Nise who stood by her Madam said he is it with your Highness permission that I must relate to the person appointed what concerns my dear Lord Fredericks memory He had no sooner mentioned that Name but a sudden disorder appeared in the afflicted Princess's Face surprized to think that a Stranger should be acquainted with what she thought a Secret to the whole world and finding her disturbance increase by her endeavours to suppress it she rose hastily up and taking Nise by the Arm to support her retired to her Closet leaving all the company amazed at her departure She had not been long withdrawn when a Lady came from her to bring in the poor Stranger who as soon as he saw none with her but Nise the rest having withdrawn to the further end of the Room kneeling down at a little distance and with tears in his eyes said to her Madam it has pleased Providence at last to bring me where I can fulfill the injunction of my unhappy Lord who commanded me if he ended his days in the captivity we were in that if ever I should see Italy I should acquaint your Highness with those misfortunes happened to him after his being believed dead and thrown into the adjacent River What said the Dutchess interrupting him was it not Frederick who was murdered and carried away by the Streams Yes Madam said he it was my Dear Master received all those wounds were intended him but at that time Heaven was pleased to spare his Life though as it has proved since only to let him go with more misfortunes to his Grave That joy which the Dutchess began to receive at the mention of his being alive was soon turned to her wonted affliction at the Strangers last words but a little recovering her self and earnest to know the particulars of Frederick's second death as she termed it she desired him to give her an account of what she was ignorant of concerning that unhappy man The History of Frederick Astolfo and Roselinda IN the Relation your Highness commands me to make of my Masters adventures since you believed him killed at your Palace-Gates I must necessarily acquaint you with those of two persons once not unknown to your Highness I mean Astolfo and Roselinda who fled from Mantua some time before my Master was forced from thence The Dutchess hearing their Names desired him to omit nothing which might concern a person so much esteemed by her as Roselinda and Fredericks Loyal Servant perceiving she expected to know what he had to inform her of began his sad story Although it may seem presumptuous to say any thing to your Highness concerning a Person so inconsiderable as my self yet it may not be unnecessary to own the particular favours my Noble Master was pleased to bestow upon me in not concealing his most secret thoughts from one he believed wholly devoted to his service when he was at Rome he engaged my Father Julian whose Name I bear to let me attend him in those Travels he designed to make through most parts of Europe which for my Improvement he yielded to desiring I should learn what experience I could abroad before he settled me at home where his Fortune was considerable enough to bound a moderate Ambition though much inferiour to what his Ancestors had enjoyed but being forced to stay behind for the settlement of some Affairs I did not overtake my Master till he had been some time here in Mantua where I was overjoyed to find him in so high Favour with the Duke and after a few days congratulating his happiness in being designed the Husband of Roselinda he was pleased out of a confidence he had of my secresie to tell me how little agreeable that match was to him I need not repeat to your Highness any thing which past in Mantua till the fatal Night was designed for his destruction when coming from the Palace a little distance from whence I waited his return a sudden noise of Swords made me retire where I might be less taken notice of without imagining him concerned in that quarrel till a while after believing by their silence all was over I drew near enough to hear one of the Guards say although he be not wounded his falling into the River must be his death another replying I have found his Sword which by as much as I can discern in the dark is rich enough to be owned by a Person of Quality growing a little suspitious by their words and frighted at their naming a man thrown into the River I adventured to ask them what the disturbance was I had heard a little before which one of them telling me and shewing me the Sword I was half dead at the knowledge that it was my Dear Masters and crying out 't is Lord Fredericks Lord Frederick is slain I ran to that part of the River where they told me he was thrown in but being able to perceive nothing I followed the Current all Night making the Banks eccho to my Grief for the loss of him and the best part of the next day was spent in the same manner when towards Evening falling in among some Huts the Fishermen had set up upon the Banks one of them hearing what I was in search of told me that being most of the Night Fishing upon the River he had discerned something carried down by the Stream come very near his Boat and making towards it took up a man in a very rich Garb almost dead which he thought had been occasioned by his being tired with Swimming but bringing him ashore to his Hut he found him all over bloody and as he believed then quite dead However the charitable man willing to give him what assistance he could first rolling his body on a Tub which brought a great quantity of Water from him and then laying him wrapt in dry Woollen near a Fire his heat began to return and at length he opened his Eyes though without any sense or knowledge of what was done to him and removing him thence to a Bed they bound up his wounds as well as they could till a Chirurgeon could be brought from the next Town which the careful Host went for but at his return he met some of his Comrades in a great Fright saying the Corsairs of Tunis had landed and carried off with them several of their Companions Slaves whom they had surprized in their Huts that as soon as their fear would give them leave returning to their Huts he mist his wounded Guess whom he imagined they had taken away in that condition incouraged by the rich Cloaths lay by him believing if he lived such a booty would afford a Ransom to requite the pains of curing him but he was confident the condition he had left him in would not bear a remove without the loss of his life and he concluded him certainly dead This second misfortune put me quite beyond my consideration of reason and I stayed that Night with my Masters Host consuming
