wish that shee would speake whom she imagined might be her Mother for peradventure her cares would put her out of that doubt whereinto her cies had put her The Queene willed Isabella that she should speake Spainish to that woman and that man and they should tell her what was the cause that moved them not to accept and enioy that their libertie which Ricaredo had given them being that libertie is a thing above all other the dearest and best beloved not onely of reasonable creatures but of those that want it All this Isabella demanded of her Mother who without returning her any one word suddenly and halfe stumbling for haste came unto Isabella and without regarding respect feare or the Courtiers looking on her with her hand she lifted up Isabella's right eare and having there discovered a black mole which marke confirmed her suspition and plainely perceiving that it was her Daughter Isabella she could no longer containe her selfe but embracing her cried out aloud saying Oh Daughter of my heartâ— Oh deare pledge of my soule and not being able to utter a word more her speech fayling she fainted and fell into a swound in Isabella's 〈◊〉 Her Father no lesse tender then prudent gave manifest signes how sensible he was of all this but with no other words then a silent shedding of teares which softly trickling downe bedewed both his checkes and beard Isabella layd her face to that of her Mother and turning her eyes towards 〈◊〉 Father in such a hinde of manner looked 〈…〉 that theâ—…hy shee gave him to understand the pleasure and contentment her soule tooke in seeing them 〈◊〉 The Queene wondering at this so â—are and strange an 〈◊〉 sayd to Ricaredo I 〈◊〉 Ricaredo that this 〈…〉 discretion but I must tell you I know not whether you did well in so doing For we see by experience that a sudden joy as soon kills as a sudden sorrow And having said this she turned her selfe to Isabella and tooke her apart from her Mother who having a little water sprinkled in her face came again to her selfe and calling her wits a little better about her humbling her selfe on her knees before the Queene shee sayd unto her I beseech your Majestie to pardon my boldnes for it is no mervaile that I should forget my selfe and lose my sences with the over much joy I have received in the finding out this my beloved pledge The Queene made answer that she had a great deale of reason on her side making use of an Interpreter that she might the better understand her Isabella came in this manner as I told you before to the knowledge of her Parents and her Parents of her whom the Queene commanded to reside in the Court to the end that 〈◊〉 might with the better leisure both see and talke with their Daughter and rejoyce and make merry with her Wherewith Ricaredo was wonderfull well pleased and craved anew of the Queene that she would be pleased to make good her promise by bestowing Isabella upon him in case hee did deserve her and if not hee humbly besought her Majestie that shee would bee pleased presently to put him upon some other employment that might make himselfe worthie of obtaining that which he so earnestly desired The Queene understood very well that Ricaredo rested well satisfied of himselfe and of his great valour insomuch that there needed not onely new prooses for to qualifie him And therefore told him that foure dayes from that present being fully ended she would deliver Isabella unto him doing both of them all the grace and honour she possible could Vpon this answer Ricaredo tooke his leave being the most joyfull and most contented man in the world transported with that nâ—…re hope which hee now had of having Isabella in his power without any feare of losing 〈◊〉 which is the last and 〈◊〉 most desire of Lovers Time range but 〈…〉 light and â—…able foot as hee wiâ—…ed For 〈…〉 by the hope of promise to come doe ever 〈…〉 that time doth not flye with wings swart enough but that he hath lead tyed to his heeles and treads the 〈◊〉 of slothfulnesse it selfe Well at last came that desired day 〈…〉 Ricaredo thought to put an end to 〈…〉 finde in Isabella new graces which might 〈…〉 her the more if more he could then he did 〈…〉 that short time when as he thought the 〈…〉 good fortune sayled with a prosper 〈…〉 desired Port a contrary chance and 〈…〉 up in this calme sea such a tempestuous 〈…〉 feared a thousand times to see it 〈…〉 The case then is this 〈…〉 chamber Ladie to the Queene to whose 〈…〉 committed had a Sonne of the age of 〈…〉 called the Farle of Arnesto The greatnesse of his 〈…〉 of his bloud and the great favour which his 〈…〉 held with the Queene made him 〈…〉 things which did not become him and to breake 〈◊〉 into excesses but also made him arrogant proud haughtie and confident of himselfe This Arnesto then was onâ—moured of Isabella and so enflamedly that his very soule did burne in the sparkeling light of Isabella's eyes And albeit in that time that Ricaredo was absent he had by some signes discovered his desires 〈◊〉 was he never admitted by Isabella or received any the 〈…〉 And how 〈◊〉 that repugnancie and 〈…〉 loves infancie are wont to make lovers to desist 〈◊〉 their enter prize yet in Arnesto the many and 〈…〉 which Isabella shewed him wrought the cleane contrary for hee was set on fire with his owne jealousies and burned with desire to attempt her honestie And for that he saw that Ricaredo in the Queens opinion had deserved Isabella and that within so little a while she was to be given unto him for Wife he was ready to runne into despaire and to offer violence to himselfe But before that he would goe about to use so infamous and cowardly a remedie hee brake with his Mother entreating her that she would speake unto the Queens to give him Isabella to bee his Wife which if shee did not bring to passe that he would then have her to know and assuredly beleeve that death stood knocking at the doores of his life The Mother wondred to heare such words fall from her Sonne and for that she knew the roughnesse of his harsh nature and head-strong condition and the fastnesse wherewith these desires did cleave unto his soule she was afrayd that this his love would end in some sinister successe and unhappie issue yet not withstanding as a Mother to whom it is naturall to desite and procure the good of her Children shee promised to preferre his pretension to the Queene though not with any hope to obtaine such an impossibilitie of her as the breaking of her Princely word but that shee might not omit to try in so desperate a case the utmost remedie And hIsabella being that morning apparrelled by order from the Queene so richly that my Penne dares not presume to deliver the manner thereof unto you and the Queene
adverse part thou lyest in thy throate for here is no traytour but for the recovering of a mans lost honour it is lawfull to take this or any other advantage whatsoever There passed no more words betweene them because the haste which they made to offend and wound their enemies would not give them leave to talke who were to Don Iuans seeming some six of them They did presse so hard upon his companion that at two home thrusts which they made at him at once full in his brest they layd him flat on the ground Don Iuan thought that they had kild him and with strange nimblenesse and valour hee bestird him and set upon them all whom hee made to give ground by the force of a shower which hee rayned downe upon them of blowes and thrusts But all his diligence had not beene able for to offend them and defend himselfe if good fortune had not offered him her ayde by causing the neighbours thereabouts in that streete to open their windowes and come forth with lights and to call out aloud to the Iustice Which they of the contrary part perceiving forsooke the street and turning their backs went their way Now by this time hee that was fallen had got up againe for those Stocados and thrusts that were made at him lighted on a privy coate which he had that was as hard and impenetrable as if it had beene a rock of Diamonds Don Iuan in this fray had let fall his hat and seeking for it in stead of his owne lighted by chance on another which he clapt on his head without looking whether it were his owne or no. His fellowe that was fallen came unto him and sayd Sir whosoever you be I confesse that I am indebted to you for my life the which with all that my estate besides can reach unto I will spend in your service Let me intreate you to doe me the favour to tell mee who you are and what is your name to the end that I may know to whom I owe so much that I may manifest my thankefulnesse Whereunto replyed Don Iuan I will not Sir seeing my selfe now disinteressed be discourteous with you To cumply therefore with your desire and to fulfill your pleasure I shall onely tell you that I am a gentleman a Spaniard and a student in this Vniversitie if the knowing of my name may any whit import you I shall tell it you But if happily you shall bee pleased in any other thing to make use of my service I would then Sir have you to know that my name is Don Iuan de Gamboa You have done mee a great favour herein replyed hee that was fallen But I Senior Don Iuan de Gamboa will not tell you who I am nor my name because I am willing you should rather know it from another then my selfe and I will take care that both shall bee made knowne unto you Don Iuan had but a little before asked of him whether or no he had not received some hurt because hee saw that they had given him two great stocadas whereunto he answered that the goodnesse of his privy coate next under God had defended him But that yet notwithstanding his enemies had made an end of him if hee had not stuck so close unto him By this time there came towards them a company of people more in number then those they had before to doe withall whereupon Don Iuan sayd if these bee those our enemies stand Sir upon your guard and behave your selfe like your selfe I beleeve replyed the other that they are not enemies but friends which make towards us And it was so indeed For they that came were in all eight persons who compassed him round that was fallen and whispered some few words in his eare but they were so soft and so secret that Don Iuan could not heare them The partie defended turned presently aside from them to Don Iuan and sayd unto him had not these my friends come in unto me I would by no meanes Senior Don Iuan have left you till you had finished this your well begun worke by setting mee in some place of safetie But now with all the indearingnesse that I can I shall intreate you that you will leave me for it much importeth mee that you yeeld to my requeste Having sayd this hee put his hand to his head and found that he was without a hat and turning himselfe to those that came to him he spake unto them to give him a hat for his owne was in fighting falne from him He had scarce spoke the word but that Don Iuan put that which he had found upon his head He that fell felt it with his hand and returning it to Don Iuan sayd unto him this hat is none of mine As you love me Don Iuan take it and carry it away with you as a Trophee of this skirmish and keepe it well for I beleeve it is knowne They gave him another hat and Don Iuan for to comply with that which he had intreated of him interchanging some other but shorte compliments he left him not knowing who he was and came home to his owne house without offering to goe to that doore where they had given him the babe because he perceived that all the whole street was up being awakened out of their sleepe and in a kinde of tumult and uproare by reason of this quarrell It so then happened that in his returning to his lodging he met in the mid way with Don Antonio de Ysunca his Comrade and knowing him Don Antonio sayd returne with me Don Iuan a little up this way and as we walke along I shall recount unto you a strange story which hath befallen mee and I beleeve in all your life you never heard such passages as I shall now acquaint you with Whereunto Don Iuan replyed come let us goe whither you will and tell me this your strange story Don Antonio led the way and sayd You shall understand that little more then an houre after that you were gone out of the house I went forth to seeke you and not 30. paces from this place I saw comming as it were to meete me the black bulke of some person which came in great haste and the party approaching nearer unto me I knew it was a woman clad in a long habit who with a voyce interrupted with sighes and sobs sayd unto me are you Sir a stranger or one of the Cities I replyd a stranger and a Spaniard Are you wounded Lady or doe you beare about you some evill presages of death It may be quoth shee that the evill I bring with me will be my death if I have not speedy remedy By that courtesie which is alwayes wont to raigne in those of your Nation I beseech you noble Spaniard that you will take mee our of these streets and bring mee to your lodging with the greatest speed you can and there if it please you you shall know the evill I beare about me and who
