to Timandra when I came into this house but having forgot them all have now nothing to say but take my leave Alcibiades had a might winning way both in his carriage and converse which subdu'd the hearts o◠all that saw him The Astrologess wa◠smitten as with an Arrow and unable to submit to the loss of an object so soo◠known dear to her I see you are some what startled said she to the supposed Phrigian you have doubtless heard Me describ'd fairer then you find me but Sir added she presenting her hand to Alcibiades I will let you see with what kin◠of beauty the great Socrates is affected and at that word she led the Illustrious Athenian into a Closet set out with Globes and Figures and showing him a Scheam◠which lay on the Table See there said she what deserves more admiration the◠all the fraile Beauties Nature can show us 〈◊〉 that Scheame containes the destiny of sundry Empires I read in the Stars all th◠happens memorable upon Earth and have more knowledge of things to come then ordinary persons have of things present ◠alone have secured Socrates against the fea◠he had of the Illustrious Alcibiades D◠you then know Alcibiades said the pretended Phrigian interrupting her 〈◊〉 Aglaonice gave a disdainful smile at tha◠demand and affecting a certain tone of a woman well satisfy'd with her skill Is there any thing in the world I would know and do not replyed she I learn'd from Socrates the houre of Alcibiades 's Birth and have Calculated his Nativity see there said she drawing it out from many other Papers the directions and revolutions and by this I dare boast to know all that happens to him as well as himself How said Alcibiades interrupting her Does your knowledge teach event to his indifferent actions I know even his indifferent actions reply'd Aglaonice which includes all not excepting any thing I did not believe pursu'd Alcibiades smiling that Astrology entered into the search of trivial things I know well there may be drawn from the influence of the Stars a judgement upon the inclination and the temper I will likewise believe the life of Man may be subject to Revolutions surprizing enough to be worth Heavens notice but that you can tell what Alcibiades is doing this very minute I speak is what you will hardly perswade me to You know not what I can do said Aglaonice People who judge things but in gross have onely penetrated into a superficial knowledge of the Stars I have made my searches farther and when I erect a Figure for any one I can if need he give an account of the very number of his words Pray Madam said the supposed Phrygian favour me with a proof of this rare knowledge in the person of Alcibiades I knew him in Phrigia have an honour for him and resolve to go seek him when I go hence I shall make proof of what you tell me and it will be no small conversion if you can make me a Proselyte to Astroloty Aglaonice well pleased with the opportunity of keeping still with her the lovely Phrigian searches her Books and after a long confronting of the Signes and Planets Are you discreet said she to the disguis'd Athenian Yes without doubt replyed he and for your better assurance one of the best Friends Alcibiades ever had He is then said she inclining her head to whisper it in his eare at present making Courtship to one of the fairest Ladies of Athens whom he loves and by whom he is as ardently beloved Alcibiades could not forbear bursting out into Laughter at the result of this Observation and the Astrologess being half put out of countenance I believe said she you doubt of what I have told you Pardon me Madam reply'd Alcibiades you could not hit any thing righter I have such visible proofes of the certainty of your Science that I will go admonish Alcibiades to be more cautious for the future for since all he does is so perfectly known he ought to do nothing which he feares should grow publick With this Irony Alcibiades took his leave leaving the Astrologess more taken with the Charmes of the Phrygian then he was ill satisfied with the ugliness of the false Timandra he had gone but few steps from thence when he was met by Socrates That Philosopher made his publick Lessons very short having more pleasing private ones to give elsewhere he cast a sower look at his Friend when he saw him disguis'd in that manner and not doubting but Love had a part in the Metamorphosis he was preparing to make him one of those Remonstrances wherewith he used to Declaime against Voluptuousness But Alcibiades preventing him I guess all you would say dear Socrates said he I confess I am in an error and that you have reason to upbraid me but I am punish'd enough by my own curiosity and by the displeasure it gave me I shall never hereafter be so vain and if I could have suspected you of so gross a discernement your Timandra had not cost me the trouble of a disguise At that word he parted not being in humour to hear Socrates his Morallo And the Philosopher more troubled at what he had heard then at all