of the Pagan Glory Her Warming-pan Plot and her Hands and Head so full of Politicks on that Important Occasion that She then wanted Leisure for Intrigue and Amour which indeed being the main Delight of the Generality of my Readers might perhaps lessen the Satisfaction expected from the Second Part. But since her Majesties Departure from the Heretick Albion has Translated her to a more agreeable and natural Element the Pagan Court of Gothland her heavier and sullen Business she begins to shake off and resumes the lighter Air of Love and Pleasure And accordingly we dare without Vanity assure our Kind Reader That the former Defects are supplyed in the Entertainment of this Third Part of her History An Amorous Polydorus little less famed under the Banners of Cupid than the sometimes Glorious Britomard himself lying at the Feet of the Adored Messalina affords a little â—…re Matter of Adventure and Diversion With this Recommendation to our little Volumn of the Great Messalina We beg your present generous Acceptance And if you find your Messalina warm with any extraordinary Spark for the Imperial Polydorus you are to consider that the Sanctuary and Glorious Reception she meets in the Court of her ever firm Friend the King of the Gauls have Inspired her with no small Gratitude to that MOST PAGAN Heroe and Champion of her Altars The Third PART LOVE could no longer brook this interfering Business in the Court of Albion for seeing with Indignation how Ambition daily had intrench'd on his Prerogative he reassumes his long neglected Darts and vows severe Revenge on his Rebellious Subjects And now Messalina's haughty Heart which vast aspiring Hopes had long engaged softens again in Gentleness and Love She had seen the Languets of her Charming Count and heard his gentle Murmurs with Compassion she knew the great restraint he forc'd upon his Heart when by reason of her numerous Attendants and Visitours he had not opportunity to breath his Love sometimes a Wink an Amorous Look or Sigh she would by stealth return or otherwise in some Ambiguous Words she would discover her Concern and Care for his endearing Passion but in such dumb shows alone as there were more than Three Weeks spent e're she could possibly engage or speak with him alone During which time her Beauty with the Satisfaction of her Mind was much improved and that forc'd Abstinence which her pretended Child-bearing had made her undergo conduc'd as well to carry on the Cheat as to revive some fading Glories in her Face caus'd by the Fears and Apprehensions of Miscarrying Now in Triumphant Wise she 'd Walk and Look and with Disdainful Jests among her Confidents Laugh at the weak dull Christians of the Court. Come Dear Aspasia would the say let us no longer doubt of good Success leâ—…s every Year bring forth a Son and stock the Kingdom with a Race of Pagan Princes shall my aspiring lofty Soul sâ—…p to the riâ—e Destructive Rules of their insipid Morals One flight of Pagan Fancy quite out-strips their heavy tedious Motions and till now our Fears alone have been our Bugbear Appaâ—…ions With how much ease did we Contrive and Finish what some faint puny hearted Creatures thought impossible Oh how I am pleased to think how naturally I manag'd the Intreague Didst thou observe how gravely some would stand and when my feigned Groans and Cries would reach their Ears how then Oâ—…iciâ—usly they 'd shake their Heads devoutly lifting up their Hands and pray for my Delivery Then when my seeming Pains would make me faintisâ—… with what Concern they 'd Sigh and Whisper while I would gently grasp and turn to thee and smile at the Success of our Invention Come Come let 's see this Darling of our Hopes this Ground-work of our Everlasting Joy long Live and Live to Reign my little blooming Life and Live to be the Sâ—ourge of our Curst Christian Foes I 'll swear thee like another Hanibal their Mortal Foe each drop of Milk thou suck'st 〈…〉 an Age of Malice in thy Heart A Christiaâ—… Name shall grate upon thy Soul and thou shall prove the Plague of their Profession I 'll breath my Spirit through thy tender Pores and make thy hatred of them Everlasting Down down ye Pagans to your Great Deliverer Adore your Mighty Prince and your Redeemer See how the base dejected Christians shrink see how they Tremble at his Awful Frown Albion is once again Redeemed Aspasia and â—ow my Crown sits firm and easie on my Head. Thus in Vain Raptures would the Queen break out and boast her Promises to be Prophetical but soon alas she found her self deceived and all her Glorious Promises vanish of a sudden Anaximander and the Princess Artemisia while Licogenes and his Pagan Councellors continued only to make some small Encroachments and Breaches on the Laws of Albion seemingly designing for no more than a small Toleration of the Pagan Religion in Albion kept themselves within all bounds of Modesty and Submission to the King their Father only in some small Remonstrances they did Declare their Unwillingness to appear Parties in the Annulling or Dispensing with those Laws made purely for the Security of the Christian Religion against the Practices and Contrivances of the Pagans but when they plainly saw their Own and the Kingdoms Interest resolved to be made a Sacrifice to the Ambition and Covetousness of a small Party