his Could time reconcile these difficulties with my reputation my heart would iâ—…stantly command my pen 〈◊〉 signify you that I desire to give you hope and to take away your despaire and withall that Pavia is more pleasing to mee then Cremona sith Christeneta lives in it and Pisani in her I was never heretofore cruell to any neither doe I resolve to bee unkind to you for how can I â—…th I as truely vow to honour you as you professe to love me Live you in this assurance and I will dye in the same PISANI Time with a swift foot vanisheth and passeth away but Christeneta's affection to Pisani cannot she in his Letter perceives a glimmering light of hope breake forth thorow the obscure clouds of her despaire but feare doth as soone eclipse and strangle as propagate and produce it onely despight all apprehension and opposition her thoughts doe still gaze and looke on Pisani as the Needle of the compasse doth to the North so as she can rest in no true tranquillity of minde before she writes to him againe the which some fifteene dayes after she doth to this effect CHRISTENETA to PISANI I May passe the bounds of discretion but will not exceede those of honour I have ever learn'd to retaiue this Maxime that affection which receives end had never beginning If then I live I must breath the ayre of your love as well as this of my life sith it is the prime and sole cause thereof as the Sunne is of the light Your Letter I finde so full of doubts and ambiguities as I know not wherefore to hope or why not to despaire could you dive as deepely into my heart as I have into your merits if nature doe not pitty would informe you that you ought to preferre the love of a Lady before the respect of a Gentleman especially sith he may carry his heart from you and I desire to bring and present mine to you and how can your absence either rejoyce or comfort mee sith your presence will not Thinke what you please either of me or of your selfe onely give me leave to tell you that I finde doubt a step and degree to despaire as despaire is to death I write rather with teares then Inke If you will not live my Saint I must dye your Martyr CHRISTENETA At the receipt of this second Letter which was so sweetly pleasing and pleasingly sweet to his thoughts he found the Bulwarkes and defences of his respect to Gasparino razed and beaten downe and a faire breach made and layd open for Christeneta to enter and take possession of the Castle of his heart so now at one instant hee performes two severall attempts for the farther hee flies from his friend Gasparino the neerer hee approacheth to his Mistresse Christeneta and therefore now wholly imparadising his thoughts in the garden of her pure beauty and taking the chiefest light of his content and felicity from the relucent lustre of her eyes he thinkes it high time no longer to beare out his Flag of defiance but to strike sayle and doe homage to the soveraigne of his thoughts the which he doth in this Letter that he purposely sends her in answer of hers by his Page PISANI to CHRISTENETA YOur vertue and beauty is enough powerfull to prevaile with mee but your affection which addes grace to either and either to it makes me forget my respect to Gasparino to remember my love to Christeneta but that which gives life to this my resolution is that it is impossible for him to hate me as much as you love me and in this hope I both rejoyce and triumph that you shall not be my Martyr but my Mistresse and I will be both your Saint and your servant for as you desire to live in my favour so my chiefest ambition and zeale is to dye in your affection that which heaven makes me affirme earth shall not inforce me denye I will shortly follow and second this my Letter till when you can never so much lament my absence as I desire your presence Let this be your true consolation sith it is my sole delight and chiefest felicity PISANI If Pisani his first Letter overthrew Christeneta's despaire this his second revives and confirmes her hopes so that whereas heretofore she condemned her presumption in writing to Pisani she now not only applauds her resolution therein but also blesseth the houre that she attempted it yea she buildeth such castles of delight and content in her heart and her heart in her soule to thinke that shee should be his Wife and hee her Husband that shee anticipateth the houres and blames the dayes for not presenting her with the sight and presence of her sweet Pisani whom above all earthly contents she chiefely desireth Now if Christeneta were thus perplexed with the absence of her Pisani no lesse is hee with that of his Christeneta for remembring the freshnesse of her youth and the sweetnesse of her beauty hee in conceipt hateth Cremona which before hee loved and now loveth Pavia which before hee hated it is as great a griefe to him to bee with his other affaires without her as it would rejoyce him to bee with her without them yea she runnes so deepely in his thoughts and they on her beauty as if it were not immodesty hee either wisheth himselfe impaled in her armes or shee incloystered in his And now to performe as much as his Letter hath promised hee without thinking or respecting of his old friend Gasparino prepares all things ready to goe see his new Mistresse Christeneta Hee comes to Pavia accompanied with three or foure of his neerest and dearest friends visiteth Christeneta whom hee saluteth and courteth with all kinde of honourable and amorous complements Shee is joyfull yea ravished with his arrivall he doth assure her of his perpetuall affection and reciprocally himselfe of hers yea she so infinitely delights in his presence and he so extreamely in hers that shee now freely gives her selfe to Pisani and he in exchange as absolutely takes himselfe from Gasparino to give himselfe to Christeneta so as she rejoycing in her purchase and he triumphing in his victory they attend the time wherein heaven and earth hath ordayned of two bodies to make them one But it is not enough for Pisani to be possessed of Christeneta's favour for he must likewise obtaine that of her parents before either hee can enjoy his wishes or she her desires and so he goes honourably and secretly to worke with them but he findes them not so tractable as Christeneta hoped or himselfe desired for old Vituri her father preferring wealth before honour and riches before vertues dislikes this motion alledging that Pisani's father dyed exceedingly in debt that his chiefest Lands were ingaged and morgaged that hee had many great Legacies to pay to his sisters but which was worst of all that Pisani himselfe loved the Court better then the Country and that in his expences and apparell hee was extreamely prodigall
offereth up her devotions and therefore it will bee a miserable ingratitude in thee to permit her to dye thy Martyr CERVANTELLA At the receit and perusall of this Letter Roderigo is infinitly sorrowfull especially when hee considereth that it is only Dominicas deere affection to him and his long stay from her which hath occasioned her sicknesse whereupon his love consulting with his honour his honour with his conscience and his conscience with God hee conjureth the Messenger to returne speedily to Granado to the Lady Cervantella and her daughter Dominica from him and to assure them that all busines of the world set apart hee will be there with them the next day and bring them the answers of their letters himselfe whereat at the messengers returne they both of them exceedingly rejoyce Roderigo now according to his promise comes to Granado visiteth Cervantella and his sicke Mistris Dominica salutes the one with complements the other with kisses Dominica intending to give him her body but not her heart dissembleth her affection to him and frownes on him exceedingly as if her love to him and his to her were deerer to her than all the world and farre more pretious than her life But contrariwise Roderigo intends as hee speakes and speakes as hee intends yea hee is so sincere and reall in his affection to her as shee is counterfeit and treacherous to him So glorying in her beauty and triumphing in her youth hee with much difficulty obtaines his fathers consent and marries her their Nuptials being solemnized in Granado with state and bravery answerable to their descents and qualities but he will finde a wanton Lâ—…is for a constant Lucrece and a lascivious Phryne for a chast Penelope Never Husband bore himselfe more respectfully lovingly and courteously to his Wife than doth Roderigo to his Dominica for hee thinkes that her fare cannot bee curious nor her apparell costly enough for her yea such was his tender respect to her and affection of her that hee willingly permitted her to goe where she would and to come when shee pleased contrary to the custome of Spaine and generally of most Spanyards who hold it farre more folly than affection to give this licentious freedome and liberty to their Wives which wee doe in England and France the which we shall see verified in our young Bride Dominica for the more her husband Roderigo loves her the more she sleights him and the more he respects her the more she neglects and contemnes him wherat he grieves his mother in law Cevantella stormes and his owne father Don Emanuell de Cortez reâ—…ines and murmures But as it is labour in vaine to thinke to make an Aethiopian white so all of them cannot reclaime Dominica to love her husband nor scarce to lye with him He conceives infinite griefe hereat which breeds him a lingring consumption in earnest as his Wife Dominica was formerly possessed of one in jest whereat shee the more hates him in regard the extreamitie of his sicknesse and weaknesse will not permit him to performe the rites and duties of a Husband towards her but she need not care much lesse grieve thereat for shee takes her obscene and lascivious pleasures abroad whiles her deere sicke husband for griefe of body and mind is ready to dye at home He bewailes his hard fortune in marying her but yet loves her so tenderly and deerely as hee will not speake ill of her himselfe nor suffer any other to doe it either in his presence or her absence Yea her love is so frozen to him though his bee still constantly and fervently inflamed to her as shee difficulty sees him once in three daies nor yet speake two words with him when shee sees him and yet when hee is so happy to obtaine her sight and company hee so exceedingly reioyceth thereat that it seemes to him his paine for that time gives him peace his sorrowes truce his sickenesse ease his heart comfort and his thoughts consolation But Dominica hath not deserved the least part of all this true affection and courtesie from him heretofore much lesse will shee requite it to him hereafter except in a most ingratefull and bloody manner which is thus The Devill resolves to trouble the harmony and serenity of their mariage or rather our Dominica hath hellishly derived and drawne this resolution from the Devill to poyson her Husband and the sooner she fixeth her minde upon this infernall Ingredient and setteth her barbarous cruelty upon this devillish drugge because the violence of his consumption having already made almost an Anatomy of his body she therefore flattereth her selfe with this opinion that no suspition at all can seize upon the beleefe of any that hee is poysoned much lesse of his Father or her Mother She cannot procure poyson her selfe and therefore albeit shee be very unwilling to acquaint or imploy any other herein yet she is enforced thereunto Of all her acquaintance she thinkes shee may more safely entrust and repose this great secret with her Chamber maid Denisa for having formerly made her accessary to her sinnes of Fornication and Adultery shee thinks shee may with lesse difficulty and more ease now draw her to conceale and participate in this murther with her the which the better and sooner to effect she gives her fifty Duâ—…s and adding thereunto many sweet perswasions and sugred promises of her continuall care and affection for her preferment this wretched miserable Wench yeelds her consent thereto so they give their hands and sweare secrecie each to other the Devill laughing at this their bloudy compact and capitulation So without either the grace or feare of God they are resolute in this their rage and outragious in this their barbarous cruelty thinking every minute a moneth and every day a yeare before they have finished and perpetrated this lamentable businesse So this Fury this shee-devill Dominica being as impatient in her lascivious lust to her selfe as in her deadly malice to her kinde and honest Husband Roderigo she makes Denisa secretly to procure some strong poyson from some remote unknowne Apothecary and not only causeth but sees her to put it into some white broth for him which the Chamber-maid brings and the Wife and Mistresse gives to her Husband in morning before he was out of his bed under pretence and colour of some comfortable broth and hot meat whereof O griefe to thinke it O pity to report it before night he died thereof and Don Emanuel de Cortez his father being at that time ridden to the Citie of Sevil in the Province of Aâ—…doulesia about some important businesse of his she taking the opportunity and advantage of his absence thereby the better to overvaile this her foule and bloudy fact doth speedily cause this his breathlesse body to be encoffined and so buried somewhat privately but not in that solemne manner as was requisite either for his quality or her reputation yea contrary to the opinion of the Lady Cervantella her mother who much
vowes there is no musicke to the rattling of the Drumme and Trumpet and to the thundring of the Musket and Canon but this warlike and martiall humour of his shall not last long Wherin wee may observe the vanity of our thoughts the inconstancy of our delights and the alteration and mutability of our resolutions for now we shal shortly see Grand Pre hate that he loved love that he hated yea we shall see him so plunge and drown himselfe in the beauty of a faire sweet Gentlewoman as he shall leave Holland for Burgundy Warre for peace Armes for Love and Enemies for a Mistris but time must worke this alteration and Metamorphosis The old Gentleman his father seeing Grand Pre's martiall disposition feares lest this ambitious and generous humour of his will induce him to seeke warres abroad sith he findes none at home and therefore desirous of his company and presence in that it will sweeten his former afflictions and give life to his future hopes and content he proffers him the choice of many rich and faire young Gentlewomen for his wife of the best and most ancient families in and neare Auxone but Grand Pre is deafe to these requests and motions thinkes it a disparagement and blemish to his valour if hee should any way listen or give eare thereto the which his father perceiving and understanding he bethinkes himselfe of a further invention and so resolves at Winter to leave the Countrey and to reside in the City of Dijon famous for the ancient seate of the Dukes of Burgundie and for the present Court of Parliament hoping that there amongst the multitude of sweet Ladies Gentlewomen wherwith that City is adorned his sonne Grand Pre might at last espye some Paragon of Nature whose beauty might have power to subdue and captivate his affections and indeed as the sequell will shew the event answereth his expectation For on a Sunday morning in Lent as Grand Pre went to the royall Chappell to heare Father Iustinian a Capuchin Fryer preach he opposite to him espies a most delicat and beautiful yong Lady slender of body tall of stature fair of taynt complexion having a quick gracious eye with pure and delicate haire of a flaxen colour being infinitely rich in Apparell yet farre richer in the perfections and excellencies of a true and perfit beauty in a word she was so amiable and so lovely so sweet and so pleasing to his eyes as at her very first sight Grand Pre could not refraine from blushing as being ravished with the sweetnesse of so sweet an object so as his heart panted and beat within him as being not accustomed to encounter with such beauties or with such sudden passions and alterations Now by this time this young gentlewoman whose name we shall anon know could not but perceive with what earnestnesse and delight Grand Pre beheld her and seeing him to be a proper young Gallant and richly apparelled and followed shee could not refraine from dying her Lilly cheekes with a Vermillian blush which gave such grace to her beauty and so inflamed our poore Grand Pre as he could no longer resist the influence of such amorous assaults and now it is that his thoughts strike sayle to affection and his heart doth homage to beauty so as he revokes his former opinion conceiv'd against the power and dignity of Love which he now holds erronious and in his heart vowes that there is no such felicity in the world as to enjoy the Lady of his desires whom his eyes and soule chiefely honour and adore But if he be insnared and imprisoned in the fetters of her beauty no lesse is she in those of his personage only she is more coy and precise in the exterior demonstration there of for as hee cannot keepe his eyes from gazing on her so shee seemes but to looke on him by stealth or if she transgresse that Decorum she immediately in outward apparance checks her eyes from ranging beyond the lists of modesty and discretion But by this time to the griefe of our new Lovers the Sermon is ended and all prepare to depart so their eyes with much discontent and unwillingnesse for that time take leave each of other and here Grand Pre making a turne or two in the Church is doubly tormented and perplexed first with griefe that he is deprived of his Mistris sight and then with sorrow that hee neither knowes her nor her name But as Love refines our wits and gives an edge to our intentions so he shewes her to his Page and sends him to make secret enquiry what shee is His Page speedily returnes and informes him that she is Madamoyselle Mermanda eldest daughter to Mounsieur de Cressonuille one of the chiefest Presidents of tthe Court of Parliament Grand Pre extreamely rejoyceth to know what she was and farre the more in respect hee sees it no disparagement either to himselfe or his house to marry her and therefore omitting all other designes and resolutions and bidding farewell to the Warres he resolves to seeke her in marriage to which end the next day hee of set purpose with a Gentleman or two of his â—…mate and familiar friends insinuates himselfe into her Fathers house who being absent whiles they entertaine the Mother hee under colour of other conference courts the Daughter yea now his affection to her is by many degrees redoubled because he sees the excellency of her minde is answerable to that of her person and now shee comming likewise to know him is as it were wrapt up in the contemplation of a thousand sweete contents which so worke on her affection or rather on her heart as if he thinkes himselfe happy in seeking such a Mistresse she esteemes her selfe blest in finding such a servant Grand Pre findes his first entertainment from Mermanda to bee respective and pleasing and so authorized by her curtesy and advice he taking time at advantage goes to the old President her father and bewrayes him his affection to his daughter and the desire he hath to obtaine her for his wife so having begunne his suit he leaves his father Grandmont to finish it and continually frequents the companion of his beautifull Mistresse Mermanda Her father Cressonville dislikes not this match but deemes it both agreeable and honourable onely hee knowes that Grandmont hath likewise one only daughter and himselfe one onely sonne so he infinitely desires to make this a double match thereby to contract a more firme and stricter league betwixt their two houses this is proposed and debated as well betweene the young folkes as the old Parents and at last it takes effect so as purposely omitting first the conference then the letters sent from Grand Pre to Mermanda and from Mermanda to Grand Pre from De Malleray Cressonvilles sonne to Hautefelia and from Hautefelia to De Malleray because the inserting thereof would make this briefe History swell into an ample volume These Marriages to
Devill was by ambition covetousnesse malice and revenge to seduce and perswade Hautefelia and La Fresnay to commit these Murthers and also how just God was in the detection and punishment thereof that the feare of the one may terrifie us from imbracing and attempting the other to the end that as they lived in sinne and dyed in shame so wee may live in righteousnes and dye in peace thereby to live in eternall felicity and glory GODS REVENGE AGAINST THE CRYING AND EXEcrable sinne of Murther HISTORIE II. Pisani betrayeth Gasparino of his Mistresse Christeneta Gasparino challengeth Pisani for this disgrace and kills him in the field hee after continueth his suite to Christeneta shee dissembles her malice for Pisani his death shee appoynts Gasparino to meete her in a Garden and there causeth Bianco and Brindoli to murther him they are all three taken and executed for the same WHere Affection hath Reason for guide and Vertue for object it is approved of Earth and applauded of Heaven but where it exceeds the bounds of Charity and the lists of Religion Men pitty it Angels lament it and God himselfe contemnes it for if we are crossed in our love why should discontent make us desperate or to what end should we flie Reason to follow Rage except we desire to ride poast to Hell and to end our dayes on a shamefull and infamous Scaffold here on earth It is an excellent felicity to grow from Vertue to Vertue and a fatall misery to runne from Vice to Vice Love and Charity are alwayes the true marks of a Christian and Malice and Revenge those of an Infidell or rather of a Devill but to imbrue our hands in innocent bloud and to seeke the death of others is to deprive our selves of our owne life as the sequell of this History will declare which I relate with pitty and compassion sith I see the Stage whereon these Tragedies are acted and represented not only sprinkled but goared with great variety and effusion of bloud In Pavia the second City of the Dutchy of Millan the very last yeare that Count Fuentes under the King of Spaine was Viceroy of that State Signior Thomaso Vituri a noble Gentleman of that City had one onely child a daughter of the age of fifteene yeares named Dona Christeneta who was exceeding faire and beautifull and indued with many excellent qualities perfections requisite in a Gentlewoman of her ranke she was sought in marriage by many Gallants of the City but a Cavalier of Cremona must beare her away or at least her affection The History is thus Signiour Emanuel Gasparino a noble young Gentleman of Cremona hearing of Vituri his wealth and of his daughter Christeneta's Beauty and Vertues the Adamants and Load-stones to drawe mens affections resolveth with himselfe to seeke her for his wife he acquaints none herewith but an intimate deare friend of his a young Gentleman of the same City named Signior Ludovicus Pisani by descent a Venetian whom hee prayes to assist and accompany him to Pavia in seeking and courting the faire Christeneta his Mistresse Pisani tearmes himselfe much honoured and obliged to Gasparino and very willingly grants his request and so they prepare for their journy They come to Pavia Vituri bids Gasparino welcome and entertaines him respectfully and courteously as also Pisani he thankes Gasparino for the honour he doth him in seeking his daughter and like a carefull father takes time to consult hereon but for Christeneta she looks not so pleasing nor pleasantly on him as he expecteth he is deeply in love both with her beauty and other perfections but he finds her cold in her discourse and answers and very melancholly and pensive he courts her often and after the Italian fashion with variety of Musicke Ditties and ayres but still he findes her averse and contrary to his desires as if her thoughts were otherwise fixed Gasparino knowes not how to winne her affection nor how to beare himselfe herein he consults with Pisani and prayes him to conferre with Christeneta and to sound her affection But it proves often dangerous still indiscretion to trust a friend in this case Pisani promiseth to performe the office of a friend and to conferre effectually with Christeneta he seekes opportunity and place and findes both he sets out to her Gasparino's merits and paints foorth his praises and in a word leaves nothing untouched which hee thinkes may any way advance his friends content and affection but hee findes Christeneta's minde perplexed and troubled for shee often changeth colours now red then pale and then pale now red againe yet hee observes that her eyes are still stedfastly fixed on him hee prayes her that she will returne a pleasing answer for him to carry to his friend and her lover Gasparino Christeneta would willingly speake but cannot for her heart and paps beat and pant and her fighes very confusedly interrupt her words but at last dying her Lilly cheekes with a Vermillian blush shee tells him that she is not ignorant of Gasparino's merits who deserves farre her better but that shee cannot consent to love him in respect she hath fixed but not ingaged her affection on another Pisani still extolleth his friend Gasparino to the skie and for all honourable parts preferres him before any Gentleman of Lombardy and withall with much industry and insinuation endeavours to request and draw Christeneta to name him her servant which she once thought to have done had not Modesty the sweetest and most precious ornament of a Virgin for that time with-held her when after two or three deepe sighes the outward Heralds of her inward passions she told him thus Pisani it is a deare and neare friend of yours who is the first that I have and the last that I will affect but I will not at present name him onely if you please to meet me secretly to morrow at eight of the clocke in the morne in the Nunnes garden at Saint Clare I will there informe you who it is but in the meane time and ever forbeare to sollicite me any more for Gasparino sith he shall not be my servant nor will I be his Mistresse and so for that time they part and he confidently promiseth to meet her Gasparino demands Pisani how hee findes his Mistresse Christeneta Hee answeres faithfully according as shee told him but conceales their appoynted meeting in the Nunnes garden and now because hee seeth it labour lost to research Christeneta hee will not be obstinate in his suit but will give a law to his passions and affections rather then they shall prescribe any to him and so resolves to take leave of her because as well by her selfe as by her father and mother and now chiefely by Pisani he sees shee is otherwise bent and affected to which end he leaves Pavia and returnes to Cremona Leave we therfore Gasparino to his thoughts and come we to those of Pisani and Christeneta to see what their garden conference will bring forth
Pisani cannot imagine what friend of his it should be that Christeneta loveth but she knowes enough for them both and it may be too much for her selfe she knowes it at least an immodest if not a bold part for her to court Pisani who ought rather to court her but she thinkes it both wisedome and duety to give way to that which she cannot avoyd and prevent and so preferres the zeale of her affection before the respect of her modesty but that which makes her so resolute in the execution of this her amorous attempt is to see that Gasparino hath found Pisani to sollicite for him to her and shee can finde none but her selfe to sollicite for her selfe to Pisani therfore bold in this her resolution she beares so deep and so deare an affection to Pisani that she thinkes every moment an houre and every houre an age before she see Pisani that one person of the World whom she loves more deare then all the world Thus wishing night day her house the Nunnery and her chamber the garden shee with much impatient patiency awayts the houre of eight which shee knowes will bring her her joy or her torment her felicity or her misery her life or her death The Clocke strikes eight Christeneta takes her Prayer-booke and her Wayting-mayd and so trips away to the Nunnery but she doth now dispense with her devotion to give content to her eyes or rather to her heart in seeing and injoying the desired company of Pisani whom she esteemes the life of her content and the content of her life and so forsakes the Church to goe to the Garden Pisani who never failed of his houre and promise to men doth now disdaine to misse thereof to a Lady for Christeneta hath scarce made three paces in the walkes of the Garden but ere the fourth be finished shee sees Pisani enter shee blushes at his sight and hee growes pale at her blushes he findes her in a bower of Sycamors Cypresses and Vines decked within with Roses Lillies and Gilly-flowers hee gives her the good-morrow and the salute the which with a modest and sweet courtesy she receives and returnes he tells her he is come to performe his promise and if it please her to receive hers shee would faine answer him but her cheekes give blushes where her tongue should words but at last darting a sweet looke on him which was the Embassadour and Herald of her heart she discovereth her selfe to him thus The person Pisani on whom I have fixed and settled my affection doth exceedingly resemble you is of your owne blood and of your neerest and dearest acquaintance Pisani presseth her to know his name when after many glances sighes and blushes shee tells him his name is Pisani and himselfe the man prayes him to pardon her boldnesse and to give an honourable interpretation and construction to her affection 〈◊〉 withall that when she first saw him shee loved him and now prayes him to be 〈◊〉 that Christeneta may be a sollicitor for her selfe to Pisani and not Pisani to Christeneta for Gasparino yea she confirmes her words with many sighes and againe her sighs with many teares which trickle downe her beautifull cheekes like pearled drops of deaw upon blushing damaske Roses Pisani wonders at this unexpected newes and knowes not how to beare himselfe in a businesse of this nature hee sees that her beauty deserves love and her descent and vertues respect but withall he is not so dishonourable to betray his friend he wonders at her affection and is not ignorant that she deserves a more noble husband then himselfe but seeing her languish for an answer he returnes her thus Although I acknowledge my selfe infinitely bound to you for that affection of yours wherewith you please to honour mee yet as honour is to be preferred before affection so Christeneta must excuse Pisani sith hee cannot bee a servant to her but he must bee a traytor to Gasparino and that respect excepted in requitall of your favour I will esteeme my selfe happy if I may lose my life for your service Yet hee is not so unkinde but gives her a kisse or two at farewell which as much delights Christeneta as his refusall doth afflict her so they part The rest time must bring forth Now although Gasparino have left Pavia yet he cannot forsake his affection to Christeneta but cherisheth her memory and in heart adoreth her Idaea yea he loves her deepely and dearely and indeed her perfections and beauty deserve love but such is Christeneta's affection to Pisani as she can take no truce of her thoughts but despight of discretion and modesty which perswade and counsell her to the contrary she within ten dayes after purposely sends a confident Messenger to him to Cremona with this Letter CHRISTENETA to PISANI FInde it not strange that I second my last speech with this my first Letter and thinke that were not my affection intire and constant I should not thus attempt to reveale it you in lines which blush not as my cheekes doe when I write them I should offer too palpable violence and injury to the truth if I tell you not that it is impossible for Christeneta to love any but Pisani whom I no sooner saw but deepely admir'd and dearely affected Now sith my zeale to you is begunne in vertue and shall be continued in honour it makes me flatter my selfe with hope that you will not enforce me to despaire for if I am not so happy to be yours I must bee so unfortunate never to bee mine owne Iudge what your absence is to me sith your presence is my chiefest felicity which makes me both desire and wish that either you were in Pavia or I in Cremona I can prefixe and give bounds to my Letter though not to my affection Hate not her who loves you dearely otherwise whatsoever you thinke I know your unkindnesse to mee will bee meere cruelty CHRISTENETA 〈◊〉 Pisani receiveth this Letter he wonders at her affection and now consults betwixt Christeneta's love to him and his respect to Gasparino hee at first holds it incivility not to answer her Letter and yet is very unwilling in doing her right to wrong his friend but at last perusing her Letter againe hee findes it so kinde as hee deemes it not only ingratitude but a degree of inhumanity for him not to returne her an answer and therefote taking Pen and Paper he writes to her thus PISANI to CHRISTENETA YOu discover mee as much affection as I should treachery to my friend either to accept or â—…equite it and were it not for that consideration which must tend as well to mine owne honour as to your content I would not sticke to say that Pisani loves Christeneta because shee deserves to be beloved onely give mee leave to informe you that as you are too faire to be refused so I am too honest to betray my friend especially such a one who is as confident of my fidelity as I assured of
hell to earth purposely to erraise them from Earth to Heaven and so religiously to give and consecrate both them and our selves and soules from sinne to righteousnesse and consequently with as much felicitie as glorie from Satan to God THere dwelt in the Citie of Avero in Portugall an ancient Nobleman termed Don Gasper de Vilarezo rich in either qualitie of earthly greatnesse as well of blood as revenewes who was neerely allied to the Marquesse of Denia in Spaine as marrying a Neece of his named Dona Alphanta a Lady exquisitely endued with the ornaments of Nature and the perfections of Grace for she was both faire and vertuous that adding lustre to these and these returning and reflecting embellishment to that which made her infinitely beloved of her husband Vilarezo and exceedingly honoured of all those who had the honour to know her and to crowne the felicitie of their affections and marriage they had three hopefull children one sonne and two daughters he termed Don Sebastiano and they the Donas Catalina and Berinthia Hee having attained his fifteenth yeare was by his Father made Page to Count Manriques de Lopez and continually followed him at Court and they from their tenth to their thirteenth yeares lived sometimes at Coimbra otherwhiles at Lisbone but commonly at Avero with their Parents who so carefully trained them up in those qualities and perfections requisite for Ladies of their ranke as they were no sooner seene but admired of all who saw them But before wee make a farther progression in this Historie thereby the better to unfold and anatomize it I hold it rather necessarie then impertinent that wee take a cursory though not a curious survey of both these young Ladies perfections and imperfections of their vices and vertues their beautie and deformitie that as objects are best knowne by the opposition of their contraries so by the way of comparison wee may distinguish how to know and know how to distinguish of the disparitie of these two sisters in their inclinations affections and delineations Catalina was somewhat short of stature but corpulent of body Berinthia tall but slender Catalina was of taint and complexion more browne then faire Berinthia not browne but sweetly faire or fairely sweet Catalina had a disdainefull Berinthia a gracious eye Catalina was proud Berinthia humble In a word Catalina was of humour extreamely imperious ambitious and revengefull and Berinthia modestly courteous gracious and religious So these two young Ladies growing now to bee capable of marriage many gallant Cavaliers of Avero become Servants and Suiters to them as well in respect of their Fathers Nobilitie and wealth as for their owne beauties and vertues yea their fame is generally so spread that from Lisbone and most of the chiefest Cities of Portugall divers Nobles and Knights resort to their Father Don Vilarezo's house to proffer up their affections to the dignitie and merits of his daughters But his age finding their youth too young to bee acquainted with the secrets and mysteries of marriage puts them all off either in generall termes or honourable excuses as holding the matching of his daughters of so eminent and important consideration as hee thinkes it fit hee should advisedly consult and not rashly conclude them which affection and care of Parents to their Children is still as honourable as commendable Don Sebastiano their brother being often both at Madrid Vallidolyd and Lisbone becomes very intimately and singularly acquainted with Don Antonio de Rivereâ—… a noble and rich young Cavalier by birth likewise a Portugall of the Citie of Elvas who was first and chiefe Gentleman to the Duke of Bragansa and the better to unite and perpetuate their familiaritie hee proffers him his eldest sister in marriage and prayes him at his first conveniencie to ride over to Avero to see her offering himselfe to accompany him in this journey and to second him in that enterprize as well towards his father as sister Don Antonio very kindly and thankfully listeneth to Don Sebastiano's courteous and affectionate proffer and knowing it so farre from the least disparagement as it was a great happinesse and honour for him to match himselfe in so noble a Family they assigne a day for that journey against when Don Antonio makes readie his preparatives and traine in all respects answerable to his ranke and generositie They arrive at Avero where Don Gasper de Vilarezo for his owne worth and his sonnes report receives Don Antonio honourably and entertaines him courteously he visiteth and saluteth first the mother then the two young Ladies her daughters and although hee cannot dislike Catalina yet so precious and amiable is sweet Berâ—…nthia in 〈◊〉 eye as hee no sooner sees but loves her yea her piercing eye her vermillion châ—…ke and delicate stature act such wonders in his heart as hee secretly proclaimes himselfe her Servant and publikely shee his Mistresse to which end hee takes time and opportunitie at advantage and so reveales her so much in termes that intimate the servencie of his zeale and endeare the zeale of his affection and constancy Berinthia entertaines his motion and speeches with many blushes which now and then cast a rosiat vaile ore the milke-white lillies of her complexion and to speake truth if Antonio bee inamoured of Berinthia no lesse is shee of him so as not only their eyes but their contempâ—…tions and hearts seeme already to sympathize and burne in the flame of an equall affection In a word by stealth hee courts her often And not â—…o deâ—…aine my Reader in the intricate Labyrinth of the whole passages of their loves Antonio for this time finds Berinthia in this resolution that as she hath not the will to grant so she hath not the power to deny his suit the rest time will produce But so powerfully doe the beautie and vertues of sweet Berinthia worke in 〈◊〉 his affections that impatient of delayes hee findes out her father and mother and in due termes requisite for him to give and they receive demaunds their daughter Berinthia in marriage Vilarezo thanking Antonio for this honour replies that of his two daughters hee thinkes Berinthia his younger as unworthy of him as Catalina his eldest worthily bestowed on him Antonio answeres that as he cannot deny but Catalina is faire yet hee must confesse that Berinthia is more beautifull to his eye and more pleasing to his thoughts Vilarezo lastly replies that he will first match Catalina ere Berinthia and that he is as content to give him the first as not as yet resolved to dispose of the second and so for this time they on these termes depart Vilarezo taking Antonio and his sonne Sebastiano with him to hunt a Stag whereof his adjacent Forrest hath plentie But whiles Antonio his body pursues the Stag his thoughts are flying after the beautie of his deare and faire Berinthia who as the Paragon of Beautie and Nature sits Empresse and Queene-Regent in the Court of his contemplations and affections hee is wounded at
for hers for him which suddenly drawing forth her affection to Diego having made her quite forget her poyson shee with her handkerchiefe drawes out the galley-pot which falling on the floore of the bower that was paved with square stones it immediatly burst in pieces when Diego's Spaniell licking up the poyson instantly sweld and died before them Whereat Diego grew amazed but farre more Ansilva who blushing with shame then growing pale for feare could not invent either what to say or doe at the strangenesse and suddennesse of this accident Diego presseth her to know for whom this poyson was provided and of whom shee had it Her answeres are variable and are so farre from agreeing as they contradict each other which breeds in her the more feare and in him astonishment Hee conjures her by all the bonds of their affection to discover it with many millions of protestations professeth it shall dye with him hee addes vowes to his requests oathes to his vowes and kisses to his oathes so as mayds can difficultly conceale any thing from their Lovers but especially fearing that hee might peradventure suspect that this poyson was meant and intended him shee at last vanquished with his importunacy and this consideration discovereth as we have formerly understood that her Lady Catalina had wonne her therewith to poyson her sister Berinthia because shee suspected shee was better beloved of his Master Don Antonio then her selfe Diego is infinitely astonished at the strangenesse of this newes and like a true and faithfull Page to his Master having drawne this worme from Ansilva's nose and this newes from her tongue under colour to seeke a remedy to stop his blood giving her many kisses and promising her his speedy returne hee leaves her in the garden and so very speedily finds out Berinthia to whom with as much truth as curiositie hee from poynt to poynt reveales it praying her to bee carefull not to receive any thing either from Catalina or Ansilva and withall to write for the next morne hee will hye to Elvas to reveale it to his Master Berinthia trembles at the report of this strange and unexpected newes so having first thanked God for the discovery of this poyson and her Sisters malice shee promiseth him a Letter to his Master and heartily thankes him for his fidelitie and affection towards her the which shee voweth to requite and for a pledge and earnest thereof drawes off a Diamond from her finger and gives it him for this good office No sooner hath Aurora leapt from the watry bed of Thetis and Phoebus discovered his golden beames in the azured Firmament of Heaven but Diego causeth his Horse to bee made ready and tells Ansilva that his father hath sent for him to meet him at la Secco and that hee will not fayle to bee backe with her within three dayes being ready to depart Hee under colour of giving order for his horse leaves her and steales into Berinthia's Chamber whom poore Lady feare would not permit to take any rest or sleepe that night the which shee had partly worne out and imployed in writing her minde to her deare Antonio and knowing her selfe not safe in Avero with her father and sister shee resolved to commit her honour and her life into his protection yea she had no sooner finished and sealed her Letter to that effect but Diego comes and knockes softly at her chamber doore Berinthia in her night gowne and attire is ready for him shee admits him commends his care gives him her Letter to his Master and prayes him to use all possible diligence in his returne and so having received all her commands hee secretly descends the stayres and taking leave of Vilarezo and lastly kissing his Mistresse Ansilva hee leapes to horse rides the first Stage there leaves his Gennet and takes Poast Leave we Diego poasting towards Elvas and come we to Catalina whose malice finding no rest nor her revenge remedy shee that very morne assoone as Ansilva came into her chamber demands whether shee be prepared to performe her owne promise and her hopes She answereth her Lady that lesse then three dayes shall effect it and give a period to all her sister Berinthia's Whereat shee is exceedingly glad but all this while ignorant what Diego hath seene and Berinthia knowes to this effect Ansilva presuming on Diego his sidelity and building on his secresie and therefore lesse suspecting his journey to Eluas remaines still so gracelesse and impious in her bloudy resolution as shee now not onely presumes but assures her selfe that Berinthia is neere the ebbe of her dayes and the setting of her life and therefore like an execrable Agent of the Devill she hath now made ready and provided her selfe of a second poysoned potion which shee no way doubts but shall send her to her last sleepe But this female Monster this bloudy shee-Empericke may bee deceived in her art In the interim of which time Diego arrives at Eluas and findes out his Master to whom hee very hastily delivers Berinthia's Letter the which Antonio having kissed breakes off the seales and there contrary to his hopes but not to his desires reades these lines BERINTHIA to ANTONIO MY sister Catalina's malice is so extreme to mee sith my affection is such to thee as shee degenerates not onely from Grace but Nature and seekes to bereave me of my life This bearer thy Page who I pray'love for my sake sith hee under God hath now preserved mee for thine will more fully and particularly acquaint thee with the manner thereof So sith there is no safetie for mee in my Fathers house into whose armes and protection shall I throw my selfe but onely into thine of whose true and sincere affection I am so constant and confident as I rest assured thou wilt shew thy selfe thy selfe in preserving my life with mine honour and mine honour with my life It is no poynt of disobedience in mee to my Father but of deare respect 〈◊〉 mine owne life and therefore to thee for and by whom I live that makes mee so earnestly desire both thy assistance and sight sith the first will leade mee from despayre the second to hope and joy and both to content till when feare and love with much impatiencie make mâ—… thinke houres yeares and minutes moneths BERINTHIA Antonio is amazed at this strange and unexpected newes and curiously gathers all the circumstances thereof from his Page when love feare hope sorrow and joy act their severalll parts as well in his heart as countenance when prizing Berinthia's life and safetie a thousand times before his owne hee with great expedition dispatcheth away Diego the same night to Avero with this ensuing letter which he commands him deliver his Mistresse Berinthia with all possible speed and secrecie ANTONIO to BERINTHIA AS the Sunne breaking foorth of an obscure cloud shines the clearer so doeth thy true affection to mee in that damnable malice of thy Sister Caralina to thy selfe for my sake in such
either tractable or flexible to his desires so as his suite is vaine and shee so deafe to his requests as neither his prayers sighs Letters nor Presents are capable to purchase her favour Poligny infinitely grieves heereat which notwithstanding makes the flame of his lust rather increase then diminish so as after much pensivenesse hee begins to beat his witts and to awaken his invention how hee may crowne his desires by enjoying Laurieta when loe an occasion presenteth it selfe to him unexpected Madamoyselle la Palaisiere a rich young Gentlewoman neere Pont Saint Esprit living in Avignion and seeing Poligny at the dauncing doth exceedingly fall in loue with him yea â—…hee so admires the sweetnesse of his favour and the excellencie of his personage as shee rejoyceth in nothing so much and to write the truth in nothing else but in his company so as had not modestie with-held her shee would have prooved her owne Advocate and have informed him thereof her selfe Poligny receives so many secret signes and testimonies of her affection by private glances and the like as hee cannot bee ignorant thereof but his love or rather his lust to Laurieta hath so absolutely taken up his heart and thoughts as it hath left no place nor corner for la Palaisiere so as here wee may observe and remarke a different commixture and disparitie of affections Poligny loves Laurieta and not shee him la Palaisiere affects Poligny and not hee her what these passions and occurrences will produce wee shall shortly see La Palaisiere having her heart pierced thorow with the love of Poligny knowing him to bee Laurieta's servant and shee the Mistresse of Belluile either out of her affection or jealousie or both resolves at next meeting to acquaint Poligny with it therby purposely to withdraw his affection from her to her selfe The occasion is proffered and opportunitie seemes to favour and second her desires Some three dayes after the Iesuites who as the Mountebanks and Panders of Kingdomes and Estates leave no invention nor Ceremony unattempted to seduce and bewitch the affections of the world cause their Schollers to act a Comedie in their Colledge in this Citie whereat all the Nobilitie and Gentrie of the Citie and adjacent Countrey assemble and meet Thither comes Poligny hoping to see Laurieta and la Palaisiere to see Poligny but Laurieta that day is sicke and Belluile stayes with her to comfort her So first comes Poligny and seeing hee could not see his Laurieta sits downe pensively then comes la Palaisiere and seeing Poligny a farre off prayes her brother who conducted her to place her neere him Poligny can doe no lesse then salute her and shee triumphing in her good fortune takes the advantage of this occasion and in sweet and sugered termes after many pauses sighs and blushes gives him to understand that shee knew his affection to Laurieta and withall that Belluile and no other was her servant and favourite This speech of hers strikes Poligny to the quicke so as thereat hee not onely bites the lip but hangs his head yea this unexpected newes as also Beâ—…uile and Laurieta's absence so nettle him and frame such a Chymera of extravagant passions in his heart and thoughts as hee could not have the patience to sit ouâ—… the Comedy but feigning himselfe sicke departs to his Chamber where a thousand jealousies ingendered of his affection perplexe and torment him when remembring la Palaisieres speeches and being infinitely desirous to know the truth of Belluile his affection to Laurieta and of hers to him hee sees no meanes nor person so fit to reveale the same as Lucilla Laurieta's Wayting-mayd This Lucilla Poligny winns with gold in consideration whereof shee reveales him all how Belluile was her chiefest Minion and Favourite and yet for some words hee the other day in ignorance or Wine let fall to the prejudice of her honour shee was like to casheere and discard him Lucilla having thus forgotten her owne fidelitie in bewraying the dishonour of her Mistresse Poligny understanding Belluile to bee a coward of his hands though not of his tongue and in a word not to bee so compleate a Gallant as hee supposed him hee of a subtill and malicious invention resolves to worke on him and so conceives a plot which wee shall see presently put in execution and acted hee very politikely puts a good face on all his discontents and passions and although Laurieta would not see him yet hee fairely intrudes himselfe into Belluile's company and of purpose becomes familiar with him So they very often meet for they sence dance ride vault and hunt together so as at last none are so great Consorts and Cammerades as they But Poligny thinking every houre a yeere before hee had played his prize makes a partie at Tennis with Belluile for a collation and beats him and so taking two Gentlemen La Fontaine and Borelles his friends with them away they goâ—… all foure to a Taverne Poligny as secret as malicious in this his plot in the middest of their mirth speakes thus to Belluile Sir quoth hee I am sorry for your losse of this Collation but if it please you to honour mee with your company to morrow to Orenge a Citie which I much desire to see I will pay you the dinner in requitall thereof Belluile very readily and willingly consents hereunto and La Fontaine and Borellâ—… vow they will likewise have their share both of the journey and dinner So the next morne they all take horse for Orenge but first Belluile gives his Mistresse Laurieta the good morrow and acquaints her with his journey They view this old Citie the ancient patrimony and Principalitie of the Illustrious Princes of Orenge from whence they derive their name where Poligny having given order for the dinner away they goe visite the Castle and salute the deputed Governour thereof Monsieur â—…osberghe they see the part of the Amphitheatre yet standing the Cathedrall Church the double Wall of the Citie and the old Romane Arch not farre off with all other remarkable objects and monuments and by this time the Cooke and their stomackes taxe them of their long stay So they returne to their Inne fall to their Viands and like frolike Gentlemen wash them downe with store of Claret and now Poligny as malâ—…cious in heart as pleasant in countenance and conversation heere casts foorth his lure and snare to surprize and intangle Belluile O quoth hee how happie the Gentlemen of Italy are to us of France sith after dinner every one goes freely to his Courtizan without controulment I know not quoth la Fontaine what Orenge is but I thinke Avignion is not destitute of good fellow Wâ—…nches who make Venus their queene and Cupid their god Surely no replies Belluile for I am confident that for Iewes and Courtizans for the greatnesse of it it may compare with the best Citie of Italy for from the Lady to the Kitchin-mayd I dare say they 'l all proove tractable Nay quoth
Seignior Francisco de Castelnovo to performe the same ceremonie to his Bride the Dona Bertha being a Knight of Malta native of the City of Nice and son and heire to Seignior Iacomo de Castelâ—…o a very anâ—… feâ—…t and rich Baron of Savoy Now as Perina was a most beautifull and â—…aire young Lady so was our young Castelnovo a very proper and gallant Cavallier and sith the occasion of this Marriage and the fortunacie and opportunity of their united office by a kinde of destinated and happy priviledge authorized each to be familiar in the others company and presence so as Lovers beginne to court first in jest then in earnest the hearts and brests of this sweet young couple are in the end equally surprised with the flame of affection yea his personage and dancing and her beauty and singing mutually inkindle this fire of love in their thoughts and contemplations which either imagineth and both perceive and understand by the dumbe Oratorie and silent Rhetoricke of their eyes Which Castelnovo knowing her descent and quality answerable to his hee intends to seeke her in Marriage When not any longer to surpresse or conceale their affections they after dinner dancing in company of divers others in the garden he singleth the Lady Perina his new Mistresse apart in a Bower closely overvail'd with Vines Cicamores and Cypres Trees and there 'twixt sighs and words reveales his deepe affection to her But to avoyd the prolixious relation of this their Garden enteâ—…view and conference although at first Perina's modesty the sweetest ornament and vertue of a Lady was such as shee not onely kept her selfe but likewise her affections to her selfe yet her courteous and thankefull answeres wayted and seconded by many delicious blushes and amorous sighes although not publikely yet privately inform'd her I over Castelnovo that shee likewise loved him so as during the tearme of fifteene dayes which Spelassi and hee remayned in Saint Iohn de Mauriene hee never lâ—…ft courting her till hee had obtayned her affection and consent to bee his wife drawne thereunto by these two attractive and seducing reasons First that Castelnovo was a gallant and proper Cavallier as also her equall in descent and meanes and then that shee should live in Nice with a Husband who dearely loved her and no longer in Saint Iohn de Mauriene with a Father who extremely hated her Neither can these our young Lovers beare their affections so secret but the whole company especially the Lady Dominica her Aunt perceives it and deeming it a fit Match for her Neece rejoyceth thereat Castelnovo secretly acquaints her therewith and intreates her best assistance therein towards her brother Arconeto which shee promiseth and forthwith attempteth when Castelnovo taking time at advantage seconds her in his suite for the Daughter to her old Father Now her Father Arconeto degenerating from the naturall affection of a Father towards his Daughter is so willing to depart with her to any Husband that hee may no more see her nor bee troubled with her presence as thinking a farre worse Match good enough hee thinkes this infinitely too good for her and so at the least shaddow of the very first motion consents thereunto which not onely banisheth Perina's old griefe but confirmeth Castelnovo's new joyes yea they like two sweete and vertuous Lovers so extremely rejoyce and triumph thereat as he riding home poast to Nice to acquaint his owne Father Seignior Iacomo de Castelnovo therewith and swiftly returning againe to Saint Iohn de Mauriene with his consent and approbation this Marriage of Castelnovo and Perina is there almost as soone solemnized as that of Spelassi and Bertha though indeed more obscure and with farre lesse pompe and bravery in respâ—…ct of the perversenesse and distast of her froward old Father Arconeto So fifteene dayes being expired since Spelassi and Castelnovo their first departure from Nice they leave Saint Iohn de Mauriene to returne and conduct their Brides home to Nice robbing that to inrich this City with two such beautifull and gallant Ladies as were Bertha and Perina Now the better to adde life and forme to this History or rather to approch the more materiall and essentiall parts thereof we must here leave to speake of Spelassi and Bertha and wholly tye our thoughts and curiosity to Castelnovo and Perina two principall and unfortunate Personatours who both have mournefull parts to act upon the Stage and Theater of Nice for this Marriage of theirs is not begunne with the tenth part of so many joyes as wee shall shortly see it wayted and attended on yea dissolved and finished both with teares and bloud Castelnovo having brought home his faire and deare Perina to Nice she is very honourably welcomed and courteously received and entertayned of his old Father Seignior Iacomo de Castelnovo and of the Lady Fidelia his Mother and so are all her kinsfolkes and friends who accompany her yea there wants no feasting nor revelling in Nice to testifie how much they congratulate and rejoyce at their sonnes good fortune and happines And for Castelnovo and Perina themselves why they are so ravished in the content and drowned in the joyes and delights of Marriage as though they have two bodies yet they have but oâ—…e heart desire and affection yea they are so extreamely in love each with other as they believe there is no Heaven upon earth to that of each others presence But they shall be deceived herein for there are Tragicall stormes arising to trouble the serenity of this Marriage and the felicity and tranquillity of these affections For it is both with griefe and shame that I must bee so immodest and therefore unfortunate to relate that the old Baron Iacomo de Castelnovo aged of some threescore and eight yeares hath so farre forgotten his God and himselfe his conscience and his soule grace and nature religion and humanity as gazing on the fresh and delicious beauty of our sweete Lady Perina his owne sonnes wife hee gives the reignes both of his obscene desires and inordinate affections to lust after her O how my heart trembles to thinke how he that is white with the snow of a venerable age should now lasciviously idolatrize to beauty how he that hath as it were one foot in his grave should lustfully desire to have the other in his Sonnes bed how hee that hath his veines dryed up and withered and nothing living in him but desire should yet of all the beauties of the world desire onely to enjoy that of his Sonnes wife how hee that hath scarce any time left him to bee repentant and sorrowfull for his old sinnes will now anew make himselfe guiltie of these foule sinnes of Adultery and I may in a manner say of Incest how hee that hath not given the flower of his youth will yet still lasciviously and wilfully refuse to bestow the branne of his age on his God! Alas miserable Castelnovo wrerched old man or rather lubritious and beastly Lecher thus to
