where Altagis expected him and Solyman ravished with joy attended the Princess at his Friends House who advised him not to accompany her thither for fear of giving the least suspicion by the number of persons Eronima had seen all that passed with a warmness which much resembled an indifferency Solyman's infidelity had so touched her that she found not her self sensible at any thing else she heard he was alive but knew nothing of his innocence Morat having received her from the hands of Altagis spake several times to her but she had not the force to answer him at length they entred into the Bostangi Bassa's House and by the light of several Flamboes she saw Solyman he immediately prostrated himself at her Feet and there lay without being able to express himself his presence and his action equally astonished the Princess she had not seen him since he attempted her life and sighing for grief that she should still find in her self a tender inclination towards a person who deserved it so little Is it said she the regret that you could not sacrifice me to Racima's Fury that casts you into these transports or is it the displeasure you had to see the Emperor's Fiction succeed It was not long of me that you did not execute your Design neither was it the care I took of my own safety that secured it fortune would preserve me for a continuation of misfortunes which she has destined for me Ah! Solyman that you had not spared me that you had taken less pity on me at the taking of Constantinople Eronima's tears interrupted her discourse Solyman had leisure to answer and the Princesses eyes were full of languish which required his justification I should appear a thousand times more criminal than you can reproach me Madam said he and fortune was resolved to shew in my Adventure all her most fantastical and surprising tricks But my Princess in spight of all her appearances has not your heart taken my part Have you believed me capable of assassinating you I who have always adored you and who never sought any thing but you at the peril of my life and who respired no other pleasure than that of seeing you perswaded of my passion Ah Madam how happy had I been if you had a little sought for me Was I not a witness to your passionate discourse with Racima said Eronima in the Grotto And did you not come even to my Bed to sacrifice me to her jealousie 'T is true replyed the Bassa that I was in your Appartment and that she conducted me thither but if I might merit any thing from you it should be only by this Adventure that I might appear so criminal to you He then recounted to the Princess after what manner he was engaged into this Counter-plot which rendred him Master of all Racima's Secrets Morat seconded his Friend and wholly convinced the Princess that he was innocent she desired it too much not to be perswaded thereof and Solyman had yet a much more puissant Mediator than the grand Gardiner the lovely Eronima yielded tasted the pleasure to see her self out of the Seraglio and to find Solyman constant who in a few moments saw himself the happiest of all men after so many Traverses In the mean time Altagis gave the Emperor an account how he had disposed of Eronima This Prince who passed for the greatest of his age now found himself in a most deplorable estate his subjecting the Janisaries in putting an end to the troubles of the Seraglio had not quieted those of his heart At some hours he was resolved to abandon the Empire and renounce all the glory of his life to spend the rest of his days with Eronima but considering he could never make himself beloved of her that all the ardor of his passion the merit of his person and the splendor of the greatest fortune in the world were not capable of moving her he concluded that would not be the means to make him the more happy sometimes his jealousie inflamed him against Solyman for he alone possessed Eronima's affections he had merited death in violating the Laws of the Seraglio but resolving not to conquer himself by the halves he considered that in losing Solyman he should contract new Enemies against himself he generously triumphed over his passion abandoned the interest of his heart to his Glory and resolved not to thwart two persons whom fortune had united and love had favourised Racima on the other side endeavoured to banish Solyman from her heart the death of Eronima gave her hopes of the Emperors return to her but her Crime was none of those which are easily forgotten the Emperor always remembred it but he was too sensible of her power and durst not declare his just resentments he contented himself to see her seldom and to draw off what ever esteem or amity he ever had for her He found himself indisposed for some days and could not go out of the Seraglio it was imagined that Eronima was the cause thereof Solyman was taken up in telling her all that he had suffered for her she would not quit Morat's House and the Emperor came thither to visit her as soon as his health could permit this Honor which the Sultans