to all things uttered nor to fear very much the application and effect of Predictions But that nevertheless it was prudence to use precaution against Events the least dangerous that as for the rest for what regarded the falling out between her and the Prince Alphonsus her Brother it would always be a thing to be commended in her to dissipate it or to contribute at least in what depended upon her that the fire of their dissention might be extinguish'd as soon as possible Although this kind of Lesson did not extreamly please the Princess she receiv'd it without confusion from her Friend from which it came because she believ'd her not to speak for Interest Iphigenia seeing her not far from an Accommodation said to her Madam without having regard to the Chimerical Threats of a Superstitious Old Woman but purely through a Principle of a Christian Charity it is necessary that your Generosity now triumph over your Resentment and that you suffer the Lord Alphonsus to repair hither this Evening I have authority enough over him and I know besides that he esteems and loves you too tenderly not to be willing to make the first step I grant you but two hours to resolve on it He shall himself do all that I shall prescribe him by a Note under my Hand which Cornelia shall give him I am perswaded interrupted she the Princess that my Brother adores you that he has conceiv'd so high an Idaea of your Merit that he cannot resist obeying you that you rule all his Motions not to say that you are the Soveraign of his Heart I Madam reply'd Iphigenia I think not advantageously enough of my Charms to pretend to that glory The Prince Alphonsus is altogether judicious and 't is that makes me hope that he will give ear to Reason and not keep himself from following it The Princess relish'd the Proposal of Iphigenia It was agreed on that Cornelia should follow her and that she should receive from her a Note for the Lord Alphonsus Iphigenia at her return took her Pen in hand and writ with the greatest diligence this Word of Advice to Prince Alphonsus The Billet of IPHIGENIA TO Prince ALPHONSVS IF your Love ought to be without partition you ought not Prince to be entire in any thing The House of the Princess Christina will be most favourable to your Vows I desire this Evening to discourse with you there fail not at the Assignation You ought to make the first Advances in the Project of your Reconciliation because you ought to seem the most generous go not from my word in any thing If it is in any manner to humble your self know that Submissions of this nature are Heroick Treaties that the Stoicks will give you the Title of a Valiant Spirit and the Sages that of a Christian A true Lover cannot do an unworthy Action If he commits any they pass for Virtues when he relates them to the Object for which he sighs The rest anon Prince Adieu Cornelia charg'd with this Billet carry'd it to the Lord Alphonsus who knew so well to counterfeit the Recital she made him concerning the Predictions of the old Woman that she could never suspect that she had been his Emissary He promis'd to repair to the House after the Play and really did so about Eight a Clock at Night Iphigenia who had prevented him there and who had given the last motion to the Resolution of the Princess was no sooner inform'd of his coming up Stairs but she went to meet him and call'd to him at the door My Lord Alphonsus enter without Retinue and leave below your Fierceness and Resentment She had hardly finish'd these words when the young Prince who carried Serenity drawn on his Face and Love in his Eyes appear'd She inform'd the Princess of his approach who rose from her Chair of State and went to meet him as far as the Door Some tender Embraces without many words put an end to their Difference After that moment there appear'd no more Coldness between them and Alphonsus entertain'd his Sister with as much familiarity as if they had never been at difference After some moments spent in a free Conversation to which Iphigenia had almost all the while contributed the Princess asked the Lord Alphonsus If he was yet Master of his Heart to which the Prince answer'd That he had sacrificed it to the Graces of the Charming Iphigenia and that lovely Dutchess answer'd him so tenderly that she had given him her own in requital That the Princess sung upon the account of this exchange of Hearts very much to the purpose this Stanza of a Song made upon a like Subject Burn happy Lovers burn in Love See that your Flames immortal prove Be you but constant faithful kind And you 'll the sweetest moments find Lovers ere tasted let each Heart In mutual Love still bear a part And Love your Souls will so confound In kind Embraces they 'll be drown'd The good humour of the Princess Christiana excited Freedom in our two Illustrious Lovers who began to tell one another tender things and to make Protestations of Fidelity to each other The Princess who had not in so young years a Judgment ripe enough to discern the Interests of States compromis'd in the Alliance of Princes flatter'd at that time their Passion and counselled them not to dispute so long time with each other but to search out the best means to give each other Assurances of their Love This Advice although ill weigh'd agreed extreamly to the Sentiments of Alphonsus It infinitely pleas'd the Dutchess Iphigenia who conjur'd the Princess to agree that she might come every day to her House to pass some moments with the Prince Alphonsus until that Heaven had appointed their Marriage The Princess very well perceiv'd by this Proposition that her Brother had not again courted her Amity but for having the liberty of her House where Iphigenia might come alone without giving Umbrage to her Governess who would not imagine that the Lord Alphonsus would so easily hearken to a Reconciliation In effect she did it with so little noise that during more than a month our Illustrious Lovers had the convenience to entertain one another privately and to open their Hearts to each other Nevertheless as it was difficult that such a Commerce should remain secret at Court where great Persons are watch'd by as many Eyes as Argus had and have as many Historians of their Life as they have Domesticks Iphigenia's Governess who never could meet her at home in the Evening having inform'd her self of the Rendezvouz of our Lovers went to give an Account to the Queen of their secret practices who obtain'd from the King that Alphonsus should not see Iphigenia any more Our Illustrious Lovers began but to taste the preliminary Sweets of Love when the Malice of a barbarous Fate came to traverse their springing Pleasure The Dutchess to whom the Queen on her side had read very disagreeable Lectures
