Country-Squires the most troublesom Race of Men all great Talkers most of 'em very impertinent and amongst whom there were some newly return'd from the University Among the rest appear'd a little Man who was a Widower a Lawyer by Profession and an Officer in a small Court of Judicature in the Neighbourhood Since the Death of his little Wife he sometimes threatned the Women to marry again and sometimes the Clergy of the Province to turn Priest nay even a preaching Prelate He was the greatest little Fool that ever ran madding since Rollando He had studied Books all his Life-time and though the chief end of Scholarship be the Knowledge of Truth yet he was as great a Lyar as a Page proud and obstinate as a Pedant and so bad a Poet as to deserve to be drown'd if the Government would take care to rid the Kingdom of the troublesom Vermine of Rhiming Fools Assoon as Destiny and his Comrades came into the Room without giving them the time to know who he was he offer'd to read to 'em a Poem of his own making call'd The Deeds and Atchievements of Charlemain in four and twenty Books This Proposal put all the Assistants into such a frighâ—â—s made their Hair stand an end but Destiny who in this general Terror preserv'd a little Judgment told him smiling that 't was not possible for them to give him the hearing before Supper Well quoth he I will read to you a Story taken out of a Spanish Bookâ— which was sent me from Paris and of which I design to make a regular Play They shifted the Discourse three or four times â—â—on purpose to avoid hearing a Story which they suppos'd to be an Imitation of Guy of Warwick or Tom Thumb But tho' they often interrupted him yet our little Man did not lose Courage and with often beginning his Story he at last forc'd them to hear him out however they did not repent because the Story prov'd to be a good one and bely'd the ill Opinion they had of all that came from Ragotin for so was call'd out Iack-in-a-Box You will see the said Story in the following Chapter not such as Ragotin told it but such as I had it my self from one of the Hearers Therefore 't is not Ragotin that speaks but my self CHAP IX The History of the Invisible Mistress DON Carlos of Aragon was a young Gentleman of the Family that bore that Name He perform'd Wonder at the Publick Game with which the Viceroy of Naples entertain'd the People upon the Marriage of Philip the Second Third or Fourth for I forgot which The next Day after a Running at the Ring whereof he carried the Prize the Viceroy gave liberty to the Ladies to go about the City in Disguise and to wear Masks after the French way for the Conveniency of Strangers whom the Publick Rejoycings had invited thither Upon that Day Don Carlos put on his finest Clothes and with many other Conquerors of Hearts repaird to the Churâ—â— of Gallantry Churches are prophaned in these Countries aâ— well as in ours and the House of God serves for a Meeting Place to the Beaux and the Cocquets to the eternal Shame 〈◊〉 those who have the curs'd Ambition of drawing Customerâ— from other Churches to their own These Abuses ought to bâ— reform'd and there should be Persons appointed to turn Beauâ— and Cocquets out of Churches as well as to drive away Dâ— and Bitches I may be ask'd What makes me concern 〈◊〉 self about it Truly you will see more of this anon Howâ—ever let the 〈◊〉 who is offended at it be satisfied that all Mâ— in this World are Fools as well as Lyars some more some lessâ— and I my self perhaps a greater Fool than the rest though have more Frankness in owning it And my Book being but heap of Folliesâ— I hope every Fool will find his own Charâ—â—â—â— in it unless he be blinded by Self-love To return to my Story Don Carlos was in a Church with several other Italian and â—nish Gentlemen viewing themselves in their fine Feathers 〈◊〉 proud Peacocks when three Ladies in Masks accosted him 〈◊〉 midst all these fierce and gay Cupids and one of 〈◊〉 spoke to him thus or to the same effect Signior Don Carlosâ— there is a Lady in this City to whom you are very much â—â—lig'd for at all the Justs and Turnaments her Wishes weâ— still along with you in all those Exercises whereof you caâ—â— the Prize What I find most advantageous in what you tell me answerd Don Carlos is to have it from the Mouth of a Lady who seems to be a Person of Merit yet had I so much as hop'd that any Lady had been on my side I would have taken more care to deserve her Approbation The unknown Lady reply'dâ— he had given all the Proofs imaginable of his being a most dextrous and accomplish'd Gentleman and that by his Black and White Liveries he had shewn he was not in love I never was well acquainted with the meaning of Colours answer'd Don Carlos but this I know that if I am not in love 't is not so much because I am indifferent as because I am sensible I do not deserve to be belov'd They said to one another a Thousand fine Things more which I shall not relate because I know nothing of 'em and that I would be loath to compose others lest I should wrong Don Carlos and the unknown Lady who had a great deal more Wit than I can pretrend toâ— as I was dately inform'd by a young Neapolitan who knew 'em both In short the Lady in a Mask declar'd to Don Carlos that 't was she who had an Inclination for him He desir'd to see her Face which she refus'd and told him That he must not expect it yet that she would look for a more proper Opportunity and thatâ— to let him know she fear'd not to trust her self alone with him that she would give him a Token At these Words she pull'd off her Glove and shew'd the Spaniard the finest Hand in the World and presented him with a Ring which he receiv'd with so great a Surprize at the Adventure that he almost forgot to make a Bow and thank her when the went from him The other Gentlemen who out of Civility were gone from him being come to him again he told 'em what had happen'd to him and shew'd them the Ring which was of considerable Value Every one spoke his Thoughts about the Adventure and Don Carlos was deep in love with the unknown Ladyâ— as if he had seen her Face So great is the Power of Wit on those who have their Share of it He was eight long Days without hearing from the Lady but whether or no he was uneasie at itâ— I could never be well inform'd In the mean time he went every Day to divert himself at the House of a Captain of Foot where several Men of Quality met to play One Night when he had not been at Play and
was going home sooner than ordinary he was call'd by his Name out of a Parlour in a great House He went near the Window which was lâ—â—â—ic'd and knew by the Voice that call'd him that 't was his invisible Mistress who told him Come near Don Carlosâ— I expect you here to decide our Controversie You are but a Brag said Don Carlos you challenge with Insolence and yet you hide your self eight Days together and then appear only through a Lattice Windâ—w We shall see one another nearer in time answer'd she 'T is not for want of Courage I have delay'd being with you but I had a mind to know you before I discover my self You know that in Duels the Combatants ought to fight with Arms that are alike Now if your Heart was not as free as mine you would fight with advantage and therefore I have made Enquiries about you And what Information had you answer'd Don Carlos That we are much upon the same Terms return'd the Invisible Lady But said Don Carlos there 's yet a great inequality for added he you both see me and know who I am whereas I neither see you nor know who you are Now think with your self what I can judge of your concealing your self Since People seldom do so when they have a good Design it is an easie Matter to impose at first upon a Man that mistrusts nothingâ— but he is not to be cheated twice if you make use of me only to make another jealous I must freely tell you that I am the most unfit Person for it in the World and that I am good for nothing besides loving you Have you now done with your rash Suspicions said the Invisible Lady You may call them rash if you please reply'd Don Carlos but however they are not unlikely I would have you know said she that I am sincere you will find me such in all our Intercourse and I expect you should be so too That 's but reasonable answer'd Don Carlos but 't is just likewise that I should see you and know who you are You shall be satisfied e're it be long said the Invisible Lady and in the mean time hope with Patience for that 's the only way for you to obtain what you expect from me Now that you may justifie your Love to your Discretion I am willing to let you know that my Birth is not Inferiour to yours that I have a Fortune sufficient to make you live with as great Magnificence as any Prince in the Kingdom that I am rather Handsom than Ill-favour'd and as for Wit you have too much of that your self not to discover whether I have any or no. She had no sooner made an end of her Speech but the withdrew leaving Don Carlos with his Mouth open ready to answer her so very much in love with a Person he never saw and so perplex'd about this odd way of Proceeding which might prove at last to be a Cheat that he stood on the same place for above a Quarter of an Hour not knowing what to think of this extraordinary Adventure He was not ignorant that there were a great many Princesses and Ladies of Quality in Naples but he knew likewise that there were abundance of greedy Courtezans eager after Strangers great Jilts and the more dangerous as they were Handsom I cannot positively tell whether he had Supp'd or went to bed without Supper Neither do I care to imitate the Writers of Romances who mark with great exactness all the hours of the Day and make their Heroe's rise betimes relate their Adventures by Dinner-time eat but little at Dinner then resume their Story after Dinner or retire into the thickest part of a Wood in order to entertain their own selves unless when they have something to say to the Rocks and Trees As Supper-time they make them repair at the usual Hour to the place where they Diet there they sigh and look pensive instead of eating and thence they go to build Castles in the Air on some Terrass-walk that looks towards the Sea whilst the Trusty Squire reveals that his Master is such a one Son to such a King that he is the best Prince alive and thô he be still the handsomest of all Mortals that he was quite another Man before Love had disfigur'd him To return to my story Don Carlos repair'd the next day to his Post where the invisible Lady waited his coming She ask'd him if he had not been much perplex'd about their last Conversation end if he had not doubted the truth of what she told him Don Carlos without answering her question desir'd her to tell him what danger she fear'd in discovering her self since they were upon even Terms and that the end of their Amours being honourable it would have the approbation of every Body The danger is very great and you will have it in time said the invisible Once more be satisfi'd that I am true and that in the account I gave you my self I was rather modest than vainâ— Don Carlos did not press her any further other Conversation which continued some time longer encreas'd the mutual Love they had for each other and so they parted with promise to meet every Day â— at the appointed hour and place The next day after there was a great Ball at the Viceroy's where Don Carlos hop'd to know his invisible Charmer in the mean time he endeavourd to know at whose House she gave him those favourable Audiences and was told by the Neighbours that the House belong'd to an old Lady Widow to a Spanish Captain who had neither Daughters nor Neeces and liv'd very retir'd He desir'd to wait on her but she sent him word that since her Husband died she admitted of no Visits when still perplext him more and moreâ—â— Don Carlos went in the Evening to the Viceroy's where you may imagine there was a very fine and numerous Assembly and nicely observ'd all the Ladies 〈◊〉 hopes to find out his unknown Mistriss He engag'd in Conversation with several but was disappointed in his search Aâ— last he keâ—â— close to a Marquis's Daughter of I know not what Marquisdom for 't is the most dubious thing in the World especially at that time when every body sets up for a Marquess She was young and handsom and her Voice not unlike that of the Person he lookt for But at the long runâ— he found such great disproportion betwixt her Wit and his Invisible's that he was sorry that in so little time he had made such progress with this fine Lady that without any flattery to himself he had reason to believe she did not hate him They danc'd several times together and the Ball being over to the small satisfaction of Don Carlos he took his leave of his Captive whom he left full of Pride for having had to her self in so fine an Assembly a Cavelier who was envied by all the Men and esteem'd by all the Women As soon as he came out of