give to few persons gave the Princess new Allarms Morat and Solyman were with her when the Sultan arrived the Princess and the Bassa changed their Countenances when he came in Be not disturbed said Mahomet to them 't is the design of securing your repose that brings me hither and afterwards to bid you an eternal Adieu As for you Madam he continued addressing himself to the Princess though you could not love me I hope you will not refuse me some esteem perhaps I have deserved it by the victory I have obtained over my passion nothing can for the future justifie me of the barbarous Action which I was obliged to feign and all those who shall read the History of my Life will look upon me as a Monster but I shall consolate my self in it for as much as it hath been serviceable to you Sir the Princess answered I have nothing to reproach my self of in respect of that esteem which you demand of me and if I have had any Sentiments opposite to yours they have not detracted from those which all the earth ought to have for your merit and now that I am overwhelmed with your Bounties that all your Generosity is declared in my favour what acknowledgments thereof ought I not to conserve If I have done any thing for you replyed the Emperor hitherto it can only be attributed to the interest of my Glory but I must yet go farther fortune which hath rendred me too happy against your Family hath not left you in an estate worthy of your self suffer me fair Eronima to repair part of those outrages she has committed against you and receive some succor without repugnancy from the hand of a Prince who still loves you in spight of all things that ought to hinder it the Present I shall make you is agreeable to your inclination 't is Solyman whom perhaps I should less have favoured at a time when reason had a less Empire over me he is of a blood respected amongst us there are no Kings whose alliance he may not hope for and I had designed my Sister for him you are perswaded that he loves you and I am not less certain that he is beloved by you accept him then with all that I possess in Asia the stately City of Trebizond wherewith I have inriched our Empice shall be your secure Sanctuary there pass all your days more happy than mine and there retain some remembrance of Mahomet Eronima and Solyman were so satisfied that for a long time their silence spoke for them at length they testified their Acknowledgments to the Emperor who told the grand Gardiner that since Solyman could not have Bassima he gave her to him as soon as the Princess could recover her Indisposition The Joy was equal amongst these three persons and Mahomet having continued with them some few moments after he bid them adieu which cost Eronima some tears returned to the Seraglio On the morrow the Emperor sent Solyman the Commissions for the Government of those places he had promised him the Princess worse dependance now was only upon her self gave her self for ever to him they made their voyage to Trebizond and there established themselves gloriously Morat espoused the Sultaness Bassima and the Emperor performed his promise to the Janisaries in conducting them to new Conquests FINIS A Catalogue of some Books Printed for and sold by W. Cademan at the Pope's Head in the New Exchange in the Strand Folio AN Institution of General History or the History of the World by William Howel L. L. D. in two Vol. Historical Collections or an exact Account of the Proceedings of the four last Parliaments of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory Pharamond Complete English Clelia a Romance English Parthanissa English An Heroick Poem on Thomas Earl of Ossery with his Picture neatly cut in Copper Quarto An Historical Relation of the first Discovery of the Isle of Madera The Protestant Religion is a sure Foundation c. by the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Derby The Jesuites Policy to suppress Monarchy by a person of Honour The great efficacy and necessity of good Example especially in the Clergy in a Visitation Sermon at Guilford by Thomas Duncomb D. D. A Sermon Preached before the King by Miles Barne Chaplain in Ordinary to the King A Sermon Preached at the Assizes at Lancaster by Henry Pigot B. D. God's Revenge against Murther demonstrated in the prosecution of Henry Symbal and William Jones Executed for the murthering Sir Rich. Samford Octavo and Twelves Spanish History or the differences that happened in the Court of Spain between Don John of Austria and Cardinal Nitard with all the Letters and politick Discourses relating to those Affairs Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Philosophy The English Princess or the Dutchess Queen a pleasant Novel Court Songs and Poems being an exact Collection The Temple of Death with other Poems by a Person of Honour Hogan Moganides or the Dutch Hudibras Liquor Achahest or the immortal dissolvent of Paracelsus and Helmont c. Philotrification by Dr. Sherley FINIS