that by the known Laws of the Land were declared the irreconcileable Enemies of the Christians they thought it then high time to look about them and though they paid all the Reverence imaginable to the King their Father yet they could not resolve to yield their Rights and Inheritance and hold precariously their Estates at the Discretion of an Anti-Christian pack'd Councel besides by several Remonstrances and Petitions from the Chief of the Nobility and Gentry they had been solicited to take them into their Protection and to endeavour a Redress of their Grievances and heavy Oppressions Anaximander being a Prince of a Vast and Generous Spirit was easily induc'd to condescend to their Relief for besides his proper Interest in the Crown of Albion which by the common Principles of Nature he was obliged to Maintain and Defend he often would revolve on the Glory of the Action and how Heroick and God like it would shew to appear the Great and Glorious Champion of the Christian Religion which by a Secret League between Polydorus King of the Gauls and the King Licogenes was resolved to be wholly Extirpated and Roured out of Eurâ—… Upon these Considerations the Prince Anaximander immediately impâ—… his Desires and Resolutions to the High and Mighty Lords and States of the Low-Lands desireing their Lordships Advice and Assistance in a Matter of that Importance to the Security of themselves as well as all other Christians which upon due Considerations they with all Alacrity imaginable Grant And now the Prince having a Gallant though small Fleet equipp'd with all the speed that could be makes for
Q. MESSALINA LONDON Printed for John Lyford 1689. THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER IT cannot be denied with how much Applause the First Part of this History has been received in the World according to the merits of it which is in part demonstrable from the Account most Booksellers give of their being daily importun'd for the Second Part and there having been but one Party appear'd against it viz. the Pagans of Albion the Publisher begs to be excus'd for being so Dilatory in Compleating this History not being able to bring in the Secrets of the LEAGUE the Amours of MESSALINA and Polydorus and other Intrigues of the Gothick Court into this Part on the account the Translator hath lain under great Indisposition of Body for near these three Weeks past and it was not thought advisable to interpose the stile of any other but he being now on the mending hand you may expect the Third Part which Compleats the whole History with all the speed imaginable and he hopes it will prove in this as it does in Mistresses whose put-offs and delays in matters of possession does but more whet on the Gallants Appetites so that when they have once attained to Injoyment it becomes so Ravishing that their Lovers fancy themselves amply rewarded for all their forbearance and expectation The Second PART THE Pagans of Albion had from the beginning of the Reign of Lycogenes with great assurance expected some hapy and speedy overtures for their eternal settlement in that Kingdom Nor had Lycogenes himself been wanting in his endeavours to over-rule or destroy all that pretended to oppose or question his proceedings against the Foundamental Rights of his Christian Subjects he had already remov'd the most of them from all Places of Trust and contrary to the known Laws of the Land had introduced Persons by the said Laws incapable to Serve he had Rais'd and kept up an Army composed of Mercenary's and Forreigners not only to Terrify but upon the first happy occasion to Oppress all that should contradict his Resolutions he had for the first three years of his Reign carry'd all things with so high a hand that the People of Albion from the highest to the lowest were in a strange Confusion to think of the dismal consequences that would necessarily flow from such Arbitrary Proceedings and though they had by the subtile Insinuations of a Court Party of Divines been Poyson'd with that pernicious position of Passive Obedience yet they could not without a great deal of regret behold all the fences and inclosures of their Laws and Libertiy's thrown down and trampled on and be obliged to hold their Lives and Estates on so precarious Terms as the will and discretion of an Antichristian pack'd Councel what related to the private satisfaction of the King's humour they did with all humility and unexpected alacrity submit and yield to but when it was plain that the whole Kingdom was Design'd and Resolv'd a Sacrifice to the Interest and Ambition of a few wicked Councellours and a small party of Men that had been by publick Acts of the Realm declar'd the Inveterate and Irreconcileable Enemies of all Christians but chiefly of the Albionites they then began to search into the measures of their submission and diligently to enquire how far they were obliged to pay Obedience to the Commands of their Magistrates and Governours and realy upon the scrutiny they plainly perceiv'd their own weakness and the Impositions of their Enemies who by this subtile Doctrine had ensnar'd them to set their Hands to and Sign as it were their own Destruction several of the Great and Wisest Men in the Kingdom had been Debating on this Subject and all concluded in an acknowledgment of