represented to me how unworthy I was of your Love However that would have serv'd only to exasperate my Disease with unprofitable Remedies and after having strugled a while I must at last have yielded to the irresistible Necessity of loving you which you impose on all that see you Well I love you my charming Leonora but with so much Respect that you ought not to hate me for it although I have the Boldness to discover it to you But how is it possible to die for you without boasting of it And how can you refuse to pardon a Crime with which you cannot reproach me long I own your being the Cause of a Man's Death is a Recompence not to be merited but by a great Number of Services and you will perhaps cnvy me an Happiness which you procure me without Design But do not grudge it me lovely Leonora since 't is no more in your Power to make me lose it and that 't is the only Favour I ever receiv'd from Fortune who will never sufficiently reward your Merit but by procuring you Adorers as much above me as all other Beauties in the World are below yours Therefore I am not so vain as to think that you will bestow the least Sentiment of Pity on I was not able to make an end of my Letter my Strength fail'd me on the sudden the Pen fell from my Hand for my Mind went so fast that my Body could not keep pace with it else that long beginning you have heard had been but a small part of my Letter so much was my Imagination warm'd by my Fever and by my Love I was a long time in a fainting Fit without giving the least Sign of Life which Signior Stephano perceiving he open'd the Chamber Door to send for a Priest In that very Moment Leonora and her Mother came to visit me having been inform'd of my being wounded Now as they thought this Accident besel me upon their Account and therefore that they were the innocent Cause of my Death they did not scruple to come to see me in the Condition I was in My Trance lasted so long that they went away before I was come to my self again very much afflicted as one may imagine and fully persuaded that I would never recover They read what I had been writing and the Mother more curious than the Daughter perus'd also the Papers I left on the Bed amongst which there was a Letter from my Father Garignes I was a long time struggling betwixt Life and Death but at last Youth got the better on 't in a Fortnight's time I was out of Danger and in five Weeks I began to walk about the Room My Landlord entertain'd me often about Leonora He acquainted me with the charitable Visit which she and her Mother had given me at which I was over-joy'd And if I was a little troubled at their reading my Father's Letter I was highly pleas'd that my own had been read also As often as I happen'd to be alone with Stephano I could talk of nothing but Leonora One Day calling to mind what her Mother told me that he could inform me who she was and what Reasons oblig'd her to stay in Rome I desir'd him to acquaint me with what he knew about it He told me that she was come to Rome with the French Ambassador's Lady that a Man of Quality a near Relation of the Ambassador was fallen in Love with her that in time she lov'd him too and that being married clandestinely she had the beautiful Leonora by him He inform'd me likewise that that Nobleman was fallen out with all the Family of the Ambassador upon this Account which oblig'd him to leave Rome and go to Venice with Madam la Boissiere for this was her Name till the time of the Embassy was expir'd that having brought her back to Rome he furnish'd her a House and gave her all Necessaries to live like a Person of Quality whilst he staid in France whither his Father call'd him back and whither he durst not carry his Mistress or if you please his Wife well knowing that none of his Relations would approve his Match I must confess I could not sometimes forbear wishing that Leonora were not the Legitimate Daughter of a Person of Quality that the Blemish of her Birth might excuse the Meanness of mine but soon repented so Criminal a Thought and wish'd her Fortune were answerable to her Merit Tho' this last Thought cast me into Despair for as I lov'd her more than Life it self I plainly foresaw that I could never be happy without enjoying her nor enjoy her without making her unhappy When I began to recover and that there was no other Remains of my Distemper but a great Paleness in my Face occasion'd by the vast quantity of Blood I lost my young Masters return'd from the Venetian Army the Plague which infected all the Levant not suffering them to signalize their Courage there any longer Verville had still the same Affection he ever had for me and Saint Far did not yet shew he hated me as he has done since I recounted to them all my Adventures except my falling in Love with Leonora Both express'd a great desire of being acquainted with her which my exaggerating the Merit both of the Mother and the Daughter encreas'd A Man ought never to commend the Person he loves before those who may love her also since Love enters at the Ears as well as at the Eyes This Folly has often been pernicious to those who were guilty of it which my own Experience will justifie as you shall see anon Saint Far ask'd me every Day when I design'd to carry him to Madam la Boissiere One Day when he was more pressing than ordinary I answer'd I could not tell whether she would admit of his Visit because she liv'd very retir'd Nay reply'd he I now plainly see you are in love with her Daughter and adding he knew how to go to see her without me in a very blunt manner I was so daunted◠that he firmly believ'd what he did scarce suspect before Afterwards he pass'd an Hundred silly Jests upon me and dash'd me so out of Countenance that Verville pity'd me He took me away from his unmannerly Brother and carried me to the * Place to take the 〈…〉 Coach as Hide-Park Course where I was extremely Melancholy though Verville out of a Kindness extraordinary in a Person of his Age and so much above me by his Quality us'd all possible Means to divert me In the mean time the ill-natur'd Saint Far endeavour'd to satisfie himself or rather to ruin me He went strait to Madam la Boissiere where they took him at first for me because he had my Landlord's Servant with him who had often accompanied me thither but had it not been for that I believe he had never been admitted Madam la Boissiere was very much surpriz'd to see a Man she did not know She told Saint Far she could not
for a Crime which is only a Misfortune common to us both Pity me added I instead of accusing me and bethink of means to preserve me yours rather than reproach me with a Fault I am no ways Guilty of I believe I may have better reason to reflect on you for not having sufficiently loved me since I find you have not yet sufficiently known me But we have no time to lose in vain Words continu'd I carry me whither you please for you shall always find me disposed to follow you At these Words Don Carlos was more transported with Joy than he had been before depressed with Grief and therefore having beg'd my Pardon for the injustice he had done me he proposed to fetch me away the Night following For this purpose he spent all that Day in ordering his Affairs He got together a good Sum of Money and hired a Barcelona Vessel which would be ready to put to Sea at what time he desired For my part young as I was I had Wit to manage the Secret so well that no Body ever so much as mistrusted us I got all my Mothers Jewells and scrap'd up what Money I could get At the Hour appointed Carlos's his Page Claudio waited for me at the Gate He told me that his Master had sent him to conduct me on Board and that he could not come himself for Reasons he would satisfie me in when he saw me At the same time came a Slave that belong'd to Don Carlos and who was likewise very well known to me to accompany me We got easily out of the City by means of the good contrivance we had laid and were not gone far before we saw a Vessel riding in the Harbour whose Boat waited for us on the Shore The Seamen told me that my dear Don Carlos would come immediately and that I had no more to do but to go into the Boat I was carried in by the Slave but had no sooner been set down than I perceived the Seamen forcing in Claudio whom I observed to be unwilling to enter This encreased my concern for the absence of Carlos and thereupon I immediately demanded of the Slave where he was He surlily answer'd that wherever he was he was no more for me Having said this he left me and in a little while after I heard Claudio above upbraiding the Slave after this manner Is it thus Traitor Amet that you perform your Promise to rid me of a Rival and leave me with my Love To which the Slave reply'd Imprudent Claudia am I oblig'd to keep my Word with you when yuu have not scrupled to betray your Master and how could I expect you would be true to me and not send the Guards out after me to take my dear Sophy from me whom I love more than my Life when I have observ'd how Villanously you have served both him and her These Words spoken to a Woman whom I took always for a Man and concerning matters which I knew nothing of raised so fierce a discorder in me that I fell dead for the present in the Arms of the perfidious Moor. By that time my Fit was over our Vessel had got a good way to Sea You can't imagine when I came to my self what a confusion I was in for then I plainly perceiv'd I was in the Hands of Moors and Enemies to our Faith I knew that the Slave Amet had all sort of Authority and that his Brother Zaide was Captain of the Vessel Amet no sooner saw me in a condition to hear him but he made me a short declaration of his Love professing he had had a kindness for me a long time and that his Passion was the cause of his carrying me away Moreover that he design'd to carry me to Fez where it should be my own fault if I were not as happy if not happier than I could have been in Spain And lastly he had the Impudence to urge to me that he did not doubt but in a short time I would have no reason to regret the loss of Don Carlos I had scarce patience to hear him out before I flew upon him with all the Vigour and Courage that my Fit had left me and by an Address which I told you before I had learnt from my Education snatching his Scymitar out of the Scabbard I was going to punish his Perjury with the loss of his Life had not his Brother Zaide timely stept in and provented me I was presently Disarm'd for having once missed my blow I could not possibly defend my self against so great a number of Enemies Amet whom my unexpected Attempt had frightned commanded all but me to go out of the Room and afterwards followed himself He left me in such a condition as you may imagine after so cruel a reverse had happen'd to my Fortune I spent all that Night in Tears and the Day following I nothing but greived and took on Time that generally alleviates other Peoples Misfortunes had no effect upon mine The second Day was as Uncomfortable to me as the first or rather more tormenting for when I reflected upon the never seeing Don Carlos more how could I propose to my self any future Consolation Amet always found me so terrible whenever he offer'd to accost me that he came no more near me From time to time they brought me Victuals to eat but which I refused with that obstinacy as made the Moor to fear that he had brought me away to no purpose In the mean time the Ship had pass'd the Streights and was not far off the Coasts of Fez when Claudio entring the Room assoon as I perceived him I began with him after this manner Villain said I you have betray'd me and what could induce you to so base an Action after you had been so well used both by me and Don Carlos you were too well beloved answer'd he and since I lov'd Don Carlos likewise what ill have I done in endeavouring to â—id my self of a Rival But if I have betray'd you added he Amet has also betray'd me and I shall have as great reason to lament as you if I do not think of some way not to remain alone miserable ' Explain these Riddles reply'd I and learn me who you are that I may know of what Sex I have you for my Enemy Sophy then continu'd he I am of â—he same Sex with you and like you have been in Love with Don Carlos but if our love has been equal its success has been different he always lov'd you and was ever inâ—linable â—o believe that you returned his Passion whilst me he neither lov'd nor could think I loved him so dearly as I did by reason that he never knew who I was I am of Valencia â—â—ke you and was not born so low but Don Carlos might have married me without disparagement but his Mind was all set upon you and you were the only Object of his Vows and Wishes It was not but I endeavoured to make my
against this inconsolable grief In short I recover'd my health and Don Lewis persecuted me much more than ever he had done I had given orders to my women and particularly to Marina never to leave me alone with him Enrag'd at this usage and the resistance I made him he resolv'd to obtain by the blackest piece of treachery that ever was known that which I refused him with so much steadiness I have already told you that there was a way from his house to ours through a door that was seldom shut On the night he pitch'd upon for the execution of his damnable design and at the hour when he thought every one was asleep both at his house and ours he got in by this door open'd the gate towards the Street then turn'd all our Horses out of the Stable that immediately ran into the Court and from thence into the Street The noise they made soon awaken'd the Servants that looked after them and my husband He was very fond of his Horses as soon as he knew that they were got into the Street he immediately ran after them in his Morning Gown swearing heartily at his Grooms and at the Porter who had forgot to shut the great Gate Don Lewis who had hid himself in my Anti-chamber and saw my husband go down stairs follow'd him into the Court soon after and having shut the Street door and tarried a little to give the greater probability to what he had a mind to effect came to Bed to me personating my husband so well that 't is no wonder if I was mistaken He was excessive cold with standing so long in his Shirt Good God Sir said I to him how cold you are 'T is very true answers he counterfeiting his voice I had like to have been starv'd in the Street And are your Horses I said to him retaken My Servants are gone after them cries he and then drawing nearer to me as to warm himself and embracing me very lovingly he proceeded to betray me and dishonour his brother As Heaven permitted this crime perhaps it reserv'd the punishment of it to me that so my honour might be retriev'd by my own hands and my innocence known Having satisfy'd his wicked desire he pretended to be in pain for his Horses so up he got and open'd the Street gate and then retir'd to his own lodging well pleas'd perhaps with his crime and rejoycing in that which wou'd be the cause of his destruction My husband came in soon after and getting into Bed crept close to me half frozen and starv'd as he was and obliged me by his caresses which I thought were extraordinary to desire him to let me sleep He thought it strange for my part I was surpriz'd and did not doubt but that some treacherous trick had been play'd meâ— cou'd not sleep a wink till it was day I got up much earlier than I us'd to do I went to Mass and there I saw Don Lewis in his finest Cloaths and with his countenanceas gay as mine was sad and melancholy He presented me with the holy water which I receiv'd very coldly then looking upon me with a malicious sneer Good God Madam says he how cold you are At these words that were the same I spoke to him the night before and made me no longer doubt my misfortune I turn'd pale and then redden'd He might easily find by my eyes and the disorder these words gave me how hainously I resented his insolence I parted from him without so much as looking at him I pass'd all the time at Mass very uneasy as you may well imagine I made my Husband so too when at dinner and all the rest of the day I look'd like a distracted