put them into an Equipage suitable to her retinue yet there was no sight there comparable to the fair Ann Bullen who went over into France with the Princess of England when she was Married to Lewis XII and continued there till now She Eclipsed all the Beauties there and King Henry who till then had never sighed for any Lady but Blunt felt at the sight of Ann Bullen that his Soul was too great to be Limited to one single passion he found something so sweet and Charming in her eyes that in spight of Blunts Jealousie he abandoned himself to the pleasure of beholding her Wolsey who studied all his actions soon perceived this Passion and at the same instant contrives a design to oppose her to Blunt whose esteem began to disquiet him But as Ann of Bullen was of the Queen of France's Retinue and as there could be no pretence to withdraw her thence so suddenly she returned to Paris and Henry was much troubled to part with her There were then many Persons of quality who passed from England to France and from France to England curiosity transporting some and love enforcing others Henry Percy Son to the Earl of Northumberland followed the Court of France or rather Ann of Bullen of whom he was most passionately amorous he was perfectly handsom and of very great Merit although he was young he had already shewn much Valour against the Britans and had followed the Marquis of Dorset with much Honour in the affair of Navarre he now only reserved the Honour to gain the heart of Ann Bullen who had resisted the suits of the most Illustrious persons of France And it was in this Voyage that Piercy first acquainted her with the Passion he had conceived for her at the interview of Guines He had submission and heat perseverance and a certain sweet and agreeable temper of Wit easy to insinuate Ann Bullen was tender and courteous her Eyes found him worthy of her heart and he found no difficulty in gaining her love after he had assured her of his But whilest they thâ—… passionately engaged each other Fortune changed their Scene There happened some things in England which did precipitate the designs of Wolsey The Duke of Buckingham who had a Soul both great and generous as generally all those of his name ever had supported the Pride of Wolsey with much impatience he explained himself hereupon a little too high and his Franckness was the cause of his Ruin The Cardinal who knew the importance of so great an Enemy resolved to overthrow him speedily and began by removing his most particular friends The Earl of Surrey his Son in Law was upon some slight pretence imprisoned and the Earl of Northumberland his Father in Law was sent into Ireland Wolsey's ill nature took the advantage of that Power his favour had raised him to and by his under-hand labouring Buckingham was Condemned to be Beheaded The Crimes whereof he was accused were inconsiderable and he had assuredly obtain'd his Pardon if he had asked it but he had so much Courage as to prefer death before a base submission Blunt made so strong an opposition in this Affair against Wolsey that he often feared he should not be able to compass his designs herein She perceived he had no good intentions for her and therefore she took contrary Measures in her conduct to what she did formerly in respect of him As he was the most penetrating of all men he disintricated all the designs of Blunt and waver'd no longer to mannage the return of Ann Bullen whom he well knew the King remembred with much tenderness in hopes to have an entire power over a Person whom he pretended to raise above Blunt The arrival of Ann Bullen was a most agreeable surprize to the King who had conserved a vigorous Passion for her her absence had only produced in him pressing desires to see her again and now found her more fair and abandoned himself intirely to her Charms but whether he feared Blunt or had some respect for the Queen he was a little cautious of shewing his Change Piercy who went into France only for the love of Ann Bullen stayd not there after her return at her arrival she was preferred to the Queen where the King had opportunity to see her and discourse with her without difficulty Wolsey was now wholly bent to put her in the place of Blunt who in a short time perceived the Kings inconstancy She was ready to dye with grief and doubted not but it was the Cardinal's doings only which made her conceive an irreconcileable hatred against him Ann Bullen although she perceived what effects her Beauty had produced upon the Kings heart became nothing proud thereof and found nothing but subject of perplexity in this advantage Piercy had smitten her in such an effectual and tender manner that nothing was capable to remove him from her and as this was not the first time she had sacrificed considerable Conquests to him she easily determined to hear the King no farther then her condition obliged her to and to answer him no otherwise then with respect and indifferency The Rank she held with the Queen was considerable being descended from the ancient Earls of Ormond by the Fathers side and from the great House of Norfolk by the