Languishments Love takes his place But O La Rock La Rock says he my dearest charming Clitie still is true she loves unfortunate as I am still and since she cannot come a pure and spotless Virgin to my Arms resolves to wash her guilt off with her Blood. Alas she was betray'd as well as I. Then stops again and having paus'd a while Lie still my Heart says he and hush thy Injuries a while asleep and use the utmost means you can to save the life of one more pretious than my Soul of one the Gods themselves wou'd mourn to part with and grieve a Loss can never be repaid She must not shall not die for me or if she does flying again into a raving Fit I 'le sacrifice the lives of all those wicked Monsters nay the Blood of all their cursed Race to appease her Injur'd Ghost In the mean time the Prince's Lacquey had given him a full Account of every thing Mariana being by who as soon as she heard the Name of La Rock knew the other must certainly be Darbelle under the false Name of Conrade The Lacquey was dismiss'd and the Prince and Mariana staid together above two hours consulting what to do knowing that without they cou'd find some speedy way to prevent it nothing cou'd hinder a Discovery of their Practice They thought on many Projects but fix'd on none but what they first design'd to wit Darbelle's Death That will not be enough says the cruel Mariana for whilst La Rock survives we are not safe they must both die as they have liv'd together The Prince was soon brought to consent to it and without more ado left Mariana and went to her Brother who as was said before was conceal'd in a private House that the Prince had order'd When he came to him says he Adraste have you well consider'd what I told you last And are your Resolutions firm to the Design As firm answers Adraste as my Love and Faith to you and were I sure the Deed wou'd brand me o're with Curses nay throw Anathama's on all my Race and in the end procure the Wheel I wou'd not boggle at it The Prince embrac'd him and commended his Friendship and Resolution and withal told him since none in the World but them two and his Sister knew of the deceit none but themselves shou'd be employ'd in making good what with so much Success they had begun Therefore presently disguishing themselves in Russians Habits and arming with sure and good Weapons the Night now coming on apace they went out of the House into the Street where Lysidor's Man had told him he had dog'd the Gentleman They had not waited long ere by a light that was brought to the door they perceiv'd two Men in Cloaks come forth The Prince made no doubt but they were the very same he look'd for but for more certainty he went up to one of them and softly touching him on the Shoulder Darbelle says he a word with you in private It hapned to be La Rock who he had taken for his Master however the faithful La Rock thought it not safe to inform him of his Mistake but throwing his Cloak aside says Who is that The Prince replies One from the Princess Clitie At which La Rock stepping a little nearer him to hear what he wou'd say The Princess says Lysidor commends her to you and has sent you this running at La Rock with his Sword which by good chance miss'd his Body and was so intangled in his Cloak that he had time to draw his own in his Defence ere the Prince cou'd disingage it Adraste follow'd the Prince's Example and set upon Darbelle who as soon as he had heard himself named had put himself into a posture to defend him The Combat was not long for the second Pass La Rock made he run the Prince quite through the Heart who immediately fell pronouncing these words I am justly rewarded for all my Treachery and so ended his Life But Darbelle after he had given Adraste several Wounds seeing a light appear at the other end of the Street together with La Rock without inquiring who or what they were had set upon them fled to avoid being apprehended they had both the good fortune not to be wounded and lodg'd themselves in another quarter of the City in a place as private as the former The Light we spoke of was a Magistrate of the City with several of his Officers were going to search a suspected House in that Bye-street for Goods that had been stoln who so soon as they came to the place where before they heard as they thought some clashing of Swords they found the Prince who at present they knew not dead and a little from him the false Adraste all wounded and bloody on the ground who they perceiv'd still had life in him he caused both the Bodies to be taken up and conveyed to a House hard by where they laid Adraste into Bed and sent for Chyrurgeons to dress his Wounds and if possible to recover him again that they might learn of him the meaning of that Adventure and who he was that was kill'd for the Disguise the Prince had on hindred them from knowing him The next Morning the Prince not having been at his Lodging all Night not being known ever before to stay out Enquiry was made to know what was become of him and about four a Clock in the Afternoon the Report of his Death was spread