take possession of her heart and favour his best Art and Oratorie proves vaine for she outwardly retires her affection thereby the better inwardly to advance and finish her purposes so this repulse of hers makes him hang his head and become pensive and melancholie the true signes and symptomes of a foolish and fantasticall lover as in effect wee shall shortly see de Salez will prove himselfe for the colder shee is in affection to him the hotter is hee in lust with her forgetting the warres yea his discretion himselfe and all to crowne his desires in enjoying her the which she well observing begins to triumph in her good fortune as thinking him already fairly come to the hooke and so hopes that if the line of his folly and her good fortune and wit hold shee will soone make him her husband and her selfe his wife For having formerly met with many knaves in others shee now begins to rest confident either to finde or make a foole of him thereby to serve as a veile to over-veile her whoredomes He pleads hard to her for love she replies it is impossible to finde love in lust He vowes he will die her servant she sweares she will never live his strumpet He protesteth that shee shall share of his estate shee tells him plainly that shee had rather live a poore Wife than die a rich Courtesan He replies that he adores her beautie she answers that she knowes no other but that he only seekes to prophane and defile it And here with more facilitie to make him swallow either a Gull a Gudgin or both she by stealth permits him to cull some kisses as well from the cherries of her lips as the roses of her cheekes and in the Interim like an hypocriticall and dissembling queane reads him many lectures on the purenesse of Chastitie and the foulenesse of Lust on the blessednesse of Marriage and the wretched estate of Fornication Prophane and impious giglet whose speeches are perfumed with Vertue and yet her actions stinke and are polluted and infected with Vice dissembling Syrene who casts forth bitter sweet inchanting tunes and charmes to please the sense and yet purposely to poison the soule pills of worme-wood candid in sugar hony to the palate but gall to the stomack A fatall rock whereon many inconsiderate and deboshed young Gentlemen have unfortunately suffered shipwrack a wretched Gulph and Labyrinth which containes all varietie of endlesse miseries and calamities whereunto whosoever enters with pleasure is sure to retire with teares curses and repentance A plague sent us from heaven in our age for a just guerdon and recompense of the sinnes and folly of our youth And into this intrâ—…cate Laborinth and bottomlesse Gulph of miserie and calamitie is our rash and lustfull yong Gallant cheerefully entring and steering his course without either the Starre of hope or compasse of felicitie and saftie bearing out toppe and toppe Gallant yea as I may say with all the sayles of his folly bearing and with the Flagge Ensigne and Pendants of his obscaene and lacivious desires playing and dalying in the Aire of La Hayes fatall and infectious beautie which hath so solely surprised his judgement captivated his thoughts and eclipsed his descretion as in her abscence and presence hee extolls aswell her Vertues as her beautie to the Skies vowing that shee is so faire a Nymph and so pure a Virgine as she deserves rather to bee his wife than his Strumpet or rather not his strumpet but his wife And so two moneths being past since hee first frequented her and sought to seduce and obtaine her to his lacivious desires and seeing desembling queane as shee is that therein shee bore her selfe infinitely chaste and modest and that it was impossible for him to observe or remarke any other inclination or testimony either in her word or carriage his wits are so besotted and in tangled in the fetters of her beautie that hee preferres her sweet feature and complexion a thousand times before La Franges deformed and vowes that hee had rather die La Hayes slave than ever live to bee La Franges husband But this folly of his in the end shall cost him deare and so leade him to another farre more unnaturall and as I may justly say damnable But wee must proceed orderly in this History and doe therefore reserve that part till anon By this time the slie subtiltie seeming chast behaviour of La Hay hath acted wonders in De Salez heart so as she now hopes confidently and shortly to play her prise in surprising him for he is extreamely amorous besotted and as I may say drunke with the love of her selfe and beautie so on a Sunday as shee returned from Vespres he repaires â—…o her fathers house to see her whom he finds in her chamber alone waiting and attending him having porposely dighted her selfe in a rich new Gowne and Petticote and trimmed and adorned her selfe in her gayest and most curious attier thereby with more ease and facilitie to draw him to her lure So as her beautie being both seconded and graced by her apparell she so ravished his heart and delighted his sences as he cannot refraine from kissing her but this hony of her lippes will in the end prove poyson to his heart And here againe he layes close siege to her chastitie but still she gives him the repulse and refusall as if she were a Diana and no Venus He vowes hee doth affect and will ever honour her And she that if he honour her will still affect him In the way of Love quoth hee I am wholly yours and quoth shee in that Honour I will not bee mine owne but yours I will quoth hee in all affection both live and die your servant and replies she In all chastity I will live to die your handmaid Hee affirmes hee cannot bee more hers in heart than hee is nor I quoth shee lesse yours in lust than I am It is quoth hee my Love which makes me report so much and quoth shee it is my Feare which makes mee affirme no lesse Why quoth hee should my love procure your Feare My feare quoth she is wholly ingendred and derived from your lust but not from your Love I pray expresse your selfe quoth hee she replies my blushes may but my tongue dares not Quoth hee did your affection equalize mine La Hay would accept of De Salez and not refuse him Nay quoth shee did De Salez know how infinite mine exceeds his hee would not refuse La Hay but accept of her Why quoth he de Salez desires none but La Hay Nor quoth shee La Hay any in the world but de Salez Whereupon de Salez being provoked with his owne lust and animated and encouraged by her sweet speeches he very joyfully yet falsly flattering himselfe with the conquest of her favour and consent â—…huts the doore like amost lacivious and disolute Gentleman takes her in his armes strives to convey her to the bed resolving there to
Coach which hee had purposely caused to bee brought thither and so accompanied with all the Gentlemen returnes with it to Otranto where all the whole City lament and bewaile his tragicall disaster and because these dead corps of theirs have received wrong in being so long above ground Alcasero that night gives them their due burials interring Fiamento decently and his father honourably according as the necessity and strictnesse of the time would permit him It is now Alcasero's curiosity and care to seeke out the murtherers of his Father and for his sisters they are so irreligious and wretched as they thinke to mocke God and delude the world with their immoderate yet counterfeit mourning but it proceeds not from their hearts much lesse from their soules The morrow after their Fathers buriall they are all three informed that Monte-leone and his Laquay Anselmo are drown'd as they past the River Blanquettelle whereat he wonders and his two sisters rejoyce and triumph especially Caelestina who now sees herselfe freed not onely of the Captaine her father whom shee hated but also of the Knight Monte-leone her Sutor whom she could not love Shee is so impious and gracelesse as shee doth rejoyce but will neither repent nor pity at these accidents yea shee so sleightly and trivially passeth over the remembrance of her fathers untimely and bloudy death as if murther were no sinne 〈◊〉 that God had ordained no punishment for it Shee weares her mourning attire and weeds more for shew than sorrow for her father was no sooner laid in hiâ—… grave but she builds many Castles of pleasure in the aire of her extravagant anâ—… ambitious thoughts vowing that ere long she will have a Gallant of her own chusing to her husband but she may come too short of her hopes and perchance finâ—… a halter for her necke before a wedding Ring for her finger As for her brotheâ—… Alcasero his thoughts are roaving and roaming another way for he finds it strangâ—… that the Baron of Carpi comes not to condole with him for his father and 〈◊〉 continue his sute and affection to his sister Fidelia whereat hee both admires and wonders and not onely takes it in ill part but also beginnes to suspect and to cast many doubts and jealousies thereon and what the issue thereof will bee or what effects it will produce wee shall shortly see But a moneth or two being blowne away Carpi hearing no suspition or talke of him and thinking all things in a readinesse for him to be assured and contracted to his Lady and Mistris Fidelia hee takes a new Laquay and apparelling him in a contrary Livery sends him secretly to Otranto with this Letter to her CARPI to FIDELIA THere are some reasons that stay me for not comming to Otranto to condole with thee for the death of thy Father which what they are none can better imagine thâ—…n thy selfe when thy sorrowes are overblowne I will come to thee in hope to be as joyfull in thy presence as thy absence makes me miserable I have given thee so true and so reall a proofe of my affection as thou shouldest offer mepalpable injustice and to thy selfe extreme injurie to doubt thereof For what greater testimony canst thou futurely expect than to beleeve I will ever preferre thy love before mine owne life if thy constancy answer mine Heaven may but Earth cannot crosse our desires I pray signifie me how thy brother stands affected to our affections thy answers shall have many kisses and I will ever both honour and blesse that hand that writ it CARPI The Laquay comes to Otranto and findes out Fidelia to whom with much care and secrecie hee delivers his Masters Letter and commends and requesteth an answer Fidelia receives the one and promiseth the other but shee is perplexed and troubled in minde Here her thoughts make a stand and consult whether shee shall open this Letter or no. Her Conscience hath heretofore yeelded to the death of her Father and now Religion beginnes to worke upon the life of her Conscience which indeed is that of her Soule Had shee persevered in this course of pietie her repentance might have pleaded for her disobedience and her contrition redeemed her crime but shee forsakes the Helme that might have steered her to the Port of happinesse and safety and so fills the sayles of her resolutions with the wind of despaire which threaten no lesse than to split the Barke of her life on the rockes of her destruction and death Shee now beginnes to hate company which before shee loved and to love solitarinesse which before shee hated yea the living picture of her dead Father doth so haunt her thoughts and frequent her imaginations that wheresoever shee is it is present with her Remorse as a Vulture gnawes at her heart and conscience yea though nothing doe feare her yet shee feares all things Shee sees no man running behinde her but she thinks he purposely followes her to dragge her to prison shee is afraid of her owne shadow and thinks that not onely every tower but every house will fall upon her she will not come into any Boat nor passe any River Brooke or Well for feare of drowning This despaire of hers causeth her to be cold in her Religion and frozen in her Prayers which should be both the preservative and Antidote of the soule her speeches for the most part are confused and distracted and her looks sullen fearefull and ghastly the proper signes symptomes of despaire Carpi's Laquay having stayed two daies in Otranto for his answer holds it his duty to importune Fidelia to be dispatched the which that night she promiseth him and now in a sad melancholly humour she breaks off Carpi's Letter and peruseth it which not onely renewes but revives the remembrance of her fathers death whereat she enters into so strange and so implacable a passion as she once had thought to haue throwne his Letter into the fire and her selfe after Now shee is resolued to write backe to Carpi and then presently shee changeth her resolution and vowes she will answer him with sâ—…lence But the Devill is as subtill as malicious and so shee cals for Pen and Inke and out of the dregs of discontent and the gall of despaire writes and returnes him this answer FIDELIA to CARPI MY Fathers death hath altered my disposition for I am now wholly addicted to mourning and not to marriage I pray trouble not thy selfe to leaue Naples to câ—…me to condole with me in Otranto for the best comfort that I can receive is that it is impossible for me to receive any I never doubted of thy affection nor will give thee any just cause to suspect much lesse to feare mine If this will not suffice rest assured I have resolved that either my grave or thy selfe shall bee my Husband How my brother stands affected to thee is a thing difficult for me to understand or know sith I am only his Sister not his Secretary but
hath forgotten her deere affection and constancy to him and how shee hath incurred her fathers indignation for making him her husband and herselfe his wife He hath forgotten his former oathes and promises of his tender affecti-and constant love to her and how that in life and death hee would live and dye more hers then his owne Hee hath forgotten how for his sake and for the fervent love shee bore him that she forsooke divers rich young men of Savona who were every way his Superiours in Birth Wealth and profession Or els if he did remember it hee would not thus sleight her by day or lye from her by night in lewd and lascivious company spending both his time his meanes and himselfe upon panders bauds and strumpets from which ungodly life and sinfull conversation neither her prayers intreaties requests perswasions sighes or teares can possibly reclaime him but he lets all things runne at randome and confusion without order care or consideration so that within the compasse of one yeare and a halfe his trade is neglected his credit crackt his reputation lost his estate spent and nothing left either to maintaine himselfe or releive her but griefe sorrow dispaire and misery Shee sets all his best friends and most vertuous acquaintance to convert him from this his abhominable life yea she holds it more shame then sinne to acquaint his confessor therewith who taking a fit time deales roundly with him for his reformation and failes not to paint out his sinnes and vices as also their deserved punishments in their foulest and most hideous colours But still her husband Lorenzo is so strongly linked to the devill and so firmely wedded to his beastly vices and enormities that all the world cannot divert or disswade him from them and still he is so farre from abandoning and forsaking them as he adds new to his old for the devill hath now taught him to delight in cursing and swearing for in his speeches and actions he useth many feareful oathes and desperate execrations He beginnes to revile her and to give her foule language tear ming her Beggar and her father villaine and that hee is bound to curse them both because saith he they have beggerd him When God and his sinnefull soule and conscience well knowes that there is nothing more untrue or false For if his piety toward God or his care and providence of himselfe and his family had equallized hers he had than made himselfe as happy as nowhe is miserable and she as joyfull as now we see her disconsolate and sorrowfull and then no doubt but time and God would have drawne her father Moron to have bestowed some portion on him with his wife whereas now the knowledge of his impious life and lascivious prodigalities doth justly occasion him to the contrary Againe here befalls another accident which brings our sorrowfull Fermia new griefe vexation and teares for shee sees herselfe great yea quicke with childe by her Husband Lorenzo so as that which shee once hoped would have beene the argument of her joy now proves the cause of her affliction and sorrow for his vices hath scarce left her wherewith to maintaine herselfe and therefore it grieves her to thinke and consider how hereafter she shall be able to mainetain her childe when God in his appointed time shall send it her for he hath so consumed his estate and spent sold and pawned all their best houshold stuffe and apparell that almost they have nothing left to give themselves maintenance hardly bread But yet still how lewd and irregular soever Lorenzo be his vertuous and sorrowfull wife Fermia serves God duely and truely and spends a great part of her time in prayer still beseeching the Lord to give her patience and to forgive her husband all his foule sinnes towards him and cruell ingratitude towards herselfe When in the middest of this her poverty and misery once she thought to have left her husband in Genova and to have cast herselfe at her fathers feet in Savona that he would pardon receive and entertaine her But then againe considering his flinty heart and cruelty towards her and that he would rather contemne then pitty her youth and misery but especially calling to minde her duty to her husband and her Oath given him in marriage in presence of God and his Church for better for worse for richer for poorer Then I say the consideration and remembrance thereof is so strong a tye to her conscience and so strict an obligation to her soule that she thinkes his vices and poverty hath now more need of her assistance prayers and company then of her absence so as a vertuous wife and a religious christian she will not consent to forsake and leave him but resolves to stay and live with him to see what the Lord is pleased to impose on her and for his sinnes and hers what afflictions and miseries hee hath ordained and decreed for them And yet being desirous to draw hope and comfort any way because she findes griefe and dispaire from all parts she resolves to acquaint her father with her calamities as also earnestly and humbly to pray him to releive them the which she doth in this her sorrowfull letter to him which she sends him safely to Savona FERMIA to MORON I Now finde to my griefe and know to my shame and Repentance that my disobedience in marrying Lorenzo against your consent and without your blessing is the reason why God hath thus punished me with a bad husband in him whose fervent affection to me is so soone forgotten and frozen and whose Vertues in himselfe are so sodainely and sinfully exchanged into vices that his prodigalitie hath spent and consumed all his estate and left not wherewith either to give himselfe or mee mainteinance In which regard because my afflictions are so great and my miseries so infinite that I rather deserve your pitty then your displeasure Therefore if not for my sake who am your living Daughter yet for my Mothers sake and remembrance who is your dead wife either give my Husband meanes to set up his old trade and forsake his new vices Genoua or else take mee home to live with you againe in Savona And if you will not in Nature respect me as your Daughter yet in compassion entertaine mee as your Hand-maid and I most humbly and religiously beseech you to thinke and consider with your selfe to what great wants and necessity I am now reduced sith I write you this my letter rather with teares then incke God direct your heart to my reliefe and consolation as mine is eternally devoted to your service and consecrated to his glory FERMIA Her father Moron after a long consultation and reluctation with himselfe whether he should read or reject this letter of his Daughter He at last having formerly understood of her husbands prodigalitie and her poverty and misery breakes up the seales thereof and peruseth it and surely if there had beene any sparke of humanity or
his Lady Dona Catherina and her sonne Don Martino and then privately the other to the young Lady Cecilliana according to his promise and Don Delrio's request As for the mother she grieves to see that Delrio will not bee reclaymed but hath quite forsaken her Daughter But for her Sonne don Martino hee is exceeding joyfull hereof for now he is confident that according to his plot his mother upon Delrio's refufall will in meere malice to Monfredo assuredly commit his sister to a Nunnery Thus if hee obtayne his ends and desires hee cares not who misse theirs As for Cecilliana shee doth not a little rejoyce at Delrio's Letter to her and at his constant resolution to leave and commit her to Monfredo yea shee reputes his advise to her concerning her mother and her brother don Martino's intended discourtesie towards her to much respect and honour She acquaints her brother don Pedro and her Monfredo with this Letter of Delrio who now plainely see their mother and brothers former resolution confirmed in ayming and intending to make Cecilliana a holy Sister whereat they againe laugh and jest at her and shee to them for in their hearts and thoughts they all know and resolve to prevent it But they cannot but highly approve of Delrio's noble respect and true discretion in being so constant to give over his sute to her and yet so courteous and honest towards them all in this his kind and respectfull Letter to Cecilliana the which above the other two shee cheerefully receives and joyfully welcomes that shee resolves shee can in honour doe no lesse then returne his complement and answer his Letter with one of her owne to him the which shee doth in these tearmes CECILLIANA to DELRIO WHat my brother don Pedro informed you concerning Monfredo and my selfe was the very truth and sincerity of those affections wherewith God hath inspired â—…r hearts and setled our resolutions each to other As I was never doubtfull of your well-wishes and love so now I am not a little thankefull to you for your deare respect towards mee in approoving my choyce and in praying to God to make it prosperous whereas the obstinacie of my Lady mother and the malice of my brother don Martino without ground or reason affirme it must needes proove ruinous I have heeretofore beene advertised and 〈◊〉 by your care of mee and respect to mee which clearely resplends and shines in your Lâ—…tter anâ—… fully confirmed that my said mother and brother have some undeserved designe against mee and my content and although my poore beauty and silly wit no way deserve those excellent prayses of your pen yet my heart shall consult with don Pedro how to beare my selfe in this so weighty and important a businesse whereon although the cause be malice and the pretext religion I know depends either my future content or affliction my happinesse or my misery in the meane time I will pray for those who vitiously hate mee and honour these 〈◊〉 vertuously affect and honour mee Of which last number I ingenuously and gratefully acknowledge that your generosity not my merits hath condignely made you one CECILLIANA When shee had dispatched this Letter to Delrio then Monfredo by her consent and the advice of her brother don Pedro holds it very requisite now once againe to sound the affection and to feele the pulse of their mother dona Catherina's resolâ—…tion towards him to see whether yea or no shee will please to give him her daughter in marriage and it is agreed of all sides betweene them that at the very time and houre which he goes there that shee and her brother don Pedro will purposely absent themselves and ride abroad in their Coach to take the aire which they doe To this effect Monfredo takes his Coach and goes directly to the Lady Catherina's house and sends up his name to her as desiring to have the honour to salute her and kisse her hand but shee is so inraged and transporâ—…ed with choller at his arrivall and message as shee sends him downe a flat and â—…eremptory denyall that shee will not see him and as formerly shee prayed so â—…ow shee commands him to depart and ever hereafter to forbeare her house An â—…swer so unkinde and uncivill that Monfredo well knowes not whether hee have â—…cason to digest it with more choller or laughter so returning her answer by her â—…ayting-gentlewoman that hee will obey her commands and no more trouâ—… either her house or her patience yet that hee will still remaine her most humâ—… servant and although shee refuse to see him that hee will ever pray for her long life and prosperity don Martino is now at home and laughs in his sleeve as a Gipsie to see what brave entertainment his mother gives Monfredo he expecteth also that hee should visite him but because his mothers stomacke is so high therefore his cannot descend so low as owing him no such duety and service and so takes Coach and away and knowing where don Pedro and his Mistresse Cecilliana were in the fields hee drives away presently to them and very pleasantly relates them the whole long storie of their mothers short entertainment to him which administreth matter of laughter to them all and farre the more in regard neither of them expected lesse so Monfredo staying an houre or two with them in the fields and then bringing them to the gates of the City they for that time take their leave each of other and all appoynt to meet the next day after dinner in the Garden of the Augustine Fryers and there to provide and resolve for their affaires against the discontent of their mother and the malice of their brother don Martino The next morning the Lady Catherina storming at Monfredo's yesterdayes presumption and boldnesse sends for her daughter Cecilliana into the Garden to her as being fully resolved to deale effectually with her for ever to forsake Monfredo or if shee cannot then to commit her to a Nunnery Shee comes when in great privacie and efficacie shee layes before her the poverty of Monfredo the which shee affirmes will bring her to more misery then shee can expect or thinke of or indeed which shee deserves at least if shee bee not so wilfull to ruine her selfe and her fortunes as shee is to preserve them Cecilliana now seeing her mother bent to play her prize against the merits and honour of her Monfredo and therefore against the content and felicity which shee expects to injoy by injoying him shee no longer able to brooke or digest it cuts her off with this reply that her duety excepted it is in vaine for her either to seeke to disparage Monfredo or any way of the world to attempt to withdraw her affection from him and therefore with much observance and respect prayes her to affect and honour him if not for his owne sake yet for hers Her Lady mother weeps to see her daughter thus obstinate shee might have sayd thus constant in her
joy as hee transported himselfe from thee with bitter teares and unfained sorrows in the meane time my hopes and heart tell mee that thy affection to mee shall surmount thy Fathers tyranny to thy selfe and that thy beaâ—…y and meritt are so incomparably resplendent that though Palmerius â—…ee the fayle yet Morisini shall live and dye the Diamond of thy love and the Love of thy Heart as God iâ—… of thy Soule O then my deere and sweet Imperia repute it 〈◊〉 ingratitude much lesse a oâ—…ime in mee to send thee this letter of excuse in steed of bringing thee my selfe for I spâ—…ke it in presence of God and his Angels that as thou art my other halfe so I am wholly thine and that thou canst not bee the thousand part so sorrowfull aâ—… I am â—…serable in this our short yet too long sequestâ—…tion â—…well 〈◊〉 the only Saâ—… of my heart and Goddesse of my affections and assure thy selfe that no mortall man whatsoeuer is or can bee so much thy faithfull Servant and Slave as MOROSINI Our Imperia kisseth this Letter a thousand times for her Morisini's sake who wrote and sent it her and againe as often weepes to see that hee loved Honor and profit better then her selfe and Turkie better than Italy so whereas shee formerly hoped now shee begins to despaire of his speedy returne and esteemes herselfe as miserable without him as shee thought to have beene happy with him Shee reades over his Letter againe and againe and then weepes as fast as shee reades at the very perusall and consideration thereof shee would faine draw comfort from any part or branch of it but then his intended stay affords her nothing but disconsolation and sorrow in stead thereof Shee blames her owne misfortune as much as his unkindnesse and then againe imputes this impatiencie of hers more to her fathers crueltie than to Morosini's discourtesie shee loves him as much as shee hates Palmerius and hates her selfe because Morosini will not love her more and Palmerius lesse But Morosini is so firmly seated and enthronized in her heart that she is constantly resolved to stay his returne and rather to dy his victim and martyr than to live Palmerius his wife And here her affection acts a great part in passion as this passion doth in Love she cannot refraine from enquiring of Mercario how Morisini lives and how he looks who performes the part of a friend to his friend and tells her that hee lives in great pompe and reputation and is the properest and bravest young Gallant either of Venice or Italâ—… which hee saw in Constantinople at the report whereof shee could not refraine from blushing and smiling as if her delight and ioy thereof were such as shee could not receive or heare it without these publike expressions and testimonies of her private zeale and interiour affection to him But all this notwithstanding wheresoever shee goes or turnes her selfe her Father as her shadow and Palmerius as her spirit are never from her but still follow her in all times and places without intermission It is a wonder to see and consider their obstinacy to make it a match and her resolution and refusall against it as if they were wholly composed and made of commands and shee of denialls In which interchangeable comportment and different carriage of theirs Wee must allow sixe moneths time more past and slidden away where in despight of Palmerius his importunities and her fathers power shee still remaines inflexible to them constant to her Morosini and true to her promise But at last this old lustfull Lover Palmerius who was fitter to kisse an image in the Church then so sweet and faire a yong Lady as Imperia in her bed seeing that hee had consumed and spent so long time in vaine by courting her and that shee sleighted him and his sute as much if not more now than when hee first meant and intended it to her hee bethinkes himselfe of a new poâ—…icy and proposition to gaine her which love can not so much excuse as discretion iustly condemne in him Hee goes tâ—… her father Bondino and proffers him that if his daughter will become his wife that he will infeoffe and endow her with the one halfe of his lands and give all the rest of his Estate and wealth into his hands and custody for him to purchase her more Which great and unexpected proffer of his doth solely and fully weigh downe her covetous father to Palmerius his will and desire as hee constantly tells him that in lieu of this his great affection and bounty to his daughter hee will speedily use all his power and authority with her fullâ—… to dispose her to aâ—…ect and content him To which end Bondino goes to his daughter Imperia acquaints her with this great gift and voluntary proffer of Palmerius to her if shee will marry him Hee lyes before her how infinitly it will import his content and her owne good and reputation and that few Gentlewoman of Loretto or Ladies of the whole Marca of Anconitana doe enioy such rich Fortunes that his wisdome and wealth is farre to be preferred to the vanitie and prodigallity of Morosini and that the first will assuredly bring her much content and prosperitie but the second nothing else but poverty ruine and misery and therefore hee most importunately conjures and commands her to cut and cast off all delayes and so forthwith to dispose her selfe to love and marry Palmerius or else hee vowes for ever to renounce her for his Daughter and no more to acknowledge him selfe for her Father A crueltie which in my opinion and judgement ought to bee admired with pittie and pittied with admiration and not to serve for a precedent and Example to other Parents because this of Bondino's was grounded on farre more passion than reason and covetousnesse than vertue and which Nature hath all the reasons of the world rather than to tearme tyranny then Providence or fatherly affection in him Our Imperia is as it were strucke dead with griefe and sorrow at the thunderbolt of these her Fathers cruell speeches towards her so that shee cannot speake nor yet weepe for sighing and sobbing but at last encouraged by her owne Vertue as much as shee was daunted and dismayed by her fathers severitie and crueltie towards her shee casting her selfe at his feete with a trembling heart and faltering voice returnes her heart and minde to him in these tearmes Honoured Sir although my afflictions and sorrowes are such and so infinit that I am farre more capable to weepe and sigh then to breathe or speake them forth to you yet I hold it my dutie not my disobedience to acquaint you that because marriages are first made in heaven before contracted or consummated in Earth therefore being so happie first to love Morosini before I was so unfortunate as to see Seignior Palmerius I hope it is the pleasure of God that hee hath ordained the first to bee my Husband and consequently
my selfe never to bee Wife to the second I am proud in nothing but in my humility and obedience and therein I hope I shall still both triumph and glory and yet I farre more undervallew Palmerius wealth than you doe Morosini's vertues If then you will not for my sake I humblie beseech you for my Mothers sake or which is more for Gods sake to make mee Wife to Morosini and not to Palmerius because my heart and mind tells me that I shall bee as happy in the company of the one as miserable in that of the other In granting mee which iust desired favour and courtesie my sovle shall become pledge and caution for my heart and my heart for my tongue that you shall have no true cause either to renounce mee for your daughter or to deny your selfe for my Father And to conclude this my sâ—…rrowfull and humble speech it is impossible for you to wrong mee but you must and will extreamely wrong your selfe by attempting and resolving to enforce mee to the contrary But if yet you will not bee sensible heereof then I invoke God to bee a just witnesse and Iudge betweene us of your crueltie towards mee and of my can did innocency towards you and my betrothed spouse Morosini Imperia had no sooner with sights and teares delivered this her speech to her father on her knees but as if he had lightning in his eyes and thunder in his tongue he suddenly rusheth forth her company when more to displease her than to please himselfe hee looking backe on her gives her this sharp answer and cruell farewell Minion quoth hee I will very shortly coole thy courage and thy tongue and make thee know with repentance what it is to disobey thy father in making so much esteeme of Morosini and so little of Seignior Palmerius contrary to my advise and request to thee for I say consider well with thy selfe and thou shalt then doe well speedily to forsake this errour and obstinacy of thine except thou resolve to die as miserable as I desire thou shalt live happy Once more Girle consider and remember what I have now said to thee and beware least Morosini prove thy shame as much as Palmerius will thy glory Imperia weeps because shee can weepe no more at these heart-killing speeches of her father to her against her absent Morisini So being not well she betakes her selfe to her bed and there againe consults with God and her selfe what she shall doe in this perturbation of minde and affliction of heart and then and there with waking eyes reads a whole nights lecture to her selfe of her obedience to her father and her affection and constancie to the other halfe of her selfe Morosini when in the morning being prompted by her thoughts and desires that shee shall receive more delights and joyes from the last then discontents from the first she at her up-rising resolves againe to write away for her Morosini as hoping that his presence would easily dispell and scatter all these her clouds and tempests when dispatching a private messenger to Ancona for Mercario she againe earnestly prayes him to undertake a second voyage for her either to Aleppo or Constantinople to her Morosini the which he then promiseth so that night againe perusing over his Letter shee then from point to point punctually makes answer to it and the next morning very secretly gives it to Mercario in her chamber and therewith takes off a rich bracelet of sparks of Diamonds from her right arme and prayes him to deliver it to him as a token of her true affection and constancie the which shee affirmes to him shall ever live and die with her Mercario having received his commission from Imperia as also more Gold for the discharge and defraying of his journey hee hires a small Brigantine to transport him to Corfu and from thence embarques himselfe on a ship of Marseilles which accidentally stopped there and so sailed first to Aleppo where being arrived in lesse than three weeks and finding his deare friend Morosini to be Consull there for the Seigniory of Venice he secretly delivereth this bracelet and Letter of Imperia to him in his study where he was then hastily writing a dispatch for Constantiâ—…ople But the arrivall of Mercario who hee knew came from his dearest friend and Mistresse Imperia for meere joy made him presently to cast away his hat and pen and so to kisse and receive this her Letter and token from him whereof with much haste and more affection breaking up the seales he therein found couched these ensuing lines IMPERIA to MOROSINI I Had little thought because lesse deserved that either profit or preferment had beeâ—…e dearer to thee than Imperia or that the Seigniory of Venice or their Ambassador Landy had had more power to stay thâ—…e in Aleppo than she to have requested or conjured thy returne to Loretto for if my poore beauty or rich affection to thee bee of so lâ—… and base an esteeme as thou preferrest thy wealth and repâ—…tation to it then I am as miserable as I thought my selfe happy in my choice and the sweetnesse of my desires and wishes consequently have end as soone as they received a beginning And see what a palpable incongruity yea what an apparant contradiction there is betweene thy heart and thy pen sith feignedly endevouring to make me beleeve thou lovest my kisses embraces above all the Crownes and Scepters in the world I yâ—…t am truly enforced to see that thou lovest Turkie far better than Italy and art well contented that Palmerius should love me better than thy selfe for else thou wouldest never permit that my fathers tyranny to me should in thy absence give a law to my affection to him or consent that Palmerius should be the Diâ—…mond and thy selfe prove onely the faile of my heart and love And if this ingratitude of thine be not a crime I know what a crime is nor how nor in what tearmes to define or determine thereof Iudge therefore with thy selfe at least if thou art not as wholly exempt of judgement as of love what a poore halfe yea what a small part I am of thee when by thy voluntary absence thou wilt wholly reâ—…gne me up to another and that Palmerius must be my husband when my heart and soule yea when God and his Angels well know I desire nothing under Heaven so much as to live and die thy Wife or else thou wouldest not have beene so unkinde to confine thy will or to bound thy obstinacie to no lesse than a whole yeares sâ—…questration and absence from me which if thy heart were equall or but the least shadow of mine thou wouldest deeme to containe as many moneths as houres and as many ages as moneths But God forbid this discourtesie of thine should prove so great a cruelty to me or before I know what belongs to fortunacie I should be constrained to feele and suffer so much infelicity Come away therefore my deare
rape on her former resolution shee is at last contracted and married to him or rather to the calamities and miseries which wee shall shortly see will ensue thereof Heere now then this old dotard Palmerius is married to faire Imperia who esteemes himselfe as happie as shee findes her selfe unfortunate in this match His Age is to old for her Youth and her youth farre to young for his Age Disparity of yeares seldome or never breedes any true content or felicitie in marriage Hee cannot sufficiently estimate much lesse deserve or requite the dainties of her youth so that truth must heere needs implore this dispensation for mee of modesty to affirme that his chiefest power was desire and his best performance but lust towards her for whiles every night as soone as he comes to bed to her he falls to his sleepe so poore young Gentlewoman shee turnes to her repentance wishing from her very heart and soule that her husbands bed were her grave and that her Nuptialls had beene her funerall A thousand times every day and night shee accuseth her Fathers crueltie and with bitter sighes and teares as often condemneth her owne levity and inconstancy for consenting thereunto Shee can neither honour or love her husband or rather not love him because shee so tenderly loves the person and honoureth the memory of Morosini Thus whiles Palmerius retaineth and enjoyeth our Imperia in his bed no lesse doth shee her Morosini in her heart so that the first hath only her body but the second wholy her minde and affection the sorrowfull consideration and remembrance whereof doth so torment her heart and perplexe her minde that shee protesteth publikely to her selfe and privatly to all the world that there is no calamity equall to hers nor no misery comparable to that of a discontented bed Thus being as much a maid as a wife and yet more a Nunne than a maid shee makes spirituall bookes her exercise solitarinesse her pastime her chamber her chappell and her closset her Oratory to pray to God to forgive her Fathers cruelty and her husbands indiscretion towards her as also her owne inconstancy and treachery towards Morosini which foule ingratitude and crime of hers shee cannot remember but with extreame griefe nor once thinke of but with infinite shame sorrow and repentance Although this her old husband Palmerius bee so amorous and kinde to her and so tender of this his faire young wife that hee leaves no cost unbestowed on her aswell in rich apparell as chaines and Iewells wherein the Ladies and Gentlewomen of Italy chiefly pride themselves But this was not the content and felicity which our Imperia desired because deserved because her fresh youth and her husbands feeble and frozen Age cast her heart on other opposite conceits and her minde on other different contemplations Whiles thus Bondino and Palmerius as much rejoyce as Imperia mournes and grieves at this herunequall and discontented match and Morisini confidently relying on the firme affection constancy of his Imperia made his stay in Alepo some 10. months longer than his promise to her He at lastled by the star of her beautie and his owne affection to her leaves Turkie and in company of his constant old friends Astonicus and Donato sets saile for Italy and purposly puts in with their ship into Ancona where they and hee are no sooner arrived but Mercario finding him out entertaines him with the welcome of this sorrowfull newes that his Mistris Imperia is now in this Cittie of Ancona and married to old Signior Palmerius whereat Morosini infinitely grieves and Astonicus and Donato much wonder He is stricken at the heart at this sorrowfull newes and too too soone for him believes it with as much affliction as admiration By this time likewise is Imperia advertised of his and their arrivall whereat she seemes to drowne her selfe in a whole deluge of teares yet not for sorrow but for joy of his arrivall He imployes Mercario to her to grant him a private visit the which most joyfully the next night shee doth in her owne house her old husband being in bed and snoring fast a sleepe At Morisini's first sight and entrance into her chamber where shee all alone privately stayes for him shee throwes her selfe on her knees at his feet and with sighes teares and blushes begges his pardon for her unconstancy in marrying Palmerius the which shee no way attributes to his long stay but rather to her fathers cruelty and her owne misfortune Morosini is as joyfull of her sight as sorrowfull of this her errour and so will not permit her to kneele because hee sees and knowes and also assureth her that she is still the Goddesse of his heart and affection Hee takes her up in his armes and there embraceth and freely pardons her and so they reciprocally speake each to other in the sweet language of love I meane of kisses sighes and teares with the last whereof they againe and againe bedew and wash each others cheekes as if love had made them far more capable to sigh than speake and to weepe than sigh Here their old affections revive and flame forth a new with more violence and impetuositie Shee hath no power to deny him any thing no not her selfe For as he sweares to live her servant so she constantly vowes to live and dye his handmaid and that his will shall ever bee her Law and his requests in all things her commands Heere his heart beates for love and her brest pants for jâ—…y For as he promiseth her that shee shall bee his sole and only love so shee willingly forgets her selfe so farre as solemnly to protest to him that hee shall bee more her Husband than Palmerius when with many embraces and kisses they for that night part The next morning Morosini and his two consorts Astonicus and Donato by the feigned way of a rejoycing complement doe visit his young Mistris Imperia and her old husband Palmerius who more out of his owne goodnesse than their deserts bids them all most kindly and courteously welcome They congratulate with him for this his happy match with Imperia for which old Palmerius respectively thanks them but he knowes not what dangerous snakes lurke under the greene leafes of this their pretended faire courtesie As for his Wife Imperia shee is so reserved in her comportment and so coy in her carriage towards them that according to the custome of Italy her Husband can hardly perswade or cause her to see and salute them the which at last shee faintly and feignedly performes rather with an eye of disdaine than of respect They all see the young Wife with love and pity but looke on her old Husband with contempt and envie yet Morosini then and there in stealth sees Imperia's heart in her eyes when in counterchange she knowes his heart by his enamoured lookes and countenance So Palmerius being as innocent as aged having discoursed with them about their voyage and about Turkie and Constantinople and
they doe her to accept and receive her owne They tell her they have not the power to grant her the first and she replies that shee then hath not the will to embrace and entertaine the second They acquaint Morosini herewith who by their order and by their selves doe strongly perswade her hereunto but her first answer and resolution is her last that shee willaccept of no life if he must dye neither will hee refuse any death conditionally that shee may live to survive him The two Friers and two Nunnes use their best Art and Oratory to perswade her hereunto but they meet with impossibility to make her affection to Morosini and her resolution to her selfe flexible hereunto Her life is not halfe so pretious to her as is his for if shee had many as shee hath but one shee is both ready and resolute to lose and sacrifice them all for his sake and would esteeme it her felicity that her death might redeem and ransome his life The Judges out of their goodnesse and charity afford a whole day to invite and perswade her hereunto but shee is still deafe to their requests and still one and the same woman desirous to live with him or constant and resolute to dye for him Therefore when nâ—…thing can prevaile with her because dye he must so dye shee will to the which shee cheerefully prepares her selfe with an equall affection and resolution which I rather admire than commend in her So the next morning theyare all foure brought to the place of common execution to suffer death Where Donato is first liftedup to the Ladder who being fuller of paine than words said little in effect but that he wished he had either died in Constantinople or Aleppo or else sunke in the sea before he came to Ancona and not to have here ended his daies in misery and infamy The next who was ordered to follow him was Astonicus who told the world boldly and plainly that hee cared lesse for his death than for the cause thereof and that hee loved Morosini so perfectly and dearely that he rather reioyced than grieved to dye for him only he repented himselfe for assisting to murther Palmerius and from his heart and soule beseeched God to forgive it him and so he was turned over Then Morosini ascends the Ladder â—…ad in a haire coulour sattin sute and a paire of crimson silke stockings with garters and roses edged with silver lace being so vaine in his carriage action and speeches as before hee once thought of God hee with a world of sighes takes a solemneleave of his sweet heart Imperia and with all the powers of his heart and soule prayes her to accept of his life and so to survive him He makes an exact and godly confession of his sinnes to God and the world and yet neverthelesse hee is so vaine in his affection toward Imperia as hee takes both to witnesse that had hee a thousand lives he would cheerefully lose them all to save and preserve hers As for Imperia such was her deere and tender affection to him as she would faine look on him as long as he lives and yet she equally desires and resolves rather to dy than to see him die and because she hath not the power therefore she turnes her â—…ace and eies from him and will not have the will to see him dye When he having said his prayers and so recommended his soule into the hands of his Redeemer he is also turned over Now although our Imperia bee here againe and againe solicited by the Iudges Friers and Nuns to accept of her life yet she seeing her other selfe Morosini dead shee therefore disdaines to survive him shee hath so much love in her heart as she now hath little life and lesse joy in her lookes and countenance Shee ascends the Ladder in a plaine blacke Taffeta Gowne a plaine thicke set Ruffe a white Lawne Quayfe and a long blacke Cypresse vayle over her head with a white paire of gloves and her prayer booke in her hands When beeing farre more capable to weepe than speake shee casting a wonderfull sad and sorrowfull looke on her dead lover Morosini after many volleyes of farre fetchd sighes shee delivers this short speech to that great concourse of people who from Citty and Country flocked thither to see her and them dye Good People I had lived more happy and not dyed so miserable if my Father Bondino had not so cruelly enforced mee to marry Palmerius whom I could not love and to leave Morosini whom in heart and soule I ever affected a thousand times deerer than mine owne life and may all fathers who now see my death or shall hereafter heare or reade this my History bee more pittifull and lesse cruell to their daughters by his Example I doe here now suffer many deaths in one to see that my deere Morosini is dead for my sake for had hee not loved mee deerly and I him tenderly he had never died for mee nor I for him with such cheerefullnesse and alacrity as now we doe And here to deale truly with God and the world although I could never affect or fancy my old husband Palmerius yet noâ—… from my heart and soule I lament and repent that ever I was guilty of his innocent and untimely death the which God forgive me and I likewise request you all to pray unto God to forgive it me And not to conceale or dissemble the truth of my heart I grieve not to dye but rather because I have no more lives to lose for my Morosini's affection and sake I have and doe devoutly pray unto God for his soule and so I heartily request and conjure you all to doe for mine Thus I commend you all to happy and prosperous lives my selfe to a pious and patient death in earth and a joyfull and glorious resurrection in Heaven when signing her selfe often with the signe of the crosse she pulls her vaile downe over her face and so praying that she might be buried in one and the same grave with Morosini she bad the executioner performe his office who immediatly turnes her over And if reports be true Never three young men and one faire young Gentlewoman died more lamented and pittied then they For Morosini died with more resolution than repentance and Imperia with more repentance than resolution thus was their lives and thus their deaths May wee extract wisdome out of their folly and charity out of their cruelty so shall wee live as happy as they died miserably and finish our daies and lives in as much content and tranquillity as they ended theirs in shame infamy and confusion GODS REVENGE AGAINST THE CRYING AND Execrable sinne of Murther HISTORY XXVII Father Iustinian a Priest and Adrian an Inne-keeper poyson De Laurier who was lodged in his house and then bury him in his Orchard where a moneth after a Wolfe digges him up and devonres a great part of his body which father Iustinian and Adrian
