out of her Bosom a little Cross kiss'd it many times and Crossing herself as if she had seen a Spirit or some Apparition out of another World Ricardo taking notice of this fear and guesing at the cause of it spoke thus to her I am very sorry oh most beautiful Leonisa that the News Mahomet told you concerning my death was not true for then I should have been out of doubt whether that rigour and disdain you always used towards me did last still Fear not Madam and come down and if you will vouchsafe to do that which you never yet did come near me and touch me I am no Spirit I am Ricarde who desires no other fortune than what you please he shall have Here Leonisa put her finger upon her lips which Ricardo understood to be a sign that either he should not speak or at least softlier This encouraged him to draw so nigh to her that he could hear these words Speak more softly Mario for I understand you are now so call'd and meddle with no other discourse but what I shall put you upon I give you this advice for if we should be overheard it may hinder us from ever meeting again I believe Alima our Mistress stands listening she is in Love with you and hath employ'd me to be her procuress if you will correspond with her let it be with your Body not with your Mind and if you will not be in earnest fain at least to love her I pray you by that which the desires of a Woman discovered in confidence can merit I could never imagine oh Leonisa reply'd Ricardo that it should be impossible for me to obey you in any thing but what you command me does undeceive me Is ones will so light that it may be transported whether we please Can it become a Man of Honour to dissemble in a matter of so much importance If it is your opinion that such things ought to be command them for you are Mistress of my will which if you had ever known you would not employ me in such an affair Nevertheless because you shall not say that I denyed to obey your first command and because I shall obtain by this the happiness of seeing you I am content to comply with yours and Alimas desires Do you then fain what answers you please for me I promise to make them good And in recompence for what I do now for your sake I pray you tell me how you escap'd out of the hands of the Pyrates and came into the Jews It will require much time to recount all my misfortunes answered Leonisa yet notwithstanding I will satisfie you in part Know then that the day after we separated Isuffos Vessel was driven back by contrary winds to the Isle of Pantalarea where ours do what we could to preserve her struck upon the Rocks My Patron seeing his destruction certain with great hast emptied two Barrels and tied them together and bound me upon them and with an undaunted courage threw himself into the Sea and drew me after him I fell in deprived of my Senses and recovered them not till I found my self in the hands of two Turks who held me with my mouth downwards to make me cast up the great quantity of water which I had drunk I opened my Eyes with confusion and astonishment especially perceiving Isuffo dead by my side his Head was broken to pieces as they told me against the Stones as the Waves threw him on shoar and the Turks drew me to Land half drownd only twelve Persons of that Galley were sav'd We stay'd eight days in that Island during which time the Turks used me with as much respect as if I had been their Sister They lay hid in a Cave fearing least some Christians should come out of the Fort of that Island and make them Slaves sustaining themselves with wet Biscuit which the Sea cast up and which they gathered in the Night and brought into the Galley It pleased fortune for my greater misery that the Fortress had no Captain for he dyed a few days before and there were left in it none but private Souldiers This we knew by a Boy whom the Turks had taken going to the Sea shore to gather shells Eight days after there came upon that Coast a Moorish Vessel which they call Carmosalles They saw her and went out of the Cave and made such signs that those who were therein them to be Turks These told them their misfortunes and the Moors took them into their Vessel in which was a Jew a rich Merchant to whom all the Freight of that Ship or at least the greater part of it belonged and they were the best Commodities which are usually brought from Barbary to the Levant In the same Vessel the Turks went to Tripoly and in that Voyage they sold me to the Jew for two thousand Doubloons an extraordinary price but the Love he bore to me made him so liberal After the Vessel had landed the Turks at Tripoly it follow'd its Voyage and the Jew began impudently to tempt me I shew'd him such a Countenance as his wicked desires merited so that dispairing to obtain his will he resolv'd to sell me upon the first occasion which would profer it self And knowing that the two Bassas Ali and Assan were in this Island and that he might as well sell his Merchandizes there as in Chio he came hither with intention to sell me to one of the Bassas and for that purpose he cloathed me as you see that they might have a greater Appetite to buy me I understand that the Cady has bought me for the Grand Signior which puts me into an extream trouble Here I heard the report of your feign'd Death and I tell you if you believe me that I was very much concern'd for it and I rather envi'd than piti'd you not that I wish'd you ill for altho' I am not in love yet I am not ungrateful but because you had finish'd the Tragedy of your Life You say well Leonisa replied Ricardo if Death had rob'd me of the gusto of seeing you again for I esteem more the instant of Glory which I enjoy in seeing you than any other Felicity except what is Eternal The Affection of my Patron the Cady is to you the same that Alimas is to me he has chosen me to be Interpreter of his Thoughts and I have taken it upon me not to please him but to make use of this occasion to speak to you Now you see Leonisa to what pass our Disgraces have brought both of us for you to be a Baud and an Instrument of procuring that which you know 't is impossible for me to grant and that I should be employ'd to desire that of you which is so far from my desire that rather than you should comply with it I would loose my Life which now is dear to me because I enjoy the happiness of seeing you I know not Ricardo replied Leonisa what to say nor
SELECT NOVELS The first Six written in Spanish BY Miguel Cervantes Sayavedra Author of that Famous History Don Quixotte de la Mancha The other by FRANCIS PETRARCH An Eminent Italian Poet and one of the first Restorers of Learning All Translated from the Originals By Dr. WALTER POPE LONDON Printed for Charles Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Paul's and Thomas Horne at the South Entrance of the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1694. TO THE READER THese Translations with some other Things of greater Importance which may in due time see the Light were the product of my retirement at Epsom last Summer There they were begun and finish'd I have not endeavour'd to render my Author word for word but my Concern was to make him speak English In the first Novel I have taken more liberty for its Scene lying for the greatest part in England the Laws and Customs whereof Cervantes was not very well skill'd in I have chang'd the Names of some Persons and Places which are such in the Original as were never heard of in England I have also left out some Paragrafs which I judg'd either impertinent to the Story or repeated I have added nothing but here and there a word to make the Sence more perspicuous In fine I have made all of them shorter if not better and Brevity is always good May 15th 1694. THE Spanish-English Lady NOVEL I. AMONGST the spoyls which the English carried from Cales a certain Captain by name Manly Admiral of a Squadron of Ships took away a young Maid about six years old without the knowledge of the Earl of Essex whom the Childs Parents petitioned That since he had been pleased to take away their Estates and leave their Persons free he would not permit their Child should be Ravish'd from them and carried into Captivity Upon which he Issued out his Orders to search all the Ships and commanded upon pain of Death whoever had this Spanish Child should forthwith return her to her Parents But notwithstanding the said Orders and this Penalty Captain Manly retained his Captive so much was he taken with the incomparable Beauty of Izabella for so was this Child called In fine the Parents remained sad and disconsolate for their loss and the Captain wonderfully pleased carried her to London and presented her to his Wife as the richest and best Prize he had taken in that Expedition It happened that the Captains Family tho they openly appeared to be of the Queens Religion were in secret Roman Catholics of this number was his Son Ferdinando then aged about twelve years being instructed by his Parents firmly to adhere to the Roman Catholick Religion Captain Manlys wife took so great a kindness to Izabella that she gave her the best Education she could have done to her own and onely Daughter she taught her to Read and Write more than indifferently well and all things commendable in a Gentlewoman she danc'd and play'd well upon several sorts of musical Instruments and when she sung to any of them it charm'd and inchanted all that heard her Time and good Usage made our young Captive endure with patience the loss of her Liberty Parents and Country she did not however so wholly forget them but that she often sigh'd and lamented her condition and altho she learnt to speak English she did not forget her Native Language for the Captain took care to bring secretly to his House divers Spaniards to discourse with her so that not forgetting Spanish she spoke English as if it had been her native Tongue All these good Qualities accompanied with an excellent Humor caus'd love in Ferdinando for whom also she had a great Esteem as being the Son of her Patron At first he loved her as a Sister his desires tending no farther he took great pleasure in being in her Company to admire her extraordinary Endowments and incomparable Beauty As she increased in Age so did she also in Perfections She was now twelve years old when Ferdinando fell desperately in Love with her and the good will he had for her changed itself into a desire of possessing and enjoying her not that he hoped to arrive at this felicity by any other way but by making her his Wife neither would he if he might for he being a Person of Honour and having such an esteem for her never harboured a thought unworthy of himself and her He Was a thousand times about to declare his Intentions to his Parents but as oft chang'd his mind knowing their intentions to marry him to a Scotch Lady of a noble Family and very Rich and believing they would not consent he should marry a Slave if that appellation be proper to Izabella when they had provided a Gentlewoman for him Being thus doubtful and not knowing which way to turn himself he led a painful and troublesom Life nay he wanted but little to lose it but reflecting that 't was a great weakness to let himself dye without attempting some remedy he at last took heart and resolved to declare his mind to Izabella All the Family were much afflicted for Ferdinandos sickness especially his Parents he being their only Child The Fysicians could make nothing of his Disease and he would not nay he durst not discover the cause but at last he resolved to to break through all difficulties and one day when Izabella came to visit him seeing her alone with a weak and trembling voice he spoke to her after this manner Most beautiful Izabella you have brought me into this condition if you do not desire that I should finish my life in unexpressible torments have pity on me and conform your will to mine I humbly desire to have you for my Wife without the knowledge of my Parents because I fear that they not knowing your merits so well as I do should deny me that boon which I more desire than life itself If you vouchsafe to give me your promise to be my wife I from henceforward as a true Catholick and a man of Honour give you mine to be yours Nor will I desire any further Favour from you till I have my Parents and the Churches Blessing I 'll satisfie my self in the mean time with hopes and this will be sufficient to restore me to my health and to make me contented till I attain to the highest pitch of felicity the lawful Enjoyment of my dearest Izabella While Ferdinando spoke this Izabella was very attentive and fix'd her Eyes upon the ground shewing by that posture that her Descretion was not inferior to her Beauty nor her Honesty to her Prudence and perceiving he had done speaking she answered in these Words Since my propitious or malevolent Stars for I know not to which to attribute it have taken me from my Parents noble Ferdinando and alotted me to live with yours being obliged by the many Courtesies and infinite Favours they have shewed me I determined that my Will should never vary from theirs If therefore with their