but in fine there is not I know not what which captivates and I cannot believe that ever he will obtain me with my good will When the Fancy takes me to marry I will make choice of a Prince in whom nothing shall be wanting that may render him infinitely lovely to me and worthy to be beloved eternally I should be of your Tast interrupted Iphigenia in this place if Marriage could charm me and if I am not deceiv'd I know a Prince who hath all that you can desire He loves you he adores you and bears you so deep a Respect that he durst not discover his Passion and if it does bring him to you one day it will not be till he shall see you resolv'd to love What is he reply'd immediately the Princess can I love an unknown person She had scarce made an end of speaking when Alphonsus entring the Chamber diverted their discourse Iphigenia had no sooner perceiv'd him than she told him laughing Poor jealous Creature they endeavour already at your Epitaph you are a dead man if we may believe the Italian Cadet You have a troublesome Rival in him who will give you no repose You will be put to the Test to morrow Prepare your self to sustain a thousand fine Attacks for the Enemy who is to engage you has an infinite stock of Wit Alphonsus taking the word here said It is then Madam since he hath the honour to frequent you that he hath gain'd it You are very fit to have communicated it to him Raillery apart Prince added Iphigenia the youngest of our Neopolitans will make you pass for a jealous Person He came to me upon your account to relate a History the most silly in the World which was followed with very many other things yet more ridiculous He is a young man just come from the University of a good memory but wanting yet discretion and understanding He is a presumptuous Novice who thinks himself ignorant of nothing In fine he is a pretended Droll who to morrow will turn you into Ridicule We will divert our selves with his Boyishness and Extravagances Fail not to come hither to morrow after Dinner You shall suffer him immediately to discourse and lead him insensibly to the subject that I will put on foot Pray above all things do not drive him to a nonplus but rather seem to like of all that he shall offer to your consideration Alphonsus to whom what was said had restor'd his ordinary Tranquillity promis'd to execute all that was ordered him by the Dutchess He was about to withdraw the most satisfied of Lovers when the eldest of the Neopolitans sent to ask if the Princess Christina might be visited He came too seasonably not to be admitted Our two Princesses intreated Alphonsus to keep them company a little longer but he begg'd them to dispense with him under pretext of having business of the greatest consequence The Neopolitan meeting him upon the Stair-case complemented him and told him That he was very unhappy not to have come sooner because he should have had the advantage of his Conversation for some time Alphonsus made answer to his Civility and intreated him to put off the Match to the morrow that some persons would form a Circle at his Sisters where he should meet him without fail Then they took leave of one another after having contested to whom the upper hand should be given at parting The Lover of the Princess Christina had acquired Acquaintance sufficient with her not longer to be oblig'd to all those superstitious Formalities which are observ'd at the meeting of Great Persons At his entrance into the Chamber he saluted those Princesses and addressing himself to her who was the Object of his Vows he said to her Am I not unhappy Madam to have desired a hundred times to be in the Prin. Alphonsus's company at your Lodgings and to have miss'd this day so narrowly the opportunity of satisfying my desire You will recover it to morrow reply'd she with the same Familiarity if you will meet here Your Brother has promis'd to Regale us with the Recital of some Verses and some other Gallantry As this young Prince was very Eloquent above all things on the subject of Love the two hours which he spent in these Ladies company he talked only of sympathy of motions of Tenderness of the means to please and of the sweetness of a lovely Vnion He withdrew very late so that our intimate Princesses had very little time to entertain themselves upon the subject of this Lover Things not being so advanced but they could discourse of him any other day at their leisure Iphigenia embraced her Companion and remounted her Coach She return'd next day to the Frincesses where she was preceded by Alphonsus and follow'd a little time after by the two Neopolitans The Dutchess Iphigenia opened the Conversation in praying the younger of the two Brothers to keep his word and to let them see the Epitaph which he had promis'd them on a jealous man He defended himself sometime by a sort of affected modesty from exposing Verses of which they would without doubt suspect him to be the Author and drew them at last out of his Pocket after having said That those that were infected with this Distemper were doubly unhappy because instead of moving compassion the were do the contrary the Laughing-stock of the whole World The Epitaph of a Jealous