shame and his content his affliction and â—…serie But as mild and sweet perswasion is ever more capable and powerfull to prevaile with women than constraint so our faiâ—…e Bellinda is so distasted with the lunacy and with the phrensie and madnes of this her husbands jealousie that shee no sooner sees her Palura arive in her sight and presence but despite â—…f â—…s suspition and feare shee is â—…o 〈◊〉 in her lust and so lascivious in 〈◊〉 affâ—…ction towards him that she tâ—…es pleasure to seeke pleasure and extremely delighteth to seeke and â—…d delight with him which according to her former lewâ—… 〈◊〉 and ungodly contract shee often doth Now this foolish young couple being the obliged schoâ—…ers of â—…pid and the devoted votaries of Venus thinke to bee as wise as they are lascivious in these their amorous pleasures for knowing that discretion makes lovers happie and that secrecie is the true touch-â—…e yea the verie life and souâ—…e of love they therefore esteeme and keepe the secrets thereof as if they were sacred and thinke that no mortall eyes but their owne can 〈◊〉 know it but yet notwithstanding all this De Mora's jealous feares in the detection are still as great as their care in the prevention thereof for the very next night after Palura departure from his house hee purposely absenteth anâ—…eth his wife from his bed and the next morning calling her into the gardeâ—… after him and causing the doore to bee â—…ut he then and there with lighâ—…g iâ—… his lookes and tâ—…nder in his speeches chargeth her of adulterie with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this young strumpet his wife Bellinda at the verie first hearing of this 〈◊〉 and unexpected newes dissembles so artificially with her husband and so proâ—… with God as seeming to dissolve and melt into teares shee purgeth her selfe hereof with many strong vowes cleereth Palura with many deepe asseverations 〈◊〉 this fanaticke Tyrant and franticke monster jealousie which for the most part wee can seldome or never kill before it kill us had wrought such strange impressions in the braines ingraven such extravagant chimoera's in the heart and â—…eleefe of old De Mora that notwithstanding his wives oathes and teares to the contrary hee yet still vowes to himselfe and her that shee is guiltie of adulterie with Palura and therefore chargeth her that henceforth shee dare not see him or receive him into her house or companie Bellinda hereat to give her â—…and some content in her owne discontent makes a great shew of sorrow and an extreme apparition and exteriour apparance of griefe she sends for her father Cursoro acquaints him with the unjust wrong and indignitie which her Lord 〈◊〉 husband hath offered her and praies him to interpose his authoritie and judgement with him for their reconciliation who seeing himselfe solicited and sought to by his owne blood by his daughters hypocrisie beleeves her to be as innocent as her husband De Mora thinkes her guilty of this foule crime of adultery with Palura and so undertakes to solicit and deale with his sonne in law De Mora to that effect which hee doth but with no desired successe so that finding it to bee a knottie and difficult busines and upon the whole no lesse than a Herculean labour because of De Mora's wilfull obstinacie and perverse cre dulity hee therefore praies for both of them and thus leaves them and their difference to time and to God and upon these unfortunate tearmes doth old De Mora his young wife Bellinda and their marriage now stand In the meane time Bellinda who suffers doubly both in her pleasure and her reputation is not yet so devoid of sense or exempt of judgement but shee will speedily provide for the one and secure the other To which effect seeming sorrowfully obedient to her husband she thinkes it not fit that her Palura should for a season approach her house or her selfe wherefore by a confident messenger shee sends him this letter BELLINDA to PALVRA MY husband hath discovered our affections and is confident that I love thee far better than himselfe wherein as hee is nothing deceived so I conjure thee by the preservation of thy fidelitie and my honour to forbeare my house and sight for some two moneths in which interim I will use my chiefest art and the utmost of my possible power to calme the stormes and tempests that jealousie hath raised in him So bee thou but as patient as I will bee constant and I hope a little time shall end our languishing and againe worke our contents and desires for though thou art absent from mee yet I am still present with thee and albeit my husband De Mora have my body yet Palura and none but Palura hath my heart as knoweth God to whose best favour and mercy I affectionately and zealously recommend thee BELLINDA Palura receives this letter and although hee fetch many deepe figâ—…es at the reading thereof yet hee gives it many sweet kisses for her sweet sake who writ and sent it him hee knowes not whether hee hath more reason to condemne De Mora's jealousie or to commend his Lady Bellinda's affection and constancie to himselfe and because hee resolves to preferre her content and honour equally with his owne life therefore heâ—… will dispence with his lustfull and lascivious pleasures for a time purposely to give her beauty and merrits their due forever so in requit all of her affectionate letter he by her owne messenger returnes her this kind and courteous answer PALVRA to BELLINDA I Am as sorrowfull that thy husband De Mora hath discovered our affections as truly joyfull that thou lovest mee far better than himselfe wherefore to prevent his jealousie equally to preserve my fidelity with thy honour and thy honour with my life know sweet and deare Bellinda that thy requests are my commands and thy will shall eternally be my law in which regard I will refraine thy house all thy long prefixed time and so forbeare to see thee but never to love thee because thy sweet devine beauty is so deeply ingraven in my thoughts imprinted in my soule thâ—…t the farther I transport my body from thee the neerer my affection brings my heart to thee I will adde my chiefest wishes to thy best art and my best prayers to thy chiefest power that a little time may worke our content and desires but because there is no torment nor death to languishing nor no languishing to that of love therefore I shall thinke every moment a moneth and every houre a yeare before wee againe kisse and imbrace conceale this letter of mine from all the world with as much care and secresie as I send it thee with fervent zeale and tender affection PALVRA The perusall of this letter and the affection of Palura demonstrated in this his resolution makes Bellinda as glad as the jealousie of her Lord and husband De Mora sorrowfull and now seeing his rage so reasonlesse and his malice and obstinacie so
will assailes us with Wealth Riches Dignities Honours Preferments Sumptuous houses perfumed Beds Vessels of gold and silver Pompous Apparell Delicious fare variety of sweet Musick Dancing Maskes and Stage-playes delicate Horses rich Coaches and infinite Attendants with a thousand other inticements and allurements The Flesh presents us with Youth Beauty The lust of the eye and the pride of life with inordinate affection and lascivious desires with a piercing eye a vermillion cheeke golden haire and a slender waste and although it discover us not all these perfections of nature in one personage yet he shewes us most of them in divers and then if any thing want to captivate our affections wee shall heare them marry their Syren voices to their owne Lutes and Vialls or their dancing feete to those of others or if this will not suffice then Perfuming Powdering Crisping Painting Amorous kisses Sweet smiles Suggered speeches Wanton embracings and Lascivious dalliance will uudertake to play a World in love On the other side Strength Nimblenesse Agility of body Sloth Luxurie Gluttonie Intemperancie Drunkennesse Voluptuousnesse and Sensuality will cast us out so faire I meane so treacherous a lure as if we stoope thereto we shall buy our pleasure with repentance and our delight therein will prove our ruine and destruction And now if neither the World nor the flesh can intangle or insnare our hearts Then comes the Devill that roaring Lyon who waâ—…tes about seeking whom he may devoure that mortall enemy and Arch-traytor to our soules that Prince of darkenesse whose subtilty is the more dangerous and malice the more fatall in that he transformes himselfe into 〈◊〉 Angell of light thereby to make us heires and slaves of his obscure kingdome yea he will proffer us more then either our tongues can demand or our hearts desire for all the pompe treasure and pleasures of the World yea all that is in the World and the world it selfe hee will prostrate and give us if we will consent to obey him and promise to fall downe and adore him and for a pledge of his infernall bounty and liberality hee will puffe us up with Pride Arrogancie Ambition Vaine-glory Ostentation Disdaine Covetousnesse Singularitie Affectation Confidence Security and if all these allurements will not prevaile to subdue us hee hath yet reserved Troopes and Forces and another string to his Bow for then exchanging his smiles into frownes and his calmes to stormes hee will give us Pensivenesse Griefe of mind and body Affliction Sorrow Discontent Choler Envie Indignation Despaire Revenge and the like Yea he will watch us at every turne and waite on us at every occasion for are we bent to revenge hee will blow the coales to our choler are wee given to sorrow and discontent hee will thrust and hale us on to Despaire are wee inclined to Wantonnesse and Lasciviousnesse he will fit us with meanes and opportunity to accomplish our carnall desires or are wee addicted to covetousnesse and honours hee will either cause us to breake our hearts or our necks to obtaine it for it is indifferent to him either how or in what manner we inlarge and fill up the empty roomes of his vast and infernall kingdome Thus wee see how powerfull our three capitall enemies are yea what a cloud nay what a world of subordinate meanes and instruments they have not onely to insnare but to destroy us yea not onely to conquer our hearts but which is worse to make ship-wracke of our soules And from hence comes our misery yea from these three fatall trees we gather the bitter fruit of our perdition But against all these temptations and dangers against all these our professed enemies in generall and each of them in particular We may swimme in the Ocean of the world without drowning and pilgrimage upon the face of the earth without terrour or destruction if we will consider and in considering remember that God is our Creator Christ our Saviour and the Holy Ghost our Sanctifier and Comforter that wee are honoured with the resemblance of God whose stampe and character we beare and inriched with immortall and living soules which sacred priviledges and divine prerogatives lift us up by many degrees of excellencie above the rest of all his creatures whom hee hath made for our service and we onely to serve and glorifie him That he hath made the world for a thorow-fare and us as Passengers That we have no abiding Citie here but must seeke one in the World to come That the World is ours but for a season and Heaven our patrimony and inheritance for ever That the pompe and pleasures thereof are but transitory and temporary and that the vanity thereof passeth away as dust or smoake before the wind whereas those of Heaven are both immortall and eternall That our flesh is but like flowers that fade and grasse that withereth but a masse of corruption a tabernacle of clay and a coffin of dust and ashes that the best of its beauty is but vanity and deformity and the end of its bravery but rottennesse and putrifaction If I say wee spurne at the vanity of the world contemne the pleasures of the flesh and scoffe at the temptations of Sathan using the first as if we vsed it not making the second the Temple of the Holy Ghost and not the members of a harlot and that we are so farre from fearing as we defie the third Setting our affections on things that are above and not on things of the earth for if we will be heires of the Church triumphant wee must bee first souldiers of the Militant and so following the advice and direction of the Apostle stand against all these our enemies Having the whole spirituall Armour girt about us as the girdle of Truth the Brest-plate of Righteousnesse the Shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the spirit not to catch at these allurements or to be caught by them not to strike sayle or stoope to these afflictions or to hang downe our heads as if wee gave way to them or were contented that our weakenesse should yeeld to their strength or our joyes to their afflictions rather to stand up couragiously and to expell and resist manfully considering that wee are not onely heires but coheires with Iesus Christ in the participation and felicity of that heavenly Hierusalem whose joyes are infinite and glory eternall I deny not but afflictions and temptations may befall us yea I acknowledge they are subject and incident to the best and dearest of Gods children whom hee will try in the fire to see whether they will prove silver or drosse yea hee will come with his Fan and winnow them to see whether they are Wheat or Chaffe Corne of Darnell But the Children of God should rejoyce in tribulations and account it exceeding joy when they are tempted yea they must consider that God tempteth no man with
and France was shortly followed by a peace as a Mother by the daughter Which was concluded at the Hage by his Excellency of Nassaw and Marquis Spinola being chiefe Commissioners of either party Alsemero seeing his hopes frustrated that the keyes of peace had now shut up the Temple of Warre and that Muskets Pikes and corslets that were wont to grace the fields where now rusting by the walls he is irresolute what course to take resembling those fishes who delight to live in cataracts and troubled waters but die in those that are still and quiet For hee spurnes at the pleasures of the Court and refuseth to haunt and frequent the companies of Ladies And so not affecting but rather disdaining the pompe bravery and vanity of Courtiers hee withdrawes himselfe from Validolyd to Valentia with a noble and generous intent to seeke warres abroad sith hee could find none at home where being arived although hee were often invited into the companies of the most noble and honorable Ladies both of the City and Country Yet his thoughts ranne still on the warres in which Heroike and illustrious profession he conceived his chiefest delight and felicity and so taking order for his lands and affaires he resolves to see Malta that inexpugnable Rampier of Mars the glory of Christendome and the terrour of Turky to see if hee could gaine any place of command and honour either in that Iland or in their Gallies or if not he would from thence into Transilvania Hungary and Germany to inrich his judgement and experience by remarking the strength of their Castles and Cities their orders and discipline in warre the Potency of their Princes the nature of their Lawes and customes and all other matters worthy the observation both of a Travellour and a Souldier and so building many castles in the ayre he comes to Alicant hoping to find passage there for Naples and from thence to ship himselfe upon the Neapolitan Gallies for Malta There is nothing so vaine as our thoughts nor so uncertaine as our hopes for commonly they deceive us or rather wee our selves in relying on them not that God is any way unjust for to thinke so were impiety but that our hopes take false objects and have no true foundation and to imagine the contrary were folly the which Alsemero finds true for here the winde doth oppose him his thoughts fight and vanquish themselves yea the providence of God doth crosse him in his intended purposes and gives way to that hee least intendeth For comming one morning to our Ladies Church at Masse and being on his knees in his devotion he espies a young Gentlewoman likewise on hers next to him who being young tender and faire hee thorow her thinne vaile discovered all the perfections of a delicate and sweet beauty shee espies him feasting on the dainties of her pure and fresh cheekes and tilting with the invisible lances of his eyes to hers he is instantly ravished and vanquished with the pleasing object of this Angelicall countenance and now hee can no more resist either the power or passion of love This Gentlewoman whose name as yet wee know not is young and faire and cannot refraine from blushing and admiring to see him admire and blush at her Alsemero dies in conceit with impatiency that hee cannot enjoy the happinesse and meanes to speake with her but hee sees it in vaine to attempt it because shee is ingaged in the company of many Ladies and hee of many Cavaliers But Masse being ended hee enquires of a good fellow Priest who walked by what shee was and whether she frequented that Church and at what houre The Priest informes him that shee is Don Diego de Vermandero's daughter hee beeing Captaine of the Castle of that Citie that her name was Dona Beatrice-Ioana and that shee is every morning in that Church and Place and neere about the same houre Alsemero hath the sweetnesse of her beauty so deepely ingraven in his thoughts and imprinted in his heart that hee vowes Beatrice-Ioana is his Mistresse and hee her servant yea here his warlike resolutions have end and strike sayle And now hee leaves Bellona to adore Venus and forsakes Mars to follow Cupid yea so fervent is his flame and so violent is his passion as hee can neither give nor take truce of his thoughts till hee bee againe made happy with her sight and blessed with her presence The next morne as Lovers love not much rest Alsemero is stirring very timely and hoping to find his Mistresse no other Church will please him but our Ladies nor place but where hee first and last saw her but shee is more zealous then himselfe For shee is first in the Church and on her knees to her devotion whom Alsemero gladly espying hee kneeles next to her and having hardly the patience to let passe one poore quarter of an houre hee resolving as yet to conceale his name like a fond Lover whose greatest glory is in complements and Courting his Mistresse hee boards her thus Faire Lady it seemes that these two mornings my devotions have beene more powerfull and acceptable then heeretofore sith I have had the felicitie to bee placed next so faire and so sweet a Nymph as your selfe whose excellent beauty hath so sodainely captivated mine eyes and so secretly ravished my heart that hee which heretofore rejected cannot now resist the power of love and therefore having ended my devotion I beseech you excuse mee if I begin to pray you to take pittie of mee sith my flame is so fervent and my affection is so passionate as either I must live yours or not dye mine owne Beatrice-Ioana could not refraine from blushing under her vaile to see an unknowne Cavalier board her in these tearmes in the Church and as shee gave attentive eare to his speech so shee could not for a while refraine from glancing her eye upon the sprucenesse of his person and the sumptuousnesse of his apparell but at last accusing her owne silence because shee would give him no cause to condemne it shee with a modest grace and a gracefull modesty returnes him this answer Sir as your devotions can neither bee pleasing to God nor profitable to your soule if in this place you account it a felicity to enjoy the sight of so meane a Gentlewoman as my selfe so I cannot repute it to affection but flattery that this poore beauty of mine which you unjustly paint forth in rich prayses should have power either to captivate the eyes or which is more to ravish the heart of so noble a Cavalier as your selfe Such victories are reserved for those Ladies who are as much your equall as I your inferiour and therefore directing your zeale to them if they find your affection such as you professe to mee no doubt but regarding your many vertues and merits they will in honour grant you that favour which I in modesty am constrained to deny you Alsemero though a novice in the art of Love was not so
wife and Alsemero her husband But why should I strive to perswade that which you resolve not to beleeve or flatter my selfe with any hope sith I see I must bee so unfortunate to despaire I will therefore hencefoorth cease to write but never to love and sith it is impossible for mee to live I will prepare my selfe to die that the World may know I haue lost a most faire Mistresse in you and you a most faithfull and constant Servant in mee ALSEMERO Beatrice-Ioana seeing Alsemero's constant affection holds it now rather discretion then immodestie to accept both his service and selfe yea her heart so delights in the greeablenesse of his person and triumphs in the contemplation of his vertues that shee either wisheth her selfe in Alicant with him or hee in Briamata with her but considering her affection to Alsemero by her Fathers hatred and her hatred to Piracquo by his affection shee thinkes it high time to informe Alsemero with what impatiencie they both indeavour to obtaine her favour and consent hoping that his discretion will interpose and finde meanes to stop the progresse of these their importunities and to withdraw her fathers inclination from Piracquo to bestow it on himselfe but all this while she thinkes her silence is an injury to Alsemero and therefore no longer to bee uncourteous to him who is so kinde to her shee very secretly conveyes him this Letter BEATRICE-IOANA to ALSEMERO AS it is not for Earth to resist Heaven nor for our wills to contradict Gods providence so I cannot denye but now acknowledge that if ever I affected any man it is your selfe for your Letters protestations and vowes but chiefely your merits and the hope or rather the assurance of your fidelity hath wonne my heart from myselfe to give it you but there are some important considerations and reasons that inforce mee to crave your secrecie herein and to request you as soone as conveniently you may to come privately hither to me for I shall never give content to my thoughts nor satisfaction to my minde till I am made joyfull with your sight and happy with your presence In the meane time mannage this affection of mine with care and discretion and whiles you resolve to make Alicant your Malta I will expect and attend your comming with much longing and impatiencie To Briamata BEATRICE-IOANA It is for no others but for Lovers to judge how welcome this Letter was to Alsemero who a thousand times kissed it and as often blest the hand that wrote it he had as wee have formerly understood beene twice in the Indies but now in his conceipt hee hath found a farre richer treasure in Spaine I meane his Beatrice-Ioana whom hee esteemes the joy of his life and the life of his joy but she will not prove so He is so inamoured of her beauty and so desirous to have the felicity of her presence as the Winde comming good the Ship sets sayle for Malta and hee to give a colour for his stay feignes himselfe sicke fetcheth backe his Trunkes and remaineth in Alicant and so burning with desire to see his sweetly deare and dearely sweet Mistresse he dispatched away his confident Messenger to Briamata in the morning to advertise her that hee will not faile to be with her that night at eleven of the clocke Beatrice Ioana is ravished with the joy of this newes and so provides for his comming Alsemero takes the benefit of the night and she gives him the advantage of a Posterne doore which answers to a Garden where Diaphanta her Wayting-gentlewoman attends his arrivall He comes shee conducts him secretly thorow a private Gallery into Beatrice-Ioana's Chamber where richly apparelled shee very courteously and respectfully receives him At the beginning of their meeting they want no kisses which they second with complements and many loving conferences wherein she relates him Piracquo's importunate sute to her and her fathers earnestnesse yea in a manner his constraint to see the Match concluded betwixt them hee being for that purpose there in her fathers house Againe after she hath alleadged and showne him the intirenesse of her affection to himselfe with whom she is resolved to live and dye shee lets fall some darke and ambiguous speeches tending to this effect that before Piracquo be in another world there is no hope for Alsemero to injoy her for his wife in this Lo here the first plot and designe of a lamentable and execrable murther which we shall shortly see acted and committed There needes but halfe a word to a sharpe and quicke understanding Alsemero knowes it is the violence of her affection to him that leades her to this disrespect and hatred to Piracquo and because her content is his yea rather it is for his sake that shee will forsake Piracquo to live and die with him Passion and affection blinding his judgement and beautie triumphing and giving a law to his Conscience hee freely proffereth himselfe to his Mistris vowing that hee will shortly send him a Challenge and fight with him yea had hee a thousand lives as hee hath but one hee is ready if shee please to expose and sacrifice them all at her command and service Beatrice-Ioana thankes him kindly for his affection and zeale the which shee saith shee holds redoubled by the freenesse of his proffer but being loath that hee should hazard his owne life in seeking that of another shee conjures him by all the love hee beares her neither directly nor indirectly to intermeddle with Piracquo but that he repose and build upon her affection and constancie not doubting but shee will so prevaile with her father that hee shall shortly change his opinion and no more perswade her to affect Piracquo whom shee resolutely affirmes neither life nor death shall enforce her to marry And to conclude although shee affirme his presence is dearer to her then her life yet the better and sooner to compasse their desires shee prayes him to leave Alicant and for a while to returne to Valentia not doubting but time may worke that which perchance haste or importunitie may never Thus passing over their kisses and the rest of their amorous conference hee assured of her love and shee of his affection hee returnes for Alicant packes up his baggage which hee sends before and within lesse then foure dayes takes his journey for Valentia where wee will leave him a while to relate other accidents and occurrences which like Rivers into the Ocean fall within the compasse of this Historie This meeting and part of Alsemero's and Beatrice-Ioana's conference at her fathers house of Briamata was not so secretly carried and concealed but some curious or treacherous person neere him or her over-heare and reveale it which makes her father Vermandero fume and bite the lip but hee conceales it from Piracquo and they still continue their intelligence and familiaritie Vermandero telling him plainely that a little more time shall worke and finish his desire and that sith his request cannot
as also to cast a mist before peoples conceits and judgements she bids him by some secret meanes to cause reports to be spread first that Piracquo was seene gone foorth the Castle gate then that in the City he was seene take boate and went as it was thought to take the ayre of the sea But this wit of theirs shall prove folly for though men as yet see not this Murther yet God in his due time will both detect and punish it By this time Piracquo is found wanting both in the City and Castle so these aforesaid reports runne for currant all tongues prattle hereof Vermandero knowes not what to say nor Piracquo's brother and friends what to doe herein they every houre and minute expect newes of him but their hopes bring them no comfort and amongst the rest our devillish Beatrice-Ioana seemes exceedingly to grieve and mourne hereat Don Thomaso Piracquo with the rest of his friends search every corner of the City and send scouts both by land and sea to have newes of him Vermandero the Captaine of the Castle doth the like and vowes that next his owne sonne he loved Piracquo before any man of the world yea not onely his friends but generally all those who knew him exceedingly weepe and bewaile the absence and losse of this Cavalier for they thinke sure he is drowned in the sea Now in the middest of this sorrow and of these teares Beatrice-Ioana doth secretly advertise her Lover Alsemero hereof but in such palliating tearmes that thereby she may delude and carry away his judgement from imagining that shee had the least shaddow or finger herein and withall prayes him to make no longer stay in Valentia but to come away to her to Alicant Alsemero wonders at this newes and to please his faire Mistresse believes part thereof but will never believe all but hee is so inflamed with her beauty as her remembrance wipes away that of Piracquo when letting passe a little time hee makes his preparations for Alicant but first hee sends the chiefest of his parents to Vermandero to demand his daughter Beatrice-Ioana in marriage for him and then comes himselfe in person and in discreete and honourable manner courts her Parents privately and makes shew to seeke her publikely In fine after many conferences meetings and complements as Alsemero hath heretofore wonne the affection of Beatrice-Ioana so now at last hee obtaines likewise the favour and consent of Vermandero her father And here our two Lovers to their exceeding great content and infinite joy are united and by the bond of marriage of two persons made one their Nuptialls being solemnized in the Castle of Alicant with much Pompe State and Bravery Having heretofore heard the conference that past betwixt Alsemero and Beatrice-Ioana in the Church having likewise seene the amorous Letters that past betwixt them from Alicant to Briamata and from Briamata to Alicant and now considering the pompe and glory of their Nuptialls who would imagine that any averse accident could alter the sweetnesse and tranquillity of their affections or that the Sunne-shine of their joyes should so soone be eclipsed and overtaken with a storme But God is as just as secret in his decrees For this marryed couple had scarce lived three moneths in the pleasures of Wedlocke which if vertuously observed is the sweetest earthly joy but Alsemero like a fond husband becomes jealous of his wife so as hee curbes and restraines her of her liberty and would hardly permit her to conferre or converse with yea farre lesse to see any man but this is not the way to teach a woman chastity for if faire words good example and sweete admonitions cannot prevaile threatnings and imprisoning in a Chamber will never yea the experience thereof is daily seene both in England France and Germany where generally the Women use but not abuse their liberty and freedome granted them by their husbands with much civility affection and respect Beatrice-Ioana bites the lip at this her husbands discourtesy shee vowes she is as much deceived in his love as hee in his jealousie and that shee is as unworthy of his suspicion as hee of her affection hee watcheth her every where and sets Spyes over her in every corner yea his jealousy is become so violent as hee deemes her unchast with many yet knowes not with whom but this tree of Iealousie never brings forth good fruite Shee complaines hereof to her father and prayes him to be a meanes to appease and calme this tempest which threatens the Ship-wracke not onely of her content but it may be of her life Vermandero beares himselfe discreetly herein but he may as soone place another Sunne in the Firmament as roote out this fearefull frenzie out of Alsemero's head for this his paternall admonition is so farre from drawing him to hearken to reason as it produceth contrary effects for now Alsemero to prevent his shame and secure his feare suddenly provides a Coach and so carries home his wife from Alicant to Valentia This sudden departure grieves Vermandero and galles Beatrice-Ioana to the heart who now lookes no longer on her husband with affection but with disdaine and envie Many dayes are not past but her father resolves to send to Valentia to know how matters stand betwixt his daughter and her husband hee makes choyce of De Flores to ride thither and sends Letters to them both De Flores is extreamely joyfull of this occasion to see his old Mistresse Beatrice-Ioana whom hee loves dearer then his life hee comes to Valentia and finding Alsemero abroad and she at home delivers her her fathers Letter and salutes and kisseth her with many amorous imbracings and dalliances which modesty holds unworthy of relation she acquaints him with her husbands ingratitude he rather rejoyces then grieves hereat and now revives his old sute and redoubleth his new kisses shee considering what hee hath done for her service and joyning therewith her husbands jealousie not onely ingageth herselfe to him for the time present but for the future and bids him visite her often But they both shall pay deare for this familiarity and pleasure Alsemero comes home receives his fathers Letter sets a pleasing face on his discontented heart and bids him welcome And so the next day writes backe to his father Vermandero and dispatcheth De Flores who for that time takes his leave of them both and returnes for Alicant He is no sooner departed but Alsemero is by one of his Spies a Wayting gentlewoman of his Wifes whom hee had corrupted with money advertised that there past many amorous kisses and dalliances betweene her Mistresse and De Flores yea she reveales all that ever shee saw or heard for shee past not to bee false to her Lady so she were true to her Lord and Master And indeede this Wayting-gentlewoman was that Diaphanta of whom wee have formerly made mention for conducting of Alsemero to her Ladies chamber at Briamata Alsemero is all fire at this newes he consults not with
wise man and therein noble sith indeed wisedome is one of the truest degrees and most essentiall parts of Nobility Now if Victoryna love Sypontus with no lesse reciprocall flame and zeale doth Sypontus affect Victoryna for as his eyes behold the delicacie of her personage and the sweetnesse of her beauty so his heart loves either and adores both yea so deep an impression hath she ingraven in his thoughts and contemplations that he is never merry till he see her nor pleased till he injoy the felicity of her company which Victorina rejoyceth to see and observes with infinite content and delectation Sypontus thus intangled in the snares of Victorina's beauty and she likewise in those of his perfections he resolves to court her and seeke her in Marriage which he performes with much affection zeale and constancie leaving no industry care curiosity or cost unattempted to inrich and crowne his desires with the precious and inestimable treasures of her love I should make this short discourse swell into an ample History to particularize or punctually relate the Letters Sonnets Presents Meetings Dancings Musicke and Banquets which past twixt these two Lovers and wherewith Sypontus entertained his deare Mistresse Victoryna I will therfore purposely omit it and cover my selfe with this excuse which may satisfy my Reader to consider that Sypontus as before was an Italian whose custome and nature rather exceede then come short in all amorous ceremonies and complements And therefore againe to resume my History I must briefely declare that after the protraction and recesse of a yeares time Victorina consenteth to Sypontus to bee his Wife so farre forth as hee can obtaine those of her father and mother a fit and vertuous answer of a daughter wherein I know not whether she bewray more modesty and discretion in her selfe or respect and obedience to her parents Sypontus infinitely pleased with this sweet newes and delightfull melody is as it were ravished and rapt up into heaven wirh joy when flattering himselfe with this poore hope that as Victoryna was curteous so he should finde her parents kinde to him hee with much respect and honour repaires to Beraldi and Lucia and in faire and discreet termes acquaints them with his long affection to their daughter Victoryna whom with as much earnestnesse as humility hee prayes to bestow her on him for his wife but this old Couple are as much displeased at Sypontus his motion as their Daughter Victoryna rejoyceth thereat and so they returne him their denyall in stead of their consent only in generall termes they thanke him for his love and honour and certifie him that they have otherwise disposed of their daughter Sypontus biâ—…es the lip and Victorina hangs her head at this their bitter and distastfull answer but hee is too generous and amorous to bee put off with this first repulse Whereupn he imployes his Parents and kinsfolkes whereof some were of the chiefest ranke of Senatours and Magnifico's to draw Beraldi and Lucia to consent to this Match but in vaine for they are deafe to those requests and resolute in their denyall grounding their refusall upon Sypontus his poverty for they see he is become poore because in the last trans-marine Warres the Turkes tooke from his father and himselfe most of his Lands and Possessions neere Scuttari in Dalmatia and therefore they resolve to provide a richer husband for their Daughter The iniquity of our times are as strange as lamentable for in matters of Marriage parents without due regard either to the natures or affections of their children still preferre gold before grace and many times Riches before Vertue and Nobility which concurre and meet in one personage but diverse of these Marriages in the end finde either shame misery or repentance and sometimes all Sypontus stormes as much as Victoryna grieves at his refusall but to frustrate that and provide for this Beraldi deales with Seignior Iovan Baptista Souranza to marry his daughter Victorina who is a Gentleman of a good house but farre richer then Sypontus but withall farre different in age for Sypontus is but twenty eight yeares old and Souranza neere threescore So as gold playing the chiefest part in this contract Souranza is sure of Victoryna for his wife ere he know her or hardly hath seene her Beraldi advertizeth his daughter of his will and pleasure herein so Souranza sees her with affection and joy and she him with disdaine and griefe and thus this old Lover the first time entertaines his young Mistresse with kisses and she him with teares He is no sooner departed but Victorina very sorrowfully and pensively throwes her selfe to her Parentâ—… feet and with showres of teares very earnestly and passionately beseeches them that they will not inforce her to marry Souranza whom she affirmes she cannot love much lesse obey prayes them to consider what a misery nay what a hell it will be to her thoughts and selfe to have him in her bed and Sypontus in her heart When she could no further proceed because her sighes cut her wordes in pieces and so griefe daunting her heart and her feare to Souranza and affection to Sypontus casting a milke-white Vayle over her Vermillian cheekes she sinkes to the earth in a faynting cold swoone when her hard-hearted and cruell parents more with astonishment then commiseration and pitty step to her assâ—…stance and againe bring her to her sences who not forgetting where her speeches ended she remembers to beginne and continue them thus O my deare Parents name not Souranza for my husband but if you will needes give me one then by all that bloud of yours which streameth in all the veines of my body of two let me injoy one either Sypontus or my Grave he the beginner of my joyes or this the ender of all my miseries and sorrowes neither is it disobedience in mee but feare of cruelty in your seves that throwes me on the exigent of this request and resolution whereon I pray consider by the bonds of nature and not by the rules of avarice and inhumanity But her father and mother without any respect to her youth and teares or regard to her affection and prayers love Souranza's wealth so well as as they will hate Sypontus his poverty and in it himselfe and therefore checking Victoryna for her folly and taxing her of indiscretion their command and authority gives a law to her obedience and desires And to conclude they are so bitter and withall so cruell to her that within few dayes they violently inforce her to marry Souranza But this inforced Match will produce repentance and misery of all sides As it is a duty in children to honor and obey their parents so it is no lesse in parents carefully to regard and tenderly to affect their children but in Matches that are concluded with wealth without affection there Parents ought proceede with judgement not with passion with perswasion not with force for can there bee any hell upon earth comparable to that of
Yea and the more to bleare the eyes and eclipse the judgement of the world for casting the least shadow of suspicion on her for this unnaturall Murther shee and her whole family take on blacke and mourning Attire and for her selfe in two moneths after never goes forth her house except to the Church where her husband was buryed where her Hppocrisie is so infinitely feigned and dissembling that she is often observed to bedew and wash his Tombe with her teares but these Crocadile teares of hers and these her false and treacherous sorrowes shall not availe her for although Gods divine and sacred Majestie bee mercifull in his justice yet hee is so just in his mercies as neither the politique secrecie of Sypontus nor the Hypocriticall sorrowes of Victoryna for this cruell Murther shall goe either unmasked or unpunished but in their due appointed time they shall be brought forth in their colours and made publique examples as well of infamy as destruction for the same the manner is thus The deceased Signiour Iovan Souranza hath a younger brother named Signiour Hiâ—…ronymo Souranza who having carefully and curiously observed that his sister in law Victoryna never perfectly nor dearely loved his brother her husband and that shee was neither so familiar nor dutifull to him as it behoov'd her during the tearme of her marriage which partly hee attributed to the disparity of their yeares in respect of the frozennesse of his age and the heat and freshnesse of her youth He began vehemently to suspect her of this Murther which hee often revolv'd and ruminated in his minde as if the suggestion and perswasion thereof not onely bore probability but truth with it to which end as the affection of a true friend much more of a brother should passe beyond the Grave and not remaine intomb'd and buried in the dust thereof hee is resolv'd to put his best wits and invention upon the tenter-hookes to discover and reveale the same to which end hee breakes with Victorina's Gentlewoman who wayted on her in her Chamber and who indeed was his owne Neece Felicia to know what Gentlewomen chiefly frequented her Lady Felicia informes her Vnkle that Signyor Sypontus is many nights with her that there is much affection and familiarity betweene them and that he sends her many Letters Her Vncle glad-of this glimmering light which hee hopes will produce a greater and perfecter conjures her to intercept some of his Letters for the more effectuall discovery of his brother and her Vnkles death So Felicia promiseth her best care and fidelity herein and shortly effecteth it for in few dayes after being sent by her Lady Victoryna to a Casket of hers to fetch her a new paire of Romish Gloves shee opening an Ivory Box therein findes a Letter which shee reads and seeing it signed by Sypontus shee thinks it no sinne to be false to her Lady and true to her Vnkle and so very secretly and safely sends it him which indeede was the very Letter wee have formerly seene and read and now is his jealousie and suspicion confirm'd So vowing and Sacrifizing Revenge to his dead and Murthered brother away hee goes to three chiefe Iudges of the forty who sit on criminall causes and very passionately accuseth Sypontus and Victoryna for the Murther committed on the person of his Brother Signiour Iovan Baptista Souranza at Sea whereupon they are both committed prisoners but sequestred in severall Chambers Sypontus is first examined then Victoryna they both very constantly deny the Murther and with many sugred words and subtill evasions intimate and insinuate their innocencies therein so the next day the Iudges produce Sypontus his owne Letter the sight whereof extreamely afflicteth and vexeth him but hee is constant in his denyall and resolute in that constancy and so takes on a brazen face and with many asseverations and imprecations againe and againe denies it averring it is not his hand but a meere imposture and invention of his enemies who have counterfaited it purposely to procure his ruine and destruction yet inwardly to himselfe he feareth all is discovered and that there is no meanes left him to escape death whose Image and forme hee now too apparantly and fatally sees before his eyes So hee is sent backe to his prison and his Iudges in the interim consult on his fact where hee is no sooner arrived but bolting his Chamber privately to himselfe hee considering that either Victoryna or some for her had betrayed him by his owne Letter hee in the bitter fury of choller and passion throwes away his Hat now crosseth his armes and then beates his brest and stamping with his feet at last very low to himselfe bandeth forth these speeches And is it possible that I must now lose my life through Victoryna her folly and treachery into whose hands I repos'd both my secrets and it Have I done what I have done for her her sake and is this the requitall she gives me And sith there is no other witnesse must mine owne Letter bee produced in justice against mee What will I not doe what have I not done for her sake Woe is me that I should live to be rewarded with this monstrous and inhumane ingratitude when for sorrow and indignation not able to containe himselfe hee takes Pen and Paper and writes Victoryna this ensuing Letter SIPONTVS to VICTORYNA IS it possible that thy affection to me hath been all this while seigned and that thou whom I trusted with all my secrets art now become the onely woman of the world to betray mee I have hazarded my life for thy sake and must I now be so unfortunate and wretched to lose it through thy treacherrie When I bore matters with such care and secresie that no witnesse whatsoever could bee produced against mee â—…ust mine owne Letter which was safely delivered thee bee brought forth to convict mee of my crime and so to incurre death which otherwise I had avoyded Is this thy reward of my love Is this thy recompence of my affection O Victoryna Victoryna Such is my tender esteeme of thy sweet youth and beauty that had I injoyed a thousaend lives I would haeve reputed my selfe happy to have lost them all for thy sake and service and having but one wilt thou bee so cruell to deprive mee thereof But that my loyalty and my affection may shine in thy malice take this for thy comfort that as I have ever liv'd so I will now dye thy true Servant and faithfull Lover SYPONTVS But observe here the errour of Sypontus his judgement for whiles hee imputes iâ—… to Victoryna's treachery that this his Letter will occasion his death hee is so irreligious and impious as hee lookes not up to heaven to consider that the detection thereof proceeds from Gods immediate finger and providence No No. For the divell yet holds his thoughts so fast captivated and intangled in the snares of Victoryna's beauty as hee hath not yet the grace to looke from his crime to his
repentance nor consequently from Earth to Heaven but like a prophane Libertine and unregenerate person being within a small point of time neere his end hee yet thinkes not of his soule nor of God but onely dallies away the remainder of his houres in the miserable contemplation of his fond affection and beastly sensuality By this time Victoryna hath receiv'd his Letter at the newes and reading whereof such is the passion of her frenzy which shee though unjustly tearmes love that shee is all in teares sighes and lamentable exclamations she knowes it impossible for any other of the world to bee the revealer of Sypontus his Letter but onely her Mayd Felicia whom in her uncharitable Revenge shee curseth to the pit of hell but that which addes a greater torment to her torments and a more sensible degree of affliction to her miserable sorrowes is to see that her Sypontus whom by many degrees she loves far dearer then her life finisterly snspecteth her fidelity towards him yea so farre as hee not onely calls her affection but her treachery in question and this indeed seemes to drowne her in her teares But yet notwithstanding so fervent is her love towards him as the feare of his death drawes her to a resolution of her owne so if Sypontus dye shee vowes shee will bee her owne accuser and so not live but dye with him Strange effects of love or rather of folly sith love being irregular and taking false objects in its true character is not love but folly to which end calling for inke and paper she bitterly weeping indites and sends him these few lines in answer of his VICTORYNA to SYPONTVS I Were the most wretched and ingratefullest Lady of the world yea a Lady who should not then deserve either to see or live in the world if Victoryna should any way prove treacherous to Sypontus who hath still beene so true and kinde to her But beleeve mee Deare Sypontus and I speake it in presence of God upon perill of my soule I am as innocent as that witch that devill my mayd Felicia is guilty of the producing of thy Letter which I feare will prove thy death and rejoyce that in it it shall likwise prove mine For to cleer my selfe of ingratitude trechery as I have lived so I will dye wiyh thee that as we mutually participated the joyes of life so we may the torments of death for although thy Letter accuse me not of my Husband Souranza's Murther yet that my affection may shine in my loyalty and that in my affection I will not survive but dye with thee for I will accuse my selfe to my Iudges not onely as accessary but as author of that Murther and this resolution of mine I write thee with teares and will shortly seale it with my bloud VICTORYNA Sypontus in the middest of his perplexities and sorrowes receives this Letter from Victoryna the sweetnesse of whose affection and constancy much revives his joy and comforteth him For now her innocency defaceth his suspicion of her ingratitude and treachery and withall hee plainely sees and truly beleeves that it was Felicia not Victoryna who brought this Letter to Light But when hee descends to the latter part of her Letter and finds her resolution to dye with him then hee condemnes his former errour in taxing her and in requitall loves her so tenderly and dearely that he vowes hee will bee so farre from accusing her as accessary of her husbands Murther as both the Racke and his death shall cleare and proclaime her innocency Had the ground of these servent and reciprocall affections of Victoryna and Sypontus beene laid in vertue as they were in vice or in chastly and not in lust and adultery they would have given cause to the whole world as justly to prayse as now to dispraise them and then to have beene as ambitious of their imitation as now of their contempt and detestation So Sypontus as before having fully and definitively resolved not to accuse but to cleare Victoryna of this Murther as also that hee would dye alone and leave her youth and beauty to the injoying of many more earthly pleasures hee expecting hourely to bee sent for before his Iudges to sit upon his torment or death thinking himselfe bound both in affection and honour to signifie Victoryna his pleasure herein he craves his â—…aylors absence and with much affection and passion writes her this his last Letter SIPONTVS to VICTORYNA SWeet Victoryna thy Letter hath given mee so full satisfaction as I repent mee of my rash credulity conceived against thy affection and constancy and now lay the fault of the discovery of my Letter where it is and ought to bee on Felicia not on thy selfe It is with a sorrowfull but true presage that I foresee my life hastens to her period the Racke is already prepared for my torments and I hourely expect when I shall bee fetch 't to receive them which for thy sake I will imbrace and suffer with as much constancy as patience I will deny mine owne guiltinesse the first time but not the second but in my torments and death I will acquit thee of thine with as true a resolution as Earth expects to lose mee and I hope to finde Heaven Therefore all the by bonds of love and affection that ever hath beene between us I first pray then conjure thee to change thy resolution and to stand on thine innocency For if thou wilt or desirest to gratifie mee with thy last affection and courtesie at my death let mee beare this one content and joy to my grave that Victoryna will live for Sypontus his sake though Sypontus dye for hers SYPONTVS Hee had no sooner sent away this his Letter to Victoryna but hee himselfe is sent for to appeare before his Iudges who upon his second examination and denyall adjudge him to the Racke which hee indures with admirable patience and constancy Yea hee cannot bee drawne to confesse but stands firme in his denyall and not onely cleares himselfe but also acquits Victoryna Hieronymâ—… Souranza doth notwithstanding earnestly follow and solicite the Iudges and God out of his immense mercy and profound providence so ordaineth that their consciences suggest and prompt them that Sypontus is the actor of this execrable Murther Whefore the next day they administer him double torment when loe his resolution and strength fayling him hee acknowledgeth the letter his and confesseth it was himselfe that had Murthered Seignior Iovan Baptista Souranza but withall protesteth constantly that Victoryna is innocent and no way accessary hereunto The Iudges rejoyce at Sypontus his confession as much as they grieve at the foulenesse of his fact and so although they were also desirous to hang him yet considering hee was a Venecian Gentleman and consequently had a great voyce in the great Counsell of the Seigniory they adjudge him the next day to lose his head betwixt the two Columes at Saint Markes Place and so for that night send him backe
the Citie rich and weâ—… descended his parents and kinsmen for the most part being Clarissimo's and Senatorâ—… and all of them Gentlemen of Venice and him Victoryna desires and resolves to makâ—… her husband grounding her chiefest reason and affection on this resolution and foundation that as Souranza was too old for her so Fassino was young enough and therefore fit to bee her husband and shee his wife measuring him wholly by his exterioâ—… personage and not so much as once prying either into his vices or vertues Fassinâ—… who carryed a vicious and pernicious heart under a pleasing gesture and tongue anâ—… loving Victoryna's wealth more then her beauty observing her affection and respect tâ—… him seekes courts and wins her Her Parents understanding hereof as also thâ—… Fassino is a vicious and debosht Gentleman with all their possible power and authoritie they seeke to divert their daughter from him But shee is deafe to their requests and resolved that as shee followed the streame of their commands in her first match so shee will now the current of her owne pleasures and affections in this her second and so to the wonder of Venice and the griefe of all her parents and friends before shee had above ten dayes conferred with Fassino shee marries him But this match shall not succeed according to their desires for Victoryna shall shortly repent it and Fassino assoone rue and smart for it sith it is a maxime that sudden affections proove seldome prosperous for if they have not time to settle and take root they are incident assoone to fade as flourish especially if they are contracted and grounded more for lust then love and more for wealth then vertue The first moneth of this marriage Fassino keepes good correspondence and observance with his wife but thence-foorth hee breakes Pale and rangeth for the truth is although hee were but a young Gentleman yet which is lamentable hee was an old whore-master which lascivious profession of his threatens the ruine not onely of his health but of his fortune and reputation so now when hee should bee at home he is abroad yea not onely by day but by night that upon the whole Victoryna is more a widdow then a wife at which unlook'd and unwish'd for newes shee not onely bites the lip but very often puts finger in her eye and weeps for it gripes grieves her at heart to see her selfe thus slighted neglected and abused by Fassino whom of all the Gallants of the Citie shee had elected and chosen for her husband shee is infinitely grieved hereat and yet her griefe and sorrow infinitely exceeds her jealousie and now as gracelesse as shee is shee thinks God hath purposely sent her this lascivious Fassino for her second husband as a just plague and punishment to revenge her adultery committed against Souranza her first so had shee had more grace and lesse vanitie and impietie she would have made better use of this consideration and not so â—…oone forgotten it and in it her selfe Now as it is the nature of jealousie to haue more eyes then Argus and so to prie and see every where Victoryna her curiositie or rather her malice heerein finds out that her Husband Fassino familiarly frequenteth and useth the company of many Courtezans especially of the Lady Paleriana one of the most famous and reputed beauties of Venice and this newes indeed strikes her at the very gall with sorrow and â—…exation faine shee would reforme and remedy this vice of her husband but how shee knowes not for shee sees little or no hope to reclaime him sith he not onely tenderly loves Paleriana but which is worse shee apparantly sees that for her sake hee â—…ontemnes her selfe and her company for when hee comes home he hath no delight 〈◊〉 her but onely in his Lute or Bookes which is but to passe his melancholly for his Lady Paleriana's absence till hee againe revisit her so as wholly neglected and as I â—…ay truly say almost forsaken of her husband shee knowes not what to doe nor how 〈◊〉 beare her selfe in those furious stormes of her griefe and miserable tempest of her â—…ealousie But of two different courses to reclaime him from this his sinne of whoreâ—…ome shee takes the worst for in stead of counselling and distwading her Husâ—…and shee torments him with a thousand scandalous and injurious speeches but â—…is in stead of quenching doth but onely bring oyle to the flame of his lust for if â—…ee repayred home to her seldome before now hee scarce at all comes neere her 〈◊〉 as shee is a Wife yet no Wife and hath a Husband yet no Husband but this is â—…ot the way to reclaime him for faire speeches and sweet exhortations may prevaile â—…hen choller cannot And now it is that this wretched and execrable Lady againe assumes bloudy resoâ—…ions against her second Husband as shee had formerly done against her first vowing that he shall die ere shee will live to bee thus contemned and abused of him yea her hot love to him is so soone growne cold and her servent affection already so frozen that now shee thinkes on nothing else but how to be revenged and to be rid of him and is so impious and gracelesse as she cares not how nor in what manner soever shee send him from this world to another for the devill hath drawne a resolution from her or rather she from the devill that here he shall not much longer live Good God! what an impious and wretched fury of hell will Victoryna proove her selfe here on Earth for the blood and life of one husband cannot quench the thirst of her lust and revenge but shee must and will imbrue her hands in that of two as if it were not enough for her to trot but that shee will needs gallop and ride post to hell O what pitie is it to see a Lady so wretched and execrable O what an execrable wretchednesse is it to see a Lady so inhumane and so devoyd of pitie But the devill is strong with her because her faith is weake with God therefore she will advance shee will not retire in this her bloody designe and resolution Wherefore wee shall shortly see Fassino his adulterie punished with death by his wife Victoryna's revenge and this murther of hers justy rewarded and revenged with the punishment of her owne the bloodyer our actions are the severer Gods judgements and the sharper his revenge will bee Of all sorts and degrees of inhumane and violent deaths this wretched Lady Victoryna thinks poyson the surest and yet the most secret to dispatch her husband This invention came immediately from the devill and is onely practised by his members of which number shee will desperately and damnably make herselfe one her lust and revenge like miserable Advocates and fatall Orators perswade her to this execrable attempt wherein by cutting off her husbands life she shall find that shee likewise casts away her owne So neither Grace nor Nature prevailing shee sends for