the day appointed he did not only come but he was pleased to read the Office of Matrimony himself and to joyn them with his own hands which they took for an extraordinary Favour for this he did in the presence of of the principal Persons of that rich and famous City Ferdinando made an excellent Husband and Izabella an exemplary Wife and they lived together with such mutual conjugal Affection that they were envied and admired by all Thus Izabellas Parents recovered their Daughter and she her Beauty her Father gained a greater Estate than he had lost and paid all his Debts without any Composition and his Credit was greater than ever The fair Palace which till then they only hired now they purchased of Don Piedro de Zifuentes a Gentlemen of Burgos in which they lived in great Esteem and Veneration at the time of writing this Novel The End of the First Novel THE Liberal Lover NOVEL II. OH the sad Ruines of miserable Nicosia scarce yet dry from the Blood of your valiant and unfortunate Defenders Why have you no Resentment Why cannot we two in this solitude intermingle our Complaints and bemoan our hard Fates that each of us having a Companion in our Miseries they may seem more tolerable One day your Towers which are now equal with the Earth may be built again but Wretch that I am what Relief can I hope for in the miserable Straits wherein I am immerst How can I return to the same Condition wherein I was before this Calamity fell upon me My lot is very hard I was unhappy in Liberty and am so in Slavery without hope of mending my Condition These lamentable Words were uttered by a Christian Slave who from the top of a neighbouring Mountain contemplated the Ruines of Nicosia Thus did he talk to them as if they were capable of understanding making comparison of their Miseries with his a thing usual in afflicted Persons who transported with their Imaginations frequently speak things not agreeable to Reason and sound Judgment In that instant a young Turk of good Stature and Presence came out of one of the four Tents which were then pitc'd upon that place and drawing near to the Christian thus bespake him I dare hold a wager Friend Ricardo for this was the Slaves Name that your ordinary Thoughts have brought you to this place 'T is true answered the Slave but what good does it do me let me go where-ever I please I can no where find any Truce or Repose and the Ruines which I see from hence double my Sorrows You mean said the Turk those of Nicosia What other could I mean replied the Slave have we any other before our Eyes In truth said the Turk you have reason to lament if you enter into those Contemplations for whoever had seen two years ago the famous and rich Island of Cyprus in its Tranquility and its Inhabitants who enjoyed all that human Felicity could aspire to should see them now some forced out of the Country some made Slaves how is it possible with dry Eyes to behold their Calamity But let 's leave these things as they are it being not in our Power to remedy them and speak of your concerns and try whether I can be serviceable to you in bettering them I pray you by the good will I bear to you and by the tie of our Country wherein we were born and educated that you would declare to me the cause of your excessive Sadness for altho Captivity alone is sufficient to dull the cheerfullest Soul in the World yet I believe the stream of your Disgraces is derived from another Fountain for valiant and generous Souls as yours is will not let themselves be so much cast down by common Misfortunes but there must be something extraordinary which has this effect upon you This I believe because I know that you are not so poor but you can easily purchase your Liberty besides you are not kept close as a considerable Slave in the Dardanelli who late if ever recover their Liberty so that your ill Fortune not being so great as to take from you all hopes of seeing your self free yet since it does so overwhelm and oppress you as your Lamentations evidence you ought not to wonder if I imagine that your Trouble proceeds from some other Cause I therefore again supplicate you to discover it to me and I promise to do my utmost to procure your Ease for who knows but Fortune has forced me to wear this Habit which I abhor to put me in a Condition to serve you You know Ricardo that my Patron is Cady of this Territory which is the same thing as a Bishop amongst Christians you know also what Interest and Authority he has and how much I can prevail with him and besides 't is well known to you with what ardent desire I wish not to die in the Religion which I appear at present to profess I cannot believe but that I shall in a short time confess and publickly own the Christian Faith from which my want of years and judgment have hitherto separated me tho this Confession should cost me my Life I should esteem it well lost to save my Soul From what I have said I would have you understand and consider that my Friendship may stand you in some stead and that to know what Remedies or Comforts may lighten the weight of your Disgraces it is necessary that you discover the Cause as a sick Man tells his Malady to his Fysician I assure you I will deposite it in Secrecy and Silence Ricardo hearkened to him with great Attention and being obliged to answer by these kind Words and his Need of him he replied thus As you have hit upon the cause of my Misfortune Friend Mahomet for so that Turk was call'd if you could also find a Remedy to it I should esteem this my Captivity the greatest Felicity in the World But alas my Condition is such that every one may know from what Cause it proceeds yet none can make it more Easy I do not say Remedy it That you may be satisfied that this is true I will declare it with as much brevity as I can But before I enter into the intricate Labyrinth of my Misfortunes I would desire you to inform me why Assan Bassa my Patron has pitch'd his Tents in this Plain and did not enter into Nicosia where he as Bassa is to reside I will give you Satisfaction in a few Words replied Mahomet It is the Custom of the Turks who go Bassas into any Province not to enter the Capital City before his Predecessor comes out and when this New Bassa is enter'd the Old one stays in the Field expecting the Event of the Informations which will be made against him for Mis-government which are put in in his absence least he should suborn or bribe Witnesses in his Favour After these Informations are made they are written in Parchment folded up and sealed and deliver'd to the New
they were fill'd with unspeakable Pleasure the greatest that can arrive to Men in this Life to return to their native Country safe and in good health after a long and miserable Captivity or if there is any Joy comparable to this 't is that of a Victory obtaind over an Enemy There was in the Galley a Chest of Banners and rich Silks of various Colours with which Ricardo adorned his Galley A little after break of day they found themselves within two Miles and an half of Trepany towards which they sail'd with a quarter Wind making great Acclamations and Shouts of Joy In a moment the Port was full of People which came thither from the City in which there was scarcely one left who did not come to the shoar because they had seen the Vessel so gloriously equipp'd approach the land A little before Ricardo prevailed with Leonisa to dress her self as she was when the Jew brought her into the Bassas Pavilion he having a mind to put a pleasant Trick upon her Kindred That she did and adding Pomp to Pomp and Pearls to Pearls and Embelishments to Beauty which set it off the better and augmented the Pleasure of the Beholders so that it caused a new and marvellous Admiration in the Spectators In like manner Ricardo and Mahomet and all the Christian Rowers were in the Turkish Garb which they easily might be for the slain Turks had left them Cloaths more than suffic'd for that purpose 't was about seven a Clock when they reached the Port and the Heaven was so clear as if had a mind to see that joyful entry Ricardo before he cast Anchor in the Haven discharged the Artillery of his Galley and two Falconets which were the chase Guns The City answer'd him with as many But when they were very near and they saw 't was a Turkish Vessel by the white Turbants which the seeming Moors wore they fear'd some Stratagem and presently stood to their Arms the Foot of the City drawing to the Port and the Cavalry extended it self upon the Sea Coast This effect which their fear caused afforded great pleasure to them who by little and little drew near then casting Anchor and pulling out a Bridge of Planks all at once they quitted their Oars and came out one by one on the Shoar as in a Procession and for Joy kissing the Earth many times they made the Spectators know that they were Christians who made their Escape The last that came out were the Father and Mother of Alima and her two Nevews dress'd like Turks as we have declar'd before and after them the fair Leonisa whose Face was cover'd with a Crimson Veil betwixt Ricardo and Mahomet This sight turn'd the Eyes of all the by-standers upon them and as the other had done defore they fell on their Faces and kiss'd the Earth Then the Governour of the City came to welcome them having understood that Ricardo and Leonisa were the principal Persons who arriv'd in that Galley he presently knew Ricardo and with open Arms run to embrace him There came also with the Governour Cornelio and his Father and the Father and Kindred of Leonisa and Ricardo all of them Persons of the best Quality in that City Ricardo embraced the Governour and gave obliging answers to his courteous Congratulations and grasp'd Cornelio by the Hand who when he knew him and finding himself held