heart and wou'd have spoke but stifling Joys o'ercame and left him almost Breathless on her Bosom When she fearing her Virgin Modesty had yielded too far work'd by the Prince's Sorrows and her Love started from his Arms and swift as an Arrow pass'd the Chambers towards the Coach Scarce cou'd Bileront and ' the Lady o'ertake her Thus Lovisa left the Court of Parma and went directly towards the Palace of her Uncle Don Alvarez which was many Leagues from thence When Bileront had put her into the Coach he return'd to the Prince who like one stupify'd leant against a Cabinet Bileront rous'd him and begg'd he 'd go because the Servants wou'd observe him He by his Friend's perswasion almost insensibly remov'd from her Closet to his own then throwing himself upon the Floor he said all a violent despair cou'd prompt Princes harder brook to have their wishes crost than other Men their Birth their Education flatter 'em the World was made for them Emimilius was young his desires fierce his Mistress fair and what pierc'd deepest willing on Honourable Terms to grant the long'd for Bliss The old Duke who thought a great point gain'd in Lovisa's being remov'd left him to himself a while in hopes he 'd Conquer these Reluctancies and prove Obedient but he wholly given up to Melancholy found the Passionate Thoughts that possess'd his Love sick Mind too entertaining to be dismiss'd His Cabinet and Closet-walks where none but Faithful Bileront gain'd admittance took up most of his hours When he was forc'd to appear his Eyes carry'd the marks of his discontent his words were few and spoken as if his Mind was still on something else The Duke perceiving Emilius indulg'd his Passion and yielded to his Bonds instead of strugling to get loose sent for him and beginning mildly said I well hop'd my Son that before this reduc'd by reason you wou'd have acknowledg'd your Failings rendr'd me just Gratitude in a thankful Obedience Open your blinded Eyes and view the dazling glory of an Illustrious Birth and Royal Fortune Is a subject to be prefer'd to Her Far be it from me reply'd the Prince respectfully to derogate from the Princess of Mantua She may be for ought I know a Miracle Wou'd my Royal Father permit me not to injoy my Wishes that were too mighty for my hopes only leave me but free from others as I am debarr'd from her I love That 's the humble All I ask This was not what the Duke expected and as it was constraint on him to make use of Mildness like a Bow bent backwards he impetuously returns to Rage Says he looking sternly Am I to be thus dallyed with Foolish Boy Prepare to Execute what I Command with readiness lest my Resentment great as thy Folly reach thee An Extraordinary Ambassadour is now dispatching with my last Orders for the Court of Mantua I 'll send the Articles to be by you perus'd and expect your Letters Letters fit for Emilius to write and Isabella to receive ' Command my Life Answers that Afflicted Prince kneeling and without a murmur I 'll Obey Alas Sir I respect the Princess Isabella more than you I wou'd not betray her to Faithless Arms where she must ever meet with Coldness Neglect nay Hatred instead of Conjugal Affection Thou stubborn Fool retorts the Duke in a furious tone born for my Curse and thy own Undoing but I shall find a way at least to Plague thee if thou darst refuse the offer'd Blessing By Heaven I 'll have thy Mistress Poyson'd or else try'd for a Witch and so Condemn'd Her Sorceries have ruin'd thee Dost thou not fear me As I am a Man reply'd the Prince rising and looking with a becoming Bravery and what'd yet more your Son my Soul has still a stranger been to fear heap tortures on my disobedient Head Cast me from your sight and Throne nought that 's Unmanly nought that 's Seditious shall appear in all my Sufferings With Patience I 'll renounce all the glorious Honours that my Birth provides forsaking all at your Command all but my Unhappy Love whom I am sure what e'er you have said you will not wrong Princes shou'd not extend their Power to hurt the Innocent or force their Laws Interpreters to find out Crimes where there are none and punish where they shou'd reward Go from my sight cries the Angry Duke Blot and Contagion of my Blood And if thou dost not Repent and with my Will comply unheard of Curses o'er take you You and your dear Destruction Lovisa The Lords that saw the Prince pass through the Anti-Chambers from his Father perceiv'd additional Vexations in his Face Many who lov'd