their weakness in so manifestly exposing themselves and their Country to the Capricious Humours or Tyrannical Principles that very often are found in the greatest Princes and therefore though from their very Souls they wish'd all happiness imaginable to their King and Governor yet they thought their duty stretch'd too far on the Tenter-hooks when by a blind submission to irregular Commands they were oblig'd to forego the natural principles of self preservation and that by seeking officiously to add to their Loyalty they must necessarily detract from their Judgments Conscience and Honesty But Lycogenes who by a diligent scrutiny and long experience of the Natures of the people of Albion to his great satisfaction knew how effectually the Doctrin of Non-resistance which he and his party with great zeal and industry had insinuated and promoted had wrought on his Christian Subjects thought he had laid a very sure foundation for the introduction of those Novelties and Abuses we have since had impos'd on us and was by the assiduous Instigations of his Pagan Councellors prevail'd upon to resolve the total Extirpation or at least enslaving of the Christian Hereticks as he call'd them in his Dominions and fearing that all he could do in his own life time would be insufficient to assure and establish the Pagan Faction and Interest unless he could find such a Successour as should confirm and strengthen what he should now begin upon these Considerations I say he was easily wrought on to consent to any thing his Counsellors should propose for the benefit and establishment of Paganism in the said Kingdom and now what more remain'd than that the Priests consult and find the most convenient and speedy means to secure their own Interests to indulge Messelina's Ambition and to sooth Lycogenes his Bigotted Zeal Several ways were propos'd and sometime spent in Arguments and Debates before they could come to a final Resolution The Christians of Albion by several Acts of their General Diets had their Laws their Liberties and their Religion secur'd to them and in all or most of their Assemblies for one hundred years past they had one or other express Law against Paganism though none did so throughly disable and lessen their interest in Albion as that commonly call'd the Tests and though some good Christian Dissenters from the Church of Albion were therein severely included yet they were chiefly intended for the discouragement and suppression of that pernicious Sect of Pagans in Albion Lycogenes his private Counsel therefore proposed the taking away these Tests as a necessary Preliminary for the introduction of Paganism the Project indeed was good but how to bring it about was the difficulty for besides that the general Diet would hardly be induc'd to abrogate those very Laws which some of them so lately had stickl'd for and promoted and such Laws whereon their own and the Kingdoms security seem'd more immediately to depend the Pagans having in all Reigns been proved the irreconcileable Enemys and malicious designers against the peace and welfare of the Christians in Albion besides I say this difficulty they were obliged to gain the consent of Prince Anaximander and the Princess Artemisia the Presumptive Heiress of the Crown for the Abrogation of the said Laws and this indeed was
will be inconsistent with the safety of her Majesty prejudicial to the Pagan interest in Albion for ever and extreamly difficult if not impossible to be brought about nor do I need to say much to disswade this Honourable Company from the following their proposals since Father Pedro has already evinc'd and made clear the fallacy of the Chancellor's project and the rest of the Company have sufficiently shew'd their dislike of Father Pedro's I shall now therefore proceed to give my opinion and if I shall have the good fortune to convince your reasons and draw you into a concurrence you will then be so just to believe that the freedom of my censue proceeds from other causes than that of meer contradiction we all agree in the main pint that some course must be taken for re-establishing and securing the Pagan Interest in Albion so as that it should not seem entirely to depend on the uncertain life of the King and though the opinion of my self and the Count Davila who doubtless receives all his measures from the Conclave and from Boanerges the High-priest have been by these two Gentlemen opposed at least neglected yet I have not been so apprehensive as to hear any new thing proposed as is capable of making me or the Count recede from our former resolutions I am sure if it take 't is the only effectual way to preserve us entires I am as sure 't is as easie as in a matter of that importance can be wish'd it may be brought about with so little discomposure of the publick peace that it shall rather gain the general applause of the Kingdom will not the attaining our desires answer all expectations what necessity of cutting those Throats which with abundance of ease we can make instrumental and accessary to our designs the supposition of an Heir Male quashes all other pretenders in a moment and surely Albion is not so barren or ill natur'd as to deny Lycogenes a Son. No no replys Poliorchetes interrupting the Marchioness we have daily experience of the fruitfulness of the