when she chaunted she inchaunted all that heard her All these her acquired graces besides those that were naturall unto her went by little and little kindling the coals of love in Ricaredo's heart to whom as to her Masters Son she wished all good and happinesse and carried her selfe towards him with all faire respects At first love led him or with onely a kinde of liking and complacencie in beholding the unmatchable beauty of Isabella and in considering her infinite vertues and graces and loving her as if shee had beene his Sister his desires not going beyond their honest and vertuous bounds But when as Isabella began to grow towards woman for then when Ricaredo burned in the flames of love shee was twelve yeares of age that his former good will and that complacencie and liking was turned into most fervent desires of enjoying and possessing her not that hee did aspire thereunto by any other meanes then by those of being her Husband since that from the incomparable beautie of Isabel for so did they call her no other thing could be hoped for neither would hee himselfe though hee could have expected that favour from her because his noble condition and the high esteeme wherein hee held Isabella would not give the least way or consent that any the least evill thought should take any rooting in his soule A thousand times did hee determine with himselfe to manifest the love he bare her to his Parents and againe at oft did he not approve this his determination because he knew that they had dedicated him for to bee the husband of a very rich and principall Gentlewoman a Northern Damosell who was likewise like them a close and concealed Christian And it was cleare and apparant as he conceived and said with himselfe that they would not bee willing to give unto a flave if this name may bee given to Isabella that which they had treated and in a manner concluded on to give to a gentlewoman And therefore being much perplexed and pensive not knowing what course to take for to attaine to the end of his good desire he passed over such a kinde of life as had almost brought him to the point of losing it But it seeming unto him to bee great cowardize and faint-heartednesse to suffer himselfe to dye without seeking out some kinde of remedie for his griefe he did hearten and incourage himselfe to open his minde and declare his intent to Isabella All they of the house were very sad and heavie and much troubled by reason of Ricaredo his sicknesse for hee was well beloved of them all but his Father and Mother exceeding sorrowfull as well for that they had no other Childe as also for that his great vertue valour and understanding did deserve it The Phisitians did not hit right upon his disease neither durst he neither would he discover it unto them In the end being fully resolved to breake through these difficulties which hee imagined with himselfe one day amongst the rest that Isabella came in to serve and
attend him seeing her all alone with a low voyce and a troubled tongue he spake unto her after this manner Faire Isabella thy much worth thy great vertue and exceeding beautie not to be equalled by any have brought me to that exteamitie wherein you see me and therefore if you will that I should leave my life in the hands of the greatest extreamitie that may bee imagined let thy good desire be answerable unto mine which is no other then to receive thee for my Spouse But this must bee carried closely and kept hid from my Parents of whom I am afraid who because they know that which I know thy great deservingnesse that they will denie mee that good which doth so much concerne mee If thou wilt give me thy word to bee mine I shall forthwith passe mine as a true Christian to be thine And put case that I should never come to enjoy thee as I will not till that I have the Churches benediction and my Parents good will yet with this my imagining that thou wilt be assuredly mine it will be sufficient to recover me my health and to make me live merrily and contented till that happie and desired time shall come Whilest that Ricaredo discoursed thus with her Isabella stood hearkening unto him with downe cast eyes shewing in that her modest and sober looke that her honestie did equall her beautie and her circumspection her great discretion And seeing that Ricaredo had made an end of speaking and was silent this honest faire and discreet Damosell made him this answer Since that the rigour or clemency of Heaven for I know not to which of these extreames I may attribute it would Signior Ricaredo quit me of my Parents and give me unto yours thankefully acknowledging the infinite favours they have done me I resolved with my selfe that my will should never be any other then theirs and therefore without it the inestimable grace and favour which you are willing to doe mee I should not hold it a happinesse but a miserie not a good but a bad fortune But if they being made acquainted therewith I might bee so happie as to deserve you from this day forward I offer unto you that will and consent which they shall give mee And in the meane while that this shall be or deferred or not at all effected let your desires entertaine themselves with