woman sighing incessantly and showing that I was troubled in mind notwithstanding all the care I took to conceal it I retir'd to my Chamber sooner than I us'd to do pretending a slight indisposition I thought of a hundred different designs to revenge my self At last my indignation put me upon that which I resolv'd to put in execution The night came I went to bed when my Husband did I pretended to sleep to oblige him to do the same and when I saw him fast and suppos'd that all our servants were so too I got up I took his Ponyard and wholly blinded and transported by my passion I made a shift however by the same door and the same way through which my cruel enemy had got to my bed to find the way to his My fury made me not do things at random I grop'd out where his heart lay with my hand that was free and discover'd it by its palpitation My fear of missing my blow did not make the other tremble wherein I held the Ponyard I sheath'd it twice in the heart of the detestable Don Lewis and punish'd him by a gentler death than he deserv'd In the heat of my rage I gave him five or six hearty stabs more and return'd to my Chamber in that tranquillity and peace of mind that convinc'd me I never did any thing with more satisfaction I put up my husband's Ponyard all bloody as it was into the Scabbard I drest my self in as much haste and with as little noise as I cou'd I took with me all my Jewels and Money and as much transported by my love as I had been lately hurry'd by my revenge I ran away from my husband who lov'd me better than his life to throw my self into the arms of a young man who had not long ago taken care to let me know that I was become odious to him The natural cowardise of my Sex was so well fortified by the impetuous passions that reign'd in my Soul that tho it was midnight and I all alone by my self yet I walked from my own house to Andrada's Lodging with as much assurance as if I had been going to do a good action in the day time I knock'd at Andrada's door who was not at home being engag'd it seems at play at a friend's house His Footmen who knew me well enough and were not a little surpriz'd to see me there receiv'd me with a great deal of respect and lighted a fire for me in their Master's Chamber He came home soon after and I suppose little imagin'd to find me in his Room He no sooner saw me but looking wildly upon me What has brought you hither Madam Eugenia says he and what have you to say to me of all men living whom you design'd to sacrifice to the revenge of your Brother-in-law and Gallant How Andrada said I to him do you put so ill a construction upon an an inevitable accident which forc'd me to have recourse to the only man in the world whom I was most afraid to be oblig'd by and cou'd you pass so disadvantageous a judgment of a person who had given you so many proofs of her affection I expected something else than reproaches from you which you wou'd not have been in a condition now to
shews the thing is not to be easily understood or is such as may Displease I must confess I have admir'd a hundred times since how I was able to answer her my Mind being less intent upon what she said than full of Fears of her Mother's return and losing the Opportunity of entertaining her with my Love However at last I muster'd all my Assurance and without prolonging a Conversation which did not carry me fast enough to the Point I aim'd at I told her without minding her last words That I had long sought the Opportunity to speak with her thereby to confirm what I had presum'd to express in my Letter which yet I durst not have undertaken but on the knowledge that she had seen that Writing To this I added a great deal of what I had Written and said Moreover that being upon my Departure to serve the Pope in the War he was making on some Princes of Italy and resolv'd to die there since I found my self unworthy to live for her I would entreat her only to tell me what Sentiments she would have entertain'd for me had my Fortune answer'd the Ambition I had to love her She told me with a Blush that my Death would not be indifferent to her and therefore added she if you are still of the same obliging Temper towards your Friends do not let 's loose one who has been so serviceable to us or at least if you will needs die for some greater reason than what you have just now express'd yet defer your Death till we have seen one another in France whither my Mother and my self are suddenly returning I press'd her to explain more clearly the Sentiments she had for me but her Mother was by this time come so near us that she could not have satisfi'd me if she had intended it Madam de la Boissiere look'd but coldly upon me perhaps because I had had an Opportunity to entertain her Daughter who likewise seem'd to be somwhat uneasie which made me stay but a little while with them after their being return'd home I left 'em highly pleas'd with my Adventure putting the best Interpretation on Leonora's Answer which I inferr'd to be favourable to my Passion The next day I omitted not to wait upon them according to my Custom I was told they were gone abroad and the same answer I receiv'd for three days together for I was not Discourag'd by the first or second Denial In fine Signior Stephano advis'd me to go no more because Madam ' de la Boissiere would not suffer me to see her Daughter adding he took me to be a Man of more Sense than to Expose my self to a Refusal Then he acquainted me with the reason of my Disgrace Leonora's Mother had caught her writing a Letter to me and having severely Reprov'd her for it did afterwards give a strict Order that her People should always deny their being within when I came to pay my Visit to 'em And then I likewise discover'd the ill Office Saint Far had done me and that ever since that time the Mother had been very much displeas'd with my Visits As for the Daughter Stephano assur'd me that my Personal Merit would have made her wave my mean Birth and Fortune could she have gain'd her Mother's Consent who was too Haughty and Covetous to be perswaded to it I shall not trouble you with the desperate Thoughts this unwelcome News put me into I was as much concern'd at it as if I had Injustice done in being refus'd by Leonora thô I never durst hope to have the least possession in her Heart I rail'd against Saint Far and had some thoughts of Fighting him but then considering how much I was oblig'd to his Father and Brother I had no other Refuge but my Tears I wept like a Child and was always uneasie but most of all in Company Now came the sad moment of our Departure and I was forc'd to go away without taking my last Farewell of Leonora We made a Campaign in the Pope's Armies where I courted Death as much as I could but Fortune disappointed me in this as she had e're done in all my other Attempts I could not meet with Death which I sought for but gain'd Reputation I did not aim at thô I had been proud of it at any other time whereas then I could cherish nothing but the pleasing remembrance of Leonora Verville and Saint Far were recall'd to France by the Baron d'Arques who receiv'd 'em like a Father who dotes on his Children My Mother gave me a very indifferent Reception and as for my Father he dwelt at Paris with Count Glaris who had chosen him Governor to his Son The Baron d'Arques who was made acquainted with my feats of Arms in the War of Italy where I had sav'd Verville's Life would needs have me live with him in Quality of a Gentleman and Companion He gave me leave to visit my Father at Paris where I found less welcome than I had done from my Mother Any other Person in his Station that had had a Son so Accomplish'd as my self would certainly have presented him to the Scotch Earl but my Father carried me out of his House in great hast as if he fear'd I should Disgrace him As we went about the Streets he Reproach'd my being too fine and gallant told me I seem'd proud and that 't were better for me to learn a Trade than thus to strut it with a Sword on my side you may imagine this Discourse sounded but harsh in a young Man's Ears that had been well Educated and gain'd some Reputation in the Wars And who besides had dared to love a handsom young Lady and declare his Passion to her I must freely own that the Sentiments of Love and Respect which a Son own to his Father could not make me refrain from looking on him as a very Troublesom old Man He led me about through three or four several Streets with the same Civility and Caressing Expressions and then shook me off Abruptly charging me not to come near him any more I was willing enough to obey this last Injunction and therefore quitted him to go and wait upon Monsieur de Saint Sauvour who receiv'd me like a Father indeed and blam'd my own Parents for their unnaturalness promising withal never to abandon me The Baron d'Arques had some Business which oblig'd him to go and dwell at Paris He took his Lodgings the further end of Saint Germains Suburb in a very stately House that had been lately built with many others which have rendred that Suburb the finest part of the City of Paris Saint Far and Verville made their Court to the King went to the * At the Ring in Hide-Park Park or a Visiting as all young Men of Quality are wont to do in that vast City which makes the Inhabitants of all other Cities in the Kingdom that never come there be accounted Clowns For my own part when I waited not on
to find our Conditions more equal than if either of us had been a Mercenary Servant The Day appear'd while we were yet talking together We left our Ladies in my Chamber where they might sleep if they would whilst Verville and I went to consult what was next to be done For my part having no Love-fancies to disturb my Breast as Verville had I died almost for want of sleep but there was no appearance I should abandon my Friend with such a load of Business I had a Footman as Subtle and Witty as Verville's Valet de Chambre was dull and Blockish I gave him what Instructions I could and sent him to make Discovery how Affairs stood at Saldagne's He perform'd his Message very discreetly and brought us this Account that Saldagne's Servants reported the Thieves had desperately wounded their Master but as for his Sisters there was no more mention made of them than if there had never been any such alive whether he little car'd for 'em or because he gave positive Orders to his Servants not to speak of 'em to stifle such disadvantageous Rumours I see here must be something of a Duel after all this said Verville nay perhaps something of a Murder replyed I Whereupon I acquainted him that Saldagne was the same Hector that intended to murder me at Rome and how we came to know one another in the Garden adding withal that if he did but imagine as there was all the likelyhood in the World that I lay there in wait to take my Revenge of him then certainly he could not at all suspect the intelligence between his Sister and us I went to give an account to those fair Ladies of our Discoveries and in the mean time Verville Visited Saint Far to sound his Sentiments and discover the truth of our Suspicions He soon perceiv'd his Face full of scratches but whatever question Verville put to him he could get no other Answer save only that as he came from the Gaming-house he found Saldagne's Garden-Door open his House in an Uproar and himself very much Wounded in the hands of his Servants who were carrying him to his Chamber A very strange Accident said Verville no doubt but his Sisters will take it very much to Heart They are very handsom Ladies and I must go and give 'em a Visit. What 's that to me said this Brute who then fell a Whistling not minding or giving any answer to whatever his Brother afterwards desir'd to know Verville left him and return'd to my Chamber where I was employing all my Eloquence to comfort our fair Distress'd Ladies They were Disconsolate even to Desperation and apprehended the roughest usage from their Brother's Jealousie and Savage Humour as being a Man wholly enslav'd to his Passions My Lacquy brought 'em some Meat from the next Cook which he continu'd to do for fifteen Days together so long were they conceal'd in my Chamber which was above the rest and so much out of the common Road and Passage that no Body disturb'd 'em in the least They could willingly have put themselves into some Nunnery for shelter but after their sad Adventure they had just reason to fear their Brother would have confin'd 'em longer than they should care for In the mean time Saldagne's Wounds were in a fair way of Curing and Saint Far as we observ'd went every day to visit him Verville stirr'd not out of my Room which was not taken much notice of in the Family he being wont to pass many whole Days in it either Reading or in Discourse with me His Love for Madam Saldagne encreas'd every day neither did she love him less Her Eldest Sister lik'd me pretty well nor was she indifferent to me Not that my Passion for Leonora was abated but I had no manner of hopes from her thô I might have obtain'd her yet should I have made it a matter of Conscience to render her unhappy Upon a certain day Verville receiv'd a Note from Saldagne wherein he challeng'd him to meet him with a Second in the Plain of Grenelle to decide their Quarrel by the Sword By the same Note he desir'd Verville to bring no other but my self against him which made me suspect he intended to take us both in the same Trap. My suspicion was not altogether groundless having already experienced his Treachery however Verville would not mind it resolving to give him any just Satisfaction and to offer a Marriage with his Sister He sent for a Hackney Coach thô there were three belonging to the Family We went to the place of Assignation where Saldagne waited for us and where Verville was much astonish'd to find his own Brother seconding his Enemy We omitted neither Submissions nor Intreaties to bring all things to a fair Accommodation but nothing less than Fighting would serve the turn of those two unjust and irrational Men. I was about to protest to Saint Far how much it was against my Will to draw my Sword against him he told me bluntly that he never lik'd me in his Life nor could any thing endear me to him till he open'd a passage or two with his Sword point for his good will to enter at With these words he came fiercely towards me I only put by his Thrusts for some time resolv'd if possible to grapple with him and so Disarm him thô with apparent danger of being Wounded my self Fortune befriended my good Intention for he slipt down at my Feet I gave him time to rise and that which should have made him my Friend encreas'd his Enmity In fine having given me a slight Wound in the Shoulder he vapour'd like a Bully-huff and cry'd I think you feel me now My Patience being worn out I prest upon him and having put him into Disorder I got so happily within his Sword that I seiz'd on the Hilt The Man you hate so very much said I will however give you your Life Sir He struggled a while to no purpose and would not reply a Word like an obstinate rash Brute as he was though I represented to him it was our Duty to go and part his Brother from Saldagne who were grappled and fowling over one another upon the Ground But I perceiv'd I must be more rough and therefore wrench'd his Hand and forc'd away his Sword which I threw a great distance from him I ran immediately to assist Verville who was closed with his Antagonist When I came up to 'em I saw afar off several Horsemen galloping towards us Saldagne was soon after Disarm'd and at the same instant I found my self run through the back by Saint Far. I could no longer Master my Resentment and so return'd him a thrust that made no little Wound The Baron d'Arques his Father who came in at that Moment and saw me wound his Son did now hate me as much as he lov'd me before He spurr'd his Horse up towards me and gave me a great blow on the Head Those that came with him followed his Example