Women of Albion but yet we cannot apprehend how Lycogenes can expect to reap where he has not had the power or the will to sow The will indeed said Aspasia sighing I believe her Majesty can vouch for but to the sorrow and confusion of us all he wants the power Let us then continued the Marchioness no longer deplore but endeavour to supply those unfortunate defects of the King our Master consider on what nice points our Honour and Interest depend time will not stay for vain and fruitless wishes and if we slip so fair an opportunity we shall seem to despise providence ruine our interest for ever and fall the reproach of our Enemies and unpitied by all the Pagans throughout the World. Polyorchetes had heard these last words with wonderful surprise for his thoughts having run wholly on the extirpation of the Christians by Fire and Sword he had not so much as dream'd of any possibility of milder means and now guessing at what the Marchioness had insinuated he was extreamly tickl'd with the project and desired the Marchioness That since she had propos'd something extraordinary she would be pleas'd to explain her self so as that they might endeavour to solve any difficulties that might arise upon a strict examination of the design The difficulty's reply'd the Marchioness are so small in comparison of that advantage we shall reap that among us they will not admit of a dispute besides we have had a president of what I propose which though it miscarried in the main yet it was not for want of power but will of some Partys concerned to bring it about That an Heir is absolutely necessary to confirm and settle our otherwise fading hopes we all agree and shall not we submit to necessity and endeavour to restore by art what envious nature or curst fortune have ruin'd or withheld It must be so reply'd Messalina it must be so and there is no other to uphold my tottering Crown It must be so and yet my boding Soul foretells it won't succeed these saucy Albionites will still be prying and every step I make will have remarks Rejoyce Dread Soveraign reply'd Polyorchetes who had already taken that hint the Marchioness has in one word finished what the united strength of my dull brain could ne're attempt but now the game is up I 'll keep the scent and work it on to a desired perfection Why should your Majesty reply'd Pedro despair at all of due success Does your Majesty want power or friends or opportunity to act what a Predecessor and Namesake with so much disadvantage had effected if Philippo had prov'd but half so generous as is the brave Lycogenes Can you doubt the success of any Enterprise when you have so powerful assistance even from your Enemies Could she carry on a design of the same nature even to the brink of performance so as to amuse nay to convince all orders of the Kingdom of the reality of it And can you doubt at last of failing She had a sharp-sighted Parliament near five hundred of the wisest in the Kingdom to combat with who were strict in their observance suspicious of her dealing and resolute against any imposition she had the Nobility on one hand the King her Husband of the other and yet she baffled all but that narrow-hearted Prince who like the Dog in the Manger could wither eat the Hay himself nor would suffer the Horses he had seen himself incapable of re-establishing the Pagan interest by the assurance of an Heir and was so covetous and mean as to hinder the propagation of it by another whereas your Majesty stands on sure grounds you have a strong party in the Court of wise and able men to advise you you have a potent Army ready to protect and defend you but above all you have a Husband and a King to assist and further you who dares even suspect you who would presume to prove you By your word you create an Heir and your command settles the Kingdom for ever Thus Pedro spoke and a general applause run through the whole Company there remained only Aspasia and the Queen to give their Sentiments and Opinions and Aspasia declaring in short that Father Pedro had wholly satisfied her thoughts and desires in this juncture and that she wholly submitted to the judgment of the Queen Messalina raising her self briefly gave her resolution thus Nothing can give us greater encouragement and assurance of success than the zeal and fidelity of you our beloved Counsellors and since our business pesseth for a speedy conclusion I shall need say no more than that I do and shall assent to what the Majority of you viz. the Marchioness de Tomazo Aspasia and Pedro have laid down there remains therefore no more but that you immediately consult of the manner and method of bringing it on and from time to time to communicate your advice to us I advise