fighting with Christians as soon as the Moor heard what he said turning back he went to the rest of the Company and presently returned with two more they asked him seral questions but finding he had not strength to speak they took him up in their Arms and putting him upon a quiet Horse with a Man behind to hold him up carried him away to a little Town about a League off where one of the Company whose Profession it was searched and dressed his wounds telling him withal he should not be discouraged for that none of them were Mortal he continued the next day and night in that little Village but so weak that he could not utter a word loud enough to be heard and the Moors who had taken care of him being to depart they procured a Cart to lay him on and ordered it to follow softly after them to Cordova he that was the Chirurgion staying with him there had past a week from the time of his being hurt to that of their Arrival at the City and the next day after it his wounds being in a fair way of Cure and his Spirits so much recovered that he could and was by his Chirurgion allowed to speak the Chief of those who had delivered him from the Rock came to see him and telling him he was Son to the General of Cordova and sent out to make some Discovery which way Antiquera might be assaulted when he found him in that weak Condition at the Foot of the white Rock believing it was an extraordinary incounter had reduced him almost to his end That both out of Charity and a desire to know how he came by his wounds he was induced to give Order that if possible his Life should be preserved and now that there was some appearance of it he desired in requital of his kindness that he would satisfy his Curiosity in what he demanded to know of him My Master was very willing to comply with his desire having had time to consider what Account was properest to give of his Misfortunes so that after returning him thanks with much acknowledgment of his kindness to him I must confess noble Deliverer said my Master that I am descended of Christian Parents but having spent much time in Africa about Tunis I may reckon my self indebted to the Moors for part of my Education I served that King some time in his Wars with so much Success that his goodness thought the greatest things he could do for me such as he had no reason to wish unbestowed and being young and desirous to see a Country so much celebrated as this is for the Wars between you and the Christians I took my leave of him and accompanied Hamet one of his principal Subjects who came over hither on an Embassy from him We arrived some time since at Malaga and that Morning you met me having travelled so far in to the Country there was upon the Rock a sharp Dispute between some Christians and Hamets Party and there after several wounds I fell remaining as dead for a long time but coming to my self I lay upon a Heap of dead Bodies all of Hamets Party but how he happened to be overcome I am able to give you no Account off The Moor was much pleased with the short Narrative my Master gave and conjectured what was really true that a Party from Antiquera might have fallen on them and either slain or made them all Captives After this if my Master was used with a Charitable Civility before they now gave him Respect as the Favourite of a King and great Souldier being visited by most of the considerable Men in that Court. And after six weeks his wounds being so well that he was able to walk abroad his Friend carried him to wait on the King having provided him Rich Garments of the Moorish Fashion He was very urgent to oblidge his continuance with him and to have him accept a Command in his Army against the Christians which my Master not without difficulty was excused from urging the necessity of his Removal to inquire what was become of those he had accompanied from Tunis As soon as he was perfectly cured though with regret of those he left he took his leave of Cordova and being accommodated with Horses to Valencia there upon pretence of security to Travel he got a Pass from the Christian Garrisons and being brought to the nearest by Moors he had hired making use of his Pass for their Return as soon as they were without the Walls he made the Governor a Visit and discovered himself to be a Sicilian and giving him a Relation of some of his Adventures he so much obliged him that he not only made him his own Guess for some days he stayed there both to rest himself not yet able to endure a long Journey and to change his Moorish Habit he then wore but supplied him with all things necessary both for his Journey and Voyage which was succesful enough not only while he Travelled by Land but for some days after he had put to Sea in a Vessel bound hither one day as he was sitting on the Deck pleased with the hopes of being soon at Mantua which the Master promised him a sight of in two days if the Wind continued fair holding your Picture in his hand He with the point of a Knife engraved those words gave you the first Intelligence of his being alive That Night the Wind was fair and fresh but in the Morning a general Fright seized all the Mariners when they beheld not a mile to windward of them a large Ship by whose Antiant they knew her to be a Turkish Pirate of Algier in less than an hour she came close up with them and commanding the Master to strike his sails and yield No perswasions of my Lords could prevail with them to stand on their defence not being above twenty in number half Passengers and in the Turks Ship near three hundred Men only the Master advised all his Passengers to throw away their best Cloaths that their Ransomes might be the more moderate which they al did except my Lord who though he stood with his Sword in his hand resolved to sell his Life at as dear a rate as he could yet as soon as they were Boarded overpowred with numbers he was made a Captive among the rest and stripped both of all his Cloaths and what was dearest to him in the World next your self the Picture was taken from him the Turks as soon as they had searched their Prize taking all the Prisoners on Board their own Ship sent the other with some of their own Men home to Algier laden with all the Booty they had taken themselves keeping out at Sea for more purchase ten days after their Captivity about noon the Turks espied a Sail and giving her Chase found in a short time that she endeavoured as much to get up with them so that preparing for a Fight they shut up their Prisoners under Hatches
disposition and leaving the rest of her train in the Walks she returned with Nise to the Grotto from whence Alexander adventure had lately called her where making the youâ—â— Confident sit down by her she resolv'd to endeavour the unloading her breast of those afflictions she laboured with by letting Nise pertake the knowledge of her most secret Concerns in relating those circumstances of her life which till then she had been ignorant of The History of Diana Dutchess of Mantua I Do believe dear Nise said the melancholick Princess 't is not only thy admiration but that of all people To see me yield to a Grief must appear very unaccountable since the occasion of it is altogether unknown even to those who think themselves best acquainted with all passages of my life especially at a time when in all appearance fortune has nothing to add whereby my condition might be more happy But the assurance of thy affection and fidelity removes those scruples I might apprehend against the revealing what I must needs allow a weakness and incourages me with the less reluctance to make thee acquainted with the affliction I struggle with occasion'd by an unfortunate passion The very mention of that word oblig'd the Dutchess to turn her head aside to conceal the Blushes and dry those Tears that Remembrance and the Confession of it had forced from her but quickly recollecting her self she gratified her beloved Nise with a short Narration of the most remarkable passages of her life Although my Fathers Indulgence proceeded the incomparable Lady was much inferiour to his Severity I am confident the whole world will grant my Sorrow for the loss of him was never exceeded by those who bewailed the death of a most tender Parent Yet two compleat years being expired since Heaven was pleased I should be deprived of him the whole