the accidents of his life hastned the small remainder of his way to Aglaonice's whom asking for at entrance and understanding she was in the Garden he posts to her to upbraid her negligence You have promised me said he chasing that you would not let Timandra be seen by any other Man i' th' world It was agreed you should receive the Compliments addressed to her that we might better order all our Measures for the defeating the Snares and Stratagems of the Curious and yet Aglaonice you whom I believed a woman of extraordinary trust and to whose charge I have committed the person in whom I had placed all my happiness betray this confidence and your Promise in favour of Alcibiades I cryed out the Astrologess I let Alcibiades see Timandra From whom have you this false Story 'T is too much a truth replyed Socrates I have it from Alcibiades own mouth whom I met not ten steps off disguised like a Phrigian and who told me he came from Timandra If it were Alcibiades continued Aglaonice came to aske for Timandra in the Phrigian habit forbear to trouble your self 't was I received his Visit and 't is me he takes for your young Phrigian Whereupon she related to him all the passages of the interview between her and the supposed Phrigian making him almost break his Spleen with Laughing at the fallacies of her Science and the surprize wherein she represented Alcibiades Timandra's Closet windows answer'd directly to the place where this Conversation was held so that she lost not one word of it and discontented with the Captivity of her Condition designes a revenge by undeceiving Alcibiades To this purpose she Bribes one of Aglaonice's Houshold Servants and entrusting him with a Letter for the Illustrious
reasons were lull'd asleep yet when things were reaccomodated it became between these two great Men a solid and violent Friendship not expiring but with their lives They were together in the same Garden where Pompey over-heard the Discourse between Caesar and Servilia and the sight of the Bower where it was held calling into Pompeys mind the troubles he felt during that entertainment What a strange kind of Madness said he to Cato is that point of honour a Husband places in his Wives Chastity Why should the glory of a man depend on a Caprichio of which he is not Master When a General flies out of terrour of his Enemy 't is a personal remissness and 't is fit that he who commits the fault should suffer the disgrace but when my Wife acts a Gallantry I contribute neither by Connivance nor Counsell and yet the whole shame of the Action lights on my head Who told you so said Cato interrupting him I perceive not that an honest man is lest esteemed by reasonable People because his Wife is non exactly tender of that we call honour in her Sex I am sure he ought not to be reply'd Pompey but yet Custome gives Authority to this injustice and the title given to a Husband whose Wife is unchast is one of the greatest Ignominies can be thrown on him Hold hold said Cato interruping him and shaking his head I esteem my self not a rush the less for having seen Martia in Hortenfius his Armes and would take her again when forsaken by her Lover as the relict of one of my best friends if at least I found any benefit by doing it This is not the sort of moderation that surprizes me reply'd Pompey Martia should not be lookt upon by you as a disloyal Woman you surrendred her to Hortensius by contract in form of Law and were forced to make use of all the power you had over her to oblige her to ratifie your Gift All things in this life wear two faces Pompey reply'd Cato and they show to the good or bad but just as the prudence of man knows how to hold the light to them Listen to what I never told any but Munatius and judge of the sincerity of my returne in friendship to you by the secret wherewith I shall intrust you Martin is as you well know Sir perhaps one of the fairest persons of the world I loved her dearly and thought she loved me as well The charmes of her Soul had preserved and gave new life in my heart to those flames which Marriage usually extinguishes I found Martia more worthy of love when I absolutely and perfectly knew her then when decency and good manners conceal'd a part of her merit and if the words of a Woman may have any credit with a well-grounded understanding Martia acknowledg'd to have found in me all I discover'd in her I am in the exterior severe but this severity is only in appearance I am in private sociable and love divertisement like other men and Martia us'd to tell me I prov'd a more loving Husband then she durst hope for when I was but her Lover she would often say that that Cato which permitted himself to be seen by his familiar friends was not that Cato show'd himself to the Senate and Common-wealth and methought she spoke truth I justifi'd her opinion with all the complacencies a wife could expect from the best of Husbands and those who are perswaded they deserve any ones kindness