over the whole City but they kept it at present from the Princess who was bewailing the Misfortunes of Darbelle to Mariana who was come at that time to visit her Alas Mariana says she to her What can we think of this Affair Who has betray'd us What more than savage Beast cou'd do so barbarous an Act What you tell me says Mariana is to me all Mystery and it wou'd require some Oracle to solve the AEnigma however Madam you can ne're be blam'd and all that you have done was what the most wise and vertuous Lady living might justifie therefore afflict your self no more about it but leave it to the Heavens and Darbelle who you say is alive and return'd a thing but that you say it I cou'd scarce believe to find out the Treachery Come dry those Eyes and think of this no more your Duty now does bind you wholly to your Lord in whom you 'l find those Joys and Comforts will allay your Sorrows You are young and in your Beauty's Prime and shou'd not wear so black a Cloud of Woes you 'l give him cause it may be to suspect your Love and think some other Object has usurp'd your Heart I wou'd not for a thousand Worlds that he shou'd see you thus O Mariana replies Clitie can you ere think I lov'd and lov'd so well and entertain one mite of Joy while I have ruin'd the most constant tender and most deserving man alive alive said I alas wou'd he had dy'd when false Report
LICENCED Octob. 1. 1617. Rich. Pocock CLITIE A NOVEL Written by Rich. Blackbourn Gent. LONDON Printed for Ric. Bentley and S. Magnes in Russel street in Covent-Garden 1688. To the HONOURABLE Sir Edward Sebright Bar. SIR THE Author 's untimely death preventing his Desire of addressing this Piece to your Patronage I thought my self obliged the Copy being left in my hands at once to make good his Intentions and gratifie my own Inclination It being therefore a Posthumous Work though the first Fruits of his Fancy your favourable Protection will be the more generous His Ingenuity might have made some proportionable Offer at your Character and indeed where so many Accomplishments of Mind and Person are happily united the most modest Account that could be given would have made no small Panegyrick without any Assistance of Artifice or Rhetorical Colours I dare not undertake to draw you to the Life nor can pretend to touch those many shining Graces wherewith Art and Nature have made you admirable Besides Sir your own Modesty that inseparable Companion of ingenious Tempers might think that too much which all that know you will find too little and short of the fair Original The Charms of Behaviour Civility and Courtesie especially when they are the Result of a good Nature in a Person of Quality are no small Inducements to attract the Love and Esteem of Mankind But if besides the Accomplishments of a Gentleman the strongest Dispositions to Vertue and Knowledge with an early and eminent Progress therein be enough to create an Expectation in the World your best Friends and nearest Relations have only this to wish on your behalf that your ripe Manhood may make good the Promises of your Youth and render you as undoubtedly they will an Ornament to the Nation But Sir my present Design being not to present you with an Encomium but only to beg your Favour to an Orphan-Piece of Ingenuity if it have the good Fortune to divert your leisure Hours as it was the Author's Ambition it will be no small Satisfaction to Sir Your devoted Humble Servant N. TATE CLITIE A NOVEL PART I. CLITIE is of an Extraction illustrious enough to make her esteem'd one of the greatest Ladies of the Kingdom but her Merits and her Beauty yet render her a thousand times more worthy the Respects and Adorations of all that ever knew her If Heaven has given her a Desert above others and a Beauty more adorable than ever was it has not given her a heart less tender or less passionate her Soul has naturally all the softness that Love is capable to inspire and none was ever made a fitter Object for the Seat of that soft Deity than her self She was but thirteen years of age when the whole Court looked on her with admiration and all the greatest Persons of the Realm made her Pleasure their care and study Her Father had many great Employments near the Person of the King who loved her extreamly nor did a day pass wherein many did not importune him to gain a consent to marry her but amongst the multitudes of those whom her Charms and Beauty had rendred her Captives Darbelle and Amasis seem'd to be the greatest Trophies of her conquering Heart Darbelle was a man of great quality and altho' he was very young and of a Beauty not common to men he was not less couragious and extreamly breve his Father had spent much money in the Wars and lived up to the height of those Employments that were given him which left him not that Wealth that the deserved however he had a noble Command and no small Estate Amasis was not inferiour to Darbelle in Birth but was so rich and magnificent that if Darbelle had some advantage on him by his Beauty and Behaviour he had the advantage of Darbelle by his