so fast chang'd Countenance and trembled with fear with the other Hand he took Leonisa and began thus to speak I pray you Gentlemen that before we enter into the City and the Church to return thanks to God for all his many and great Favours you would be pleas'd to hearken to what I have to say The Governour replied he might say what he pleas'd that they were all attentive Then he turn'd himself to the chief of them and lifting up his Voice he began in this manner I believe you may remember Gentlemen the disgrace that some Months since happen'd to me and Leonisa in the Gardens of Saline and also the diligence I used to procure her Liberty for neglecting mine own I offer'd for hers all my Estate yet this which has the appearance of Liberality ought not to be prais'd in me because I gave it to redeem my own Soul as to the particulars which happen'd to us both since 't is a Story that requires another time and a more convenient place and another Tongue not so disturb'd as mine Let it suffice that I tell you now that after various and strange Accidents and Despair ever to find Remedies to our Misfortunes it pleas'd the pitious Heaven altho' we did not deserve so great Favour to return us to our Native Countrey in Safety Health and loaded with Riches But the unparallell'd Pleasure which I enjoy proceeds not either from my Riches or my recover'd Liberty it only springs from that Joy which I imagine will fill the Heart of this my sweet Enemy not only to see herself free but to have before her Eyes the Object of her Love which stands there pointing to Cornelio But however I take my share in the common Joy which they feel who have bore me Company in Misery and tho it usually happens that Misfortunes and unhappy Successes change the Conditions and render the generous Souls vile and abject they had not however the same Power over me when I saw my self abandon'd of all my hopes for I have pass'd the Shipwrack of my Disadventures and funest Disappointments of my no less honest than ardent Importunities with the purest and unexpressible Integrity and have made that false that those who change Climates change their Minds From what I have said I would inferr that I offer'd for Leonisas Redemption all my Estate and I gave her my Soul and all my Desires I found a way to set her at Liberty in doing which I had greater respect for her than for my own Life and if for all these things which in another occasion might be look'd upon as Obligations I do not pretend that she is oblig'd to me I only intend that she should acknowledge herself beholden for what you shall see me do now This said he lifted up his Hand and with much Modesty and Reverence took off the Veil that cover'd the fair Face of Leonisa which appear'd with radiant Light as the Sun freed from a dark Cloud Ricardo continued his Discourse saying behold Cornelio I consign into your Hands a Pledge which you ought to esteem above all things And you oh beautiful Leonisa behold I give you him whom you preserv'd always in your Memory I would have this publish'd for a Liberality with which the gift of Estate Life or Honour is not to be compar'd Receive her oh Fortunate young Man receive her I say and if thou hast so much judgment to discern so great a Good call thy self the happiest Man that lives here below with her also I give thee my share of what Heaven hath bestow'd on us in this
Antonio went presently and brought some Sweet-meats of which she eat a little and afterwards drank a Glass of Water with which being refresh'd she proceeded and said sit down Gentlemen and be attentive they sate and she lay upon the Bed letting her Veil fall upon her Shoulders and discover'd her Head and her Face which appear'd like the Sun shining in its greatest Splendor The Tears fell from her beautiful Eyes like liquid Pearls bathing her Ivory Cheeks which she wip'd with a white Handkerchief and such a Hand that 't was impossible to know whether it or the Handkerchief were whitest In fine after many Sighs with which she a little quieted her afflicted Heart she thus began I am Gentlemen one whom without doubt you have heard much of for there are few Tongues which have not publish'd the Fame of my Beauty tho perhaps without reason In one word I am Cornelia Sister of and perhaps in these few words I have declar'd two Truths the one of my Nobility and the other of my Beauty From a Child I remain'd subject and under the Guardianship of my Brother being an Orfan he left me to the Government of my own Honesty in which he put more confidence than in his vigilancy Finally at home and in solitude accompanied only with my Maids my Years increased and with them also the Fame of my Beauty which being spread about as well by the Servants of the House as by a Picture which my Brother caus'd a Famous Painter to draw to that end as he said That the World should not be wholly depriv'd of me after I had pass'd to a better Life tho this had not been enouf to ruin me if the Duke of had not done the part of a Father in giving a Cousin of mine at a Wedding whether my Brother carried me thinking thereby to honour my Relation There I saw there was I seen and as I believe captivated the Minds and subjugated the Wills of divers Gentlemen there I first felt the pleasure of Praise altho proceeding from lying and flattering Tongues there in one word I saw the Duke and he me which sight has brought me to the Condition wherein I am I will not tell you Gentlemen for fear I should appear talkative the Means and Inventions by which the Duke and I at the end of Two Years brought the Designs to their desired end which took their beginning from this Wedding For neither Guards nor Shutting me up nor kind Admonitions nor Threats all which my Brother made use of nor any other humane Diligence was sufficient to hinder our coming together he gave me his Promise and Solemn Engagement to be my Husband without which it had been impossible for him to have obtained his End I desired him a thousand times to ask me of my Brother for it was certain he would not refuse him and take no heed what the People should say he Married below his Condition For the Nobility of my Family was not inferiour to his to which he answer'd with many Excuses which I allow'd so that Reason could no longer defend me against Love I render'd my self to his importunity by the perswasion of one of my Maids who was more wrought upon by the Dukes Presents than by the Duty she ow'd my Brother Some Days after I found my self with Child and before that my Cloaths should make manifest the Liberty I had taken to give it no worse a Name I feign'd my self sick and prevail'd with my Brother to remove me to the House of my Cousin whom the Duke gave in Wedlock when I let her know in what a Plight I was and the Danger I was in if my Fault should come to the Ears of my Brother we agreed that the Month before I expected to be deliver'd to give the Duke Notice to come with a Band of his Friends and take me thence and carry me to his own House and publickly own me for his Wife This was the Night appointed and whilst I was expecting him I perceiv'd my Brother pass by with many others and I thought I heard the clashing of Swords which put me into such a Fright that I presently fell in Labour and brought forth a Son This Servant my Confident dress'd the Child and gave it at the Door as she told me to one of the Dukes Servants shortly after dressing my self with great haste as well as I could I came out of the House forced by the incumbent necessity of my Affairs which I ought not to have done before I had been certain of the Dukes being come but the fear which my armed Brother and his Company had put me into believing that now his Sword was upon my neck took away my Reason and in this Fright like a Mad-Woman I ventured into the Street and what succeeded to me there you know And tho I find my self without my Son and without my Husband and still fearing some worse Misfortune yet I cannot but thank Heavens who made me fall into your Hands from whom I hope what can be expected from the known Courtesie of Spaniards and particularly of that which your Noble Aspects gives me assurance of saying this she fell down upon the Bed and the two Gentlemen drawing near to her to see whether she was in a Swoon or not saw that she wept bitterly Then Don John spoke thus to her If hitherto Madam Don Antonio and I have had Compassion of your Fate seeing you to be a Woman and now knowing your Quality that Compassion is become an Obligation Take heart Madam be not afraid and altho you are not accustom'd to such Accidents shew your self to be what you are by your Patience and Constancy in supporting these your Afflictions I am confident that these your strange Adventures will have a happy end for Heaven will never suffer so great Beauty illustrated with such admirable Accomplishments to be a Prey to Disgraces Go to Bed Madam and take care of your self there shall be nothing wanting on our Parts Our Maid shall wait upon you whom you may confide in as much as in ourselves she shall keep your Secrets and obey punctually all your Commands Since 't is your pleasure Gentlemen replied the Lady let her come in she must of necessity be good because she is given me by your hands but I desire that no Person besides her may be permitted to see me It shall be so answer'd Don Antonio and left her Then Don John bid the Maid go into the Chamber and take with her the Babe dress'd in the rich Cloaths She went in being instructed how to answer what Questions the Lady should put to her When Cornelia saw her Come hither said she come hither in a good hour give me the Child and bring the Candle nearer to me The Maid did so and Cornelia took the Babe in her Arms looking attentively upon it and seem'd much disturb'd and said Tell me Sweet heart is this the same Child which you shew'd me 'T is