easily believe they possess it I had an absolute confidence in Martia's faith she might have betray'd me before my own eyes without fear of conviction she perceiv'd without doubt this advantage and would not let it lie fallow Hortensius is a handsome Man his riches vast which make his expence easie and Women naturally weak are sooner taken with glittering then solidity Hortensius was captiv'd by Martia's beauty and Martia yielded her self to Hortensius gayety dispence with me from telling you how they did declare their thoughts I have not entred into so nice a deduction of the Story Martia has betray'd me she is at present the Wife of Hortensius great things alwayes presuppose the less and when effects speak a discourse of the wayes is needless Hortensius got admission into my House by becoming a feigned servant to my younger Sister Portia being a person both of great honour and as great riches his propositions were easily listned to but Drusus Livius our Vncle under whom we had all been bred and whom we respect as a Father is a Man infinitely scrupulous in the Customes of his times and would never consent to marry Portia the younger before Servilia her elder Sister you know Servilia and many other persons know her as well as you and that Matches for Maids of her humour are rare to be found out Hortensius was therefore forced to prepare himself for patience He at first made it mighty difficult but has since acknowledged to Munatius that it was a difficulty he foresaw and for the reason of which alone he chose to ask Portia rather then Servilia The intentions of this supposed Lover appeared to us as sincere as they were false we endeavoured to support his patient expectation with a very strait familiarity he had the same liberty in my house and my Vncles as if he had been my own brother and he continually seem'd to behave himself more and more worthy of the love he professed to my Sister My Wife grew not at all Jealous of him she had so well made up conditions of accord with her Lover in that point that whatever was done for Portia was placed to the account of Martia but it happened not so nor was she so just with him in the case of Lucia Daughter of Drusus she there lookt upon as seeds of Love what was indeed but a simple Civility and these suspitions troubling and disturbing her humour which was naturally somewhat imperious she writ to Hortensius in these termes I Believe I deserve to be beloved Hortensius and that opinion makes me easily believe you do love me I have done no less for you These dispositions of our hearts may as you perhaps think raise some trouble in mine at the sight of your inconstancy but Hortensius expect not that glory I shall behold your change with as much tranquility as scorn and 't is by that effect of my courage I design to make you know what you lose when you lose She was doubtless about to write the Name of Martia but I gave her not time I had been at the house Drusus had built in the Marches of Ancona and had once designed to spend some time there but an oppressing Melancholly making me apprehend something had happened to Martia that fear made me post home to rid me of the Suspition of it and taking upon me the humour of Gallant that I might surprize my Wife with my arrival I had forbid my People giving her notice I surprized her indeed as I designed but
security for the execution and that his Soveraign abbets the action But what ever the King could say or promise he could not make Bussy consent to his desires In this desperate affair he becomes the friend of Ligneroles and chuses rather to expose himself to the Kings anger by representing the merits of his Rival and the services he might one day render him then to oblige his revenge at the expence of his honor and reputation The King appeared ill satisfied with Bussy's generous thoughts but in his Soul approved what he seemed to condemn yet forbidding him upon pain of death once to pronounce the Proposition he had made him Bussy answers nothing and withdraws Madam de Bonneval who had grown into great confidences with the Mareshale though not such secret ones as la Hermite who was one of her attendants tells her that one of her people had seen Bussy go to Chateauneuf's but she drew false conjectures from this visit Chateauneuf had sent for Bussy to come to her Lodgings to tell him the design the King had to destroy Ligneroles believing he knew it not She loved Bussy and the love he had for the Mareshale hindred him from answering her love She believed Ligneroles was beloved and that by preserving his life Bussy might lose the hopes of ever affecting the Lady Mareshale and then she flattered her self he might return to her Directed by such prudent policy she told him the cause of Ligneroles disgrace as she had learnt it from Monsieur representing to him that it was more glorious to overcome a Rival by generous procedure and by advertising him his destruction was designed then to triumph over his