wench a husbandmans Daughter of this Village whom I did think to put off and leave deluded that I might applie my selfe to Cornelias worth though not to that which my conscience did dictate unto mee which was no small manifestation of my great love But since that no man marries with a Wife which doth not appeare and that it doth not stand with reason that a man should seeke after a Wife that forsakes him that she may not be found by him whom she abhorreth I say this Signor Lorenzo that you may thereby see the satisfaction which I am both willing and able to give you that I have not done you any the least wrong or affront being that I never had any intention or purpose to do it And therefore I would have you to give me leave to comply with my first promise and that I may marry this Country Mayd who is now here in this house Whil'st that the Duke was making this speech Lorenzo's countenance went changing it selfe into a thousand colours neither could he for his life sit still after one and the same manner which were cleare signes and manifest tokens that choller went taking possession of all his senses In the like taking was Don luan and Don Antonio who did presently resolve that the Duke should not go on with his intention although it cost them their lives The Duke then reading their minde in their faces sayd rest you quiet Signior Lorenzo for before that you shall returne mee any one word in answer to mine I will that the beauty that you shall see in her whom I am desirous to make my Wife may obliege you to give me leave to do that which I crave of you For it is such and so beyond all mortall manner that it will bee able to plead excuse for far greater errours When the Duke was risen and went his way from them Don Iuan stood up and resting both his hands on the armes of the Chayre where Don Lorenzo sate hee sayd unto him in a loud voice By St. Iago of Galicia Signior Lorenzo and by the Faith of a Christian which I professe I vow that I will as soone suffer the Duke to proceed in this his purpose as I intend to turne Moore As I am a Gentleman here even here and in these very hands of mine he shall either leave his life or performe his word and promise which hee made to your Sister the Lady Cornelia or at least to give them time and respite for to seeke after her till such time that they should certainely know that shee were dead and in the meane while not to permit him to Marrie I am of the same opinion answered Lorenzo and of the same likewise replied Don Iuan will my friend and companion Don Antonio bee While they were thus debating this businesse from out a Roome just before them came Cornelia in the middle betwixt the Curate and the Duke who led her by the hand After whom followed Sulpicia Cornelias Gentlewoman the Duke having sent for her to Ferrara and the two Nurses to the Child and the Woman belonging to the Spanish Gentlemen When Lorenzo saw his Sister and had taken a full view of her and knew that it was shee for at first the impossibilitie to his seeming of such a successe did not suffer him to enter truely into the reckoning of it stumbling out of haste hee went to throw himselfe at the Dukes feete hee tooke him up and placed him in his Sisters armes who embraced him with all possible demonstrations of joy Don Iuan and Don Antonio told the Duke that hee had put upon them the most discreet and most savourie conceit in the World The Duke tooke the Childe which Sulpicia brought in her armes and giving it to Lorenzo sayd Heere Brother take your Nephew and my Sonne and see now whether or no you will give mee leave to marry with this Country Lasse who is the first that ever I plighted my faith unto that I would marry her It were an endlesse peece of worke to recount that which Lorenzo replyed that which Don Iuan asked him that which Don Antonio thought the rejoycing of the Curate the joy of Sulpicia the content of the advisers the admiration of Fabio the Inbile of the Nurse and in a word the generall contentment of all The Curate forthwith married them Don Iuan de Gamboa being the Father that gave her And amongst them all it was concluded and agreed upon that those Nuptialls should bee secret and concealed till they should see how it fared with the Dutchesse his Mother who was almost spent by reason of her long sickenesse and that in the meane while Cornelia should return with her brother to Bologna All this was done The Dutchesse shortly after dyed and Cornelia entred into Ferrara cheering the World with her fayre presence Mourning weeds were turned into gay and rich cloathes The Nurses were liberally rewarded Sulpicia was married to Fabio Don Antonio and Don Iuan were wonderfull well contented that it was there good fortune that they had beene some way seruiceable to the Duke who offered them two of his neare kinswomen to bee their Wives with exceeding rich Dowries But they told him that the Gentlemen of Biscay for the most part did marry in their owne Countrey and that not out of any scorne for that was not possible but for to comply with that commendable custome and the will of their Parents who had already provided Wives for them they did not nor could accept of this his most noble offer The Duke admitted of their excuse and by honest and honourable meanes and seeking after lawfull occasions hee sent them many Presents to Bologna and some so rich and that in so good a season and conjuncture that although they might not admit of them least it might seeme that they received pay for their service yet the time wherin they came did facilitate their kinde acceptance of them Especially those which hee sent them at their going for Spame and those which hee gave them when they went to Ferrara to take their leave of him where they found Cornelia accompanied with other Ladies amongst whom her transcendent beauty and incomparable vertues made her shine with as much superiority as a Starre of a greater magnitude exceeds in splendour the lesser Lumanaries of its owne Spheare The Duke being according to all the grounds of reason and love more enamoured of her then ever The Dutchesse gave her Crosse of Diamonds to Don Iuan and her Agnus dei to Don Antonio who when they saw that all their mannerly refusalls would not serve their turn they with an unwilling willingnesse received them They came to Spaine into their owne Countrey where they were married to rich principall and beautifull yong Women continuing still their correspondencie with the Duke and the Dutchesse and with Signior Lorenzo Bentivogli to the great good liking on either part The end of the second Booke THE LIBERALL LOVER THE THIRD BOOKE OH
therefore I for my part am of opinion that no Christian should dye the death Not because I wish them so well but because I wish well to my selfe and would that this dayes noble action neither to me nor to you should mingle the name of valiant with the sir-name of cruell for crueltie did never sort well with valour That which is to bee done is this that all the Ordnance of one of these our Shippes be put into the great Portugal Ship without leaving the Ship any Armes or any other thing save sufficient victuall And so manning that Ship with our men we will carry it home and the Spaniards goe in the other to Spaine None durst contradict that which Ricaredo had propounded and some held him to bee valiant magnanimous and of good understanding and judgement and others in their hearts to be more courteous then he ought to have beene Ricaredo then having resolved on this course he put 50 Muskatiers into the Portugal Ship all readie fitted and furnished their Peeces charged with shot and their matches burning in their cockes He found in the Ship well neere 300. persons with those that had escaped out of the gallies He presently called for their Cocket or bill of lading and the same person who at first spake to him from the Docke made him answer that the Turkish Pirate had alreadie taken their Cocket from them and that it was drowned with him Hee did instantly put his pully in order and bringing his lesser vessell and lashing it close to the side of the great Ship with wonderfull celeritie and with the helpe of strong ropes they hoysed all their Ordnance with their Carriages out of the lesser into the greater Ship This being done hee forthwith made a short speech to the Christians he commanded them to goe into the Ship that was now disincunâ—…ted where they should finde good store of victuall for more then a moneth and more mouthes then they had And as they went Imbarquing themselves he gave to every one of them foure Spanish Pistolets which becaused to be brolight from his owne Ship for to relieve in part their necessitie when they came on land which was so neere that from thence they might kenne the bigâ— mountains of Anila and Calpe All of them gave him infinite thankes for the favour he had done them and the last that went to embarque himselfe was he who had beene the mouth of the rest who said unto Ricaredo Most valiant sir I should hold it a happines for me amidst these my misfortunes and the greater of the two that you would rather carry me along with you to Munaolin then send me into Spaine For albeit that it be my Countrey and that it is not above sixe dayes since I left it yet shall I not finde any thing therein which will not minister occasions unto mee of reviving my former sorrowes and solitudes I would have you to know noble sir that in the losse of Cadiz which is now some 15. yeares since I lost a Daughter which some of the Conquerours carried away into their owne Countrey and with her I lost the comfort of my old age and the light of mine cies which since they might not lee her have never seene that thing which could be pleasing unto them The great discontentment wherein her losse left mee together with that of my wealth which likewise was taken from me brought me to that low câ—…e that I neither would nor could any more exercise the trade of Merchandize whose great dealings in that kinde made 〈◊〉 in the opinion of the world held to be the richest Merchant in all that Citie And indeed so I was for besides my credit which would passe for many 〈◊〉 thousands of crownes the wealth that I had within the doores of mine owne house was more then fifty thousand Duckets All which I lost yet had I lost 〈…〉 an I â—aâ— not losâ— my Daughter After this generall misfortune and so particularly mine necessitie the more to vexe me set upon me never ceasing to give mee over till such time as not