vvhether he vvas vvilling to admit of his Visit but he vvas not a little surpriz'd vvhen at the first Words he spoke the other rose from his Bed ran to embrace him discovering himself to be his Servant Leander vvho vvas gone from him vvithout taking his leave four or five Days before and vvhom Cave suspected to be the Ravisher of her Daughter Destiny vvas at a stand not knovving in vvhat sort of Tone he should speak to him by reason he savv him look like a Gentleman both in his Person and Dress Whilst he vvas vievving of him Leander had time to compose himself for he seem'd something disorder'd at first I am asham'd said he to Destiny I dealt not so frankly and sincerely with you as I should have done with one whom I value so much as I do you but you must excuse an unexperienc'd young Man who before he was well acquainted with you thought you to be of the same Make as are generally those of your Profession and who upon that Score durst not trust you with a Secret on which depends the Happiness of his Life Destiny told him he could not imagine in what particular he had distrusted him unless 〈◊〉 would let him know it I have a great many things bendes to tell you if so be you are not acquainted with 'em already answer'd Leander but first of all let me know what brought you hither Destiny told him how Angelica was Stollen avvay that he pursued her Ravishers and was inform'd as he came into the Inn that he had met with one that could give him an account of them 'T is true I met with 'em reply'd Leander with a sigh and that I did as much against 'em as a single Man can do against many but my Sword happening to break in the Body of the first Man I wounded I could neither rescue Mistriss Angelica nor die in her Defence tho' I was fully resolv'd to do either They left me in the Condition you see me in and thinking they had killed me with a Back-stroke I receiv'd on the Head but which did only stun me for a while they went on their way in great haste This is all I know about Mistriss Angelica but we shall hear more from a Servant who is to meet me here and whom I sent to follow 'em at a distance after he help'd me to mount my Horse which they left me because I suppose they did not think him worth Stealing Destiny ask'd him why he went from him without giving him Warning From whence he came and Who he was Not doubting but he conceal'd his Name and Condition from him Leander confest there was some such thing and having laid himself down because the Blows he receiv'd gave him a cruel Pain Destiny sat on the Beds Feet and then Leander recounted what you shall read in the following Chapter CHAP. V. The History of Leander I Am a Gentleman of a Family pretty well known in the Province and hope to be worth one Day at least Four thousand Crowns a Year provided my Father be pleas'd to Die for tho' 't is now fourscore Years since 〈◊〉 Plagues all those who have any dependance upon him yet he is so well in Health that I have more reason to fear he will never Die than to hope to inherit three fine Lordships which make up all his Estate He designs to make me a Counsellor in the Parliament of Brittany tho' against my Inclination and 't is for that purpose he sent me to School betimes I was at the College of La Fleche when your Company came there to Act there I saw Mistriss Angelica and fell in Love with her to that degree that I could mind nothing else Nay I went farther for I had the Assurance to acquaint her with my Passion at which she was not offended I Writ to her she receiv'd my Letter and did not look more coldly than before upon me the next time I saw her Afterwards Mistriss Cave being fallen Sick and oblig'd to keep her Chamber whilst you were at La Fleche her Daughter and I had frequent Opportunities of Discoursing together which she would have prevented had she not been ill for you know how severe and reserv'd she is for a Woman of a Profession which seems to dispense with those that follow it for not being over nice or scrupulous From the first Moment I feâ—â— in Love I never went to School more nor mist a Playâ— The Iesuits endeavoured to bring me back to my Durâ—â— but having chosen the most charming Mistress in the Worlâ—â— I refused to obey those troublesome Masters Your Servaâ—â— was kill'd at the Play-house Door by the Scholars of Briâ—tany who made that Year a great Disturbance at La Flecâ—â— because they were very numerous and that Wine happen to be cheap which was in some measure the Reason 〈◊〉 you went from La Fleche to Angiers I did not speak Angelica to bid her Farewel because her Mother never 〈◊〉 sight of her all I could do was to appear before her as 〈◊〉 went away with Despair in my Face and Tears in my Eyâ—â— A pitying melancholy Look which she cast on me was 〈◊〉 to break my Heart I lockt my self in my Room We bitterly the remaining part of the Day and all the Night and the very next Morning changing Cloaths with my Man who is about my Size I left him at La Fleche to sell my School-boys Equipage and gave him a Letter for a Tenant of my Fathers who supplies me with Money whenever I ask him for it with orders to come to me at Angiers I began my Journey thither after you and overtook you at Duretail where several Gentlemen who Hunted the Stag oblig'd you to stay seven or eight Days There I offer'd my Service to you and you entertain'd me as your Man either because you was loth to be without one or because my Face and Mien which you seem'd to like engaged you to hire me My Hair which I cut very short hindred me from being known again by those who had often seen me with Angelica Besides my Man 's bad Coat which I put on to disguise my self made me look quite another Man from what I look'd in my own Cloaths which were finer than a School-boy's generally are However Mistriss Angelica knew me at first sight and own'd to me since that she did not doubt but the Passion I had for her was very violent since I abandon'd all to follow her She had the Generosity to disswade me from it And to recall my wandring Reason She made me feel those Rigours which would have cool'd a Man less Amorous than my self but by my constant Love I insensibly engaged her to Love me as much as I did her As you have the Soul of a Man of Quality of such a Man of Quality I mean as is truly Noble 't was not long before you found out that I had not the Inclinations of a Servant I soon gain'd your
dispatch'd Zoraide to let her know that he would send her back to Spain assoon as ever she pleas'd but not caring to trust to the frailty of his Nature he had at the same time resolv'd to keep as much out of her sight as he could Sophy for her part was employ'd in thinking how to make her return as secure as possible She doubted if she should meet a Christian Ship which was nevertheless very difficult for her to do by reason that few or none traded hither whether she should not find as bad Men on Board it as she had done before among the Moors Sincerity is seldom observ'd on Board Vessels and good Faith minded as little among Seamen as amongst Soldiers Wherever Innocence and Beauty are met together Impudence will always take an occasion to Invade them Whilst she was thus debating with her self Zoraide advis'd her to take the Habit of a Man and the rather because her Shape was proper for that purpose She told her also that it was Muley's Pleasure that she should do so and who not being able to find a Man in Fez with whom he could safely entrust her had provided a Companion for her of her own Sex who was to be disguiz'd likewise whereby they might both easily avoid the Insolence of the Seamen and Passengers if any were that way inclin'd This Moorish Prince had formerly purchaz'd a Prize of a Corsair of Barbary It was a Ship that had belong'd to the Governour of Oran which was carrying a Spanish Gentleman with his whole Family into Spain and whom the Governour had sent thither a Prisoner out of some disgust Muley had been inform'd that this Christian was a great Hunter and as that Exercise was one of the choicest of his Diversions he was resolved to keep him to himself but for fear to make him uneasy he order'd that he should not be separated from his Wife his Son and Daughter In two Years time that he liv'd in Fez in Muley's Service he had taught that Prince to Shoot admirably well and that either sitting or flying He had moreover instructed him in several other ways of Hunting unknown before to the Moors By these means in a short time he gain'd so far upon the Princes Favour and became so Serviceable to him in all his Diversions that when a Ransom was offer'd for him he would by no means consent to part with him but rather made it his daily endeavour to oblige him and make him forget Spain Notwithstanding this kindness of the Prince the regret he had to be out of his own Country and the unlikelihood of ever returning again brought so deep a Melancholy upon him that it soon ended his Days His Wife likewise languish'd on the same account and lived not long after her Husband When Muley saw how fatal his Favours to these Strangers had been he began to be touched with Remorse and was exceeding sorry that he had not comply'd with their Desires but since it was now too late he resolv'd to reward the good Services of his Sportsman to his Children and for that purpose immediately sent for them into his Presence The Daughter whose name was Dorothy was about the same Age with Sophy and had both Wit and Beauty Her Brother nam'd Sancho was younger being not above Fifteen both were made choice of by Muley to accompany Sophy to Spain The Affair for some time was kept Secret three Spanish Habits for Men were order'd to be got ready in the mean time At length Muley display'd his Magnificence in a great quantity of precious Stones which he gave to Sophy To Dorothy and Sancho likewise he made several noble Presents which together with what their Father had left them and which had been all obtain'd from the Liberality of this Prince made them to be considerably Rich. About the same time Charles V. made War upon Africa and had besieg'd the City of Tunis He had sent an Ambassador to Muley to treat about the Ransom of certain Spaniards of Quality who had been Shipwrack'd on the Coasts of Morocco It was to this Ambassador that Muley recommended Sophy under the name of a Man of Quality called Don Fernando Dorothy and her Brother were said to be his Attendants one passing for his Gentleman and the other for his Page Sophy and Zoraide could not part without the greatest reluctance They shed abundance of Tears and gave each other unquestonable Proofs of a Reciprocal Affection Zoraide as a farther token of her Love and Esteem presented the fair Christian with a Necklace of Pearl of that great value that she would by no means have excepted it had not Zulema who lov'd her no less than his Wife acquainted her that they should take it very unkindly if she refus'd what they tender'd only as a Pledge of their Friendship Zoraide made Sophy promise to let them know from time to time how she did either by the way of Tangier Oran or the other Places which the Emperour then possess'd in Africa The Christian Ambassador embark'd at Salâ—y carrying along with him Sophy whom from henceforward we must call Don Fernando Before he proceeded on his Voyage to Spain he was to go to wait on the Emperour at his Camp before Tunis Our Spanish Lady in Masquerade was to be presented to him for a Gentleman of Andalousia who had been a long time a Slave to the Prince of Morocco She had no such great Reason to be in Love with her Life as to fear to hazard it in the Wars and therefore since she had took upon her the Character of a Cavalier she was oblig'd to go upon all Actions that Honour called her to For this purpose she placed her self among the Volunteers resolving to lose no occasion to signalize her self and which she often did to that degree that her Valour came at length to the Emperour's Ear. She happen'd to be in one Action above the rest wherein the Emperour was unhorsed and the Christians like to be beaten This our Valiant Amazon perceiving by a Performance scarce to be believed she immediately remounted the Emperour and laid about her with that Conduct and Vigour that she almost opposed the whole Force of the Enemy till such time as the routed Army had rallied and were come up to her Relief This wonderful Action of hers did not go without its reward The Emperour in recompence presented to the unknown Don Fernando a Commandery of great Revenue as likewise a Regiment of Horse which had belonged to a Spanish Colonel killed in the late Fight he also gave him the Equipage of a Man of Quality and from that very time none were so much esteem'd of in the Army as this Valiant Lady All the actions of a Man were natural to her Her Countenance was so good and made her appear to be so Young her Courage and Conduct were so far beyond her Years her Wit was so charming and Entertaining that there was not one Man of Quality or