this that mine shall bee eternall and pure in wishing you all that good which Heaven can give you Here did Isabella put a period to her honest and discreet words and there began Ricaredo's recoverie And now began to bee revived those hopes of his Parents which in this his sicknesse were almost quite dead These two modest Lovers with a gseat deale of courtesie and kindnesse tooke leave each of other he with tears in his eyes shee with admiration in her soule to see that Ricaredo should render up his love to hers Who being raysed from his bed to his Parents seeming by miracle hee would not now any longer conceale his thoughts and therefore one day he manifested them to his Mother telling her in the end of his discourse that if they did not Marrie him to Isabella that to denie him her and give him his death it was one and the same thing With such words and with such endearings Ricaredo did extoll to the Heavens the vertues of Isabella that it seemed to his Mother that Isabella had not wrought upon her Son to win him to be her Husband She did put her Son in good hope so to dispose his Father that he might like as well thereof as she did And it so fell out that repeating to her Husband word by word what her Son had sayd unto her he was easily moved to give way to that which his Son so earnestly desired framing excuses to hinder that Marriage which was in a manner agreed upon for the Northern Damosell When this was in agitation Isabella was 14. yeares of age and Ricaredo 20. And in these their so green and flourishing years their great discretion and knowne prudence made them ancient There were but foure dayes wanting to come which being accomplished Ricaredo his Parents were willing that their Sonne should enter into the state of Matrimonie holding themselves both wise and happie in having chosen their prisoner to be their Daughter esteeming more the do wrie of her vertues then the great store of wealth that was offered with the Northerne Damosell The wedding clothes were already made their kinsfolk and friends invited thereunto and there was no other thing wanting save making the Queene acquainted with Marriage because without her good will and consent the amongst those of noble bloud not any Marriage is effected but they doubted not of her good leave and licence and therefore had so long deferred the craving of it I say then that all things standing in this estate when there wanted but foure dayes till that of the wedding one evening gave disturbance to all this their joy A servant of the Queenes came and brought a message to Clotaldo with expresse command from her Majestie that the next morning he should bring to her Presence his Spanish Prisoner that he brought from Cadiz Clotaldo returned answer that her Majesties pleasure should most willingly bee obeyed The Gentleman having delivered his message and received his answer went his way leaving the hearts of all the whole house full of passion perturbations and feares Aye me sayd the Ladie Catalina if it bee come to the Queenes knowledge that I have bred up this Childe in the Christian religion and shall from thence inferre that all we of this Familie are Christians Besides if the Queene shall aske her what she hath learned in eight yeares since that she was our prisoner what can the poore harmlesse soule answer which shall not notwithstanding all her discretion condemne us Which Isabella hearing spake thus unto her Let not deare Ladie this feare give you any trouble at all for my trust is in God that he will put words into my mouth at that instant out of his Divine Mercie towards me that shall not onely not condemne you but that shall much redound to your good Ricaredo was much startled therewith as divining therby some ill successe Clotaldo sought out meanes that might give some courage to his great feare but found none save in the great considence which he had in God and in the wisedome of Isabella who earnestly entreated her that by all the wayes she possibly could devise she should excuse her condemning of them to be Christians for though in spirit they were readie to receive Martyrdome yet notwithstanding the flesh was weake and were loth to drinke of that bitter cup. Not once but often Isabella assured them to rest assured that for her cause or any default of hers that should not succeed which they feared and suspected For albeit she then knew not what answer to make to those Interrogatories and questions which in such a case as this