Mothers her wit which was Modeled in the most gallant Court of Europe created her many Friends and Blunt whose jealousie encreased against her at the same measure that the Kings flames were declared in her favour was the only person who sought not her friendship notwithstanding she durst not permit her first Fury to act openly against her but contented her self to search into and instruct her self in the affairs of Ann Bullen Fortune facilitated her way hereunto This fair Ann had a Brother whose great Merit made a considerable figure in King Henry's Court but whose wicked Destiny inspired him with a Passion for Blunt The Kings Constancy to her had hindred his discovery of it but the levity which he now observed in him emboldened him He took Blunt in one of those moments of despight wherein she passionately desired to be revenged on the King and hoping for great advantages from such a lover as young Bullen who could not probably be ignorant of his Sisters Secrets she bound him in a commerce of Gallantry She learnt of him the Engagement betwixt Piercy and Ann Bullen this knowledge was joyful to her hoping that a Marriage between these two persons would traverse the pretentions of Wolsey and would heal the heart of the King whom â—he did not renounce The Cardinal had Prospects quite opposite to Blunt he pretended to govern this Prince always by the means of Ann Bullen whose Beauty engaged him more and more but he did not foresee the obstacle which Piercy's Merit had brought to his Pretentions The King naturally unconstant neglected not only Blunt who before had so great power over him but began also to have some sentiments of
Negropont A young Grecian Lady being made a Captive in this Island inspired the Emperor with new Flames and Racima unfortunately lost that Empire she had so long time enjoyed peaceably but the beautiful Captive opposed the passion of Mahomet with so obstinate a resistance that he found in himself a necessity of loving her without the least hopes of conquering Her arrival at the Seraglio allarm'd all those that pretended to the Sultan's Heart her Beauty caused Racima particularly to tremble and jealousie immediately rendred Eronima odious unto her who in having the misfortune to please contrary to her inclination had the ill luck to contract so dangerous an Enemy Yet was it not the fear thereof that disturbed the tranquillity of her life an innocent tenderness was a greater cause of her Griefs than the fear of a Rival whom the whole Seraglio dreaded Bassa Solyman by his extraordinary Merit and considerable Services had gained her affections The cruel Laws of the Seraglio sentenced them never to see each other and as it was dangerous for the fair Captive or the amorous Bassa to give the least intimation of their thoughts so the constraint of hiding their very sighs cost them continual grievances Solyman was a man the most amiable and of the most general esteem in the world his Birth was very illustrious amongst the Turks he had signalized himself in a most glorious manner in all the Affairs of the Empire the Emperor distinguished him from others by a most particular consideration and there was no person in Constantinople who had a greater number of real Friends than himself All these advantages how considerable soever they might be were of less moment to him than the interest of his love and although Eronima promised her perseverance he feared the ordinary returns of an age easie to be perswaded and that Mahomet might in a short time overcome a resistance supported without hopes which made him live in a most deplorable languish which he withstood almost a year seeking some consolation in the confidence of a Friend but having a thousand times vainly endeavoured to see Eronima or at least to write to her he at last resolved to hazard the secret of his Love The access to the Seraglio of the Women was so difficult that it was impossible for him to approach it without exposing himself to terrible Events The prodigious number of Guards without and the active observation of the Eunuchs within utterly destroyed all his Enterprizes these difficulties appeared somewhat less dangerous on that side next the Gardens and Solyman being in a strict bond of Friendship with the Bostangi Bassa or chief Gardiner resolved to discover to him the whole mystery of his heart Morat possessed this Office which is one of the most considerable in the Empire and that which gives a man above all others the greatest liberty with the Emperour and Solyman hoping for some succour by the privileges of the grand Gardiner sought him out as soon as ever he had taken this resolution and living with him in that intimacy which made them neglect the regularity of Visits and the pleasantness of the Weather favouring his design they took a Walk together upon the Sea-side Solyman delayed not long without entring into a conversation of amorous interests but not finding the grand Gardiner to entertain the subject according to his desire My dear Morat said he to him stopping