being able any longer to resist her my Wife and I which is that sorrowfull woman that sits there resolved to goe for the Indies the common refuge of poore Gentlemen and having embarqued our selves but sixe dayes since in a ship of Advise we had no sooner put out of Cadiz but that those two Vessells of the Pirates tooke our shippe and wee become their slaves Whereupon our miserie was renewed and our misfortune confirmed And it had beene greater had not the Pirates taken that shippe of Portugal who entertained them so long till that succeeded which you have seene Ricaredo then asked him what was his daughters name He answered Isabella With this Ricaredo ceased to be confirmed further 〈◊〉 that which before he suspected which was that he who recounted this unto him was his beloved Isabella's Father and without giving him any tydings of her he told him that very willingly hee would carry him and his Wife to Mundolin where happily they might heare some newes of that which they so much desired He made them presently go aboord his own ship leaving Marriners and souldiers sufficient in that of Portugal That night they hoysed sayle and set themselves to get off from the coast of Spaine and for that in the ship wherin were the freed Captives there were likewise 20 Turks whom Ricaredo had also set at libertie for to shew that more out of his owne noble disposition and generous minde he had dealt so graciously with them then inforced by that love which he bare to the Christians hee entreated the Spanyards at their parting that upon the first occasion that should offer it selfe they should set the Turkes at liberty wherein they should shew themselves thankefull unto him The winde which gave good tokens of being large and prosperous began to bee very much calmer which calme did stir up a great tempest of feare in the Marriners and Souldiers who blamed Ricaredo and his bounty not sticking to tell him that they whom hee had freed might give advise of their successe in Spaine and that if happily they should have their Galeons lying there in the Haven they might put forth to Sea in fearch of them and so put them to a narrow streight and in danger of losing together with their lives all that Treasure which they had got Ricaredo knew very wel that they had reason on their side but overcomming all of them with good words he made them quiet but that which did most quiet them was the winde which returned againe to re-infresh it selfe in such sort that having as fayre a gale as could blow in the skie they â—…apt on all their sayles without having need to strike any one of them or but in the least manner to restraine them within Nine dayes they came within sight of Mundolin And when they were returned home thus victorious there were thirty wanting of those that went that Voyage
themselves for eyther With this which he promised to himself he was somewhat quieted and within a little while after the day began to appeare and then they began to leave their beds And Don Rafael calling for the hoste of the house demanded of him whether that their towne would afford a suit of cloaths for a Page who had bin stipt naked by out-lawes and robbers Mine hoste replyed that he himselfe had a reasonable handsome suite to sell He brought it and it fitted Leocadia as well as if it had beene made for her Don Rafael payd him for it and shee did put it on and girded her sword and dagger unto her with such a grace and spirit that in that very garbe habit of hers shee did suspend the senses of Don Rafael and multiply jealousies in Theodosia Calvete had sadled his Mules and about eight in the morning they departed from their Inne and set onward on their journey for Barcelona omitting for the present to visit the famous Monastery of Monserrat I want words to expresse to the life the thoughts which the two brothers entertained and with what different mindes both of them went looking on Leocadia Theodosia desiring her death and Don Rafael her life both of them being jealous and passionate Theodosia seeking to finde out some faults in her that shee might not despaire of her hopes And Don Rafael finding out perfections in her that did the more obliege him to love her yet for all this they were not carelesse in making all the hast they could so that they came to Barcelona before Sun-set They did wonder at the beautifull situation of that Citic and held it to bee the flower of the fayrest Cities of the world the honour of Spaine the terrour of their bordering and remote enemies the pleasure and delight of its inhabitants the Protectresse of strangers the schoole of Chevalty the patterne of loyaltie and the satisfaction of all that which a discreete and curious desire can expect or wish from a great famous ritch and well founded Citie In their entring thereinto they heard an exceeding great noyse and clamour and they might see a great company of people runne in a tumultuous kinde of manner and asking the cause of that noyse and hurrey they made them answer that they of the Gallies that were at the sea side were together by the eares with those of the Citie Which Don Rafael hearing would needs goe see what passed amongst them though Calvete told him that hee should by no meanes doe it for there was no wisedome or discretion in so doing and that thereby hee would put himselfe into manifest perill for hee knew well enough by experience how ill they came off who did thrust themselves into such kinde of differences and confused garboyles which were ordinary in that Citie when the Gallies came thither but this good counsell of Calvete could not prevaile so farre forth with Don Rafael as to hinder his going and so they all followed him And in comming to the Sea sheare they might see many swords drawne and many people flashing each other without any pitty or mercy Notwithstanding all this without alighting they came so neare unto them that they might distinctly see the faces of those that fought for the Sun was not as yet downe Infinite was the people which came from the Citie and great likewise the number which disimbarked themselves from the gallies howbeithe that had the charge of the gallies who was a knight of Valencia called Don Pedro Vique from the Poope of the Captain galley threatned those who had imbarked themselves in the Cockboate to go relieve their fellows but seeing his peâ—swasions nor threatnings could prevayle with them hee caused the prowe of the Gallies to be turned towards the Citie and a peece of Ordnance to be discharged without a bullet being a signall unto them that if they did not depart and get them gone the next should not be shot off without it Don Rafael was very attentive in beholding this cruell brangling and scuffling amongst them and had noted and observed that amongst other brave fellowes that tooke part with the Gallies there was a young man that layd about him lustily being about the age of two and twenty little more or lesse clad in greene with a hat of the same colour adorned with a rich Hatband of Diamonds the nimblenesse and dextrousnesse wherewith this young gallant fought and the bravery of his cloathes caused all those that beheld the fight to turne their eyes towards him and in such steadfast manner those of Theodosia and Leocadia that both of them at one and the same instant cryed out God blesse me eyther I have no eyes or he in the greene is Marco Antonio And no sooner had they sayd this but with great nimblenesse they dismounted from their Mules and drawing out their swords and daggers without any feare in the world they made way through the midst of all the company and placed themselves one on the one side and the other on the other of Marco Antonio for he was that young man in greene wee formerly spoke of Feare you nothing Marco Antonio so sayd Leocadia as soone as shee came in unto him for you have one at your side who with the losse of his owne life will be a shield for to save yours who doubts it replyed Theodosia I being here Don Rafael who saw and heard what had passed hee likewise followed them and tooke part with him Marco Antonio being busied in offending others and defending himselfe did not take any notice of those words these two then sayd but rather being very hot and earnest in fight did things to seeming beyond beleefe But in regard that the multitude of people came continually flocking from the Citie they of the Galleyes were enforced to retreate wading through the water to get into their Boates Marco Antonio retired likewise though sore against his will And sayling by the same compasse went retiring on eyther side of him those two valiant and new Bradamante and Marfisa or Hippolita and Penthesilea Now while they were in this hurly burly came thither a Knight of Catalunia of the famous family of the Cardonas upon a strong sturdy steede and putting himselfe in the midst of eyther partie he made those of the City to retire such was the respect which they bare unto him But some that were further off threw stones at those which were making to the water as ill luck would have it one hit Marco Antonio full on the bosome with such force fury that he fell therewith in the water being already up therein to the knees But Leocadia had scarce seene him fall but she presently tooke hold of him and upheld him in her armes and the like did Theodosia Don Rafael was a little further off from them defending himâ—elfe from those showers of stones which rayned downe about his eares And being desirous to approach to his soules remedy and
you any the least griefe or sorrow At these words Marco Antonio opened his eyes and steadily fixed them on Leocadias face and having recollected himselfe and taken her in a manner into his knowledge more by the Organe of her voyce then by her countenance with a weake and feeble voyce as one that was full of paine hee sayd unto her say on Sir what you please for I am not yet so neare my end that I cannot listen unto you neither is this voyce of yours so harsh and unpleasing unto me that it should cause any fastidiousnesse or loathing in me to heare it To all this Dialogue Theodosia was most attentive and every word that Leocadia uttered was a sharpe Arrow that went athwart her heart and wounded likewise the very soule of Don Rafael who also heard her And Leocadia prosecuting what shee had begunne went on thus if some blow on your head or to speake more properly if one greater hath not lighted on my soule it could not Semor Marco Antonio beate out of your memory the image of her who not long since you were wont to say was your glory and your Heaven you may very well call to your remembrance who Leocadia was and what was the word that you gave her signed in a Schedule with your owne hand nor can you bee forgetfull of the worth of her parents the integritie of her retyrednesse and honestie and of the obligation wherein you stand bound unto her for having applyed her selfe to your gust and liking in all whatsoever you desired If you have not forgotten this howbeit you see me in this so different a habit you may easily know that I am Leocadia who being fearefull least new accidents and new occasions should quit me of that which is so justly mine as soone as I knew that you were gone out of the countrey treading under foote and sleighting all whatsoever though never so infinite inconveniences I resolved with my selfe to follow after you in this habit with intention to seeke you out in all parts of the earth till I had found you out whereat you ought not to marvaile if your selfe hath at any time felt the force of true Love and the rage of a deceived woman Some troubles I have passed in this my demande all which I account well bestowed with that discount which they have brought with them in making me so happy as to see you And