Parents others Heaven that had inriched her with so much beautie some did stand on tip â—oe for to see her others having seene her once â—…ne to get afore 〈◊〉 they might see her againe But he that shewed himselfe most solititous in this kind and so much that many tooke notice of him for it was a man clad in one of those habits which they 〈◊〉 who returne home redeemed from their 〈…〉 This Captive then at that very time that 〈◊〉 had for one foot within the 〈◊〉 of the Govent whether were come forth to receive her as the use is amongst them the Clionesse and the Nâ—…s with a loud voice he erred out stay Isabella stay for whilest that I shall be alive thou can not 〈◊〉 into any Religious order At the hearing of these words Isabella and her Parents looked backe and saw that 〈◊〉 out his way through the thickest of the throng that Captive 〈◊〉 making towards them whose blew 〈…〉 being fallen off which he wore on his head 〈…〉 confused and intangled skeine of golden 〈…〉 curling themselves into rings and a face 〈…〉 with crimson and snow so pure red and 〈◊〉 was his complexion all of them assured signes and token including all of them to take and hold him to be a 〈◊〉 〈…〉 while falling through too much haste and 〈…〉 up quickly againe he came at last where 〈◊〉 was and taking her by the hand sayd unto her 〈…〉 thou me Isabella looke well upon me behold 〈…〉 thy Husband Yes I know thee replied 〈…〉 not a phanâ—aâ—…a a walking spirit or some false assumed appantion that is come to disturbe my 〈…〉 neerer and neerer unto him and 〈…〉 and in conclusion 〈…〉 to know that this Captive was Ricaredo 〈…〉 in his eyes falling downe on his knees 〈…〉 stiangenesse of that 〈…〉 him might not be a barre 〈…〉 that this his meane 〈…〉 to the making good of that word and faithfull proâ—…fe which they had 〈…〉 which Ricaredo Mothers 〈…〉 in her 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 to her eyes and 〈…〉 then to trouble her selfe to make a further needlesse inquirie And therefore kindely embracing the Captive she sayd unto him You doubtlesse sir are the man who can onely hinder any determination since that you are truely my husband you can be no lessethen the beter halfe of my soule I have thee imprinted in my memorie and have sayd thee up in any heart Come therefore sir unto my Fathers house which is yours and there I will deliver up unto you the possession of my person All these words the standers by heard together with the Assistance the Dâ—…e and the Arch-bishops Vicar-generall of Sovilia At the hearing whereof they were all of them â—…rueken with admiration and stood a while as men astonished and were desirous that it might presently be told them what history this and what stranger that was and of what marriage they preated Whereunto Isabella's father made answer saying that that historie required another 〈◊〉 and so 〈◊〉 for to tell it And therefore besought them since that they were so willing to know it that they would be pleased to returne backe with him to his house being that it was so neare and that there it should be recounted unto them and in such a manner that with the truth the thereof they should remaine satisfied and at the strangenesse of that 〈…〉 This was no sooner sayd but that one of those there prefont spake alonde 〈◊〉 Gentlemen this young manisâ— great Phâ—…te 〈◊〉 know him well enough and this is 〈◊〉 who 〈…〉 and somewhat more booke from the 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 which 〈…〉 not doubt that this 〈…〉 tell you that 〈…〉 for 〈…〉 liberty and 〈…〉 to bring 〈…〉 to Spaâ—… and 〈…〉 me but 〈…〉 more 〈…〉 With these 〈…〉 and the 〈…〉 revived 〈…〉 had to know and see such 〈◊〉 things as these to be fully eleâ—ted In fine the Gentlemen of more especiall ranke and quaâ—…e with the Assistance and those two principall Churchâ—… returned backe to accompany Isabella to her house leaving the Nâ—…s sorrowfull and weeping that they had lost so fayre a Sister and companion as Isabella Who being come home and having brought the Gentlemen into a spacious large Hall entreated them to sit downe and albeit Ricaredo was willing enough to take upon him the relating of this desired history yet notwithstanding it seemed good unto him rather to trust Isabella's tongue and discretion with it then his owne who did not very perfectly speake the language of Spaine All that were present were in a still silence and having their eares and soules readie prepared to heare what Isabella would say she began to recount the story Which I reduce briefly to this that she delivered all that unto them which happened from the day that Clotaldo by stealth carried her away from Cadiz till her returne thither againe Not omitting the battell which Ricaredo fought with the Turks and the liberality and bountie which he had used towards the Christians and the faith which both of them had plighted each to other to be man and wife The promise of two yeares the newes which she had received of his death and that so certaine to her seeming that it put her into that course which they 〈…〉 her selfe Nâ—…e She did 〈…〉 Islands bounty towards 〈…〉 and his Parents 〈…〉 that he would 〈…〉 that hee left 〈…〉 wherein they saw him 〈…〉 in his brest 〈…〉 way of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 and in a few short 〈…〉 any many and great 〈…〉 for to 〈◊〉 the marriage which I could not make with Clistesna with whom Isabella told you my Parents would have mee to â—…arry taking Guillarte along with me that Page who as my Mothers letters made mention brought the newes to Mundolin of my death Crossing France I came to Rome where of those two thousand Crownes which I had in gold I delivered a thousand and sixe hundred to a Banker who gave me a bill to receive so much in this Citie upon one Roquia Florenline And with those 400 which remained with me with intention to come for Spaine I made for 〈◊〉 whence I had notice given me that there were two Gallies of that Signorie to goe for Spine I came with Guillarie my servant to a certaine Towne called Aquapendiente And in an Inne where I alighted I found the Earle Arnesto my mortall enemie who with foure servants went disguised and went as I conceive to Rome I did verily beleeve that he had not knowne me I shut my selfe up in my lodging with my servant and there kept my selfe close and with a great deale of care and vigilancie and with a determination and purpose at the shutting in of night to get mee gone and to change that my lodging for a safer But I did not doe it because the great carelesenesse which I observed in the Earle and his followers did assure me that he did not know me I supt in my lodging I made fast the doore stood upon my guard with my sword in my