and think fit that Boanerges the High Priest our most Holy Kinsman have timely notice of your proceedings as also Polydorus our Royal Friend and Ally that they may take care to order Affairs in Forreign Parts so as that we way have the universal assistance of all our Friends to promote a Project so highly advantageous to all their Interests This gracious Speech and Condescention was received with unspeakable joy by the Counsel and Father Pedro stepping to the Door gave orders for private Thanksgiving throughout all the Mosques in Albion as also for Processions Feasts and other expressions of joy and having again seated himself they immediately fall close to the point The first business hey resolve on is That being five in number viz. the Count Pedro Polyorchetes the Chancellor the Marchioness de Tomazo and Aspasia they severally have several Employments and Offices assigned them for the more effectual and speedy accomplishment of their business The Count who by his Office and Interest with Boanerges could claim a Domination over the Pagan Priests was to summon a Convocation and to give them instructions how to disperse the News of her Conception and to insinuate as if by Divine Inspiration they knew it would be a Prince as also to quash any Objections or Doubts concerning it and to make remarks of the persons Father Pedro was to be made one of the Privy-Council and as he was one of the chief Contrivers at first so now he was to enliven and confirm the report of the Queens Conception at the publick Board and to represent it with all the seeming Candour imaginable he was to silence all Disputes and Contests that might happily arise upon it and to make motions to the Board to give such order concerning her Majesty and the Child as should gain a General Approbation and belief throughout the Kingdom and though there arose a Controversie whether it were not fitter for some other Pagan Lords of Albion to espouse this part yet they soon concluded on the ability of Pedro who was better qualify'd to represent it in handsom Colours and consequently would go down the glibber and pass secure with the people seeing they had so good Vouchers as Privy-Councellors The Chancellor being a Man of an hardned Constitution was appointed to wait with diligence against the time of the pretended Birth and by a positive Asseveration if any suspicion should arise as in all Cheats probably may happen he was to maintain the Rem in Re which from so grave a person as the chief Judge of Conscience would surely be believ'd and as readily assented to as the words of an Oracle Aspasia being concern'd so near Messalina as Lady of the Bed-Chamber c. She was to Caress the Ladys with the joyful News of the Queens Conception and from time to time insinuate passages belonging to Child-bearing to give an account of the growth of the Burthen and to make the thing feasible she was to carry on a suspicion or fear of a Miscarriage and it being once granted that she could possibly Miscarry included the belief that she was really Teeming And now there was none but the Marchioness remaining who being a Woman as is before said of a quick Judgment in Intrigues and who knew well how to manage an Imposture of that nature it was laid upon her with Secrecy and Assurance to procure two or three young wholsome Women whose time of Delivery should critically agree with the Queen's time allotted and set down by this Councel the Marchioness was not dissatisfied with the Task though she could not but be sensible it requir'd depth of Judgment a great deal of discreet Enquiry and continual Care to manage them to a Hairs breadth lest any unlucky accident might spoil the whole Intregue but upon a little consideration she remembred she had heard an Inkling of a young Kinswoman of her own how that through weakness she had been forc'd to surrender her Virginity to the Assaults of a young Spark who had since forsaken her and had withal left her a sure pledg of his Love and Vigour so that being so well encouraged at first she readily submits to the Commands of the Board and engages upon Honour to answer their Expectation and now the generals being concluded on and appointed they disperse and forthwith apply themselves to their several Employments and as a Prologue to their intended Villany they give out among their own Party at least the necessity of Unity in their Prayers to their Saints and the Deity to send their Majesty's an Heir to succeed him in his Throne and Dominions and to settle their Holy Religion in this Heretical Land they cause Processions and Pilgrimages Offerings and Supplications to be made first to the great Saint at Loretto then to St. Winifred and they cause Messalina to repair to several Waters that are famous Antidotes against Barrenness thô at the same time they did not consider that the People look'd upon it very awkard and strange that the Queen had never found out this way of preparing for Child-bearing before but such are the practices of the Pagan Religion that the greatest Villanies and Rogueries they intend to commit are still preceded and usher'd in with great appearances of Sanctity and now all things being in a readiness the Queen declares her self publickly to be with Child and Orders were given for publick Thanksgiving throughout the Isles and in other Forreign parts Rejoycings and Feastings were made by the Kings Residents and Ambassadors especially in Rome and Gaule as if it were not enough to impose so great a Villiany on the whole Kingdom without enforcing them to prevaricate with the Deity in their Prayers and to make Petitions for that which really was not but notwithstanding all the Contrivance and Advice to carry on this Intrigue the People especially the Christian Nobles and Gentry of Albion were mightily surprised with so improbable an Accident though by reason of an Indisposition which Messalina for some while before