Province may have reason to believe 't is some other cause prevents my receiving a full Satisfaction in the state Heaven has been pleased to allow me so much above others And I must confess did Ambition or Interest rule my mind it were unreasonable to wish for more than I am already Mistress of My Father left me not only to the possession of this flourishing Dukedom of Mantua but as great a Treasure to maintain my Royalty as any Prince in Italy can boast him self Master of Were the enjoyment of liberty delightful to me so generally sought after and wished by those of our sex above all other Blessings how happy might I esteem my self in the difference there is between a recluse life such as an awful Father confined me to and that uncontroul'd disposal of my self I now enjoy But alas how little is the benefit I reap from these advantages while I lament the loss of what was justly much dearer to me than all the Glories of establisht Sovereignty I suppose you are not ignorant of that disaster made such a noise in the Court about half a year before the death of my Father and much about the time yours placed you here with me I mean the murder of that most accomplisht young Lord Frederick of Bolonna who was most barbarously assassinated and thrown into the River as he returned one Evening late from the Palace to his House That unhappy Gentlemans destiny said the agreeable Nise finding the Princess with no small disturbance pause of the mention of so bloody a deed filled all the Court not only with Pity but Astonishment that a person admired and beloved by all who knew him should fall under so cruel a fate in a place where his obliging carriage and unequal vertues had procured him many friends but thought to have no enemy Most certain continued the afflicted Lady having recovered her self a little none more deserved an universal admiration or lived freer from being hated by the most envious but alas had his Merits been less his Life had never been sacrificed to the cruel resentment of an unjustly offended Prince 'T is now Dear Nise I must discover to you a Secret the whole world is to this moment ignorant of This unfortunate man by birth inferiour to none as descended from a Branch of that Family was once adorn'd with the Crown of Naples and now enjoys the Throne of Sicily Possessor of no inconsiderable Estate and Title and one whose worth transcended all the advantages could be deduced from either finding he was the free master of himself and fortune resolved for some years by travel from his native Countrey to improve those accomplishments he thought he had only learnt the Theory of from his careful Tutors After some months spent in seeing the most celebrated parts of Europe he came into Italy and visiting after a short abode at Rome the principal Cities of this Country he came hither with intent to reside a while at my Fathers Court. His excellent society and generous behaviour soon made him to be taken notice of as the most considerable stranger had been seen at Mantua for many years and if his great endowments of mind with an unaffected gracefulness of carriage in all his actions attended with a most complaisant humility procured him the Esteem and Respect of all vertuous men His youth adorned with a beauty more than natural to his sex and his winning Conversation purchased him if not the Affection at least the favourable Opinion of all our Mantuan Ladies and there were as I have been informed very few if any whose affections were not preingaged but would willingly have been content to make him the disposer of their liberty He was very assiduous in attending at the Court from the first night of his appearance there which chanc'd to be when my Father by a publick celebration of his birth-day allowed a more than usual freedom in his Palace He was permitted to daunce with me being lookt upon as a stranger of quality and then as he since told me he embraced those chains were relinquisht with his life after some weeks stay with us the high Character every one gave of him and those Remarkes my Father himself had taken of his extraordinary parts made him desirous to retain so eminent a person alwayes near him by heaping continual honours daily on him insomuch that he was quickly beheld not only one of the greatest Officers of the Court but the Dukes peculiar Favourite and to oblige him from any thoughts of returning to Sicily the place of his Birth and Fortunes my Father designed a match for him with Roselinda the only Daughter of Count Theophilus the most eminent man within his territories But his humility as was then believed made him though with great acknowledgements excuse the acceptance of what he declared himself too unworthy of deserving But his modesty served only to incite my Father with greater earnestness to bring him to the acceptance of what he judged so advantagious for him and having acquainted the Old Count with his Desires it was not only accepted of by him but he seem'd overjoyed with
of her grief might be entrusted to one vowed her all the friendship and kindness her condition was capable of receiving My entreaties were so prevalent that at last she confest with a shower of tears the love of Astolfo whom you knew made her rather wish for death than an eternal loss of one so dear to her and of whose affection she wanted no assurance she let me know the circumstances of her Passion with so much grief and tenderness that had I been less concerned then I was to prevent what she so much feared I should not have been able to deny her all the assistance possible in prolonging her Marriage with Frederick but when in vain we had consulted all ways that had the least appearance of proving successful in doing it she declared her resolution of flying from her Father and Countrey with Astolfo rather than infringe the Vows she had made him and be sacrificed to one she could never love we both concluded no remedy could be expected any other way although the dangers and difficulties of that were too great to be hastily resolved on and though I cannot deny but I wisht it yet I could never bring my self to encourage their being exposed either to the ill consequences of such a voluntary Banishment or the rage of a Prince and Father who would be equally cruel in the punishment of them should they ever again fall into his hands and at last my Compassion wrought so far upon me that I perswaded her to a resolution with anxiety enough that was to make us both miserable to submit to that of our Fathers letting her know withal that if she was given from one she so intirely loved she at the same time rob'd me of a man that were I at my own dispose I should not think unworthy of my favour She exprest great acknowledgements for the confidence I had reposed in her and left me with a seeming resolution of submitting to the councel I had given her of Obedience and I remained all that day overwhelmed with the disquiet so unhappy a Resolve had thrown me into without suffering my self to be seen by any body That evening a while after it was dark I was acquainted that Roselinda with a Kinswoman of hers and stranger to the Court beg'd admittance to me with a desire of acquainting me in private with something that very nearly concern'd me as much as her self I wondred a little what should occasion so unexpected a Visit from her but more at the mention of that stranger was in her company and ordering them to be brought into my Closet you