him wou'd have follow'd but he forbad them all and enter'd his Cabinet alone Bileront no sooner heard of his new Discontents but making use of what the Prince's Favour had allow'd a Key he had of the Closet without Commission ventur'd to disturb him Good Heavens what sorrows touch'd that Compassionate Lord when he beheld the same Hero whom he had seen foremost Charge the Turkish Troops and last Retreat now extended on the ground giving way to Griefs scarce fit to be recited of the great Emilius See here say'd he casting his sad Eyes on Bileront the destin'd Bridegroom the destin'd slave the People's Property Who for their pretended Interest and a cruel Father's Arbitrary Will must be for ever join'd to what he hates and lose the Brightest Blessing the softest Good that e'er Adorn'd the World Many and tender were the Complaints Emilius pour'd into the Bosom of his lov'd Friend who comforted him with all the sweetness faithful Friendship cou'd Inspire Next day the Duke sent the Articles of Marriage to his Son with Command that he shou'd examine them and return his Answer But Emilius absolutely refus'd to look upon ' em This gave fresh Rage to the already Incens'd Duke and he resolv'd the Dutchess shou'd not lose her share of the vexation Again he storms at her reiterates the cruel Vows of deep Revenge whilst that Distress'd Lady seeks to her lov'd Son in vain who only Answers her Intreaties with far fetch'd Sighs and looks of wild despair She writes to Lovisa and conjures her to study some means to oblige Emilius to yield The retir'd Lovisa who possess'd her fill of Melancholy though her Indulgent Uncle fond as a Father study'd to divert her receiv'd this Letter as the extended Malice of her Fate that knew no end And far from joying at the Prince's Constancy wept at the Mischiefs her resistless Eyes had caus'd Lovisa knew Emilius was not naturally stubborn or Disobedient therefore in the movingest terms her Soul cou'd dictate her desire and wishes for his real Good o'ercoming Love she writ to him The Prince might more properly be said to be Immur'd than Retir'd For he permitted none to see him except Bileront and Servants just necessary to wait on him The Dutchess first receiv'd Lovisa's Letter and having perus'd it was pleas'd She
his own hand or name but desir'd Bileront to write the following words Madam THE Cordelier you saw to Day in the Garden begs you wou'd defer all hasty Resolutions An Affair of weighty moment calls him back to Court in a few Days this shall be Explain'd What I have said is by directions from the What remains is only that I am Your most Humble and Obedient Servant Bileront Emilius gave a Fryar this Letter and charg'd him to deliver it that Night Then he took his leave of those Hospitable Fathers saying he was sent for in great haste to Court and promis'd that he wou'd acquaint the Prince how Courteous upon his Account they had been Emilius fancy'd his Deportment so odd in the Convent that their Curiosity might prompt them to open the Letter which caus'd him to have it writ so ambiguously But they without the least thought of such rudeness accomplisht his desires Lovisa had the remainder of that Day been discoursing with her Uncle of her resolution to enter the Nunnery of St. Clare That good Man us'd all the Arguments a tender Affection cou'd Inspire against it Told her that being Childless he had design'd her for his Heir which said he added to your own Fortune will as to Estate render you a Match for any Prince in Christendom And Beauty Virtue or whatever Graces else adorn your Sex the World that is the Happy World which knows you with Justice owns you in Perfection Mistress of Alvarez said this and a thousand more kind things to no purpose Gratitude and Love possest her Noble Soul nor cou'd she in honour act less when brave Emilius set the great Example The Arrival of the Cordelier with the Letter of Bileront surpriz'd her extreamly and for the time desir'd she remain'd in wondrous Expectation framing many Conjectures wide of the matter Prince Emilius and Bileront reacht the Court just as the old Duke had been in another swooning Fit Emilius went directly to the Dutchess who almost Distracted with her Unexpressible Sorrow beheld him as a Vision After the Dutchess had chid him for his Disobedience she in Mourning Terms of real Concern related the Misfortune and Danger his Father lay under adding that he had been that Day so earnest to see him that they were forc'd to