considering the case wherein you are if that it shall please God to take you from this to a better life by your doing that which you ought as worthie your selfe before your departure out of this life I shall thinke my selfe the happiest woman in the world promising you to betake my selfe to such a course of life after your death that but little time shall be spent therein before I follow you in this your last and inforced journey And therefore first of all I beseech you for the love you beare unto God to whom my desires and intentions goe directed next for your owne sake who oweth much to your qualitie and therefore ought to bee the same you are And lastly for my sake to whom you owe more then to any other person in the world that now presently you will receive me for your lawfull spouse not permitting that justice should inforce you to that which with such and so many reall obligations reason ought to perswade you unto And here Leocadia stopt the current of her speach and sayd not a word more and all they that were in the roome were in a wonderfell still silence all the while that shee talked with him and with the same stilnesse and silenee they expected what answer Marco Antonio would make her which was this I cannot Leocadia deny my knowing of you for your voyce and countenance will not give me leave so to doe Neither can I deny how much I am bound unto you nor the great worth of your noble parents togeather with your owne incomparable honestie and retirednesse neither doe I nor will I esteeme you in lesse for that which you have done in comming to seeke me out in a habit so different from your owne but for this I do shall ever esteeme of you in the highest degree that may be imagined But since that my time you say is now come and that I likewise beleeve that this may be the last day of my life and since that such kinde of trances as these are the Chrysolls of truth purifying the Gold from the drosse truth from falsehood I will tell you a truth which if it shall not bee now pleasing unto you it may bee that hereafter it may turne to your good I confesse faire Leocadia that I lov'd you well and so did you mee and likewise I confesse that the schedule which I made you was more to comply with your desire then mine owne For many dayes before that I had signed it and set my hand thereunto I had delivered up my will and my soule to a Damsell of the same place where I live whom you very well know Her name is Theodosia the daughter bee it spoken without disparagement of as noble parents as yours are And if I gave you a schedule firmed with my hand I gave her my firmed hand and accredited with such workes and witnesses that I remaine impossibilited to give my libertie to any other person in the world That which passed betwixt my selfe and Theodosia was the obtaining of that fruit which shee could give mee and which I was willing shee should give me plighting my faith unto her that I would be as truly I am her husband And if at one and the same time I left both her and you you suspensefull and deceived and shee fearefull and as shee thought robbed of her honour I did therein unadvisedly and undescreetly and as a young man as I am without any discourse or judgement Thinking with my selfe that all those things of this nature were but tricks of youth and of little or no importance and that I might doe them without any scruple at all Accompanied with other the like thoughts which came then in my head which did solicite me to doe that which I did which was to goe for Italy and to imploy therein some few of my youthfull yeares and afterwards to returne home to see what was become of you and of my true Spouse But heaven as it should seeme being offended and having complayned of mee to the highest power there I verily beleeve that God hath permitted given way to put me into that condition wherein you see me to the end that by confessing these truths arising from my many sins I may pay in this life that which I owe and you remaine dis-deceived and free being at your owne liberty to doe that which shall seeme best in your eyes And if at any time Theodosia shall come to have notice of my death shee shall know both by your â—elfe and by these that are here present how
that at my death I complyed with that promise which I made her in my life And if in that little time of life sweete Leocadia which remaineth unto me I may serve you in any thing tell it mee I beseech you and be it what it will be I shall most willingly doe it so as it be not to take you to wife for that I cannot doe no other thing shall I refuse for to give you content that comes within my possibilitie to performe Whilst that Marco Antonio went thus discoursing as you have heard hee rested his head all that while on his elbow and having made an end of speaking hee let his arme fall giving some signes that he was ready to swoune Don Rafael hastned presently unto him and streightly imbracing him sayd unto him Sir come againe to your selfe bee of good cheere and imbrace this your friend and your brother since that it is your pleasure to have it so Looke up and see if you know your companion and Chamber-fellow Don Rafael who will bee a true witnesse of your good will and affection and of the grace and favour which you are willing to doe his sister in admitting her to be yours Marco Antonio came againe to himselfe and instantly knew Don Rafael and imbracing him in his armes and kissing him on the cheeke sayd unto him The great joy deare brother which I have received in seeing you can bring no lesse rebatement with it then exceeding great sorrow For as it is in the proverbe after joy comes sorrow But I shall give it for well imployed whatsoever shall befall mee in exchange of that great content which I have received in seeing you Nay then replyed Don Rafael I will make it more compleate by presenting you with this jewell which is your beloved spouse And looking out Theodosia hee found her behind all the company weeping suspensive and astonished betweene griefe and joy as well for that which shee saw as for that which shee heard Her brother tooke her by the hand and shee without making resistance suffered herselfe to bee carryed whither hee would leade her which was to bring her to Marco Antonio who knew her and lovingly imbraced her both of them guttering downe their cheekes tender and amorous teares All that were in the roome were strucken with admiration in seeing so strange an accident They looked one upon another without speaking one word expecting what would bee the issue of these things But Leocadia having lost her hopes though found out the errour when shee saw that with her owne eyes which Marco Antonio did and saw her whom shee tooke to be Don Rafaels brother in his armes whom shee held to be her Husband and together with this seeing her desires mock't and her hopes lost shee stole out of all their sights their eyes being earnestly bent in beholding that which the sick man did with the Page whom hee hugged so close in his armes And being gone out of the roome shee instantly made into the street with intention to goe driven by despaire wandring through the world or at least where none might see her But scarce had she got into the street but Don Rafael began to misse her and as if he had lost his soule hee inquired after her but no body could tell him which way shee was gone And so without any longer tarrying like one that was desperate hee went out to seeke her and hyed him with all the haste he could thither where he was told that Calvete lodged least shee might happily have gone thither to procure a Mule to ride away and not finding her there hee went like a mad man through the streets searching after her one while here and another while there and imagining that shee might peradventure returne backe to the galley he came to the Sea side and a little before he came thither he might heare one call aloud from the shoare for the boate of the Captaine galley and he knew that the voyce that called for it was that of Leocadia who being â—ealous of some ill intention towards her hearing one comming behinde at her heeles shee layd her hand upon her Sword and stood upon her guard untill that Don Rafael drew nearer unto her whom shee presently knew and it grieved her to the very heart that he had found her and more particularly all alone in a place so farre from all company for shee had perceived by more showes then one which Don Rafael had made her that hee did not wish her ill but so well that shee would have taken it for a good recompence that Marco Antonio had loved her but halfe so well With what words shall I now be able to expresse those which Don Rafael uttered to Leocadia opening his soule unto her which were such so many that I dare not take upon me to set them downe deserving a better pen then mine to give them their true life and luster But since necessitie and the nature of the subject now in hand inforceth mee to say something the words which amongst many other he delivered were in effect these If together with fortune which fayleth me there should now faire Leocadia be wanting unto me the courage and boldnesse of discovering the secrets of my soule there would lye buried in the bosome of perpetuall oblivion the most inamoured and honestest affection that ever hath beene or can be bred in a faithfull and loving breast But that I may not wrong this my just desire come what will come of it I would have you to know if your surprized thoughts will but give way to your judgement and these your fits of passion to your sounder discourse and reason that in no one thing hath Marco Antonio any advantage of me save onely in this that hee is your beloved My linage is as good as his and in those goods which they call of Fortune I am little inferiour unto him and for the gifts of nature it is not amisse that I should commend my selfe and the rather if in your eyes they should not be esteemed All this I purposely lay before you my deare Lady and Mistris to the end that laying aside your passion which blindes your understanding you might take that remedy and meanes which fortune now offereth unto you in the utmost extremitie and height of your disgrace You see already that Marco Antonio cannot be yours because heaven hath ordaind him for my sister and the same heaven which this very day hath robd you of Marco Antonio is willing to make you amends by me who desireth no other happines in this life then to render up my selfe unto you to bee your husband Behold and consider that good successe stands calling at the doores of that ill fortune which hath hitherto followed you Neither doe you so much as once imagine that the boldnesse and daringnesse which you have showed in seeking after Marco Antonio shall any whit lessen the love I beare you but I shall ever highly