curtesie forc'd it upon me I promis'd my self that no body could accommodate this business better or so well I desire you Signor to tell me what you know of this matter and whether the Gentleman's story is true or not Ah dear Sir replyed the Duke I have not the forehead to deny it if I had a mind I have neither deceived nor carried away Cornelia altho I understand she is not at her lodgings now I say I have not deceived her for I account her my Wife I have not carried her away neither do I know where she is and if I have not celebrated my Marriage publicly it is I wait 'till my Mother who is now in the confines of great Age and designs to marry me to a Princess passes to a better life and for other causes perhaps more efficacious than this and which 't is not convenient now to declare It is true that that very night when you so valiantly defended and succour'd me I design'd to have carryed off Cornelia because the time was come when the Pledge she had received of me was ready to be brought to light But when I enquired for Cornelia I was told she was gone out after having been delivered of the beautifullest Boy in the world which Sulpitia put into the hands of one of my Servants whose name is Fabio Sulpitia is she you see there and Fabio is also here but we know not where Cornelia or the Child are I stay'd in Bolognia two dayes to inform my self what was become of them but could get no intelligence But Signor said Don John if Cornelia and the Child should appear would you own her to be your Wife and the Child to be your Son With all my Heart reply'd the Duke for tho I value my self as a Cavaleer I esteem it more to be a Christian besides Cornelia deserves to be a Queen would to God I could see her for whether my Mother live or dy the world shall know how much I love her and that the faith I plighted to her in secret I will publicly observe Will you please then Signor to say so much to her Brother I am displeas'd said the Duke he should be so long without knowing it Then Don John made a sign to the Bolognese Gentleman that he should alight and come to them which he did far from expecting the good entertainment he found The Duke stept forward to embrace him and the first word which he spoke to him was Brother The Gentleman knew not what to answer to so sweet a compellation and so courteous entertainment being in a great confusion and before he was recovered out of it Don John began to speak Sir said he the Duke confesses he has had secret conversation with your Sister he owns also that she is his lawful Wife and what he says here he will say publicly when there shall be occasion he grants that four Nights ago he design'd to carry her from her Cousins house into his Dominion and to celebrate his Nuptials which he is oblig'd to delay for most just reasons he has acquainted me with He says moreover that coming from the Skirmish he had with you in search of Cornelia he met with Sulpitia her woman which is she you see there who gave him to understand that about an hour before Cornelia had brought forth a Son which Sulpitia had given to one of his Servants and that Cornelia believing the Duke was come for her went out of the house fearing what had happen'd might come to your knowledge Sulpitia thinking she gave the Babe to one of the Dukes Servants gave it to another Cornelia appears not but when she shall he says he will own her for his Wife Now Gentlemen consider is there any thing more to be said or desired than to have found two so rich and so dear pledges Then the Gentleman answer'd My Lord and Brother my Sister and I could not expect less than that it has pleas'd your Generosity to favour us both with in making her your Equal and me a Relation to your Noble Family at saying this the Duke and the Bolonese Gentlemans Tears stood in their Eyes one for having lost his Wife the other for having found so good a Brother but considering it was weakness to shew such tender sentiments they retain'd their Tears They were in this posture when Don Antonio de Izunza whom Don John knew at a distance by his cropt Horse drew near to them and seeing the Horses of Don John and Cornelias Brother held by their Servants at some distance from them he stopt not knowing which was the Duke and inquir'd of the Dukes Servants who that Cavaleer was pointing at the Duke discoursing with the other two answer was made him that it was the Duke of which put him into so great a confusion that he knew not what to do But Don John perceiving it call'd him by his Name seeing them all a foot he dismounted and walking towards them was receiv'd courteously by the Duke whom Don John had inform'd that he was his Comrade In short Don John told him what had succeeded betwixt the Duke and him Don Antonio receiv'd the News with much Joy and said to Don John Why do you not render this Joy compleat communicating to them the good News that Cornelia and the Child are safe in your Custody I would have done so answer'd Don John if you Signor Don Antonio had not arriv'd so opportunely now I 'll leave it to you As the Duke and his new Brother heard them speak of finding Cornelia and of good News they ask'd what it was What can it be else answer'd Don Antonio but that I will make a happy Catastrofe to this Tragedy by telling you that Signora Cornelia and the Child are now at my House telling all the particulars before-mention'd in which they took so much gusto and pleasure that the Bolognese Gentleman embrac'd Don John and the Duke Don Antonio offering them his Estate and Life for such happy News Then they call'd the Maid who gave away the new born Babe at the Door to Don John but when she saw Cornelias Brother she trembled for fear They ask'd her whether she knew the Man to whom she gave the Child she answer'd no but that she ask'd whether Fabio was there and was answer'd yes upon which words she gave it him It is true replied Don John and you presently after giving me the Child and bidding me take care to lodge it safely suddainly return'd and lock'd the Door It was so Sir answer'd she weeping Maid 't is no time to weep now replied the Duke but to laugh and be joyful I 'll return to Bolognia without going to my House tho it is so near for all these are but shadows of Content till Signora Cornelia with her Presence makes them real Then all of them by a common Consent turn'd towards Bolognia Don Antonio went before to give Cornelia Notice least the unexpected appearance of the Duke and
her Brother might put here into a Fit But not finding her and the Pages not being able to tell him any News of her he became the most sorrowful Man in the World and finding the Servant missing also he imagin'd that by her means Cornelia had chang'd her Lodgings the Pages told him That the Maid went away the same Day he set out and as for the Gentlewoman they never saw her since This unexpected Accident put Don Antonio into a great Confusion fearing the Duke should think he had impos'd upon him or imagine something worse which might redound to his and Cornelias dishonour He was in this perplexity when the Duke Don John and Cornelias Brother enter'd having left the rest of their Company without the City They found Don Antonio sitting in a melancholy posture leaning his Cheek upon his Hand and as pale as Death Don John ask'd him What ill had befaln him and where Cornelia was What ill has not befaln me he replied since Cornelia does not appear she went away with the Maid the same Day we set out The Duke and the Brother of Cornelia were ready to sink down hearing this they were so troubled and full of confusion In the interim a Page whisper'd Don Antonio in the Ear Sir said he Santo Stefano Don Johns Page from the Day you went hence has kept lock'd up in his Chamber a handsome Gentlewoman whom I heard him call Cornelia This News disturb'd him much more and he desir'd rather that Cornelia should never have been seen more than found in such a place for he believ'd 't was she whom the Page conceal'd he said nothing but went up softly to the Pages Chamber and finding the Door lock'd drawing near to it he said in a low voice Open the Door Signora Cornelia and come down to receive your Brother and the Duke your Husband who are come to give you a visit You think I warrant you replied the Woman in the Chamber you jeer me but I 'll have you know that I have not so bad a Face but that Dukes and Counts Mouths water at me By these words Don Antonio was convinc'd that it was not Cornelia as he unjustly suspected In the mean while Santo Stefano came up to his Chamber and finding Don Antonio at the Door who demanded the Key of him the Page kneeling at his Feet with the Key in his Hand said Sir your absence or to speak truer my wickedness has made me bring hither a Woman and keep her these three last Nights I beg of you Sir not to tell my Master and I 'll bring her out presently And what is your Womans Name said Don Antonio The Page answer'd Cornelia The other who had discover'd this Fact of Santo Stefano came down to the Rome wherein the Duke Don John and the Bolognese were crying out Oh brave Page you 'll pay dear for your Pleasure with Signora Cornelia you lock'd her up and wish'd our Masters absence long that your Pleasure might continue The Bolognese Gentleman hearing these words cried out Page what is that you said where is Cornelia She is above replied the Page Scarce was this spoke but the Duke who heard it runs up Stairs to see Cornelia believing she was found and going into the Chamber where Don Antonio was Where is Cornelia said he where is my Life Here Cornelia is said a Woman in the Bed wrapt up in the Sheets and hiding her Face and proceeded What a stir do you make is it a new thing and to be wonder'd at that a Page should lye with a Woman The Bolognese Gentleman who was present at this Farce with great dispight and wrath lays hold of one of the ends of the Sheet and pulls it and the Bed-cloaths off discovering a young Wench handsome enouf who for shame covering her Face with her Hand and reaching her Cloaths with the other which were under her Head and serv'd for a Pillow there being no other which discover'd her to be a Two penny Harlot The Duke ask'd whether her Name was Cornelia she answer'd yes and that she had many honourable Relations in that City The Duke was confounded imagining the Spaniards had put a Trick upon him But not to manifest this Suspition he mounted on Horse-back and went away being follow'd by the Bolognese without taking his leave and left Don John and Don Antonio in greater confusion but resolv'd to use all diligence to find Cornelia and assure the Duke of their veracity They put Santo Stefano out of their Service and turn'd out of Door the Harlot Cornelia Then it came into their Minds that they had forgot to tell the Duke of the Agnus and Crucifix of Diamonds which Cornelia had offer'd them fearing he might guess that they had them They went out to tell him this but he was not in the House of the Bolognese as they thought and from him they understood that the Duke without making any stay went his way desiring him to use his endeavours to find Cornelia They told him what they design'd to have acquainted the Duke with but he answer'd That he was well satisfi'd with their proceedings and that both of them attributed the flight of Cornelia to her fear and doubted not but to find her For 't was not credible the Earth had swallow'd her the Maid and her Son This afforded them some Comfort and because no body but her Cousin knew that she was missing they would not make it public but all secret ways of inquiry were made use of least Cornelias Honour should suffer by them who knew not the Dukes intention for 't is a hard thing to take away suspicions when they have taken a deep impression In the Dukes search good fortune conducted him to the house where they were Cornelia had inform'd the Curate of her affairs and desired his advice therein The Curate was an intimate Friend of the Dukes he was rich and a Virtuoso and his house was well furnished the Duke often visited him to see his Curiosities and enjoy his Conversation and for the pleasure he took in Hunting for which that place was convenient So that the Curate wonder'd not at all to see him for as we have said before 't was not the first time yet he was troubled to perceive by his countenance that some extraordinary Grief possessed his Soul Cornelia understood that the Duke was there and was extremely disturb'd wringing her hands and running from place to place as if she was mad because she knew not the reason that brought him thither she would have enquir'd of the Curate but he was taken up in entertaining the Duke who spoke thus to him I am come hither reverend Father very full of grief and for this night I intend to be your Guest for I have no mind to return to my house Pray bid Fabio send away the rest of my Servants I will have no body stay with me but him Which the Curate did and came to give order for Dinner which