own his Absence Which News the Duke receiv'd with less Passion than was expected The next Interval when his fainting Spirits were a little retriev'd Emilius enter'd his Chamber and going towards the Bed he kneel'd Silence and a sadness unfeign'd stampt his Face with humble Duty and pleaded more in his Excuse than if he had offer'd at extenuating words The Duke beheld him but with no signs of Rage and with a weak Voice said Emilius I know my past Severity rough Usage and my positive Commands thy tender Nature cou'd not kindly brook Believe me Son 't was well meant I wou'd have form'd thee Youth a perfect Souldier but thy Mother's softness hangs about thy Soul and she hath stampt thee all a Lover And since I 'm going to the Land of Peace I will not ruffle the Calmness I 've so late obtain'd in strugling with Desires violent as yours With my Blessing Possess the Mistress you with such an Eagerness have Lov'd and do not hate the Memory of your Departing Father who only for your Interest oppos'd this Passion too great it seems to be remov'd Oh! Heavens cries the poor Prince o'ercome with Filial Sorrow must I ne'er aim at Joys sincere Live my dear Father live though to continue Cruel divided ever from my Unhappy Fair I fancy I cou'd bear it now No more no more the Duke stops him on this Theme Come nearer receive and remember the last Instructions of thy Dying Father The Prince being seated by him he gave him such Politick Rules as he by long Practice had found most useful the constant observing of which has inlarg'd his Dominions and augmented his Power That Night the Duke Expir'd Emilius was immediately Proclaim'd according to his Right Successor The Young Duke manag'd his Affairs with a most uncommon Prudence being Affectionately Dutiful to his Weeping Mother and obliging all whom his Father had lov'd and favour'd Lovisa was by his Order acquainted with all these Particulars yet so fearful was he of committing any undecency that he deny'd himself the satisfaction of seeing her for three Months The delight of reciprocal Love being the highest Abstract of Joy he justly judg'd it improper to possess at a time which in Duty he ought to dedicate wholly to Affliction All the Court look'd on Lovisa as a Person ordain'd for their Dutchess and already gave her a profound Respect Don Alvarez who lov'd her entirely was so pleas'd with her Exalted Fortune that he settl'd all his Lands and Lordships on her after his Decease This render'd it Policy as well as Pleasure for the Duke to Espouse her the Estate being too Opulent for a Subject without danger to injoy The Dutchess Dowager prevails with Lovisa to return to Court and the time of strict Mourning being over Emilius constantly Visits her his Love if possible still seeming to Increase At length the Nuptials are concluded and with great Solemnity perform'd Billeront deservedly remaining his dearest endless Favourite I think I safely may affirm added Francisco Prince Emilius a happy Man His publick Affairs are Prosperous his Beauteous Dutchess Fruitful in Issue as well as Charms indearingly kind to him and naturally good to all Whatever progress he undertakes she by his desire still accompany's him except to the Camp where he hath done wonders since his Accession to the Throne Demonstrating that a perfect Lover may be a compleat Souldier Thus ends Francisco By the Commands of your Highness bowing to Olympia I have to the utmost of my knowledge discover'd each particular relating to the Loves of that Incomparable Pair The Ladies were liberal in their thanks to Francisco and infinitely pleas'd with the Narration especially Melora her Sentiments were Delicate and by a Sympathetic Power the Misfortunes or Blessings of others sensibly mov'd her Passions This the Cardinal observes and improves by a thousand new Protestations of everlasting Fidelity Melora was so full of the foregoing History she did not seem to listen much to the Cardinal's Complements Olympia took notice of it and said My Dear you are mightily delighted with Lovisa but I don't perceive you intend to follow her Example She did not maintain her rigour half so long True added Barberino Emilius in all his Sufferings had the rich Cordial of Lovisa's Love for his support but I pay all my Vows to an obdurate Rock to a fair Marble Statue Deaf to my Prayers and with my Sighs unmov'd I thought reply'd Melora Blushing and looking on Olympia my Royal Governess wou'd have chid me as discovering my Weakness too far and I assure you my Lord went she on smiling you cannot oblige me more than in comparing me to Rocks and Marbles and such impenetrable stuff