retirednesse and so great her brothers care and solicitude in guarding her that shee neither suffered herselfe to be seene nor would her brother permit that any should see her This fame and report of her rare beauty made Don Iuan and Don Antonio very desirous to have a sight of her But the labour they tooke therein was lost and all in vaine and their desire by reason of the impossibilitie of obtaining had in such sort cut off all hope thereof that it went by degrees decreasing and diminishing And therefore being now wholly taken up with the love of their studies and with the entertainment of some honest recreations of youth they led an honest and merry life together they seldome rambled abroad in the night and when they did they went both together well armed It afterwards so fell out that being to goe forth one night Don Antonio told Don Iuan that hee would stay a while but would have him to goe promising that he would presently follow him That shall not neede replyed Don Iuan for I will stay for you and if we should not goe abroad this night the matter is not great No as you love mee sayd Don Antonio get you gone and take the ayre for I will bee instantly with you if you walke that round which wee use to doe Doe what you thinke good answered Don Iuan fare you well and if you shall walke forth I will goe the same stations this night as I did the last Don Iuan went his way and Don Antonio stayd behinde The night was somewhat darke and duskie and the hower eleven and having gone through two or three streets and seeing himselfe all alone and that hee had no body with whom to talke and converse he resolved with himselfe to returne home and putting it in execution passing through a streete which had a walking place built upon Pillars of marble he might heare from a certaine doore that some did whiste unto him with a soft and low voyce The darknesse of the night which was made the more by meanes of that close walke would not let him guesse and conjecture whence that whisting directly came Whereupon hee stood still a while attentively listning whence it should come and whilest he was thus busied he might see a doore halfe way open it selfe He drew neare thereunto and might heare a low voyce which spake thus Is it Fabio Don Iuan answered yes Then take this replyed they within and have a care to have it safely kept and returne hither presently againe for it much importeth us Don Iuan puts forth his hand and felt a bulke he knew not what and thinking to take it with one of his hands hee found that he had need to use both and they had scarce put it into his hands but they shut the doore upon him and left him And hee went his way found himselfe in the street with his hands full but knew not what burthen he bare But within a little while after he heard a babe beginne to cry which it should seeme had beene but newly borne Whereat Don Iuan remayned amazed and suspensive not knowing what he should doe or what course to take in this strange case For to returne back to the doore and call there unto them he considered with himselfe that he might run some danger for the babes sake having personated another man to whom it was intended and in leaving it there at the doore the babe might have its life hazarded And to carry it home to his owne house hee had not any one there that could give it the teate and those other helpes that were needefull nor did hee know in all the Citie any body whither he might carry it But sithence that they had sayd unto him that he should see it safe and returne againe presently he determined to carry it to his owne house and to leave it in the power and custody of a woman that served them and to returne forthwith to see whether or no they had any further neede of his service since that he plainely perceived that they had taken him for another and that it was a meere mistake in giving the babe unto him In conclusion without making any further discourses he came home with it to his house when as Don Antonio was not there He entred into one of the roomes next at hand and called his woman servant unto him and caused her to unswathe the babe and found it to bee one of the fayrest creatures that ever they had seene The cloathes wherein it was lapt told that it came of rich and noble parents When the woman had unswathed and opened it they saw that it was a man childe Then sayd Don Iuan to his woman wee must needs get one to give this childe suck but first of all I would have you take away these ritch Mantles and lay them aside in some safe place and to put and wrap it in others more meane and humble And without making it knowne that I brought it hither you shall carry it to the house of some one Midwife or other for such kinde of women are never commonly unprovided of necessary remedy in such like necessities you shall take mony along with you wherewith shee may remaine satisfied and contented and you shall give it such parents as you your selfe shall thinke fit for the better covering of the truth of my bringing it hither His woman made answere all should be done as he had ordered it This businesse was no sooner put into so good a way but that Don Iuan with all the haste hee could returned to see whether they would whiste once more unto him but a little before that hee came to the sayd house where they had called unto him he might heare a great clashing of swords as if many had beene together by the eares slashing one another He stood listning a while but could not heare any one word passe betweene them This hammeting of Iron was in the darke save onely that by the light of those sparks which the stones wounded by their swords raysed he had a glimpse that there were many that had set upon one and he was confirmed in this truth by hearing that one say O traytours though yee be many and I but a single man yet shall not your overmatching me in number make you prevaile in your purpose Which Don Iuan hearing and seeing transported by his valiant heart at two leapes he made into the side of him that was assaulted and taking his sword in one hand and his buckler which hee brought along with him in the other he sayd unto him that defended himselfe in the Italian tongue that he might not bee knowne to be a Spaniard Feare you nothing Sir for such succour is now come to you as shall not sayle you till his life faile Bestirre your selfe and set your selse roundly to them for traytours though they be many are able to doe but little To these words replyed one of the
covered it over with a blacke vaile Hee tooke his leave of Cornelia who imagining that her brother was now very neare her was so afraid that she had not the power to speake one word to these two gentlemen that tooke their leave of her Don Iuan went forth first and with Lorenzo walked out of the Citie and in a garden somewhat out of the rode-way they found two very good Horses well fitted and two Lackeyes holding of them They mounted on them the Lackeyes running before them and by uncouth paths and untrodden by-wayes they travailed towards Ferrara Don Antonio upon a good quat-Nag of his owne and in another different riding suite disguising himselfe followed after them but it seemed unto him that they had an eye upon him especially Lorenzo and therefore resolved to take the direct way to Ferrara assuring himself that there he should meete with them They had scarce gone out of the Citie but that Cornelia gave an account to the woman of all that had befallen her and how that child was hers begotten on her by the Duke of Ferrara with all the points and passages which hitherto have beene related touching her storie not concealing from her how that journey which her masters had undertaken was for Ferrara accompanying her brother who went to bid defiance by way of challenge to the Duke Alsonsâ—… Which the woman hearing said unto her O sweete Lady hath all this adoe beene about you and doe you like one that sleepes without stretched leggs stay here thus carelesse in a businesse of such consequence Fither have you no soule or have you it so benummed and so sencelesse that you have no feeling of the miserable estate and condition wherein you are And I pray tell mee doe you happily thinke that your brother goes to Ferrara Deceive not your selfe doe not thinke so but rather thinke and beleeve that hee hath taken my masters hence and to get them farre from home that hee may the safelier returne hither and take away your life which he may as easily doe as I take up this cup and drinke Consider with your selfe under what guard and protection wee remaine We have no more but three Pages in the house and they have enough to doe to scratch their itching scabbes whereof they are full and say they should put themselves upon upon defence what can they doe This at least I can say of my selfe that I for my part have not the heart to stay expecting the successe and ruine which threatens this house Signior Lorenzo an Italian and trust Spanyards Hee crave their helpe and assistance beleeve it he that list for I doe not Hee reckon of them hee cares not a Figge for them If you daughter mine will take my counsell I will give you that that shall make you see a little better if you will not stand in your owne light Cornelia hearing the womans reasons which shee uttered with such earnestnesse and vehemencie and with such showes and manifestations of feare that all that shee said unto her seemed to bee truths and that peradventure Don Iuan and Don Antonio might bee slaine and that her brother might bee entring the doores of the house and with his dagger never leave stabbing of her til he had killed her and therefore being thus perplexed shee said unto her And what counsell will you give mee friend that might be wholesome and that might prevent this storme that hangs over our heads What counsell will I give you Marry such and so good that all the world sayd the woman cannot better it I did once Madam serve an honest Curate of a countrie Village which is some two miles off from Ferrara hee is a good man and will doe any thing for mee that I can aske of him or is in his power to performe Hee loves me well and is more oblieged unto mee then to any other woman whatsoever Let us goe thither and let mee alone to get some one or other that shall carry us thither And as for her that gives the child suck shee is a poore woman and will goe along with us to the worlds end And admit Lady that you should bee found out it were better that you should be found in the house of a Priest and that is an old and reverend man then in the power of two young Students and those Spanyards who are a kind of people as I my selfe can well witnesse that will flie at any game If they cannot meete with a handsome peece of Timber they will content themselves with Chips and if they cannot light upon a smooth polished stone they will make use of rubbish And though now Lady that you are ill at ease they have borne you good respect yet when you shall be well and in perfect health then heaven have mercy upon you There is no other helpe that I know And that I may not lie unto you if my repulses disdaines and integritie had not guarded me they had given check mate to my honestie all is not gold Lady that glisters in them They say one thing and thinke another I have had try all enough of them yet they were not so cunning but I was as craftie Every body knowes where his owne shooe wrings him most I am Madam may I speake it without boasting well borne I come of the ribelos of Milan and for point of honour that I hold in so good a height that I make account that it reacheth hence ten miles above the clouds And yet notwithstanding all this you may see the calamities and crosses Madam which I have past through since that being descended as I am I am come to be a servant and drudge to these Spanyards whom they call their woman Though indeede I must confesse that I have no great cause to complaine of my masters for they are very kinde and loving so long as you doe not crosse and anger them And herein they seeme to be Biskayners as they report themselves to bee But it may be that they are guiltie to themselves that they are Gallegos which is another nation they say lesse punctuall and somewhat more subtill and wary then the Biskayners In conclusion shee rendred such and such reasons that poore Cornelia disposed her selfe to follow her advise and so in lesse then foure houres shee disposing the businesse and Cornelia consenting thereunto they had both of them got them into a Waggon together with the childs nurse and without being heard of the Pages they put themselves upon their way for that Village where the Curate dwelt And all this was done by the perswasion of this foolish fearefull woman and with her moneys for not long before her master had paid her a whole yeares wages And therefore there was no neede of pawning a jewell which Cornelia gave her for that purpose And for that Cornelia had heard Don Iuan say that he and her brother would not goe the direct way to Ferrara but by unused paths they were willing to take