will believe I was strangely surprized to discover notwithstanding the disguise that Frederick was the pretended relation she brought with her So extraordinary a presumption raised a disturbance in me which she easily discovered by the frowns I welcomed her and her audacious guess with who immediately threw himself at my feet with all the languishing gestures of a violent Passion but durst not speak a word in his own Excuse of a good while his Conductor as much silenced through the fear of having highly offended me During his continuance in that posture a violent Combat between Love and Respect had disordered all the faculties of my soul and had I given way to the first dictates of my Resentment I had called for guards to seize him and delivered him up a prey to the utmost rigour of my Father who was but too nice in such circumstances of honour which his rudeness had violated But when I began to yield to more tender thoughts I found it impossible for me to think of indangering the life of one Heaven had decreed I must ever Love and withal induced by a Curiosity not unnatural to our Sex I was willing to understand the design of his appearing before me in such a Dress especially being brought in by one I believed was the next morning to be his Wife While my heart was agitated with these considerations still suspensive whether I should declare in favour of one I loved or condemn his presumption with an immediate banishment for ever from my sight he remained kneeling at my feet not daring to speak a word untill upon my making a sign to him to quit the posture he was in not without a violent compulsion of himself he said trembling I acknowledge Divinest Princess my offence has justly merited death and I am ready at your Command to resign that life must not be worth preserving if you sentence it to a dissolution Whatever difficulty he found in uttering these words mine would have proved much greater in returning an answer had not Roselinda prevented my doing of it who undertaking to say something for both their vindications after having a thousand times begg'd my forgiveness of a crime necessity had compell'd her to the commission of finding I seemed attentive to what she was about to speak acquainted me that after her leaving the Palace in the morning not being able to resolve on what she had seemingly promised and Astolfo finding means to give her a private Visit overcome by her Lovers tears and perswasions she had determined rather to give her life an Oblation to her Fathers displeasure than her hand to any one but him that had the engagement both of that and her heart In the mean time Frederick having resolutions not much different from hers sought to obtain a private conference with her whose admittance met with little obstruction in the family as knowing him to be very suddenly her Husband and her own Maid ignorant of Astolpho's being there waited on him to her Chamber where they were all sufficiently amazed at so unexpected an Encounter of each other And that finding it would be too dangerous for her to conceal her thoughts any longer she confessed to Frederick the person he beheld there was one to whom she afforded too great proofs of her affection ever to let it be bestowed upon any other and that he appeared so far from being displeased with her frank declaration in favour of his Rival that after a long obliging discourse he offer'd to contribute what lay in his power towards the prevention of two Lovers being ruined who were determined rather to dye than admit of a separation That at last not being able to imagine any possibility of avoiding a forced marriage if they continued in Mantua Astolfo had prevailed so far with her as she consented to fly with him both from her Friends and Country but would not stir without my allowance of it and 'till she had taken a long farewel of me that her Lover being gone to provide Horses and what else was necessary for their flight Frederick remaining alone with her had owned that the Adoration he had for me occasioned the indifference towards her which appeared in his carriage from the first mention of the Dukes intention to make her his Wife And whether she imagined in her self after that discovery I had made her of my Love that
the difficulty of having a City Gate opened was not easily to be removed believing so fair an opportunity would scarce offer again I was resolved to further it all I could Alstolfo having told me that both my Master and himself were resolved to expose their Lives to the utmost Peril and rather kill Hamet in his House than let Roselinda be Ravished by him The City of Antiquera was at that time in the Power of the Spaniards being but seven Leagues from the Place where we were so that if we could get forth untaken notice of having once entred the Mountains the discovery of us if pursued would be difficult but how to find the way created us most trouble all being Strangers in that Country to which Astolfo answered that Hamet having bought a Spanish Slave since his Arrival they might easily take him with them who would doubtless serve as a Guide I sent Astolfo back desiring him to provide all things ready against the next Night and in the mean time I enquired out who had the Charge of that Gate we purposed to pass and finding him a young Man in whose Company I had been where most People used to resort and Converse together as soon as I had found him falling into Discourse of the difference between Spain and Africk he seemed to like the former chiefly for the Recreation he had in pursuing such Game as the Neighbouring Mountains were stored with and hearing me declare my self a great lover of Hunting he presently invited me to go along with him the next Morning and that in order to it we might go and lye the same Night at a House he had half a League out of Town I accepted the offer for the Night following saying I would bring a Friend or two with me so we parted till the next day in the mean time having given notice to the rest to be ready two hours within Night I would not be seen by the young Moor till toward the Evening when I believed he would expect me ready to go and then finding him at his Gate waiting only my coming to be gone I told him an unlookt-for business would forcibly detain me till some time within Night but if he would order the Gate to be opened for me and my Friends we would certainly be with him long before Morning he was very desirous of staying for me but I pretending to accept no such Compliment perswaded him to set forward first commanding the Guard to let me and who ever came with me through at any time of the Night After he was gone I waited at my Lodging till the time drew near for my Master and his Companies coming forth and then finding the Back-door of the Garden to Hamets House at the time I had appointed came forth my Master Astolfo Roselinda the Eunuch and the Slave who had with Joy undertaken to be our Guide As soon as I came to the Gate according to the Order had been given they let us all forth without asking any Question and taking the Way our Guide directed a little after Midnight we reached the Mountains as we were on the way the Eunuch told us that Hamet coming early home and visiting Roselinda stayed no longer than to tell her that the following Night she must either by force or freely yield and so leaving her went to Bed whom he lockt in and then brought forth all his Companions to me whose Design of flying to