do the same to a Country Gentlewoman of this Village which I design'd to leave for the Love of your Sister a great evidence of my Affection to her tho I could not do it with a safe Conscience Since then none can marry a Woman that is not to be found 't is not just I should search for her that flies me and endeavour to find one that hates me I think Sir this ought to satisfy you for a wrong I never did nor ever had in my Mind to do I desire therefore you will give me Licence to make good my first Promise to the Country Gentlewoman who is now in the House While the Duke spoke thus the Bolognese Gentleman chang'd his Colour a thousand times and could not sit still upon his Chair evident Signs that he was full of Indignation In the same Condition were the two Spaniards who resolv'd rather to loose their Lives than let the Duke do as he said He perceiving their Minds by their looks proceeded thus Quiet your self Sir and before you answer me I 'll try whether the Beauty which you shall see in her may oblige you to give me your permission to marry her she has a Beauty capable to excuse greater Errors than this Having said this he rose and went into Cornelias Chamber who that Day was richly dress'd and pompously adorn'd The Duke being gone out Don John stood up and leaning both his Hands upon the side of the Chair upon which the Bolognese sat he spoke thus in his Ear By St. James of Galitia and by the Faith of a Cavaleer I will as soon turn Moor as permit the Duke to do thus he shall die by my Hands or make good his Promise to Signora Cornelia or at least allow us so much time as we shall think sufficient to find her or till we are convinc'd she is dead I resolved so too answer'd her Brother and of the same Opinion is my Companion replied Don John In the midst of these their Resolutions Cornelia enters betwixt the Duke and the Curate who led her behind her follow'd Sulpitia whom the Duke had sent for to his Castle the Childs Nurse and the Spaniards Maid When the Bolognese saw his Sister and was certain it was she for at first he doubted it he ran to the Duke and in his haste his Legs crossing stumbl'd and fell at his Feet who rais'd him and put him into the Arms of his Sister Don John and Don Antonio told the Duke that he had put upon them the most surprizing most discreet and most grateful Trick in the World The Duke took the Child out of Sulpitias Arms and gave it to Cornelias Brother saying Take your Nevew and my Son What say you now Shall I have your leave to marry this Country Lady who was the first that I promis'd I shall never make an end if I should tell you Cornelias Brothers Answers to the Duke and his Questions to Don John and the Thoughts of Don Antonio the Jubilee of the Curate the Joy of Sulpitia the Gusto of the Maid that counsell'd Cornelias flight the Pleasure of the Nurse the Admiration of Fabio and in fine the Content of all Without loosing time the Curate married them and Don John gave Cornelia and they were all desir'd to keep it secret till the event of the Sickness of the Dukes Mother was known who lay desperate in the mean time Signora Cornelia and her Brother return'd to Bolognia soon after the Dutchess died and Cornelia made a public entrance into the Dukes City changing her Mourning into Wedding-Cloaths Sulpitia was married to Fabio and the other Women made rich and Don John and Don Antonio were well satisfied that they had been serviceable to Cornelia her Brother and the Duke who offer'd them two of his Cousins with great Portions but they answer'd That for the most part the Gentlemen of Biscay married amongst theirselves not that they slighted such a Relation for they would never be guilty of such a Fault but to observe the Custom of the Country and to be obedient to the Will of their Parents who it might be had already promised them for these Reasons they could not accept of this offer which they esteem'd a great Honour and for which they render'd him a Thousand and a Thousand Thanks He accepted of their Excuses and sought and found honourable ways of sending many Presents to them at Bolognia some of them very rich in such times and conjunctures as they could not be fairly refus'd which would at another season have look'd like Rewards especially those they presented them at their return into Spain and those the Duke gave them himself when they came to take their leave of his Highness at his own City where they found Cornelia a Mother of two Daughters and more than ever beloved by the Duke The Dutchess presented Don John with the Cross of Diamonds we have before mention'd and to Don Antonio the Agnus Dei who notwithstanding all their Excuses were at last forc'd to receive them They arriv'd in Spain and were there married with noble rich and beautiful Ladies and always preserv'd the Love and Kindness of the Duke and the Dutchess his Consort and the Friendship of her Brother to the general Content of all of them The End of the Fourth Novel THE Rival Ladies NOVEL V. ABout Twenty Miles from Sevil there is a Village call'd White-Castle into one of the Inns whereof about the close of the Day there arriv'd a young Gentleman mounted upon a beautiful Horse without a Servant who not staying to have his Stirrup held threw himself lightly off the Saddle The Host who was a diligent Person took notice of him but before he could come to him he was seated upon a Bench at the Inn-door and began to unbutton himself with great haste and presently let fall his Arms and gave manifest signs of swooning The Inn-keeper ran to him and throwing Water in his Face caus'd his Senses to return and he shew'd himself very much displeas'd to have been seen so disorder'd He began again to button his Coat and spoke to the Host to shew him a Chamber to lie down in and that he might have it wholly to himself if it were possible The Host answer'd That in his House there was but one which had two Beds in it and if another Guest should arrive he must accommodate him with one of them The Traveller answer'd I 'll pay for them both whether another Guest comes or not and put a Crown into his Hand The Host was contented and promis'd that no body else should have the void Bed or part of the Chamber altho the best Man in Sevil should come hither that Night The Host ask'd whether he would sup he replied no but desir'd him to take care of his Horse then calling for the Key of the Chamber and the Host carrying up the Portmanteau he went into it and lock'd himself in and set two Forms against the Door The
afford a sufficient Excuse for the Groans and Words which would not suffer you to sleep I pray and intreat you to do me one Favour since you cannot remedy my Misfortunes that you would afford me your Counsel how to shun the Dangers that theaten me and lessen the Fear wherein I am and facilitate the Accomplishment of what I so much desire and stand in so much need of He that heard this History staid a good while without returning any answer so long that she thought he was asleep and had heard nothing of what she had said so that to know whether she was in the right she said Are you asleep Sir if you are 't is not strange for when a miserable Person relates his Misfortunes to one who minds them not it creates sleep rather than compassion I sleep not Madam replied the Gentleman for I am so much awake and have such a sense of your Misfortune that I believe you have not a greater therefore I will not only give you the Counsel which you desire but will assist you to the utmost of my Power And altho from the manner you have observ'd in telling your Misfortunes it appears that your Intentions were honest and thence it follows that you were rather deceiv'd by your own Will than by the perswasions of Marc Antonio nevertheless I will excuse your Error laying it upon your youth and want of experience in the deceitful ways of men Quiet your self Madam and endeavour to sleep the rest of the Night when 't is Day I will give you Counsel which may afford some remedy to your sad Condition Theodosia thank'd him in the best terms she could invent and endeavour'd to sleep that he also might do the same But it was not possible for him to rest one moment but moving from one side of the Bed to the other found no place of ease and sigh'd and groan'd so loud that Theodosia ask'd him how he did and whether he felt any pain and whether she could do him any Service which she would willingly do in exchange of the Compassion and good Will he had shew'd to remedy her Afflictions The Gentleman replied You Madam are cause of this trouble which you perceive in me but you cannot remedy it for were it in your Power I should not be hopeless Theodosia did not understand the meaning of these confus'd words but she imagin'd he had some amorous thoughts and sigh'd so passionately for her that made her fear this was the convenience of the Chamber the solitude and the darkness and owning herself a Woman might provoke some dishonest thought in his mind For fear of which she began to dress herself with much haste and in great silence she girt her Sword and Poignard about her and sitting upon the Bed wish'd for Day which by little and little enter'd throw the holes and clefts of the Chamber as it is frequent in those poor Country Inns. The same that Theodosia had done the Gentleman did also and as soon as he saw Day-light he rose from the Bed saying Rise Signora Theodosia I will bear you Company not only this Day but till you have in your Arms your lawful Husband your Marc-Antonio or that either he or I have lost our Lives by this you may understand how much I am concern'd in your Disgrace and having said this he open'd the Door and Windows of the Chamber Theodosia rejoyc'd to see by Day light the Face of him with whom she had discours'd in the dark all Night but when she saw and knew him she could have wish'd that that Morning had never came or that her Eyes had been lock'd up in an eternal Night for scarce had she cast her Eye upon him but she found 't was her Brother the Man in the World she was most afraid of and not without reason at which sight she stood astonish'd confus'd silent and pale but at last gathering together her Spirits and making a Vertue of Necessity she took Counsel from her Danger and threw herself at her Brothers Feet holding the Poignard by the point spoke to him in a trembling interrupted voice Sir and Brother take this Dagger and revenge the Fault I have committed which is so great it cannot be pardon'd I confess my Error and do not pretend that my Repentance is a sufficient Excuse Only I pray let my punishment extend no farther than to my Life and not to my Honour which will pass for undefiled in the opinion of the World if the Chastisement you inflict upon me be secret In this posture she was with her Eyes fix'd upon her Brother and altho the rashness of her going away so secretly incited him to revenge yet the tender and passionate Words by which she accus'd her self were so prevalent with him that they mov'd him to compassion so that with a sedate and undisturb'd Countenance he rais'd her from the Ground and comforted her in the best manner he could telling her amongst other things that because he could not find a punishment proportionable to her crime he suspended it for the present and because it seem'd to him that Fortune had not precluded all the ways of remedy he would endeavour to procure it by all possible means esteeming the Injury done to himself by the reflection of consanguinity At these Words Theodosia began to recover her fainting Spirits the colour returned to her Face and her dying hopes took new Life Don Rafael for this was her Brothers Name would speak no more of what was pass'd but only bid her change the Name of Theodosia to that of Theodoro and said that he would go with her to Salamanca in search of Marc-Antonio altho he believ'd he was not there for he presum'd he being his Companion should have seen him unless the Conscientiousness of having wrong'd his Sister should make him avoid his Company The new Theodoro complied with her Brothers pleasure and in the mean time the Host coming in they order'd him to provide their Breakfast for they intended suddainly to be going Whilst Breakfast and their Horses were making ready there came in a Gentleman whom Don Rafael knew as did also Theodoro who because she would not be discover'd staid in the Room They embrac'd one another and Don Rafael demanded what News he brought from the Port of St. Mary He answer'd that at his coming thence he had left four Vessels ready to depart for Naples and that upon one of them he saw Marc-Antonio Adorno Son of Don Leonardo This News pleas'd Don Rafael who took it as a good omen he desir'd his Friend to change the Mule upon which he rid for his Horse telling him that he was going to Salamanca and that he was loth to harras so good a Horse He being an intimate Friend of Don Rafael was contented and undertook to carry back the Pad to Rafaels Father They two breakfast'd together but Theodoro by himself in another Room and the Gentleman went towards Casal where he had an Estate Don