shee spake unto her in the Spanish tongue to this effect As graces which brings such graces with them most noble Queene are rather to be accounted happinesse then misfortunes And since that your Majestie hath beene pleased to grace me with the name of Daughter upon so good a pledge what ill can I feare or what good may I not hope for Looke what Isabella uttered came from her so gracefully and so wittingly that the Queen stood extreamely affected towards her and commanded that shee should remaine at Court in her service and recommended her to a great Ladie the chiefest amongst those of her Bed-chamber that shee might trayne her up according to the Court fashion Ricaredo who saw that his life was taken away in taking away Isabella was readie almost to have lost his wits and therefore though overtaken with a tumbling and sudden passion of heart he went and fell upon his knees before the Queen and sayd unto her That I may serve your Majestie I need not to be incited thereunto by any other rewards then by those which my fore-fathers and Auncestours have gotten by serving their Kings But since that it is your Maiesties pleasure that I should serve you with good desires and pretensions I would gladly know in what kinde and in what employment I may manifest that I cumply with that obligation which I owe unto your Maiestie and put my selfe to that which you shall impose upon me I have two Ships royall answered the Queene ready to put forth to Sea whereof I have made Generall the Baron of Lunsac of one of these I make you Captaine him Admirall and you Vice-Admirall For the bloud from whence you come and runneth in your veines doth assure mee that you will supply the defect of your yeares and consider well the favour which wee doe you since that therein I give you occasion that corresponding with that which you are and doing things answerable to the race from whence you come by serving your Queene you may show the worth of your noble disposition and ohyour person and you shall receive there by the greatest reverd which in your opinion you can wish or desire I my selfe will be Isabella's Guard though she give Vs manifest tokens that her owne honestie will be her safest and surest guard God blesse you in your Voyage and since that you goe hence deepely as I imagine in love I promise great matters unto my selfe of your noble exploitd Happy shall that King that goes to warre bee who shall have in his Armie ten thousand Souldiers that are in love for they will live in hope that the reward of their victories shall be the enioying of their best beloved Rise up Ricaredo and bethinke your selfe if you will or have any thing to say to Isabella for to morrow you must begon Ricaredo kissed the Queenes hand humbly thanking her and highly esteeming the favour which she did him and presently went from her to Isabella and would feigne have spoken unto her but could not for love and grief had knit such a knot in his throat and so tied his tongue that had his life layen upon it hee could not utter one word But the water stood in his eies and were so brimme-full that they ranne over and silently trickled downe his cheekes which he thought to dissemble and smother them all that hee possibly could yet notwithstanding could hee not hide them from the eyes of the Queene and therefore she said unto him Thinke it no shame Ricaredo to weepe neither valew your selfe the lesse for having given at this your farewell such tender demonstrations of your heart For it is one thing to fight with your enemies and another thing to take your leave of her you love Isabella embrace Ricaredo and give him your benediction for his excessive sorrow and loathnesse to leave you doth very well deserve it Isabella who stood amazed and astonished to see Ricaredo's tender heartednesse and how truely he did grieve and all for her sake whom she loved as her Husband did not understand what the Queene had commanded her but began to shed teares so without thinking what she did and stood so still and without any motion that it seemed not to be a living soule but a Statua of Alablaster that wept The affections of these two true and tender lovers made the standers by to melt likewise into teares And so Ricaredo without speaking a word to Isabella or Isabella to him they turned each from other and Clotaldo and they that came with him doing reverence to the Queene went out of the Presence full of compassion discontent and teares Isabella now remained like a poore Orphanee comming from the Buriall of her Father and Mother and as full now of feare as before of griefe least that her new Ladie to whom shee was recommended would make her to change those manners and customes wherein she had been formerly bred up In conclusion there shee remained and within two daies after Ricaredo hoysed sayle and put forth to Sea beaten amongst many other with this thought that he must do some notable peece of service that might intitle him the deserver of Isabella But in conclusion he besought Heaven to be propitious unto him that such occasions might be offered unto him wherein by shewing himselfe valiant hee might cumply with the dutie of a Christian leaving the Queene satisfied and Isabella desorved Sixe daies these two Shippes sailed with a prosperous winde shaping their course for the Tercera Islands a place where never are wanting either Ships of Portugal from the East-Indies or some that come thither from the West-Indies And at sixe daies end there arose such a crosse-winde full in the teeth of them and continued so long and so strong that without suffering them to reach the Islands they were inforced to make for Spaine neere unto whose Coast at the mouth of the Sneight of Gibratar they deserie three Ships the one a very tall and goodly Ship and the other two much lesse Ricaredo's Ship made up to that which was Admirall for to know of his Generall whether or no he would set upon those three Ships which they had descried But before that he came up unto them he might discerne that upon the toppe of the maine mast there was hung out a blacke streamer and comming a little neerer he might heareFifes and Trumpets sounding faintly and hoarsely cleare and apparant signes that the Generall was dead or some other principall person of the Shippe At last comming within hearing that they might speake one to another which they had not done since their first putting forth they might heare them from out the Admirall call out aloud unto them to have the Vice-Admirall Ricaredo to come aboord their Ship because the Generall the night before died of an Appoplexie All upon this newes were very sad save Ricaredo who was inwardly glad not for the losse of his Generall but to see that hee was left at libertie and might freely
into Spaine she should treate no more on that point because her faire presence and her many graces and vertues gave her great content and that doubtlesse if not that very day the next following without all faile shee would marry her to Ricaredo according to the promise she had made him With this resolution of the Queenes Arnesto's Mother was so dis heartened and discomforted that shee replied not so much as one word And approving that for good which she had alreadie forecasted in her minde that there was no other way no other meanes in the world for the mollifying of that rigorous condition of her Sonne nor for the reducing of Ricaredo to tearmes of peace save by taking away of Isabella She determined to put in practise one of the greatest cruelties that could ever enter into the thought of any noble woman and especially so principall a one as she was And this her determination was to make away Isabella by poyson And because it is commonly the condition of women to be speedy and resolute in what they goe about that very evening she gave Isabella poyson in a certaine Conserve forcing her in a manner to take it telling her that it was excellent good against those passions of the heart wherewith shee seemed to bee troubled Having satisfied her importunitie within a little while after that Isabella had taken it her tongue and her throate began to swell and her lippes to grow blacke her voyce hoarse her cies troubled and her stomacke and bowells tormented with gripings all manifest signes and tokens that she was poysoned The Ladies came to the Queene acquainting her Majestie how it was with her and certifying her how that the Ladie of her Bed-chamber who had the charge of Isabella had done her this ill office There needed not much pressing to induce the Queene to beleeve that it was true and therefore went presently to see Isabella who was almost breathing her last The Queene commanded her Phisitians should be sent for in all haste and in the meane while before they came she caused a quantitie of the powder of Vnicornes-horne to be given her and some other preservatives against poyson which great Princes use alwaies to have readie at hand upon the like cases of necessitie The Phisitians came and applied their best remedies and besought the Queene that shee would bee pleased to cause that Ladie of her Bed-chamber to make know he unto them what kinde of poyson that was which she had given her for it was not to be doubted that any other person but her selfe had poysoned her She did discover what shee had given her and having notice of it the Phisitians applied so many and such effectuall remedies that by them and Gods helping hand Isabella remained with life or at least in good hope of having it The Queene commanded her Bed-chamber woman to be apprehended and to be lockt up in a streight and harrow lodging in her Court with intention to punish her according to the nature and qualitie of this her foule offence Although that she sought to excuse her selfe by saying that in killing Isabella she did sacrifice to the gods by ridding the earth of a Christian and together with her removing the occasion of her Sonnes further quarrells This sad newes being brought to Ricaredo made him almost out of his wits such were the things he did and such were the complaints he made In conclusion Isabella did not lose her life yet the poyson had gotten that power over her that she lost the hayre of her head and of her eye-browes her face was strangely pufft up the graine of her skinne spoyled her complexion marred her whole body mightily swolne and her eyes distilling watry humours In a word she was growne so foule and ill favoured that she who till then seemed to be a miracle of beautie did now seeme to be a monster of uglinesse And they who knew her before held it the greater misfortune of the two that she remained in this evill plight then if she had dyed of the poyson Notwithstanding all this Ricaredo sued a new unto the Queene for her and besought her Majestie that she would give him leave to carry her home to his house because the love which he bare her passed from his bodie to his soule yet comforted himselfe with this that though Isabella had lost her beauty yet could she not lose her infinite vertues Thou sayest true replyed the Queene goe take her home with thee Ricaredo and make account that thou carryest with thee a most rich jewell in a course case I would have given her as fayre to thee as thou deliveredst her unto me But since this is not possible forgive 〈◊〉 that fault happily the chastisement which I shall give to the committers of this foule offence shall in part satisfie thy desire of revenge