Man Here in this Tomb a Jealous person lies Who of all Sots and Blockheads was the Prince His Heart his Mistriss purchas'd with her Eyes His Happiness his Rivals have shar'd since Passengers don't his Destiny bewail A Jealous man deserves no pity sure His fears were groundless yet could nought prevail O're his suspitions till Death wrought his Cure These Verses seem'd not to the Company ill turn'd every one prais'd them and Alphonsus who knew himself the Subject of them gave them his approbation Iphigenia pray'd the Author of the Epitaph to give her all the sence which it contain'd which he did more pedantickly than a Regent of a Colledge would have done Alphonsus remembring the Order he had receiv'd the day before was impatient that Iphigenia would set a foot the Subject upon which she was desirous to hear this Parrat discourse That subtile Dutchess had no trouble to bring this discourse to the point she desired She fell upon the Subject of Violent Passions which gave Alphonisus occasion on to ask the Company for Examples of some Persons who had been violently in love Whereupon the Princess Christina taking the word said That History could furnish him but with too many Amorous Men for Amorous Women and so on the contrary But that it seem'd as if Marriage were the Destroyer of Love and 't was to railly a Wife but to say that she loved her Husband and that she could hardly believe there were Women to be found who had preserv'd an ardent Love for their Husbands The young Neopolitan who was on fire
to display his Knowledge added Antiquity can furnish us with a very great number and the last Ages are not unprovided Without doubt my Lord can produce some Examples said Alphonsus Yes my Lord reply'd that young man who had an itch to speak I will for the satisfaction of the Company relate upon that Subject those which my Memory shall furnish me with Artemisa swallowed the Ashes of her Husband Hypsicratea followed the King her Husband to the Army and fought till Death by his side Not to dwell upon what Virgil has written of Dido and Andromache Panthaea the Wife of Abradates kill'd her self upon the dead Body of her Husband Phila the Wife of Demetrius that King having lost his Life in a Battle poysoned her self And not to go so high does not our Age afford us a Wife who passionately lov'd her Husband in that Isabella Princess of Salem who not being able to obtain leave to follow him to the Army writ to him that there passed not a Night but she embraced him and tasted the sweetest Pleasure with him That she made Vows for the changing the Days which she employ'd in weeping into Nights that she might always enjoy his sweet Embraces I perceive that this last Wife lov'd a little for Interest interrupted the eldest Prince who made a sign to his Brother to conclude judging those kinds of Narrations Pedantick and I believe that all Wives who have amiable Husbands resemble her The Historian held his peace and 't was then that Alphonsus burst out a laughing which put him out of countenance This young Prince taking his laughing for an Affront which he did him ask'd him if he believ'd not the truth of those Histories whereupon he answered him That he had likewise read them all in a Book of Fables except the last which shew'd more the Character of a voluptuous Wife than of one transported by a virtuous Passion This younger Brother said nothing else but that Truth would always pass for a Lye from a Rivals mouth Alphonsus who understood well enough what he drove at pray'd him to explain himself But the prudent Princesses fearing that the Dispute growing hot it might have dangerous consequences rose up which made them thereupon break off and gave them notice it was time to withdraw The Princesses being left alone Iphigenia addressing her self to her dear Companion said to her My God! Madam how self-conceited is this young Neopolitan How full of himself Is his Brother's Wit as ill turn'd He is more moderate reply'd she but his Conversation is somewhat duller it is not lively and how well made soever he be outwardly he has not the Secret to please me But now you put me in mind on 't What is the unknown Lover whom you now and then discourse to me of If you will conceal his Name draw me his Picture at least for I doubt not but you have seen him Without question Madam reply'd Iphigenia and I will satisfie your curiosity thereupon Know then in the first place that he is born a Prince and that he hath been sufficiently favour'd by Fortune He is young and has never felt true Love for any but your self He loves you he adores you he studies your Humour he knows what Temper you are of and he knows you as well as himself He has Wit enough which is sparkling lively gay and loves not trifles He is generous and liberal He has already given proof of his Courage in a single Duel He has a great Soul and is as much an Enemy to Cowardize as Quarrelling As to his Person although he hardly is of a middle size he is well set and has a good Carriage He is a little long Visag'd his Nose a little turn'd up he has black Eyes large and even with his Head and above all passionate His Mouth is little his Eye-brows and Hair of a bright Chesnut and of an admirable gloss This is somewhat near his Picture to which I ought to adde to turn it to the light that he has very much Love and Tenderness that you are the onely Object of his Vows that he sighs continually at the fight of your Charms and that the admiration of your Divine Qualities make him so fearful that he has not dar'd to declare his Passion to you You draw me a Picture so charming in the Graces that distinguish this unknown Lover interrupted the Princess that I cannot but give the Lye to Poets who maintain that an unknown Object cannot excite Motions of Love I love this Prince and since we may speak freely together the favour I have to ask of you is to inspire him with Courage that I may have the satisfaction to see him speedily I will endeavour