the Christians he much wondred at till acquainted with my disguise All that night we travelled without meeting any Body having reached about three Leagues the ways being so Rocky that Roselinda could scarce climb the Hills with all the Assistance we afforded her and though we had got the advantage of the Suns Light yet our Journey all day was as tedious being perswaded by our Guide to leave the Road for fear of a pursuit so that what with our going about and making a way thorow the Sedge of the Mountains it was within an hour of Sun-set when we came to the utmost of the Hills from whence we could discern a spacious Plain and a League from the Foot of the Mountain on a rising Ground that Christian City grown famous by holding out so long against the Moors that the Grandchildren of those who first shut up the Gates at that time maintained the Walls against their Enemies having been besieged and blocked up near seventy years We made what possible hast we could down into the Plain hoping before Night to enter our City of Refuge but the difficulty of descending the craggy Cliffs where there was no Path took us up so much time that it was quite dark when we recovered the bottome of those asperous Mountains and though we were got into a High-way which our Guide told us Lead to the City yet fearing to encounter any Party of Moors who used to be abroad in the Night we left the Tract and by the direction of our Spanish Captive going almost half a mile within the Plain we came to the Foot of a large and steep Rock which rose in the middle of the Valley being to be got up but on one side the other making a very high Precipice At the bottom of this fatal Rock we thought it convenient to Repose our selves as in a place of security till the days approach when our Spaniard told us there would be no hazard of meeting any Enemies the Christians using to be abroad every Morning to scour the Coast of those Parties of Moors who many times by the Nights shelter have adventured under their very Walls either to Alarm them or take up any they could find stragling without their Lines Fredericks loyal servant coming to this part of his Relation was interrupted by a crowd of Sighs forced a passage from his Breast but a little suppressing them and drying the Tears from his Eyes I wish Madam continued he I might here conclude my Story since what remains to acquaint you with I am confident will occasion no less trouble to you than pitty for those unfortunate people whose Adventures you have heard The fair Dutchess could not suppress her foreboding sorrow to find how unwilling he was to let her know any more but striving with her self and in a manner expecting the worst She desired he would leave nothing untold which concerned any of that miserable Company and leaning on Nise with a Handkerchief wet with Tears before her Eyes she listened to the conclusion of his History Since you must not be disobeyed said the sorrowful Roman I am to acquaint your Highness that we spent most part of the Night with satisfaction enough in repeating our past Adventures joyful that in a few hours we hoped to find our selves in a place of safety and the first dawn of the Morning was welcomed by us all at which time in a Road not far from the Rock we heard the trampling of Horses and soon after discovered a Party as we guessed coming from the
she told him that Cynthia forgetful of what was most tender in the world her Honour had wronged him Alexander enraged at so bold an accusation of one he could not admit of an ill thought against in his Breast falling into a rage drew his Dagger as if resolved with her death to expiate the Crime he held her guilty of in profaning his Wives reputation but the very sight of it was enough to make her fall spiritless at his Feet and a little recollecting himself going to take her up as he laid hold of her Arm a note fell from her Sleeve which hastily taking up he knew the hand had wrote it to be Cynthia's so that leaving her as she lay he opened the Paper and read with no less disorder than he had put the Possessor of it into these words Alexander goes to Morrow to Mantua for a day or two so that you may safely meet me in the same disguise you have formerly done Alexander read it over several times and being fully convinced it was his Wives writing looking down on Porcia was sorry for the fright he had put her into and raising her up in a little space brought her to her self again who seeming offended at his rashness would have gone and left him telling him his threats were an ill requital for what she had done to preserve his Honour for which she was willing to expose her wicked Kinsman Alfredo to his resentment without consideration of her near alliance to him but Alexander holding her fast begged a thousand pardons for what he had offered to do desiring her to consider that his Love and confidence of of his Wife were such that he could not with patience hear she had injured him and intreated her to let him partake of all she knew concerning his then cruel Enemies which she cunningly did telling him his Wives Maid had told her of their meeting often in the disguise of Shepheards Habits which he knew his Wife had of late much affected to wear and that he being to go to Mantua she was employed to send Alfredo that Note and desired her to inclose that in a Letter to him but she abhorring to be assistant in so wicked and injurious a design having found him out was resolved to expose all their lives to his just anger rather than his reputation should be blemished by their private wickedness Alexanders misfortune was such that too easily overcome by her subtile insinuation and looking on the Bill as a too evident proof of his Wives falshood raised to the highest sense of indignation a man tender of his Honour could be when he found it assaulted and as he believed irreparably stained resolved their Lives should in part expiate the wrong they had done him but to make his cruelty appear more like an act of justice than the effect of a misguided rage by her councel he determined to send Alfredo the Note and pretending to prosecute his journey would return in private to an appointed place where Porcia should meet and direct him where his Abusers were With this resolution they departed from the Garden Porcia to pursue the effecting of her plot and Alexander to lament the misfortunes he was fallen into Love Grief Rage and Jealousie combating in his Breast what am I reduced to did he say to himself having retired to give more scope to his grief where there were no witnesses of it can I hate can I punish Cynthia can I believe her innocence ever imagined a thought that might wrong me No no I love her I adore her now she is my Wife more than ever Porcia is false and would abuse me Alfredo a Villain that would seduce her but cannot I 'le acquaint my Dear Cynthia with her accusation and be delighted to see her without disturbance clear her self from so vile an imputation But is not this Note her own writing would he say again does she not appoint their meeting in a disguise when I am absent who knows but she formerly loved that Traytor Alfredo when he sought to her Brother for her but was denied she is but too apparently false and like the rest of her dissembling Sex under the greatest pretext of vertue conceals most Devil Base Infamous Cynthia thou hast wronged me and shalt dye for it thy own Hand condemns thee nor is it the effect of Jealousie but