employ'd on you and after this an offer'd Princess state interest takes you from me where shou'd I hide my blushing face For then not Angels Eloquence shou'd e'er perswade me to behold false men again Emilius answer'd with Vehemence By all my hopes were there an Empress who brought the conquer'd World her dower and beautiful as painted Deity me she wou'd not move You do not know Emilius nor Punishments nor Pleasures prevail when I am resolv'd Lovisa wou'd hear no more nor cou'd she force him from her till he obtain'd a Promise in a little time to receive the same favour such another Audience and that procur'd another In short the Prince a thousand ways so tenderly express'd his Love that Lovisa was content he shou'd discover his Passion was not disagreeable that her Sentiments were kind though Nicety deny'd her words to express it Mean time Count Lodowick laid close Siege the Dutchess thought it a good Match her Uncle press'd her hard on his behalf but she was deaf to all nor had scarce Patience to obey the Dutchess in letting him see her Yet this disturb'd Emilius he hated Lodowick shou'd view her with such greedy Eyes or have the privilege to Visit her alone As he was one Night in Lovisa's Closet complaining of this that fair one chid him and said She fear'd he was naturally Jealous since he saw Lodowick was her aversion and that all she did was by compulsion yet still he was displeas'd 'T is that compulsion answer'd the Prince with a sigh I fear if you should be forc'd to Marry him Heaven avert that thought what would then become of wretched me No No My Lord return'd Lovisa though I am not a Man yet I am Mistress of such resolutions that I 'll never Marry Lodowick There is one way said the Prince kneeling and turning pale for fear of Angring her one way secures my fears and makes me blest above all humane kind What 's that says Lovisa surpris'd I dare not tell you 'll promise not returns the Prince unless you 'll promise not to be displeas'd nor think that I presum'd too far and make too bold a Suit incourag'd by the favours I to your pity owe. Since I know said Lovisa with a reserv'd look Prince Emilius will not ask but what 's within the strictest Rules of Honour I give you free liberty to speak Emilius trembled as he spoke and clasping her lov'd Knees Wou'd you said he but let the Priest before these two pointing to the aforemention'd Lady and Billeront who were in the Closet join our hands knit that Sacred Knot which only Death unties then all my fears wou'd be remov'd Know you the raging temper of the Duke saith Lovisa raising him and ask you this without his consent or knowledge No let it suffice I ne'er will be anothers and let us wait till fate will smile and Crown our Wishes without danger Then my fair Life will venture nothing on the score of Love when I 'd forego a Crown for her said he passionately Oh! satisfy my fears give me but the Marriage Vow I 'll beg no more At this awful distance still remain nor offer at the Crown of all my Joys your Bed till the Fate you speak of smiles till there 's not the least shadow of a danger Lovisa told him she durst not resolve on a thing of such a Consequence lest he or she or both hereafter should repent but against the next meeting she would consider and bad him rest assur'd all Lodowick's Efforts were vain A few days after this there happen'd a sad accident which alter'd the face of all things in that Court the Eldest Prince of Parma dyed suddenly of an Imposthume You may imagine the fright and confusion the Court was in and that decency confin'd Emilius to his Closet yet in the midst of his Grief he was not unmindful of his Love but sent Bileront with a Letter which contain'd these words Emilius to his Dearest Life Lovisa THE Lamented untimely Fate of the departed Prince my Brother fills my Soul with Grief and that I may not have a Glimpse of Joy I dare not yet see my fairest Mistress But Oh! Believe Lovisa no vicissitude of Fortune has power to lessen Love My Death only ends the Passion vowed by Yours Emilius A short Postscript beg'd a line to bless his Solitude She taking her Pen while Bileront staid wrote thus Lovisa to the Prince Emilius AH Prince why do you still persist in my Vndoing the distance was too great before now the Ducal Crown hangs near your Brow Court Glory that 's the Brighter