evil Fortune by concealing from him that the Kings most cruel resentments were ready to fall upon him Bussy hears all Chateauneuf would say on this subject without promising any thing save onely to be secret in his having learnt it of her He perceived by her carriage that she desired an entertainment like to those they had had together in the time they loved but that time was passed love had disposed of Bussy's heart in favor of the Mareshale and though Chateauneuf were one of the fairest persons of France and employed now all her charms which had formerly seemed so alluring and let him now hear a thousand flattering and pleasant things he still remained constant and parted from her without giving the least reason to be reproached as to his love Understanding that Ligneroles was in the Garden of the Hostel of Soissons he goes thither and after having drawn him off some paces from the Mareshale who was with Queen Catherine of Medices I was resolved yesterday to kill you as a Rival whose happiness made me despair said Bussy to him to day I would endeavor to preserve you as an honest but unhappy Man who have doubtless neither deserved death by the 〈◊〉 maximes of State nor the particular hate of the King I should have received you as an enemy fit to be feared answered Ligneroles but I dread you more with the merit wherewith now you appear and if possible I would ow you nothing In vain I examine and search my self in what point I can be guilty You are not innocent replied Bussy since you have let the King perceive you were not ignorant that the marriage of Madame and the King of Navarre was onely an ingenuous pretext the more fecurely to ruine the Hugonots The silence and confusion of Ligneroles accused him and he had now no hopes but in Monsieurs Protection he could not believe himself forsaken by him but Bussy assured him of it My crime is having spoken says he at length but I had rather die then doubt of Monsieurs friendship he knows not my destruction is resolved for he who never kept secret from me would not have concealed a design against my life Whatever Bussy could alledge he would not take the advise he gave him not to go this progress nor take the ways to secure himself he offered Ligneroles spoke after this of the Lady Mareshale The esteem I have for you said he hinders me from concealing the estate wherein my love and services have put me with her I love her and she knows it I have sighed I have complained and all the fruit I have gathered from all this is the pleasure to see my self hopeless you believed there were strong ties of kindness between us and it was my interest not to disabuse you she wanted one of the family to keep up her affairs with Monsieur I was capable of serving her and you took for love that assiduity she permitted me rather to give her an accompt of my Negations then to give me marks of her goodness Ah Bussy must I tell it you continued Ligneroles for you onely is reserved the happiness to affect her Soul and she sees you not onely for fear of loving you too much That fear should be a glory and pleasure to you Proceded he sighing what would not I do to inspire the like But you would be unfortunate if such a thing were which is what I cannot desire at such a price after that you have now done Are you so generous replied Bussy to tell your Rival in good earnest that he is not hated I am unhappy enough to be pittied for not being loved said Ligneroles interrupting and that I am in danger of losing my life and need not be suspected to want sincerity towards the Man I esteem most of all the World The Mareshale who observed them feared their Discourse might end in a quarrel but her apprehensions changed subject when she beheld them embrace Her suspicions of Bussy increased she was jealous of Chateauneuf Their confidences at the Ball and the impressions of his visiting her much perplexed her mind and besides that he parted from Ligneroles more like a Friend then a Rival What then had she not reason to fear Ladies would lose nothing they believe the number of their lovers is a mark of their merit and an increase of their reputation I say not the Mareshale had these thoughts but she could not look upon the semblances of his change but as an injury in his judgment She concluded by their actions they were become Friends and that Bussy had yielded to Ligneroles all the pretentions he had on her heart she seemed to have more scorn for Bussy and more fierceness for Lignetoles when they met the Queen who soon after went to the Louvre and the Mareshale with her These Rivals went together from the Hostel de Soissons Ligneroles was assaulted by four unknown men who cryed out to Bussy they would have onely the life of Ligneroles but all the answer he gave was to let them know it was hard to take that from a man he defended Ligneroles opposed his courage to his enemies numbers and conjured Bussy to let him perish alone and not run the hazard of losing his life either by these Assasines or by the anger of the King who