he in the green is Marc-Antonio Saying this with great agility they leap'd upon the Ground and with Sword and Dagger thrust into the midst of the Combatants and plac'd theirselves one on the right hand and the other on the left of Marc-Antonio for it was he that was in green Doubt not Signor Marc-Antonio take Courage said Leonora for you have one by your side who will lay down his Life to defend yours Who doubts of that replied Theodoro since I am here Don Rafael who had seen and heard what his Sister and Leonora had done and spoke follow'd them and joyn'd himself to them Marc-Antonio being wholly taken up in defending himself and offending his Enemies minded not what they said fighting still and giving admirable proofs of his Valour But they who came out of the City encreasing every moment and charging those of the Gallies forc'd them to retire and even throw theirselves into the Sea Marc-Antonio retir'd also unwilling and slowly and by his side the new Bradamante and Marfisa In this exigent behold there arriv'd a Catalonian Gentleman of the famous Family of Cardona mounted upon a stately Horse who placing himself betwixt the two little Armies made those of the City retire out of respect they bore him but in their retreat they threw stones at those of the Gallies and it was Marc-Antonios ill fortune to be hit by one of them under the left temple with such force that it made him fall into the water which was as high as his knees Don Rafael was a little withdrawn to shun the stones which flew like Hail about him and designing to succour his Soul his Sister and his pretended Brother he stop'd before the Catalonian Gentleman who said to him Stand Sir by me I will secure you from the fury of the populace Good Sir replied Don Rafael let me pass for I perceive some there in great danger who are most dear to me The Gentleman let him go but before he could get thither Marc-Antonio and Leonora were put into the Boat of the Captains Galley for she would not part from him And Theodoro designing to embark with them whether it was by reason of his weariness or by the grief he felt to see Marc-Antonio wounded or because he saw his mortal Enemy with him he had not strength enouf to get into the Boat but in attempting it had fainted and fallen backwards into the water if he had not been presently assisted by his Brother who was as much griev'd as Theodoro that Leonora was with Marc-Antonio The Catalonian Cavaleer taking affection to the noble Presence of Don Rafael and his Sister whom he took for a Man call'd them from the shoar and desir'd them to go with him And they being forc'd by necessity and fear least the Mob which was not yet pacifi'd should return and assault them accepted his courteous invitation who dismounting and placing himself betwixt them with his Sword naked in his hand pass'd throw the Company desiring them to return to their houses which they did Don Rafael look'd all about to see Calvetto but could not find him For as soon as they had quitted their Mules he led them to an Inn where he us'd to lodge The Catalonian Cavaleer conducted them to his house which was one of the noblest Palaces in that City He enquir'd of Don Rafael in what Galley he came he answer'd in none but by Land and that he just arriv'd at the beginning of that Fray and that the Gentleman who was wounded was his intimate Friend and desir'd him that he might be brought into the City wounded as he was for his Content and Life depended upon Marc-Antonios recovery I will do it answer'd the Gentleman and I am sure the Captain General will not deny my request for he is a courteous Gentleman and my Kinsman this said he went thither presently and found Marc-Antonio under the Surgeous hand who was dressing his Wound which was very dangerous and obtain'd leave to have him to his house and being carried into a Boat and with him Leonora who follow'd him as the Pole of her hopes they landed him and the Gentleman in a Chair which he caus'd to be ready made him be carried to his house In the mean time Don Rafael sent to enquire after Calvetto who was found in the Inn very much concern'd what was become of his Masters but when he understood they had receiv'd no hurt he went chearfully to them when he saw coming into the Palace the Catalonian Gentleman Marc-Antonio and Leonora both which as also Don Rafael and his Sister were therein magnificently lodg'd and splendidly regal'd The Gentleman sent presently for a Surgeon one of the most expert of that City to dress Marc-Antonio again but he refus'd to do any thing till the next Day saying That the Surgeons of the Army and the Fleet who had great Experience in their Art by the many wounded that pass'd throw their hands every Day asserted that the first Plaister was not to be remov'd the same Day all that he did was to order them to put him to Bed in a good Chamber and leave him to rest In that instant arriv'd the Surgeon of the Gallies and gave an account to the other of the Wound and what he had apply'd to it as also the danger wherein the wounded Person was This assur'd the City Surgeon that Marc-Antonio had been well treated and he exaggerated the danger of his Wound Leonora and Theodoro heard these words with no less grief than if it had been the sentence pronouncing their Deaths Nevertheless Leonora resolv'd to do that which she thought necessary to save her Honour and as soon as the two Surgeons were gone she enter'd Marc Antonios Chamber and in the presence of the Master of the House Don Rafael Theodoro and divers other Persons she went to the Beds-head and taking him by the Hand spoke thus You are not in a Condition Signor Marc-Antonio to hearken to many words I therefore will use but few which if they do not conduce to the health of your Body yet they may to that of your Soul Pray Sir tell me whether you will give me leave to speak and will be attentive for I who from the first moment I knew you have made it my whole business to please you in this hour which I fear is your last would not be troublesome Marc-Antonio hearing these words open'd his eyes and fix'd them upon Leonoras face thinking he knew her both by her voice and countenance with a faint and weak voice answer'd say what you please Sir for I am not yet in so low a condition but I can hear you neither is that voice so disagreeable as to afford me any molestation Theodoro stood in great expectation and every word Leonora said pierc'd his heart like a sharp Arrow as it did also Don Rafaels who stood listning with equal attention Then Leonora thus proceeded If the Wound which you receiv'd on your head or
and he shall honour the face of the Notary or Scribe Ecclesiasticus A Notary is a public Person without whom the Office of a Judge cannot be well managed therefore they ought to be made out of free People and not out of Slaves Legitimate and not Bastards nor of infamous Blood They swear to be faithful and to keep secresy not to make any writing for usury that neither friendship or enmity loss or gain fear or hope shall make them swerve from exercising their Office with a good and a Christian Conscience If there are requir'd so many good Qualities to make them fit for it why should I believe that the Devil should have the Vintage of more than twenty thousand Notaries as there are in Spain as if they were all Vines of his own planting I will not believe this neither ought any body else I say in fine they are necessary in a well instituted Common-wealth and if they do often wrong they do more often right and that betwixt these two extreams there might be a mean to make them more considerate and circumspect He said he did not wonder that Sbirris or Serjeants should have so many Enemies their Office being to arrest and seize upon Persons to take away Goods from Debtors and keep them till they are condemn'd or absolv'd by Law and to eat and drink upon those wretched peoples cost He blam'd the negligence and ignorance of Proctors and Sollicitors comparing them to Fysicians who will be sure of their Fees whether the Patient recover or not so do they whether the Law-sute goes for or against their Clients One ask'd him which was the best Land He answer'd That which yields its Fruit in season and is largely grateful to the Husbandman That 's not my meaning replied the other I would know which is the best Vagliadolid or Madrid Of Madrid he answer'd the extremities and of Vagliadolid the middle part I understand you not said he who ask'd the questions To whom the Doctor replied of Madrid the Air and Soil are the best parts of Vagliadolid the Houses He said Musicians and Foot Messengers had their Hope and Fortune limited and that then it was compleat when one came to be a Courier or a Messenger mounted on Horseback and the other to be of the Kings Music Being one Day in a Church he saw an old Man buried a Child christened and a Woman married all at the same time upon which he said That the Church was the Field of Battle wherein old Men were buried and Children conquered and Women triumfed A Wasp stung him in the Neck he durst not shake it off for fear of breaking but he complain'd of the smart One ask'd him how 't was possible the sting of a Wasp could be painful to him who was Glass He replied that this was a Calumniator or Back-biter for the Tongues of such were able to pierce Bodies of Brass and much easier those of Glass In fine our Doctor spoke so many pleasant and ingenious things that if it were not for his crying out when any one came near him or touch'd him and for the habit he wore the manner of his diet and the way of his drinking and that he would never sleep in the Summer but in the Fields and open Air and in the Winter in Straw as we have declar'd before all which were evident Arguments of his Madness no body could have believ'd but that he had been one of the wisest Men in the