Mistress and gives Reward beyond the Power of Poor Lovisa The Prince was tenderly touch'd with the kind Doubts of his Beloved and in a short time visited her renewed his ardent Vows of Constancy and Endless Faith Whilst Lodowick whose Glass told him he was not Unhandsome who Danc'd well Drest well had all the Perfections of a Young Empty Airy Courtier and Master of a vast Estate raged to be Repuls'd in his first Amour One day he grew so importunate to know the Cause of her Aversion that she resented it and told him sharply he was Troublesome and were it not for the Commands of those whom Reverence taught her to Obey she had long e'er that forbid him her sight He Answer'd warmly with an Air too haughty for a Lover I see too well your scorn but I fain would find what 't is said we can't in Woman a Reason for 't Is your heart made of that impenetrable Mould that Sighs and Prayers are vain Batteries or doth some hidden happy Youth rob me of my desir'd Prize She blusht at that and he observ'd it Ah! 't is so went he on your conscious Blushes reveal it If I blush return'd she with a look full of Anger and Disdain 't is at your Rudeness Go You are Insolent Durst your conceal'd Lover call me so said he throughly nettl'd I cou'd Answer him As he spoke the last words Emilius enter'd and hearing 'em so loud he stopt When Lodowick turn'd to go away Emilius came up to him and looking fiercely on him said Is this like a Man of Honour to be Noisy in a Ladies Chamber I say 't is Insolent and Brutal Now your Answer you threaten'd Not to my Country's Heir return'd he Bowing nor dare I contend for a Jewel my Prince lays Claim to Soon as he had said this he went out Ah! what have you done Cry'd Lovisa looking with a Melancholy sweetness on him this flies like Lightening through the Court and I must never see you more Never see me more answer'd he eagerly Oh! I must ever see you nor can it be conceal'd My Eyes my Tongue betray it How often unawares I start mistaking every Name for yours My longing looks devour your Charms my Sighs redouble at your sight and every Motion shows the Fires of my Soul Oh! I 'll cast me at my Obdurate Father's Feet nor leave his Sacred Knee 'till he
Antonio Barbarino the Pope's Nephew He assumes most unjustly the Title of Cardinal Patron when in reality he is a Destroyer of his Country and an utter Enemy to all Goodness As Francisco was about to proceed he perceiv'd a deadly paleness to o'erspread Melora's Beauties and after some Efforts of strugling Nature she fell into a Swoon Never any perplexity equall'd this poor Lover's he was unwilling to call any of the House to her assistance because he had not finish'd his Discovery nor given her a Caution of Barbarino's Cruelty He runs to the Fountain sprinkles some of it's Waters on her Face bows her Body gently forwards at last she revives Casting her lovely Eyes o'erwhelm'd with Sorrows upon him she said with a Sigh Ah! Cruel Man why have you brought me back to this detested Light which I must never more view with Chearfulness Yet how know I adds she recollecting her self but you may be an Impostor and forge this Story to abuse my Friend and Lord. On that condition I wou'd part with my right hand replies this guilty Informer No Madam what I averr is too sad a Truth Antonio is the Man I can bring you where you shall see him in his Scarlet Robes going to the Consistory Behold here went he on pulling Papers out of his Pocket Dispatches written with his own hand which I believe you know Melora cou'd not but own she did having receiv'd a hundred Billets-Doux's in the same Character Fly then Madam proceeds Francisco from this most abhor'd of Men and Basest of Women whose degenerate Souls cou'd Betray such Matchless Virtue to Unparallel'd Ruine I am certain their wicked designs will not end thus For when the Cardinal who knows not to put a true Estimate on Beauty has satiated his Luxurious Appetite your Death Ah dismal Thought cries he in a Tone wholly Passionate your Death will follow I have heard them so resolve Whither shall I fly replies the Disconsolate Lady with this Guilty Load Not to my Incens'd Father he will upbraid me with my Disobedience and say my Punishment is a just Reward for my crime Oh! Heavens say'd she may I not murmur may I not Complain that these Probations are too severe for my Frailer Sex to bear Consider Madam replies the truly Afflicted Francisco Parents are Indulgent and when he shall hear the Truth which I will also with