it has been forced to by the Philosophers in these two first Histories The end of the Loves of Socrates THE LOVES OF Great Men. JVLIVS CAESAR IF neither Wisdome nor Philosophy could secure Solon nor Socrates from the assaults of Love Ambition and Glory have as weakly defended the heart of Julius Caesar he was a Lover before he was a Conquerour and we may behold him likewise in the midst of his most illustrious Conquests not forgetful of the Rites of Love He was yet but Quaestor and had only exerciz'd his courage against the Cilician Pyrates when he Marry'd Pompeia Sister to Pompey the Great In those times as well as now a dayes the Marriages of Great People were rather Politick then Sympathetical unions Pompeia privately loved Publius Claudius and Caesar had a violent inclination for Murcia who was afterwards the Wife of Pompey The necessity Caesar stood in of Pompey's support deterred him from Crossing his Suite to Murcia and the same reason made him seek his Alliance He Married the Sister of that great Man the same day that Pompey Marryed Caesars Mistress Love which had not so easily complyed with the conjuncture but to triumph in the progress would not let Hymen rob him of his Rites Caesar loves Murcia no less now she is Pompeys Wife then he had done before she was so Nor did Claudius believe himself more unhappy for seeing Pompeia in the Armes of Caesar want of opportunity only made some little change in their fortunes Pompey was a Man of Authority necessary to Caesars Ambition he durst not let him suspect he went to waite on him only to Court his Wife and therefore restrained himself to stricter Laws of correspondence then the nearness of Relation might have allowed so that 't was only by his eyes that Murcia could guess the continuance of his Love Pompeia was committed to the governance of Aurelia Caesar's Mother one of the severest Matrons Rome ever produc'd she never suffered her Daughter-in-Law out of her sight but when she trusted her to the care of her Son Claudius could hardly in publick steal a wink and if Albra Pompeia's waiting-woman and consident of the intrigue had not solac'd the desires of this Lover with some kind Messages he had been constrain'd to renounce his Love or his Life Things stood in this manner when Caesar was chosen Praetor and during the year of his Praetorship the Consuls being absent from Rome at his House was to be kept the Feast of the Good Goddess that Feast was signalized among the Roman Dames and on the day it was to be Solemniz'd the Ladies of Quality assembled at the Consuls or in his absence at the Praetors House where they passed the night in Feasts and Dances and were it not for some private Ceremonies to which it was not seemly to admit Men or that they feared some escapes of joy repugnant to the Roman Austerity it was made death for any Man to be found at that Feast Caesar whose Soul was incapable of fear he knew that improbable attempts oftenest escape with impunity and resolved to make use of this occasion There was a Closet in the Alcove of Pompeia's Bed which answered by a private paire of Staires to a back door which was very seldome opened Caesar took the Key of this door and resolving to slip by this way into his Wives Chamber he writ to Murcia that feigning her self undispos'd at the Feast she should desire to repose her self some few Moments on Pompeia's Bed Murcia who loved Caesar and well weighed the hazard of his enterprize withstood his resolution with all her power but Caesar accusing the faintness of her Love that Reproach overcame all other considerations Caesar left his house at the usual time appointed he Supt at Pompeys to prevent all suspition he went thence to Cato's whither he knew his Brother-in-Law would not accompany him because Cato and he were at Enmity he came to Cicero's and went to two or three places more that several persons might affirm they had seen him and then coming to his private door when he judged it time he goes without noise and without being discover'd to Pompeia's Closet scarce was he got in but he heard some body Cough on his Wives Bed he softly opens the door and gently approaching the Bed side Is it you said he as softly as possible he could Yes was it answered with a voice as low as he had spoke It is I It is a long time I have expected you and I begun to believe you would break your word Caesar dispos'd himself to repair his neglect when he heard the Chamber door open he hastily throws himself back into the Closet and whether the conversation of those on the Bed were indeed very long or that Caesars impatience made him think it so most certain it is he never thought time more tedious That wicked quarter of an hour being ended Caesar distinguishes the voice of his Wife who making great excuses of not being able to stay longer took leave and shut the door after her he then nimbly comes out of his hole and embracing the Lady on