hand I recommended my selfe to God and would not that night goe to bed My selfe and my servant lay downe on a bench to take a little rest and sleepe and my selfe was halfe fallen a sleepe But a little after midnight they awakened me with purpose to make me sleepe an eternall sleepe Foure pistolls as I afterwards understood the Earle and his servants discharged against me leaving me for dead and having their horses already in areadines they presently put foot in 〈◊〉 and went away bidding the Host of the Inne that hee would see me fayrely buried for that I was a man of principall note and qualitie My servant as mine Host afterwards told mee awakeneâ—… with the noyse out of very 〈◊〉 leapt downe from a window that looked out into abase Court crying out on miserable and unfortunate that I am they have slaine my Lord and Master and having sayd this he hyed him out of the Inne and that with such feare and haste that he did not so much as looke backe or make any stay till he came to Mundolin so that it was he who brought the newes of my death They of the Inne got up found mee shot athwart my bodie with foure bullets and wounded with many other lesser shot but all of them lighting on such parts that there was not one mortall wound amongst them all They cured me but it was two moneths and better before I was able to travell At the end whereof I came to Genoa where I found no other passage save in two small boats which my selfe and two other principall Spanyards hyred the one to goe before as a Vessell of advise for discoverie and the other we went in our selves With this securitie we embarqued our selves sayling along the shoare with intention not to ingulfe our selves but comming over against that place which they call Las Mtres arias or the three Maryes which it on the Coast of France Our first boat going forward to see if she could discover any thing in an unluckie houre two Turkish Gallies that lay lurking there in a little creeke of the Sea under the Rockes and the one of them putting her selfe forth to the Sea and the other keeping close by the land when they saw our drift that we meant to run a shoare we were prevented in our course taken by the Turkes and stript of all that we had even to our naked skins They rifeled the boats of all that they had and suffered 〈◊〉 to run a shoare without offering to sincke them saying that they would serve another time to bring them another Gâ—…a for by this name they call those spoyles and 〈◊〉 which they take from the Christiana Yee may very well beleeve me if I tell you that I felt in my soule the sorenesse of my captivity and above all the losse of those certificates and provisions I received at Rome which I brought along with mee lapt up in a little boxe of plate as likewise my bill of exchange for a thousand and sixe hundered Crownes But as good lucke would have it they lighted into the hands of a Christian Captive a Spanyard who kept them safe for if they had once come to the Turkes fingering I should at least have given for my ransome as my bill made mention of They brought mee to Argiers where I found the Fathers of the order of the blessed Trinitie treating of the redeeming of Christian Captives I spake with them I told them who I was and moved out of charitie though I was a stranger unto them they redeemed mee in this forme and manner following They gave for mee three hundered Ducats one hundered to be layd downe presently and the other two at the next returne of the Shippe that should come to redeeme the Father of that society who remained in Argiers engaged in foure thousand Ducats more then those that hee brought with him for to such great pittie and compassion extended the charitie of these men that they give their owne for other folks liberty and remaine themselves Captives for to free others from Captivitie And for an addition of this happinesse of my libertie I found my lost boxe with my certificates and my bill also of Exchange I shewed it to that holy Father who had ransomed me and I offered him five hundered Ducats more then my ransome came to towards the payment of his engagement It was almost a yeare ere the Shippe of almes returned and that which in the interim happened unto mee if I should goe about to recount it now unto you it would be another new Historie Onely I will tell you that I was knowne of one of the 20. Turkes whom I had set at libertie with the rest of the Christians