Retinue and Equipage which were the most agreeable and most gallant of all the Court it cannot be deny'd but he had a natural Vanity and never man was more puff'd up with an opinion of his own advantages â—han himself Celse who was Clitie's Father had greater inclination for Amasis than all the other Suitors of his Daughter and earnestly desir'd a Marriage between them But Clitie young as she was had a Wit and Judgment so discerning that she â—ou'd not avoid having far more indifference for him than for Darbelle But Amasis who was of a violent Temper and whose Transports often carried him even to Brutallity after having rendred all the endeavours he was capable of â—o overcome the Rigours of Clitie saw there was no hope for him and that he had no longer any pretensions of marryâ—ng her her Father having declar'd he wou'd never force his Daughter's Inclinations but leave her the free choice of an Husband wholly in her own disposal believ'd he cou'd not better disintangle himself from the Chains of this inhumane but by applying himself to some other Lady of the Court. He had hardly thought of this design when the Eyes of the fair Julia help'd him to compleating of it he found her pliable enough to listen to him and so much the rather because this Lady who had no small esteem of her own Charms and Beauty had a mortal Jealousie against Clitie who young as she was had already robb'd her of a thousand Adorers Julia no sooner beheld the passionate Flame she had kindled in the Heart of Amasis but she was overjoy'd it being a matter of Importance and of Glory to gain so eminent a Victory over Clitie which was no small Argument of the good Entertainment he received from her Amasis on the other side who had no intentions but to beguile his time with Julia and dissipate some of those Troubles the Cruelty of Clitie had given him became really in love with her and as it is usual with Lovers to side with their Mistresses in their Opinions he failed not in a little time to share with her the ill will she had for Clitie In the beginning the matter was dress'd in a thousand little Raileries which Amasis and Julia made on her which at first she laugh'd at but at length the Insolence of Amasis 〈◊〉 to please his new Mistress came to be published in all places that he had received Favours of Clitie and that it was one of her fault that she did not marry him Clitie cou'd not hear these things 〈◊〉 of her without resenting it with a mortal Affliction She had not long the power to dissemble the Subject of her Grief for Amasis with an unpatallell'd boldness adds daily more and more to his Detractions and before so many Witnesses that every thing came to Clitie's knowledge Yet nevertheless ere she would resolve on any Revenge she wou'd have better grounds 〈◊〉 what she heard than publick Rumour Darhelle who was seldom absent from her had no small share in her Troubles and she had also for him a great esteem and some tenderness He daily intreated her to discover to him the cause
made them pull both their Hoods over their Faces and to 〈◊〉 a little out of the way the better to avoid the Danger They passed them without any obstructions but neither Darbelle nor Mariana knowing that Clitie's Father had orders to apprehend him were much surpriz'd to find him in this Equipage they consulted a while about what they should do and to resolve to what place he should retire till the hour appointed to visit Clitie In short having well consider'd on the matter Darbelle not daring to trust any consider'd that it wou'd be very difficult to go to any place in his Woman's Habit without Discovery took up a Resolution to go directly to Clitie's and shut himself up in Mariana's Chamber He accomplish'd his desire most happily for they both got in without being perceiv'd by any and Mariana immediately went to Clitie to give her an account of all that had pass'd Clitie was extremely pleas'd at the News for Clitie's Father with the Guard departed to apprehend Darbelle almost at the same time that Mariana was sent to give him notice of it In the midst of these Troubles fearing what might happen to him she endured strange Tortures but no sooner did she understand that Darbelle was safe arrived but she went to him to testifie the Joy she received for his Escape Darbelle says she coming up to him I have deceived both my Father and the King to save your life and 't is no small trouble to me that it is not in my power to do yet more whereby I might testifie to you what interest I take in all that concerns you My fairest Clitie answered Darbelle you have had only care of preserving a man who is wholly yours but one who shall be imploy'd on no other account but your Service and to adore you even to his Grave Falling on his Knees and going to continue his Discourse Clitie prevented him saying to him Darbelle our time is precious and you have had a wonderful escape in this present avoiding your Ruine it is a great Argument Heaven it self has no small interest in you since it makes you so much its care and works such Miracles