reply'd Iphigenia to raise him above that respectful Fearfulness which retains him and I will assure you that to morrow he shall have the honour to entertain you in Person or by Letter You cannot added the Princess oblige me more than to procure me one of his Letters if you cannot make him resolve to come to see me I shall judge by his Writing if that Prince has Sentiments as tender as you have told me To morrow then Madam you shall hear of him said the Dutchess retiring her self The Picture of so accomplish'd a Lover made such an impression on the Princess's Spirit that she was employ'd with it all Night insomuch that the eldest of our Neopolitans who fail'd not a day of giving her marks of his Love presenting himself in the Morning at her Toilet found her thoughtful and very cold This young Prince having never observ'd in her any inequality of Humour was extreamly surpriz'd to meet with so much indifference But as a Lover always flatters himself he thought that the Princess would try his Love which made him tell her That in her melancholy Fit and her gay Humour she was equally amiable The first Coldness put not this Prince in trouble He examin'd himself upon what he might have done which was displeasing to that Fair Ones Eyes and thinking himself guilty of nothing he believ'd that the day following might change her disposition In the mean time Iphigenia who was engag'd to bring a Letter to the Princess writ one which she caus'd to be transcrib'd by a young Gentleman who div'd not at all into the Commerce of her Pleasures and who judg'd only that the Dutchess had a mind to divert her self The Letter contain'd what follows The Unknown Lover To the Princess The most worthy to be belov'd MY Name and my Person Divine Princess are sufficiently known to you You are not ignorant of the disposition of a Prince's heart who would esteem himself infinitely happy if he could make you understand to what extreamity your Charms have reduc'd him But how should he draw you a Passion of the Character of his I acknowledge that as accomplish'd as you are you are neither disdainful nor insensible and that I may freely discover my Love to you But who shall assure
of day a this meaner you be fortune makes if that we engage-enrag'd ment were the of Flora that charming Rank approve we resolution not should generous be a freer of what to capable always is Slaves age in our our that independency see when them enter shall make I shall be we able love into to in say passionately that am I I adore that you sensible extreamly but our because are that you you if are Vnion absolutely our lovely to what Secrets bring so can ever Interest hindrance This innocent Artifice succeeded ill to our Lovers How faithful soever a Maid of the Dutchess Iphigenia seem'd to Alphonsus and whatsoever protestations she made him to put his Letter faithfully into her Mistress's hands the Governess so absolutely disposed of all her Domesticks frighted by her threats that she intercepted the Letter whereof notwithstanding she could not understand the sence She made a Copy of it to be taken which she went to communicate to the Queen and ordered that the Original should be delivered in secret to the young Dutchess The Queen trusted this mysterious Note with her Secretary who after an hours meditation decypher'd it with much ease and read it thus Prince Alphonsus's Letter in its natural Order THE Destiny of great men is more cruel than the Destiny of those of a meaner Fortune If we were of that Bank we should be freer What! always Slaves in our Independency when shall I be able to say that I adore you extreamly because that you are absolutely lovely Whatsoever hindrance Interest can bring to our Vnion if you are but sensible that I am passionately in love we shall make them see that our Age is capable of a generous Resolution Approve charming Flora the Engagement that makes you of his Faith the most faithful of Lovers Honour me with an Answer The Queen who was a very wise Princess judg'd by this Letter of the great Familiarity of these tender Lovers and the consequences that it might produce Her Prudence suggested nothing else to her only to order the Governess to interrupt this Amorous Commerce as much as decency would allow and to forbid her taking notice of any thing to the young Dutchess concerning the intercepting of her Letter Whilst Iphigenia was busied in answering the Billet that she had receiv'd the Governess entred her Chamber Her unexpected arrival made her put her Papers together with the greatest haste imaginable and appear'd some time disturbed After some ordinary Conversation the Governess having purposely brought in Prince Alphonsus into the Discourse the Dutchess seem'd very indifferent on that Chapter and let nothing appear that might betray her Love That cunning Woman observing by the disorder that appear'd in Iphigenia's looks that she had been surpriz'd and that she should be troublesom if she kept her company long retir'd to leave her at liberty to betake her self to her former Employment This Fair One found her self perplex'd to make an Answer conformable to the Note she spar'd her pains in hopes that one of Alphonsus his Sisters Maids would do her the Courtesie to convey a Letter writ the common way to the Party concern'd In effect this complaisant Maid whose name was Cornelia found opportunity to satisfie her and to deliver the young Prince her Letter who immediately gave her marks of his Acknowledgement This is the substance of the Letter The Dutchess Iphigenia's Answer IF you love me as sincerely as you would perswade me speak well of Destiny that makes you born a Prince Persons of our Rank are born free or are at most Slaves but for a very little time The vicissitude of Seasons will change the face of Affairs Let us consider for some time Be you faithful to Love and he will sufficiently espouse your Interest I love as much as you love because I have not a lower Soul