him I conjure you to declare to me whether you have ever loved or not this question for which the Bostangi Bassa was not prepared made him to blush having an Intrigue which he feared was now discovered said he why do you ask me this question To unfold my heart to you said Solyman I am in love and if ever you knew this passion by experience you will have the greater indulgence for me If Examples may be any thing beneficial to you replyed Morat I must confess that I do love most tenderly Pity me then continued the Bassa and give me your assistance at the same time I love in the Seraglio and not a Sultaness indifferent to the Emperor but Eronima who intirely possesseth his heart Ha! said Morat do you love Eronima and have you not foreseen the misfortunes which the Sultan's concurrence may bring upon you Had I not known Eronima replyed Solyman till after Mahomet had set his affections upon her I had not been perhaps more difficultly vanquished but Morat my love preceded his we are now alone and I can in few words recount you the Story The History of Bassa Solyman and the Princess Eronima IT was in this very City and in this same Pallace which from hence we behold that my passion commenced but Morat the time and state of Affairs were very different then War laid all things desolate now Peace is established 't was then the Capital City of the Paleologean Empire as it is now of the Ottoman there nothing appeared but objects of horrour here nothing but pleasantness in short it was at the Conquest of Constantinople reserved for the happy destiny of Mahomet that I saw Eronima and dedicated my self for ever to her The Employ I had in that Attack which gain'd us the City separated me oftentimes from the Emperour and whilst the valour of Constantine withstood him at one of the Gates we forced another and marched towards the Pallace the Guards whereof being dismayed rendred themselves at the sound of our Victory I moderated the fury of the Turks to the utmost of my power but was obliged to give way to its first Torrent So soon as we were Masters of the entrance into the Pallace our victorious Troops pillaged all its Appartments this commodious occupation was favourable to many of the Grecians for those were suffered to flie who made no resistance but the obstinate were cut to pieces there the expiring Victims Groans were mixt with Shouts of the joyful Conquerors and in this Confusion I failed not to succour the Women and prevent that violence which might be committed upon them and in the midst of many Grecian Carcases I found Eronima covered with the Blood of those that died in her defence this Rampart was too weak to secure her from the Soldiers Insolence whereof she had found a direful proof had not I just then arrived I found her abandoned to all the rigour of a dismal Adventure she was beautiful though she endeavoured to hide it and more prevailing against me than all the force of the Paleologues her charms instantly made their utmost progress and love which destined me most cruel Sufferings found not the least Obstacle in rendring her the sole Mistress of my Heart and a presaging interest made me thoughtful of removing her from the sight of the Sultan I made use of my authority over the Troops to dismiss them and I contemplated Eronima a long time without power to break silence though the Grecian Language was as familiar to me as our own she look'd upon me as an Enemy whose
power ought to give her fresh Allarms and trembled at my approach although I had thrown down my Cymeter and returned my Ponyard and my eyes far from threatning any new misfortune pronounced nothing to her but an assured Victory She told me afterwards that grief having bereft her of her senses she took me for a Barbarian who came to complete her disgrace and in these thoughts retiring some few paces Come not near Eronima cryed she unless thou comest to give me death thou art not the first of thy Nation who would not spare my Sex and this entertainment shall be more sweet to me than any pity which can prolong my misfortune These words full of resolution augmented my love Although I am born a Subject to Mahomet said I I am nothing the less disposed to render you all the Services you can demand and in bearing Arms for my Prince I shall never dishonour my self by committing cruelties I am mortally grieved to have contributed towards your misfortune and I would die in despair if I should not in some measure expiate the injury I have done you I am a Bassa to Mahomet and I have some favour in his sight which I shall wholly employ for you the reallity of my words were confirmed to Eronima by my sighs which are not usual to Barbarous Souls She considered me with a little more earnestness and not finding me of that cruel aspect her fear had perswaded her to If I have done you any injustice said she the condition you find me in hath sufficiently chastised me I stand in need of a generous protection and if my misery is capable to touch you with the least compassion you have an opportunity