their Chambers and at Night took a Walk towards Don Manuel's House They there heard Instruments of several kinds runing under Dorothea's Window and afterwards an excellent Consort when that was over a single Voice accompained only with a Theorbo complain'd for some time of the Cruelties of a Tygress in an Angels formâ— Don Sancho was so provoked at this that he certainly had truss'd up the Serenaders had not the Marquess Fabio prevented it by representing to him that he could have done no more if Dorothea had appear'd in the Balcony to encourage his Rival but since she had not he ought to believe that the Words that were Sung were rather Complaints of a dissatisfied Lover than thanks for any Favours receiv'd The Serenaders retir'd after they had perform'd their Task and Don Sancho and the Marquess retir'd also to their Lodgings Dorothea began to be importun'd more and more every Day by her Indian Lover Her Father Don Manuel was extremely desirous to have her speedily Married and therefore she feared that if Don Iuan de Peralta being Rich and of so good a Family as he really was should offer himself to him for his Son-in-Law he would easily be prefer'd to all others and she consequently more press'd by her Father to Marry than she had hitherto been The Day after the Serenade Dorothea spent wholly in her Sisters Company often telling her That she could no longer suffer the Gallantries of the Indian and farther that she could not but wonder how he could make his Courting of her so publick before he had obtained her Fathers leave to Court her It is a thing that extremely surprizes me likewise reply'd Feliciana and if I were in your place the first opportunity that offer'd I would treat him so ill that he should ever after be out of Hopes either of saying or doing any thing to please me For my part continu'd she I can't discover any Charms in him to please a Woman He has not that Air which is to be acquir'd only at Court and the great Expences he is at here has nothing of the Polite and plainly shews him to be a Stranger She proceeded afterwards to finish a very disadvantageous Character of Don Iuan de Peralta not remembring that at his first appearing in Seville she had confest to her Sister that she liked him and that as often as she had had occasion to speak of him she had always done it with some sort of concern Dorothea observing her Sister so alter'd or at least that she seem'd to be so from the Opinion she had formerly entertain'd of this Cavalier presently suspected that she loved him as much as she pretended to dislike him She therefore to clear her doubts told Feliciana that she had no manner of aversion for Don Iuan's Person but rather a respect by reason that she found so much of Sancho's likeness in his Face Her only reason for slighting him was because she could Love no Man after Don Sancho and she added farther since she could not hope to be his Wife she was resolv'd never to be one to any other but determin'd to spend the remainder of her Days in a Convent Altho' you were resolved upon such a strange Undertaking which I don't believe reply'd Feliciana yet you might spare me the trouble of hearing of it Never doubt it dear Sister answer'd Dorothea for it is but too true and it is as certain that you will speedily be the richest Fortune in Seville It is therefore continued she that I would see Don Iuan once more to encline him since he is not like to have me to have the same Love and Respect for you But proceeded she farther when I do see him I shall withal desire him to importune me no more with his Addresses since I find they are so very displeasing to you And let me tell you added she further that I know no Person in Seville to whom you could be happier Married than to him If I said he displeased me reply'd Feliciana I must own it was rather through Complaisance to you than any aversion I had for him Confess rather dear Sister quoth Dorothea that you Love him and apprehend me for a Rival At these Words Feliciana began to blush and was extremely out of Countenance She proceeded to defend herself against her Sisters Accusation but which served rather to condemn than acquit her At last she found she was oblig'd to confess that she lov'd Don Iuan which she would nevertheless not have done had she believed it in her power to have concealed it Dorothea was so far from disapproving her Sisters Passion ' that she encouraged her in it by promising to serve her to her Power Soon after Isabella who had broke off all Communication with her Friend Gusman ever since the accident that befel Don Sancho had orders from Dorothea to go immediately and find out Don Iuan and to tell him that she and her Sister desired his Company about Midnight in the Garden when her Father would certainly be a Bed She likewise bad her to carry him the Key of the Garden-Gate Isabella who had been gain'd over by Don Iuan and consequently had made it her business to procure him her Mistrisses esteem tho' without success was extremely surpriz'd at this sudden change but at the same time not a little glad that she was to carry him so good News who had so often oblig'd her tho' she brought him none but bad She made what hast she could therefore to his Lodgings but found him not inclinable to credit her Message till she shewed him the fatal Key At the same time she put the Key into his Hands he put a perfum'd Purse with 50 Pistoles in it into hers which she received with no less Joy than she had occasion'd him by her coming As ill-luck would have it the same Night that Don Iuan was to have admittance into Dorothea's Fathers Garden Don Sancho and his Friend the Marquess happen'd to take their rounds that way They were in the Street where Dorothea lived about Eleven a Clock when all of a sudden four Men well Arm'd came up to them and star'd them full in the Face Don Sancho thinking his Rival might be among them forthwith told them surlily That the Post which they had taken up there he had occasion for to dispatch a certain Affair in and therefore requir'd them to be gone and give him Liberty for that purpose To which they immediately reply'd that they would do it with all their Hearts but that the place was as proper for them to execute a Design they had in Hand which he must give them leave to do before he could find any room there This answer so nettled Don Sancho that it was only a Word and a Blow with him for he immediately set upon them with that Vigour that he soon put them into disorder and his Friend the Marquess charging them at the same time they were driven to the end of the
marry'd is never out of his Wive's Company and watches all her motions He talks of taking a journey to Valladolid shortly without me I will then justify myself and pay my debts This Billet which they kist a hundred times by the same token that they strove which shou'd out-do the other gave them fresh encouragement and made them easie enough for a few days But at last hearing no news from their cruel Mistresses they began after their old laudable custom to walk to and fro a hundred times a day before their Windows they pass'd whole nights in the street but cou'd not see a soul stir out of the house no more than if it had not been inhabited One day as these despairing Lovers happen'd to be at Church they had the good luck to see our young Bride come towards them Don Rodrigo kneel'd down by her under the nose of an old Gentleman Usher that had Squir'd her to Church He made his complaints to her in a few words she excus'd herself in like manner and at last told Don Rodrigo that her Husband was not to go to Valladolid altho he daily talk'd of it that she was â—mpatient to have a private conversation with him and that she only knew one way of bringing it about which wholly depended upon Don Pedro. My husband says she sleeps as sound as if he took Opium every night and we have not exchang'd a word with one another these four or five days by reason of a small quarrel between us which is not yet made up I had prevail'd with my Cousin Violanta to take my place but she 's unhappily sick and since none are privy to our love but she and Don Pedro and I wou'd not for all the world have it communicated to more youâ— must eâ—en get him if you think he loves you well enough to venture it to supply her room and go to bed to my Husband This attempt seems to be somewhat dangerous at first sight but if you consider that my good man and I are at odds as I have already told you and that he does not easily wake I don't question buâ— it will succeed to our expectation and this is all I can do for you This happy Love-Stratagem which Don Rodrigo so earnestly desir'd to know cool'd him in a minute when he heard it He not only doubted whether his Cousin wou'd take upon him to act this dangerous part but he likewise doubted whether he ought so much as propose it to him His Mistress continu'd inflexible in her resolution and as she took her leave of him she protested to him that in case the Proposal she had made him was not well received and executed in the manner she directed him he had nothing more to hope from her nay that she gave him full leave to banish her out of his remembrance altho at another time she wou'd as soon consent to her own death Neither the time nor place wou'd permit Don Rodrigo to talk any longer with his Mistress She went home and Don Rodrigo repair'd to his companion who cou'd not get a word out of him so much confounded he was at the unhappy Dilemma wherein he found himself either to make so unreasonable a request to his friend or to live without enjoying that happiness which is always more esteem'd before possession than after it At last shutting themselves up in their Chamber Don Rodrigo after he had for a whiâ—e refus'd to declare his grievance open'd the above-mention'd proposal to Don Pedro gilding the Pill as well as he bou'd to make it go down the better with him At first Don Pedro thought that he had a mind to banter him but his Cousin protesting the contrary in a very serious air and confirming it by so many Oaths that he cou'd no longer doubt of it he must needs turn the thing into raillery and told him he was exceedingly oblig'd to his Mistress for designing him such good fortune with so lovely a Bed-fellow and that it was undoubtedly the effect of Violanta's gratitude who not being in a condition to reward his services because she was sick and being prest to pay her debts turn'd it over to her Cousin's Husband with whom he shou'd certainly pass the night very agreeably He talk'd much to the same purpose and jested a long while sometimes well and sometimes but indifferently But Don Rodrigo was not in a humour to be merry and he appear'd so dejected and melancholy to his Cousin that he heartily pity'd him and was afraid that his despair wou'd carry him to some dangerous resolutions Don Pedro was bold in his temper a great lover of Intrigues and no man so ready as he to engage in any extravagant adventure he lov'd Don Rodrigo tenderly so that all this joyn'd together made him resolve to supply the room of the beautiful Virginia whatever her jealous Husband might do to him being therefore fully determin'd upon the matter he embrac'd his Cousin and put fresh life into him when he assur'd him that he wou'd hazard all that he might enjoy his beloved Mistress You will not added he be so much oblig'd to me as you think I consider it as an honourable action wherein I pretend to get as much reputation as if I shouâ—d signalize my self at a breach Word was sent to Virginia that her proposal was accepted she appointed that very evening to put it in execution The two Cousins went to her house and were introduc'd with as little noise as was possible Don Pedro was oblig'd by the fair Lady of the Enchanted Castle to undress himself before her being resolv'd that her orders shou'd not be transgress'd in the least Don Pedro having nothing on now but his shirt was conducted by her with all the care and circumspection imaginable to the fatal room and opening the Curtains the softly put the bold Don Pedro between the sheets who perhaps at that very moment repented for having gone so far and one may swear did not throw himself into the middle of the Bed She went away lock'd the Chamber door which put Don Pedro into cruel apprehensions and repaired to Don Rodrigo to whom I suppose she paid like a woman of honour all that she ow'd him or at least as much as he demanded of her In the mean time Don Pedro was in different circumstances from those of his Cousin who threw himself into the arms of his charming Mistress while our too charitable and adventurous Friend fear'd nothing so much as the embraces of a detestable man whom to his great sorrow he was like to find a very uncomfortable Bed-fellow He then began to consider but it was somewhat of the latest to what hazards his foolish rashness had carried him He blamed himself he called himself Fool a thousand times in his thoughts and was sensible that to transgress thus against any Husband was an unpardonable crime tho even he himself were to be judge These melancholy reflexions were disturbed and his just