the heart with Vilarezo his answere and Berinthia to the gall when he certified her of her fathers resolution onely modestie that sweet companion and precious ornament of Virgins to the extremitie of her power endeavored to keepe Aâ—…tonio from perceiving or suspecting so much Antonio prayes his deare friend Sebastiano to perswade his father to give him his sister Berinthia to wife hee performes the true part of a true friend and a Gentleman but in vaine for his father Vilarezo is resolute first to marry Catalina when Antonio not of power so soone to leave the sight and presence of his sweet Berinthia must invent some matter for his stay And indeed as Love is the whetstone of wit to give an edge to Invention so Antonio to inâ—…oy the presence of his faire Berinthia is inforced to make shew that hee neglects her and affeâ—…teth Catalina and so converseth often with her but still in generall termes whereaâ—… hee builds many castles of hope and content in the ayre of her thoughts For iâ—… Berinthia loved Antonio no lesse doth Catalina strange effects of affection where two sisters deeply and dearely love one Gentleman and when but one and peradventure neither of them shall enjoy him But as Catalina is the pretext so Berinthia is both the sole object and cause of Antonio's stay whom hee courts and layeth close siege to as often as opportunitie makes him happie in the desired happinesse and felicitie of her company Shee gives him blushes for his sighes and sometimes although a man the fervencie of his affection was such as hee cannot refraine from returning her teares for her blushes when albeit love perswades him to stay longer in Avero yet discretion calls and commaunds him away to Lisbone and all the fruit of his journey that he shall carry thither with him is this that for injoying of faire Berinthia to his wife hee conceives farre more reason to hope then to despaire Next death there is no second affliction so grievous or bitter to Lovers as seperation and parting this Berinthia feeles but will not acknowledge and this Antonio acknowledgeth because feeles After Supper taking her to a window hee secretly prayes her to honour him with the acceptance of a poore Scarfe and plaine paire of Gloves which notwithstanding were infinitely rich and wonderfully faire in token of his affection and she the morne of his departure by Diego his Page sends him a Handkerchiefe curiously wrought with hearts and flames of silke and gold in signe of her thankfulnesse he promiseth Berinthia to write and see her shortly and Catalina intreats him to be no stranger to Avero To Catalina hee gives many words but few kisses to Berinthia many kisses but more teares His departure makes Berinthia sad as grieving at his absence and Catalina joyfull as hoping of his returne Catalina triumphs for joy hoping that Antonio shall be her husband and Berinthia now begins to looke pale with sorrow fearing shee shall not bee so happy to bee his wife By this time breakfast is served in when Sebastiano comes takes Antonio and his two sisters and carries them to the Parlour where Vilarezo and his wife Alphanta attend Antonio's comming They all sit downe and although their fare bee curious yet Antonio's eyes feed and feast upon more curious dainties as the sparkling eyes flaxen haire and vermillion cheekes of Berinthia's incomparable beautie which is observed of all parts except of Berinthia who is so secret and cautious in her carriage as although her affection yet her discretion will not permit her modestie either to observe or see it Breakfast ended Antonio taking Vilarezo and his wife Alphanta apart first gives them infinite thankes for his honourable and courteous entertainment and then very earnestly againe prayes them not to reject his suit for their daughter Berinthia Vilarezo and his wife pray Antonio to excuse his bad reception which they know comes many wayes short of his deserts and merits and also request him to imbrace their motion for their daughter Catalina Thus after many other complements he takes his conge of Vilarezo kisseth his wife and two daughters first Catalina then Berinthia who though last in yeares yet is the first Lady in his desires and thoughts and the onely Queene of his affections So they are as it were inforced to make a vertue of necessitie and to take a short farewell in stead of a more solemne which either of them wished and both desired but their eyes dictate to their hearts what their tongues cannot expresse and so Antonio and Sebastiano take Coach and away for Lisbone Antonio as much triumphing in the beautie of his faire Berinthia as his friend Sebastiano grieves that of his two Sisters Antonio would not accept of Catalina nor his father consent to give him Berinthia for his wife notwithstanding they confirme their familiaritie and friendship with many interchangeable and reciprocall protestations that sith they cannot be brothers they will live and die deare and intimate friends but I feare the contrary Being arrived at Lisbone Antonio feeles strange alterations in his thoughts and passions For now hee is so intangled in the fetters of Berinthia's beautie and vertues that hee will see no other object but her Idea nor almost speake of any Lady but of her selfe and in these his amorous contemplations hee both rejoyceth and triumpheth but againe remembring the assurance of Vilarezo his refusall and the incertaintie of Berinthia's affection and consent his hopes are nipt in their blossomes and his joyes as soone fade as flourish he wisheth that Avero were Lisbone and either himselfe in Avero with Berinthia or shee in Lisbone with him To attempt the one hee holds it as great a folly as a vanitie to wish the other But hee bethinkes himselfe of a remedie for this his perplexitie and reputes himselfe obliged in the bonds as well of respect as love to write to his faire Berinthia and then againe hee feares that it will find a difficult passage and accesse to her because of her Fathers distaste and Sisters jealousie but the Sunne of his affection doth soone dispell and dissipate these doubts or rather disperse them as clouds before the winde and now to prevent those who might attempt to intercept his Letters hee bethinkes himselfe of an invention as worthy as commendable in a Lover hee writes Berinthia a letter and accompanying it with a rich Diamond sends it her by Diego his owne Page to Avero whom purposely and feignedly hee causeth to arme himselfe with this pretext and colour that he is in love with Ansilva the Lady Catalina's wayting Gentlewoman and hath now gotten leave of his Master to come to Avero to seeke her in marriage where after some fifteene dayes he arrives and very secretly delivers his Masters Ring and Letter to Berinthia who sweet Lady was then tost with the winde of feare and the waves of sorrow that in all this time shee heard not from Antonio doubting indeed lest the change of ayre
places and objects might have power to change his affection when now blushing for joy as much as before shee looked pale for sorrow she takes the Ring and Letter and kissing both secretly flies to her Chamber when bolting the doore shee with as much affection as impatience breaking up the seales therein finds these lines ANTONIO to BERINTHIA SWeet Berinthia wert thou as courteous as faire thou wouldest rest as confident of my affections as I doe of thy beautie and then as much rejoyce in that as I triumph in this but as my tongue lately wanted power so now doth my pen art to informe thee how dearely I love thy beautie and honour thy vertues so as could thy thoughts prie into mine or my heart be so happie to dictate to thine those should know and this see that Antonio is ambitious of no other earthly felicitie then either to live thy husband or dye thy Martyr Thinke with thy selfe how farre thou undervaluest and unrequitest my zeale when I will despaire of loving Catalina and yet cannot hope that Berinthia will affect mee onely therefore in thee sweet Lady it remaines either to crowne my joyes by thy consent or to immortalize my torments by thy refusall hee pleased therefore faire Berinthia to signifie mee thy resolution that I may know my doome and prepare my selfe eyther to wed thee or my grave ANTONIO Berinthia having againe and againe perused and ore-read this Letter gives it a thousand kisses for his sake who wrote and sent it her and so very secretly lockes it up in her Casket as also the Diamond and now attends an opportunitie to conferre privately with Diego when hee will resolve to returne to his Master at Lisbone that shee may returne him an answere though not so sweet as hee expects yet not so bitter as hee feares in the meane time Diego delivereth her father Vilarezo his Masters letter in favour of his pretended sute to Ansilva as also in thankfulnesse of his entertainement without naming either Catalina or Berinthia his daughters or once mentioning his returne to Avero whereat Vilarezo grieves and Catalina bites the lip But Berinthia cannot but smile to see Antonio his invention for the safe delivery of his letters nor yet refraine from laughing in her selfe to see how cunningly his Page Diego courts Ansilva for hee makes such demonstration of love to her and shee is so enamoured of him that Catalina thinkes a short time will finish this match but hee and her sister Berinthia know the contrary Diego at the end of three dayes is desirous to depart and Berinthia extremely glad of his resolution to stay no longer so shee takes her selfe to her chamber and writes this letter to her Antonio in answer of his BERINTHIA to ANTONIO HAd I not been more courteous to thee then I am faire in my selfe thou hadst not tasted so much of my affection nor I so many of my fathers frownes and although thy tongue and penne have acquainted me with thy rich zeale intended and devoted to my poore merits yet judge with thy selfe whether it bee fit for mee to requite thee with observance or him that gave mee my being with disobedience As I desire not to have thee dye my Martyr so my father will not permit thee to live my husband and yet as it is out of my power to remedy the first so it is not impossible for time to effect and compasse the last not that I resolve to give thee too much hope rather that I ayme to take away some of thy despaire to the end that I may find thee as constant in thy affection as thou mee sincere in my constancie My sisters jealousie of mee and my fathers distaste of thee invite thee to manage this favour of mine with as much secrecie as circumspection BERINTHIA Having folded up and sealed her Letter shee findes out Diego and beckens him to follow her to the garden where in one of the Bowers shee delivers him this letter together with a Rose of Opales the which in token of her love shee conjures him with safetie and speed to deliver to his Master Don Antonio Diego having his dispatch of Berinthia soone gives Ansilva hers promising to returne some three weekes after at which time hee prayes her to expect him when thanking Vilarezo for his kind entertainment and he bidding him tell his Master hee would be glad to see him in Avero he leaps to horse and so poasts away for Lisbone I cannot relate with what incredible and infinite joy Antonio receives this Letter and Ring from Berinthia and to write the truth I thinke the letter scarce contained so many sillables as hee often read it over and kissed it hee sees Berinthia's modestie resplend and shine in her affection and her affection in her modesty towards him wherein hee glories in that rejoyceth in this and triumphs in both but although hee bee sure of her affection yet hee is not of himselfe for hee sees her Letter containeth many verball complements but all of them not one reall promise and therefore hee cannot repute his tranquillitie and felicitie complete ere hee bee crowned with this happinesse besides hee feares that his absence and her fathers presence may in tract of time by degrees coole the fervencie of Berinthia's affection and yet then hee as soone checkes his owne timiditie in conceiving the least suspicion of her constancie now hee thinkes to acquaint his intimate friend and her deare brother Sebastiano with their affections but then hee condemnes that opinion and revokes it as erronious and dangerous and contrary to the rules of love in sailing without the compasse of Berinthia's advice and commands by the which hee holds it both safetie and discretion to steere his course and actions Againe hee so infinitely and earnestly longs to resee his deare and sweet Mistresse as hee resolves to ride over againe to Avero but the obstinacie of Vilarezo and the jealousie of Catalina make him end that journey ere hee began it In this perplexitie and contestation of reasons hee is irresolute what or what not to doe but in fine considering that delayes are dangerous in matters of this nature hee packes up his baggage and taking his farewell of Sebastiano under pretext of his health leaves Lisbone and the Duke his Lord and Master and retires to his owne home at Elvas where his father dying some three yeeres before had left him sole heyre to many rich Mannors and Possessions purposely heereby to bee neere to Avero that hee might give order for all things and let slip no occasion in the processe and prosecution of his affection The second day after his arrivall to Elvas it being welneere a moneth since hee sent his first and till then his last Letter to Berinthia hee now againe dispatcheth his Page Diego with his second Letter to her by whom hee sends her a chaine of rich pearle and a paire of gold bracelets richly enammeled Diego's arrivall is pleasing to Ansilva but extremely
joyfull to Berinthia onely it nipt Catalina's hopes because shee could not understand by him any certaine resolution or assurance of his Masters comming thither Diego hath no sooner saluted his Ansilva but as his more important businesse hee seekes meanes to speake with Berinthia which shee her selfe proffereth him he delivers her his Masters tokens and letter which shâ—…e very joyfully receiveth and so trips away to her chamber where opening the seales shee therein finds these words ANTONIO to BERINTHIA IT is impossible for my penne to expresse the joyes my heart received at the reading of thy Letter and as I dispraise not thy obedience to thy Father so I infinitely both praise and prize thy affection to mee a thousand times I kissed thy lines and as often blest the hand that wrote them and although they gave mee hope for despaire yet not to dissemble these hopes have brought mee doubt and that doubt feare not that thou lovest mee for that were to disparage â—…y judgement in seeking to prophane thy affection but that thou wilt not please to accept of my promise nor to returne mee thine wherein if thou weigh the fervencie of my love I hope thou wilt not taxe the incredulitie of my feare for till I am so happie not onely to hope but to assure my selfe that Berinthia will bee Antonio's as Antonio is alreadie Berinthia's I must needs feare and therefore cannot truely rejoyce I have left Lisbone to reside at Elvas therefore faire and deare Lady I beseech thee destinate mee dispose my service and commaund both I long to enjoy the felicitie of thy presence for I take heaven to witnesse thy absence is my hell upon earth ANTONIO Berinthia having read this Letter shee approoves of Antonio's feare and attributes it to the fervencie and sinceritie of his affection shee esteemes her selfe infinitely happy in her good fortune and choyce of so brave a Cavalier for her servant whom shee hopes a little time will make her husband to which end shee will no longer feed him with delayes but now resolves by his Page Diego at his returne to signifie him so much and in a word to send him her heart as shee hath already received his But shee knowes not what the Interim of this time will bring forth Passe wee from Berinthia to her Sister Catalina whose affection is likewise such to Antonio as by this time shee hath perswaded and induced her Father Vilarezo to write him a Letter in her behalfe by Diego thereby to draw his resolution whether hee intend to seeke her for his wife or no or at least to invite him to Avero And although his affection to her sister Berinthia be kept from her yet she not onely suspects but feares it Glad shee is of the opportunitie of Diego his being there to convey her Fathers Letter to his Master and yet that joy of hers is soone dissolved into griefe because all this time he never vouchsafed to write to her her affection to him flattreth her still with hope and yet her judgement in her selfe still suggesteth her despaire for shee hath alwayes the image of this conceit in her imagination that Antonio loves her Sister Berinthia and not her selfe her suspicion makes her subtill and so shee deales with Ansilva to draw the truth heere of from Diego who having learned his lesson acteth his part well and I know not whether with more fidelitie or discretion flatly denies it but loe here betides an accident which bewrayes the whole mysterie and History of their affections On a Sunday morning when Berinthia was descended to the garden to gather flowers against her going to Church with her Father and Mother her Sister Catalina rusheth into her Chamber to seeke the Historie of Cervantez which the day before shee had lent her and not finding it either on the Table or the Window seekes in the pocket of her gowne that shee wore the day before and there unwittingly and unexpectedly finds the last Letter that Antonio had sent her whereby shee perceived it was in vaine for her to hope to enjoy Antonio sith shee now apparantly saw that hee was her sister Berinthia's and shee his Catalina is hereat both sorrowfull and glad sorrowfull that shee should lose Antonio and glad that shee had found his Letter And now to shew her affection to him and her malice to her sister shee will trie her wits to see whether shee can frustrate Berinthia and so obtaine Antonio for her selfe The passions of men may easily be found out and detected but the secrets and malice of women difficultly To which end Catalina shewes this letter to her Father who exceedingly stormes hereat and with many checkes and frownes curbes Berinthia of her libertie and resolves in his first letter to Antonio to forbid hiâ—… his house and her company except hee will leave Berinthia and take Catalina and suspecting that his Page Diego's courting of Ansilva was but onely a policie and colour thereby to convey Letters betwixt his daughter Berinthia and his Master he once thought to give him his Conge and prohibit him his house had not Catalina prayed the contrary who would no way displease her wayting-Gentlewoman Ansilva because she was to use her aid and assistance in a matter of great importance the unlocking and dilating whereof is thus Catalina her affection to Antonio and consequently her malice to her sister Berinthiâ—… is so violent that as her father hath bereaved her of a great part of her libertie so she is so bloudy and cruell as she vowes to deprive her of her life a hellish resolution iâ—… any woman but a most unnaturall and damnable attempt of one Sister to another but wanting Faith which is the foundation and bulwarke and Religion which is the preservative and Antidote of our soules she runnes so wilfully hood-wink'd from God to the devill as she will advance and disdaines to retire till her malicious and jealous thirst be quenched with her sisters blood to which end she perswades and bribes Ansilva with a hundred duckets to poyson her sister Berinthia and promiseth her so much more when she hath effected it whereunto this wretched and execrable yong waiting Gentlewoman consenteth and in briefe promiseth to performe it But God hath otherwise decreed and ordained To which end she sends into the City for some strong poyson by an unknowne messenger which is instantly brought her in a small galley pot But let us heere both admire and wonder at Gods miraculous discovery and prevention thereof For that very night when Ansilva had determinately resolved to have poysoned the Lady Berinthia Diego seekes out his Mistresse Ansilva and finds her solitarily alone in one of the close over-shadowed Bowers of the garden whom hee salutes and entertaine with many amorous discourses and more kisses in the middest whereof his nose fell suddenly on bleeding whereat hee admired and shee grie ved till at last having bloodied all his owne handkerchiefe Ansilva rusheth hastily tâ—… her pocket
conduct her to the end of the street and Diego following them with the Casket where they all privatly and silently take Coach and having opened the Citie gate with a silver key away they speed for Eluas with all possible celerity but I write with griefe that as these affections of Antonio and Berinthia begin in joy so I feare they will end in as much sorrow and misery Leave we them now in their journey for Eluas and returne we to Avero to bloudy Catalina and wretched Ansilva who lying remote from Berinthia's Chamber could not possibly heare so much as the least step of her descent and departure although their malice were so extreame as to write the truth they all that night could not sleepe for joy that Berinthia was dispatched so they prepare themselves against the morne to heare some pittifull out-cries in the house for Berinthia's death but seeing it neere ten of the clocke and no rumour nor stirre heard they both as they were accustomed went into her Chamber thinking to feast their eies upon the lamentable object of this breathlesse Gentlewoman but contrary to their bloudy hopes they finde the nest I meane the bed emptie and Berinthia not dead but escaped and flowne away Onely Catalina in stead of her Sister findes her owne Parrot dead on the table they are astonished at this newes and looke fearefully and desperately each on other Ansilva for her part protests and vowes that shee saw Berinthia drinke the poyson But finding Berinthia's small trunke wanting and hearing Diego gone then Catalina knowes for certaine that shee was escaped and her poysoning plot detected and prevented So they give the alarum in the house and shee goes directly and acquaints her Father Mother and Brother of her Sister Berinthia's flight but speakes not a word of the poyson or of the Parrots death Vilarezo grieves to see himselfe robbed of his daughter and Sebastiano of his Sister but when they understand that Diego was gone with her then they are confidently assured that Antonio hath carried her away which is confirmed them by the Porter of the Citie who told them that 'twixt twelve and one a Coach with a Lady and foure Cavaliers and a Page drawne by sixe horses past the gate very speedily Vilarezo and his sonne Sebastiano storme at this affront and disgrace they consult what to doe herein so first they resolve to send one to Elvas to know yea or no whether Berinthia bee there with Antonio The messenger sent returnes and assures them thereof as also that Antonio is retyred from Elvas to a Castle of his without the walls of the Citie where it is reported hee keepes the Lady Berinthia with much honour and respect Had old Vilarezo had his health and strength he would himselfe in person haue undertaken this journey but being sicke of the Gowt he sends his sonne Sebastiano to Elvas accompanied with six resolute Gentlemen his neere allies and friends to draw reason of Antonio for this affront and disgrace and so either by Law Force Policie or perswasion to bring backe Berinthia Sebastiano knowing Berinthia to bee his Sister and Antonio his former ancient and intimate friend with a kind of unwilling willingnesse accepts of this journey he comes to Elvas and findes his former intelligence true hee repayres to Antonio's Castle accompanied with his sixe associates Antonio admits them all into the first Court and onely two more of them into the second where hee salutes them kindly and bids them all welcome to his Castle Sebastiano layes before him the foulenesse of his fact in stealing away his Sister in that clandestine and base manner the scandall which hee hath layd upon her and consequently on all their family and blood tells him that his father and himselfe are resolued to have her againe at what price soever and therefore conjures him by the respect of his owne honour and by the consideration and remembrance of all their former friendship to deliver him his Sister Berinthia Antonio answereth Sebastiano that it was an honourable affection and no base respect which led him to assist his Sister Berinthia in her flight and escape that he never was nor would bee a just scandall either to her her family or blood that his malicious Sister Catalina was the authour and cause thereof who by her wayting Gentlewoman Ansilva had twice sought to poyson her and therefore sith he could not deliver her with her owne safetie and his honour and conscience hee was resolved to protect her in his Castle against any whosoever that should seeke either to enforce or offend her Sebastiano is perplexed at this strange newes and wondereth at Antonio's resolution so doe the two Gentlemen with him hee desires Antonio that hee may see and speake with his Sister Berinthia the which hee freely and honourably grants and so taking him by the hand they enter the Hall where Berinthia having notice hereof accompanied with two of Antonio his Sisters assoone comes and with a cheerefull countenance advanceth towards her Brother hee salutes her and shee first him then the other two Gentlemen her Cousins Sebastiano prayes Antonio that hee may conferre apart with his Sister Antonio replies that his Sister Berinthia's pleasure shall ever bee his Shee willingly consents hereeunto when hee taking her by the hand conducts her to the farthest window and there shewes her her disobedience to her Father her dishonour to her selfe and griefe to her friends for this her unadvised and rash flight and so perswades her to returne and that if shee intend to marry Antonio this is not the way but rather a course as irregular as shamefull His Sister Berithia delivers him at full the cause of her departure and very constantly confirmes what Anâ—… had formerly told him of her Sister Catalina's two severall attempts to poyson her by her wayting Gentlewoman Ansilva though with more ample circumstance and dilation and to testifie the truth Diego is produced who vowes and protests the same Sebastiano checkes her of folly and crueltie shewes her that in seeking to wrong others shee onely wrongs her selfe that in inventing and casting a feigned crime on her Sister Catalina shee makes her owne conspicuous and true that she hath no safetie but in her returne whereunto with many reasons hee seekes to perswade and induce her His Sister Berinthia againe answereth him that there is no safetie for her in Avero and that she cannot expect greater then shee finds in Elvas shee prayes him to thinke charitably and honourably of her departure and if ever her Father will love her shee requests him not to hate but to love Antonio whose Castle shee finds a Sanctuary both for her honour and life taking God and his Angels her conscience and soule to witnesse that her Sister Catalina's crime is true and not feigned Sebastiano seeing Antonio resolute and his Sister wilfull and obstinate begins to take leave telling her that hee will leave her to her folly that to her shame and her
they part Lo here the first fruits of their foolish and lascivious affections to Laurieta but I feare the second will prove more bitter and bloudy Belluile going home with his shame and repentance and Poligny with his honour and glory they hush themselves up in silence Poligny at his Chamber and Belluile at his Chirurgions house to dresse his wounds hoping that as they in their fight saw no body so that none had seene them but they are deceived for two Souldiers from the Castle walls not onely espy them fighting but know them So they divulge it in the City whereof Laurieta being advertised she sends a confident Gentleman a cousin germane of hers to finde out Belluile and to know the truth and issue of his combate but indeed his cowardise hath purchased him so much shame as hee will not bee seene much lesse spoken withall which Lauricta understanding beginnes conceive that the two Souldiers report was true and that undoubtedly hee and Poligny had met and fought in her behalfe whereupon ghessing at the truth that Poligny had given Belluile the foyle she was once of opinion to have written to Poligny to bee informed of the particulars and successe of their combat which so much imported as well her honour as her content But Poligny's affection prevents her curiosity for as she was calling for pen and paper hee in person ascends the stayres to her Chamber where after a complementall and courteous salute he informes her as we have formerly understood that hee hath given Belluile two wounds for her sake and now his life for his owne She demands if he himself were not hurt hee answers No. At both which good newes shee infinitely rejoyceth and in token of her thankfulnesse permits him to gather many kisses as well from the roses of her cheekes as the cherries of her lips and so from thenceforth he vowes to be her professed servant and she promiseth him to bee though not his Mistresse yet at least his friend And here they unite and combine their affections but that contract and this familiarity written onely in vice and sealed in lust we shall shortly see cancelled and annihilated with as much pitty as infamy and misery as the sequell of this History will shew and demonstrate Whiles thus Laurieta and Poligny are triumphing in Belluiles foyle and their owne familiarity and affection how is it possible but he must infinitely grieve for his losse of Laurieta and la Palaisiere as much sorrow to see her selfe deprived and out of hope of her Poligny But they brooke their afflictions and passions with variable resolutions for whiles la Palaisiere is imbathing her selfe in her teares and discontents Belluile is resolute to quench his revenge in Poligny's blood For forgetting as well his God as his soule his honor as himself he intends to doe it by the bye and not by the maine by execrable treachery not by magnanimous generosity yea the devil is so strong with his faith because that is so weake with his Saviour and Redeemer as shutting the doores of his humanity and charity hee opens them to Choller Revenge and Murther yea and henceforth he is so inraged and his lookes are so gastly and distracted as if his thoughts were conducting and incouraging his hands to perpetrate some bloody stratagem and designe which is observed and doubted by his chiefest familiars and intimate friends as also by la Palaisiere whose company hee sometimes frequents not so much out of affection to her as for consolation from her to himselfe sith wee are subject both to hope and believe that our afflictions are partly eased and diminished by the sight and relation of that of others as sympathizing and participating with them first in their flames of love then of griefe and sorrow in being disdayned of those wee love Neither could Belluile so cunningly or closely rake up the fiery sparkes of his malice â—…nd revenge under the embers of silence and secrecie but her affection to Poligny and â—…ealousie of his good made her so tender ear'd and sharpe-sighted as she over-heard â—…ome words that either in jest oâ—… earnest â—…ell from Belluile's â—…ongue whereby it was apâ—…arent to her that hee intended no good but portended a secret fatall malice to him â—…ich a little time might too too soone and uneâ—…pectedly discover wheâ—…upon her love to Poligny was so deare and honourable although hee were so firmely intangled in the beauty of Laurieta as he would not vouchsafe rather disdayned to love her selfe that she thought the discovery of Belluiles malice to Poligny so much imported Poligny's good as she held her selfe bound as well in duty as affection to reveale and relate it him which she doth in this Letter LA PALAISIERE to POLIGNY TO testifie thee now the constancie of my affection with inke as I have formerly done the fervencie thereof with teares know thou hast some cause to feare and I to doubt that Belluile hath some dangerous project or bloudy designe to put in execution against his honour and thy life and as I reveale it thee out of my care so looke thou prevent it out of thine owne discretion lest hee bereave thee of thy life as thou hast done him of his Laurieta if thou slight this my advice as thou hast already my affection yet as I remaine witnesse of the purity of the last so will these lines beare testimonie to the world of the candour and sinceritie of the first Neither doe I presume to send them thee out of any irregular ambition to purchase the honour of thy favour but onely to let thee know that my affection is both powerfull and capable to shine thorow the clowdes of thy disdaine and that the obscurity of that neither hath defaced the lustre nor can eclipse the resplendencie of this Regard therefore thine owne safety albeit thoâ—… wilt not respect my content and although thou please not give me the honour to be thy Mistresse yet I will take the ambition and resolution to live and dye thine hand-mayd LA PALAISIERE Poligny breaking up the seales of this Letter laughes to see la Palaisieres affection and to understand Belluiles malice and being besotted with Laurieta hee lost both his wit and judgement in the sight and contemplation of her beauty yea he is growne so fond in his affection and respect towards her as hee is arrived to the Meridian of this simplicity to deeme it a kinde of treason to conceale any secret from her to which end he shewes her la Palaisieres Letter which hee makes his pastime and shee her May-game yea so vaine is her folly and so foolish her vanity to see the passages and events of these their passions as shee not onely exceedes the decorum of discretion but of modestie in her laughter and which is more when shee againe considereth how Belluile loves her selfe and not she him la Palaisiere Poligny and not hee her it makes her redouble her mirth and exhilaration in such sort as
shee seemes to burst with the violence and excesse thereof but this mirth of hers shall be shortly wayted and attended on with misery and mourning But Poligny notwithstanding sees himselfe doubly obliged to la Palaisiere as well for her affection to him as her care of him and so holds himselfe obliged in either of these respects and considerations to requite her with a Letter the which now unknowne to Laurieta hee writes and sends her to this effect POLIGNY to LA PALAISIERE IT is not the least of my joyes that Belluile cannot beare me so much malice as thou dost affection T is true I have not deserved thy love t is more true I have not merited his hatred for that proceeds from heaven as a divine iufluence this from hell as an infernall frenzie 〈◊〉 will not feede thee with hope neither can hee give mee despaire for not to dissemble it iâ—… 〈◊〉 likely I may lâ—…ve â—…hee as impossible I shall feare him he may have the will to do 〈◊〉 hurt I wish 〈◊〉 were in my power to doe thee good neither can hee bee more malicious to performe me that then I will bee ambitious to confirme thee this his malice I entertaine with much contempt thy kinde advice and sincere affection with infinite thankes for when I consider thy Letter I cannot rightly expresse or define whether hee beginne to hate mee or I to love thee more I doubt not but to make his deedes proove wordes to mee and I beseech thee feare not but my wordes shall prove deedes to thee for I am as confident shortly to salute faire la Palaisiere as carelesse when I meet foolish Belluile POLIGNY Having thus dispeeded her his Letter the vanity of his thoughts and the beastlinesse of his concupiscence and sensuality not onely surpriseth his reason but captivates his judgement so as Laurieta's sight defacing Belluiles memory hee thinkes so much on her affection as hee respects not his malice but this Vice and that errour shall cost him deare For whiles hee is feasting his eyes on the daynties and rarities of Laurieta's beauty Belluiles heart hath agreed with the devill to prepare him a bloudy Banquet Grace cannot containe him within her limits therfore Impiety dallies so long with him and hee with Impiety that at last this bloudy sentence is past in the court of his hellish resolutions That Poligny must dye The devills assistance is never wanting in such infernall stratagems for this is an infallible maxime as remarkeable as ruinous That hee allwayes makes us fertile not barren to doe evill never to doe good At first Belluile thinkes on poyson or Pistoll to dispatch Poligny but hee findes the first too difficult to attempt the second too publike to performe Sometimes hee is of opinion to ascend his Chamber and murther him in his bed then to shoot him ouâ—… at window as he passeth the street but to conclude understanding that he often comes very late in the night from Laurieta he thinkes it best to run him thorow with his Rapier as he issueth forth her house And to make short hereon he resolves Now to put the better colour on his villany hee retires himselfe from Avignion and lives privately some sixe dayes in Orenge giving it out that hee was gone to the City of Aix in Provence where at that famous court of Parliament he had a Processe for a title of Land shortly to bee adjudged and so in a darke night taking none but his Lacky with him he being disguised in favour of money passeth the gate of Avignion and giving his horse to his Lackey being secretly informed that Poligny was with Laurieta he goes directly to her doore and there at the corner of a little street stands with his Rapier drawne under his cloake with a revenging and greedy desire of blood to awayt Poligny's comming forth The Clocke striking one the doore is opened and Poligny secretly issueth foorth without candle having purposely sent away his Lackey who had then unwittingly carried away his Masters Rapier with him Hee is no sooner in the street but Bellnile as a murtherous villaine rusheth foorth and so like a limbe of the Devill sheathes his Rapier in his brest when Poligny more hurt then amazed and wanting his Sword but not courage indeavoureth by struggling to close with his assassinate and so cries out for assiâ—…ance but the dead of the night favoureth his butcherly attempt when withdrawing his Sword hee redoubleth his cruelty and so againe runnes him in at the small of the belly thorow the reines whereat hee presently falls downe dead to his feete having the power to groane and crye but not to utter a word Which Belluile espying and knowing him dispatcht runnes to his horse which his Lackey held ready at the corner of the next streete and so rides to the same gate hee entred which was kept ready for him which passing hee with all expedition drives away for Orenge from whence the next morne before day hee takes poast for Aix the better to conceale and o're vaile this damnable Murther of his But this policie of his shall deceive his hopes and returne him a fatall reward and interest For although he can bleare the eyes of men yet he neither can nor shall those of God who in his due time will out of his sacred justice repay and punish him with confusion By this time the streete and neighbours have taken the allarum of this tragicall accident so Candles and Torches come from every where only Laurieta having played the Whore before will see me now though falsely to play the honest woman for she to cover her shame will not discover that her selfe or any of her house are stirring and so although shee understood this newes and privately and bytterly wept thereat yet shee keepes fast her doores and like an ingratefull strumpet will permit none of her servants for a long time to descend The Criminall Iudge and President of the Ciiy is advertised of this Murther The dead Gentleman is knowne to bee Mounsieur Poligny and being beloved hee is exceedingly bewayled of all who knew him and inquiry and search is made of all sides and the Lievtennant Criminall shewes himselfe wise because honest and curious because wise in the perquisition of this bloâ—…dy Murther but as yet time will not or rather God who is the Creator and giver of time is not as yet pleased to bring it to light only Laurieta knew and la Palasiere suspected and all those who were of the counsell of the one or the acquaintance of the other doe likewise both feare and suspect that onely Belluile was the bloody and execrable author thereof but to report or divulge so much although they dare they will not As for la Palasiere her thoughts are taken up and preoccupated with two severall passions for as she grieves at Poligny's death so shee rejoyceth that she hath no hand nor was any way accessary to his Murther rather that if hee had sayled
as I grieve at that so I sorrow at this for although â—…ee dyed mine enemy yet in despight of his malice and death I will live his friend and if thou lovedst him as I thinke thou didst I wish I might fight with his Murtherer for his owne sake and kill him for thine I may say thy affection and beauty deserved his better though dare not affirme I am reserved to bee made happy in injoying of either much lesse of both and least of all of thy selfe and yet I must confesse that if our births and qualities were knowne I should goe as neere to bee thy equall as hee infinitely came short of being mine What or what not I have performed for thy sake is best knowne to myselfe sith thou disdaynest to know it but if thou wilt please to abandon thy disdaine then my affection and the truth will informe thee that I have ever constantly resolved to dy thy Servant though thou have sworne never to live my Mistresse So that could I but as happily regaine thy affection and favour as I have unjustly and unfortunately lost it Belluile would quâ—…ckely forsake Paris to see Avignion and abandon all the beauties of the world to continue his homage and service to that of his onely faire and sweet Laurieta BELLVILE With this his Letter hee sends a Diamond Ring from his finger and so dispatcheth his Lackey who is not long before hee arrive at Avignion where very secretly he delivers Laurieta his Masters Token and Letter and treacherous fury as shee is shee kisseth both and breaking off the Seales reades the contents whereat she infinitly seemes to rejoyce and so questioneth with the Lackey about his Masters returne who being taught his Lesson told her that that depended on her pleasure sith hers was his and withall prayes her for an answer for that two dayes hence hee was againe to returne to his Master for Paris the which shee promiseth The Lackey gone she cannot refraine from laughing yea she leaps for joy to see how Belluile is againe so besotted to throw himselfe into her favour and mercy and to observe how willing and forward he was to runne hoodwink'd to his untimely death and destruction for the Devill hath fortifyed her in her former bloudy resolution so that hap what will shee vowes she will not faile to kill Belluile because hee had slaine her Poligny and already she wisheth him in Avignion that she might see an end to this her wished and desired Tragedy In the meane time she prepares her hypocriticall and treacherous Letter and a rich Watchet Scarfe imbroydered with flames of silver So his Lackey repayreth to her to whom she delivereth both with remembrance of her best love to his Master and that shee hoped shortly to see him in Avignion The Lackey being provided of his Masters Gold and this Scarfe and Letter trips away speedily for Lyons where hee findes his Master privatly husht up in a friends house expecting his returne he is glad of his owne gold but more of Laurieta's Letter when thinking every minute a yeare before he had read it he hastily breaking off the seales findes these lines therein contayned LAVRIETA to BELLVILE AS I acknowledge I loved Poligny so I confesse I never hated thee and if his treacherous insinuation were too prevalent with my credulity I beseech thee attribute it to my indiscretion as being a woman and not to my inconstancie as being thy friend for if he dyed thine enemy let it suffice that I live thine hand-mayd and that as he was not reserved for me so I hope I am wholly for thy selfe How farre he was my inferiour I will not inquire onely it is both my content and honour that thou please vouchsafe to repute mee thy equall I am so farre from disdayning as I infinitely desire to know what thou hast done for my sake that I may requite thy love with kisses and make my thankes wipe off the conceipt of my ingratitude As for my affection it was never lost to thee nor shall ever bee found but of thee To conclude I wish that our little Avignion were thy great Paris and if â—…y love be as unfeigned as mine is firme let my Belluile make hast to see his Laurieta who hath vowed to rejoyce a thousand times more at his returne then ever shee grieved at Poligny's death LAVRIETA At the reading of this her Letter hee is beyond himselfe yea beyond the Moone for joy so as hee wisheth nothing so much as himselfe in her armes or shee in his So hee fits himselfe with a couple of good horses puts his Lackeyes into new Sutes and knowing that time and his absence had washed away the remembrance of Poligny's murther he speeds away for Avignion where the first night of his arrivall he privately visiteth Laurieta 'twixt whom there is nothing but kisses and imbracings yea shee so treacherously and sweetly lulles him â—…leepe with the Syren melody of her deceiptfull speeches as she prayes him to visit her often and that a little time shall crowne him with the fruits of his desire so for that night they part The nâ—…xt day he repaires to her againe when amidst the confluence of many millions of kisses shee prayes and conjures him to discover her what hee hath done for her sake when he tying her by oath to secrecie and she swearing it he relates her that it was himsâ—…fe that in affection to her had slaine Poligny as he issued forth her lodging when having wrested and extorted this mystery from him it confirmes her malice and hastneth on her resolution of his death which his lascivious thoughts have neither â—…he grace to foresee nor the reason to prevent shee espyes hee hath still a Pistoll with him and desires to know why hee beares it who answereth her it is to defend himselfe from his enemies and that hee will never goe without it So againe they fall to their kisses and hee to his requests of a further and sweeter favour of her which shee for that time againe denyes him adding withall that if hee will come to her after dinner to morrow shee will so dispose of matters as his pleasure shall be hers and she will not be her owne but his So being surprised and ravishâ—…d with the extasie of a thousand sweete approaching pleasures hee returnes to his Chamber and shee to her malice where whiles he gluts himselfe with his hope of delight shee doth no lesse with her desire of revenge And now ruminating on the manner of his death she thinkes nothing so fit or easie to dispatch him as his owne Pistoll and so thinking shee should need her Wayting-mayd Lucilla's assistance of whom this our History hath formerly made mention shee acquaints her with her purpose the next day to murther Belluile in her Chamber and so with the lure of gold and many faire promises drawes her to consent hereunto and injoines her to be provided of a good Ponyard under her gowne for the same
discretion and to hate and disdaine jealousic she beares this as patiently as shee may till at last seeking and finding out a fit opportunity shee both with teares in her eyes and griefe in her speeches very secretly checks him for these his inordinate and lascivious desires towards the young Lady Perina their Daughter in law But as it is the nature of sinne so to betray and inveagle our judgements that wee flatter our selves with a false conceit none can perceive it in us so this old lecher her Husband thinking that hee had danced in a net from the jealousie and suspicion of all the world in thus affecting his Sonnes wife hee like a lewd and wretched old varlet is so farre from rellishing these his old wifes speeches and exhortations or from being reclaymed thereby as hee disdayneth both them and her and from henceforth is so imperious and withall bitter to her as hee never lookes on her with affection but envie which neverthelesse she as a modest wife and grave Matrone holds it a part not onely of her love but of her duety by sweete speeches and soft meanes of perswasion to divert him from this fond and lascivious humour of his But observe the vanity of his lasciviousnesse and the impiety of his thoughts and resolutions for all her prayers and perswasions serve only rather to set then rebate the edge of his lust and rather bring oyle to increase then water to quench the flame of his immodest and irregular affection so as seeing that she stood in the way of obtayning his beastly pleasures he like a prophane and barbarous Husband termes her no more his wife but his Medea and which is worse hee out of the heat both of his lust and choller vowes he will soone remove her from this world to another And here the devill ambitious and desirous of nothing so much as to fill up the emyty roomes of his vast and infernall kingdome by miserable and execrable degrees takes possession first of his thoughts then of his heart and lastly of his soule so as being constant in his indignation and choller and resolute in this his impious and bloudy revenge hee meanes to dispatch and murther her who for the terme of forty two yeares had beene his most loving wife and faithfull bed-fellow but withall hee will act it so privately as not having as yet discovered his affection to his daughter Perina hee will therefore conceale both from her and all the world the Murther of this his wife Fidelia except only to those gracelesse and execrable Agents he meant imploy in this mournefull and bloudy businesse To which end with a hellish ratiocination ruminating and revolving on the manner thereof hee having runne over the circumstances of many violent and tragicall deaths at last resolves to poyson her and deemes none so fit to undertake it as her owne Wayting-gentlewoman Ierantha the which authorized by his former lascivious dalliance with her as also in favour of five hundred Ducats that he will give her hee is confident shee will undertake and finish neither doth hee faile in his bloudy hopes For what with the honey of his flattering speches and the sugar of his Gold she like an infernall Fury and a very Monster of her sexe most ingratefully and inhumanely consents thereunto so as putting poyson into Whitebroth which some mornings she was accustomed to make and give her Lady it spreading into her veines and exhaling the radicall humour of her life and strength within eight dayes carries this aged and vertuous Matrone to her Grave and her soule to Heaven But her Murtherers shall pay deare for this her untimely end The Lady Perina and all the Lady Fidelia's kinsfolkes and friends infinitely lament and bewayle her death and indeed so doth the whole City of Nice where for her descent and vertues shee is infinitely beloved and affected but all these teares of theirs are nothing in comparison of those of her wicked and execrable Husband Castelnovo who although he inwardly rejoyce yet he outwardly seemes to bee exceedingly afflicted and dejected But as hee hath heretofore acted the part of a Murtherer and now of an hypocrite yet have we but a little patience and we shall see that detected this unmasked and both panished Whiles this mournefull Tragedy is acted in Nice the mediation of the French King and Pope reconcile the differences give end to the Warres and conclude peace betwixt Spaine and Savoy So home returnes the Duke of Feria to Millan the noble Duke of Savoy and the generous Princes his Sonnes to Turin the Marshall de Desdiguieres and the Baron of Termes into France and consequently home comes our Knight Castelnovo to Nice where thinking to rejoyce with his young wife hee is so unfortunate to mourne for the death of his old mother but God knowes that neither of them know the least sparke or shadow of her cruell and untimely Murther and lesse the cause thereof Now for his lascivious and bloudy father albeit to cast a vaile before his thoughts and his intents and actions hee publikely mournes for his wifes death and rejoyceth for his Sonnes returne yet contrariwise hee privately mournes for this and rejoyceth for that But to leave the remembrance of Fidelia to assume that of our Perina I know not whether shee grieved more at her Husbands absence or rejoyce at his presence sith her affection to him was so tender and fervent as in her heart and soule shee esteemed that as much her hell as this her heaven upon earth but these joyes of hers are but fires of straw or flattering Sun-shines which are suddenly either washed away with a showre or eclipsed and banished by a Tempest for whiles her hopes flatter her beliefe of her Husbands continuall stay and residence with her her Father in lawes lust to her foreseeing and considering that it was impossible to thinke to obtaine her at home e're her Husband his Sonne were againe imployed and sent abroad makes all his thoughts aime and care and industry tend that way as if time had no power to make him repent the former murther of his wife or Grace influence to renounce the future defiling and dishonouring of his Daughter in law But hee is as constant in his lust to her as resolute in his dispatching and sending away of him onely hee must finde out some pregnant vertuous and honourable pretext and colour for the effecting of his designe and resolution because he well knowes his Sonne Castelnovo is as wise and generous in himselfe as amorous of his beautifull young Lady Perina but his lust which is the cause of his resolution or rather his vanity which is the authour of his lust at one time suggests him these two severall imployments for his Sonne either to send him into France with the Prince Major who was larely contracted and shortly to espouse MadameChristiene the Kings second Sister or else under the insinuation of some great Pensions and Offices that were shortly to