before mentioned But he 〈…〉 and so honest a man that he would not disodies 〈◊〉 For had the Turkes knowne that I was the 〈◊〉 suncke their two Gallius and tooke out of their 〈◊〉 that groat at shippe of Inaia they would either have 〈◊〉 me to the great Turke or have taken away my life And to have preferred me to the great Turke had been theiâ—sse of my liberty during life In comthision the father that did ransome me came to 〈…〉 me together with other 50. redeemed Captions In Valencia we made a generall procession and from thence every one went his owne way which he liked best with these oâ—signes and tokens of their liberty which are those poore kinde of habits This day I came to this Citie with so great and earnest a desire to see my espouseâ—… Isabella that without any other thing detaining mee I enquired for this Monastery where I was to have notice given me of my Spouse That which herein hath befallen mee ye have alteadie seene that which remaineth to bee 〈◊〉 are these certificates in the plate-boxe which I told you of and with that hee put them into the Deanes hand who preserved them together with the Assistante who did not finde any thing in them that might make doubt of the truth of that which Ricaredo had delivered unto them And for further confirmation thereof Heaven had so ordained it that the Florenâ—… Merchant was present at all this upon whom the bill was for the payment of 1000. Duckats who entreated that they would 〈◊〉 see the bill and they shewing it him he presently acknowkledged and accepted it for it was many moneths since that hee had order for it All this was but to adde 〈…〉 admiration and amazement to amazement 〈…〉 and Isabella's Parents 〈◊〉 selfe call of 〈◊〉 in very courteous language offering 〈…〉 The like did the two Clergie men 〈…〉 Isabella that shee would 〈◊〉 downe this storie in writing that the Arch-bishop might reade it which she promised she would The people from the highest to the lowest giving the parabien to Isabella Ricaredo and their Parents they tooke their leaves And they on the other side besought the Assistante that he would honour their wedding with his presence which some eight dayes hence
gaining of more wealth was wholy dead in him and considered with himselfe that being of those yeares that he was he had money more then enough to maintaine him well and plentifully during the remainder of those dayes that he had to live Otherwhiles he was minded to carry it with him into his owne Countrey and to put it out to profit spending therein the yeares of his old age in rest and quietnesse giving unto God that which he could since that he had given to the World more then he should On the other side he bethought himselfe of the scarcity and poverty of his owne Countrey and that the people roâ—…d about him were very pâ—… and needy and that for 〈◊〉 to live there was but to make himselfe the Butt and 〈◊〉 of all those importâ—nities which the poore doe commâ—…e the rich who i◠〈◊〉 neighbour unto them and more especially when there is no other in that place to whom they may repaire for the relieving of their miseries Againe hee would feigne have one to whom hee might leave his wealth after his owne dayes were ended This desire running often in his head and having now taken fast hold on him he consulted with his owne strength finding himselfe to his seeming able enough to undergoe and beare that heavie yoake of wedlocke But hee had no sooner entertained this thought of Matrimonie but instantly such a great feare came upon him that as a Cloud is scattered and driven away by the winde so vanished this his thought For in his owne naturall disposition hee was the most jealous man in the world though being as yet unmarried and now with onely the bare imagination of being a married man jealousies began to offend him suspicions to trouble him and strange fancies to vexe and torment him and with such great effecacie and vehemencie that hee was now quite off the hinges and fully resolved with himselfe never to Marrie And having put on this resolution but not being resolved what course to runne or what manner of life to leade his fortune had so ordained it that passing one day along the streete he should east up his eyes and see a Damosell standing in a window being to his seeming about thirteene or fourteene yeares of age being of so pleasing a countenance and so fayâ—e and beautifull that good old Carrizales being not able to defend himselfe any longer yeelded up the weakenesse of his many yeares to those few of Leonora for this was the name of that beautifull Damosell And presently without any further detention hee began to heape discourse upon discourse and talking with himselfe sayd This 〈◊〉 mayden is very faire exceeding hansome and very well fayour'd and by the outward shâ—… which this house makers â—…conceive they are none of the richest that 〈◊〉 therein she is young her tender yeares may secure my suspicions I will marry her shut her up close and mold her to my minde by which meanes she shall not come to have any other condion save that which I myselfe shall teach her I am not so old that I should lose the hope of having Children to inherit my estate whether she being a