give me leave what a sad accident had befallen me at which I don 't at all question but he was pleas'd in his heart Don Lewis said I to him I don't implore thy generosity now to prolong my Life a few days my misfortunes have made it so odious to me that I wou'd take it away myself were I not afraid that my despair cou'd not effect it but at the expence of my honour from which that of Don Sancho and even his life are perhaps inseparable Thou may'st believe that the disdain I have all along shown thee was rather the effect of my aversion than of my virtue thou may'st rejoyce at my disgrace nay and glut thy revenge with it but darest thou reproach me with a crime which thou hast so often tempted me to commit and canst thou want indulgence for her who has so often shown it to thee Don Lewis wou'd not let me go on But Madam says he to me you see that Heaven has justly punish'd you for bestowing your affections upon one whom you ought to have hated but I have no time to lose that I may convince you by drawing you out of this premunire that you have not a better friend in the world than Don Lewis Having said this he left me and return'd a moment after with two Porters whom he had order'd to be sent for Marina and I in the mean time had put Andrada's Body again into the great Coffer Don Lewis lent a helping hand to put it on the fellow's Shoulders and bid them carry it to a certain friend's house to whom he had discoverâ—d this Adventure as he had before trusted him with the secret of his amour Here after he had before taken Andrada's Body out of the Coffer he ordere'd it to be laid at full length upon a Table and while they were taking off his Cloaths he felt his Pulse and put his hand on that part of his breast where the palpitation of the Heart is best to be discover'd and found there were still some sparks of life left in him He sent for a Chyrurgeon in all haste while in the mean time they put him to Bed and employ'd all the remedies that were proper to bring him to himself again 〈◊〉 â—ort he came to himself and was blooded A Servant was left to attend him and the company quitted the room to afford time to nature and rest to compleat that cure which their remedies had so successfully begun You may imagine how great Andrada's surprize was when after so long a deliquium he found himself in Bed and cou'd only remember what a fright he was in when they put him into the Coffer he knew not where he was nor what he had to hope or fear He was taken up with these mortifying thoughts when he heard the Chamber door open and when the Curtains were drawn he saw by the light of some tapâ—â— that were brought into the room Don Lewis whom he very well knew to be my Brother-in-law and who having taken a chair spoke to him as follows Am I a stranger to you Signior Andrada and don 't you know that I am Brother to Don Sancho Yes replied Andrada I know you well enough And do you remember cries Don Lewis what happen'd to you to day at his House Take my word for t continues he that if you pretend any more to carry on your intreagues with my Sister-in-law or if I ever see you more in our Street you shall sorely repent it and know that thou hadst been a dead man if I had not taken compassion on a foolish and unfortunate woman who has been pleas'd to put her life and honour in my hand and if I were not fully assur'd that thy criminal designs against my Brother's honour have not been put in execution Change your habitation continues he and think not to escape my resentments if you break the promise I expect you should make me Andrada promised him more than he ask'd he made him the meanest and most abject submissions he cou'd think of and protested to him that he ow'd him a life for saving his now He was weak enough in all conscience to keep his bed but his excessive fear gave him strength enough to get up From that very moment he conceiv'd as great an aversion for me as his affection before had been violent nay he had my very name in horrour In the mean time I was uneasy to know what was become of him but I had not assurance enough to ask Don Lewis nay not to look him in the face I sent Marina to Andrada's Lodging where she arrived just at the same time as he came in himself and had ordered his trunks to be got ready in order to remove to another quarter of the Town As soon as he saw her he forbad her to come to him any more from me and recounting to her in a few words all that had pass'd between Don Lewis and himself he added that I was the most ungrateful and most perfidious woman in the world that he wou'd only consider me for the future as one that design'd to ruine him and desired that I wou'd no more think of him than if I had never seen him Having said this he turned Marina out of his Chamber who was extremely surprized at his treatment However her astonishment was not so great but that she had presence of mind enough to dog him him at a distance and observing the house where his Trunks were carried by that means came to know his new lodging The vexation I felt to be accus'd of a crime whereof I was innocent and to be hated by the man whom I loved so tenderly and for whom I had hazarded my life and reputation hindred me from taking so much satisfaction in his safety as otherwise I should have done I fell into a fit of melancholy which threw me into a sickness and my distemper which the Physicians cou'd not tell what to make of was no little affliction to my Husband To compleat my misfortune Don Lewis began to value himself upon the important service he had done me he incessantly importun'd me to grant him that happiness which I had intended for Andrada reproaching me that I was in love with the latter all the time I preach'd to him what I ow'd to my Husband and what he ow'd to a Brother Thus being hated by the man I lov'd lov'd by the man I hated seeing Andrada no more seeing Don Lewis too often and perpetually accusing my self for having been so ungrateful to the best husband in the World who left nothing undone to please me and who was distracted at my illness when he had the justest provocations to take away my life being thus troubled with remorse of conscience of love and hatred two passions so contrary I kept my Bed for two Months expecting every moment my death with joy but Heaven it seems reserv'd me for greater misfortunes My youth in spite of my self assisted me
greatest Talker of his age Our Ladies were so well pleas'd with the Chase that they resolv'd to take their pleasure the next day and in order to change their Diversion they design'd to go by Sea to Puzzolo where the Princess Mathilda promis'd to give them a Collation and Musick They no less spruc'd themselves up for their Voyage by Water than they had done the day before for hunting The Boats that carried them were finely adorn'd cover'd with rich Tapestry whether of Turky or China I won't be positive and the meanest Cushions were of Silk or Velvet Prosper would needs go thither by land and had none but his dear self to accompany him either to save Money or because he was melancholy for some folks are so out of pride He was mounted upon his finest Horse had dress'd himself in his richest Campaign Suit and loaded his head with the spoils of many an Ostridge Hippolito's House lay in the road to Puzzolo near the Sea and the Prince of Salerno must of necessity ride just by it He no sooner saw it but a noble thought came into his head He knew that Hippolito was at home and alighted from his Horse to have a little Conversation with him Hippolito receiv'd him with all the respect and civility that was due to his Quality altho' the other had not the manners to return it Prosper made him a very rude Compliment upon his presuming to be in love with a Princess who was to be his Wife Hippolito bore all his impertinence for a long while and answerâ—d him with all the sweetness imaginable that he ought not to be offended at his Gallantry which a Love without hopes put him upon But at last Prosper's Insolence forc'd him to change his Language and he had already call'd for his Horse to go out and fight him when word was brought him that the Sea was very tempestuous and that the Boats wherein the Ladies were which they could behold from the shore were in danger of being dash'd against the Rocks Hippolito did not doubt but that these Ladies were Mathilda and her Company he perswaded Prosper to run to the relief of their common Mistriss who excus'd himself upon his not being able to swim and that he was not yet recover'd of the bruise he receiv'd when he run at the Ring The generous Hippolito detesting in his Soul the ingratitude of his Rival ran or rather flew to the Sea-shore His Servants follow'd him threw themselves into the Sea after his example and by the assistance of some Fishermen who happen'd by good luck to be upon the Coast they made a shift to save Mathilda's Life and the Ladies in her company Their Boats were overturn'd within a hundred Yards of the shore and Naples had bewail'd the loss of all its Beauties at once if it had not been for this seasonable relief Hippolito was so happy that Mathilda ow'd her life to him His love made him soon distinguish her from the other Ladies whom the waves were going to dash against the rocks that bound the shore While the Fishermen and his Servant help'd the first persons they found he caught hold of the Princess just as she rose above water and holding her with one hand while he swum with the other towards the shore he happily gain'd it without any one to help him Mathilda found herself much more ill after her Shipwrack than the rest of the Ladies that were sav'd with her After they had vomited their salt-water chang'd their Cloaths and recover'd their fright they were able that very day to take Coach for Naples As for the Princess of Tarento it was a long time before they brought her to herself Even then they much doubted her Life and Hippolito and his Sister Irâ—ne took all the care of her that was possible He sent to Naples for the ablest Physicians besides him belonging to the Princess and quitted his House intirely to Mathilda and to some of her Domesticks that came to wait on her He and his Servants made a shift to lodge at a little Farm not far from his own House and sent every other moment to enquire how the Princess did when he could not go thither himself As for Prosper very well pleasâ—d with the rough Compliment he had pass'd upon Hippolito he left Mathilda and the rest of the Ladies to swim for themselves as well as they could without troubling his head what became of them thinking perhaps that since he was none of the fittest man to help them he ought not to pollute his eyes with so 〈◊〉 a spectacle and so jogg'd on gently to Naples expecting the doubtful event of the Shipwrack to rejoice at it or otherwise according as it would have made him happy or unhappy In the mean time Mathilda assisted by her youth and the remedies that were given her recover'd her Health and Beauty all at once and was extreamly satisfied with the great care of Hippolito and his Sister who dexterously insinuated to her with what indifference Prosper had beheld the peril she was in Mathilda did not discover the least mark of resentment in her face or discourse whether it were because her love master'd it or because she dissembled her ill usage The Night before she design'd to leave Hippolito's House and return to Naples she could not sleep and call'd for a Book and a Candle Her Women were gone out of her Chamber to sleep or do something else when she saw Prosper come into the Room We may readily guess what a surprize she was in to see him at so unseasonable an hour and how much she look'd upon herself affronted by so disrespectful a visit She spoke to him of it with some warmth Prosper was warmer than she and as if this Princess had thrown herself into this danger of losing her life on purpose to give Hippolito the glory of saving it he reproach'd her with her Shipwrack as a blemish to her honour and tax'd her with infidelity because she was in the House of one that was in love with her lodgâ—d in his Chamber and lay in his Bed Mathilda wou'd not condescend to shew him how unjust his reproaches were but retorted upon him for not having endeavour'd to save her and in a cutting way of raillery complain'd of him for not being able to swim as also for not being fully recover'd of his late dangerous fall Prosper redden'd with anger and confusion treated her with opprobrious language and told her he would never see her any more since Roger the King's Favourite offer'd him his Sister and with her all the advantages he might expect from the alliance of a Man in his Post. Mathilda could not hold out against so terrible a menace her Blood curdl'd within her and her Love soon conquer'd her Indignation She had began to exert herself a little but all on the sudden became a suppliant He relented too on his side when he saw her humbl'd as much as he thought convenient and
permission for so doing who granted it upon condition that she should leave it that very night She went out of it in disguiseâ— and so secretly that with all the search and enquiry Hippolito cou'd make he could not meet the least information which way she was gone However he resolv'd to follow her just as chance directed him rather than sit still at home and make no enquiry after her While he was in quest of her or at least fancied he was she thought no more of him and Prosper thought no more of her He represented her as a Criminal of State made his Court very regularly to the King and his Favourite and as the generality of Mankind use to alter their Measures with the time he made love to Camilla Roger's Sister and begg'd of the King to help on the Marriage The King who look'd upon it as an advantagious Match for the Sister of his Confident whom he lov'd the best of any Subject in his Dominions spoke about it to his Favourite who always likes that which his Master likes This Sister of Roger was one of the most beautiful Ladies of Naples and tho' she shar'd in her Brother 's good Fortune yet she had no hand in his wicked designs As she was look'd upon at Court to be the best Match in the Kingdom she look'd upon Hippolito to be the compleatest Gentleman of his time and perhaps lov'd him or at least would have lov'd him if she had not beheld him so passionately in love with another She took Mathilda's misfortune so to heart and was so generous in her temper that if she had in the least suspected that it was all owing to her Brother she would most undoubtedly have reproach'd him with so black an action and been one of the first to exclaim against it She was so afflicted at Hippolito's late loss that not valuing what the World would say of her she went to find him at his Habitation that was burnt down to the ground to offer him Money or whatever he wanted that lay in her power She met with his Sister there who little expected such a visit much less to be invited to take up her Quarters at Camilla's House This beautiful Lady could not refuse so obliging an offer and went with her to Naples What better course could a young person of her Sex and condition take who found herself without a Farthing to relieve her without a House to cover her without hopes of mending her Fortune in a Country too where she scarce knew any one but her Brother who was as good as lost to her since as soon as he was inform'd that Mathilda had left Naples he ran in quest of her like a Mad-man without knowing whether she was gone That day on which Camilla went to find Irene at her Brotherâ—s House with a design to carry her home with her the King was pleas'd to honour her with a visit and presented to her our gallant Prince of Salerno and all his Gallantry Camilla who had Hippolito always in her thoughts receiv'd Prosper's Compliments with as much indifference as she express'd thankfulness to the King for condescending to see her The sorrowful Irene bore her company and under all her affliction appear'd so charming to the eyes of the young King that he fell in love with her His Love