Many things did Ricaredo say unto the Queen seeking to 〈◊〉 the Ladie of her Bed chamber beseeching her Majestie to pardon her since that the reasons she alleadged in her excuse were sufficient for to move her to forgive her greater excesses then these In conclusion Isabella and her Parents were delivered unto him and Ricaredo carried them home I meane to his Fathers house To those rich Pearles and that Diamond the Queene added other jewells and other changes of rayment which were such and so costly that they discovered the great love which she bare to Isabella who remained for the space of two moneths without being able to be reduced to her former beautie But the time being past her skinne beganne to peele and fall away and a fayre and smoothe graine of skinne to disclose it selfe In this interim Ricaredo's Parents presuming that it was not possible that Isabella should become the same woman which heretofore she was resolved to send for that Northorn Damosell with whom before that ever they treated with Isabesla Ricaredo by agreement was to marry And all this they did without his knowledge not doubting but that the present be autie of this new bride would blot out of his Sonnes remembrance that of Isabella which was now past whom either they purposed to send into Spaine together with her Father and Mother giving them such store of wealth and riches as should fully recompence their former received losses There passed not above a moneth and a halfe when as without Ricaredo's privitie the new spouse entred within his Fathers doores accompanied like her selfe very well and so fayre and beautifull a creature that next to Isabella when she was in her prime there was not the like unto her in all Miâ—…delin Ricaredo was mightily startled with the sudden and unexpected sight of the Damosell and feared least the 〈◊〉 of he◠〈◊〉 would put Isabella into some passion and make an end of her life And therfore for to remove this feare he went to the beds-side where Isabella lay and finding her onely accompanied with her Father and Mother before them he spake unto her after this manner
Isabella of my soule my Parents out of the great love which they beare unto mee being not as yet well informed of that exceeding love which I still beare unto thee have brought a Damosell into this house with home they have treated and concluded to marry mee before that I should know the worth that is in thee or that thou shouldst recover thy lost health And this they have done as I verily beleeve with intention that the great beautie of this Damosell should blot thine out of my soule which is therein so deepely engraven I Isabella from the very instant that I lov'd thee it was with another kind of love then that which hath its ayme and end in satisfying the sensuall appetite For albeit that thy corporall beautie did captivate my sences yet thy infinite vertues were they which imprisoned my soule so that if being fayre I did love thee being now foule I adore thee And for the further confirming of this truth give me this hand and she giving him her right hand and and he holding it fast in his prosecuted his speech saying By that faith which my Christian Parents taught mee and by that true God who heareth what we say I promise thee my deare Isabella the one halfe of my heart I vow my selfe thy Husband and am so even from this very houre if thou wilt rayse me to that heighth of happinesse to be thine Isabella remained in some suspence upon these words of Ricaredo and her Parents amazed and astonished she knew not what to say nor doe any other thing faveâ—… often kissing of Ricaredo's hand and telling him with a voice intermingled with teares that she accepted him for hers and rendered her selfe to hee his servant Ricaredo kissed that her foule face which when it was fayre he durst never presume to touch Isabella's Parents with tender and many teares solemnize this nuptiall feast Ricaredo told them that he would put off his marrying with the Northerne Damosell which was now in the house in such manner as he would hereafter give them to understand And in case that his Parents should send all three of them into Spaine that they should not decline it but by all means get them goe and that they should looke for him within two years either in Cadiz or Sevilla assuring them in the word of a Gentleman that ere that time were expired hee would not fayleto bee with them if Heaven should so long lend him life and that if the time prefixed should be proterlapsed they should then rest assured that some great impediment or death which was the more certaine had crossed his intended journey Isabella made him answere that shee would not stay onely two yeares for him but all those of his life all that she were truely certified that he had left this life And that in that instant that this should come to her knowledge the same likewise would be her death With these kinde words fresh teares fell from them all And Ricaredo went and told his Parents that he would by no meanes be marryed nor give his hand to the Northern Damosell to be his Spouse till he had quieted his minde by a yeares travell He knew well how to expresse himselfe and gave them such good reasons for it as likewise to the Parents that came with Clisterna for that was the Damosells name that being as they were all Christians they did easily give credit unto them and Clisterna was contented to remaine in her Father in Lawes house till Ricaredo should 〈◊〉 who craved a yearâ—… time This being thus concluded and greed upon Cliotaldo told 〈◊〉 how that hee was resolved to send Isabella and 〈…〉 to Spaine if the Queene would give him leave so to doe For sayd he peradventure the ayre of her own Countrey will hasten and facilitate her health which she now beganne to recover Ricaredo that he might not give any the least inckling of his designes answered though but coldly his Father that he should doe that which seemed best in his owne eyes onely he besought him that he would not take ought of those riches from Isabella which the Queene had bestowed on her Clotaldo promised he would not and that very day hee went to crave license of the Queene as well for the marrying of his Son to Clisterna as for the sending of Isabella with her father and mother into Spaine The Queen was well contented with both his requests and approved Clotaldo's determination And that very day without calling her Bed chamber woman in question She dismissed her of her service and condemned her besides the losse of her place in ten thousand Crownes to Isabella And the Earle Arnesto for his challenging of Ricaredo She banished him for sixe yeares â—oure dayes were scarce spent and gene but that Arnesto was upon the point to go to â—mmply with his banishment having alreadie takes order for the returning of his money The Queene commanded a rich Merchant to come unto her that dwelt in Mundolin who had very good correspon denâ—ie in France Italy and Spaine to whom She delivered ten thousand Crownes and required of him bills of exchange for the returning of 〈◊〉 to Isabella's Father in 〈◊〉 or in any other paâ—… of Spaine The Merch anâ— discounting his interrest and profit told the Queene that he would make certaine and sure payment of them in 〈◊〉 by bâ—…ls of exchange upon another French Merchant his correspondent in this manner and forme viz. That 〈◊〉 would write to Paris to the end that the bills might bâ—… made there by another correspondent of his because they 〈◊〉 accept and allow of those that came from Fraâ—… 〈…〉 this Island by reason of the prohibition of commerce betwixt those two Kingdomes and that a letter of advice from him should serve the turne by a privie marke that passed between them two and that without any more adoe the Merchant of Sevilla should give him the moneys who should bee advised thereof from Paris In fine the Queene tooke such good securitie of the Merchant that she made no doubt of the true payment of it And not contenting her selfe with this She sent for the Master of a Flemish shippe that lay in the River and was to put forth the day following for France onely to take testimonie thereof in some Port that hee might bee the better able to passe into Spaine under the title of comming from France and not from the Island whom shee earnestly entreated to carry with him in his shippe Isabella and her Parents and that hee should use them well and kindly and land them in Spaine at the very first place hee should come at on that Coast The Master who desired to give the Queene contentment told her that he would doe it and that he would land them either in Lisborne Cadiz or Sevilla Having taken sufficient securitie of the Merchant and assurance from the Master the Queene by way of message sent unto Clotaldo that he should not take any thing of
And although I shall be driven to strike some blowes with the hammer in taking off the plate yet my Masters bed chamber where he sleepes is so farre off from this doore that it must be either a great miracle or misfortune if hee hap to beaâ—e us Well sayd Loaysa let us put that to the venture and within these two dayes Luys thou shalt have all that is 〈…〉 for the putting of this thy vertuous purpose in execution And let mee advise you to refraine from such 〈◊〉 as breed fleagme for besides that in themselves they are not wholesome they are very hurtfull for your voyce No one thing replied Luys makes mee so much hoarse as wine yet will I not be debarr'd my drinking of it for all the voyces in the world No by no meanes sayd Loaysa it was the least of my thought God forbid that I should forbid you so good a thing Drinke my son Luys drinke and much good may it doe thy heart for wine that is drunke with measure doth never cause any harme Nay I drinke it with measure I assure you replied the Negro for I have a jarre which being fill'd to the very brimme holds just three quarts and no more nor no lesse And this my fellow slaves bring me unwitting to my Master And he Dispensero ever and anone but very secretly furnishes me with a bottle which holds just a gallon for a new supply when my jarre begins to grow low I tell thee sayd Loaysa just such a kinde of life doe I leade and there is no living without it for La secagarganta ni grune ni canta A drie threat cannot sing a note Well fare you well sayd the Negro but one word with you before you goe see you doe not misse singing here night by night till you bring those tooles with you to worke your enterance in hither for my fingers ends itch to be fingering of the Ghitterne Misse singing said Loaysa no I will dye first and to give you the more content when I come next I will tickle your eares with other new tunes Oh by all meanes replied Luys that will be excellent New tunes thou mak'st my heart leape for joy But I pray thee doe not goe hence before thou hast sung one song more that I may sleepe the better after it and for paying you for your paines beleeve mee though I am but poore I will pay you better then those that are riches I doe not stand upon that answered Loaysa for according as you 〈◊〉 so shall you pay me and no otherwise And now hearken to this tune and I hope you will like it but if it be my good hap once to get in to you thou shalt see wonders with a very good will answered the Negro This large colloquie being ended Loysa sung a witty conceiâ—ed dittie wherewith the Negro was so well pleased and satisfied that hee thought every houre a thousand yeares till he might see the doore opened Loaysa was scarce gone from the doore when as with match more nimblenesse then his crutches promised hee hastened to give an account to his companions and counsellets of this his good beginning as a prognosticke of the good end which hee hoped for He met with them finding them