apparent Wrong thou hast committed Nay had thy wickedness arrived no farther than the very writing such a Note to a man that is not thy Husband it were a sin in him not to be forgiven by Heaven should he let it remain unpunished With this fatal determination he endeavoured to strengthen himself against all the Approaches more tender Thoughts made upon him and strove to pass the remainder of that tedious day without the least appearance in his Countenance either of trouble or disturbance and towards Evening taking his leave of Cynthia and her Companion went away as he pretended to Mantua but as soon as it was quite dark he returned alone and going into the Garden by a private door concealed himself in a little Summer-house till the time of executing his Revenge should come being confirmed in it by having met as he went towards Mantua Alfredo in the disguise was appointed him walking towards his Lodge Porcia in the mean time perceiving all things succeeded as she had desired for Alfredo deceived by her did really believe his hopes of overcoming Cynthia were near accomplished and having after Alexanders departure perswaded his Wife to walk out and enjoy the pleasure of a cool Evenings Air both dressed themselves in the Habit of Shepherdesses at Porcia's request who told her that Alfredo would be in the Field in the same Dress and divert them with some Musick which he did and invited by his Couzen waited on Cynthia back to her House when it began to grow dark as soon as she came to the Garden Cynthia taking her leave of him with Excuses that she could not invite his stay all Night in her Lords absence she went in and Porcia staying behind directed him to conceal himself in the Garden till it were time to carry him where he should be Master of his wishes and having disposed of him she went to the Summer-house to Alexander having before to heighten his rage so ordered it that Alfredo led Cynthia just under the Window as they came in her self and Leonida following at a distance that Alexander might be more fully confirmed in the truth of what she had told him whom she found in a disorder suitable to what she wished telling him that Cynthia was gone in to stay till all his Servants were in Bed and then she would come down to bring Alfredo out of the Garden to her Chamber but begged he would not shew himself till she came again to him when she would carry him to the Room where he should catch them together which he promised and dismist her but about half an hour after grown impatient
of longer delay he went out and come almost to the Door of the House just as he saw a man and woman going into it so that assured it was Afredo and his Wife not able longer to with-hold his fury he run to them and shot Alfredo with a Pistol he had provided seconding his blow with stabbing a dagger into Cynthia's breast whereby they both fell dead at his feet without uttering a word or dying groan and not satisfied therewith he hasted into the House and bestowed the same punishment on Leonida for her treachery but neither designed nor imagined he had done any hurt to Porcia and afterwards hearing of her being wounded concluded he had in the dark mistaken her for Leonida Thus far continued Cesario I have acquainted your Highness with the Adventures of my unhappy Friend to the time he found shelter at your feet from the pursuit of those Peasants would have apprehended him but in the time hath passed since there have many things hapned which I hope will more incourage your Highness to pardon him and which Carlos his Wives Brother who attends without can give a better account of than has yet come to my knowledge The Dutchess being told it was late deferred hearing the conclusion of Alexanders story till the next day when she commanded he should be brought before her promising to sentence him either with rigour or favour as Carlos's story should discover his guilt or innocence and accordingly in the morning as soon as the Dutchess appeared abroad Cynthia's Brother was commanded to her presence who led a Lady veiled by the hand which being a thing not permitted in the Presence it was commanded to be taken off and the Lady was known to be the supposed murdered Cynthia As soon as the Dutchess was informed who she was with a satisfaction to behold her living whom she had with pity condoled as innocently slain she received her with more than a common kindness and being earnestly desirous to know how she had escaped her Husbands misguided rage Carlos being commanded to give her an account of it after his dutiful submission to her continued where Cesario had broke off Your Highness said he addressing himself to the Dutchess has been acquainted with the rigour Alexander used to those he thought guilty of blemishing his Honour Porcias designs and the circumstances I am now to acquaint your Highness with were learned from Leonida my Sisters Maid who so long survived the wound Alexander had given her as to confess the wrong she had done her Mistess and begging her pardon to advise her she would for a while secure her self from an apparently well-grounded rage might prove fatal to her my Brother in-law that Night believing he had sufficiently chastised the ruiners of his Honour left the House and retired into the adjacent Fields while my Sister remaining secure in her Chamber from any apprehensions of so bloody a Tragedy hearing a Pistol go off and the shrieks of her Maid when stabbed by Alexander was at first surprized with so much fear that she had not boldness enough to stir from her Chamber but at last venturing forth protected by her innocence the first object she met with was Leonida bleeding on the Floor as soon as that unhappy Maid saw her Mistress with a Light in her Hand raising her self a little Ah Madam said she with a feeble voice beware of your incensed Husband who designs your death for a crime you are most innocent of my Sister surprized with what she said without offering to retire desired her to declare what had been the occasion of her lying in that dreadful condition Ah Madam said the dying Leonida forgive my falshood and let my crimes dye with me You have formerly heard my Master had expressed some kindness to Porcia and that Alfredo adored your Beauty When she returned with her unhappy Couzen from Loretto finding you were married to him she hoped would have been her Husband resolving if possible to recover him she insinuated her self into your affection and promising Alfredo should marry me if I would be assistant in propagating her design she endeavoured to raise Alexanders jealousie to such a height that sacrificing you to his resentment as a reward of her care to preserve his Honour as soon as you were dead he should in gratitude let her supply your place and to effect it she deceived the overfond Alfredo with a belief that by her means you should be reduced to gratifie his wicked desires obliging him to come disguised to the Village that malicious Peasants should not take notice of his assiduity at the same time deceiving you with a pretence that he came to court her and me that all tended to your ruine and the making him my Husband but in a long time being able to ground no jealousie strong enough to possess Alexanders Breast with a prejudice against one he so intirely loved she cut her right hand on purpose and coming bleeding to you as if done by mischance she intreated you would write a Note to him as from her desiring he would