the Bed with a fervour equal to his love Murcia my dear Murcia said he Is it possible that I have the liberty to confirme with my Tongue what my eyes have so often protested to you The Lady snatching out of Caesars armes and throwing her self down from the Bed sought for the door to save her self Caesar believ'd it some sudden compunction of Conscience come in an evil hour to disturb his Joy he felt for the Fugitives armes and having graspt one of them From whence comes this confusion sayes he embracing her afresh How have I made my self unworthy of the obliging impatience you expressed at my first arrival Do not discompose your self by these endeavours to escape me added he finding that this Murcia strugled to get loose from him 'T is in your pleasure to dispose both of your destiny and mine for you have an absolute power over Caesar At that name of Caesar Murcia or at least the party he took for her used redoubled endeavours to escape and that with so much vehemence that Caesar for fear of hurting her was fain to let her go Do said he all that your cruelty can inspire you with and if you are not satisfied with throwing into despaire a man that adored you call the Ladies of the Feast and deliver me to the rigour of the Laws I shall without the least murmur consent to my Death your procedure having made my life so hateful that did I not hope to lose it by suffering my self to be surprized here I had already taken it away Caesar had scarce ended this discourse when Albra entred the Chamber she gave a shrieke at the sight of her Master and would have fled back Stay Albra said he with a commanding voice let me save the reputation of what I love and dispose afterwards of Caesars life as thou wilt With these words he
violent and scarce contained it self before suspected witnesses but we constrained it not before our best Friends I was still speaking kind and feeling things to Flora and she answered me in terms every way as touching our eyes made a continual commerce of eloquent glances and the most indifferent things were advanced to profit by our laborious Passion every thing turning into an occasion of expressing the warmth of our desires Judge into what condition we put the passionate and discreet Geminius he was brought to that extremity that the Physitians gave him over and when he felt his death approaching he declared to me the cause of it The Friendship I had for Geminius could not be balanced by any thing but my love to Flora were I to have parted with my life to save my friends I should have given it without reflexion but when I understood Flora was the concern I asked time to resolve resolve nothing Pompey said the dying Geminius I discovered not my grief to find a remedy I am too happy to die for that I love best in the World and though your generosity would contribute to my recovery I know it depends not on you your happiness is so great it dazles you and you see but a part of it I am since so Destiny pleases more clear sighted I have observed particulars in the love of Flora that destroy the confidence I could have in your friendship Live happy and let me die miserable and give not that increase to my torments to let them cost you one sorrowful reflexion This discourse pronounced by an expiring Man and one I so dearly loved touched me to the very Soul I thought I ought to my friends life at least a seeming willingness to contribute to his cure and presuming enough on Flora's constancy to believe she would preserve her self wholly to me in despite of myself I assured Geminius that if he could gain her love I would look on his happiness without a murmur I have not faith enough in the fictions of the Poets to believe this assurance restored Geminius life but his disease being come to the Christs certain it is that from that day we observed his amendment I resolved to assist it by my absence and as well to convince him of my sincerity as to avoid the reproaches of Flora I went to spend some time at the Countrey-house whether Sylla was retired after having laid down the Dictatorship I writ every day to Flora Letters full of that Love possest my Soul I had not engaged never to love her more but onely promised she should love my friend if she could Wretch that she was she could but do it too much Love is no mighty task to one of that Sex Geminius Painted my slight compliance with such lively colours that at my return to Rome I learned from Flora's own Mouth her infidelity How cryed I can it be true that you loved Pompey with so much fervency and cease to love him with so much ease Who has told you I have ceas'd to love you replied Flora Do you give the title of change to that sacrifice you constrained Is it because I have restored you a Friend whose loss had made you desperate that you accuse me with want of love Alass I expected a thousand thanks for my chearful obedience 't was a thousand tortures to me to yield to it and I made use of all the powers of my kindness to