altogethe and recounted unto them what hee had concluded with the Negro And the next day following he fitted him with such instruments as should pull out any nayle or knap it asunder as if it were some small sticke But in the meane while Loaysa was not carelesse in his comming to give the Negro musicke nor was the Negro negligent in making a hole for the receiving of those tooles which his Master should bring him and to cover it in such sort that if it were not looked on with a malicious and suspicious eye it could never be espied The second night Loaysa gave him those instruments and Luys tried his strength and in a manner without putting any force at all hee found the nayles some pulled out broken and some whole and the plate in his hands he oppened the doore and let in his Orpbeus and new master But when he saw him with his two crutches and so ragged and â—orne and his legge so bound about with â—…hes he was wonder strucken Loaysa had not clapt his blarke patch upon his eye because then it was not needfull and thus accoutered as soone as hee entered in hee hâ—…gged his good scholler in his 〈◊〉 and kissed his check and prefoâ—ly put into his hands a great bottle of wine and a 〈◊〉 of conserves with some other sweet meates which 〈…〉 a wallet along with him And throwing his crutches away from him as if hee had not any infirmitie at all he began to cut two or three capers whereat the Negro was much more amazed then before admiring what manner of man this should bee and to what end or purpose hee had put on this disguise To whom to put him out of his musing Loaysa sayd Know brother Luys that this my lamenesse and numbnesse does not grow from any infirmitie that I have but of set purpose I feigne my selfe to bee thus ill affected whereby I get my living and bread to put in my mouth begging for Gods sake And helping my selfe with this tricke and my musicke I picke out a pretty meanes to maintaine my selfe and leade the merriest life of any man in the world whereas they who are not their craft-masters and use not the like kinde of industrie are readie to starve and often dye out of meere hunger And this thou shalt finde to be true as in the discourse of this our new-founded friendshippe I shall discover and make clear unto thee Time will shew it answered the Negro in the meane while let us take order to put this plate againe in its owne place that what wee have done may not bee discerned With a very good will replyed Loaysa and so taking nayles out of his wallet they fastened the plate so neatly to the locke that it was just the same as it was before wherewith the Negro rested wonderfull well contented And so Loaysa going up to the Negro's loft accommodated himselfe the best hee could Luys presently tinded a waxe candle and without any longer tarrying Loaysa drew out his Ghitterne and playing upon it with a soft and sweete touch suspended the Negro in such sort that hearing it hee was almost out of his little wits Having played a pretty while hee tooke out a new collation and gave it unto his Scholler who in swallowing downe his sweet meats dranke so deepe of the bottle that it made him more besides himselfe then the musicke This being past and ended hee would in all haste that Luys should beginne to take out his first lesson and because the poore Negro had foure fingers thicke of wine swimming in his braine hee could not hit right upon any one of the frets or make any true stoppe and yet notwithstanding Loaysa made him beleeve that he had learned
considered as might have fully secured mee of enjoying of that without disturbance which hath cost me so much and that shee should have made it her studie not to have given me any the least occasion of letting any kinde of jealous feare to enter into my thought But because the chasticement cannot bee prevented by humane diligence which the divine will of Heaven is willing to inflict on those who doe not wholy place therein their desires and hopes it is no marvell that I remaine defrauded in mine And that I my selfe have beene the Confectioner of that poyson which now goes shortning and taking away my life But because I perceiue the suspension wherein all of you stand upon these words proceeding from my mouth I will conclude the long preambles of this my discourse with telling you in one word that which is not possible to bee uttered in many thousands I tell you then my noble friends that all that which I have sayd and done ends in this that this woman I found borne into the world for the disturbing of my quiet and losse of my life poynting to his wife in the armes of a lusty young man which is now secretly shut up in the lodging of this pestiferous Governesse Scarce had Carrizales ended these words when as Leonora having her heart suddenly clouded fell into a swound betweene her husbands knees Marialonso lost her colour and look't as pale as ashes and Leonora's Parents had such a knot knit athwart their throats that it would not give them leave to speake one word But Carrizales going on where hee left sayd the revenge which I purpose to take for this foule affront is not nor shall be such as ordinarily in the like cases are wont to bee taken And therefore I will that as I was extreame in that which I did so likewise shall bee the vengeance which I will take by taking it on my selfe as most culpable in this offence For I should and ought to have considered with my selfe that ill could agree and sort together the fifteene yeares of this young Woman with the almost fourescore of mine I was he who like the Silke-worme wrought the house wherein I must dye Nor doe I blame thee ill advised young soule and in saying this he bowed downe his head and kissed the cheeke of Leonora I doe not blame thee I say because the perswasions of subtill old Beldames and the love-trickes of amorous young men easily overcome and triumph over that little wit which thy few yeares afford But because all the world may see and know the worth value of that good will and affection wherewith I ever lov'd thee in this last passage of my life I will shew it in such sort that it may remaine in the world for an example if not of goodnesse yet at least of such simplicitie of heart as was never heretofore heard of or seene And therefore I will that a Scrivener be presently sent for to make a new my last Will and Testament wherein I will double Leonora's Dworie and shall entreat her after my dayes are ended which will bee but a few that shee dispose her will since that shee may then doe it without enforcing to marry with that young man whom the grey haires of this unfortunate old man never offended And so shall shee see that if living I did never goe one jot from that which I thought might give her content now dying I am desirous to doe the like that she may take that felicitie with him whom shee seemeth to love so dearely And to you kinde Father and Mother I will have a great care to leave you so well and so rich that you shall live plentifully during both your lives The rest of my wealth shall goe to godly and pious uses Cause the Scrivener to come presently unto mee for the passion which hath alreadie taken hold of me doth so oppresse and torment my heart that it goes encreasing and will in a very short time cut off the thread of my life Having sayd this hee fell into a worse swounding then the former and fell downe so neere to Leonora that their faces were joyned each to other A strange and sad spectacle for those her Parents who with mournefull heart and eies looked on their beloved Daughter and their kinde Sonne in Law The naughty Governesse would not stay to receive the rebukes and the reprehensions which she thought Leonora's Parents would bestow upon her and therefore shee got her out of the lodging and went to advertise Loaysa of all what had passed advising him to get him instantly out of the house and that shee would take care to certifie him by the Negro of the successe of this businesse since that now there were no doores nor keyes to hinder his passage Loaysa was wonder-strucken with this strange newes and following her counsell returned to put on his old ragges like a poore beggar and hastned to give an account to his frieds of the successe of his love In the interim that those two were thus transported with their severall passions Leonora's Father sent to call a Scrivener an inward friend of his who came just at that time that his Daughter and Son in Law were come againe to themselves Carrizales made his Will in that forme and manner as wee told you before without declaring Leonora's errour more then that for some good respects hee earnestly besought and entreated her that she would marry in case he dyed with that young man whom he had told her of in secret When Leonora heard this shee fell downe at her Husbands feet and her heart panting within her breast shee sayd unto him Live my deare husband and my chiefest blisse live many many yeares For albeit you are not bound to beleeve me in ought that I shall say unto you know that I have not offended you save onely in thought and beginning to excuse her selfe and to recount at large the truth of the case shee could not move her tongue to speake a word more but fell a new into a swound Being in this dismayment her grieved Husband embraced her her loving Parents imbraced her and all of them wept so bitterly that they obliged and even in a manner inforced the Scrivener to accompanie them in their teares who made the Testament Wherein he left sufficient maintenance to all his houshold-servants hee manumitted and set at libertie his women-slaves together with the Negro but to false Marialonso he bequeathed no more but her bare wages Having thus settled his estate the seventh day following he was borne to his grave Leonora remained a very sad and mournfull Widow but was left very rich And when as Loaysa well hoped that shee would cumply with that whereof he was not ignorant which her Husband had recommended unto her in his Testament but afterward saw that within a seven-night after his death she became a Nunne and was admitted into one of the strictest Monasteries of all the Citie being frustrated of his hopes and ashamed to shew his face lest hee should be made a laughing-stock and by-word to all that knew him he left Sevill and went for the Indyes Leonora's Parents were full of sorow and heavines though somewhat comforted with that which their kind sonne in law had left them in his last Will and Testament The Maid-servants cheered themselves as well as they could with the liberall Legacies he had given them And those his shee-slaves together with Luys the Negro rested the better satisfied with their infranchisement and freedome But that wicked and accursed Governesse shee was left as she well deserved very poore and defrauded of all her evill thoughts and lewd purposes And I my selfe rest very well pleased that I am now come to the end of this successe Example and Mirrour of the little confidence which is to be put in Keyes Locks Tornells and Walls when as the will continueth free and at libertie And how much lesse we are to trust and relye on greene and 〈◊〉 yâ—…es when are exhibited to their eares the exhortations and perswasions of such ill-disposed Governesses whose habit and attyre is grave and Matron-like but their tongâ—es and hearts full of deceit and mischiefe Only I doe not know what was the reason that Leonora did not expresse her selfe more at large in excusing her selfe and in giving her jealous Husband to understand how cleare and unspotted shee was and how cleare from doing him any wrong in that kind but perturbation it should seeme had knit a knot on her tongue and the haste her Husband made to dye did not give her time enough to make her just excuse FINIS