was violent in its very infancy He approached her with as much respect and awe as if she had been in his condition and he in hers He said a thousand fine things to her upon her beauty and this lovely young Lady who demean'd herself neither with too much haughâ—ness nor submission discover'd at once so much wit prudence and modesty that he consider'd her from that very moment as the only happiness that was wanting to his fortune He stay'd at Camilla's house as long as possible he cou'd and the pleasure he took in conversing with Irene was so much the more taken notice of as the young King had alwâ—ys seem'd insensible to love and behaved himself with great coldness towards all the most celebrated beauties of Naples Irene was so charming that it was impossible for a man tho never so little inclin'd to Love and never so uncapable to judge of her merit to avoid falling in love with her Camilla before she knew her intended to serve her for her Brothers sake but no sooner came she acquainted with her but she lovâ—d her for her own She easily believ'd that the King was in love with her because she desir'd it and far from envying her good fortune as any other handsom Lady but herself wou'd have done she rejoyc'd at it exceedingly She congratulated Irene upon so important a Conquest and had without question flatter'd the vanity and hopes of any Lady less presuming than her But this modest Damosell cou'd not be perswaded but that the King was more a Gallant than a Lover that he had no other design but only to divert himself and that he wou'd think no more of her when he was out of her sight But she was mistaken it was not long before the King came again to her to acquaint her with his passion which was so impetuous that it wou'd not suffer him to be longer without seeing her than that very evening after he fell in love with her He told the Prince of Salerno that he was resolv'd to go incognito after the Spanish mode to make love to Irene under Camilla's Balcony Prosper was mightily pleas'd to be made the confident of his Master's Pleasures and accompany him in an amorous Adventure In all probability Roger had been chosen for this affair or at least had bore his share in it but that very day he had taken his leave of the King to go to Tarento whither some important business callâ—d him The Night came and the King accompanied by Prosper who was armed like himself after the Italian manner that is to say with more offensive Arms than a single man can be supposâ—d to want came under Camilla's Balcony who had been before hand acquainted with his coming by Prosper She knew the method and good breeding of the Court too well not to leave the King at liberty to entertain himself with his Mistriss in private For this reason she retir'd to another Balcony notwithstanding all the intreaties of Irene to stay with her The King reproach'd this young Lady for her uneasiness to be alone with him and told her that she â—ow'd at least some complaisance to a King who had for her something above it I should owe all to your Majesty reply'd Irene if I did not likewise owe something to my self which I cannot owe to any one else And what do you owe to your self says the King which you do not owe to my Love Why not to believe that you have any for me answers Irene Alas cries the King sighing there is nothing so sure and there is nothing I would not willingly do to hinder you from doubting it If I
could believe what you tell me says she I should have more reason to complain of your Majesty than thank you for it How cruel Damosel answer'd the King and can a passion so sincere as mine offend you It wou'd be a honour to some great Queen replies Irene but it wou'd very much call in question the Judgment of any one else 'T is true indeed says the King that you are no Queen but she that deserves to be one is in a possibility of making one I am not so vain of my own merit answers Irene as to expect any such alteration in my fortune and your Majesty has more goodness than to divert yourself longer at the expence of an unhappy Creature Beautiful Irene says our amorous Prince I love you as much as 't is possible for the most passionate and faithful Lover in the Universe to love you and if my Tongue has inform'd you of what my looks and sighs cou'd not have acquainted you with in so short a time don't think that I have any design to dispense by my quality any of the pains of a long servitude or any of the services and cares which the most charming woman upon earth may expect from the most respectful Lover But so violent a pain as mine wants a speedy remedy and you ought to be satisfied in my opinion however scrupulous and rigid you may be towards a King who is afraid to displease you with this declaration of my Love He said to her abundance of things more passionate than this which the person who overheard them unluckily forgot as I can assure you he did So I leave the discreet Reader to imagin them within himself for to make a King of Naples express himself so tenderly as ours did and at the same time not to maim his thoughts a man must be as much in love as he was which I humbly presume is none of my business at present Irene always answer'd him with her usual modesty and without shewing herself too hard or too easie to be perswaded she disengag'd herself so handsomely from so nice a Conversation that it increas'd the King's esteem for her who parted from her infinitely more in love than he had been before From that time there passed not a day over his head in which he did not visit Camilla and Irene nor a night but he came to that Lady's Balcony where he employ'd all his amorous eloquence to perswade her of the sincerity of his Passion One night that he had given orders to his Guards not to attend him he walked in a disguise through the Streets of Naples accompanied only by the Prince of Salerno and found so much diversion in this Ramble that the greatest part of the night was spent when he came to Camilla's Balcony He found this Post already taken up by two Men or at least they stood so near it that they must needs have overheard every word of the Conversation he hop'd to have with Irene One of these Men parted from the other and went into Camilla's House and his Companion tarried in the Street The King stay'd a while to see whether he would not go away of himself and leave him the Street free but finding that he stirr'd no more from the place than a Statue he grew impatient and commanded Prosper to go and see what the fellow meant by staying there and oblige him to retire The Prince of Salerno walked toward him with as much difficulty as if he had been sent upon some dangerous exploit and the other seeing him come up retired from him Prosper was resolv'd to see who he was the other mended his pace and seeing that Prosper did the same he very fairly betook himself to his Heels and the Prince of Salerno ran after him and cours'd him into another Street In the mean time the King did not stir from his place expecting every moment when Prosper would come back that he might send him to Camilla and Irene to let them know that he expected them under her Balcony and in all probability he was wholly taken up with his Amour for a Lover does nothing else when he is alone when the Man who had parted from him whom Prosper pursu'd came out of Camilla's House and mistaking the King for his Comrade Look Calixtus said he to him here is your dispatch The Governour of Cajetta will order you a Vessel to carry you to Marseilles The King without returning any answer receiv'd the Packet of Letters which â—e presented to him Calixtus adds this unknown Person â—he rest depends upon thy diligence And thou hast in thy â—â—ands the fortune of the Duke of Anjou thy Master and â—nine Ha! ungrateful Villain and Traitor What wicked â—esigns art thou carrying on against me cries the King layâ—ng his hand upon his Sword Roger for it prov'd to be â—im distracted at his making so fatal a mistake and hurried â—n by his despair to be more wicked than he was thought of â—othing but losing his life and taking away that of the King who had lov'd him so tenderly The reproaches which he so unjustly expected for his unparallell'd ingratiâ—ude and villany affrighted him as much as the severest torâ—â—ents that cou'd be inflicted on him He put his hand to â—is Sword almost at the same time as the King did who â—arg'd him with so much vigour and fury that Roger trouâ—ed with a remorse for his crime was for a long time forc'd to defend himself At last his rage filling him with new strength and courage he push'd furiously at the King whom he look'd upon now to be no otherwise than his enemy and by the desperate thrusts he made at his sacred person oblig'd him likewise to defend himself But Kings who may be valiant as well as other men are usually assisted by a more powerful genius than that of ordinary mortals Roger as brave and furious and desperate as he was cou'd not have maintain'd his ground long against his incens'd Prince altho the clashing of Swords had not brought several persons upon the spot who could hardly be kept from hacking to pieces an execrable Villain who durst attack the Life of his Soveraign His own Domestics and those of Camilla were the first that came with lights into the Street and were strangely surprized to see their Master engaged with the King The unfortunate Roger no sooner saw the light which exposed him to the terrible looks of his Prince but he was utterly confounded His rage and his valour abandoned him both at once and his Sword dropt out of his hand The King who had the pleasure to see him wounded after he had had occasion for all his valour to hinder himself from being wounded by him seized him with his own hands and gave him to the Captain of his Guards who came luckily by with a party of Soldiers and had receiv'd orders to watch all night long the avenues leading to Camilla's House In the mean time Prosper ran after his men
little Orlando for your sake 'T is true I should not with one single Stroak of my Sword fell so many thumping Trees or commit so many Ravages as my Brother Hero in Ariosto My Follies should give more Diversion than his tho' they were nothing near so Terrible and perhaps they would not excite less Compassion You see Madam I have made use of the Permission your Majesty gave me as being a Gallant of no Consequence to be that for the greatest Queen that ever was which this Romantick Blusterer was for a Queen that was never in being 'T was well your Majesty gave me this Permission for otherwise I might have taken it and by refusing it you might have seen your self Dis-obey'd by one who would not do it upon any other Occasion tho' it cost him his Life Setting aside Majesty you are Madam one of the most Admirable Women in the Universe Whereever you go your Eyes make you more Subjects than a great Kingdom gave you and as they do of themselves all those Miracles we have seen them do without your taking any Pains to Teach them we must be forc'd to own they are the Finest and most Charming Eyes in the World but withal the most Dangerous Thus I behold nothing but Rivals in all the Persons that come to see me and I behold no fewer Rivals among the Ladies which is none of the least Miracles your Majesty has perform'd I mean your makinâ— them so Just to you who are naturally Envious to the 〈◊〉 their Sex I should fear Madam that I took too much 〈◊〉 with your Majesty if you did not know better than â—y one that a great deal of Icarus and Ixion enters into the Composition of a Poet and that the History of these two rash Adventurers tho' by the by their end is not very much for the Advantage of these Traders in Immortality is of all Fables that which pleases them most and is of the greatest use to them There is not a Poet to be found who would not prefer the Reputation of being a Modern Ixion to that of turning a Stanza handsomely and a happy Boldness for so they are pleas'd to Christen their Love of Contemplation to the Laurel or Mony or both together But Madam perhaps I begin to abuse the Command your Majesty laid upon me to write to you if I have not already abused it I beseech you therefore that if you think fit to continue this Honour to me you would let me know how far my Letters may be privileged with you that they may never go beyond the Respect I owe you I am Your most humble most obedient and most dutiful Servant Scarron To the Countess de Brienne Paris August 7. 1657. Madam YOU had the Curiosity to see me as well as the Queen of Sweden you ought therefore like her to give me leave to be in love with you and allow me the Honour of a Passion which now perhaps no longer depends upon your consent If you are of opinion that I ask more than you ought to grant me or that I undertake more than I am able to perform I will content my self with being one of your Friends and conceal the Lover from you Unless you think fit to allow me this Favour you must e'en discard me your Service which will be a severe Mortification to me for I have a furious desire to please you with all my Might After so frank a Declaration you may very well imagine that I would not deceive you for all the World I will therefore honestly acquaint you with all the good and ill Qualities of the Person who is resolv'd to devote himself to you while he lives His Body in truth is somewhat ill-shap'd and out of sorâ—s as you could not but observe when you saw him and Women with Child are forbidden to make him any Visits As for his Soul he is so well satisfy'd with it that he would not exchange it with any but yours When he is in love he loves with so much violence that he is sometimes asham'd of himself for it and since all must out although he is nicely punctual in discharging the Offices of Friendship yet he is a little remiss in writing to his Friends But then he speaks well of them upon all Occasions with a sort of Fury too and sometimes so much as to tire his Hearers and when he is oblig'd to espouse a Man's part whom he pretends to love a Lyon and he are one and the same thing If you like me after this Description I am entirely at your Service Thus expecting that you 'll pronounce either my good or bad Destiny I am and always shall be after what rate soever you think fit to treat me Your Languishing Ladyship 's most Passionate Admirer Scarron LETTER VII To the Countess de Brienne Paris Aug. 8. 1657. Madam IT was in your Power I own it to chuse whether you would receive a Declaration of Love from your humble Servant but as it was not in your Power to hinder him from being so bold and presumptuous as to make one allow me to doubt whether you have rejected it till such time as you absolutely Command me to believe the contrary If you a Common Beauty were One Frown might make your Slave forbear But Madam who can you behold Made of Nature's richest Mould A Nymph so Charming who can see And not with Love transported be And when with his resistless Dart The little God has pierc'd the Heart What Mortal can conceal the smart No the poor Wretch is forc'd to show it By sad Experience I know it Come let us go to Confession Madam and honestly own that neither of us were so sincere as we ought to have been in the first Letters we writ to one another and that if it is impossible not to speak to you of Love being so Beautiful as you are 't is no less so for me who pretend to an indifferent Judgment to content my self with only being one of your Friends as I intimated to you in my last If the Conclusion of your Letter is as sincere as the Beginning of it is otherwise the good Opinion you promise to have of me will produce tragical Effects at Court and you will see hundreds of Pretenders there cripple themselves and all to rival me For my part I can't help it if they do and tho' I shall strive by the Violence of my Passion to deserve what your natural Goodness permits me to hope yet I shall not be so love-sick neither as to attempt to please you at the Loss of my Understanding LETTER XVII To the Count de Vivonne June 12. 1660. IN vain my Lord you post it away And kill your Brace of Steeds a day And o're the dusty Plains come pouring Like Husband for a Midwife scouring Or Winds the Clouds before them driving Or Parson scamp'ring for a Living You 'll come too late to see that * The Marriage of Lewis XIV of