and that I love to the utmost extent Prince Adieu A Letter written in terms so plain and passionate strongly flattred Alphonsus's amorous inclination who after that remain'd some time in Repose Although Iphigenia suspected not the fidelity of her perfidious Confident she perceiv'd nevertheless by the Assiduities that the Queen required from her and the frequent Visits of her Governess that they had a spight against her liberty One day that she met Alphonsus near enough at a Comedy whose motions the Queen observ'd and studied all his looks she took so well her time that she told him without being understood by any one whatsoever Alphonsus we shall not be able to see one another again with liberty but at your Sisters reconcile your self to her and let none but the Maid that has given you my Answer know of your Reconciliation I will prepare her Mind and I will manage your Honour and Interest as my own There was nothing but Love that could perswade Alphonsus to that mortifying advance to see again a Sister that had a thousand times provok'd his Nature It was the greatest trouble to him in the World to resolve on it and without the meeting with one of his Sisters Maids which was the Confident of the Dutchess Iphigenia I question if his Love had been able to have carried it above his Resentment He engag'd this Maid equally witty and discreet to encline his Sister afar off to court his Friendship in representing to her that when Heaven could not but have in horrour their separation it was shameful to see Persons of their Quality and near Relation live in a misunderstanding that rendred them the sport of the Court He promis'd to this Mediatrix to acknowledge her Services and that if Heaven made him obtain the possession of Iphigenia she might flatter her self with the hope of a considerable Fortune Now for fear that their Interview should become suspected he shew'd her the Wife of a Steward of the Kings Houshold to whom she might give an account of her Negotiation Cornelia instructed in the designs of Alphonsus run to communicate them to the Illustrious Mistriss of this Prince who suggested to her the manner whereby she should insinuate her self into the mind of the Princess Christina she counselled her to move this matter the same Evening that she would come to see this Princess on purpose whereby she would strongly try her Inclination in respect of Alphonsus her Brother Cornelia was playing the fool with the Princess Christina who hid none of her thoughts from her when she told her that she had had a Dream during which she found her self the most happy Maid in the World There was a likelihood that the sight of some agreeable Object had entertained her and that there passed during this Dream something too wanton to be related since that she made a mystery of it to this Confident to whom she would never reveal it what entreaty soever she made They contested yet agreeably together with that privacy that she permitted to Cornelia when one came to advertise the Princess Christina of the arrival of Iphigenia whose Coach
frequented no more almost the House of the Princess for fear to meet her dear Alphonsus there who lost also the habit of coming to the House not to seem a Rebel to the King's Orders They endeavour'd the one and the other to ward so rude a Blow by the most flattering considerations that Hope could produce Iphigenia did her self so much violence to hinder her Grief from breaking out that she fell into a drooping that reduc'd her to extreamity she kept her Bed fifteen days during which time it was not permitted Prince Alphonsus to come to comfort her with his presence Her oppression in the mean time became so prodigious that in her Raving Fits with which she was agitated and which differ'd nothing from Madness she would not speak but of her dear Alphonsus to whom Cornelia made a tender Report of the state of her Health She was but some days recovered and went not yet out of her Chamber when Alphonsus who alter'd visibly and was fallen into a profound Melancholy writ this Billet-doux MY Heart is without motion charming Princess and resents all the Alterations of yours Are we then so criminal that they condemn us to death The Melancholy which devours me gives me it I expire every time that I hear of your pitiful Condition and as I inform my self of it each moment I presume to tell you that I no longer live Vphold your self adorable Iphigenia and let the thoughts of what 's to come elevate you above the present Persecutions In the deplorable Estate Inhumanity has reduc'd me to I can yet dispute it even to Death if I hear that in that little Life is left you you yet turn your Thoughts towards the faithful Alphonsus Iphigenia steeped this tender Letter in her Tears She was very desirous in the extreamity wherein she was to answer it But besides that her weakness would not suffer her to hold a Pen her Bed was always so besieged with Ladies that made her troublesom Visits that she could not find the conveniency of discoursing one moment with Cornelia the Confident of her and her Lover This Letter reviv'd her Love She became so impatient to see her dear Alphonsus that so long an absence threw her into a Melancholy that caus'd her Relapse Her Distemper increased and her Raving Fits recommenc'd Her Mind was wholly taken up with the Answer that she would make to her Lovers Billet which she search'd for oftentimes between the Pillows where she had put it Her trouble appear'd so visible one day to her Spies that they had the boldness to take away from her this Note whilst she took some Repose and to put it into the hands of her Governess who read what it contain'd and made it be put in its place for fear of increasing her Distemper She went in the mean time to give an Account to the Queen who complain'd of it to the King This prudent Monarch fearing that if any Alliance of this consequence should be made without the knowledge of the Princes who honoured