my Life attest your Innocency and Nature pleading in your behalf will force him to receive you with Paternal Tenderness Therefore hasten from this Dissolute Priest whose many Lusts and Impieties to relate wou'd die your cheeks in a modest Crimson La Cecca Buffona was once his Mistress and Glory'd in her shame Then to a Courtesan who dwelt in the Julian-street he gave to satisfy his Lust but once a Thousand Crowns not to mention the more than Brutal Passion he hath oft had for his own Sex My Soul sickens at these Black Relations say'd Melora and Unborn Innocence Dy's in my Womb. As she was speaking a Page enters the Garden and tells her Donna Olimpia was just Arriv'd at which Melora composing her self as much as possibly she cou'd prepares to go and receive her But first she desires Francisco to make her Father's House his Sanctuary and tells him she will Escape thither if by none of their stratagems prevented the next Day adding that till she came he shou'd not mention any thing of these Unhappy Circumstances I will in every particular obey you answers that Dejected Man but e'er I go I wou'd on my Knees implore what will in you be an Act of Mercy almost above a Mortal and bring to my despairing Soul the only Balsam that can heal it 's rancorous Wounds and deter my Desperate Hand from Committing on my Body the Violence my Guilty Thoughts suggest I mean Forgiveness Madam if from your fair Mouth I hear my Pardon Seal'd I shall embolden'd grow and look towards Heaven for Mercy else I must sink to the dismal Grave cover'd o'er with trembling horror and never hope with Joy to rise Bear Witness Heaven replies that lovely Creature her intermingling Tears almost hindering her Speech I forgive you and may that boundless store from whence Eternal Mercy flows forgive you too Yet give me leave Francisco to add it was unkind mighty unkind thus to betray a harmless Maid who never so much as in thought harbour'd a wrong to you 'T was Barbarous 't was something worse than I can give a name to replies her Idolater almost-raving Melora interrupts him and Commands him to rise and fly to his intended refuge saying she knew Olympia wou'd immediately be there He obeys and departs with the saddest aspect in the World Assoon as Olympia had convers'd with Melora she discover'd the pressure upon her Spirits and plainly saw she put a great constraint upon her self to appear chearful At first Olympia imputed it only to the Cardinal's Absence and told her in a gay strain she must not be so fond but however to satisfy her longing the Duke would be there that Night Will he Madam Answers the other with an Air of scorn and when shall we injoy this glorious Splendor my dazl'd Eyes have but in Fancy seen Methinks I wish my Lord wou'd quit his pretensions to Ferrara and be content with Modena that will satisfy my Ambition Melora deliver'd this in a tone so different from that she us'd to discourse of his Affairs in that the cunning Olympia fixing her Eyes upon her immediately guess'd she had some Information of the Deceit and making her a slight Answer goes to inquire who had been there and understands by the Page that went into the Garden a Pilgrim was seen talking with her Whilst she was busy'd in this Examination her Woman brings her word the Cardinal was in her Closet and desir'd to speak with her before he saw Melora Olympia flies to him but e'er she cou'd deliver her News Barbarino greets her with this Madam says he I have this day had Intelligence from Spain that Francisco has quitted the Negotiation I imploy'd him in there in a disguise Nay then the Riddle 's Explain'd replies Olympia and relates all the foregoing Passages Upon this they both agree to send a couple of Trusty Servants in search of this Feign'd Pilgrim who should seize him and lay him fast rightly conjecturing his design was to publish their Crime These Fellows o'ertake the wretched Man before he was got half way to Rome his Afflictions hindering his swift travelling They straight bind gag and hall him back to Olympia's where he is committed close Prisoner to a remote Chamber Now these two wicked ones the Cardinal and Olympia begin to consult farther and take Melora into their Consideration After a thousand Arguments and Reasons urg'd backwards and forwards her doom is seal'd Thus this Lovely Rose the wonderful excess of extravagant Nature whose blooming sweetness wou'd have given years of Rapture to an honest honourable Husband is now by the very Possessor