in your behalf abuse not therefore its goodness but lay hold on the means it proffers you and lose no time in making your escape out of Paris where your Enemies are so well informed of all that you do You cannot but be sensible that you have been betray'd since the King had information that you were retired to Lycida's House by very good fortune he gave his Orders for apprehending you to my Father and not to hold you longer it was from him I knew the Secret by which means I gave you timely notice Tho now you may imagine you are safe enough who knows what may happen How are you sure that none has dog'd you hither Consider therefore how miserable shall we both be shou'd you be taken in my Father's House My Honour and your life must be the Victims which our Enemies will sacrifice with all pleasure imaginable therefore both for my sake and your own I intreat you would not think of staying any longer here not only at Court but in the Kingdom and many times the Circumstances you lie under become more calm and tranquil as they grow old and 't is not impossible but after some time a means may be found out in your absence to pacifie the King's Anger and to change the Face of Affairs by making the King understand the Truth of the matter and that your Quarrel was not a set Duel but a Rancounter your Friends are many and powerful and I am sure will not forsake you and for my own part I will use all the interest I can that I may see you once again at Court and re-establish'd in the King's Favour Darbelle having hearkned to this Discourse of Clitie's without interrupting her being so overwhelm'd in Sorrow that he was incapable of saying one word and instead of returning her an Answer stood almost drown'd in Tears Clitie added a thousand other obliging things to comfort him at length Darbelle recollecting himself uttered these wordâ—â— but with so languishing a tone as he weâ—â— just departing this Life O my mâ— lovely Clitie does your Heart account with you in what you say on my account Clitie who already had resolv'd to discover to him the tender Sentiments she had for him and to give him all the assurances of Love that might become a Person of her Quality Honour and Vertue But one who still was under her Father's disposal paused a little ere she discover'd her self In short this was a lucky hour for Darbelle for Clitie thought it wou'd be very difficult to perswade him to leave her without giving him some hopes of seeing her again and being happy at his return and she fear'd that without some 〈◊〉 hopes he might yet be guilty of some extravagant thing in endeavouring to obtain her Love that might perhaps 〈◊〉 him his Life Having considered these things add to these the Passion she felt 〈◊〉 Heart which now she was no longer Mistress of she return'd him this Answer O Darbelle how cruel are you thus not to understand me and apprehend I love Alas Darbelle having given you such evident Proofs already methinks you might have been kind to me and spar'd my Blushes in telling you I love you and perhaps says she with a deep sigh more than you love me She blush'd in uttering these words and turn'd aside her Eyes from looking on Darbelle who was so extasied with what he heard and transported with the excess of Love and Joy he was not capable of returning her thanks nevertheless he threw himself at her Feet embracing her Knees and kissing a thousand times over her fair Hands at last he burst out O you great Gods are you not envious of the happiness I have Yes my adorable Clitie goes he on your 〈◊〉 is dearer to me than the Empire of the World But oh not all the Words 〈◊〉 Eloquence or Wit can e're express my Love and nothing but your All-charming Beauty can come in Competition with it And had I but the least thought that any thing cou'd change my Heart here I swear to you my divine Saint that I wou'd this moment pierce the persidious thing a thousand times before your Eyes He made a Million of Protestations 〈◊〉 an everlasting Love and Clitie gave him an assurance that she wou'd never marry any one but him and that she wou'd not only refuse all such who should make their amour to her but withstand the very Will and Command of her Father shou'd he ever attempt to bestow her on 〈◊〉 other Many passionate Expressions pass'd on 〈◊〉 sides for Confirmation of their Loves 〈◊〉 Protestations after which Clitie commanded him but with the greatest regret imaginable to depart the next day they 〈◊〉 of 'em seem'd to disolve in Tears 〈◊〉 the unseasonableness of the time and 〈◊〉 return of Clitie's Father constrain'd a