his Court with their Children they should be scandalized at it and recal them home judg'd it proper to give notice to Prince Philip Alphonsus his Father and to the Admiral Father to Iphigenia of the violent Inclination that they had one for the other This Alliance being advantageous for Prince Philip his Answer was That he would leave Heaven to act in it and the Admiral not judging that she had provided for her self to her advantage he believ'd that it would be easie to divert this Inclination in giving another Lover to his Daughter He conjur'd then his Majesty most humbly to be willing to recommend to her the old Duke of Alvaro who was a Lord extreamly rich and whom the fear to meet with a young Heart already dispos'd of hindred to declare himself to Iphigenia The King inform'd of the Sentiments of these Princes sent afresh to Alphonsus to forbid him to see Iphigenia who was then absolutely out of danger The Queen undertook to prepare her to hearken favourably to the Duke of Alvaro This lovely Princess who at first understood her Intention told her Majesty That although it appear'd that nothing in the World ought to be freer than the Choice of a Husband she had so much Respect and Esteem for the Lord that she had propos'd to her that she would endeavour to fancy him 40 years younger that she might have more reason to love him The Queen who judg'd by this Answer that it was not easie to perswade a young Maid to love indifferently all sorts of Objects contented her self with this beginning and made the Amorous Old Man comprehend it would be a hard matter to surprize a place possess'd by a powerful Enemy That he might nevertheless render his Assiduities to Iphigenia and that he might put in practice all his Industry to endeavour to make himself be beloved The Duke who was a little sensible of the weakness of Age was not capable to remove so many Engines He went the same Evening to the Queen's Apartment where he had been inform'd Iphigenia would be and it was in her Majesties presence that he made her his first Declarations It is not to be believed how wittily this young Dutchess answer'd the old Count and how she made him flote between Hope and Despair She droll'd a long time upon the difference of years and ended at last with protesting that she loved better a white and experienced Head than a vigorous and well-made Body Iphigenia who conceiv'd that they had design'd this Old Man for her was impatient to inform Alphonsus of this Comedy But the promises she had made to the Queen to think no more of him and to have Eyes only for him that Heaven seem'd to have chose for her by the hand of her Father made her fear to renew with Alphonsus a new Commerce Nevertheless she run to the House of the Princess Christina to whom she imparted the Adventure and where she writ these Lines which she left upon the Table of her Cabinet for her Lover The Letter of Iphigenia THey would force me to love a decrepid Old Man as if Love ought to be enslav'd by Interest Teach me the Art to feign for I assure you I am troubled to seem all Fire near a Frost The good man they propose to me reckons me his already But after what a way does he make his Court He enters he kisses my Hand he sits over against me with his Face so near mine that if he take not care I shall some day by fetching my Breath with strength meet with his and snatch from him his last Sigh What a Sympathy of Humours and what a Resemblance of Complexions is here They say he has need of four or five Blankets besides a suit of Furs to keep him warm a Nights in the Month of July I thank my Fate for furnishing us with any Subject that may contribute to our divertisement when on the one side it deprives
himself at whose cost it were that she was in the same apprehension on the score of such a like indiscreet Spark to whom she had entrusted something which she would very fain keep secret that it was not very difficult to make this Letter pass for counterfeit and that as to the rest she should refer her self to common Report that Calumny was the Vice of Courts and that she should be before assur'd of the truth of the Fact from his own Confession who had been accounted the Author of the Report Iphigenia who relish'd these Reasons represented to the Princess Christina that to tax Alphonsus of it were to expose her self to new Railleries that he would be cunning enough to deny the thing and malicious enough to adde Satyr upon Satyr and to divert himself with her Fears Whilst our intimate Princesses were deliberating together of the means to avoid hazarding themselves with Alphonsus in extorting the truth from him the Duke came to pay a Visit to the Princess Christina with whom he hop'd to find Iphigenia who made her the Repositary of all her Secerets He entred they discours'd for some time together every one was in a good humour when the Conversation having turn'd upon the Chapter of the Duke's Marriage with Iphigenia the Old Man to whom she had as it were engag'd her Faith told her That he was too much her Friend and too sincere to conceal any thing from her And drew a Paper out of his Pocket which was an exact Copy of the Letter which we have been speaking of wherein Iphigenia shew'd her aversion for the Duke on the back of which Alphonsus his Verses were written The reading of the Epigram in the first place mortifi'd Iphigenia in the highest degree But that which confounded her was the shock which that Letter gave her which Love had heretofore dictated to her and which Treachery had now made publick The Princess Christina who saw her in this perplexity drew her out of trouble in making pleasant Reflections upon that Letter Iphigenia believing it would be to her advantage to turn the business into Raillery grew pleasant in her turn and own to the Duke That she was the Author of that Letter that in reality the first proposal that had been made her of an Alliance with him had made her wild at the time that she had an