the foule and enormious vices of La Hay with the sweet and resplendant vertues of La Frange he as much disdayning that match as desiring this for his sonne very hastily sends for him into the Arbor where purposely attending him he with lightning in his lookes and thunder in his speeches layes before him the simplicity and the sottishne sse of his resolution in preferring La Hay before La Frange a strumpet before a virgin and a Pedlers brat before a rich gentlemans onely daughter and heyre shewes him the infamy of the first and the glory of the last match there his unavoydable misery here his assured happinesse in the first his utter ruine and shipwracke and in the last his infallible prosperity and felicity and so intermixing threats with teares with a passionate paternall affection he endeavoreth to perswade him to leave La Hay and to marry La Frange or if not hee vowes and sweres wholly to disinherit him and from thence-forth never repute or esteeme him for his sonne But de Salez his foolish vanity and vaine affection in himselfe towards his new contracted Love La Hay is so great and consequently his filiall obedience to his father so small as not withstanding this his wholesome advise and counsell he is still resolute and constant to preferre La Hay before La Frange the beauty of the one before the deformity of the other his owne content before his fathers and Soulanges estate and byrth before the great wealth and noble extraction of De Clugny but this rashnes indiscretion and ingratitude of his will cost him deare Now if Argentier have perfect intelligence and curious notice of his sonnes familiarity with that faire yet lewd Courtezan La Hay no lesse hath la Frange who poore soule is so deeply enamored of de Salez as the very first newes and conceyt that another should enjoy him and not her selfe for very grife and sorrow shee seemes to drowne her selfe in the deluge of her teares His father is chollerick thereat she mournfull he incensed she afflicted he inraged she perplexed and tormented his passions and anger proceeds from suspition that he shall so soone find a daughter in law in la Hay her sighes and teares from feare that she shall so soone loose her Love though not her Lover his sonne de Salez Againe the argument of his choller is la Hayes unchastitie and povertie and the cause of her disconsolation de Salez his wealth and vertues likewise she sees that Argentier hath no reason to hope that his sonne will marry her selfe such is her deformitie and againe that he hath all the reasons of the world as well to doubt as feare that hee will wed la Hay such is her beauty But sith de Salez will beare no more respect to his father nor affection to la Frange leave we therefore his father Argentiers passions and la Franges perplexities to be appeased and qualified by Time or rather by God the Authour and giver of Time who out of his all-seeing providence and sacred pleasure onely knowes in Heaven how best to dispose and manage the actions of earth and so come wee to other unexpected occurrents and events which like so many enterjecting and intervening poynts are contained within the circumference of this History I have so long insisted on the affections of de Salez and la Hay as but to the judicious and temperate Reader it would seeme to appeare that the Baron of Vaumartin hath wholly forgotten to remember his to his Lady La Frange But to put that doubt out of question and this question out of doubt we shall see him returne too too soone to act a part not so religious and honourable as bloody upon the Theatre of this History For by this time both his creditors and his debts are growne so clamorous and his reputation and lands so neere forfeited for want of disingaging as to secure the one and provide for the other hee knowes no other invention not meanes but to gaine La Frange to his wife when as it were provoked and precipitated on by the necessity of this exigent his thoughts leave heaven to fly to hell and consequently fly from God to Sathan to consult how either by the bye or the maine hee may obtaine her yea though with the perill and hazard of his owne life to cut off theirs who seeke therein to prevent his desires and designes In which hellish ratiocynation he as devoyd of Reason as that is exempt either of Grace or Piety thus reasoneth with himselfe De Clugny hates me for seeking to marry his daughter and that time may remedy for me but which is worst of all she loves De Salez and seekes and desires to marry him and this I must remedy in time if I ever expect to obtaine or enjoy her and so resolves to make him away but is as yet irresolute how to perpetrate and in what manner to finish so execrable a businesse But this is not onely the voice of his malice but the sentence of his revenge that De Salez must die wretched Vaumartin unworthy to beare the name of a man much lesse of a Baron but least of all of a Christian in that because De Salez hates La Frange and she loves him that therefore thou wilt not love but hate him or because she loves him and not thy selfe that therefore thou wilt kill him that she may love thee See see rash and inconsiderate Nobleman how treacherously the Devill hath hood wink'd yea inveigled thy judgement and besotted thy senses to kill one that loves thee to kill I say a Gentleman who hath not offended thee but is every way thy friend no way thine enemy or if thou thinke it wisdome that covetousnesse must redeeme thy former prodigality alas alas canst thou yet be so cruell to thinke it either lawfull or religious that future murther should either occasion or authorize it But the Devill hath so farre prevailed with his impious resolutions that againe he resolves De Salez must die and yet thou thinkest poyson as unworthy of him as he is worthy of thy sword so had thy last resolution been answerable to thy first assure thy selfe thou hadst made thy selfe more happy and not so miserable for as poysoning was the invention of the devill and is practised by none but his agents so this dishonourable point of honour to fight Duels was never instituted by God nor professed by those who really professe his Gospell yea it is not only truely to dishonour God in seeking falsly to preserve our own Honour and reputation but we assuredly stab at the Majesty of the Creator in seeking to deface man his creature and to use but a word as it is repugnant both to Nature and Grace so though it begin in the heat of passion and pleasure it many times terminates in Repentance but still in true Infamy and misery But Vaumartins faith being so strong with Sathan and so weake with his Saviour he will not take
a law from Religion to give to his Envy but rather takes one from his Envy to give to his Religion and so very prophanely and rashly by his Lackey La Rose sends De Salez this Challenge VAVMARTIN to DE SALEZ IF thou seeke the cause of my malice thou mayest find it in the Lady La Franges affection to thee and hatred to my selfe wherefore hold it not strange that I now command my pen to invite thee and thy sword to meet me to morrow on horse-backe without Seconds 'twixt five and six in the morning behinde the Iacobins garden Love and Valour thou knowest are never capable of much expostulation as desirous rather to be tryed in action than seene in words Could that sweet Lady who will not be mine because thou arâ—… hers have affected me more or thee lesâ—…e wee might have proved as true friends as now our reputations conjure us either to live or dye Honourable Enemies VAVMARTIN De Salez having received and read this Challenge doth not a little wonder at the Baron of Vaumartins strange passion and resolution in sending it him especially sith he knowes that the motives and grounds of his malice were so unjust and frivolous so how to answer him as yet he knowes not for as his Generosity one way invites him to fight so his discretion another way perswades him from it But considering the poore esteeme he makes either of the Lady La Frange or her affection thinking it folly to fight without cause and to hazard his life without reason he calls for pen and paper and as a wise yet valiant Gentleman by his owne Lackey returnes the Baron of Vaumartin this answer DE SALEZ to VAVMARTIN I Have seene many Challenges but none of the Nature of thine now sent me for tâ—… write thee the truth the grounds and foundations thereof are unjust false or both for bring but the eies of thy Iudgement and not of thy passion to be Iudge and Vmpier betwixt us and thou shalt both see and find that I not onely disclaime the Lady La Franges affection but her selfe sith I appertaine to another and she shall never to me I heere shew thee my love through this true Prospective of my heart which if it will not satisfie thy malice then know that my weake Valour is neither capable nor desirous of further expostulation than that my Sword is as willing to bring thee deeds as thy Pen was to send mee words for either single or with Second either on foot or horsebacke I will still be ready to give reason to those who will not relish nor receive any but their owne and in this resolution of mine I know I shall either live with Reputation or dye with Honour DE SALEZ Vaumartin having received and perused this letter of refusall from De Salez he out of the heat of his passion and height of his folly reputes it rather to cowardise than discretion in him and so his courage and revenge the more insulting and inflam'd thereat hee bending his browes as if Contempt and Envy sate wreath'd in the furrowes thereof very speedily againe returnes him his Lackey with this rash answer VAVMARTIN to DE SALEZ THy Answer gives me no satisfaction sith I know that to deny thy affection to the Lady la Frange is to deny the light of the Sunne in his brightest and hottest Meridian neither are the grounds or foundations of my Challenge either unjust or false as thou in thy false Prospective endeavourest to make me see or beleeve for being ignorant who is thy Mistris I know thou resolvest to make no Lady of the world thy wife but La Frange so as I cannot rightly define whether thy proceeding with mee be more subtill or malicious or to what end thou shouldest attempt the one or practise the other towards me unlesse out of a premeditated resolution and purpose thereby to make thy glory the more apparent and conspicuous in my shame Wherefore sith thy friendship is false to me I must nay I will see if thy valour will prove true to thy selfe and whether the effects of thy Sword bee as great in substance as the vanity of thy Pen depaints them in shew and ostentation So my Challenge is still my Resolution and the performance thereof must be thine except thou resolve to live with as much Infamy as the conclusion of thy Letter promiseth thou art ready to die with reputation and Honour VAVMARTIN De Salez having received and runne over this Letter and seeing that Vaumartin was still wilfull and resolute to fight thinks that he should degenerate from himselfe his Blood and Profession if hee did not now accept and answer this his Challenge wherefore calling for Vaumartins Lackey hee rounds him thus in his eare Tell thy Master that if I live I will not faile to breake fast with him timely in the morning according to his expectation Thus wee see these two inconsiderate Gentlemen agreed their match concluded and nothing but the night to hinder them from fighting as if their glory consisted in their shame and as if Nature had never taught them how to preserve their lives nor Grace their soules So the Morne peeping forth through the windowes of Heaven as soone as the Sunne with his glistering beames began to salute the woods and mountaines our two resolute Champions bravely mounted with each his Chirurgion are in the field at the assignd Rendevoâ—…s and first comes Vaumartin and then immediately De Salez when their Chirurgions performing the dutie and office of Seconds being some hundred paces distant they give spurres to their Steeds and so drawing their swords swiftly part like two flashes of lightning each towards other At their first meeting de Salez gives Vaumartin the first hurt in the right shoulder and he de Salez another in requitall in the right side of the necke when being both good Cavaliers and well neere as equall in yeeres as courages they turne short and then fall to it againe with bravery and resolution when againe Vaumartin runs de Salez through his left arme of a deepe and wide wound and he onely sleightly cuts his shirt upon his ribbes giving him onely a raze or scarre but as yet both free from any danger of death so they mutually consent to breath but their ambitions and courages of both sides are so exasperated and inflamed as although they are all bloody yet this will not suffice so they fall to it againe and in this close de Salez his horse stumbles with him whereat Vaumartin though a dwarfe in stature yet not in Valour and Pollicy taking the advantage of this accident gives him first a licke ore his pate and then runnes him at the short ribbes but de Salez rayning up his horse prooved favourable to him for by that meanes Vaumartins sword met and glanced on a rib without doing him any farther hurt De Salez seeing the redoubling of his wounds beginnes to redouble his courage and disdaining thus to be outbraved
Musicke Dancing Wisdome Temperance and Modestie she was so fully compleat and rare that to give her her due and no more she could not be paraleld by any young Lady of Lombardy or Italy nor equalliz'd but by her selfe Thus if her noble extraction and fathers wealth made her surmount others and her delicious sweet beauty and vertues excell her selfe no marvell if those Adamants and these excellencies draw divers of the best Cavaliers and chiefest Gallants both of Milan and Lombardy to effect and seeke her in marriage and indeed although shee be sought by divers of them with much respect and honour answerable in all regard to her ranke and quality yet nether her parents or selfe are so much importuned by any as by Signior Giouani Albemare a young noble Gentleman of the citie who was adorned and fortified whith these humane priviledges to be well descended rich and of some twenty five yeeres old a match in the eye and censure of the world yea and in all outward appearance correspondent and equivalent if his generous persections and vertues had paralleld hers or if the candure and sinceritie of her affection had not justly transported her thoughts and heart from him because she had formerly fixed and setled them on another Gentleman younger of yeeres than Albemare but in all other respects as well of Nature as Fortune every way his superiour named Signior Alphonsus Baretano a young Gentleman of one of the noblest families of Millan of some eighteene yeeres old whose father was lately deceased and had left him sole heire to many rich lands and possessions but withall exceedingly intangled in Law and ingaged in many debts and morgages where into the vanity and prodigality of his youth had deepely precipitated and ingulphed him which consequently reflecting and falling on his sonne we shall see will prove a hinderance to his marriage and an obstacle to his content and preferment But to observe some order and decorum in the conduction and delation of this History wee must briefly be informed that as of all the Beauties of Lombardy Albemare onely chiefly affected and loved Clara so of all the Cavaliers of the world Clara affected and loved no other but Baretano for as conformity of yeeres manners and inclinations breed a sympathy in affections so they in their tender youth often frequented one the others company sometimes at the Dancing and Musicke Masters but many times at Weddings Feastes and noble assemblies being well neere as equall in age as in complection and stature Againe the vicinity of their residence added much to the combining and inflaming of their affections for they were opposite in nothing but in their mansion houses from whose galleries windowes many times publikely but more often by stealth their eyes could not refrain to tilt at each other with the invisible launces of love affection which bred such a habit and that habit so powerfull a second Nature that it was now becom impossible for them not to gaze each on other so as if the innocency of their purilitie made them delight in each others sight and company with desire so now their more riper yeres inforce them to desire it with delectation for when as yet they were so yong as they knew not the instinct and influence of Nature which cannot be taught by amore powerful or ingenious Tuâ—…ix then her selfe yet they never met but kissed nor kissed but as if their heart and thoughts checke their lippes for taking such short farewells each of other But now when their yeeres had proclamed them both very capable to march under the Standard of Hymenaeus This Venus and that Adonis for so her fresh beauty and his flourishing youth with as much right as fame in Milan generally intituled them They felt some pleasure wanting which as yet they couldnot finde and therefore no marvaile if they desired to find that which they wanted So as burning in affection each to other Clara hearing spoken of a husband infinitly wished that Baretano were hers and when hee heard of a wife hee ardently longed and fervently desired that Clara were his Neither can I rightly say whether he were more affectionate in his constancy to her or shee constant and resolute in her affection to him so that as heretofore they hardly knew the way to kisse now time running on in her swift careere had taught them to desire to marry and that whereas formerly Baretano only tearmed Clara his sweet Maid and she him her deare Friend Now love had suggested and given them new desires and therefore new Epithites for sometimes as well in earnest as in jest he could not refraine to tearme her his sweet wife nor she him her deare husband and herein there tongues were onely but the outward Heralds of their inward hearts as their hearts were of their more secret and retired desires And as fervent love and true discretion very seldome concurre and meet so although affection made them rich in inventing new inventions to meet and kisse yet they were so poore or rather so blind in discretion as they could not beare their affections in secrisie and silence but by this time they are bewrayed to their Parents and divulged to their acquaintance but if any grieve and storme at this unexpected newes it is first Albemare then Capello and Castiana betwixt whom there was a secret promise and verball contract that hee and no other should marry their daughter Thus we see that Albemare and Baretano are become Competitors and Rivalls in their affections for either of them affect Clara as the mistris of their thoughts and both adore her as the Queene Regent of their desires But as they simpathize in their hopes to purchase her to their wife So they differ in the meanes and progresse of their resolutions how to obtaine her For whiles Baretano sues the daughter before her Parents so doth Albemare the Parents before their daughter but what effects and ends these beginnings will produce ye shall shortly see and they themselves very soone both feele and find Capello and Castiana as wee have formerly said with much affliction and griefe understanding of their daughters affection to Baretano and reciprocally of his to her they with much impatience and passion relate it to Albemare whose affection to Clara hath made him so subtill towards them as although his heart knowes this newes yet he makes his tongue deny the knowledge thereof when protesting of his intire and fervent affection to her and that he must either wed her or his grave they consult on their important businesse how they may Dethronize Baretano and inthronize Albemare in the chaire and choice of Clara's affection As for Capello and Castiana they so highly affect Albemares great and free estate and so disdainefully hate the intricate incombrances of Baretano's as they vow there resolutions shall Sayle by thecompasse of his desires and he in exchange that his affections and desires shall still steere their course by that of
their resolutions So from the matter of their agreement they proceed to the manner how to effect it To which end her father and mother single their daughter apart and in milde and faire tearmes demand her what hath past betwixt her and Baretano and whether she be so simple and inconsiderate to take so poore a Gentleman for her husband whose estate is so weake and small as it cannot well maintaine himselfe much lesse her Clara already prepared and armed by her affection to receive these or the like speeches from her Parents having twice or thrice metamorphosed the Lillies of her cheekes into Roses very temperately and modestly returnes them this discreet and respective answer That as she must needs affirme she is confident of Baretano's affection to her so she must as truly denie that asyet he had ever motioned her for marriage which if he had considering that his birth meanes and vertues were such as every way deserved not onely her equall but her superiour she is enforced to reveale them that she loves him so tenderly and deerely as if her will and pleasure be not contradicted by theirs it will be not onely her joy but her felicity to accept and take him for her husband before all others of the world But this modest answer of hers they hold too peremptory for a child to give and Parents to receive as if it savoured more of irregular zeale to Baretano than of due respect and obedience to themselves yet the sooner to devert her from her owne desires and resolutions to make her flexible to theirs they as yet hold it fit rather to continue mild than imperious towards her and so by depraving the deserts and debasing the merits of Baretano to seeke to extoll and magnifie those of Albemare as if the first were only a foyle and the second a rich Diamond worthy of her affection and wearing and indeed so exquisite and excellent a Cavalier they depaint him to her in the richest frame and pomp of all his praises aswell of the endowments of mind as of those of Fortune that they leave no insinuating Oratory unessayed nor perswasive attempt unattempted to make her shake hands with Baretano and consequently to extend her armes and heart to receive and retaine Albemare But although she were yong in yeeres and experience yet love in this fragrant and flourishing spring of her youth had so refined her judgement and indoctrinated and prompted her tongue that her thoughts commanded and marshalled by her heart and both by her desires and affection to Baretano she confusedly intermixing and interrupting her words with many far fetched broken sighes againe returnes her Parents this reply If your age will not yet my youth or rather my heart informes me that Baretano as far exceeds Albemare in the priviledges of the mind and body as Albemare doth him in those of Fortune but that my resolutions and answers may answer and correspond with my obedience although I love Baretano yet I will never hate rather honour Albemare but to make him my husband or myselfe his wife if Earth have I hope Heaven hath not decreed it And I humbly beseech yee that this may â—…est your Resolution as I assuredly thinke it shall and will remaine mine Capello and Castiana like discreet parents seeing their daughter Clara wholly wedded in a maner to the singularitie of her owne will they yet conceive it to bee farre more requisite to revert her reasons by fairre meanes than refute and refell them by force sith love and discretion hath still reference to that and this relation still to choller many times to repentance whereupon minding her of the blessings which infallibly attend filiall obedience and the miseries and curses which individually wayt on contempt and disobedience hoping that time will effect that which Importunitie cannot they as then leave her to her thoughts and she them to their care careing for nothing so much nay I may wel say for nothing else than to see her affection divorced from Baretano and contracted and wedded to Albemare who having curious correspondence and intelligence with them he is ever and anon acertained not onely what hath but what doth passe betwixt them and their daughter and withall is advised by them to delay no time but to frequent and haunt her as her Ghost and shaddow 〈◊〉 yea and no more to conceale his affection and suite from her but to acquaint Millan therewith sith it was no disparagement but rather an equall honour for him to match with Clara and Clara with him Which concluded betwixt Capello and Castiana Albemare is so farre from rejecting this advise and counsell as hee embraceth it with much joy and delectation and vowes though with the perill of his life to persevere and pursue her in marriage To which end authorized as well by his owne affection as their authority Clara is neither abroad nor at home but he meets her gives away all time from himselfe to give himselfe to her so as it seemes to the eye of the world that Capello's house is now become his and that his daughter Clara likewise shortly shall be yea he addes such curiosity to his care and such care to his affection in courting her as shee cannot bee either at Masse or Vespres but he is either with her or neere her and when in solemne pompe or zeale shee visits the Domo or Cathedrall Church of that Citie and in it the Shrine of the new Saint Charles then hee waits and attends on her at the Porch staires sometimes with his Coach but many times as the custome of Millan is on his Foot-cloth and prancing Barbarie horse to conduct her home yea and not to faile in any Complement of an accomplished Lover besides the harmony of his owne insinuation and solicitation he greets her with rich presents and salutes her with all variety of mellodious Musicke and mellistuous voyces but all this notwithstanding although hee every way use his best art and industry and her father and mother their best skill to make her flexible to his desires and their pleasure yet shee as having her thoughts fully bent and fixed on her deare and sweet Baretano lookes haggard and averse on Albemare giving him such generall answers and cold entertainment as hee seeth hee hath farre more reason to despaire than hope to obtaine her Whereupon doubting of her affection hee hath againe recourse to her parents love who to confirme and seale it him seeing faire meanes will not prevaile with their daughter they resolve to vse force and so to adde threats to their requests and choller to their perswasions to make her abandon Baretano and embrace Albemare But if the first prevaile not with her the second cannot for she now tels them plainly that she neither can not will affect any man for her husband but Baretano and yet she is so farre from any determinate resolution to marry him as shee affirmes that their will shall bee her law and their pleasure
her resolution Whiles thus Albemare in the way of marriage seekes our faire and sweet Clara publikely no lesse doth Baretano privately and although with lesse vanity and ostentation yet hee hopes with farre more fortunacie and successe as grounding his hopes upon these reasons That in heart and soule Clara is onely his as both in soule and heart he is hers so hee entertaines her many times with his Letters and yet not to shew himselfe a novice in discretion or a coward in affection hee makingher content his commands as shee did his desires her felicity hee in remote Churches and Chappels for whose number Millan exceeds Rome hath both the happinesse and honour privately to meet her where if they violate the sanctity of the place in conferring and cherishing their affections yet they sanctifie thir affections in desiring that some Church or Chappell might invest and crowne them with the religions honour and holy dignitie of marriage For having jested of Love heretofore now like true Lovers they henceforth resolve to love not in jest but in earnest and as of their two hearts they have already made one so now they meane and intend to dispose of their bodies thereby to make one of two And this is their sole desire and this and onely this is their chiefe delight and most pleasing'st desires and wishes But as it is the nature of Love for Lovers to desire to see none but themselves and yet are seene of many so this their familiarity and frequent meeting is againe reported to her father and mother whereat they murmure with griefe and grieve with discontent and affliction and now not to substract but to adde to their vexation it is resolved betweene our two yong amorous Turtle Doves Baretano and his faire Clara that he should publikely motion them for her in marriage which he in wonderfull faire tearmes and orderly Decorum as well by his friends as himselfe performeth When contrary to his wishes but not his expectation they give him so cold entertainment and his suite such poore and sharpe acceptance as they in affection and zeale to Albemare not onely deny him their daughter but their house an answer so incivill and therfore so injust as might give a testimony of some way of their care yet no way of their discretion to themselves or affection to their daughter And here I must confesse that I can difficultly define whether this resolution and answer of Capello and Castiana more delighted Albemare discontented Baretano or afflicted Clara who although in the entrance of their Loves their hopes seem'd to be nipt and their desires crost by the frownes of their parents yet they love each other so tenderly and dearly as these discontents notwithstanding they will not retire but are resolute to advance in the progresse of this their chast and servent affections and although their commands endevour to give a law to her obedience in not permitting her to be frequented of Baretano yet her obedience is so inforced to take a more stronger of her affection as dispight her parents malice and jelosie towards them when they are sweetly sleeping in their beds then is their daughter Clara waking with Baretano and he with her oftentimes walking and talking in the Arboures and many times kissing and billing in the close galleries of the garden which they cannot conceale or beare so closely but her father and mother have exact notice and intelligence thereof by some of their trusty servants whom they had purposely appointed as Sentinels to espie and discover their meetings Whereupon as much in hatred to Baretano as in affection to Albemare knowing that if the cause be once removed the effect is subject soone to follow and ensue they very suddenly and privately send away their daughter from Millan to Modena by Coach there to be mewed and pent up with the Lady Emelia her Aunt and besides her waiting Gentlewoman Adriana none to accompany and conduct her but only Albemare hoping that a small time his presence and importunate solitations would deface the memorie of Baretano to engrave his owne in the heart and thoughts of his sweet Clara. Who poore soule seing her selfe exiled and banished from the society of her Baretano's sight and company wherein under heaven shee chiefly and onely delighted she hereat doth as it were drowne her selfe in the Ocean of her teares storming as well at the cruelty of her parents as at her owne affliction and misfortune and no lesse doth her Baretano for the absence of his sweet Saint and deare Lady Clara for as their affection so their afflictions is equall now mourning as much at each others absence as formerly they rejoyced and triumphed in their presence But although the jealousie of Capello and Castiana were very carefull to watch and observe Baretano in Millan and the zeale and affection of Albemares safety to guard and sweetly to attend on Clara and Modena Yet as fire surpressed flames forth with more violence and rivers stopped overflow with more impetuosity so despight of the ones vigilancie and the others jealousie though Baretano cannot be so happy and blessed to ride over to Modena to see and salute his Clara yet love which is the refiner of inventions and wit and the polisher of judgement cannot yet deraine him from visiting her with his letters the which in respect of the hard accesse and difficult passage to her hee is enforced to send her by subtill meanes and secret messengers and the better to overshadow the curiosity of his Arts and the Art of his affection herein hee among many others makesuse of a Frier and a Hermite for the conveyance of two letters to Modena to his Lady which as fit agents for such amorous employments they with more cunning and fidelity than zeale and Religion safely delivered her and likewise returned him her answers thereof And because the servency of their affections and constancies each to other are more lively depainted and represented in these two than in any other of their letters therefore I thought my selfe in a manner bound here to insert them to the end to give the better spirit and Grace to their History and the fuller satisfaction and content to the curiosity of the Reader That which Baretano sent Clara upon her departure from Millan to Modena by the Frier spake thus BARETANO to CLARA HOw justly may I tearme my selfe unfortunate Sith I am enforced to bee miserable before I know what belongs to happinesse For if ever I found any content or Heaven upon Earth it was onely in thy sweet presence which thy sudden abscence and unexpected exile hath now made at least my Purgatory if not my Hell Faire Clara judge of thy Baretano by thy selfe what a matchlesse griefe it is to my heart and a heart-killing terrour to my thoughts to see thee made captive to my rivall and that the Fates and thy Parents seeme to bee so propitious to his desires and so inexorable and cruell to mine That I must
well say that Clara and Albemare betake themselves to their beds but I am sure not to their rest For griefe and love so violently acte their severall parts in their hearts and thoughts as sigh they doe but sleepe they cannot Yea their passionsand sorrowes are as different as their desires for as Albemare now grives that he hath found these letters so doth Clara that she hath lost them and as he vowes not to restore her them so shee neither dares and yet disdayneth to demand them of him Yea againe which is more as their sorrowes are different so are their pretended consolations at least if I may properly and truely rearme them consolations For as Clara although she have lost her Baretano's letters doth yet rejoyce that she still retaines the writer and Authour thereof ingraven and caractered in her heart so doth Albemare that now fully knowing Baretano to be his rivall and who by all probability is like to beare his mistris from him he hath as he injustly conceives a just reason to be revenged and a true occasion to fight with him but as Clara's comfort and consolation herein proceeds from true affection so doth the vanitie and impiety of this resolution of Albemares from hellish malice and devillish indignation yea although the night doth or should bring counsell yet as Clara passeth it over onely with sighes so doth Albemare with fumes of reveng against Baretano vowing that he will in the morne towards Millan and there trie his fortune either to kill him or to bee killed of him in a Duell to which end he is no sooner ready but he acquaints the Lady Emelia with his intended journey but not with his resolution to fight with Baretano and the same he doth to the Empresse of his thoughts and Queene of his desires Clara demaunding her if she please to command him any service for Millan who both blushing and paling hereat her affection to Baretano having now made her expert in the subtilties of love she well knowes what wind drives Albemare to Millan and therefore guided by discretion and not by passion she returnes him this answer That having neither reason nor desire to command him she onely prayes him to remember her humble duty to her Father and mother and so wisheth his journey prosperous which answer of hers being indeed no other than Albemare expected he yet advanceth to kisse her at parting which her civility though not her affection granted him not so much as once dreaming or suspecting that he conceived the least thought or intent to fight with her sweet Baretano and so he takes horse having onely one servant with him Albemare being arrived at Saint Remie a small Towne within fifteene miles of Millan he resolves to dine there which he doth and to avoid the heate of the day then betakes himselfe to sleepe an houre or two being awaked he commands his man to make ready his horse and seeing the host of the house in his chamber inquires of him if there were any Gentelmenin the house riding for Millan who as soone turnes him this unlooke for and unexspected answer that there was a brave Gentleman in the house named Signior Baretano who was to ride thither some two houers hence Albemare no sooner heares the name of Baretano but his very heart blood flasheth up in his face when demanding him again what manner of gētleman was he told him he was a tall slender young Gentleman with never a haire on his face and out of this window quoth he you may now see him walking in the garden when Albemare looking forth sees indeed that it was his very rival Baretano when enquiring further of the Host what followers he had with him he told him that then he had none but sometimes when he came thither either to take the ayre or breath his horse he was attendedby two or three and so the Hoast leaves him not once suspecting of any difference between them Albemare seeing his enemy because his rivall brought to him whom he formerly resolved to seeke and find out assumes a base and a bloody resolution to set upon him in the high way disguised and there to ve◅ his owne life to deprive him of his which to effect he will have no eye witnesses of this his ignoble and trecherous businesse and therefore purposely sends away his man to Millan before him and so slipping into the towne provides himselfe of a maske or visard then takes his horse and rather like a theefe than a Gentleman lurkes behind a Grove some three miles from Saint Remy attending Baratano's comming who poore harmelesse yong Gentleman harbouring and breathing no other thoughts and wishes than charitie to all the world and pure and fervent affection to his fare and deare Clara likewise takes his horse and drawes home ward toward Millan when being arrived to the place where Albemare secretly lay in ambush for him he furiously and suddenly rusheth foorth and with his Rapier drawen in his hand runnes Baretano into his right arme who feeling the wound almost as soone as he saw his enemy who gave it him he is at first as it were amazed hereat when thinking him by his maske to be a Bandetti who were then very busie in Lombardy but especially in that Dutchie of Millan he told him that all the coyne he had which was some ten double Pistolsin gold and two Duckats in silver were at his service but to fight in his defence he would not Not quoth he that he was any way a Coward but that he affirmed he was latly affianced and ingaged to a yong Lady so that he perfecty knew that her affection was so deare and tender towards him as either the losse or preservation of his life would be that of hers Albemare galled and touch't to the quicke with this his heart killing answere to him is wholly inflamed with choller against him when rushing towards him he delivers him these words Villaine it is not thy gold but thy life which I seeke and then strayning himselfe to runne Baretano thorow loe the string of his Maske breakes where Boretano apparently sees it is his Rivall Albemare whereat such is his tender affection to his sweete and fayre Clara that he who before turned craven and would not fight for his owne sake is now cheerefully resolved not onely to fight but if occasion require to dye for hers and so returning the villaine to Albemares throat he instantly drawes and joynes with him and if Albermare be resolute in fighting no lesse valiant and couragious is Baretano for the remembrance of his Clara's sweet Idea and fresh delicious beauty infuseth such life to his valour and such generositie and animositie to his courage as he deales his blowes roundly and his thrusts freely making Albemare know that his Rapier is of an excelent temper and yet his heart of a better And Albemare seeing hee must buy his victory dearer than hee expected and disdaining to be out-braved and beaten by a
fire of his youth and the ice of her age nor what a world of discontents and afflictions are incident to proceed thereof shee will not consider that in endowing him with all her wealth that shee thereby impoverisheth many as well of her owne kindred as of those of her two former husbands to whom in the right of Nature it more justly and properly belongs and to conclude and shut up this point she will not imagine or dreame to how many laughters and scandals of the world she exposeth her selfe who will not onely call her discretion but her modesty in question for matching with so young a Gentleman as De Merson to whom for age she may not only well be mother but which is more grandmother But contrariwise this foolish old Gentlewoman having sent her wits a wooll-gathering on his sweet and comely personage his youth and her affection like two impetuous torrents and furious inundations beare downe all other respects and considerations before them yea they so submerge her reason and quite drown her discretion as she hath no eies unshut to see the one nor eares unstopped to heare the other so that if she desire any thing in the world it is as formerly is observed that shee live to see De Merson her husband and her selfe his wife which to effect and accomplish she knowes no better nor fitter Agent to employ herein than one Mounseir de Pruneau an ancient Councellor of the Presidiall Court of that City who was the onely Councellor both to her last husband and her selfe and of whose discretion integrity and fidelity she had all the reasons of the world to rest confident and assured Now although the Wisdome and Experience of De Pruneau suggested him what an extreame inequality there was betwixt De Mersons youth and La Vasselayes age which he could not more pertinently parallel and compare than to Winter and Summer the Spring and the Harvest and therefore how many afflictions and miseries were subject to attend and wait on such preposterous marriages whereof he had formerly seene divers lamentable examples and wofull instances as well of men as women who had suffered shipwracke upon that Sylla and this Charibdis he like an honest man and indeed a truer friend to her than she was to her selfe produceth some of the former alleaged reasons to her consideration thereby to divert the streame of her ill grounded affection from De Merson and in generall tearmes to convey and conduct it to some elder personage whose yeares and therefore their dispositions and affections might the better agree and sympathize But when he sees that her love to De Merson was so firmly and immoveably setled as that it not only appeared to him to be her griefe but her torment to be any way crossed or contradicted therin then he changeth his language and because she will not hearken to his advice he therefore gives way to her resolution promising her his utmost power and best endevours speedily to effect compasse her desires when taking leave each of other at last La Vasselay remembring she had forgotten something cals him againe and prayes him that if De Merson be inquisitive to know her direct age that he substract away at least ten yeares thereof so that whereas she is sixty three to affirme that she is very little above fifty whereunto she her selfe blushing De Pruneau not able likewise to refraine from smiling promiseth her to be very mindfull thereof To which end he with the first conveniencie finds out De Merson acquaints him how much he is obliged to Madamoyselle La Vasselay for her affection to him layes before him the Nobility of her descent and bloud the greatnesse of her Estate and meanes as also the excellency of her vertues that fifty yeares is the most of her age and that she is not by farre so old as pleasing and lovely that she affects him above all the men in the world yea and desires no man of the world for her husband but himselfe and that when he pleaseth she desires the honour of his company to her house with many other intimations and insinuations conducing that way De Merson having formerly understood of La Vasselayes rich Estate and Dowrie as also of the truth of her age he likes the first well and although he distaste yet he will dissemble the second he thanks De Pruneau for his paines and La Vasselay for her love toward him promiseth to requite the first and if her wealth and vertues correspond with his relation to deserve the second alleaging further that although there be a great inequality in their age yet sith he is no heire but a second brother that it is rather likely than impossible for it to be a match betwixt them and in the meane time to requite part of her affection hee promiseth to Sup with her the night following at her house where hee onely desires his company and assistance that they may the more effectually and secretly consult of this businesse which he hopes will so much import as well her good and his content as her content and his good and so for that time they part De Pruneau having received this pleasing and discreet answer from De Merson hee returnes with the relation and repetition thereof to La Vasselay vowes that his exteriour feature is no way answerable but comes farre short of his interiour Vertues and discretion and that by all which hee either can collect from his speeches or gather from his deportment and behaviour hee is in his conceit the most accomplished Gentleman not only of Maine but of France and so bids her prepare her Supper and her selfe to entertaine him the next night Which answer of De Mersons and relation of De Pruneau is so pleasing to her heart and thoughts as her age seemes to be already ravished with joy at the conceit of his Youth when thinking every minute a moneth and every houre a yeare before shee bee made happy and her house blessed with his presence shee leaves no cost unspared or unspent to make his Entertainement answerable to his welcome whereof whiles shee is not onely carefull but curious in providing let us cursorily speake a word or two how De Merson entertaines and digesteth this unexpected motion and affection of La Vasselay He laughes in his sleeue to see her youthfull affections so flourishing in this Atumne nay in this Winter of her age as to desire and seeke so young a Gentleman as himselfe for her husband but hee understands she is exceeding rich and therefore resolves that this vertue is capable to overvalue and ransome that defect and error of hers He sees that his father will not pay his debts and that hee of himselfe cannot that they growing more clamorous will shortly become scandalous which will not onely directly prevent but infallibly ruine his fortunes He considereth how displeasing her age will bee to his youth as also that there is no hell comparable
Is De Merson given and addicted to other women why pardon him because hee is a young man and as hee is thy husband and thou his wife beleeve that hee is every way more worthy of thy praiers than of thine envie Thus wee see upon what fatall and ominus tearmes these late married couple now stand De Mersons youth scorning and spurning at his wife La Vasselaye's age and wholly addicting himselfe to others and her age growing infinitly jealous of his youth so that for any thing I see or know to the contrary these different vices have already taken such deepe and dangerous roote in them as they threaten not onely the shipwracke of their content but of their fortunes if not of their lives Now for us to find out the particular object of La Vasselayes jealousie as her foolish curiosity hath already the generall cause we must know that she hath a very proper young Gentlewoman who atends her of some eighteene yeares of age tearmed Gratiana of a middle stature somewhat inclining to fatnesse having a fresh sanguine complexion and bright flaxen haire she being indeed every way exceeding lovely and faire and with this Gratiana she feares her Husband is more familiar than either modesty or chastity can permit and yet she hath onely two poore reasons for this her credulity and jealousie and God knowes they are poore and weake ones indeed The first is that she thinkes her owne withered face serves onely but as a foyle to make Gratiana's fresh beauty seeme the more precious and amiable in his eyes The second is that shee once saw him kisse her in her presence in the garden when she brought him a handkercher which his Page had forgotten to give him Ridiculous grounds and triviall reasons for her to build her feare or erect her jealousie on or to invent and raise so foule a scandall and calumny and yet not to suppresse but to report the whole truth De Merson was laciviously in love with Gratiana had often tempted her deflouration but could never obtaine her consent thereunto for shee was as chaste as faire and impregnable either to bee seduced by his gifts and presents or to bee vanquished and wonne by his treacherous promises protestations and oathes for she told him plainely and peremptorily when she saw him begin to grow importunate and impudent in this his folly That although she were but a poore Gentlemans daughter yet she thanked God that her parents had so vertuously train'd her up in the Schoole of Honour that she would rather dye than live to be a strumpet to any Gentleman or Prince of the world which chaste answer and generous resolution of hers did then so quench the flames of his lacivious and inordinate affection to her as thenceforth he exchanged his lust into love towards her and vowed that he would both respect and honour her as his sister Now although they both kept the passage of this businesse secret from his wife her Mistris yet notwithstanding as it is the nature of Iealousie not to hearken to any reason nor approve of any beliefe but of her owne therefore shee is confident that he lyes with Gratiana more oftner than with her selfe which shee vowes shee cannot digest and will no longer tolerate To which end with a most malicious and strange kind of treachery shee makes faire weather with Gratiana and thinking to coole her hot courage and to allay the heat of her luxurious blood looking one day stedfastly in her face she tels her that she hath need to be let blood to prevent a Fever whereunto although chaste and innocent Gratiana was never formerly let blood she notwithstanding willingly consents thereunto which to effect La Vasselay like a base mistris and a treacherous stepdame sends for an Apothecary named Rennee gives him a watch-word in his eare to draw at least sixteene ounces of blood from Gratiana for that she was strongly entred into a burning Fever But he being as honest as shee was treacherous and cruell told her that the drawing of so great a quantity of blood from her might not only impaire her health but indanger her life But she replies it was so ordered by a Doctor whereupon he opens her right arme veyne and as he had neere drawen so much from this poore harmelesse young Gentlewoman shee faints twice in a chaire betwixt their armes and all the cold water they threw in her face could very hardly refetch her and keepe life in her this old hard-harted hag still notwithstanding crying out that it was not blood enough having no other reason for this her treachery and cruelty but that indeed she thought it not enough or sufficient to quench the unquenchable thirst and flame of her jealousie of which this is the first effect towards this innocent young Gentlewoman but wee shall not goe farre to see a second Gratiana is so farre from dreaming of her mistris jealousie towards her master and herselfe or from once thinking of this her treacherous letting her blood as shee thankes her for her affection and care of her health and now the very next day after De Merson dyning at home with his old wife which he had not done in many dayes before and seeing Gratiana looke so white and pale demaunds her if she bee not well and then questioneth his wife what ayles her Gentlewoman to looke so ill which she seemes to put off with a feigned excuse but withall as if this care of her husband towards Gratiana were a true confirmation of their dishonesty and her jealousie she retaynes the memory thereof deepely in her heart and thoughts yea it is so frequent and fixed in her Imaginations as she cannot she will not any longer suffer or indure this affection of her husband to Gratiana nor that Gratiana's youth shall wrong La Vasselay's age in the rites and duties of marriage Wherefore casting sad aspects on him and malignant lookes on her she to please and give satisfaction to her jealousie which cannot bee pleased or satisfied with any thing but revenge resolves to make her know what it is for a waiting maid to offend and wrong her mistris in this kinde when not to deminish but rather to augment and redouble her former cruelty towards her Her husband riding one day abroad in company of divers other Gentlemen of the City to hunt Wolves which abound in those vast and spacious woods of Maine shee under pretence of some other businesse calls Gratiana alone into her inner chamber when bolting the doore after her she with meager and pale envy in her lookes and implacable fury and choller in her speeches chargeth her of dishonesty with her husband calling her whore strumpet and baggage affirming that the time and houre is now come for her to be revenged of her Poore Gratiana both amazed and affrighted at this sudden and furious both unexpected and undefiled alarum of her Mistris seing her honour and as she thinkes and feares her life called in
many teares and farre fetched sighes he lastly bids the world farewell when enviting the Executioner to doe his Office he is turned over And such was the vitious life and deserved death of this Execrable Sonne and bloody Villaine Maurice wherein I must confesse that although his end were shamefull and sharpe yet it was by farre too too milde for the foulenesse of his crime in so cruelly murthering his deere Mother Christina whom the Lawes both of Nature and Grace commanded him to preserve and cherish Yea let all Sonnes and Daughters of all ages and ranckes whatsoever looke on this bloody and disasterous example of his with feare and feare to commit the like by the sight of his punishment It is a History worthy both of our meditation and detestation whether we cast our eyes on his drunkennesse or fix our thoughts and hearts on his murther Those who love and feare God are happy in their lives and fortunate in their deaths but those who will neither feare nor love him very seldome proove fortunate in the one never happy in the other and to the rest of our sins if wee once consent and give way to adde that scarlet and crying one of Murther that blood which we untimely send to Earth will in Gods due time draw downe vengeance on our Heads from Heaven Charity is the marke of a Christian and the shedding of Innocent blood either that of an Infidell an Atheist or a Devill O therefore let us affect and strive to hate it in others and so wee shall the better know how to detest and abhorre it in our selves which that we may all know to our comforts and remember to our consolaâ—…itions direct us O Lord our God and so we shall bee directed FINIS THE TRIVMPHS OF GODS REVENGE AGAINST THE CRYING AND Execrable Sinne of Murther Expressed In thirty severall Tragicall Histories digested into six Bookes which containe great variety of mournfull and memorable Accidents Amorous Morall and Divine Booke IV. Written by IOHN REYNOLDS LONDON ¶ Printed by Iohn Haviland for VVILLIAM LEE and are to be sold at his shop in Fleetstreet at the signe of the Turks-Head neere the Mitre Taverne 1634. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE PHILIP EARLE OF PEMBROKE and Montgomery Lo. Chamberlaine to the King one of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Counsell and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter RIGHT HONOURABLE HAving formerly dedicated the third Book of these my Tragicall Histories of Gods Revenge against Murder to your Incomparable Lord and Brother William Earle of Pembroke who now lives with God I therefore held my selfe bound by the double obligation of my duty and your own generous merits likewise to present this Fourth Booke to your Protection and Patronage because as England so Europe perfectly knowes that you are as true an heire to his Vertues as to his Fortunes and to his Goodnesse as to his Greatnesse and that therfore it may properly be said he is not dead because they as well as himselfe do still survive and live in you with equall lustre and glory as having made either a happie Metamorphosis or a blessed Transmigration into your Noble breast and resolutions and therefore as it was my sincere respects and zeale to his Honour that then drew me to that ambition so it is entirely the same which hath now both invited and induced me to this prâ—…sumption to your Lordship having no other ends or object in this my Dedication but that this booke of mine having the honour to be countenanced by so great a personage and the felicity to be protected by so honourable a Mecaenas may therefore encounter the more safely with the various humors it shall meet with and abide more securely the different censures of this our too fastidious age How these Histories or the memorable accidents which they containe and relate will relish with your Lordships palate or judgement I know not Only because you are a Noble Son of Gods Church and an Excellent Servant to your Prince and Countrey I therfore rather hope than presume that your Honor will at least be pleased to see if not delight to know and consider how the Triumphs of Gods Revenge and punishments doth herein secretly and providently meet with this crying and scarlet sinne of premeditated Murther and with the bloudy and inhumane Perpetrators thereof who hereby as so many mercilesse Butchers and prodigious Monsters of mankind doe justly make themselves odious to Men and execrable to God and his Angels God hath deservedly honoured your Lordship with the favour of two great Earthly Kings your Soveraignes as first of our royallKing Iames the father and now of our present most Renowned King Charles his Son and yet this externall Honour and favour of theirâ—… is no way so glorious to you as that maugre the reigning vices of the world you serve the true God of heaven in the purity of your heart and feare and adore him in the integrity of your Soule And to represent you with naked Truth and not with Eloquence or Adulation This Heavenly Piety of yours I beleeve is the prime reason and true Essentiall cause of all this your earthly Honour and sublunary Greatnesse and that this is it likewise which doth so rejoyce your heart and inrich and replenish your House with so numerous and Noble an Issue of hopefull and flourishing Children who as so many Olive branches of Vertue and Syents and Plants of Honour doe both inviron your Bed and surround your Table and who promise no lesse than futurely to magnifie the bloud and to perpetuate and immortalize the Illustrious Name and Family of the Herberts to all Posterity Goe on resolutely and constantly Noble Lord in your religious Piety to God and in your Candide and unstained Fidelity to your Prince and Countrey that your life may triumph o're your death and your Vertues contend to out-shine your Fortunes and that hereafter God of his best favour and mercy may make you as blessed and as glorious a Saint in Heaven as now you are a great Peere and Noble Pillar here on Earth which none shall pray for with more true zeale nor desire or wish with more reall and unfained affection than Your Honours devoted and Most humble Servant Iohn Reynolds The Grounds and Contents of these Histories History XVI Idiaques causeth his sonne Don Ivan to marrie Marsillia and then commits Adultery and Incest with her She makes her Father in Law Idiaques to poyson his old wife Honoria and likewise makes her owne brother De Perez to kill her Chamber-maid Mathurina Don Ivan afterwards kils De Perez in a Duell Marsillia hath her braiâ—… dasht out by a horse and her body is afterwards condemned to be burnt Idiaques is beheaded his body consumed to ashes and throwne into the ayre History XVII Harcourt steales away his brother Vimoryes wife Masserina and keepes her in Adulterie She hireth Tivoly an Italian Mountebanke to poyson La Precoverte who was Harcourts wife