World This infirmity of mind lasted a little more than two Years when one that had a peculiar faculty of curing Mad People undertook to restore him to his Senses and in a little time perform'd it and set him right and he perfectly recover'd his former Judgment Understanding and Discourse When he found himself cur'd he apparell'd him like a Doctor and resolv'd to return to the Court and there to give as many proofs of his Wisdom as he had of his folly thinking by practising the Law to make himself Famous Thither he went and call'd himself Doctor Ruota it pleasing him more than Rodascia he was scarcely arriv'd at the Court but the Pages and Boys knew him again but seeing him in a habit so different from what he used to wear they durst not cry out after him nor ask him questions but nevertheless they follow'd him saying one to another is not that the Fool Doctor Glass Upon my Life 't is the same and he is become Wise but yet he may be as much a Fool in these good Cloaths as he was in a poor Habit le ts ask him some questions to clear our doubt All this the Doctor heard and said nothing but he was more confounded and ashamed than when he was out of his Wits not only the Boys but the Men all knew him and before he got to the Council-Chamber he had got a Train at his Heels of more than Two Hundred Persons of all conditions with this Attendance which was much greater than us'd to accompany the Doctor of the Chair he arriv'd at the Council Chamber where they all made a Ring about him seeing so much Company he said with a loud voice Gentleman I am Doctor Glass but not the same that I was before I am now Doctor Ruota the Successes and Disgraces which befal Men by the permission of Heaven have taken away my Reason but the Mercy of God has restor'd it by what I said when I was a Fool you may guess what I shall say and do now I am of sound Judgment I have taken my Degree of Doctor of Laws in Salamanca without the help of the goods of Fortune so that 't is evident that Vertue and not Favour has elevated me I am come to the great Sea of the Court to plead and gain me a livelihood but if you will not let me be quiet I am come hither to get my Death I pray you not to follow and persecute me and that I may not loose that which I enjoy'd when I was a Fool now I am Wise I mean what is necessary to maintain my Life what questions you were pleas'd to ask me in the Streets come now and ask me in my House and you will see whether he that answer'd well ex tempore as 't is reported will do better after consideration They all heard him and some of them left him and he return'd to his House with his retinue something diminish'd The next day he ventur'd abroad and found the same entertainment he made another Speech to them but to no purpose he lost and spent much and gain'd nothing so that finding himself ready to starve he resolv'd to leave the Court and return to Flanders where he design'd to get a Living by his Sword which he found he could not do by his Learning and putting in effect his Resolution he said at his parting from the Court Oh Court which exalts the hopes of rash pretendents and depresses those of modest and vertuous Persons Thou entertain'st kindly
word in that small Cottage she exercis'd the whole Duty of filial Piety and Obedience The Marquess having occasion frequently to pass that way when he was Hunting and Hawking by chance fix'd his Eyes upon this poor Girle not with youthful Lasciviousness but with mature and considerate Gravity and perceiv'd in her greater Vertue than could be expected in her Sex and her Age which the obscurity of her Condition hid from the Eyes of the Vulgar which wrought such an effect in him as to make him resolve to marry which till that time he was averse from and preferring her before all the rest of her Sex to marry none but her The Wedding-Day drew near but none of his Court could guess from what corner of the World the Bride should come In the mean time he order'd the Wedding Ring and Coronet and Scarves and rich Cloaths to be made the Taylor taking measure by another Woman who was near the same heighth and make with Grissel The Wedding-Day was come and no noise of the Bride was heard which increas'd the admiration of them all a great Dinner was provided and Dinner time was come and the Muscians were in readiness and the Palace richly set out and adorn'd the Marquess went out to meet his Bride accompanied with a great Train of Noble Men and Ladies Grissel knowing that to be the Wedding-Day rose earlier than ordinary that morning and fetch'd a Bucket of Water from a neighbouring Spring made clean her little House gave her old Father his Breakfast and having set in order her small Affairs dress'd herself in poor but clean Cloaths and in the Company of some other Maids of the same Condition and Village was going to the Palace to see the Ceremony The Marquess walking towards her House full of Thoughts saw her and calling her by her Name Grissel said he where is your Father She making a low reverence answer'd respectively and humbly If it please your Highness he is at home Bid him said the Marquess come to me presently she went and call'd him when the poor old Man was come the Marquess taking him by the Hand led him a little aside and with a low voice spoke thus to him Friend Janicola I know you Love and Honour me and that you are Honest and Loyal and I believe that what pleases me will not be unpleasant to you I have a mind to try you in one instance whether you will consent that I should marry your Daughter and of your Prince become your Son The old Man was struck with such amazement at his unexspected Question that he almost lost his Senses and was scarce able to speak but at last being a little recover'd he answer'd with a broken and disturb'd voice I ought not said he will or refuse any thing but what shall please your Highness who are my Lord and Master Let us go into a private Room and send for her said the Marquess and when only we three are together that I may ask her some Questions in your presence they two retir'd and order'd Grissel to be sent for whom they found expecting when her Father would come out and admiring what the Marquess's business should be with him but her admiration was increas'd when she understood that she was sent for to go to them As soon as she was enter'd Grissel said the Marquess it is my Will and I have your Fathers Consent that you should be my Wife and I believe you will not be against it but I must ask you some Questions before we are married which shall be presently Are you prepar'd and resolv'd willingly to do whatever I shall order you And that your Will shall never vary from mine in any thing and whatever I have a mind you shall do you shall perform willingly without the least grumbling or any shew of dislike in your Words and Countenance These Words made her tremble from top to toe but collecting up her Spirits I acknowledge my self said she my Lord and Master altogether unworthy of this Honour but if it is your Pleasure and my Fortune I vow that I will never knowingly do or think any thing which shall be against your mind neither will I think ill of whatsoever you shall do tho it be to take away my Life It is enouf said the Marquess I am contented then taking her by the Hand he led her out and shew'd her to the Nobles and the great Concourse of People of all Conditions who were congregated there to see the Wedding This is my Wife said the Marquess Respect Reverence and Love her and shew your dutiful Affections to her as you hope to have me Loving and Gracious to you Afterwards he commanded That she should be strip'd to her Skin and carry no reliques of her former Condition into her new Habitation 't was done and she was dress'd from Head to Heel in new Apparel which was done by the Ladies of the Court every one striving who should be most forward in obeying the Marquess's Command they took her into their Arms and heartily express'd their Joy for her exaltation to this Degree of Honour they put her into a Bagnio wash'd her clean pour'd upon her Oyl of Jessamin and Mirtle and other sweet Perfumes they cleans'd comb'd powder'd and curl'd her Hair took off her patch'd Cloaths and habited her with new ones rich costly embroider'd and fashionable They adorn'd her with Ribbands and Jewels so that when the People saw her again they could scarce believe it was the same the Marquess caus'd a Coronet to be put upon her Head and a Ring upon her Finger and solemnly espous'd her and setting her upon a snow white Horse made her be conducted with Pomp to the Palace a great Concourse of People following and applauding her After this manner was the Wedding celebrated and the Day ended with all possible demonstrations of Joy In a little time there appear'd so much Grace and Majesty in this poor and humble Bride that she seem'd to have been Born and Bred in some great Court and not in a poor Shepherds Cottage and 't is beyond belief how dear she was to all and what Respect and Veneration was paid her and even those who knew her Original could scarcely perswade theirselves that she was Janicolas Daughter so eminent were her Life and her Manners so grave and graceful was her Speech so modest and obliging her Behaviour her Fame was not confin'd to Piedmont and Savoy but extended it self to all the bordering Countries so that many came from Provinces at a great distance to have a sight of her of whom they had heard so much And the Marquess was so far from being blam'd for making Choice of this poor but vertuous and illustrious Wife that all his Neighbours esteem'd him not only a Wise but a Happy Prince enjoying such a firm Peace at home and the Love and Favour of all the confining Princes neither did his prudent Wife mind only what belongs to Women and