to demonstrate it in removing me from the sight of the Emperor whom I dread more than death I was over-joyed to see her disposed to shun Mahomet the time was short and as the Soldiers had left me at liberty with her I charged Ibrahim whose fidelity was well known to me to conduct her with some Women of her Retinue to a House adjoyning to the Pallace which he had made himself Master of and having not opportunity to stay longer I went to find the Emperour who was entred the City after he had seen the last of the Paleologues expire All possible order was taken this first night in Constantinople the Janizaries had the Guard of the Gates the rest of our Army guarded the Walls and the Emperor took his Quarters in the Pallace But I found my self little sensible of the success of our Arms it was Eronima alone that wholly occupied my thoughts and having contributed to her misfortunes my love reproached me of those glorious Actions for which I applauded my self before I saw her So soon as I could part with the Emperour I hasted to the House whereunto Ibrahim had conducted Eronima she welcomed me with much civility and an admirable constancy although she had heard the news of the Emperor of Greece his death and the rest of the Princes of her Blood If at the first sight she appeared beautiful to me she appeared much more so at this time her eyes were now less troubled her countenance more serene and her Habits put into greater order added new charms unto her I was now too amorous to conceal it and in spight of all my reservedness Eronima perceived what Mahomets Conquests had cost me my eyes were so tender and submissive that what passion soever she observed in them could not hinder her from granting me the pleasure to behold the splendor of hers She informed me then that she was Daughter to Demetrius Paleologus Brother to the Emperor Constantine that a dangerous sickness had detained him from going forth of Constantinople with his Imperial Family where he was constrained to attend the success of this War and after having spoken many obliging things to me she conjured me to facilitate her escape to some Sanctuary where she might be secure Imagine then how great my grief was to see her in this resolution of leaving me I had enjoyed no further pleasure in her sight than what made me sensible how contrary her desires were to the well-fare of my life and now that I must be forced to deprive my self of her sight for ever or contract her hatred in opposing her retreat here Love and Honour made a long engagement till my particular interest yielded to the Princesses pleasure and I resolved to suffer her departure though at the price of my life which I thought would expire with grief The hours that I passed in her company served only to render me the more amorous of her and she received my cares with great acknowledgment but I observed that she suffered my visits not without some pain in a place where her conduct was not known which consideration made me the rather determine to separate my self from her As soon as Mahomet had secured his Authority from all manner of Insurrections in Constantinople he caused all his treasure at Adrianople to be brought thither and after orders being given to establish his Houshold and beautifie the Seraglio he thought upon nothing more than seeking new Conquests Though he communicated this design unto me I wavered not to procure the departure of the Princess Eronima this effort was not made without causing a great alteration in my person which Eronima perceiving asked me obligingly what was the occasion thereof I was overjoyed that she observed me so much as to take notice of it and as nothing that can in the least flatter a Lover escapes his imagination I believed that at least in losing her I might hope to be pityed by her Madam said I the despair to which you see me reduced is but the beginning of a condition yet more unhappy since I am at the very point of losing you and in all appearance for ever What passion soever I may have replyed the Princess for my liberty if it costs you so dear I shall renounce it with my whole heart If you only wish for it I continued it is sufficient indispensably to engage me to procure it but Madam if this Action can merit any thing from you give me leave not to see you part without discovering the Secret of my Soul I should have been less indiscreet if it had been possible for me to die in your presence you are going Madam to leave me destined to all the rigours of absence my fortune is not considerable enough to offer you and you esteem me not worthy of fixing my self to yours I discourse to you of my love for the first and last time of my life and in spite of all the ardent sentiments I have for you I will be the person who shall conduct you to the Vessel which is to convey you from Constantinople and I will make sincere Vows and Prayers for the prosperity of your Voyage which will possibly cause my death not to exaggerate my unhappiness to you thereby to draw acknowledgments from you