resolve upon what you reproach for a decay of Passion Ah Flora said I how cruel is your obedience to me How much more would you have obliged me had I found you less submissive Flora ask'd pardon for her error and swore to me she would stop the career of it and doubtless would have done as the said That deadly grief she expressed at our separation hath-fully perswaded me Geminius destroyed me with my own Weapon and that Flora believed she pleased me in betraying me but the remembrance of that inconstancy has given me disgusts I could never vanquish Flora forbore to see my Rival any more she felt a remorse for her credulity which almost cost her her life I loved her a long time after our rupture and her memory is yet grateful to me but Cato I was born nice and delicate and in my mind true love is incompatible of partnership Night rather then want of Matter broke off the converse of these two Ilustrious Romans I shall find out a way to renew it hereafter but it is good to make use of the leisure of contriving it and leaving these two reconciled Enemies to their quiet rest endeavor after their example to enjoy some time of repose The End of the Discourse of Cato and Pompey THE LOVES OF Great Men. D'ANDELOT DUring the Progress to Bayonne the King had given leave to the Duke D'Aumale to hunt in the Forest of Fontainbleau and to kill the Wild Boar. In one of these Chaces the Dutchess D'Aumale Natural Daughter to King Henry the Second and Diana of Poictiers coming near to the Inclosure they had made a Wild Boar broke the Toyls and frighting her Horse he ran clear away with her towards the left-hand D'Andelots Horse frighted at the same accident followed Madam D'Aumales her Husband was a good way off with Prince Patien and Madam L'Admirale de Brion two other Ladies who were near the Dutchess cryed out that weak assistance being all they could give her none daring to venture their skill in riding at her rate except Madam de Brion who pursued her on full speed The cry came soon to the Duke who hearing how his Ladies Horse was frightned had not been concerned for her had he not at the same time heard that D'Andelots with a like fright took the same way with the Dutchesses he rid then with all speed to overtake them D'Andelot who could not guide his Horse letting him run where-ever he pleased heard a noise beside him and saw Madam D'Aumale coming up very near him but in a moment she was passed him and he lost sight of her by reason of a small Coppice was before him which the way dividing in two he was forced to enter and there saw Madam D'Aumale faln That sight made him strive hard again to stop his Horse but since he could not he threw himself down to take care of her whom he feared was hurt she was almost stunded and in that disorder discovered some part of her fair body There is scarce that Love and Constancy in the World can resist against so many Beauties and though possibly this minutes sight changed not utterly the object of D'Andelots love yet so pleasing an adventure made him at least very sensible but care of the Dutchess made him soon forego the pleasure he reaped with his eyes He was come to her and had just taken her in his arms to lift her up when the Duke and Madam de Brion arrived yet he gave not over his officious employ and the asking her whether she
love he had for the Mareshale withstood this great Fortune but the interest of his family and his ambition made him comply with what was desired He began therefore in more steddy manner to fix his thoughts on Madame and considering her as the daughter of a great King and whose Wit and Beauty might pleasantly revenge him of the rigors of his Mistress he steered all his love and cares towards her This change surprised Madam de Bonneval and afflicted not at all the Mareshale Grillons Constancy was yet unhappy Madam de Bonneval was perplexed and melancholly she had laid designs which she could not execute and Grillon must suffer for it He was impatient and would have love immediately returned for love and the refusing him with any sharpness the recompence he requested was enough to make him believe there was none to give Sometimes anger and suspition tempted him to inconstancy but when he thought to love no longer one glance of Madam de Bonnevals recalled him to his Chains She thought on nothing but revenge on Bussy for being in love with the Mareshale She knew almost all passed in her heart her inclination for Bussy was no secret to her but she strove to lessen it by her malice and counsels and by the cunning she had to possess her with the thoughts of his love to Chateauneuf In sum she made her so ashamed of her thoughts that the Mareshale could not have kept them alive had she not been strongly prepossessed with the worth and honesty of Bussy Ligneroles had onely some shows of Monsieurs favor Dugua had the substance whose subtile spirit raised so many quarrels and caused so many disorders Yet so cunningly was his disgrace