Inclination for Alphonsus But that this fault ought to be forgiven her that it was a proof of her Constancy and Fidelity that having never had the honour to have been in his company she had given way too much to the Impression which his Age made on her Spirit and that as the Fire which is difficult to be kindled is likewise difficult to be extinguish'd the greater Aversion she had for him before she knew him the greater Esteem she had conceiv'd for him since she had known him and that this Esteem should never be blotted out She spoke too well and defended her self with too much Wit not to obtain her Pardon The Old Man tore the Letter and discours'd no more of any thing but of demanding satisfaction from Alphonsus They might freely consult of the means to be reveng'd of him in the presence of the Princess his Sister For besides that she lov'd him not the hopes to become the onely Heiress of her Family made her desire his death They concluded then that the Count St. Angelo the Duke's Nephew should challenge Alphonsus and that they should decide together the difference that was between them I will go send for him this Evening said the Old Man you will inspire him with a Spirit of Revenge and although I esteem him valiant I doubt not but he will become a hundred times fiercer when you shall your self have put your Interests into his hands It will be an honour to fall in my service and in the Quarrel of that Person whom I most honour According to this Promise the Duke withdrew and left the two confident Princesses at liberty to resume their Conversation They judg'd it convenient after some deliberation to send for Alphonsus who came to them an hour after The Princess Christina as soon as he was sate down began to speak by asking him when he would give over abusing his Relations and when he would leave the World in Repose He was going to reply something when Iphigenia impatient without any transport of Anger call'd him Perfidious and put into his hands the pieces of the Copy of the Letter which had been torn but a little before This Letter was so dispers'd that he knew not the Character of the Person who had transcrib'd it He pretended to be ignorant of what it was and employ'd above half an hour in seeming to fit again the pieces of Paper though he still plac'd them wrong Iphigenia perceiving that he mistook on purpose took the pieces again out of his hand and told him that they contain'd the Copy of a Letter which she had through confidence writ to him That she could never have thought that he had been so base to divulge it and to employ his Pen in composing the most bloudy Railleries that could be read That it could never be any Credit for him to be reveng'd after so base a manner of a Person whose tender Sentiments he had not been acquainted with Alphonsus counterfeiting astonishment seem'd to understand nothing of Iphigenia's discourse and thereupon she her self fitted the pieces of the Letter so that they might be read He swore after a great exclamation that that Treachery should cost the Keeper of his Wardrobe his Life That that Letter had been stollen out of his Pocket that he would punish the boldness of the Author of this Crime and protested that for his part he was innocent of what he was accused of His Hypocrisie was too visible His Excuses were not at all receiv'd and he endeavour'd in vain to justifie himself There was no Trick which he made not use of to disswade Iphigenia even to the shedding of Tears He threw himself on his Knees and asked her Pardon for a Fault which he would efface with the Bloud of any Man and for the expiation of which he would voluntarily give his own were he guilty of it 'T is not that which I demand said Iphigenia you will never kill the guilty if you spare him who terms himself innocent we expected such-like Justifications Know that I solemnly retract the Word that I have given you Take what 's pass'd for a Foolery you shall know towards the Evening the cause for which I have intreated you to come hither To morrow you She was going on further when the Princess Christina having pull'd her by the Arm made her stop there Alphonsus who understood by half a word what she was about to say rose up as soon as she was silent and saluting the company told her To morrow Madam to morrow whatever you please He thereupon withdrew and was just getting into his Coach when the Count
of this great Philosopher The Old man having inform'd him where he dwelt he went thither all alone the same Evening where he receiv'd the satisfaction which I am going to relate This Magician having led him without Light into a Cave and having forthwith asked him if he were afraid and the Prince having answered with assurance that he was not he drew a Circle with Cole in the middle of which he plac'd him Having after that drawn out a certain dark piece of Earth out of a hole which he enlighten'd with certain Ashes and after some intelligible words which frighted the Prince a little who wou'd have been very willing not to have been there he made appear to him through that transparent Body the Letter which the Princess his Mistriss had receiv'd which he read from end to end And this was all the knowledge which he could receive from the Magician whom he satisfied according to his desire He had learnt but too much for his Repose his Troubles increas'd The Idaea of an unknown Rival added to his despair He return'd to see the Princess and found her still the same he gained all her Servants he turn'd Spy himself he posted Sentinels all round the House and could not discover him who disputed his Love with him sometimes he is hot and sometimes fearful He becomes a Prey to a deadly Melancholy and has recourse again to Magick He requests a Charm and gives his consent and all things necessary to the composition of a Pomatum which he designs to convey by stealth upon the Princesses Toilet from whence he took away for this purpose a little Pot which he caus'd