come the next Night disguised as he used to do which as soon as you had done as she her self told me she shewed it to Alexander and sent him another by which means she believed he had been instigated to so much cruelty and had mistaking her for my Sister given her a just reward of her treachery Then begging she would for a while secure her self from her Husbands fury and grant her a remission of her offence she resigned her life My Sister terrified and amazed ran immediately out and wandring all Night in the Fields came the next day to my House giving me an account of what had passed I was resolved to endeavour a sudden reconcilement and to that purpose was sending in search of Alexander when my Friend Cesario came to me and told me he was made a Prisoner by your Highness order My Sister what with her grief and fright was taken with so violent a Feavour that for many days her life was despaired of and if she had died I resolved to prosecute Alexander as her Murderer but Heaven having been pleased after a tedious sickness to restore her health and finding she lamented the imprisonment of her Husband I had long since brought her to implore his life of your Highness had not Cesario assured me your indisposition denied any access to be had to You and waiting his Directions I have now brought her to begg You would pardon his severity against those who either had or really designed to offend him and make her happy in being restored to a Husband she so dotingly loves The Conclusion of Carlos story which was followed by Cynthia's begging for Alexanders Life on her Knees so sensibly touched the compassionate Dutchess that she commanded the Prisoner to be sent for and making Cynthia retire after the whole Story had been repeated to him so as if his Wife were really dead and he had with
Tears lamented his mistaken cruelty she was brought forth and with an unexpressible joy received into his Arms imploring a thousand times her Pardon for his unjust suspition which she as easily granted to one so much beloved by her The Dutchess delighted with their happy reconcilement commanded Alexander should be discharged from his Imprisonment allowing the Death of those he had slain but a just punishment of their wickedness But if the happy pair lived together with all the tranquility imaginable after two Months were expired from the time of Julians departure the Dutchess began to entertain new fears of Fredericks being lost and directed by a violent impatience she went every day to the Sea side hoping for a sight of the Vessel was to bring back the Messenger gone in search of her persecuted Lover One Morning after the Sea had raged two days before with a violent Storm the impetuosity of its Fury being then abated as far as they could discern a Ship appeared making towards the Haven and some hours after being come up fair with the Shore it was known to be the same which Julian had the command of The Dutchess being told of it was about to order a Boat on Board when they discerned that of the Ship put off to come to Land If the Princess was delighted with the expectation of seeing Julian again hoping he would be as good as his Word never to return till he had learnt some News of his Master on the other side she was assaulted with fears that he had only sent back the Vessel while he proceeded by Land in his earnest search But that disturbance was soon over when she saw the Loyal Servant of Frederick come to throw himself at her Feet and as she imagined with a Countenance which fore-boded nothing of ill as soon as he had paid his Duty to her and kissed her hand having no longer patience to defer her inquiry leaning on Nise's Arm she walked a little distance from the Company and finding they were out of hearing What Julian said she have you been firm to your promise Shall I hear that your Lord is safe Madam said the faithful Roman I had no more been happy in beholding your Highness and Mantua if I could not tell you that by the Providence of Heaven my dear Master lives encompassed with as much happiness as he is capable of while absented from your Presence which you will find by this Letter he commanded me to deliver to your own hand The Dutchess in a transport of delight to hear of His Safety a few hours before she thought there was but too much cause to believe was dead with an oblidging smile received the Letter from Julian and having opened it read these words FREDERICK To his Divine Princess The Dutchess of MANTVA Madam Amidst all the sufferings Heaven was pleased to destine me to I found some Alliviation with the thoughts that I was not hated by my adored Princess untill I created my self new Afflictions after my Stars seemed to cease their Persecutions I own my self highly Guilty to suffer a Thought should enter my breast that you had forgot how blest you had once made me But I shall please my self with the Belief that you have Goodness enough to forgive One would not desire Life if denied the Title of your Servant Julian will give you an Account of whatever has happened to me since our Separation and the unavoidable necessity of my Stay here but I hope Fortune will prove so propitious that in a few days you will behold at your Feet your Adorer FREDERICK If the Dutchess was not a little delighted with her Letter she was as much concerned to know what Crime Frederick accused himself of and being impatient to hear the Recital of his Adventures she returned to the Palace and retiring to her Closet with Nise sent for Julian in who in Obedience to her Command made the following Relation of his Masters Life from the time he was seperated from him in Spain The Continuation of the History of FREDERICK YOur Highness may please to remember I told you of my seing my master fall dead as I thought among his Enemies on the Lovers Rock How long he continued deprived of his Sences he could not well tell But being in the ordinary dress of a Slave by what we could since conjecture it was his Chance to be thrown one of the Last into the Pitt among the dead Moors by the Governor of Antiquera's Order and that by being taken up and stirred his Spirits began to be agitated so that he came to open his Eyes again when having a little Recovered his Understanding and hearing all quiet near him he began to look about and found himself lying upon a heap of dead Bodies after a great deal of strugling he made a shift to get out of the Pit but not believing he had Strength to walk where he might get help and his wounds bleeding a fresh by his straining he sat down patiently to resign his Life while his thoughts were imployed in the contemplation of your Beauty which he beheld in the Picture was brought hither afterwards by the stranger Merchant But as he declared to me the sight of your Image before his Eyes made him offer up his Prayers to Heaven that he might live once more to behold his adored Original and believing if his wounds were stopt from bleeding more he might have Strength left to get down the Rock where some Passenger might see him he pulled the Wreath from a Turbant lay near him and girt it about his wast as strait as he could finding he lost most Blood from a wound on his Side In that Posture he continued about an hour when impatient of a hopeless delay not able to rise he crawled to the descent of the Rock and from thence suffered himself to slide by degrees till he was almost at the bottom but then he grew so weak that he was not able to move himself a step farther and after he had remained so about half an hour as the Sun was declining apace towards the West he saw at a distance a Party of about forty Horse who were Crossing about as if they purposed to take a View of the Country in Order to some Designe he had not strength to call out or if he had they were at too great a distance to be heard and withal confident they were Moors he imagined their discovery of him would rather anticipate his Death than be a means of preserving his Life so that he continued sitting on the ground when he saw the Horsemen draw towards the Rock and coming pretty near one of the Company Alighted with a seeming purpose to climb up to the top of it but as he looked about seeing a Man all Bloody he came to my Master and asked him how he had fallen into that Condition who with a true deceit thereby to encourage their Assistance of him answered with a faint Voice Arabick in