concealed that he could never discover whether he had consented to his death the same signs of trust and friendship still appeared but all those signs were onely kept up like false lights to deceive him Bussy not able to disabuse him together with Grillon very rarely left him Beauty good Men Birth and love in Monsieur could not banish from Chateauneuf the Passion she had for Bussy she envied the Mareshales happiness and the difficulty she foresaw would be found in depriving her of her lover strongly increased her desire Neufville not having succeeded with the Mareshale Bussy resolved himself to speak to her and his attempt was happy She was ready to go forth but her confusion was so great at the sight of Bussy that she would have drawn back into her Closet but he placing himself before her in a Suppliant and respectful posture Stay Madam said he I come not to speak of my love but of Ligneroles You know him continued he seeing she stayed to hear him and you know he loves you A little of your pitty would be a great allay of those cruel sufferings his Passion torments him with and I shall be happy in obtaining what I request for him The Mareshale blusht with anger at this discourse of Bussyes not doubting but he had given over loving her but willing to conceal her concernment You shall not obtain what you pretend from me replied she I find I have no disposition to do good and Ligneroles is to be pittied if he accounts upon any favorable thoughts I have none my heart is submitted to whatever I will and I fear not its betraying the interests of my glory to take part with those of my love Madam replied he Treason is easily pardoned when we find a sweetness in being betrayed and since you will find a great deal in this crime if your heart commit it you will without doubt be induced to pardon the fault by the pleasure you will receive in loving and being beloved Remember then Ligneroles Madam he is unhappy without deserving it he has a tender and violent Passion which he cannot communicate to what he loves besides his destruction is resolved I come to tell you of it who should have been the minister of the Kings revenge he would have obliged me to have killed him and Monsieur has resigned him to those cruel Reasons of State may possibly produce effects dismal to all France it is not from him I speak this he is ignorant I prest to a sight of you nor durst I have done it for myself but I thought I could not neglect serving him without leaving my self liable to just reproach he had already been lost without the assistance the Duke of Guise gave him Say without yours said the Mareshale interrupting him and fear not I shall value you too much That which you tell me surprises me not without cause and I should hardly believe all you have said were I not well perswaded of your sincerity but what can I do for Ligneroles I have not any power you have an absolute one over his heart replyed Bussy and the Commands of a Person beloved may gain from him what neither the Counsels nor Prayers of a friend can hitherto do Employ your Beauty to oblige him not to go this progress and let him know he has now no part in Monsieur and that his death is unavoidable if he withdraw not from Court This Madam is all that I have to say can you now complain of me or are you at all troubled to have heard me She was about to answer when Ligneroles entred from whom she concealed not the least circumstance of what had been said to her My destiny's very strange said Ligneroles to find more succor from a Rival then from the friendship of a Man I have so long served or from the heart of a Mistress I have so dearly loved No Madam I deserve not your love one alone is worthy of it if any can be his thoughts are so Noble and Virtuous his Love so excelling his Heart so great he possesses all qualities required in a true brave Man and all that the most delicate Lady can desire in a Lover Therefore love Bussy continued he sighing Hold said Bussy interrupting your indiscretion ought to be reproved The Mareshale could not enough admire the Character of these two Lovers Bussy refused to rid himself of Ligneroles it was as much as his life was worth to let scape the secret entrusted him by the King he believed it not important not enough to make Honour its sacrifice he advised Ligneroles of the designs against him and defended him after that against those the King sent to take away his life He speaks of the Love of Ligneroles and not only endeavors to serve him as a friend but essays to make him be beloved Ligneroles soul yields not in greatness to Bussy's he declares himself unworthy of his concern for him praises his Rival and pronounces him alone worthy of Love The Mareshale seeing Bussy about to withdraw stay said she and be witness I will spare nothing to save Ligneroles but all her goodness proved in vain he let her know he would rather chuse to die out of too much confidence in Monsieurs friendship then secretly accuse him by