to be fill'd with the following Ingredients viz. the Scrapings of Skins the Cuttings of Hoofs and Hairs imperceptibly cut off burnt and calcin'd with some drops of a certain Liquor the whole at last mingled and incorporated with Sope and common sweet Powders which Pot he cunningly substituted in the place of the other and whose vertue had no Effect Alphonsus on his side agreeably persecuted Iphigenia who upon the great change of her outward Dispositions chang'd also her Inclinations and entertain'd him with fair hopes whilst she endeavour'd to inspire the Princess with Love for the Vnknown She made her from day to day more exquisite descriptions of that Princess's Passion of which she express'd her self to be sensible when at last overcome by her Prayers she engag'd to bring him to her on the morrow in the Evening The Princess impatient to see the Cavalier conjur'd her by the Union that was between them to procure her the satisfaction of seeing him and promis'd her provided he was such as she had describ'd him to hearken favourably to his Passion As soon as Iphigenia was return'd home whether she had carried Cornelia she sent her to seek for the best Taylor of the Court whom she made to take measure of her and to whom she gave private orders to make her a magnificent Habit with its Ornaments by Eight a Clock the next Night exactly and to bring her choice of all things necessary to equip a Cavalier for a Ball. The Taylor acquitted himself with an admirable diligence of his Commission The Dutchess sent all the Equipage to Cornelia whom she had prepar'd to receive it and went to dress her self in her Chamber from whence she sent to demand if a strange Prince might be admitted to make his Complements to Madam The Princess who expected according to Iphigenia's promises an unknown Lover sent to meet this Prince she was much surpriz'd to see him enter alone believing that the Dutchess would have bore him company She advanced some steps to receive him made a Seat be given him and ordered her Attendants to withdraw to enjoy all alone the pleasures of this new Lovers Conversation who began thus You see Madam the Person that the Dutchess Iphigenia has discours'd of to you according to what she has told me she has made you a description of me which scarce resembles me 'T is the Effect of a bountiful Inclination to which I shall be oblig'd all my Life As eloquent as she has been upon the subject of my Passion she has nevertheless not amplified it it is such that I my self who feel it cannot describe it to you She had not finish'd speaking when the Princess who knew her again under her disguise reply'd to her thus I have always well presum'd Sir that you were a Railleur who sought to divert your self But I should have been troubled to perswade my self that you had been desirous to push your Raillery so far It is no matter I find you lovely and I am very ready to second your Passion Give me your hand Princess said the Dutchess then and promise me that you will keep your word The season of the Carnival which invites us to Joy leaves us but just time enough to execute the Thing I intreat your company to morrow at the Comedy which I will cause to be presented before all the Court and my Lord your Father I will appear such as I am and in the Conclusion we will finish the Ceremonies of our Marriage The Princess who imagin'd nothing loss than what hapned believ'd always that the Propositions which Iphigenia had made her on the score of an unknown Lover were not feign'd that she would one day declare what he was and that in the mean while the time of Shrovetide would permit extraordinary Diversions This made her give her Hand pursuant to which Iphigenia went to give order for all that was necessary for the celebration of their Nuptials on the morrow She went to the King's Apartment the Queen's and all the Princes Lodgings to pray them to honour that solemn Feast who expressed themselves to be well satisfied with the divertisements which the Dutchess would procure them All the Court were at the Comedy and afterward went to the Dutchess's House where there was a splendid Supper provided Iphigenia travesty'd en Cavileer and the Princess Christina receiv'd there with the consent of them Majesties all the Complements of the Court The Articles of Contract were exhibited after the Regale All the Court after the King's Example and the Princess's Father himself subscrib'd it The rest of the common Formalities were observ'd Our Lovers mutually plighted their Faith to each other and the Action was finish'd at which the eldest of the Neopolitans and Alphonsus shew'd all their good Humour The Dutchess Iphigenia and the Princess her Spouse bore the quality of King and the other Queen at the Ball which followed During the three hours which it continued a witty Poet met them presented them with an Epithalamium whose Composition was approv'd of It was propos'd to conduct our new-married People to Bed The King accompany'd them to the Chamber which had been prepar'd for them at the door of which it was believ'd that the last Scene would have a conclusion They were notwithstanding undress'd and the Princess tyr'd as much with Dancing as with the other Exercises of the Day put her self to Bed with Iphigenia who instructed her with admiration in what she was ignorant of till then The Curtains have robb'd me of the rest What What we may believe as a Truth is that the Bride was very much surpriz'd to find that Nature liberal to Iphigenia had indow'd her with both Sexes that our Illustrious Hermaphrodite had obtain'd from the bounty of a laudable Stock what the weakness of a tender Age had scarce made her sensible of that the Court imform'd of the Fact at the sollicitation of the Bridegroom's Father who was very sure of things took all that had been done for substantial and authentick and that in fine by the Alliance of this Gallant Hermaphrodite Alphonsus had his Sister for his Rival FINIS