â—…owrie with her or no it mattereth not neither make I any reckoning of it since that Heaven hath doult so liberally with me that I have if enough be enough enough and to spare And such as are rich ought not in their marriages to seeke after wealth but their owne liking and conâ—… for this lengthneth mans life whereas the contrary is the bane of wool cake and shortens the dayes of those that are so coupled together No more I say the Die is cast and this is the chance which Heaven hath given â—ee And having this soliloquie with himselfe not once but a â—…dered times over and over After some few dayes were over-past he had speech with the Parents of Leonora and came to know that though they were poore yet were they of a 〈◊〉 a Familie and giving them an account of his 〈◊〉 and of the qualitie of his person and means he orâ—…eâ—…ed them to give him their Daughter to wife They acquired time of him for to informe themselves of 〈◊〉 liked glivered unto them and thâ—… hee likewise should 〈…〉 for the better assuring himselfe of the truth of their â—…blonesse So for the present they parted and the parties having 〈…〉 themselves â—ath of other they both found what they had sayd to be true And so in conclusion Leonora 〈◊〉 to be the 〈◊〉 of Carrizales having first en 〈◊〉 〈…〉 with 〈…〉 Ducats so hotly was the heâ—… of this jealous old mâ—… set on fire with the 〈…〉 Who 〈…〉 given his hand to be 〈…〉 a troope of raging jealousies set upon him and began without any cause given him to shake and tremble and to be afflicted with more and greater cares then ever he had beene troubled with heretofore And the first manifestation which he made of his jealous condition was that he would not suffer a Taylour to take measure of those many changes of garments which hee was minded to make for this his young wife And therefore went eying if hee could meet with any other woman that was little more or lesse of the same size and stature answerable to that of Leonora at last he lighted on a poore Mayd neere about her pitch causing a Taylour that was a very good workeman to take measure of her and to make one whole sute fitting to her bodie that done bringing it to his wife he wished her to put it on shee did so In fine hee found that it did fie her to a hayre and thereupon according to that measure hee caused the rest of her cloathes to be made which were so rich and so many that the Parents of the espoused held themselves exceeding happie in having lighted upon so good a Sonne in Law both for their owne and their Daughters better good and maintenance The yong married wife was much amazed wondring to see such a deale of gallantry because in all her life befo rt her best weare was a gowne of Rash and a Taffata-Kirtle The second token of his jealousie was that hee would not bed his wife till hee had brought her home to his owne house which hee had ordered in this forme and manner He bought one which cost him Twelve thousand Ducats being feated in a most paincipall place of the Cutie with a curious Garden belonging unto it in the midst whereof was a fountaine beauished round about with Grapes Oranges and Lâ—…â—…ons diversified with fundry sorts of flowers and fruits pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the caste He dammed up all the windowes that looked out towards the streete and had â—… other light but what the rooms received over head from Heaven The like course he tooke with all the rest in his house In the Portall of the streete which in Sâ—…ill they call Casapuerta he made a stable for one Mule and over it he built a little Tallet or
Hay loft with a lodging chamber joyning close to it where he was to lye and make his abode who had the charge thereof being an old Negro and an Eunuch He raysed up his walls to a great heigâ—h leaving the roofe open so that he whosoever hee were that enured into the house must behold Heaven by a direct line without being able to see ought else Hee made a Torâ—… such as your Nuâ—mes have in their Monasteries which from the Casapuerta or open Portall did butt upon the inner Court He had bought very rich houshold-stuffe wherewithall to adorne his house so that for hangings Carpets Canopies Chaires Stooles and all other utensills all was Lord like costly and substantiall He bough likewise foure white female slaves and burned them with a hot yron in their chockes and forehead setting 〈◊〉 make upon them and other two Blache Moore she slaves who knew no other language but their owne 〈…〉 Spanish He covenanted with a certaine 〈◊〉 to â—ay and bâ—ing him in his 〈◊〉 provision so 〈◊〉 yea 〈◊〉 with this condition thâ—…e should not lodge in the house nor enter thereinto no further then the Tornill where hee was to deliver in what hee brought His 〈…〉 he put out part of his moneys to use in 〈…〉 and part of it in 〈◊〉 reserving a 〈…〉 lyestill 〈◊〉 by him upon all occasâ—… 〈…〉 should offer themselves unto him He 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to be maâ—… 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 all thâ—… wheresoever he 〈◊〉 huy in 〈…〉 of thâ—… 〈◊〉 yeare And having thus ordered and disposed all things according to his owne minde he went to his Father in lawes house