Hearts of Stone And cannot hope to find Repose Till Death my wearied Eyes do's close Why should my barb'rous Stars delight On me to shed their restless Spight 'T is plain I suffer for the Crime Of trespassing in wicked Rhime To make you amends for this Melancholy Letter wherein I was forced in spight of my Teeth to unbosom my self to you I send you six new Stanza's which I have added to my Baroncide The Novel call'd the Spanish Paralitic which was trump'd up against me to out-do what I had done of that Nature as far as I can find has done me no Harm but made the Author ridiculous Spanish Grammars did not sell for 50000 Livres as you sent me word but they did not come much short of it However that Tongue was never so corrupted in this World as it has been of late years in Paris I am exceedingly obliged to you for the Trouble you gave your self to procure me the Spanish Plays and remain c. LETTER XX. To the same Aug. 1. Sir IT vexes me that at the very time when you tell me I might divert his Highness I cannot write to you with that Gayety as I would and that my Hand rebells against my Inclinations for to my sorrow I have been plagu'd with a cruel Fit of the Gout for this Month last past as well as his Highness as if I had not had Miseries enough before to torment me All I can do under this new Indisposition and those other Calamities my ill Fortune persecutes me with tho' I say it without Boasting is that I swear as heroically and with as good a Grace as any Man in France and I humbly conceive that if his Highness wou'd now and then condescend like other frail Mortals to swear a little he wou'd find some Relief and Benefit by it I wou'd by no means advise him to lay it on so plentifully as I do but if his Highness would sometimes stumble upon an Oath or so without any Wicked Intention but only to expectorate himself I fansie it would not be amiss For my part I am sometimes so very mad that if all the Furies in Hell came to fetch me away I believe in my Conscience I should almost go and meet them half-way This is the second Melancholy Letter I have plagu'd you with If his Highness were as well acquainted with the nonsensical Stuff of our witty Coxcombs as he is with Military Affairs and every thing else that happens in the World it would be some Diversion to him to read this Letter Madamoiselle de l' Enclos who supt last Night with d'Elbene and my self told me she wou'd write to his Highness to Day◠I sent to compliment Monsieur de Rochefort at the Hostel d'Estrée but he took no notice of it but 't is ten to one I shall be even with the Gentleman e're long and quit Scores with him at Paris My Letter is of the shortest as well as yours was but next Friday I will take care to make you amends Adieu LETTER XXI To the same May 8th Sir YOU oblige me in the most sensible Part when you write to me I have no other Comfort in this World but my generous Friends and when you are pleased to assure me that you are still one of that Number you rejoice me infiniteély more than the General Peace will do This Comparison at first Sight I suppose will appear weak to you and indeed I must needs own that the Affairs of Europe may change a hundred times and still for the better whereas mine are in no likelihood of mending But I have a wonderful Desire to see your Prince once more in France if it were for no other Reason but because France has had a very ill hand at Princes this year altho' she has more of them than ever and perhaps the succeeding years will be no better than the former as likewise to embrace my fat my plump my jolly M for I make no question but that the Flemish Double Beer has improv'd his Shape to a Miracle But is it possible that the Great Conde should know I am still in the World My Friend Guenault told me that he saw the Second Part of my Comical Romance lie upon his Table which has made me as proud as Lucifer These Furious Devils call'd Hero's wou'd be worth their weight in Gold wou'd they but stoop so low as to have a little Love for us poor Mortals who love them exceedingly As for yours one would swear that a Hundred Hero's at least went to the making of him since he has put our invincible Troops so often to the scamper It may truly be said of him that if he was a great Prophet in his own Country which the Scripture tells us no Man ever was he was a greater in a Foreign Country If he takes the Trouble to cast his Eye upon the Five Letters I have sent you pray let me know what he says of them The Melancholy Letter comes just now from me piping hot the rest were written last year I will shortly send you a Sketch or Essay that has something of the Spirit of Satyr in it 't is my Misfortune that 't is writ upon a Rascal who is not known enough in the World In short 't is a Son of a Whore of an Extortioner that owes me Six hundred Pistols and refuses to pay me But to drop this Villain I will tell you after what Manner the Third Volume of my Comical Romance begins There were not as yet any Iilting Females in the World and these Jansenists of Love had not as yet began to despise Mankind Our Ears were not as yet persecuted with Life of Life Angelick Fair and Charming Goddess when the little Ragotin c. Well Old Tost and how dost thou pass thy time Tell me Bully Rock art thou still strong and Iusty Are the Bona Roba's kind and will they venture a Broad-side with one Adieu thou everlasting Devourer of Tarts thou Ocean of Custards and Walking Quagmire of Butter When the gallant Persan comes to Paris 't will be his Fault if we don't drink t'other Pot of Tea in my little Room Pray give my humble Service to him and make a Compliment in my Name to those worthy Gentlemen Bouteville and Rochefort Take care in good time to inform the pretty Lady who you say is fall'n in love with me that for the Punishment of my Sins my Person is become so hideous and terrible that here in Paris they forbid Big-bellied Women to come near me To conclude I must conjure you still to love me by your Long and Strong I will not say but such as Providence has given it you Lazarillo de Tormes LETTER XXII To the Mareschal d'Albret Aug. 20. My Lord YOU may conclude we have little News stirring here when I am reduced to so low an ebb as to tell you that Boncaur and Charleval are in Normandy and that Madam de Martel and her Daughter came yesterday to
may requite us again in Specie is not doing a Kindness but downright Trafficking and Policy In short Sir there is a certain Conduct I am to observe in this Affair which I can only learn from your self who have known him so long I did not think to write so gravely to you but a Man cannot help sometimes having Clouds in his Brain which must have time to disperse Tell me the Name of your Friend that I may certainly know to whom it is I am oblig'd I am Sir Your most humble and most obedient Servant Scarron XLII A Character SInce Drawing of Characters is so much in Fashion I am resolv'd to attempt one but having a just diffidence of my own Talent I will chuse a Subiect so Fertile that my Performance although perhaps 't is ill executed shall nevertheless find Admirers enough The Person whom I design to Paint is a Man of Quality Great by his Birth since he is descended from the Blood of our Princes but much greater still by his Merit When but Thirty Years old he was scarce thought sufficiently rewarded with one of the highest Posts at Court He was made an Officer of the Crown I don't mean one of those who are only oblig'd to serve the King in a Pair of Silk Stockings and glitter at a Court-Masquerade but one of those who want but one Step higher to arrive at the Supreme Command of War and whom our Kings may safely trust with the Defence of our Frontiers and the Conduct of our Armies But he is not as yet where he ought to be If Fortune leaves him where he is 't is impossible for her to be more unjust and if she should heap upon him all that 't is in her power to give I can't tell whether it would be all he deserves He possesses without contradiction all those shining Qualities that are requir'd in what we commonly call a Hero or Demi-God He was so to me ever since I had the Honour to know him and will always be so to the rest of the World that have any discernment The greatest Heroes of Antiquity were in no respect superior to him and of all those that have wore the Sword for there are People that wear it in all Professions I know none that have so Gloriously employ'd theirs as my Hero has done both in France and Flanders In both these places they take a pleasure to talk of his Victories as they formerly did in Rome to relate that of Horatius over the Curiatii and if like that valiant Roman he has been Prais'd for having always beaten his Enemy he cannot like him be blam'd for ever turning his Back But if he possesses in a more eminent manner than any Man living all the essential Ingredients that enter into the Composition of a Hero he has no less his Mien The Charms of his Person answer his other Qualities and by them he has triumph'd over the most formidable Beauties of the Court as he has over the Bravest by his Valour and his Victories in Love equal those of War It 's true that he is accu'd for running incessantly after New Conquests but the Ambition of a Conqueror scorns all Bounds and he that can Vanquish with ease can hardly forbear to make an Attack He is somewhat above the common Size but not too Tall and by what we find his Shape at present we may easily guess that it has been one of the Finest in the World His Head comprehends all the good Sense we bestow upon Grey Hairs without wearing their Livery and from the agreeable Air it gives his Face and from that it receives from it there results a Noble Masculine Beauty which without having the Delicacy of that of the Women has notwithstanding every thing that makes them be belov'd I would not in so particular a manner draw the Portrait of his Visage nor of his entire Person did I not fear to be reproach'd for speaking only of his Advantages and haying a design to omit the rest Therefore after I have said that he has fine Teeth a Beauty that belongs to Men as well as Women and without which the most Accomplish'd may give disgust I will own that his Eyes tho' lively and full of fire are weak to see any thing at a distance tho' they lose nothing of what they see near at hand and that they are the sweetest in the World Some Ladies impute to them the Inconstancy which they condemn in him and complain of him for suffering himself to be conducted by such treacherous Guides which make him run after every new Object and are frequently apt to make him go astray But is it not their fault And the Crime they accuse him of does it not proceed from their bad Example And do they practise those Duties which they pretend he neglects A Man may sometimes give his Eyes leave to look upon Objects that are unworthy of him provided he does it only en passant and as in my Character I have hitherto only drawn that which he may have in common with others yet wâ—at he possesses above the ordinary rank of Men what he derives neither from his Birth and Fortune but only from himself is of a much greater Price and more difficult to Paint I mean his Soul that was never shaken by any Accidents of Fortune his Wit that equals the Tranquillity of his Soul and his natural facility of expressing himself that is neither affected nor too study'd A Man may be sometimes allow'd to be inconstant in Love when he is like him the most constant Man in his Friendships When I talk'd of the Beauty of his Shape I forgot that of his Legs at a time when our great Guns have conceal'd the Defects of many of our Baâ—dy-leg'd Courtiers and when those who pretend to set up for handsome Sparks and are in appearance the best made very often have none of the straitest To Paris Iune 14th 1657. Sir I Am going to give you a convincing Proof how much I am your Friend by bringing you to the knowledge of Madam de Mongeron's Son and by giving you an opportunity to oblige a Lady of her Merit in the Person of her Son who really deserves what for my sake you 'll grant him a room in your Friendship You 'll give me a Proof of your own if you gratifie me in this particular and for this piece of Service to you and him I expect abundance of Thanks from both of you before the Campaign will be over Among the other good Qualities that shine in this young Gentleman I will acquaint you but with one that perhaps he would conceal from you He plays upon the Lute better than any Man of his Condition and yet the time he has spent to acquire this Skill has not done the least prejudice to his other Exercises no more than it has hindred his Studies and his Travelling into Spain Germany and Italy Tho' his Modesty I know will incline him to conceal his