Heart was not made of Adamant was capable enough of the tender Impression of Love and cou'd no longer defend it self from pitying this unfortunate whom she had made so miserable I am even in despair answers Clitie since this is arrived to this pitch of Folly that he must either marry me or die for if I have seem'd more cruel to him than to many whom I esteem'd less it was only to endeavour to free him of the unhappy Passion he has for me I am not altogether insensible and I acknowledge I feel a certain Compassion for him when I behold such tender and true Marks of his Love as he daily gives me But you know Mariana says she that nothing can dispossess Darbelle of my Heart my Duty and Inclination plead wholly for him and it is impossible for me ever to alter for which reasons I am resolv'd to forbid the Prince ever to see me again Ah Madam answers Mariana do not drive him to this cruel Extremity all the World knows that he has endeavour'd unsuccessfully all means possible to cease loving you but since 't is not to be effected envy him not the Consolation of dying in your sight As Clitie and Mariana were thus discoursing the Prince who had before been informed of the Conversation that should be made enter'd he appear'd 〈◊〉 dejected and sad that in short Clitie was surpriz'd and Mariana seem'd to be so much concern'd at it that she could 〈◊〉 forbear pronouncing some words that made known her Astonishment The Prince who seeing none present with Clitie but Mariana told her with Tears in his Eyes Alas thou cruel 〈◊〉 One make an end at once both of my Grief and Life that I may no longer importune you and since it is my misfortune to persecute you thus to no purpose let me die to make an expiation for all the Torment I have given you Alas pursues he your Eyes most Divine Clitie are a thousand times more beautiful than the Morning but I cannot render them either delightful or soft to me what then shou'd I do with life It is much better for me to expire at your Feet than daily to be the Object of your Anger He utter'd these words with a languishing sadness which became him so well they wou'd have mov'd compassion in the most obdurate Heart when a Death-like paleness cover'd all his Face his Strength began to fail him and he cou'd no longer keep himself from falling on the Couch whereon Clitie sate just like a man expiring Mariana presently skreek'd out O good Gods he is gone he is dead dear Madam says she say some obliging thing to him to recover him if possible Clitie who is certainly the most excellent of her Sex stood not now to consult either the Love she bore Darbelle or the Cruelty she had design'd to shew the Prince she regarded nothing at present but the lamentable Condition in which he was and believing that unfeignedly he wou'd die if she gave him not some Relief Prince says she if it yet lies in your Power have more regard to a life so valuable as yours and give not up your self as you do to an unparallel'd despair for be assur'd I have not the least unkindness for you and if I have not answer'd your Love in all Respects it is because the Heavens have other ways decreed it I am so far from seeking your Death that I wish nothing more than that you may live which by all the power you say I have over you charge you to obey After these words which gave a little Comfort to him he began to lift himself up The Prince being come to himself again wou'd have return'd her 〈◊〉 for what she had said to him but Clitie reflecting on what her Compassion 〈◊〉 made her utter fearing it would but augment his Passion went out of the Room angry with her self leaving the Prince with Mariana who pretended to stay while with him to prevent any extravagant thing his Despair might cause him do which might be more troublesome Clitie tho her Design was only to discourse with him and to make a favourable Construction of her last obliging words to the Prince's Advantage Mariana no sooner came into Clitie's presence but she feign'd new Stories of the Ravings Sighings Lamentations and Tears of the poor afflicted Prince and the great pains and difficulty she had to recover him after Clitie had parted from 〈◊〉 nor did she leave any thing unsaid 〈◊〉 might touch her Heart in favour of 〈◊〉 Prince But Clitie's Constancy and Fidelity wou'd admit in her a love for none but 〈◊〉 Darbelle his Merit the many Obligations that she had had from him and those reciprocal Promises and mutual Vows they had made eternally to love each other still possess'd her Memory and no less 〈◊〉 Heart besides she daily receiv'd from him such pastionate and tender Letters and full of Wit and Judgment that they 〈◊〉 wou'd have been potent enough to 〈◊〉 defended him against all his Rivals At length by little and little the Prince's Presents his Solicitations and the promises he daily made Mariana that she 〈◊〉 share with him in all his good Fortune quite corrupted her and gained her wholly to his side she now forgets all he had promised Darbelle and all the 〈◊〉 she ow'd to Clitie and not considering the fatal Consequence this horrid Perfidy might cause discover'd to the Prince all their Secrets and assur'd the Prince that Clitie lov'd Darbelle even to death and 〈◊〉 that was the occasion of the Quarrel between him and Amasis and that he had 〈◊〉 left her but by her Command and after she had given him a thousand Assurances to love him to her Grave and to marry him as soon as their Affairs were in Condition to admit it that no Day scarcely passed wherein Clitie had 〈◊〉 Letter from him and that she as often sent him Answers