off with peremptory refusals and in vertuous and modest tearmes checks his age for this his lascivious suit and motion to her But he is as constant in his affection to her as she is disdainfull to him for his heart is so insnared and intangled in the fetters of her fresh and delicate beautie that although shee refuse him yet he will not forsake her but after many pursuits and visits she at last well perceiving that he loved her tenderly and dearly and that hee still most importunately frequented her house and company she as a subtill and cunning young Gentlewoman tels him plainly and privately that she will acquaint him with a secret of her heart and a request of her minde and affection which if hee will cause to be performed shee then vowes she will for ever be at his disposing and command Idiaques thinking that she will crave some summe of money of him or some yearely pension or annuity he constantly promiseth to grant and performe her request so she taking time at advantage and first swearing him to secrecie then with many smiles and blushes shee tels him that if ever he thinke to enjoy her love and her selfe hee must use the meanes to marry his sonne Don Ivan to her which being effected shee with much pretended shew of piety and affection religiously sweares to him that shee will never have the power or will to deny him any thing but that his requests shall bee to her as so many commands and but onely for himselfe if his sonne Don Ivan bee her Husband shee with many imprecations and asseverations sweares that shee will sacrifice her best bloud and life rather than distaine his bed or offer him the least shadow of any scandall or dishonour whatsoever Idiaques wondreth with admiration and admires with wonder at this her strange proposition the which hee findes so knotty and intricate as measuring Grace by Nature his Judgement by his Lust and Concupiscence and his Soule by his Affections hee knowes not what to say or doe herein so hee answereth her with more love than wisdome and for that time leaves her in generall tearme Hee goes homes walkes pensively in his Garden and there consults Pro and Con on this businesse faine hee would preserve his sonnes honour and keepe the honour of his bed immaculate but then the sweet Roses and Lillies of Marsillia's youth and beauty act wonders in his heart and beares downe all other reasons and considerations before it Hee visits her againe and againe but hee findes her inviolably constant in her former resolution All the favour and courtesie which he can gaine from her are a few extorted kisses which so inflame and set on fire his aged heart and affections as at last like a gracelesse father hee faithfully promiseth her to use his best art and power to procure his sonne to marrie her To which end hee takes him aside and in the softest and sweetest tearmes hee can devise paints out Marsillia's praises and Vertues to him in the purest and rarest colours adding withall that although shee bee not exceeding rich yet that her personage is so exquisite and her perfections so excellent as that shee every way meriteth to bee wife to a Prince Don Ivan by what fatall fortune I know not relisheth this motion of his father to seeke the Lady Marsillia for his wife with much delight and joy and farre the more and the sooner in regard hee in divers companies hath formerly heard the fame of her beauty extolled and the glory of her Vertues advanced to the Skie so hee takes time of his father to consider hereof and rides over sometimes with him to Saint Estiene to visit her Hee findes her wonderfull faire and beautifull and wonderfull coy of a very sweet and Majesticall carriage and of a delicate and curious speech fit baits to ensnare the heart and to betray the judgement of a more solide understanding than that of Don Ivan Shee acts her part as wisely as he doth amarously and passionately For the more she makes shew to retire and conceale her affection from him the more he is provoked to advance and discover his to her but he cannot be so much enamoured of her beauty as shee is with the great Estate of Lands and Demaines whereunto God and his father have made him heire Whiles thus the father privately and the sonne publikely are seeking to make Marsillia his wife the old Lady Honoria the mother by many strong reasons seeks to divert him from her Shee hath perfect notice of her husbands long and often frequenting of Marsillia's house and company and therefore fearing the vanity of his age and doubting the frailty of her youth and chastity her jelousie and judgement at last findes out and concludes that his familiarity with her is farre greater than honour can warrant or honesty allow of Upon which foundation shee in her discontented lookes and silence bewrayes unto her sonne Don Ivan her constant and resolute aversnesse from him to marry her the which she peremptorily and religiously forbids him upon her blessing adding withall that if he marry her there will infallibly more miseries and calamities attend their nuptials than as yet it is possible for him either to know or conceive the which shee prayes him to read in her lookes and silence to remember it when he sees her not and to take it as the truest advise and securest Counsell of a deere Mother to her onely Sonne Don Ivan ruminates on these speeches and advise of his Mother as if there were some deepe abstruse mysterie or ambiguous Oracle contained and hidden therein the which because he hath equall reason as well to feare that this match of his with Marsillia may prove fatall as to hope and beleeve that it may prove fortunate he makes a stand thereat as vowing to proceed therein with advisement and not with temeritie and precipitation and so forbeares for a month or two to visit her But the more the Sonne flyes off in his affection from Marsillia the more doth shee doe the like from his father in requitall whereat he grieves with discontent and shee seemes to bite her lippe with sorrow Idiaques chargeth his son to tell him from whence this his sudden strangenesse and unkindnesse towards Marsillia proceedeth the which hee answereth with a modest excuse as favouring more of discretion than disobedience but yet wholly concealeth his Mothets counsell and advise to him from his Father the which notwithstanding hee vehemently suspecteth it proceeds from her and her Jealousie Marsillia is enraged to see her selfe deprived of Don Ivan whom in her ambitious thoughts hopes and wishes shee had already made her Husband and howsoever Idiaques his Father seekes to conceale and palliate this businesse towards her yet shee beleeves it is his fault and not his Sonnes Shee layes it to his charge and knitting her browes shee conjureth him to tell her from whence his Sons unkindnesse to her proceeds He tels her he is
chiefest Mannor house with eight hundred Crownes of yearely Revenew and all his Goods and Chattels To Hautemont his second son he gave his second Mannor house worth foure hundred Crownes yearely and fifteene hundred Crownes in his purse by his Testament Estates which though it came short of their bloud yet it exceeded that of most of the Gentlemen their neighbours and is held in France at least the double if not the triple of as much here with us in England So having neither the happinesse or the care to be accompanied with any sister or other brothers they interchangeably sweare a strict league of brotherly love and deare affection each to other which by their Vertues and Honours they sweare shall never receive end but with the end of their lives They many times consult together for the conduction and improving of their Estates which they promise to manage with more frugality than lustre and with more solide discretion than vaine ostentation or superfluity and not to live in Paris or to follow the Court but to build up their residence in the Countrey To which end they cut off many unprofitable mouths both of servants horses and hounds which their father kept They likewise vow each to other to bee wonderfull charie and carefull in their mariages as well fore-seeing and knowing it to be the greatest part of their earthly felicity or misery So here we may see and observe many faire promises rich designes and resolutions and many sweet covenants voluntarily drawne up betweene these two brothers which if they make good and performe no doubt but the end thereof will bee successefull and prosperous unto them or if otherwise the contrary But before I wade farther in the streame and current of this History I must first declare that by the death of Vimory the father and by the custome of France we must now wholly abandon and take away the title of Hautemont from the second brother futurely to give him that of Harcourt the eldest and that from Harcourt the eldest to give him that of Vimory their father for by the right and vertue of the premised reasons these are now become their proper names and appellations which the Reader is prayed to observe and remember A yeare and halfe is not fully expired and past away since their father past from Earth to Heaven but the eldest brother Monseiur De Vimory being extreamly ambitious and covetous of wealth and understanding that a rich Counsellour of the Court of Parliament of Dijon named Monseiur De Basigni was dead and had left a very rich widow of some forty yeares of age named Madamoyselle Masserina he earnestly seekes her in marriage Shee is of short stature corpulent and fat of a coale-blacke haire and if fame towards her bee a true and not a tatling goddesse she hath and still is a lover of Veâ—…s and a Votaresse who often sacrificeth to Cupids lascivious Altars and Shrines Harcourt is very averse and bitter against this match for his brother They have many serious consultations hereon Hee alleageth him the inequality of her age and birth in comparison of his her corpulency the ill getting of her Husbands goods who was held a corrupt Lawyer and as the voyce of the world went who gained his wealth by the teares and curses of many of his ruined and decayed Clients and when he saw that nothing would prevaile to disswade his brother from her he rounds him in his eare that it was spoken and bruted in Diion that she was not as chaste as rich nor so continent as covetous Vimory is all enraged hereat and chargeth Harcourt his brother to name the reporters of this foule scandall vomited forth quoth he against the vertues and honour of chaste Masserina Harcourt replies that hee speakes it wholly upon fame no way upon knowledge much lesse upon beleefe so Vimory being wilfully deafe to his brothers advice and requests and preferring Masserina's wealth to her honesty hee marries her But shee is so wise for her selfe as first both by promise and contract shee ties him to this condition that he shall receive all her rents which are some twelve hundred Crownes per Annum she to put her ready money to Use into whose hands she pleaseth and he also to have the one halfe of the interest money but the principall still to remaine in her owne right propriety and possession and as well in her life as death to be wholly at her owne disposing Not long after Harcourt being at a great wedding of a Gentleman his Cousin Germaine at the City of Troyes in Champagne he there at the balles or publike dancing espies a most sweet and beautifull young Gentlewoman whom he presently fancieth and affects for his wife He enquires what shee is and findes her to be named Madamoyselle La Precoverte daughter to an aged Gentleman of that City tearmed Monseiur de la Vaquery Harcourt courts the daughter seeks the father finds the first willing and the second desirous but at last he plainly and honestly informes Harcourt that his daughters chiefest wealth are her vertues and beautie that he hath not much land and lesse mony that hee hath two great suits of Law for store of Lands depending in the Parliament of Diion which promise him store of money and that he will futurely impart a great part thereof to him if he will marrie his daughter the which for the present he tels him he is content to make good confirme to him both by bond contract Harcourt loves his faire young Mistresse La Precoverte so tenderly and dearly as he is ready to espouse her on those tearmes but he will first acquaint his brother Vimory therewith and take his advice therein Vimory informes his brother Harcourt that he knowes Monseiur De Vaquery of Troyes to be a very poore Gentleman that most of his lands are morgaged out and in great danger never to be redeemed that his law suits are as uncertaine as the following thereof chargeable Harcourt extols the beauty of La Precoverte to him to the skie Vimory replies that beauty fades and withers with a small time and that those who preferre it to wealth are many times enforced to feed on repentance in stead of content and joy and to looke poverty in the face in stead of prosperity But Harcourt having deeply setled his affection on La Precoverte he rejecteth this true and whole sâ—…ne counsell of his brother and so marries her When forgetting his former promise to his brother hee in a small time turnes a great Prodigall abandoneth himselfe to all filthy vices and beastly course of life and as a most deboshed and gracelesse Husband within one yeare hee for no cause quarrelleth very often with this his faire and deare wife then whom neither Champagne nor Burgundie had a more beautifull or vertuous young Gentlewoman shee was of stature tall and slender of a bright flaxen haire a gratious eye a modest countenance a pure
meanes and such a one as indeed Masserina holdes every way a fit agent and instrument for her turne and purpose She is glad of this advertisement and will neither give nor receive any truce from her heart or her heart from her revenge before she have seene and spoken with Tivoly The which to effect shee to Harcourt pretends a sodaine ach in her right arme and so upon good advise tells him that she is very desirous to goe to the Bathes of Pougges by Nevers there to stay some fifteene or twenty dayes at farthest Harcourt no way once dreaming of her inveterate malice and farre lesse of her revengefull and bloody intents towards the safety and life of his wife La Precoverte approves of her resolution and journey but intreats her to be wonderfull carefull of her selfe her health and safety and proffereth to accompany her himselfe she with many kisses deerely thankes him for his care of her and affection to her herein answereth him that his stay in Lyons will make her journey the more safe short so she accepts of the man for the master and only takes Noell along with her who respects her so well as he cares not for her sight much lesse for her company She arrives at Nevers and impatient of all delay the next morning findes out Tivoly at Pougges being a very tall man of a cole blacke beard and of a wanne and sullen countenance shee by his Phisiognomie judgeth that her hopes will not be deceived of him The second day she breakes with him about het hellish businesse and findes him tractable to her devillish intents They proceed to this lamentable bargaine and shee is to give him one hundred Crownes in hand and a faithfull promise of a hundred and fiftie more when he hath effected it as also fiftie Crownes for the Charge of his journey the which she limits at fifteene dayes so having settled this her businesse she now names the party to Tivoly whom she will have him to poyson La Precoverte to be the woman who resides and dwels with her Father Monseiur La Vaquery a poore Gentleman in the Citie of Troyes in Champagne and shee a young Gentlewoman of some twentie yeares of age of a flaxen haire and very sickly When giving him a small Saphir Ring from her Finger she therewith sweares him both to the performance and to the secrecie of this murther the which armed by the Divell hee doth When being exceeding glad of this his bloody imployment which brings him store of gold the which hee esteemes the Elixar of his heart and the felicitie and glory of his life and which indeed was the maine businesse that brought him on this side the Alpes from Italy to France Thus without any feare of God or thought of Heaven or Hell these murtherous and damnable miscreants have concluded and shut up this their bloody bargaine Our poore sweet La Precoverte having received her Husbands Letter from Geneâ—… and considering the contents thereof as also that of her Sister in Law Masserina she knowes not what to thinke either of their Letters or of themselves she sees her letter to promise much zeale and devotion to God and his much affection to her and yet remembring his former unkindenesse I may say crueltie towards her as also the manner of their base and clandestine departure then she thinks the first to be false and the second feigned and rherfore conceives she hath far more reasons to dispaire than to hope either of their Innocencie or their returne But this is her resolution Harcourt is her Husband therefore shee will still love him dearely She is his wife and therefore shee will for ever pray for him and his prosperitie religiouslie Thus hoping and many times with many heavie sighes and bitter teares wishing and desiring his happy returne and vertuous reformation she in his absence lives pensively and sorrowfully with her Father rather as a widdow than a wife and such is her miserable Estate and poore and sorrowsull fortune that she well knowes not whether she may more grieve or reioyce that God hitherto hath given her no Childe For ah me she is so invironed with afflictions so incompassed with calamities so assaulted with sicknesse and so weighed downe with sadnesse and disconsolation as shee reputes her life worse than death and either wisheth her Husband athome with her or her selfe in Heaven with God But Alas alas deere sweet young Gentlewoman little doest thou thinke or dreame now thou desirest death what a hellish plot there is contrived and intended against thy life by these two bloody Factors and Agents of the Devill Tivoly and thy Sister Masserina O Masserina Masserina the disgrace of thy name the infamy of thy family the shame of thy time and the scandal of thy sexe O how I want words not teares to condemne thy cruell rage and to execrate thy infernall malice and fury thus to resolve to imbrue thy guilty hands in the innocent blood of thy chast and vertuous Sister in Law La Precoverte for was it not sinne and lust enough for thee to have heretofore bereaved her of the love and presence of her Husband but that thou wilt now be so wretched and inhumane as likewise to rob her of her life O griefe O shame O pittie that thou shouldest once dare to thinke thereof much lesse to attempt it I meane so lamentable a crime and so bloody a fact which assure thy selfe as there is a God in Heaven will never goe long unpunished in Earth But I must proceed in this our sad and mournefull History and rherefore with an unwilling and trembling resolution I am enforced to declare that this limbe of the Divell Tivoly rides away to Troyes where he speedily and secretly makes profession of his Empery When understanding that Monseiur de la Vaquery is constantly in the Citie he with an Italian impudence and policy soone skrewes and insinuates himselfe into his Company And as it is the vanitie of our times and the weakenesse and imbecility of our Iudgements in any profession whatsoever still to preferre and respect strangers before our owne Countreymen so Monseiur de la Vaquery hearing this Italian to devoure Latine at his pleasure and rather to vomit than utter forth whole Catalogues of phisicall phrases which hee had stollen not learnt from Aristotle Galen and Parecellsus His ignorance beleeves him to be very learned and therefore hee holdes him a most fit Phisitian to cure his Daughter La Precoverte of her consumption whereinto as before she was deeply and dangerouslie fallen by the unparalleld griefes and sorrowes which she conceived for her husbands former unkindnesse to her but more especially for his present absence and flight with his lascivious Sister Masserina So in a most unhappie hower Her Father La Vaquery mentioneth it to Tivoly Which being the only occasion and opportunitie hee gaped for he freely promiseth him his best art and skill for her recovery and the next
two Duellists having first thanked him for his noble Courtesie towards them but otherwise they are exceedingly grieved to see the victory puld out of their hands for the vanity and impiety of either of them flattered and bounded their hopes with no lesse ambition and felicity then each their owne life and either of them the death of his adversary But as they are gratefull to the Earle of Lucerni for this his honourable courtesie towards them yet they are so irreligious as they looke not up to Heaven nor once have the Grace to thinke of God much lesse to thanke his divine Majesty for now so mercifully and so gratiously withdrawing them as it were from out the very Iawes of death but still they retaine their malice and cherish and foment their revenge each to other especially Borlary to Planeze for it is a Continuall private griefe and a secret Corrasive to his content and minde to see that hee is inforced to weare the willow Garland and that Planeze must beare away his faire and beautifull Mistres Felisanna from him But we will for a little time leave them to their thoughts and their thoughts to God and so againe speake of Romeo the Laquey of Borlari who as a wretched and most execrable villane comes now to act a bloody and wofull part in this History For we must here understand that this lewd Laquey Romeo is so extreamly incensed with Choller and inraged with malice against the Lady Felisanna for the losse of his eare as being seduced and encouraged by the Devill hee was once of the minde to have murthered her in the street the very first time he had met or seene her but then againe respecting his master Borlari whom he knew affected her tenderly and deerely hee forsooke that opinion of his and resolved to wreake his wrath and indignation upon her-three servants who were the Actors of cutting off his eare as he was the Author therof But then againe remembring that he knew them not nor any of them for that they were all purposely masked and disguised He then swaps a bargaine with the devill and the devill with him that the storme of this his malice and revenge should assuredly fall on Radegonda her Chambermaid from whom it originally proceeded and from this resolution hee is so execrably prophane and bloudy as he vowes that neither Heaven or Earth God or man shall divert him But as Envy cannot prove so pernitious an enemy to others as to her selfe so Revenge will in the end assuredly make us as miserable as first it fasly promised to make us happy Romeo continueth still resolute in his rage and implacable in his revenge towards Radegonda and yet poore innocent harmelesse soule shee was not so much as guilty of a badde thought muchlesse of a bad action or office towards him and therefore least deserving this his revenge when waiting many Nights for her as shee issued forth in the street in her Ladies errands hee at last in a darke night found her and there slew her with his rapier giving her foure severall wounds whereof he mought have spared the three last because the verie first was mortall and thereuppon betooke himselfe to his heeles and fled through the streets where the people flocked together at the report and knowledge of this lamentable Murther but God is so exasperated at this foule and lamentable fact of his as in his Starre-chamber of Heaven he hath ordained and decreed that Romeo shall instantly receive condigne punishment for the same as not deserving to survive it for running through the streets to provide for his safety and life He at last tooke the river of Addice neere the old castle where thinking to swimme over to the other side or to hide himselfe in some of the mill-boates hee was discovered by the sentinells for the watch was already set and the newes of this murther was by this time resounding and ecchoing in all parts of the City The Souldiours of the Castle suspected him to bee the murtherer they send a boat after him and apprehend him so by the criminall Iudges he is committed to prison for that night and being the next morning accused by Seignior Miniata by way of torture and by the Lady Felisanna his daughter by legall order for the murthering of her Chambermaid Radegonda he without any thought of feare or shew of sorrow or repentance freely confesseth it for the which he is presently condemned to bee hanged and the same day after dinner hee was accordingly dispatched and executed notwistanding that his master Borlari used his best friends and power yea and proffered two hundred zechines to save him Thus wee see there was but one poore night betweene Romeoes taking away of Radegondaes life and losing of his owne and betweene her murthering and his hanging At his execution hee spake not a word either of the losse of his eare by the Lady Felisanna or of that of Radegondaes haire by his master Borlari whereat both of them exceedingly rejoyce and no lesse doth Planeze But for the other speeches which this bloudy footman delivered on the ladder at this execution they were either so ungodly or so impertinent as the relation thereof no way deserves my pen or my Readers knowledge And here to leave the dead Servant Romeo returne wee againe to speake of his living Master Borlari who after he had spent much time and labour and as I may say ran his invention and wit out of breath to seeke to prevent that Planeze mought not marry the fayre Felisanna hath notwithstanding to his matchlesse griefe and unseparable sorrow sees that it is al bootlesse and in vaine for by this time she through the importunity of her teares and prayers hath obtained her father Miniataes consent to take and enjoy Seignior Planeze for her Husband when to both their hearts delight and content they are solemnely married in Verona and in that height of pompe and bravery as is requisite to their noble ranke and quality When Planeze the more to please his new wife leaves Mantova and wholly builds up his residence in Verona with her and in her father Miniataes house who never hated him so much heretofore as now he deepely affects and loves him and to say and write the truth hee well deserved that affection of the father and this love of the daughter sith the lustre and vertue of his actions made it apparant to all Verona yea to all Italy that hee proved a most kinde and loving Husband to the one and a most obedient and respective sonne in law to the other Now although Felisanna bee thus marryed to Planeze yet the affection of Borlari to her is still so far from fading or withring thereat as it reâ—…iveth and flourisheth at the sight of her pure and delicate beauty for those golden tresses of her haire those splendant raies of her sparkling eyes and thosedelicious lilies and Roses of her cheekes doe act such wonders in his heart and his heart
in his resolutions that his lust ecclipsing his judgement and outbraving his disdiscretion he cannot he will not refraine to trie if he can yet procure and get her to be his friend though not his wife and so futurely to obtaine that curtesie from her by the eye which formerly he knew it impossible for him to get by the maine To which end his affection or rather his folly giving no truce to his thoughts nor peace to his minde because both the one and the other were still ranging and ruminating on Felisannaes sweet Idea and delitious feature Hee enters into a consideration and consultation with himselfe whether hee should bewray his amorous flame to her by himselfe or by some other or either by his penne or his tongue when after hee had proposed and exchanged many poore reasons and triviall Motives Pro and Con hee at last resolves on the last which is to doe it by letters when hying himselfe to his closet he traceth her these lines which by a confident friend of his he forth with sends her BORLARY to FELISANNA I Will crave no other witnesse but thy selfe of my fervent love and constant affection to thee for none can better testifie how I alwaies made it my chiefest Care and Ambition to make the dignity of my zeale answerable to that of thy beauty and that this mought be as truely Immortall as that is devinely rare and rarely excellent which to confirme I have sealed it with some bloud but with more teares so that although thou hast given thy affection from mee to Planeze yet my heart and soule tells me it is impossible to give mine to any but to the Lady Felisanna And because thou canst not bee my wife therefore I pray be pleased to resolve to live my friend as in requitall I doe dye thy Servant I confesse I am not worthy of thy affection much lesse to enjoy the sweet fruit thereof thy sweet selfe yet because I cannot be more thine then I am therefore I pray thee make thy selfe as much mine as thou mayest be Thy heart shall not be a truer Secretary to our affections then my tongue and for the times and places of our meetings I wholly referre it to thy will and pleasure which mine shall ever carefully attend and religiously obey I send the my whole heart inclosed in this Letter and if thou vouchsafe to returne me a peice of thine in exchange Heaven may but Earth cannnot crosse our affection BORLARY The Lady Flisanna receives this letter with much wonder and ore reades it with more Contempt and Choller for if she disdained Borlari and his affection when she was a maid much more doth shee now when God and her Husband have made her a wife Once shee was of opinion to have throwne this his Letter into the fire and have answered it with disdaine and silence But then againe considering the vainity of his thoughts and the obscaenity of his desireâ—…â—…hee conceived he mought peradventure repute her silence to a degree of consent and therefore though not in affection to him yet in discretion and love to her honour she resolves to returne him an answer when knitting her browes with anger dipping her pen in gall and vinegar and setting a sharp edge of contempt and Choller on her resolutions she hastily frame her Letter and gives it to his owne Messenger to deliver it to Borlari whose heart steering his course betwixt hope and feare till hee receive it he first kissing it and then hastily breaking up the seales thereof findes that it speakes this language FELISANNA to BORLARY IF thou want any witnesses of thy folly not of thy affection thy obstinate and vaine perseverance herein of one makes me capable to serve for many And if thou hadst beene as truely carefull and ambitious of thine owne honour as thou falsâ—… pretendest to be of my poore beauty thou wouldest not so often have sacrificed thy shame to my glory nor so sottishly have cast away thy bloud or teares on my contempt How thou intendest to dispose of thy self I neither desire to know nor care to understand But as I have given my soule to God so God hath given my heart to my husband Planeze from whom neither the malice of Sathan or power of hell shall withdraw it and therefore as I am Felisanna I detest thy lustfull sute and as Planezes wife I deâ—…ie both it and thy selfe And thus to bee thy friend thou shalt finde mee thy friend but for such servants as thy selfe I leave them to their owne proper Infamy and Repentance I make God the Secretary of my â—…ctions and my husband of my affections therefore it shall please me well when I understand that thy tongue wil recant thy folly I repent thy indiscretion towards me in seeking to erect the Trophees of thy lascivious lust upon the ruines of my pure and candid honour And I assure thee that if hereafter thou inspire and fortifie not thy heart with more religious and lesse sinfull desires and affections that Earth can and Heaven will make thee as truely miserable as now thou falsly thinkest thy selfe fortunate FELISANNA Borlari at the reading of this Letter of Felisanna is so galled with griefeand netled with sorrow to see his refusall sent him in her disdaine as he knows not to what passion to betake himselfe for ease or to what Saint for comfort for the consideration of her coynesse and cruelty makes his dispaire to gaine so much on his hopes that once he was minded absolutely to forsake her and to court her affection no more but then againe his lustfull heart and desires remembring the freshnesse of her beauty and the sweetnesse of her youth hee held himselfe a coward every way unworthy to enjoy so faire a Lady and so sweet an Angell if hee retyred upon her first denyall especially because as those Citties and Castles so those Ladies and Gentlewomen who entertaine a pearle are already halfe wonne In which consideration because it many times proves an errour in Nature but still in judgement to flatter our selves most with that which we most hope for and desire He therefore once more resolves to hazard another letter to her as having some reasons to beleive that his second may perchance obtaine that from her which his first could not for that he knowes that most ladies and gentlewomen pride themselves with this felicity to be often sought and importunately sued unto by their lovers wherfore resolving once more to try his fortune and her courtesie hee by his former messenger greets her with these lines BORLARY to FELISANNA THy sweet and excellent beautie hath enkindled so fervent a flame in my heart that thy late disrespect and contempt of me in thy Letter is not sufficiently prevalent to make mee or so soone or so sleightly forsake thee For although thou terme my loue folly and my affection obstinacy yet untill thou cease to bee faire finde it â—…t strange if it be impossible for
of his greatest creditors he is arrested and clapt into prison and his shoppe seized on by them which they finde as empty of drugges as his masters heart was of pitty and his soule of piety And as it is the nature and or rather the misery of prisons that where one man vertuously improves his life and actions their a hundred doe vitiously ruine themselves so Castruchio being one of this last number he there wasteth and consumeth all that he hath or which he can possibly procure and in a few weeke reduceth himselfe to soe extreame poverty and beggery that he is clapt into the common goale among the poorest sort of prisoners who live by the almâ—… and charity of well disposed people his clothes being all tottered and tornâ—… having no bed to lye on nor hardly bread to suffice nature or to maintaine life being abandoned of all his friends and acquaintance who will rather see him starve and dye then relieve him And yet in all these extremities and at the very lowest ebbe of these his wants and miseries hee will yet neither looke downe into his Conscience heart and soule with sorrow nor up to heaven or to God with repentance for all his foule sinnes and vices especially not for this his cruell and lamentable poysoning of Planeze which are the true reasons and the efficient causes of these his miserable calamities and afflictions yea his wants and miseries are so great and infinite here in prison that none whosoever will come thither to see him muchlesse to pitty him and least of all to releive him Only Dorilla a filthy old baud of his more out of importunacy to her then of her courtesie or charity to him although she disdaine to goe herselfe into prison to see Castruchio yet shee is contented sometimes to send him her sonne Bernardo a boy of some sixteene yeares of age to goe his errands so his necessity making his invention pregnant and cleere sighted after hee had tyred all his friends and acquaintance with notes and Letters which returne still empty fisted his memory at the last falles and pitcheth on Borlari who for the bloody reason formerly mentioned hee thinkes the onely fit man of the world to redresse his wants and to releave his weather beaten fortunes and to him hee often sends Bernardo with many pittifull requests and intreaties for money but to write him he dares not Borlari considering that he hath farre more cause and reason to love Castruchio then to hate him for that by vertue of the premises hee sees his owne life to lye at the mercy of his tongue although hee rather wish him in Heaven then in prison yet being extreamely covetous and yet holding himselfe both inconscience and discretion bound to releive him hee therefore sends him some small summes of money but no way enough to buy him cloathes or to maintaine his former prodigalities but rather hardly sufficient to maintaine life in him much lesse to cherish or pamper him And so often doth Castruchio send the boy Bernardo to Borlari for money that at last being weary thereof and resolute to depart with no more money God here makes his covetousnesse partly the meanes to chaulke out a way to his owne confusion and is resolved neither to speake nor to see Bernardo and to that effect gives order to his servants When little Bernardo seeing that he weares out his time and his shooes in vaine to hunt after Borlari whom he knowes will not be spoken with by him he tels Castruchio that he provide himselfe of another messenger towards Borlari for he will goe no more to him because he sees it is wholly impossible for him to speak with him and at this discourtesie of Borlari Castruchio doth now bite his lip with discontent and hung his head for anger and from henceforth he begins to assume badbloud and to conceive dangerous thougâ—… against him but as yet the consideration of his owne safety or danger makes him patient and silent But God will not have him to continue so long for almost presently we shall see his patience burst forth into violence and impetuosity and his silence breake out into extreame choller and indignation against him His old Baud Dorilla as an expert Hag of her sinnefull profession as often as she heares or knowes that Castruchio had any mony from Borlari so often she would come to the prison to him and speedily carouse and consume it with him but when by her sonne Bernardo she sees his purse shut that fountaine exhausted and that her boy could no more see Borlari but a wod den face I meane his doore shut then she resembling her selfe againe forsakes Castruchio and will neither see him nor come neere his prison so that at last he not seeing Bernardo nor once hearing from Borlari in three weekes or well neere a moneth together and being ready to perish starve and dye under the heavy burthen and pressure of his wants hee earnestly sends for Dorilla to come to him and causeth her to be informed that if she will come to him and deliver a letter to a friend of his he will speedily send him some store of mony and then shee shall have a share and part thereof so when no other respect or consideration will then this of mony againe brings this old filthy Beldam Dorilla to the prison to Castruchio who having provided her a bottle of wine and five Gazettaes to drinke by the way thereby the more carefully to effect his businesse hee exceedingly incensed with choller and revenge against Borlari for this ingratitude towards him writes him this angry Letter and deepely chargeth Dorilla with speed care and secresie to deliver it into Borlari his owne hands and to no other which Letter of his spake this language CASTRVCHIO to BORLARY THou knowest that for three hundred Dukatons which thou gavest me I poysoned Seignior Planeze in a Vomit and wilt thou now be so hard and cruell hearted against me to suffer me to dye in prison for want of so small a summe as twenty Dukatons I am made of the same flesh and bloud as thou art and although my fortunes be so low plunged yet my heart is so high seated and elevated that I give thee to understand I will rather consent to bee hanged then starved Wherefore because my Tragedy will infallibly prove thine if thou meane to prevent the one and to secure thy selfe from the other faile not speedily to send me the said twenty Dukatons by this bearer Dorilla whom I have entrusted with my letter fast sealed and so maist thou with thine but for the secret therein which thou wotest of she is wholly ignorant of it In performing me this courtesie thou shalt not onely tye my tongue and pen but my heart and soule to silence or else not Amiddest thy wealth remember my poverty which if thou forget God hath reserved mee to make thee know that thou doest not use but abuse it and therein thy selfe CASTRVCHIO
saw or knew them May wee reade this their History first to the honour of God and then to our owne Instruction and reformation That the sight and remembrance of these their punishments may deterre us from the impiety and inhumanity of perpetrating the like bloudy crimes Amen GODS REVENGE AGAINST THE CRYING AND Execrable sinne of Murther Lorenzo murthereth his wife Fermia Hee some twenty yeares after as altogether unknowne robbeth his and her sonne Thomaso who likewise not knowing Lorenzo to be his father doth accuse him for that robbery for which he is hanged THose who by the pernitious instigation and fatall temptation of Sathan doe wilfully imbrue their hands in innocent bloud and so make themselves guilty of murther are no longer men but have prodigiously metamorphosed themselves into the nature and quality of devils And as after this their crime they are worthy of all true christians detestation so most commonly without Gods saving grace and mercy their hearts are so obdurated with impenitency of security and their soules seared up and abandoned to all kinds of atheisticall prophannesse and impiety that they are so far from thinking of God as they beleeve there is no God and so far from fearing of his judgements and punishments as they are desperately confident they have not deserved any But because their hearts and actions are as transparent to Gods eyes and knowledge as Gods decrees and resolution are invisible to theirs therefore despight this their blindnesse and the devils malice and subtilty to obscure and conceale it this world will affoord them no true peace nor this life produce them any perfect tranquility But wheresoever they goe or live their guilty thoughts and consciences as so many hellish bloudhounds will incessantly persue and follow them till in the end they drag them to condigne shame misery and confusion for the same which this subsequent history will verifie and make good to us in a wretched and execrable personage whom it mournefully presents to our view and consideration Let us read it in the feare of God that we may weigh that benefit by it which becomes good Christians to make IT is not the meannesse of the personages but the greatnesse and eminence of Gods Judgements which hath prevailed with me to give this History a place among my others The which to draw from the head-spring and originall we must understand that in Italy the Garden of Europe as Europe is that of the whole world and in the City of Genova seated upon the Mediterranean Sea which the Italians for the sumptuousnesse and statelinesse of her buildings doe justly stile and entitle proud Genova neare unto the Arsenall upon the Key there dwelt of late yeares a proper tall young man of a coale blacke haire some twenty five yeares old named Andrea Lorenzo who by his trade was a Baker and was now become Master of his profession and kept forth his Oven and shop for himselfe wherein he was so industrious and provident that in a short time he became one of the prime Bakers of that City and wrought to many Ships and Galleyes of this Estate and Seigniory He in few yeares grew rich was proffered many wives of the daughters of many wealthy Bakers and other Artificers of Genova but he was still covetous and so addicted to the world as he could fancy none nor as yet be resolved or perswaded to seeke any maid or widdow in marriage sith hee knew it to be one of the greatest and most important actions of our life and which infallibly drawes with it either our chiefest earthly felicity or misery But as marriages are made in heaven before consummated on earth So Lorenzo going on a time to the City of Savona which both by Sea and Land is some twenty little miles from Genova and heretofore was a free City and Estate of it selfe but now swallowed up in the power and opulencie of that of Genova he there fell in love with a rich Vintners daughter her father named Iuan Baptista Moron and shee Firmia Moron who was a lovely and beautifull young maiden of some eighteene yeares of age being tall and slender of a pale complection and a bright yellow haire but exceedingly vertuous and religious and endowed with many sweet qualities and perfections who althouhh she were sought in marriage by divers rich young men of very good families of that City with the worst of whom either for estate or extraction Lorenzo might no way compare yet shee could fancie none but him and hee above all the men of the world she secretly in her heart and minde desired might be her Husband Lorenzo with order and discretion seeks Fermia in mariage of her father Moron who is too strong of purse and to high of humour to match his daughter to a Baker or to any other of a mechanicall profession and so gives him a flat and peremptory deniall But Lorenzo finds his daughter more courteous and kinde to his desires for she being as deeply enamoured of his personage as he was of her beauty and vertues after a journey or two which he had made to her at at Savona she consents and yeelds to him to be his wife conditionally that hee can obtaine her fathers good will thereunto but not otherwise which Lorenzo yet feared and doubted would prove a difficult taske for him to compasse and procure for her father knowing Fermia to be his owne and onely childe and daughter and that her beautie and vertuous education together with the consideration of his owne wealth and estate made her every way capable of a farre better husband than Lorenzo As also that his daughter in reason and religion and by the lawes of heaven and earth was bound to yeeld him all duty and obedience because of him she had formerly received both life and being therefore he was resolute that Lorenzo should not have his daughter to wife neither would he ever hearken to accept or consent to take him for his sonne in Law Lorenzo having thus obtained the heart and purchased the affection of his sweet and deare Fermia he now out of his fervent desire and zeale to see her made his wife and himselfe her husband makes it both his ambition and care according to her order to drawher father Moron to consent thereunto wherein the more importunate humble and dutifull he both by himselfe friends is to Moron the more imperious averse and obstinate is he to Lorenzo as disdaining any farther to heare of this his suit and motion for his daughter But Lorenzo loves the daughter too tenderly and dearly thus to be put off with the first repulse and deniall of her father and so notwithstanding hee againe persevereth in his suit towards him with equall humility and resolution Hee requesteth his consent to their affections with prayers and his daughter Fermia having formerly acquainted her father with her deare and inviolable love to Lorenzo she now prayes him thereto with teares But as one who
reason or of good nature or pitty in him at all his former knowledge of her miseries and now this present assurance and confirmation thereof should have perswaded him to grant her if not the first yet the second of her requests which was to receive her and give her maintenance but hee is still so hard hearted to her as he will neither releive her wants nor pitty her afflictions but more out of hatred then affection to her thinks he hath done enough in sending her not his love but this his sharp letter in answer of hers MORON to FERMIA IF thy Husband prove not to thy liking thou hast just reason to thanke thy selfe and to condemne thine owne temerity and disobedience in choosing him and if his affection bee so soone forgotten or frozen to thee it is a just punishment of God because thine was so first to me whereof as that is the effect so doubtlesse this is the prime and originall cause thereof and as his vices and prodigality hath spent all his estate so I have not so little judgement though thou so small understanding to thinke that mine shall redeeme it which upon the whole were then to immytate and second him in his folly and consequently to make my selfe guilty in consuming it And because thou fleddest with him without my knowledge from Savona to Genoua and didst there marry him without my consent therefore it is neither thy Griefe nor Misery or thy shame and repentance which shall induce me either to respect or pitty thee as my daughter or which is lesse to releive and entertaine thee as my handmaid you both are young enough to worke and labour for your living as thy mother and my selfe did for ours and therefore know that thy youth deserves no compassion from my age and if this will not satisfie thee then the best advise and counsell which I can or will give thee is that thou continually direct thy prayers to God for thy releife and consolation And herein thou wilt then serve thy selfe please mee and glorifie him And as thou regardest my Commands or desirest my blessing let me neither see thee or hereafter heare any more of thy vaine and foolish Letters MORON The receit of this her fathers unkinde and cruell letter to her doth at one time kill both her hopes with dispaire and her heart with griefe or if that doe not then the mad tyranny and new cruelty of her deboshed husband doth for now contrary to nature beyond reason and opposite to Grace he many times beates her she is all in teares hereat useth all possible meanes to reclaime him from his new vices to his old vertues She continually perswades him fairely with exhortations sweetly with sighes and deerely with teares yea poore sweet young woman shee many times casts herselfe at his feet and with her armes crossed her hands elevated towards heaven her haire dishevelled and dandling about her cheekes and her pearled teares bedewing the lillies of her mournefull and disconsolate countenance begs him to forsake his vices to himselfe and his undeserved unkindnesse and cruelty towards her But all this is in vaine for hee proves death to her requests and prayers and blinde to her sighes and teares He hath no longer mony to buy corne and is so farre from selling any bread to others as he hath scarce enough to give to himselfe and to his great bellied wife and as for his servants hee is inforced to put them all away His vanity to himselfe and cruelty to his wife is too too lamentably notorious and remarkeable for when he wants mony he beats her if she will not presently supply his wants and furnish his expences Now in the middest of all these her griefes and miseries God sends her a faire young sonne of whom the father is not worthy no nor of his vertuous wife who bore it For had not the care affection and charity of her neighbours beene farre greater then that of her husband to her both the mother had miscarryed and the childe perished in the sharpe throwes and agony of her delivery and the name of this her little sonne whom she causeth to be christened in a very poore manner and ceremony is Thomaso for she is so poore as she hath nothing but raggs to wrappe and cover him with and therefore with much griefe and shame she begges poore linnen clouts of her neighbours to keepe him cleane and sweet When it is waking she lookes and kisseth it often with joy but when it sleepes or suckes then shee grieves that it is so unfortunate both in a wicked father and poore disconsolate mother who hath more meanes to lament and pitty then milke to feed and nourish it Shee often shewes her husband his child and importunately begges him hence forth to have a more provident care of himselfe for his childes sake and of his childe for his owne sake But hee as a lewd husband and too degenerate a father doth neither love nor care for either but hates both of them yea his vices crueltie makes her sorrow so infinit that she reputes herselfe a burthen to herselfe a thousandtimes wisheth she were in heaven And one time among the rest after her husband without cause had given her many bitter words and some sharpe and cruell blowes her childe being in its cradle he gone forth from her in choller she fals downe on her knees to prayer the which so soone as shee had ended and her childe awaking and crying she takes it up in her armes and mournfully sitting downe on the floore by her bed side she weeping as fast as her poore infant babe sucked having bolted her chamber doore was over-heard by one of her neighbours twixt whom and her selfe there was but a wainscot enterclose and partition to pronounce these or the like sorrowfull speeches to her selfe O poore Fermia it had beene an infinite happinesse for thee if thou hadst never seene thy Husband Lorenzo or perished and sunke in the Sea when thou fleddest with him from Sevona to Genova before hee was thy Husband For surely thou hast great causeto thinke and reason to beleeve that this cruelty of his towards thee is a just plague and punishment sent thee from God for disobeying thy father in marrying without his consent and blessing with whom when thou livedst single thou hadst so much felicity and joy as thou knewest not what belonged to sorrow and misery and now living a wife to this thy Husband thou art enforced to taste so much griefe and misery as thou knowest no more what belongs to joy and felicity Then thou didst surfet with the choice of the costliest meats and viands and now thou art ready to starve meerly for want of bread Then thy apparrell was rich but now rent and torne Then thy beauty made thee sought in mariage by divers and now the griefes and sorrowes having defaced and withered it thou art contemned and hated of him who maried thee For can thy griefes
resolves with himselfe to returne them a sharpe answer and commands Iaquinta to doe the like the which they both write and send backe to them by Bernardo who returning to Cardura hee deliuereth his two young Ladies and Mistresses these two Letters and they speedily and privatly retiring themselves to a close shaddowed arbour in the Garden they there with much earnest desire and impatiencie first breake up that of their Father wherein contrary to their hopes but not to their feares they finde this language STRENI to BABTISTYNA and AMARANTHA IF it be not purposely to crosse your owne good fortunes you would not so rashly and peremâ—… torily have attempted to crosse my good intentions and affection towards you in sendiâ—… you to Cardura but would have brooked it with as much patience as I see you doe with discontent and before this act of your disobedience now reveal'd mee in your Letter I held you for my Daughters not for mine enemies and my house of Cardura to be rather a Pallace then a Prison for you So if you knew how ill those errours of yours become you you would rather redeeme them with repentance and teares then remember them either with the least thought of delight or conceipt or sense of joy Nay thinke with your selves what modesty it was what wisedome it is for your greene youth to presume or to dare presume to teach my gray age how or when to chase you husbands when God knowes that neither your yeares nor your discretion doe as yet make you capable to thinke of husbands and if you have any judgement remayning in you then judge with your selves how false and incongruous your reasons are when in words you pretend to obey my commands and yet in effects you wilfully oppose and contradict them And having used me with so small respect see againe with how much untruth and envy you abuse your sister Iaquinta who to my knowledge is as innocent of those false aspersions of pride and malice towards you as your selves are guilty of them towards her sith shee loves nothing more and you affect nothing lesse then humility and charity their contraries for believe me I finde her to bee your true friend and your selves to be the greatest and onely enemies to your selves for otherwise you cannot live in the smallest degree of despaire discontent or misery because such is my care of your education and maintenance that no young Ladies of Tuscanie and few of Italy of your ranke and quality are brought up in more bravery delight and honour the which my indulgencie and affection shall still continue to you if your disobedience and folly henceforth give mee no farther motive to the contrary and therefore as you tender my blessing I charge you to make it your delight and practice to thinke of God not of Husbands of your love to your sister Iaquinta not of her hatred to you and of your Prayer-bookes your Lutes and your Needles and not of such vaine conceipts and passions wherewith you have stuff'd and farced up your Letter to mee the which together with the Coppie of this of mine to you I now inclose and returne to your Governesse Malevola that she hereafter may be more carefull of your conduction and carriage and that you give more houres to discretion and honour and lesse to idlenesse and vanity to the end that she seeing her fault in yours she may thereby the better futurely know how to teach and you how to learne to reforme them And so I beseech God who hath made you my Daughters to blesse and make you his faithfull servants STRENI They having thus perused their Fathers Letter and seene his spleene and passions towards them they cannot so much accuse him of choller as they believe they have reason to condemne their sister Iaquinta of cruelty towards them wherefore with more speed then affection and with more haste then charity they likewise breake up the seales of her Letter wherein she greets them thus IAQVINTA to BABTISTYNA and AMARANTHA I Am so farre from incencing or precipitating our Father against you as I vow to God and to you that his sending of you from Florence to Cardura was not onely without my consent but without my knowledge and for calling in question eyther the thought of your beauties or of my husbands you equally wrong me and the truth therein for it is that most whereof I trouble my heart and minde least and therefore my haste to marry comes infinitely short of your jealousie and feare and except it bee out of your pride and malice of Sisters to become mine enemies herein I know no cause in Nature and lesse reason in Grace why those false suggestions of yours should fall within the compasse of your conceipts or those untrue scandalls within the power of your heart and pen and it is as vaine as ridiculous either for your love or counsell ever to thinke to make mee believe or conceive the contrary As for the priority of my yeares it shall never make mee esteeme-worse-of you then of my selfe for my conscience to God and my actions to the world shall still make it apparent that although you contemne my friendship I will yet corroborate and cherish yours and that there shall want no good will or zeale in mee that according to your desires and expectation our father doe not speedily recall you from Cardura to Florence where your presences shall still bee my happinesse and your company my content and felicity And except your deportments and carriage towards me give mee not henceforth just cause to divert mee from this sisterly affection and resolution I am constantly resolved both to live and dye in the same IAQVINTA Babtistyna and Amarantha having thus read and considered these two severall Letters of their Father and Sister Iaquinta they are infinitely incensed and chollericke to see his discourtesie and her dissimulation and cruelty towards them in that they must bee inforced to live a solitary countrey life in Cardura whiles shee triumphs in pride and flants it out in bravery in Florence and as they much repine and murmure at his dis-affection so they infinitely disdaine and complaine of her imperious courses and carriage towards them adding no beliefe to her Letter but judging it to be hypocriticall They pitty the weakenesse of their Fathers judgement in suffering himselfe to bee so violently transported and carried away by the subtile policie and secret malice of their Sister towards them wherein although their duety and obedience doe some way excuse his age yet their blood and beauty can no way possibly dispense with the pride and malice of her youth which they hourely see confirmed and made apparent in the unaccustomed strict and hard usage of their Governesse Malevola towards them which with her best endeavours and ambition sought as well to captivate their mindes as their persons by making her selfe to be as much their Goaler as their Governesse but they vow to requite