lay under the Kings weakness and other circumstances they could not readily free themselves from a suspicion of Treachery yet they resolv'd to bear themselves with all moderation and to have a diligent Eye upon Messalina and all about her the fâ—…st real occasion of dislike was that the Queen did not treat the Christian Ladies of Albion especially the Princess Philadelpha with that freedom as the joy and pride of so great a happiness if real would naturally have prompted her to for she would resent it highly if she could but observe any of the Christians making the least observations of her Breasts Belly her Look or any other Symptome by which Women in that Condition are easily distinguished another great reason was that she seem'd to slight the Pretensions of the Princess Artemisia so as there was not the least intimation given her to be at the Queens Labour till within a very few days before she was Deliver'd besides the Confidence of the Pagan
Rack and Manger with his dear Lactilla Polydorus chassing for his last misfortune long'd for a second Tryal of his Abilities But the presence of Lycogenes was a new rub in his way T was therefore thought convenient to march him off with all the speed that possible might be nor was Messalina less desirous to be rid of him as one whose Reign over her Affections was now as much at an end as his Reign over the hearts of his People Polydorus therefore sends for Lycogenes and having agreed upon Conditions hastens him away into Hibernia with permission to retain the Title of Lycogenes the Second King of Hibernia but to deliver the real Possession of the Kingdom to Polydorus and the Command of all his Souldiers and Forces to such Officers and Commanders as he had order'd to accompany him So soon as Lycogenes was departed Polydorus prosecutes his Amour with great heat nor was Messalina who had already surrender'd up her Fort less diligent to afford Polydorus all the Opportunities that could be with Circumspection and Caution omitted She was mainly desirous of a Prince to be Born of her Body by which means she might bequeath perpetual vexation to the Christians And to that purpose she thought that now she had both change of Air and variety of Persons she could not fail and as for the Legality of it she never minded that since she could have Absolution when she pleased Polydorus therefore therefore sends her an Invitation to his Country Palace of Versellais and appoints her an Apartment not far from his own with so many private avenues to it that it was impossible one would have thought to have made the least discovery of their private Congresses Under the Covert of this Retirement Polydorus had several Opportunities to enjoy the Carresies of his endearing Messalina while she on the one side labour'd for Pregnancie and he on the other endeavoured to recover the Reputation he had lost in his first Venereal Attempts Nothing could out-vie the Dalliances of these two Royal Lovers unless the efforts of Youthful Clepatra to please her Mark Anthony or the Gallantries of Mark Anthony to gratifie his adored Cleopatra Moreover Messalina thought that if now she should prove with Child the World would be the sooner Convinc'd of the Truth of her being Deliver'd of the Prince of the Cambro Britans which made her more eager to devote her self to the satisfaction of her Polydorus However Love had only a Design to exert his power and would not admit Lucina to come in for a share in blessing the strong Endeavours of the Amorous Pair with effectual Success 'T is true Fame did her part and spread abroad a rumour over all Gothland and Albion that Messalina was with Child and so it holds but as to that it is lest to Time to make out the truth of it By this time Cupid who seem'd to study nothing more then to enlarge the Conquests of Messalina's Charming Eyes had smitten the Heart of Young Delphinus only Son of Polydorus who began to be no less Enamour'd of the Bewitching Messalina then his Father 'T is true he knew nothing of certainty of what pass'd every Day between his Father and her For now it being known that Lycogenes was gone of Polydorus's Errand it was easie to feign pretences of Frequent Consultations with Messalina but as the Actions of Princes will be pry'd into in spight of Fate Delphinus had some Inkling of the Intrigue And indeed the more then ordinary Credulity and Obsequiousnes of Polydorus to an Exild Princess could not choose but Enhance her Suspition However Love is such a Tyrant that what he will he will have done The Young Delphinus is enflam'd and tho' he were pretty sure that in giving way to his Passion he must be his Father's Rival and Fish in the same Stream with his own Parent yet his Ardour was so Violent that those Considerations could not with-hold him nor stem the violent Current of his Affection So that he never came into Messalina's Company but his Amorous Looks betray'd the Passion of his Heart so easily discernable that Messalina could not perceive the double Conquest she had made both of the Father and the Son. But Messalina who had Abandon'd her self over to the Father made the Punctillio of Honour so much her present Excuse for not condescending to the Son's Addresses that she still put him off with fair Complements so that all his Efforts prov'd ineffectual FINIS