and demanded his wife Her Parents delivered her up unto him not with a few teares because it seemed unto them that they carried her to her grave Tender hearted Leonora both in heart and yeares knew not as yet what had happened unto her and so weeping for companie with her Parents she craved their blessing and taking her leave of them attended by her slaves and servants her Husband lending her his arme led her home to his house Whereinto he was no sooner entred but Carrizales made a speech unto all his servants recommending the guard of Leonora to their charge willing them that in no hand they should admit any one to enter within the second doore no not the Negro though an Eunuch And she to whom more especially he recoÌ„monded the keeping and cherishing of Leonora was a Beldame of much prudence and gravitie whom he had entertained to be as it were a governesse to Leonora and a superintendent or over seer of all whatsoever was to be done in the house and to have command over the slaves and other two Damosells of Leonora's age to the end that she might entertaine herselfe with those of her owne yeares whom he had made choice of for that purpose He promised that he would treate and use them well and that he would regular them all in such some giving them such good content that they should not risent this their retyrednesse And that on festivall dayes they should without fayle goe to heare Masse but that was so early in the morning that the light could scarce come to see them His servants and slaves promised him that they would doe whatsoever hee should be pleased to command them without any the least â—…pining with a very 〈◊〉 and willing minde And the new married wife â—…nking up her shoulders and bowing downe her 〈◊〉 sayd that she 〈◊〉 other will save that of her Husband and Lord whereunto she would ever be obedient This prevention being made and good Carrizales now fully setled in his owne house he began to enjoy as well poore man as he could the fruits of matrimonie Thus did she passe away the time with her Governesse Damosells and Slaves and they that they might passe it over the better pampred up themselves with good cheere and few dayes past over their heads wherein they did not make a thousand Quâ—…-choses whereunto their honey and their Sugar which they had in most plentifull manner gave a very daintie and delicate relish There was no lacke of any thing that was needfull they had enough and more then enough and their master was willing that it should be so opinionating with himselfe that by this his liberall and large allowance he should keep them entertained and occupied without having cause given them whereby to call to minde or so much as once thinke of this their close imprisonment Leonora looke what her servants did the same did shee she 〈◊〉 other companie and was therfore forced to entertain 〈◊〉 with luch entertainments as they thought 〈◊〉 Nay such was her simplicitie that she fell to making of babies and other the like childish things which shewed the plainesse and harmlessenesse of her disposition 〈…〉 of her yeares All which gave exceeding great signification to her jealous 〈◊〉 it seeming with him that he had â—…right in chosing the best kinde of life that 〈◊〉 possibly devise or imagine and that by 〈…〉 either humane industry or mallice 〈…〉 quriet and 〈…〉 onely studie 〈…〉 to being home 〈◊〉 and dainties 〈…〉 coment his 〈…〉 â—ating her that what 〈…〉 a mind to she would acquaint him with it 〈…〉 whatsoever of him holding noâ—…ing 〈…〉 wod 〈…〉 Those dayes wherein she went to Masse which was as hath beene sayd betweene the two lights her Parents came and there in the Church talked with their Daughter but still before her husband that he might be an eare-witnesse of what they sayd who gave them so many gifte that although they did much pittie their Daughter and inwardly grieve at that restraint wherein she lived yet did they dissemble this their distaste and bare their sorrow the more patiently by reason of those many great gifts and favours which their liberall Son in Law Carrizales continually conferred on them He used to rise betimes in the morning staying within till the Dispensero came whom over night by a scroll or bill which he left in the Tornell advised him what he should bring the next day And as soone as the Dispensero was come and and dismissed Carrizales instantly got him out of doores and for the most part a foot leaving those two doores towards the street shut and that in the middle and betweene both remained the Negro He went abroad about his businesses which being few were soone dispatcht so that he quickly returned home againe and shutting up himselfe he retained himselfe in regalating and making much of his wife and in cheering up his servants who lov'd him very well and wisht him all happinesse because his carriage was plaine an pleasing as also for that towards all of them he was so liberall and bountifull Thus had they now passed one whole yeare of their Noviciation or Probationer shippe and now made profession of that kinde of life having resolved with themselves to continue therein till the end of his and peradventure would have made good this their determination if