her unkindenesse and to revenge their Sister Iaquinta's cruelty towards them They see her deformity in their beauty her malice in their love and her pride in their humility so they alter the course of their naturall affection and now decline in stead of increasing in sisterly love and charity towards this their Sister To goe retrograde in vertue is to goe forwards in vice for as it is the marke so it is the duety of Christians to render good for evill but not evill for good yea all contrary examples and Axiomes are ill taught and worse practised and it is to bee feared that the end thereof will produce at least sorrow if not misery and destruction But Baptistyna and Amarantha are too young and wilfull to make good use of their Sister Iaquinta's bad affection and malicious carriage towards them for else had they had as much wit as beauty or as much affection as malice they would then flie that which they follow and detest this bloudy designe and resolution of theirs which they now intend to imbrace and put in practice They are weary of their Sisters hard usage of them they cannot digest her imperiousnesse and pride and in all outward semblance and apparance if they stay from marriage till she be married they may all dye Mayds and as our English adage goes Whiâ—… Apes in hell for company They preferre their beauty before hers as much as sheâ—… doth her age before theirs and deeming it impossible for them to have husbandâ—… ere shee bee a wife they thereupon abandon all reason and religion and so at one time beginne both to desire and to plot her death and of these two wretched Sisters Babtistyna is the most forwards in this their intended deplorable businesse for she is so weake with God and Sathan so strong with her that she sayes often to her selfe shee can reape no content in this world before her Sister Iaquinta see another It were better for us not to foresee a sinne then seeing it not to prevent but perpetrate it To which end shee purposely le ts fall some words to her Sister Amarantha tending and bending that way but Amarantha is too curteous to be so cruell and too religious to bee so outragious and diabolicall to any especially to her Sister had shee lived in the piety and persevered in the integrity of this opinion and conscience peradventure her dayes had seene better fortunes and her end beene freed from so much misery It is not enough for us to bee vertuous and godly except wee religiously and faithfully continue therein for constancie in all good and pious actions makes men and women excellent and of being wholly mortall to become in a manner partly divine But to report truth in her naked colours Amarantha is too weake to resist her Sister Babtistyna's strong temptations and perswasions It is an excellent vertue and happinesse in us to have our eares still open to good counsell and shut to that which is evill and pernicious but Amarantha hoping and desiring to gaine a good Husband makes her in a small time consent to the losse of a bad Sister and now shee is therefore fully resolved to joyne with Baptistyna to make Iaquinta away Good God what cruelty rage and barbarisme is it for two Sisters to resolve to murther their third But this is not all for we shall see more bloud spilt upon the Theater of this History before we see the Catastrophe thereof These two unnaturall young Gentlewomen having thus swapt a bargaine with the Devill to dispatch their Sister Iaquinta they now consult on the manner thereof whether or no they should performe it with Ponyard or Poyson but at last they agree upon Poyson but disagree which of them shall administer it to her and if there were anysparke of grace remaining in either of these two bloudy minded Sisters it was in Amarantha for she cannot finde in her heart or conscience to doe it and yet she is so gracelesse and impious as shee freely gives way to the performance of this bloudy fact so in the end they fall upon this ungodly resolution that Lots must decide it thus the Devill holds and they as his infernall factors and agents draw them and it falls to Babtistyna to doe it But here ere they proceede farther in the progresse of this lamentable businesse and how to execute it they are now assayld with a doubt and difficulty of no meane importance for as they hold it requisite for them to performe this Murther in Florence so they know not how to escape from their watchfull Governesse Malevola from Cardura but they are Women and therefore they will bee industrious in their malice they are Ladies and therefore they will bee swift and subtile in their revenge for having gold though not their liberty at their command they resolve that the first shall speedily procure the second To which end they by their servant Bernardo secretly hire a Coach for foure Duckatons the next night to carry them away very closely and privately from Cardura to Florence and with so many more to corrupt the Gardiner to give him the Key of the Garden Posterne gate both which with much care fidelity and silence hee effecteth being himselfe onely by them appoynted to attend and commanded to accompany them in this their â—…ourney These two revengeful Sisters having thus given order for their escape and secretâ—…y packed up such things as they held necessary to carry with them as soon as their Governesse Malevola was in bed and fast asleepe who was as innocent as they were guilty of this their clandestine departure in comes Bernardo about midnight to their chamber doore to which giving a soft knocke they presently descend the stayres with him to the Garden and from thence to the Coach wherein seating themselves they leave Cardura and so with great speed drive away for Florence where they arrive to their Fathers house betwixt nine or ten of the clocke the next morning hee much wondring and their sister Iaquinta extreamely perplexed and grieved at this their suddaine and unexpected arrivall they cast themselves at their Fathers feete and crave his blessing and excuse but hee receives them with more anger then joy and so gives them frownes and checks in stead of Kisses He heares their reasons of their unlook'd for departure from Cardura which hee rejects both with contempt and choller sharpely reproves their disobedience and voweth speedily to returne them they answer him that his presence is the sole felicity and glory of their life and that they had rather dye with him in Florence then live without him in Cardura As for their Sister Iaquinta shee dissembles her love to them as they doe their malice to her for whiles shee secretly wisheth them out of Florence so in counterchange do they as silently wish desire her in heaven but after a day or two was past over then their hypocrisie and dissimulation was such each to other
likewise in tearmes fit for him to give and them to receive acquaints her two Brothers with his sute and affection to their Sister and with his best art and eloquence indeavoureth on honorable tearmes to gaine and purchase their consents thereunto As for her Mother she preferring wealth to honour and riches to content considering the weakenesse of Monfredo's estate the death of his parents whereby shee sees him deprived of all future hope to raise his fortunes doth absolutely denye to bestow her Daughter on him in marriage and the more to bewray her extreame distaste of this his sute and dislike of himselfe shee with much obstinacie and choller forbids him her Daughters company and with more incivility and indignation conjures him to leave and forbeare her house telling him shee hath already firmely ingaged her word and promise to Don Alonso Delrio that hee shall shortly espouse and marry her Now although this sharpe answer of hers seeme to nip Monfredo's hopes and desires in their blossomes yet relying more on the affection and constancie of the Daughter then on the power or resolution of the Mother hee againe and againe with a most respective and honourable importunity solliciteth her consent but he sees it lost labour because shee is resolute that her first shall bee her last answer to him herein As for her Brother Don Pedro he loves his Sister so perfectly and her content so dearely that hee findes him to stand well affected to their affections and in regard of his love to her and respect to him that hee utterly contemnes the motion and mention of Delrio and therfore faithfully promiseth Monfredo his best assistance towards his Mother for the effecting of their desires But for her yonger Brother Don Martino he findes a contrary nature and disposition in him for he never loved but hated his Sister Cecilliana and therfore hates Monfredo for her sake â—…nd loves Delrio because he heares she hates him and so animates his Mother against them and thus hee gives Monfredo cold answers and the sooner and betâ—…r to convert his hope into despaire tells him plainely that Delrio must and shall â—…arry his Sister and none but hee Thus Monfredo departs as glad of Don Peâ—… his love as hee is sorrowfull for his Mother and Brother Don Martino's hatred And here to observe the better order in this History and likewise to give the curiâ—…sity of the Reader the fuller satisfaction it will not be improper rather pertinent â—…or us to understand that Don Delrio was a well descended Gentleman likewise of â—…e same city of Burgos rich in lands and monyes but at least fifty five yeares old having a white head and beard of a hard and soure favoure and exceedingly baker-legged yet as old as hee was hee was so passionately inamoured of the fresh and sweet beauty of Cecilliana that hee thought her not too young to bee his wife nor himselfe too old to bee her husband but led more by his lust then his judgement and incouraged by Dona Catherina her Mother for that his great lands and wealth wholly inclined and weighed downe her affection towards him hee often visiteth her Daughter Cecilliana and with his best oratory and power seeks and courts her affection in the way of marriage but shee having her heart fixed on Monfredo's youth and comely feature shee highly slights Delrio's frozen age as disdayning to make her selfe a May to this December because shee apparantly knew and perfectly believed that hee was every way fitter for his grave then for her bed for it was Monfredo and onely Monfredo whom her heart had elected and chosen for her second selfe and Husband And suppose quoth she that Monfredo bee not so rich as Delrio yet all Castile yea all Spayne well knowes that by descent and generosity hee is farre more noble and that there is as great an Antithesis and disparity betweene the vertues of the first and the defects and imperfections of the last as there is betweene a Clowne and a Captaine and a Peasant and a Prince therefore let my Mother say whar she will Delrio what he can or my Brother Martino what he dare yet they shall see and the world know that I will bee wife to none but Monfredo and that either hee or my Grave shall bee my Husband But the Lady Catherina her Mother notwithstanding her Daughters aversnesse and obstinacie layes her charge and blessing upon her to forsake Monfredo and take Delrio urging to her the poverty of the one and the wealth of the other what delights and contentments the last will give her and what afflictions and misery the first doth threaten her but the affection of Cecilliana is still so firmely fixed and strongly setled and cymented on her Monfredo that she is deafe to these requests and blinde to these reasons of her Mother in seeking to disswade her from him and in consenting and perswading her to accept of Delrio for her Husband and although her Mother follow her in all places as her shadow and haunt her at all times as her Ghost to draw her hereunto yet shee still findes her Daughter as resolute to denye as shee is importunate to request it of her vowing that shee will rather wed her selfe to a Nunnery then to Delrio whom shee sayth shee cannot affect and therefore peremptorily disdayneth to marry Her Mother seeing her daughter thus constantly and wilfully to persevere in her obstinacy against her desires shee with much choller and griefe relates from poynt to poynt to her Sonne Don Martino what had past betweene them whom shee knew did as much love Delrio and hate Monfredo as her eldest Sonne Don Pedro hated Delrio and loved Monfredo for their Sister in marriage Martino takes advantage of thiâ—… occasion and oportunity and thinking to give two blowes with one stone bâ—… crossing his Sister in her affection and his Brother in his designes and wishes dotâ—… now more then ever incense his Mother against her alledging that it would bee 〈◊〉 farre greater honour and lesse scandall to their Name and House that shee werâ—… rather marryed to a Nunnery then a Beggar and with many powerfull reasons and artificiall perswasions strives to make her incliâ—…able to this project and flexâ—… ble to this resolution of his as indeed in a little time she doth For the Mothâ—… being thus wedded to her will and therein now confirmed by the slie policiâ—… and fortifyed by the subtile insinuation of her Sonne Don Martino shee hereupâ—… constantly resolves to betake and give her Daughter to God and the Church 〈◊〉 firming that shee shall never reape any true content in her thoughts nor peace her heart before she see her cloystered up and espoused to a Nunnery But this compact of theirs is not so closely carryed betweene them but the vigilancie of Don Pedro whose affection and care aymes to give Monfredo and his Sister content hath perfect notice and intelligence hereof the which for a time hee holds fit to conceale from
and conceipt of Don Pedro Cecilliana cannot refraine from blushing nor Monfredo from smiling for looking each on other with the eyes of one and the saâ—… tender affection and constancie hee smiles to see her blush and shee againe blusheth to see him smile hereat here shee tells her brother Don Pedro plainely and hâ—… lover Monfredo pleasantly that shee will deceive her mothers hopes and her brother Don Martino's desires in thinking to make her a cloystered Sister when 〈◊〉 gaine metamorphosing the snow-white lillies of her cheekes into blushing damaâ—… roses shee with a modest pleasantnesse directing her speech to Monfredo who then lovingly led her in the Garden by her arme tells him that his house should bee the Nunnery his armes the Cloyster and himselfe the Saint to whom till death shee was ready to profer up and sacrifice both her affection and her selfe that as shee did not hate but love the profession of a Nunne in others so for his sake shee could not love but hate it in her selfe adding withall that for proofe and confirmation hereof if it were his pleasure shee was both ready and willing to put her selfe into his protection and to repose her honour in the confidence of his faithfull affection and integrity towards her Monfredo first kissing her then infinitely thankes her for this true demonstration of her deare and constant affection to him when againe intermixing kisses with smiles and smiles with kisses hee sweares to her in presence of God and her brother Don Pedro that if the Lady her mother wholly abandon her or resolve to commit her to a Nunnery he will receive and entertain her in his poore house with delight and joy and preserve her honour equally with his owne life and that in all things as well for the time present as the future hee will steere his actions by the starre of her desire and the compasse of her present brother Don Pedro's commands for which free and faithfull courtesie of his Cecilliana thankes him and no lesse doth Don Pedro who in requitall hereof makes him a generall and generous tender of his best power and service to act and consummate his desires and so for that time and with this resolution they part each from other leaving the progresse of their affections and the successe thereof partly to time but chiefely to God whom they all religiously invocate to blesse their designes in hand Leave wee them for a while and come wee now againe cursorily to speake of their mother Dona Catherina and of Don Martino their brother who being the oracle from whom shee derives and directs all her resolutions shee is still constant to her selfe and therfore still vehemently bent against her son Don Pedro her daughter Cecilliana and Monfredo swearing both solemnely and seriously that shee will rather dye then live to see him her sonne in law and yet whatsoever Don Martino doe say or can alledge to her to the contrary shee yet loves Don Alonso Delrio so well and her daughter Cecilliana so dearely that before she will attempt to cloyster her up in a Nunnery shee hoping to reclayme him to affect her and to revive his sute of marriage doth by a Gentleman her servant send him this Letter CATHERINA to DELRIO I Am wholly ignorant why thou thus forsakest thy affection and sute to my Daughter Cecilliana whereof before I am resolved by thee I have many reasons to suspect and thinke that it was as feigned as thy promises and oaths pretended it to befervent Sure I 〈◊〉 that as Envie cannot eclipse the fame of her vertues towards the world so Truth dare â—…t contradict the sincerity of my well wishes and affection towards thee in desiring to make thee her Husband and her thy Wife Her poore beauty which thou so often sworest thy â—…art so dearely admired and adored hath lost no part of its lustre but is the same still and 〈◊〉 am I who have ever wished and ever will faithfully desire that of all men of the world â—…y selfe onely may live to injoy it If thou thinke her affection bee bent any other way 〈◊〉 dost her no right but offer a palpable wrong to thine owne judgement and to my knowledge Or if thou imagine the Portion be too small which I promised to give and thou to â—…ceive with her in marriage thou shalt command that augmentation from me which none 〈◊〉 thy selfe shall eyther have cause to request or power to obtayne yea thou shalt finde that for the finishing and consummating of so good a worke which thou so much deservest and I so much desire I will willingly bee contented to inrich her fortunes with the impoverishing of mine owne If thou send me thine Answer hereunto I shall take it for an argument of thy unkindnesse but if thou bring it thy selfe I will esteeme it as one of thy true respects and affection to mee CATHERINA Don Martino being solicited and charged by his Lady mother likewise to write effectually to Delrio to returne to seeke his sister Cecilliana in marriage yet notwithstanding drawne thereunto for his owne covetous ends secretly to desire and wish that hee might never marry her but shee a Nunnery hee therefore to that effect writes and sends him a most dissembling and hypocriticall Letter by the same messenger to accompany hers but hee is so reserved and fine as hee purposely conceales the sight and reading thereof from his mother This Letter of his which was as false and double as himselfe reported this language MARTINO to DELRIO MY duety ever obliging mee to esteeme my Mothers requests as commands I therefore adventure thee this Letter as desiring to know who or what hath so suddainly withdrawne thee or thy affection from my Sister Cecilliana Thou canst not bee ignorant of my hearty well-wishes and love to thee in obtayning her to thy wife and yet it is not possible for thee to conceive much lesse believe the hundreth part of the bitter speeches which I have beene inforced to receive and packe up from her and my Brother Don Pedro for desiring and wishing it I know that inforced affections prove commonly more fatall then fortunate and more ruinous then prosperous therefore I am so farre from any more perswading thee to seeke her in marriage that I leave each of you to your selves and both unto God And to the end thou mayst see how much the Lady my Mother affects thy sute and distastes that of Monfredo to my sister she upon thy forbearance and absence hath vowed unto God that if thou bee not hee shall not but a Nunnery must bee her Husband My Mother is desirous to see thee and my selfe to speake with thee but because Marriages ought first to bee made in Heaven before consummated in Earth therefore thou knowest farre better then my selfe that in all actions especially in Marriage it is the duety of a Christian to wait on Gods secret Providence and to attend his sacred pleasure with patience MARTINO Delrio receives and
bee happie in her sight and company As for her Apparell and other necessaries shee shall want nothing which is either fit for her to have or you to give Let your prayers to God ever desire and follow her welfare and then rest confident that her prayers and mine shall never faile to wish you long life and to implore all prosperitie for you SOPHIA Cassino did well to place his young neece Eleanora with the Ladie Sophia but ill in forgetting that she had a very debauched yong Gentleman to her sonne named Seignior Alphonso of some two and twentie yeares of age who to her griefe and shame haunts her and her house as a ghost makes himselfe the publike laughter and pitie of all the different humors of Cassall yea the lewdnesse of his life and the irregularitie of his conversation and actions hath reduced him to this fatall point of miserie that he holds it a noble vertue in him to precipitate himselfe and his reputation into base debts vices and company making this his shame his glorie and lewd vices his honour till in the end not caring for the world the world will not care for him nor hee for himselfe untill he have wholly lost himselfe in himselfe without either desert or hope ever to be found or recalled againe But at last seeing so sweet a Beautie and so rich an heire as Eleanora fallen into his mothers hands and therefore he vainely thinkes into his and hoping that her wealth shall redeeme his prodigalities and revive his decayed Estate and Fortunes he secretly courts her but Eleanora as young as shee is sees his vices with disdaine himselfe with contempt and his affection to her with scorne Hee is importunate in his sute and shee perverse and obstinate in her deniall but shee resolves to conceale it from all the world As for Alphonso hee after some six moneths time acquaints the Lady Sophia his mother herewith and with his fervent desire and affection to marry Eleanora but shee chargeth him on her blessing never to proceed any farther herein without her consent and order and quoth shee if here in the presence of God and my selfe thou wilt now sweare wholly to abandon all thy former vices henceforth to bee absolutely led by my advice and counsell and to steere all thy actions by the star of Honour and the card of Vertue then I will promise thee to use all my best endeavors and possible power both with Cassino and Eleanora to effect thy desires Alphonso hereat with much courtesie and humilitie thanks his mother and solemnly sweares to God and her to performe all these poynts carefully and punctually and to adde the more Religion and reverence to this oath he doth it on his knees and it is a wonderfull joy to her to see that the fruits and â—…ffects thereof doe accordingly fall out and follow for this her sonne Alphonso in a very few dayes is become a new man and shee from her heart and soule praiseth and glorifieth God for this his happy conversion and if his mother Sophia bee glad heereof no lesse is our sweet young Eleanora for now hereby shee sees that shee is rid of her Sutor Cassino comes over three severall times to Cassall to see his Neece The Ladie Sophia gives him her best entertainment Hee is wonderfull glad to see that shee hath imprinted such characters of vertue and honour in her and during his stay there Sophia chargeth her sonne Alphonso not to speak or motion a word to Cassino of this his affection to his young Neece Eleanora so he beares himselfe exceeding modestly and respectively towards him and for his mother she holds it fit not as yet to breake or speak a word hereof to Cassino Cassino no way dreaming of their intents and desires towards his Neece tells the Lady Sophia he is infinitely joyfull to see that her sonne Alphonso proves Fame to bee no true but a tatling goddesse in his condition and conversation whereat shee heartily thankes him and thinking then though reservedly and secretly to take time and opportunity at advantage shee leaves not a vertue of her sonnes either undisplayed or unmagnified but extols them all to the skie and himselfe beyond the moone and so leaves the remainder hereof to time and the issue to God But yet revolving and ruminating in her mind how in a faire and honorable way to obtaine this rich and beautifull young prize for her sonne and holding it discretion not as yet either to motion or mention it to her she secretly layes wait at Verceli to know when Cassino will have home his Neece and so some three weekes before that time shee holds it fit to motion it to him by her Letter which shee doth in these tearmes SOHHIA to CASSINO THe fervent affection and vertuous desire of my sonne Alphonso to marry your Neece Eleanora is now the sole cause and argument of this my letter to you the which I had not attempted to write or send you but that I know his love and zeale to her is as pure as her beautie and vertues are excellent He without my privacie or knowledge hath already motioned his sute to her and as hee tells me shee hath returned him her deniall instead of her consent whereof I held my selfe bound to advertise you because his ambition and mine herein is so honourable as it shall goe hand in hand with your goodwill and approbation but never without it especially in regard you have pleased to recommend her to my charge and custody wherein I faithfully promise you nothing shall be designed or practised to the prejudice either of her honour or your content All the estate and meanes which I can give or you require of me to make my sonne a fit Husband for your Neece I will freely and cheerefully depart with and yet were I not fully and firmely assured that he is now as deeply enamoured of vertue and goodnesse as heretofore he was of their contraries neither my tongue or pen had dared thus to have presented his sute to her acceptance and your consideration The joy and blessing of which marriage if God in his secret and sacred providence resolve to make it a Marriage will I hope in the end bee theirs the honour mine and the content your owne wherein I request your Answere and entreat you to remaine most confident that both in this and in all things else Alphonso's will and resolution shall ever bee Sophia's and hers Cassino's SOPHIA Cassino upon the receit and perusall of this Letter of the Lady Sophia is not a little displeased to see her ambition in desiring his Neece Eleanora for wife to her sonne Alphonso and although he be formerly well acquainted with the weaknesse of the mothers estate as also perfectly advertised of her sonnes debauched life and corrupt and prodigall conversation howsoever she pretend â—…o put a vertuouâ—… glosâ—…e and colour hereon to the contrary yet hee holds it discretion to seeme to bee ignorant of the
honour to see her before himselfe That as he is his Superiour in yeares so he is in affection to her and that he knowes his brother is as unworthy of her as himselfe worthily bestowed on her La Pratiere whose affection and thoughts ran a direct contrary Cariere lest dreaming of that which she is now enforced to understand is so afflicted and withall so incensed at these unexpected speeches of Quatbrissons that her passion giving a law to her civilitie casting a snow-white vaile over her crimson cheeks and bending her brow in whose furrowes it seemed that discontent and choller sate now triumphant her affection is so sincere and entire to Valfontaine as she returnes his discourteous Brother Quatbrisson this short and sharpe answer Quatbrisson quoth shee to have offered this unkindnesse of yours to your friend had beene ignoble ingratitude but to doe it to your owne brother can be no lesse then treachery and therefore this know from me that I esteeme your Primogenitorship as inferiour to Valfontaines vertues as they are in all respects superiour to yours and had you not tied and wedded my tongue to silence I would now presently publish it to the world to the admiration and detestation of all good men and so with a looke ingendered of choller and derived from disdaine shee hastily and suddainly trips away from him leaving him alone in the Garden to his Muses Quatbrisson biting his lip at this sharpe repulse of La Pratiere is yet resolute not thus to leave her when hoping to find her Father more tractable and propitious to his sute then his Daughter hee seekes him out and in faire termes informes him of his affection and love to her and that notwithstanding his brothers research of her hee himselfe infinitly desireth her to be his owne wife Old Pennelle being more covetous of his Daughters preferment then any way carefull of her content gives an attentive and pleasing eare to this motion of Quatbrisson and is so delighted with the melody of his speeches as already in heart he wisheth her married to him but how to answer or give content to Valfontaine he knowes not Now the better to effect and compasse this match so much wished of Quatbrisson and desired of Pennelle hee in the absence of Valfontaine sends for his Daughter into his closet shewes her what preferment and happinesse is now offered her if she will forsake Valfontaine and accept of his elder Brother Quatbrisson for her husband La Pratiere both moved and grieved with this her Fathers proposition and speeches very humbly beseecheth him that if ever he will respect her content or regard her life that Valfontaine may be her Husband and not Quatbrisson because she confesseth shee loves the younger Brother but that she neither can nor will affect the elder Now although this her resolute and obstinate answer doe exceedingly afflict and grieve her Father yet hoping that a little time will prove capable to draw her to his desires hee secretly bids Quatbrisson to ride home to Vannes to take his Brother with him and shortly after to returne againe to Saint-Aignaw without him and that hee shall find no cause to feare or reason to doubt but that hee shall enjoy his Mistresse the managing whereof hee prayes him to referre to his care in his absence Thus wee see the Father and Daughter differently affected hee loves Quatbrisson and not Valfontaine and she Valfontaine but not Quatbrisson who grieving as much at the Daughters refusall as hee rejoyceth at her Fathers consent He now venteth his malice on the Innocencie and his treachery on the integrity of his Brother by acquainting him that hee hath used his best power and art of solicitation towards Pennelle and that he finds it impossible to draw him to reason adding withall that hee is so farre from consenting that hee shall obtaine his Daughter in marriage as upon the whole in termes enough cleare and apparant he futurely denies him accesse to his house Wherefore Brother quoth hee because I see with griefe that you strive against the streame and that in all actions and accidents whatsoever the shortest errours are still best let us to morrow take horse and away and let this indifferency bee your resolution That if God have decreed it shall be a match it then will bee otherwise not Valfontaines heart bleeds at Pennelles aversenesse and crueltie and his eyes overflow with teares so soone to forsake the sight and company of his Daughter of his deare and faire Mistresse La Pratiere but being ignorant of all his brothers passages and treacheries intended and meant towards him hee holds it folly to impugne or contradict his pleasure and so resolves to leave Saint-Aignaw and depart home with him to Vannes Our faire La Pratiere seeing all things bent to crosse her desires and her Valfontaines wishes she out of her tender affection to him resolves to give him a private meeting and conference when that very night as her Father and his Brother were in their beds soundly sleeping shee sends for him into her Chamber where seeing him extremely pensive and sorrowfull she bids him bee cheerefull and couragious tels him that he hath no reason to despaire but to hope for that in life and death she will bee his and onely his and then informes him that instantly upon his arrivall to Vannes shee will write and send him a Letter wherein she will acquaint him with the passage of a busines whereof hee neither can conceive or dreame conjuring him now to enquire no farther what it is for that her tongue was enjoyned to secrecy and sworne to silence and so with much chat and more kisses he giving her a Diamond Ring from his fingers and shee him a paire of pearle Bracelets from her armes in token of their mutuall constancie and affection each to other they infinitly against their minds are enforced to take â—…ave each of other and the succeeding morne being come the two Brothers prepare and dispose themselves for their Iourney When break-fast ended according as it was concluded betwixt Pennelle and Quatbrisson Pennelle takes Valfontaine aside to a window and in short termes prayes him henceforth to forbeare his house and refraine his Daughters company for that he hath provided another Husband for her so having severally and solemnly taken their Congees first of the Father and then of the Daughter they take horse and away Now as they are riding home towards Vannes as it is a sensible and heart-killing griefe to La Pratiere so soone to bee deprived of her Valfontaines deare and sweet company so againe she cannot refraine from smiling to see how ingratefully and subtilly Quatbrisson goes to worke to betray his Brother in seeking to obtaine her for himselfe in marriage but measuring the integrity of the one by the treachery of the other and likewise remembring her promise to Valfontaine to write to him at the end of two dayes after their departure she by a confident Messenger accordingly sends
him this Letter LA PRATIERE to VALFONTAINE MY promise owes you this Letter whereby I give you to understand that I know not whether you have greater cause to love mee or to hate your brother Quatbrisson in regard he vowes hee affects me dearer then your selfe and hath attempted to rob you of your Wife and consequently me of my Husband and as this is ingratitude in a friend so it must needs be treachery in a Brother I have heard his courting and seene his complements tending that way but for your sake I relish those with distast these with neglest and himselfe with contempt and disdaine He hath won my Father to his will but rest you confident my deare Valfontaine that he neither can nor shall draw me to his desire And because true affection especially in accidents of this nature cannot still bee exempt of feare therefore if any arise or engender in your thoughts let this dissipate and dispell it that although my Father have banished you his house yet his Daughter is till death constantly resolved to retaine and cherish you in her heart and none but you Manage this your Pratieres advice with discretion towards my Father and not with choller towards your Brother and be but a little time a patient Spectator of my affection and constancie to you and you shall assuredly see him act his owne shame and your glory his affliction and your content and desire LA PRATIERE Valfontaine having received and read this Letter the base ingratitude and foule treachery of his brother Quatbrisson doth extremely afflict and torment him yea the knowledge and remembrance thereof throwes him into such passions of choller and fumes of revenge as once he resolved to right himselfe on him by sending him a Challenge and fighting with him vowing that the bonds of nature were not by farre so strong as those of affection and that his brother having given the first cause of offence and breach of amity betwixt them it was no marvell that he tooke that course and preferred that forme of proceeding to any other But then againe considering his deare La Pratieres injunction and prohibition from choller this last reason ore-swaied and prevailed against his former resolution when knowing himselfe infinitly obliged to her for her courtesie and constancie so sweetly expressed to him in this her Letter he can doe no lesse then returne her an answer thereof in requitall the which he doth by her owne Messenger in these termes VALFONTAINE to LA PRATIERE OF all men of the world I least thought that my brother Quatbrisson would have proved my Rivall in attempting to love you because he perfectly knowes I affect you farre dearer then the whole world yea this errour or as you justly terme it this treachery of his is so odious so strange to me as it had farre exceeded my beliefe if your affection and constancie had not so courteously revealed it to me in your Letter the which I both blushed and palled to peruse Neither is it any thankes to him that he missed of his desire in missing of you rather to your vertuous selfe which distasted his courting and complements for his owne sake and disdained him for mine Deare and sweet La Pratiere in that my brother hath won your Father I exceedingly grieve but in that I have not lost his Daughter I farre more triumph and rejoyce But why thinke I of losing you sith to call your constancie in question is no lesse then to prophane your affection and my judgement and so to make my selfe both uncapable and unworthy of you for how can my love to you retaine any spice or sparke of feare for that being banished your Fathers house I am yet so happy to recover so safe a Harbour and Sanctuary yea so precious a Temple as your heart In which regard it is every way fit that your requests should be to me commands for otherwise my Sword had already called me Coward if by this time I had not called my Brother to a strict and severe account for this his treachery I will still observe your Father with respect though he refuse to respect me with observance and for my ingratefull and treacherous Brother he may act his owne shame and affliction but cannot conduce to content or desire because that must soly proceed from your selfe sith in the sweet enjoying of you to my Wife consists the onely content of my life and the chiefest of all my earthly felicity VALFONTAINE Some two dayes after that La Pratiere was made joyfull with this answer of her Valfontaine shee hath againe sorrowfull newes of Quatbrissons arrivall to her Fathers house at Saint-Aignaw who had purposely given it out to his brother Valfontaine at Vannes that he rides to Hennbon He here renewes his late sute to the Father and Daughter but he finds them both in the same humours and resolutions he left them he willing and she coy hee desirous to have him his Sonne in law and she resolute never to make him but his brother Valfontaine her Husband He profereth her many rich gifts and presents and a blancke to write downe what Iointure she pleaseth to demand but she peremptorily refuseth it all and bids him bestow it on some other of whom it may find better acceptance yea I may safely say and truely affirme that their affections are farre more opposite and contrary then their sexes for the more he sees her he loves her and the oftner she beholds him the more she hates him so that when he apparantly perceives that she deeply vowes to her Father and himselfe onely to marry his brother Valfontaine or her Grave he seeing his labour for the time present lost and his affection to her in vaine having nothing left to comfort him against the repulse of this amorous sute but the constant friendship of her Father hee sorrowfully takes his leave of them and rides home to Vannes but as close as hee beares this his Iourney from his brother Valfontaine yet La Pratiere holds her selfe bound to signifie it to him the which the very next day she doth by her second Letter which speakes thus LA PRATIERE to VALFONTAINE I Hold it a part of my duty and affection to advertise you that these two dayes I have beene againe importunately haunted and solicited by your unkind Brother Quatbrisson for marriage but hee hath found my first answer to bee my second and last Yea I have so nipt his vaine hopes in their blossomes by signifying to him and my Father my infallible resolution either to wed you or my grave as I thinke except their hopes betray their judgements the one is assured and the other confident that time will make it apparant to the world that my words will prove deeds and that the last will make the first reall But if your said brother will yet notwithstanding farther exercise his folly in my patience and so make himselfe as ridiculous to mee as to you he is treacherous I out
very sorrowfull and repentant for his former ill carriage and unkindnesse towards her whereof he prayes her pardon and constantly vowes reformation so this his vertuous and kinde wife Hester freely forgets and forgives Vasti her husband and then hee gives her many kisses in requitall and bids his sonne George to provide good cheere for Supper and the better to seale and solemnize this their reconciliation and atonement hee bids him to invite some of their Kinsfolkes and Neighbours to bee present thereat who were formerly acquainâ—…d with their debates and differences where no good cheere and choice wine is wanting So they are wonderfull frolicke pleasant and merry all rejoyce at this good newes and highly applaud their Sonne George for his discreet carriage and care in the managing of this busines Thus all things seeme to be fully reconciled and here Vasti drinkes many times to his wife Hester and shee againe to her husband with much affection and joy When supper being ended their guests departed and their Sonne George having received both of their blessings they betake themselves to their Chamber and Bed Now in all humane sense and reason who would once conceive or thinke that after this Meadow conference of Vasti to his Son George but that this his now Table reconciliation with his wife Hester were true and pronounced with much iâ—…egrity from himselfe with deep affection to her and infinite zeale and devotion to God but Ahlas nothing lesse for here I am inforced to relate that Vasti the same night had not laien in bed by his wife five or six houres but she good woman sleeping in her innocencie he as a devill incarnate was waking in his malice and revenge and laughing in his sleeve to see how cunningly and subtilly he hath lulld â—…eep the courage of his Sonne with a Meadow conference and the iealousiâ—… of 〈◊〉 Wife with a Supper and a few sweet words and kisses When here againe the the Devill blowing the coles to his lust and marshalling up his former obscene desires and resolutions onely his body is in bed with his wife Hester here in Fribourg but his affection and heart is still in the bosome of his strumpet Salyna in Cleraux yea the Devill I say is now both so busie and so strong with him that as a hellish councellour and prodigious pen-man he writes downe this definitive sentence in his thoughts and fatall resolution in his heart That Salyna he will love and his wife Hester he cannot and that shortly he will give so sharpe a revenge to his son George for his disobedience towards him and for beating of his Salyna as she shall have no further cause to feare his cruelty nor himselfe his courage and because he prefers her love to his owne life as being dangerously intangled and captivated in the snares of her youth and beauty hee likewise resolves to write and send her a Letter the very next morning Now judge Christian Reader is not this like to prove a sweet reformation and reconciliatlon of Vasti to his wife and sonne sith these are the sparkes which diffuse and flie out from the fire of his lust and the fatall lines which issue forth from the Centre of his bloudy heart and sinfull soule for in the morning before his wife is out of her bed hee is stirring and writes this Letter to Salyna which hee sends her by a trusty messenger VASTI to SALYNA I Am plotting of a businesse which will infinitely import both our contents so if thou wilt resolve to brooke my absence with as much patience as I doe thine with sorrow I shall finish it the sooner and consequently the sooner see thee I have met with an Accident which I thought was wholly impossible for mee to meet with and though at first it brought me feare and affliction yet at length I was inforced to interpose discretion insteed of courage thereby to draw security out of policie which I could not hope for out of resistance for I must informe thee of this truth that if my Zeale and Affection to thee had not beene of greater power and consideration then that of mine owne life I should then with more facility and willingnesse rather have hazarded it for thy sake then have reserved it for mine own But the mists of those doubts are now dissipated and the â—…lowds of these feares blowne away or if not I will shortly take that order that thou shalt have no cause to feare the one or I to doubt the other When I shall be so happy to see thee I know not but if Fortune prove propitious to my desires and wishes my returne shall be acted with as much celerity as it is eagerly longed for of me with Affection and Passion VASTI Salyna receives this letter of Vasti with equall feare and joy for as she was glad to hear of him and his news so she was sorowfull as fearing that for her sake he should imbarke himselfe in some bloudy businesse which might proove ruinous to them both And although her apprehension doe farre exceed her knowledge herein yet her suspicion will give her no truce neither can her jealousie administer any peace either to her heart or minde before she be resolved by Vasti of the doubtfull and different truth hereof Shee is so prophane and lascivious as she can content her selfe to make him guilty of Fornication but yet Religion hath left some sparkes and impressions of Piety in her that she would still have him innocent of Revenge and Murther to which effect by his own messenger she returnes him this answer SALYNA to VASTI BEcause you deeme mee unworthy to know your Designes therefore I have assumed the boldnesse to feare them in which regard and consideration finde it not strange that I 〈◊〉 intreat you to ingrave in your heart and imprint in your memory that Malice is most commonly squint ey'd and Revenge still blinde therefore if you will not ruine our affections and fortunes take heed that you imbrue not your heart or hand in innocent bloud for Murther is a crying and a Scarlet sinne which God may forgive and make white by his Mercie but will not by his Iustice whereof this my Letter of Advice to you shall be a witnesse betwixt God your selfe and mee and therefore as you love mee bazard not your life for my sake but preserve it for your owne As it is in your will to make your stay from me as long or short as you please so it shall be in my pleasure to judge thereof and thereby likewise of your affection to me I wish I could be more yours then I am and your selfe as often in my sight and company as I desire God prosper you in your stay and mee in your absence SALYNA Vasti having thus settled his affection and affaires with Salyna he sees with griefe that it is now almost impossible for him to see her in Cleraux because of the vigilant and watchfull eye of his
Sonne George over himselfe and his actions here in Fribourg wherefore notwithstanding her wholsome and religious advice to him to beware of bloud yet his lustfull affection to her doth so outbrave and conquer his naturall love to him that to satisfie his inordinat concupisence and to give content to his obscene and beastly desires he vowes he will shortly send him to heaven in a bloudy Coffin Now the sooner and better for him to compasse and finish this his deplorable stratagem and unnaturall resolution against his sonne his counsellour the Devill adviseth him that hee must for a short time make wonderfull faire weather with him and gild over all his speeches and actions to his wife Hester with much respect and courtesie the which Vasti doth speedily put in practice So for a moneth or sixe weekes time hee sees not Salyna but all things to the eye of the world goe in great peace affection and tranquillity betwixt Father Mother and Sonne But this false sunshine will be too soone o'retaken with a dismall storme and tempest for what religious or Christian shew soever Vasti externally makes unto them yet although he have God in his tongue he neverthelesse internally carries the Devill about him in his heart so againe and againe he definitively vowes swears to himself that his son George shal not live but die Thus being resolute in his bloody purpose he likewise resolves to adde policie to his malice against him as thinking and hoping thereby with more facility to draw him to the lure and snare which in his diabolicall invention he hath ordained for his destruction hee fills his head with the fumes and honour of military actions inflames his courage with the generosity and dignity of a souldier whereunto as also to travell into other Countries he knew that this his Sonne of himselfe was already ambitiously inclined and affected At other times hee representeth to him to how many dammages and dangers Idlenesse is exposed and subject and what a noble part and ornament it is in young men to learne Vertues abroad thereby to bee the more capable to know how to practise them at home and with what renowne and glory their Auncestors have heretofore beaten and ruined the Dukes of Burgundie their professed enemies and now made themselves and their country famous to the greatest Princes and Potentates of Europe especially to the Kings of France Spain who these many yeares and now likewise at present qd he doe equally court our affections service though not with the same or like integrity And these and such treacherous Lectures doth Vasti still reade unto his sonne George as often as he calls him into his company and presence untill at last the fame and name of a souldier and the honour of travell have so surprised his youthfull affection and seizd on his ambitious resolutions that at last hee beseecheth his Father to send him abroad in some martiall service or generous imployment But the Father being as cunning as his sonne is rash and inconsiderate suffereth himselfe of purpose to bee earnestly and frequently importuned by him to that effect the which hee doth When at last his Father promiseth to send him to Rome to his Vncle Andrew Vasti who he saith is a chiefe Captaine of one of the Companies of this present Pope Vrban VIII his Guard who was an old man very rich and without wife child or kinsman with him George thankes his Father for this his courtesie and honour and importuneth him againe and againe to hasten this his departure and journey to Rome to his Vncle the which hee then firmely promiseth him but yet the greatest difficulty hereof is how hee may obtaine his Wifes consent to this journey of her Sonne who at first opposeth it very strongly and passionately as knowing her Sonne to bee her onely childe her right arme a great part of her selfe the delight and joy of her life and the prop and stay of her age But the Father leaves his Sonne to draw and obtaine his Mothers consent as politickely knowing and foreseeing that the lesse himselfe and the more his Sonne importun'd her the sooner she would graunt it the which indeed fell out as he expected Onely whereas the Sonne requested to stay foure yeares abroad his Father gave him but three and his Mother would graunt him but two whereunto at last both Father and Sonne were inforced to condescend and now this cruell hearted Father provides his courteous-natur'd sonne George a new Sute of apparell a Horse and Money and resolves to accompany and bring him as farre as Turin in his journey which courtesie of his his Wife and Sonne take most lovingly and thankefully The morne of George his departure comes and because his Mother the precedent night dreamt that her Sonne should dye in this journey she was now exceeding sorrowfull to let him goe and depart from her but being againe fortifyed and rectifyed by the advice of her husband and likewise vanquished by the importunate requests and praiers of her son she bedews his cheeks with her teares gives him much good counsell some gold and her blessing and so they take leave each of other God putting apprehension into her heart and the Devill assurance into her husbands resolutions that shee should never see her sonne againe And indeed I write with grief that we shall progresse very little farther in this History before we see her dreame verifyed and her apprehension confirmed The manner thus For Vasti being privately as resolute in his malice and revenge to his sonne as this his sonne is innocent in not deserving it of his Father is so farre from bringing him to Turin as hee will not bring him as farre as Geneva but a mile before hee comes to Losanna where he tels his son he would lye that night the night approaching and in a long narrow Lane where he saw that no earthly eye could see him being wholly deprived of the grace and feare of God and absolutely abandoned to Satan and Hell as his sonne rides close before him hee shoots him thorow the backe with his Pistoll charged with a brace of bullets who immediately falling dead to the ground hee there descends his horse and without any remorse or pitty as no Father but rather as a Devill incarnate cuts off his nose most lamentably scarres and mangles his face that he might not be knowne and so takes him on his shoulders and there throwes him into a deepe ditch or precipice as also the saddle and bridle of his horse and turning the horse to seek his fortune in the wide fields hee to provide for his safety rides swiftly to Morges and there very secretly husheth himselfe up pretending to bee sicke and eight dayes being expired which was the prefixed time and day hee gave his wife for his returne hee by a contrary Rode way of Rolle and Saint Claude arrives home to Fribourg to her brings her word of the health of her sonne and of