not to trust either my Words or Actions yet I doubt not but to carry my self in such manner that you shall be convinc'd that you had no reason to harbour any such distrust And tho' you will not admit of my help either by Counsels or Actions yet I will not fail to do what is convenient for me and what I shall believe conducible for your good There is no Person in all this Countrey who has more Interest than my Master the Cady your Patron tho' he is Bassa of Cyprus can never have so much This being granted for Truth as it is I may say without vanity that I am the Man of the greatest Power in this City because I can do what I please with the Cady I tell you this that if we can find any opportunity to make you his Slave and so we both being in one House time will instruct us what we ought to do as well to comfort you if you will accept of it as also that I may turn to a better Life or at least in some part that when I loose it my Soul may be secure I heartily thank you replied Ricardo for the Favour you offer me yet I believe all that you can do will be to no purpose Nevertheless for the present let 's leave off this Discourse and go to the Tents for I perceive a great number of People coming out of the City without doubt the Bassa is coming into the Field to leave the entry free for my Patron to take possession of the place of his Residency You are in the right said Mahomet Let 's go for I doubt not but you will be pleas'd to see the Ceremonies which the Bassas use on that Occasion withal my heart replied Ricardo perhaps I may have need of your Interest with the Guardian of the Slaves of my Patron who is a Renegado and an unmerciful Corsican who may treat me ill finding me discoursing with you Thus their Converse ended and they arriv'd at the Tents in the same time when the Bassa was come thither and his Patron went to the entrance of the Padiglion to receive him Ali Bassa for that was the Name of him who quitted the Government of the City accompanied with all the Janisaries who made up the Garrison of Nicosia to the number of Five Hundred who had been there ever since the Turks took it march'd in two Bodies one with Harquebusses and the other with naked Scymitars in their Hands to the Tent where Assan the New Bassa was and made a Guard round about him then Ali Bassa bowing low made a great Reverence to Assan and he with a lesser bow re-saluted him then presently Ali enter'd into Assans Padiglion who immediatly mounted a stately Horse richly equipp'd and after having waited upon him round his Tent and a good part of the way towards the City with Acclamations and Applause crying out in their Language God save Sultan Solyman and Bassa Assan They repeated these words many times crying louder and louder till he arrived at his Tent where Ali Bassa waited for him within that Tent the Two Bassas and the Cadi staid above an hour Mahomet told Ricardo that they were lock'd in there to treat concerning what was to be done in the Reparations of the City which were began by Ali Bassa Then the Cady came to the entrance of the Padiglion and cried with a loud voice in the Turkish Arabic and Greek Language That all those who had any Complaint against Ali Bassa might have free access because Assan Bassa whom the Grand Signior had constituted Bassa of Cyprus was there ready to hear them and do them all Justice This leave being granted the Janisaries left the Passage free that whosoever pleas'd might enter Mahomet took with him Ricardo for he might go in being Assans Slave Some Christian Greeks and some Turks demanded Justice but their Complaints were of so little Importance that they were soon dispatch'd by the Cady without the trouble of making Acts or writing the Interrogatories and Answers for amongst the Turks all Causes except those which concern Matrimony are determined upon the spot according to the Judgment and Conscience of the Cady rather than by any Law For amongst those Barbarians the Cadi or if you please you may call him the Bishop is Supream Judge of all Causes and Differences which he summarily decides and without delays as he thinks fit and from his Decree there is no appealing to any other Tribunal Then there enter'd a Chiaus which is with us a Commander and after him an ancient Jew leading a young Maid richly dress'd after the Moorish Fashion the richest Lady of Fess or Morocco who much exceed the rest of the Africans even the Algerines who are adorn'd with so many Pearls could not appear in a better Garb her Face was cover'd with a crimson Velvet Veil she wore upon her Legs and Insteps which were a little discover'd Bracelets of Gold and on her Arms two such enamell'd and set with Pearls which she wore under a fine transparent Smock easily to be seen in fine her Garments were rich fashionable and becoming The Bassa and the Cady were astonish'd at the first appearance of her but before they ask'd any questions they commanded the Jew to lift up the Veil that they might see the Christians Face he did so and discover'd a Countenance which dazled the Eyes and rejoyced the Hearts of the by-standers as when the Sun after having been obscur'd with a black Cloud shews himself to the Eyes of those that desire to see his Splendor so exquisite was the Beauty and the Grace and the Behaviour of that Christian Slave But Ricardo penetrated furthest into that marvellous Light as one that knew it better than the rest for it was his Dear and Cruel Leonisa for whom so many times he had shed Rivers of Tears believing her dead Ali was struck through the Heart and quite overcome at the sight of the singular Beauty of that Christian neither was the Cady exempted from the Wounds of those Eyes whereupon fixing his he appear'd as if he was without motion and more to express the Power of Love you must know that all at one time the three equal Rivals nourish'd a firm hope to obtain and enjoy her and without further enquiry when and how she came to be in the Jews possession they demanded what he would take for her The covetous Jew answer'd he would take no less than four Thousand Dubloons in Gold He had scarce set his Price but Ali told him he would give it and that he should come to his Tent and receive it But Assan who was resolv'd Ali should not have her tho' it cost him his Life replied that he would give for her the summe which the Jew demanded adding that he would not have profer'd this nor opposed Ali but that the Slave was too good for any but the Grand Signior and that he would therefore purchase her for his Highness Let me
see then if any one dares to be so bold as to take her from me I am that rash Person replied Ali for I bought her with the same Intention and it is fitter for me to make the Grand Signior this Present because I have convenience and opportunity to carry her presently to Constantinople and by her engratiate my self with his Highness and obtain a better Employment for having none now as you Assan know no Office I ought to look after one which is not your Case You being provided for three Years from this day whereon you begin to govern this rich Kingdom of Cyprus So that I being the first that offer'd the price there is all the reason in the World that you Assan should permit me to have my purchase without contestation Nay rather replied Assan it is most proper for me to send her and it will be more pleasing to the Grand Signior because I do it without design And whereas you pretend to have more commodious means for her Passage to Constantinople I will set forth an arm'd Galley mann'd with my own Souldiers and row'd with my own Slaves Ali was much insens'd hearing this and standing up and drawing his Scymitar said It being my Intention Assan to present this Christian to the Grand Signior and I being the first Buyer it is reasonable that you should lay down your Pretentions but if you will not with this Sword I will defend my right and chastise your temerity The Cady who heard their contest and was not less inamour'd with Leonisa being affraid to be deprived of her began to think how he might extinguish this Fire and make himself Master of the Christian Slave without giving any suspicion of his foul intention raising himself upon his Feet and interposing between the two concurrents who were also standing with their Swords drawn he said to them Keep the Peace you Assan and you Ali I can accommodate the differences so that both of you may have your design and the Grand Signior have the Slave They presently were obedient to the Cadys words which they would have been had the affair been of greater importance such respect do the Mahometans bear their Priests The Cady continued his Discourse in these words You say Ali that you will have the Christian to present her to the Grand Signior Assan says the same You alledge that she ought to be yours because you first proffered the price demanded for her Assan on the contrary for tho you spoke first it was at the same time in his mind without doubt both your intentions were born the same time because both of you resolv'd to buy the Slave for the same end 'T is true you have this advantage to have first declared your intention but such a precedence is not valuable enough to defraud him of his good intention I think I can make you both agree if you 'll stand to my arbitration The Slave shall belong to you both but the disposal of her depends upon the Grand Signior for whom she is bought Till we know that you Assan shall pay for your share two thousand Doubloons of Gold and you Ali the like sum and she shall be consigned into my hands that I may send her to Constantinople in both your Names and I also shall not be without some recompence for the expedient I have found out I proffer you to conduct her at my proper Charges with that decorum and respect due to the Person to whom she is sent I will also write to the Grand Signor an account what passed here and of the great desire which both of you shewed to his Highnesses service The two enamoured Turks could not and would not contradict what he said but with patience submitted to his Verdict Yet both of them were in hopes to procure Leonisa to themselves Assan who staid to be Bassa of Cyprus resolved to give so many presents to the Cady that being obliged and mollified by them he might deliver him the Slave and Ali trusted in a design which he was determined to put in execution So both thinking themselves secure of what they wish'd were easily brought to acquiesce in the Cadys advice and by a common consent they put the Christian into his hands and paid the Jew two thousand Doubloons each of them The Jew said he did not intend to part with her in those cloaths at that price for they were worth two thousand more And it was true for she had bound up in her hair of which one part was discheval'd upon her shoulders some in pleats upon her forehead strings of orient Pearl exceeding costly and she had Bracelets upon her hands set with Pearls she was in a garment of green Satin after the Turkish mode and richly embroider'd It appeared to them all that the Jew lost by selling them at that price And the Cady who would shew himself as liberal as the two Bassas told the Jew he would pay him that sum that he might present her to the Grand Signor in those Vestments The two Rivals approved of his design both of them believing that the Slave and furniture would fall to their share It remains now to tell Ricardos Sentiment having seen his Mistress sold I leave the Reader to imagine what and how many troublesom Thoughts tormented his Soul with what fears he was assaulted of loosing that Jewel again which he had but just now found he could not tell whether he was awake or in a dream he did not believe his own Eyes because it seemed to him an impossibility believing so firmly that she was dead Then turning to Mahomet he said do you not know her He reply'd I do not then know reply'd Ricardo that 't is Leonisa what says Richardo answered Mahomet that which Mahomet hears reply'd Ricardo Hold your Tongue then reply'd Mahomet and discover her not for fortune begins to favour you she is to be my Masters Slave Do you think convenient said Ricardo that I may place my self so that she may have a sight of me By no means answered Mahomet for fear of troubling her or your self and give some suspicion that you know each other for this may be very prejudicial to my design I will follow your advice reply'd Ricardo not to let my looks meet with hers who whilst this business was acting held her Eves upon the ground shedding some tears The Cadi accosted her and taking her by the hand delivered her to Mahomet and commanding him to conduct her into the City to his Wife and bid her treat her as a Slave of the Grand Signors Mahomet did so leaving Ricardo alone who with his Eyes followed his Star till the Walls of Nicosia like a cloud took her from his sight Afterwards the Cady demanded of the Jew where he bought that Slave he answered in the Isle of Pantalarea of some Turks who had suffered Shipwrack there and as he was going on with his narration some came from the Bassa to call him who desired to