Princess but that she would rather dye than yield to that compulsion he thought to establish his love by During which time that the amorous Prince had no other enemy to encounter but Diana's obstinate disdain Her loyal Subjects were not idle but fitted out all the Ships were in the Port to pursue him and the Sicilian King ignorant of this new misfortune was got to Sea with a Royal Fleet when coming within two days sail of Mantua he met a Vessel was come out from thence which gave him the sad account of his Princesses Rape upon which fatal intelligence having lamented her misfortune and his own with all the expressions of a violent grief he altered his coarse and stood away to Sea in chase of the detested Ravisher of the Dutchess being assured by all circumstances he was the Prince of Majorca Who while the Seas were spread with Ships to discover him imployed all his time in endeavouring to reconcile himself to the Dutchess whose just indignation she assured him could never be removed but by his returning her back to her own Country which he made as much haste from as the winds would give him leave and nine days after his leaving Mantua early in the Morning the Captain of the Vessel called him upon the Deck to see his own Island promising to land him on it by Noon but in less than an hour they were so becalmed that the Vessel made no way and when they had got out their great Oars to supply with them the want of a Gale at first an easie one began to blow but so exactly off the shore that it drove them faster to Sea than their Oars could work them towards the Land and freshening upon them before it was dark they had again lost sight of the place the Prince hoped by that time to have been a-shore at all Night it blew so fresh that they were almost compelled to bear up before it and the next day about Sunrise they found themselves chased by two Vessels which seemed to gain upon them Alvaro who feared all to be Enemies to prevent their coming up with him stood away with the Wind the Ships following his coarse which they continued to do all day and a little before Night were come up so near that they discovered them to be Mantuans The afflicted Dutchess hoped from the first of their coming in sight to find them her Delievers but when she was told the Ships belonged to her or her Subjects and doubtless abroad in persuit of her Ravisher she offered up her prayers to Heaven that they might reach the Ship she was in but finding the Night would be a means to lose them again seeing Alvaro come into the Cabbin she turned from the Window she was looking out at and throwing her self at his feet with Tears implored him to restore her to her freedom assuring him she would forgive all he had hitherto done against her But his love was too great to forego a prize he now began to hope would be again secured to him and accordingly as soon as it was dark commanding there should be no Lights in the Ship he altered the coarse he had run all day and as he expected in the morning was out of sight of those had chased him the Day before the Wind continuing so high that it almost blew a Storm and finding himself on the coast of Spain near Alicant both to wait the alteration of the Wind and to suffer the Dutchess to refresh her self on shore he stood in and that Afternoon came to an Anchor about a League above the Town He landed his fair Theft at a little Village in a poor House he sent to provide for their reception first having obliged the Dutchess and Nise to change their Cloaths for plainer ones he had provided formerly himself in the habit of an ordinary Seaman never stirring out of their sight or from the Door of the Room he kept them shut up in that they might not speak to any body Alvaro had rested with impatience almost a Week in the Village before the storm had drove him to land was over when finding the Wind fair for his Voyage to Majorca he brought the Dutchess towards Evening from the House he had concealed her in to oblige her to a second imbarcation but as he was crossing the street of the Village towards the Strand where his Boat was ready to receive them he was obliged to stop a-while to let several Coaches and Horsemen pass by who were going towards Alicant and when he thought all gone leading the Dutchess by force to the place where the Boat lay just as he had lifted her into it a Gentleman mounted on a graceful Adaluzian Horse and followed by half a dozen Servants came to the Boatside and asked with courtesie enough what ship that was lay off whether they were going on board but Alvaro either disdaining an answer or fearful of any delay commanded his men to thrust out the Boat without taking any notice of the demand was made him which incivility exasperating the Spanish Gentleman he drew his Sword and riding to his Saddle-skirts into the Water close to the Boat he leapt from his Horse into it followed by his Servants telling the Seamen he would by force know what they denied to his civil request The inraged Prince and his Company had put themselves in a posture of defence when the afflicted Dutchess whose violent grief had made her till then silent rising from the seat she was placed on Sir said she to the injured Spaniard in Italian if you will do a generous act let your Sword not only be imployed to revenge the affront you have received but to rescue a miserable woman from the hands of a wicked ravisher The Spaniard hearing her speak when he was ready to assault those were in the Boat turned towards her before he prest any further and as soon as she had desired his assistance without giving any other answer than by a respectful bow he turned towards Alvaro saying to him If this Lady be willing to go with you for her sake I shall forget the rudeness you have expressed towards me but if it is by compulsion you would force her away I will either redeem her from your violence or resign my life in the attempt of it and ending these words he stept forward towards the Dutchess who incouraged by his generous declaration cryed out 'T is by force Noble Cavallier I have been hurried from my own Country and had rather here end my miserable life than remain longer in the power of that unworthy man is now the disposer of my liberty If her words were an incouragement to the Stranger to persist in his design of freeing her they were no less an incitement to the violent Prince to get the Boat off by force since he found it would no other way be done so that assaulting the young Spaniard who was prepared to receive him and seconded by his men a