domest Archiep Cant THE TRIUMPHS OF GODS REVENGE AGAINST THE CRYING AND Execrable sinne of Murther Expressed In thirty severall Tragicall Histories digested into six Bookes which containe great variety of memorable Actidents Historicall Morall and Divine Booke VI. Written by IOHN REYNOLDS VERTIAS FILIA TEMPORIS LONDON ¶ Printed by Iohn Haviland for WILLIAM LEE and are to be sold at his shop in Fleetstreet at the signe of the Turks Head neere the Mitre Taverne 1634. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Sr IAMES STANLEY KNIGHT OF the Bath Lord STRANGE Sonne and Heire apparent to WILLIAM Earle of Derby one of the most ancient Knights of the Illustrious Order of the Garter MY LORD THe first time that I had the honour to see and know your Lo. was in France when you then began your travels accompanied with your Noble and Generous younger brother Sir Robert Stanley likewise Knight of the Bath who now lives with God And if my fancie deceive not my Iudgement it is equally worthy both of my thoughts and of your Lordships memory to see how propitious God hath since proved to your content and remaines to your felicity in so highly recompensing this your losse of a Noble Brother with the rich gift of a Vertuous Wife your Right Illustrious Lady who is descended from no meaner house than the famous Dukes of Tremouille by her Father and the Victorious Princes of Orenge by her Mother and who being transplanted from France and in the Sacred Bonds of Mariage here matched and incorporated to your Lordship hath by the Mercy and Providence of God in a few yoares brought you many sweet Olive Plants and Branches to perpetuate your ancient Name and most Honourable Family of the Stanleyes And what are all these benefits of Nature and blessings of Grace which God hath so opportunely sent and graciously given you in and by them but such and so sublime and transcendent that they are strong proofes of his Mercy and Goodnesse towards you and I doubt not but in a pious resolution your Lordship reciprocally makes them the cause of your eternall gratitude and thankfulnesse to his sacred Majesty for the same And indeed who can possibly have or conceive a different thought that observes how your Lordship conducts all your actions by Reason and not by Passion That as you esteeme Vertue to be the chiefest earthly Honour so you likewise value Piety and Godlinesse to bee the best and most Soveraigne Vertues That you are confident that in Hearts and Soules which are well and fairly endowed Honour and Honesty should still be Twins or inseparable Companions and Individuals because the former without the latter is but as fire of straw to the Sunne-shine and to shut up this point that your Honour gives the chiefest functions and faculties of your Soule to God and the second to the prosperity and service of your Prince and Countrey that being the true markes of a Religious Christian and this of an excellent Subject and Honourable Patriot And this my good Lord was the Originall cause and these are the prevailing Motives and Reasons why I trench so farre upon your Lordships Greatnesse and Goodnesse in proffering up this my Sixth and last Booke of Gods Revenge against Murther to your Noble Protection and Patronage not that your Lordship is the last in my Affection and Zeale much lesse in my Respects and Observance But that I could give no satisfaction to my selfe before I had prefixed your Illustrious Name to this my unpolished Worke and before I had given a publike testimonie to the whole world in generall and more especially to our little world England in particular what place and power your Honourable Birth and Vertues have deservedly taken up in my heart and worthily purchased in my most reserved and entire affection The Histories which this Booke relates are memorable and mournfull and to give your Honour my opinion of them they are as lamentable for the bloudy facts as memorable for the sharp yet just punishments inflicted for the same wherein Gods sacred â—…ustice and Revenge with equall Truth and Glory triumphed ore their wretched Perpetrators I have cast them in a low Region of language and therefore if they come short of your Lordships accurate Iudgement my Presumption in this my Dedication to you hath no other hope of excuse or pardon then to flie to your Lordships innate Goodnesse and to appeale to your knowne and approved Generosity and Candor as making it your Honourable Ambition to cherish Vertue in all men and to defend it against unjust scandall and malitious detraction Proceed my Lord as you have fairly and fortunately beganne in the happy excercise and progresse of Piety Vertue and Honour and as the hopes are now ours so may the happy fruits and effects thereof infallibly still prove your Lordships hereafter untill it have perfected and compleated you to be a most Illustrious Patterne of Goodnesse in this world and a glorious Saint in that to come the which none shall pray to God for with more true Zeale nor desire with more unfaigned Affection then Your Honours humblest devoted Servant IOHN REYNOLDS The Grounds and Contents of these Histories History XXVI Imperia for the love she beares to young Morosini seduceth and causeth him with his two Consorts Astonicus and Donato to stifle to death her old Husband Palmerius in his bed Morosini misfortunately letting fall his gloves in Palmerius his chamber that night which he did it They are found by Richardo the Nephew of Palmerius who knowes them to be Morosinies and doth thereupon accuse him and his Aunt Imperia for the Murther of his Vnkle So they together with their accessaries Astonicus and Donato are all foure of them apprehended and hanged for the same History XXVII Father Iustinian a Priest and Adrian an Inne-keeper poyson De Laurier who was lodged in his house and then bury him in his Orchard where a moneth after a Wolse digges him up and devoures a great part of his body which father Iustinian and Adrian understanding they flie upon the same but are afterwards both of them apprehended and hanged for it History XXVIII Hippolito murthereth Garcia in the street by night for the which he is hanged Dominica and her Chamber-maid Denisa poysoneth her husband Roderigo Denisa afterwards strangleth her owne new borne Babe and throwes it into a Pond for the which she is hanged On the ladder she confessed that she was accessary with her Lady Dominica in the poysoning of her Husband Roderigo for the which Dominica is apprehended and likewise hanged History XXIX Sanctifiore upon promise of mariage gets Ursina with childe and then afterwards very ingratefully and treacherously rejecteth her and marries Bertranna Ursina being sensible of this her disgrace disguiseth herselfe in a Friers habit and with a case of Pistols kils Sanctifiore as he is walking in the fields for the which shee is hanged History XXX De Mora treacherously kils Palura in a Duell with two Pistols His Lady
Bellinda with the aid of her Gentlman Vsher Ferallo poysoneth her Husband De Mora and afterwards she marieth and murthereth her said Husband Ferallo in his bed so shee is burnt alive for this her last murther and her ashes throwne into the aire for the first GODS REVENGE AGAINST THE CRYING AND Execrable sinne of Murther HISTORY XXVI â—…mperia for the love she beares to young Morosini seduceth and causeth him with his two Consorts Astonicus and Donato to stifle to death her old Husband Palmerius in his bed Morosini misfortunately letting fall his gloves in Palmerius his chamber that night which he did it They are found by Richardo the Nephew of Palmerius who knowes them to be Morosinies and doth thereupon accuse him and his Aunt Imperia for the Murther of his Vnkle So they together with their accessaries Astonicus and Donato are all foure of them appehended and hanged for the same THose Intemperate and lascivious affections which savour more of Earth than Heaven are still attended on with shame and repentance and many times followed by misery and confusion For God being our Maker by Creation and our Saviour by Redemption consequently should be of our loves and affections and the true sole object in whom only they should begin and terminate For Nature must be a handmaid not a Mistresse to Grace because God in his Divine decree and creation of man hath made our bodies mortall but our soules immortall And the like Antithesis which there is betweene Lust and Charity the same there is betweene sinfull adultery and sanctified mariage But where our youthfull affections beginne in whoredome and end in murther what can be there expected for an issue but ruine and desolation Crimes no lesse than these doth this ensuing History report and relate A History I confesse so deplorable for the persons their facts and punishments that I had little pleasure to pen it and lesse joy to publish it but that the truth and manner thereof gave a contrary Law to my resolutions in giving it a place among the rest of my Histories That the sight and knowledge of others harmes may the more carefully and conscionably â—…each us to avoid and prevent our owne THe free Estates and Common-weales of Italy more especially the famous Seigniory of Venice which for wealth and power gives place to no other of Christendome holds it no degree of disparagement but rather an happy and honourable vertue in their Nobles and Gentlemen to exercise the faculty aâ—…d pâ—…ofession of Merchants the which they generally performe in Turkie and all other parts of the Levant Seas with as much profit as glory to the admiration of the whole world and the envie of their private and publike enemies Of which number of Venetian Gentlemen Seignior Angelo Morosini is one a young mâ—…n of some twenty foure yeares of age descended of a Noble name and family and if reports be true from whence ours here in England derives their Originall He is tall and slender of stature of a lovely sanguine complection a bright Chestnut-coloured haire but as yet adorned with a small apparition of a beard He is active of body of a sweet carriage and nimble wit and a most pleasing and gracefull speech and hee is not so young but he hath already made two severall voyages to Constantinople and Alexandria in both which he resided some five or six yeares and through his wisdome and industry wonne some wealth but more reputation and fame in so much as his deportments and hopes to the eye and judgement of the world promiseth him a fortune equall if not exceeding his bloud and extraction Holding it therefore rather a shame than a glory as yet to marrie or which is a thousand times worse to passe his time vainly and lasciviously at home among the Ladies and Courtisans of Venice upon whom by the way of a premonition and precaution he saw so many deboshed young Gallants to cast away their Estates and themselves he assumes his former ambition to travell and so undertakes a third voyage tâ—… Constantinople He embarkes himselfe upon a good ship named the Little Saint Marke of Venice and in company of Seignior Astonichus and Seignior Philippo Donato likewise two young Gentlemen Mearchants of Venice of his deare and intimate acquaintance with a pleasant gale and merry wind they set saile from Malanoca the Port of that City and so direct and shape away their course for the Islands of Corfu and Zant where they are to stop and take in some commodities and from thence thorow the Archipelagus by Candy and Cyprus to the Port 〈◊〉 the Greaâ—… Seignior But as men propose and God disposeth of all terrestriall aâ—…ons and accidents so they are overtaken by a storme and with contrary winds put into the Harbour and City of Ancona a rich populous and strong City which belongs to the Pope and which is the Capitall of that Province of the Marâ—… 〈◊〉 from whence it assumes and takes its denomination and wherein there are well neare three thousand Jewes still resident who pay a great yearly Revenue to his Holinesse The wind being as yet contrary for our three Venetian Gallants and they knowing that our Lady of Loretto the greatest and most famous Pilgrimage of the Christian world was but fifteene small miles off in the Countrey whereas yet they had never either of them beene they in meere devotion ride thither their ship now being fast anchored and mored in the Peere of Ancona which stands on the Christian side upon the Adriatique Sea vulgarly tearmed the gulfe of Venice And here it is neither my purpose or desire to write much either of the pretended pietie of this holy Chappell of Loretto which the Romanists say was the very Chamber wherein the Virgin Mary brought up her Sonne our Saviour Iesus Christ or of her Picture which they likewise alleadge was drawne by the hand and pensill of the Apostle Saint Luke and both the one and the other as they affirme miraculously brought over the Seas from Palestine by Angells and first placed by them on the Hills of Recagnati three little miles thence and long since by the said Angels translated and placed here in this small Towne of Loretto But as for my selfe this legend is to weake to passe current with my faith much lesse to esteeme it as an Article of my Creed Only this I will confesse and say That as it was devotion not curiosity which carried our Morisini Astonicus and Donato thither so it was my curiosity not my Devotion which made me to take the sight thereof in my Travells Where in the rich and sumptuous Quire of a stately Cathedrall Church I saw this little old Bricke Chamber now termed the Holy Chappell verie richly adorned with great variety of massie Gold and Silver Lampes and this Picture of the blessed Virgin in a Shrine of Silver most richly decked with Chaines and Robes imbroidered with Gold and Silver and set with pretious Stones of
especially those Gent. who savor more of honor than vanity If therfore I have any way wronged mine owne judgment in suspecting or not acknowledging your merits I know I am yet as worthy of your excuse as of your reprehension And because I understand by you that you are a stranger to this place though not to this Country as also that you seeme to be so importunatly desirous and willing to conduct me to my Fathers house I will therefore give a contrarie Law to my owne will and now make civillitie dispence with my discretion by accepting of this your kinde proffer and you shall not accompany mee thither to him with so much respect and zeale as I will you with observance and thankes Which kind speech she had no sooner delivered and Morosini received but he againe closed with her thus Moros Sweet Lady this courtesie of yours seconding your beautie shall eternally oblige mee to your service and in requitall thereof I will ever esteeme it my best happinesse to receive your Fathers commands and my chiefest felicity and glory to execute yours When reciprocally exchanging salutes hee takes her by the hand and arme and very gracefully conducts her to her Fathers house not farre off from this sumptuous Church and by the wayth ther among other speeches and complements he gathers from herthat her Fathers name is Signior Hierome Bondino and hers Donna Imperia his only Daughter Wherein hee for the former fame of his wealth and the present sight of her Beautie doth both delight and glory as dreaming of a future felicity which hee shall enioy in her sight and company whereof for the time present hee hath farre more reason to flatter than to assure himselfe Now wee must heere understand that this Seignior Bondino her Father is a Gentleman of an ancient house and noble descent and of a verie great estate both in lands and meanes and withall he was exceeding covetous as glorying more in his wealth than in his generositie and more in his faire and beautifull Daughter Imperia then in any other of his Children Heere Morisini brings Imperia home and shee presents him and his courtesie to her Father who receives him respectfully and kindly thankes him for this his observance and honour to his daughter who led by the lustre of her eyes and the delicacie of her beautie was so extreamly inflamed with affection towards her as at that very instant he proclaimed himselfe her Servant and shee the Lady Regent of his heart and desires and then it was that hee first acquainted her with his name and quality with his intended voyage to Constantinople but chiefely with his constant desire and resolution to seeke her in marriage both of her selfe and her father Wherefore to contract this History into a narrow Volumne I will passe over his often courtings and visits of her as also those sweet speeches and amorous discourses and conferences which past betweene them during the space of three weekes wherein the winde proving contrary to his voyage proved therefore propitious to this his sute and affection In which time hee proved himselfe so expert a Scholler or rather a Master in the Art of Love that hee exchanged hearts with her obtained her affection and consent to bee his Wife upon his first returne from Constantinople but yet it was wholly impossible either for he or her to draw her fathers consent hereunto although many times hee sought it of him with prayers and shee with teares For hee making wealth to bee the verie image and idol of his devotion and gathering that Morosini's birth farre exceeded his estate and meanes as also that in his opinion that his estate was yet farre greater than his capacitie or judgement hee would never hearken to him much lesse give way that hee should bee his Sonne in Law but with much obstinacie and resolution vowed that hee would first rather see his Daughter married to her grave than to him the which froward and harsh resolution of his makes our two lovers exceedingly to grieve and lament thereat But how to remedie it they know not Morosini now acquaints his two consorts Astonicus and Donâ—…to with his affection to Imperia and brings them the next morning to see her who highly commend his choice and extoll her beautie and vertues to the skies They in Morosini's behalfe deale effectually with Bondino to draw his consent to this match mount his praises and merits as high as Heaven and in a word they leave no friendly office or reasons unatempted to perswade and induce him hereunto but they speake either to the winde or to a deafe man for his will is his Law and therefore they finde it a worke not only of extreame difficultie but of meere impossibilitie to effect it for neither they nor Morosini can so much pray and exhort Bondini to this match as hee with sharpe words and bitter threates seekes to divert his Daughter from it which pierceth and galleth these two Lovers to their verie soules For by this time their affections and hearts are so strongly and firmely united that Imperia loves Morosini a thousand times deerer than her owne life and hee her no lesse So when they thinke of their seperation and departure each from other the verie conceit and thought there of drawes even droppes of blood from their hearts and an Ocean of teares from their eyes But because they are more amorous then superstitious in their devotion and affection each to other and that in their thoughts and desires they sacrifice more to the Altars of Venus then to that of the Virgin Marie Therefore Fortune more envying then pittying them and therefore resolving to separate their bodies as farre assunder as their hearts are neerely linked and combined together the winde comes faire and the Master of their Shippe sends speedily from Ancona to them to Loretto to come away for that he is resolute to omit no time but with all expedition to weigh Anchor and set saile for Corfu Morosini receives this newes with infinite sorrow and Imperia with extreame griefe and amazement so as if grace had not prevailed with nature and her obedience to her Father vanquished and given a law to her affection towards Morosini shee could then and there have found in her heart to have left Italy and to accompanyed him in his voyage to Turkie and Constantinople so sweet was his sight and presence and so bitter was the verie thought of his abscence to her heart and minde Here Morosini comes againe with his hat in his hand and Imperia on her knees with teares to her father that hee will grant they may contract themselves each to other before his departure but he is deare to his requests and inexorable to her teares and prayers For hee vowes hee cannot and sweares hee will not consent thereunto And therefore heere the Reader must conceive for it is impossible for mee to expresse the thousand part of the sighes which hee and the teares
opinion to seize on their ship which is at anchor in the Roade termed the Realto of Venice a name I thinke derived and taken from the marchants Exchange of that ciâ—…ty tearmed the Realto or else from the Realto Bridge which for one Arche is doubtlesse the rarest fairest and richest Bridge of the world which ship was of some three hundred Tonnes and bore some twenty peeces of Ordinance and then presently after to seize on themselves in their Lodging But upon more mature deliberation they resolve to abandon this their opinion and so to seize on their persons but not to arrest or make stay of their Ship and although their reale to justice and hast for their apprehension be very great yet Mercario out of his respects to Imperia and affection to Marosini tripped on through the by Streetes and neerest way to the Key so swiftly as hee had allready secretly related him and his two consorts the sorrowfull newes which Imperia sent them by him Whereat with feare in their hearts and courages and amazement in their lookes and countenances they all three leape from their beds to their swords discharge their Inne packe up their Truncks and bagage and resolve with all possible speed to flie to their ship and then if not with yet against the windes to put into Sea and for their safetie to leave Ancona and saile for Venice But yet here Morosini's heart is perplexed with a thousand Torments to understand of his Imperia's eminent and apparant danger and with many Hels in stead of one to see that hee must now thus sodainly leave her deere sight and company which hee every way esteemes no lesse then either his earthly felicity or his Heaven upon earth But here againe violently called away by the importunate cries of Astonicus and Donato and yet farre more by the consideration of his owne proper feare and danger Mercario is no sooner stollen away from them but they all three with their swords drawne rush downe the stayres with equall intents and resolution to exchange their Inne for their Ship and thereby to metamorphose their danger into security But they shall see that these weake and reeling hopes of theirs will now deceive them For they finde all doores of their Inne lockt within â—…ide and surrounded and beleagured without with many armed Serjeants Soldiours and Citizens for their apprehension And although Morosini Astonicus and Donato were so inflamed with their youthful bloud and courage as they were once generously resolved to sell their lives deerely and with their Pistolls and Swords to prefer an honourable to an infamous death yet being farre overmastered with numbers and therefore enforced to take a Law of the stronger Whereunto they the sooner hearken and consent in regard the Serjeants and officers doe politickly cry out to them and pray them to yeeld as affirming that to their knowledg their resolution and feare doth far exceed the danger of their offences They make a vertue of necessity and unlocking the doores of their In and chambers do cheerfully yeeld up their persons pistolls and swords to the Popes Officers of Iustice who as soone conveigh them all three to the common prison of that Citty which was the same wherein our not so sorrowfull as unfortunate Imperia was already entred and where to her unexpressible griefe and Morosini's unparalel'd affliction disconsolation such exact charge was given of the Podestate and such curiousheed observed and taken of the Goaler that he could not possibly be permitted either to see or speak with her or she with him the which indeed they conceived to be farre more sharp than their crime and infinitly more bitter than the consideration either of their feare or danger Now the newes of these lamentable Accidents being speedily posted from Ancona to Loretto our Imperia's cruell Father Bondino no sooner is ascertained thereof But seeing his sonne in law Palmerius murthered in his bed and his wife and his own only daughter Imperia with her Ruffian Morosini and his two consorts to be imprisoned as the Authors and actors thereof hee for the love hee bore to her life and the tender pitty and sorrow hee felt of the infamy of her approaching death sodainly falls sicke and dies Wherof his imprisoned Daughter Imperia understanding shee in regard of his former severity towards her is so much passionate and so little compassionate as shee rather rejoyceth than lamenteth at it Onely shee prayes God to forgive his soule of that crueltie of his in enforcing her to marry Palmerius which shee knowes to bee the the originall cause and fatall cloud from whence have proceeded alâ—… these dismall stormes of affliction and tempests of untimely death which shee feares must very shortly befall both her selfe and her second selfe Morosini Whiles thus Astonicus and Donato grieve at their hard fortune and danger and Morosini and Imperia doe reciprocally more lament and sorrow for their separation then for their imprisonment and that the Podestate and other officers of Iustice of Ancona are resolved first to informe the Pope and then to expect his holinesse pleasure for the arraignment and punishment of these foure prisoners it pleased God exceedingly to visit the towne of Loretto and especially the Cittie of Ancona with the Plague wherof many thousands in a few moneths were swept away so by speciall commission and order from Rome they in company of divers other Prisoners are conveyed to the citty of Polegnio two small dayes journey from Ancona and there to be arraigned and tried upon their lives and deaths At which time as they past by the old little Citie of Tolentino where I then in my intended travells towards Rome lay upon my recovery of a burning feaver When I say the nature of their crimes and the quality of their persons made my curiosity so ambitious as to see and obserue them in their severall chambers of the Inne where they that night lay which was at the signe of the Popes armes as for Astonicus and Donato I found them to be rather sad than merry Morosini to be farre more merry then wise and Imperia to bee infinitly more faire than fortunate and all of them to bee lesse sorrowfull for their affliction and danger than for the cause thereof Within three houres of their arrivall to Foligâ—…io they are all foure convented before the two criminall Judges who are purposly sent from Rome thither and are there and then severally charged with this foule murther of stifling to death the old Signior Palmerius in his bed which all and every one of them apart doe stifly deny Notwithstanding that Fundt the hoast and Richardo the Nephew give in evidence of strong presumption against them and also notwithstanding of Morosini's gloves and Bondino's letter written to his Sonne in law Palmerius and delivered by Herbas as we have formerly understood But these two grave and prudent Iudges yet strongly suspecting the contrary they will not be deluded with the airy words and
contrary The next day all Granado rings and resounds of this murther and of the suspition and imprisonment of Don Hippolito for the same when the Lady Cervantella goes to the Criminall Iudges of the City and accuseth him for the same and with griefe sorrow and passion followes it close against him and although Hippolito at his first examination denies it yet being by his cleeresighted Iudges adjudged to the racke for the same hee at the very first sight thereof confesseth it for the which bloody and lamentable crime of his hee is sentenced the next day to be hanged although hee proffered all his estate and meanes to save his life But the zeale and integrity of his judges was such to the sacred name of Iustice as they disdained to bee corrupted herewith So the next Morning this old bloody wretch Hippolito is brought to the common place of execution where a very great concourse of people repaire from all parts of the Citty to see him take his last farewell of the world most oâ—… them pittying his age but all condemning the enormity of this his foule and bloody crime He was dealt with by some Priests and Fryers in prison whose Charity and Piety endevoured to fortifie his heart against the feare of death and to prepare his soule for the life and joyes of that to come But the Devill was yet so strong with him that hee could not bee drawne to contrition nor would not bee either perswaded or enforced to repentance or to aske God or the world forgivenesse of this his bloody fact but as hee lived prophanely so hee would dye wretchedly and desperately for on the Ladder hee made a foolish speech the which because it savoured more of beastly concupiscence and lust than of Piety or Religion I will therefore burie it in oblivion and silence and so hee was turnedover Come we now to speake of Don Emanuell de Cortez the Father who understanding of his Sonne Roderigo his continuall frequenting of Dona Cervantella's house and her daughter Dominica's company and now hearing of this murther of her Sonne to her doore his owne Sonne being then therein present he is much discontented therewith and because he will sequester him from her sight and provide him another Wife hee sends him to Asnalos a mannor house of his some tenne leagues off in the Country with a strong injunction and charge there to reside till his farther order to returne Roderigo is wonderfull sorrowfull thus to leave the sight of his faire and deere Mistris Dominica and to the view of the world no lesse is shee so hee transporteth only his body to Asnallos but his heart he leaves with her in Granado But a moneth is scarce expired after his departure But the Lady Cervantella by the death of her Sonne Don Garcia wanting a man to conduct and governe her affaires especially her law sutes wherewith as wee have formerly heard she is much incumbred shee thereupon as also at the instant request of her Daughter writes Roderigo this letter for his returne CERVANTELLA to RODERIGO AS thou tenderest the prosperity of my affaires and the content and ioy of my Doughter I request thee speedily to leave Asnallos and to returne to reside heere in Granado for I wanting my Sonne Garcia who was the ioy of my life and shee her Roderigo who art the life of her joy thou must not finde it strange if my age and her youth and if my Law sutes and her love affections and desires assume this resolution Thy Father is a Noble man of Reason and his Sonne shall finde this to bee a request both 〈◊〉 and reasonable except thou wilt so farre publish thy weakenesse to the world thaâ—… thou doest more feare thy Father than love my Daughter for if thou shouldest once â—…mit thy obedience to him so farre to give a Law to thy affection to her thou wilt then make thy selfe as unworthy to bee her Husband as I desire it with zeale and shee with passion Shee is resolved to second this my letter with one of her owne to thee to which I referre thee God blesse thy stay and hasten thy returne CERVANTELLA Dominica resolving to make good her promise to her mother and that of her mother to Roderigo she withdrawes her selfe to her chamber to write and knowing her mothers messenger ready to depart chargeth him with the delivery of her letter to her lover Roderigo and to cast the better lustre and varnish over her affection she takes a Diamond Ring from her finger and likewise sends it him for a token of her love DOMINICA to RODERIGO AS the death of my Brother Don Garcia made 〈◊〉 extreame sorrowfull so thiâ—… of thy absence made mee infinitely miserable for as that nipt my joyes and hopes in their blossomes so this kills them in their riper age and 〈◊〉 When I 〈◊〉 received thy love and gave and returned thee mine in exchange I had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou hadst affected me too dearly so soone to leave my sight and to â—…sh thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my company but now I see with griefe and feelewith sorrow that thâ—… lovest thy Fâ—…er farre bettter than â—…ee and delightest to preferre his content befâ—… 〈◊〉 for else thou hadst not made me thus wretched by thy absence who am as it were but entering into the happinesse of thy presence If thou canst finde in thy heart to obey his commands before thou grant my requests then come not to Granado but stay still in Asnallos but if the contrary then leave Asnallos and come to mee in Granado wâ—…ere I will chide thee for thy long stay and yet give thee a world of thankes and kisses for thy so soone returne and as my heart and soule doth desire it so the prosperity of my Mothers affaires doth likewise want and therefore crave it Iudge of the fervency of my affection to thee by thine to my selfe and then thou wilt speâ—…dily resolve to see thy Dominica who desires nothing so much under Heaven as to have the happinesse of thy sight and the felicity and Honour of thy Company DOMINICA Roderigo receives these their two Letters reputes that of the mother to much respect and this of her Daughter to infinite affection so as the very knowledg and consideration thereof makes him rejoyce in the first and triumph in the second and therefore knowing himselfe to be a man and past a child and that as he is bound by nature and reason to obey his farther so he is not tyed to bee commanded by him beyond it wherefore he resolves to give content to the mother for the daughters sake and to the daughter for his own saâ—…e and so by their own messenger returnes them these answers That to the Lady Cervantella spake thus RODERIGO to CERVANTELLA I So much tender the prosperity of thy affaires and thy daughters content and joy that my resolutions shall so dispose of my selfe towards my Father as verie shortly I will see thee with respect and observance and
visit her with affection and zeale for this desire of hers and request of thine is so honourable so reasonable as my Father should be guilty of unkindnesse to deny the one and my selfe of ingratitude not to grant the other Or if he will yet continue to crosse our affections I will then make it apparant to the world that I will not feare him the thousand part so much as I will love her and that I will ambitiously strive and resolve to make my affection to her to equalize thy zeale and her passion to mee and that I cannot receive a greater felicity and honour than to see her my Wife and my selfe her Husband I have given an answere to her Letter and very shortly I will give her my selfe every way answerable to her merits to thy expectation and my promise RODERIGO His Letter to Dominica was charged and fraughted with these lines RODERIGO to DOMINICA To deface thy sorrowes for thy Brothers death and thy miseries for my absence and likewise to preserve thy ioyes in their blossomes and thy hopes in their riper age and maturity I am fâ—…ly resolved very shortly to grant thy request in leaving Asnallos to live and dye with thee in Granado and thou doest offer a palpable wrong to the truth and an immerited disparagement to the purity and candour of my affection to thinke that I any waâ—… preferre my obedience to my Father before my affection to thee or consequently his content to thine Therefore prepare thy selfe to kisse not to chide mee for else I will resolve to chide and not to kisse thee at my returne My best endevoure shall write on the prosperity of thy Mothers affaires and my best love and service shall eternally attend on her Daughters pleasure and Commands and judge thou if my zeale to thee doe not exceed thine to my selfe sith Earth is not so deere to mee as the Honour of thy sight nor Heaven as the felicity of thy company RODERIGO Hee hath no sooner dispatched these two Letters to his Mistris and her Mother but the very next day after hee enters into a resolution with himselfe that hee shall not doe well so soone to disoblige and disobey his father by so speedily precipitating his returne from Asnallos to Granado as urging this reason to his consideration and proposing this consideration to his judgement that Dominica's affection and beauty can difficultly make him rich but that his Fathers discontent and displeasure towards him may easily make him poore Whereupon resolving to cherish his constancy to her and yet to retaine his obedience to him hee holds it no sinne if a little longer hee dispence with his content and promise to temporize for his discretion and profit as grounding his hope upon this confidence and his confidence upon this presuming infallibility that his Lady and Mistris Dominica is as chast as faire and will prove as constant to him as she is beautifull in her selfe But she is a woman and therefore she may deceive his hopes and he is a man and therefore it is possible that her beauty may betray his judgement the which prediction and prophesie to his griefe and sorrow and to her shame and misery wee shall shortly see made true and verified the manner thus Dominica as wee have formerly understood being of a wanton disposition and carriage and very unchastly and lasciviously enclined shee finding Roderigo's stay in Asnallos to exceed his promise and her expectation shee cannot live chast shee will not remaine constant in his absence but hath a friend or two I meane two proper young Gentlemen of Granado to whom shee many times privately imparteth her amorous favours and affection the which shee acteth not so closely but the Lady her Mother being a Lincy-eyed and curious observer of her actions hath notice thereof and thinking ro reclaime her from this foule sinne of fornication and whoredome which threatens no lesse than the ruines of her fortunes and the shipwracke of her reputation she first attempteth to perswade her by faire meanes with teares and prayers but seeing shee could not thereby prevaile with her then shee gives her many sharpe speeches and bitter threates and menaces as wholly to deprive her of her Fathers portion and either to make her spend her daies in a Nunnery or end them in a Prison That shee is not worthie to tread upon the face of earth or looke up to Heaven because this her foule crime of fornication makes her odious to God and an infinite shame and scandall to all her Parents and friends in generall and to every one in particular with many other reasons looking and conducing that way the which for brevities 〈◊〉 I resolve to omit and bury in silence But this lectuâ—…e of the Mother prevailes not with the Daughter but rather inflames than quencheth the fite of her inordinate and lascivious lust the which shee perceiving and to prevent her owne scandall in that of her daughters shee as a carefull Mother and a wise Matron me weth her up in her chamber where Dominice for meere griefe and choller to see her selfe thus debard of her pleasures in the restraint of her liberty shee growes very ficke lookes exceeding wanne pale and thinne and sokeepes her bed the which the Lady Cervantella takes for a fit occasion and opportunity againe effectually to write to Roderigo to hasten his returne to Granado as doubting least her Daughters Belly should chance to swell and grow big in his absence This her Letter to Roderigo reported her minde and represented her desires to him in these tearmes CERVANTELLA to RODERIGO THou doest thy selfe no right but mee and my Daughter infinite wrong in staying so long from Granado in regard it is contrary to thy promise to my expectation and to her deserts and merits For her affection is so entire and fervent to thee because shee conceives and hopes that thine in requitall is so to her that shee hath this many moneths languished in expectation of thy returne whereof now beginning to dispaire that dispaire of hers hath strucke her into so dangerous a consumption that I feare it will shortly prove fatall to her for already the Lillyes have banished the Roses of her cheekes yea her cheekes are growne thinne and those sparkling starres her eyes have lost a great part of their wonted lustre and glory so if thy affection will not yet pitty should move thee to hasten thy returne to see and comfort her especially sith thou wilt scarce know her when thou seest her in regard I may almost justly affirme that shee is no longer Dominica but rather the living Anotomy of dead Dominica How thou canst answer for this her sicknesse to thine honour which is occasioned by thy unkindnesse I know not but sure I am if shee goe to her grave before thou come to her thou canst never sufficiently answer it to thy conscience nor thy conscience to God In her sicke bed thou art the only Saint to whom shee
but not hee her and wee shall not goe far till we likewise see what effects these their different affections will produce Whiles Vrsina is assured of Sanctifiores love to her Bertranna contrariwise by her selfe and her friends makes it her chiefest care and ambition to perswade and draw him to forsake Vrsina and to love and marry herselfe but shee will find more opposition and difficulty therein than shee expects True it is that although the Baron of Sanctifiore doe continually frequent Placedos house and his daughter Bertrannas company yet understanding and considering with himselfe that Vrsina honoured him with her constant love and affection hee therefore held himselfe in a manner bound sometimes to see and visit her although indeed it was every way more to content and please her than himselfe where albeit that her policy to her selfe and her affection to him gives him many quips and jerkes of his Mistris Vrsina yet his reputation and discretion makes him comport his actions and speeches so equally towards Bertranna that although hee give her little cause to hope yet he gives her none to despaier of his love and affection to her in requitall of hers to him and upon these and no other tearmes stand Sanctifiore and Bertranna But as for Vrsina her hopes and heart of Sanctifiores affection to her sayls on with a more pleasing and joyfull gale of wind for shee loving him as deeply as hee doth her dearly she accounts her selfe his and he hers as we may the more particularly and perfectly perceive by foure love-letters of theirs which secretly and interchangeably past betweene them the which for the Readers better satisfaction I thought good here to insert and publish whereof his first to her spake thus SANCTIFIORE to VRSINA THe Sweetnes of thy beauty and the excellencie of thy Vertues have so fully taken up my thoughts and so firmely surprised and vanquished my heart that I am so much thine hoth by conquest and duty as I know not whether I doe more affect or honour or more admire or adore thee Wherefore if thou art as courteous as faire and as loving to me as I am faithfull to thy selfe then returne mee thy heart as I now give and send thee mine and assure thy selfe that my affection is so infinite and entire to thee that I love and desire theeâ—… thousand times more than mine owne life and will esteeme my death both sweet and happy if thou wilt henceforth live mine by Purchase as I am now thine by Promise Thy will shall be my law and as there is a God in Heaven so Vrsina hath not so fervent a lover or constant a servant on earth as her SANCTIFIORE Vrsinas answer hereunto was couched in these tearmes VRSINA to SANCTIFIORE IF thy heart be as full of affection as thy letter is of flattery to mee I should then have as just cause thankfully to beleeve that as now I have to suspect and feare this For the iniquity of our times and the misery of many former examples doe prompt and tell mee that most men love more with their tongues than with their hearts and that they all know far better how to professe than preserve their affections and fidelities to their Mistresses As for mee judge with thy selfe how courteous and loving I am to thee for if I perfectly knew that thy Letter were the true Ambassadour and unfeigned Eccho of thy heart I would both say and promise thee that I would love thee and none but thee Make my selfe thy wife when and as soone as thou wilt please to bee my Husband for in life and death I here now promise thee to bee more thine than mine owne Resolve mee of this doubt and free mee of this feare and then manage this affection and favour of mine with discretion and requite it with fidelitie to thy VRSINA The Baron of Sanctifiores second letter to her contayned this language SANCTIFIORE to VRSINA AS I am not guilty so I am not answerable for other mens crimes of infidelity but doe as justly detest and scorne as you unjustly feare them in mee That my affection is pure and sacred and shall bee inviolable to thee bee God my Iudge and my heart and conscience my witnesses Therefore to resolve thy doubt and to free thy feare thereof I vow by the purenesse of thy beauty and by the dignity of thy vertues that both my former letter and also this are the true Ambassadours and Ecchoes of my heart and which is more of my soule I will shortly kisse thee for thy love to mee then love thee for thy kisses and after embrace and thanke thee for both and when I faile of my affection and fidelity to thee may God then faile of his Grace and mercy to my selfe I will make my selfe thy deere Husband and thee my sweet wife when thou pleasest to crowne and honour mee with that sweet joy and to ravish my heart with this desired felicity SANCTIFIORE Vrsinas answer hereunto was traced in these tearmes VRSINA to SANCTIFIORE RElying on the Purity of thy affection and the preservation and performance of thy constancy to mee for the which thou hast invoked God for Iudge and thy heart and Conscience as witnesses thereof I now freely acknowledge my selfe to bee thy wife by Purchase and thou to bee my Husband by Promise and doe therefore wholly take me from my selfe eternally to give my selfe to thee I desire the enjoyance of thy company and presence with as much impatiency as thou longest for mine and thou shalt find that I will make it my chiefest care and ambition to love thee and my greatest glory to honour and obey thee and let both of us beware of infidelity each to other for God will assuredly punish it with justice requite it with revenge and revenge it with misery on the Delinquents and Offenders VRSINA By the perusall and consideration of these foure precedent Letters wee may plainly perceive what a firme promise and secret contract there was past betweene the Baron of Sanctifiore and the Lady Vrsina and how servently and sweetly they had given themselves each to other in the promise and assurance of mariage so not contented to have gotten the Daughters good will hee in very honourable fashion and tearmes likewise seekes her Father Seignior Placedos consent thereto whom though for some few Monethes hee found to bee averse and opposit to his desires therein yet upon Sanctifiores importunate intreaties and his Daughter Vrsinas frequent teares hee at last consenteth to this their mariage only he delayed the consummation thereof for some secret reasons and considerations best knowne to himselfe the which I cannot publish because I could never gather or understand them Whiles thus the Baron of Sanctifiore remaines in Naples his long stay great trayne prodigall expenses there and his absence from Capua where his lands and meanes lay made him bee in some distresse and want of mony and not knowing how to procure it
Aunt Mellefanta her Father Seignior de Tores whose age contentment and joy lived chiefly in the youth prosperity and health of this his only child and daughter makes her will and desire herein to be his when not knowing any thing of the distast that had past betweene his daughter and the Baron of Sanctifiore or of his affection to the Lady Bertranna hee demanded of her when you are at Putzeole what shall become of the Baron of Sanctifiore to whom rather from her apâ—…strings than her heart she returnes this witty and speedy answer if Sanctifiore love me hee will then sometimes leave Naples and visit mee or if hee doe not I will not love him which reply of hers pleased her father so well that hee causeth her to fit up her apparell and bagage and within three daies after attended on by a chamber maid and a man of his sends her away to Putzeole in his coach to his sister Mellifanta where being arived shee speedily and privatly acquaints her aunt with this great secret of her great belly which so much imports her reputation or disgrace and also with all the circumstances thereof and so prayes her best love and assistance to her herein the which shee faithfully promiseth her adding withall that because shee is of her owne blood shee will regard and love her as her owne child telling her that shee highly commended her policy for thus blinding the eyes of her father and for leaving Naples to come lay downe her great belly with her in Putzeole yet shee could not chuse but blame her for the cause thereof in suffering her selfe to bee thus abused and betrayed by so base a Nobleman as the Baron of Sanctifiore but then againe shee excuseth that errour of this her neece upon the freshnes of her youth and beauty and bids her feare nothing but to resolve to bee here cheerfull couragious and merry with her Here we see our beautifull Vrsina safe at Putzeole under the wings and protection of her aunt Mellifanta and far of from the eyes of the knowne or suspected rejoycing enemies of her disgrace lodged in a dainty house a delicate a yre having variety of curious sweet gardens and dainty ranckes and groves of orenge and lemon trees to walke in well attended on and fâ—…ing most delitiously and who therefore would beleeve that shee would not now quite abandon her former sorrowes and teares and wholly reject and cast of that base Baron of Sanctifiore who so ingratfully had ruined and so treacherously had first forsaken and rejected her but here in Putzeole wee shall see her performe nothing lesse for although she yet hold him to bee intangled in the lures of Bertrannas beauty and the temptations of her father de Tores wealth yet judging his heart and affections by her owne and measuring him by her selfe shee still loves him so dearely that she neverthelesse beleeves hee cannot hate her so deadly as to reject and repundiate her to marry the said Bertranna when the more to fortifie her beleefe and resolution thereof she very often againe reads over his two former letters which wee have heard and seene and therein finding that by his conscience and soule and by heaven and by God hee had bound himselfe to marry her and to love and die her faithfull husband shee then beleeves that no man much lesse a Nobleman and least of all a christian will bee so prophane and impious without any cause or reason to violate all these his great oathes and promises so deeply made and so religiously attested unto God wherefore although this Baron of Sanctifiore were absent from her yet seeing him still present in her eyes and heart shee therefore in consideration of the promises doth yet continually so plead for him against her selfe and for his affection and fidelity to her against her suspition and disfidence of him that she yet flatters her selfe with a conceit that in the end his conscience will so call home his thoughts and God his conscience that hee will marry her selfe and none but her selfe Againe consiâ—…ng him to be the Father of her unborne babe shee thinkes her selfe a very unkind and unnaturall mother if shee should not love him for her childs sake as well as for his owne and that God would neither blesse her nor her burthen it shee should any way neglect or omit him upon the foundations of which reasons truely and courteously laid by her but so falsly and treacherously by him shee thinkes it a good way and an excellent expedient for her to seeke to reclaime him to her by a letter the proofe whereof since his defection from her she had not as yet practised or experienced but as shee began to fall on this resolution her hope and despaire of Sanctifiore and yet her love and affection to him make her meet and fall on a doubtfull scruple whether shee should write kindly or cholerickly to him but at last her affection to him declining and excusing his infidelity to her and her love and courtesie giving a favourable construction to his cruelty towards her shee holds it more behouefull for her desire his returne to write to him passionately and effectually but not harshly or severely and so to take the sweet and faire way which shee desired but not the sharp and bitter which hee deserved when flying to her closet she full of griefe and teares writes him this ensuing letter the which without the knowledge of her Aunt Mellifanta shee sends him to Naples by her trusty menssenger Sebastiano her Fathers coachman VRSINA to SANCTIFIORE TO preserve thine honour and prevent mine owne disgrace and shame I have left Naples to sojourne here for a time in Putzeole with the Lady Mellifanta mine aunt where thy presence will make mee as truly joyfull and happie as I feele and know my selfe infinitly miserable without it For although of late but for what cause or reason God knowes I knowe not it hath pleased thee to excercise my affection and patience in thy discontent yet in regard I am thy wife by purchase sith thou art my Husband by promise whereof the copies of thy former letters will informe and remember thee that thou madest God the judge and the soule and consciences the witnesses I cannot beleeve that thou art so irreligious or that thou bearest mee so little love or so much malice to make thy selfe guilty of such foule infidelity to mee and impiety towards God and I appeale to them all if my tender untainted affection to thee have not every way deserved the contrary at thy hands Againe as in hoping to marry thee I gave thee my heart so in assurance and counfidence thereof thou didest likewise bereave mee of my honour and therefore if the conterpane of that contract doe anyway fade or dye in thy memory yet rest confident that the Originall lives still in Heaven as the pledge and seale thereof doth now in my unhappie wombe here on earth mistake mee not
and her usher Ferallo so that he as soone beleeves as understands this their adultery without ever making a stand either to consider the truth or to examine the circumstances thereof whereupon to make short worke and to provide a speedy remedy for this unfortunate disaster and disease hee without speaking word of it either to his Lady Bellinda or to Ferallo suddainely casheereth him from his house and service and in such disgracefull manner as hee will not so much as permit him to know the reason hereof or to see or take leave of his Lady and mistris and from thence forth De Mora lookes on her with infinite contempt and jealousie For it galles him to the heart first to remember her dishonour and dishonesty with Palura now far more to know that she is doubly guilty thereof with her owne domesticke servant and Gentleman-usher Ferallo wherefore he againe restraines her of her liberty and his jealousie so far exceeds the bounds of judgement and the limmits of reason as hee will difficultly permit her to see any man or any man to see her but as rivers stopped doe still degorge with more violence and overflow with more imperuositie so Bellinda takes this new jealousie of her old husband and this suddaine exile and banishment of Ferollo her lover and Gentleman-usher in extreme ill part and after shee hath wept and sighed her fill thereat shee then beleeves the prime and originall cause therof to proceed from the malice and jealousie of her waiting Gentlewoman Herodia wherefore being infinitly despighted and incensed against her shee in her deare love and affection to Ferallo to requite her husbands courtesie very discourteously turnes her away and for ever banisheth her her house and service and to write the truth Ferallo likewise inhatred malice to Herodia will from thence forth neither see nor speake with her more But to verifie the English proverb that love will creepe where it cannot goe although De Mora banisheth Ferallo from his house and restraineth his Lady Bellinda of her liberty in his house yet sometimes by day many times by night they by the assistance of some secret agents or Ambassadours of love doe in the arbours of the gardens and in some other out romes of the house very amorously meet and most lasciviously kisse and embrace together They hold many private conferences on their unlawfull affections and many secret consultations upon their unjust discontents so at last both of them joining in one wicked heart and mind and as matters are still best distinguished by their contraries finding each others company sweet and their sequestration and seperation bitter they so much forget their selves and their soules and so much fly from heaven and God to follow Sathan and hell as both of them beleeve and resolve they can have no true or perfect content on earth before De Mora be first sent to heaven now upon this bloody designe they agree and upon this hellish plot they fully resolve only the gordian knot which must combine and linke fast this foule busines is that De Mora being dead Bellinda must shortly after marry her Gentleman-usher Ferallo whereunto with as much joy as vanity shee cheerfully consenteth when they are so prophane as they seale this their ungodly contract with many oathes and ratifie and confirme it with a world of kisses and then of all violent deaths they resolve on that drugge of the devill poyson so without either the feare or grace of God they of Christians metamorphose and make themselves devils and Ferallo buying the poyson Bellinda very secretly and subtilly in diet drink and broath admmistereth it unto her Lord and husband De Mora which being of a languishing vertue and opperation hee within lesse then foure moneths dies thereof when with much cost and a wonderfull exteriour shew of griefe and sorrow shee gives him a stately funerall every answerable to the lustre of his name and the quality of his dignity and honoâ—…r but God in his due time will pull off the maske of this her monstrous hippocrie and infernall prophanesse Our jealous old Lord de Mora being thus laied and raked up in the dust of his untimely grave his joyfull sorrowfull widdow the Lady Bellinda according to her promise to the griefe of her father Cursoro to the wonder of Stremos and the admitation of all Portugall marries with this her Gentleman-usher Ferallo but such lustfull and bloody marriages most commonly meet with miserable ends For six moneths together Ferallo day and night keeps good corespondancy in the performance of his affections to his old Lady and mistris and now his new wife Bellinda and although they are unequall in birth and ranke yet marriage having now made them equall they mutually kisse and imbrace with as much content as desire but at the end of this small parcell of time satiety of his uxorious delights and pleasures makes him neglectfull and which is worse contemptible thereof a base ingratitude but to often subject to men of his inferiour ranke and quality and which the indiscretion of Ladies of honour very often paies deare for as buying it many times with infamy but still which repentance so that for ten nights and sometimes for fifteene together hee never kissed or imbraced her which unkind ungratitude of his and respectlesse unvaluation of her youth and beauty as also of her ranke meanes makes the Lady Bellinda his wife to be as hot in choler towards him as he is cold in affection love towards her But to ascend to the head-spring of this his discourtesie towards her and so to fetch and derive it from its owne proper originall wee must know that Ferallo was so vitious inconstant and base as now hee is deeply in love with a new waiting Gentlewoman of his Ladies named Christalina a sweet young maiden of some eighteene yeares of age tall of stature and slender of body and whose beauty was every way as cleere and pure as her name and yet whose maidenhead with a few rich presents and many poore flattering oaths and false promises hee had secretly purchased and gotten from her yea his affection was so fervent to her that part of the day could not content his lustfull desires but hee forgets himselfe so far as before his Ladies nose and almost in her sight hee must lye with her whole nights and which is worse almost every night without so much as once thinking of his owne wife the Lady Bellinda or either loving what shee cared for or caring for what shee loved But Bellinda esteemes her selfe too good a Gentlewoman and too great a Lady to be thus outbraved and disgraced by a Taylors sonne for so was Ferallo and therefore consequently her heart is too well lodged and too high fixed and seated in the degree of her high discent thus to receive suffer an affront by a man of so low a beginning so ignoble a quality and extraction as he was and whom she had