and to be short the Darbelle was the only hinderance of 〈◊〉 happiness and that she had cause to 〈◊〉 confidently assur'd that nothing but the Pre-ingagement cou'd hinder her from 〈◊〉 him and that his Person and Addresses had nothing in 'em but what 〈◊〉 advantageous and agreeable did not 〈◊〉 consideration of the Love she had to Darbelle interpose This Relation of Mariana's 〈◊〉 surpriz'd the Prince and sensibly afflicted him he was so amaz'd at it that it 〈◊〉 some time ere he came to himself and declar'd he had rather the Rigours and Cruelty of Clitie had sprung from a hatred 〈◊〉 his own Person than from the love she had for Darbelle he forgot not to return Mariana a thousand Thanks for the Favours and good Offices she had done 〈◊〉 in discovering to him such important Secrets from which he hop'd to reap great Advantage They swore a mutual Amity nor did they part before he had 〈◊〉 rewarded her for what she had done 〈◊〉 him he pull'd off his Finger a Diamond Ring of great Value which he presented to her and having
embrac'd her he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her never to forsake him assuring 〈◊〉 that should not be his last Present 〈◊〉 desir'd him to come to her the next day at an hour when she was confident Clitie wou'd not be at home that they 〈◊〉 farther consult what measures to 〈◊〉 in order to the supplanting of Darbelle and by some means or other to 〈◊〉 her to love the Prince Thus then they parted after having 〈◊〉 each other a thousand Promises of Fidelity and Amity Mariana fail'd not 〈◊〉 go immediately to her Mistress and 〈◊〉 better to disguise her Proceedings she 〈◊〉 her That now she was indeed worthy to be belov'd she prais'd the Grandeur 〈◊〉 her Soul and admir'd the Constancy of her 〈◊〉 who had so resolutely and rigorously 〈◊〉 the Efforts of the most powerful and sincere Lover in the World she seem'd 〈◊〉 put her in some way or other of 〈◊〉 the Prince and to prevent his daily 〈◊〉 In short she so well played the 〈◊〉 that Clitie confided more in 〈◊〉 now than ever she had done She receiv'd not one Letter from Darbelle that Mariana shew'd not to the since and indeed almost all those that Clitie had writ in answer to 'em This perfidious Woman slipt not the least occasion of deceiving Clitie and serving the Prince and it would be difficult to distinguish between the Fidelity that Clitie had for Darbelle and that which Mariana had for the Prince The day following Lysidor fail'd not to visit Mariana at the hour appointed 〈◊〉 did she forget to tell him all that she 〈◊〉 learn'd from Clitie she discover'd to 〈◊〉 all that Darbelle had writ to her and what she had writ to him by way of 〈◊〉 and tho' the Entertainment was as a bitter Poison to the Prince yet he made her repeat the same things over and over a hundred times Their Conversation ended as the 〈◊〉 had done in Presents and Protestation to be true and faithful It is true 〈◊〉 the Prince had seriously considered ever Transaction he found his Affairs 〈◊〉 his Mistress were but in a lamentable Condition and he despair'd do what he cou'd ever to gain her Heart he took a Resolution of leaving her and no more 〈◊〉 trouble these two Lovers in passion which to him seem'd so just and ought to be applauded by all vertuous People no soone did his Reason break through and dissipate those Clouds that did obscure his Glory but he was possess'd with a mortal Aversion for Mariana and all her Treachery seem'd odious to him and no doubt but the Soul of this Prince was so great and glorious that it was impossible to make greater Efforts than he made to reduce his Heart from so unfortunate a love he intended no farther to engage her in his Business and cou'd not have good thoughts of one who had so treacherously abus'd her Mistress Now it was that his Eyes being open'd he was sensible of the Deformity of Mariana's Actions that he had not any room in his Heart but what was possess'd with Rage and Anger against her he purpos'd forthwith to discover to Clitie what a Snake she had harbour'd in her Bosome and to tell her all that Mariana had made known to him One day when Glory seem'd to have the only sway of his Heart and to have got the Ascendancy o're Love by the Endeavours he had made he went to find out Clitie with a Resolution to ask her pardon for all the Troubles and Anxities he had given her and to inform her of all that he knew of Mariana Having that day found her alone as she was gathering Jessimine-flowers in a Terrase-walke before the Windows ' of her Apartment he says to her with a cheerfulness more than usual Fair Clitie wonder not I pray you that I presume this day to speak to you with more Assurance than formerly I have done since I am perswaded the business I now come to discourse to you of will be more agreeable to you than any I have yet spoke to you of since the first minute I had the happiness to see you Know then pursues he Madam I am come to throw my self at your Feet and implore a forgiveness of all that your fair Eyes and my Passion have forc'd me so often to say to you against your Approbation In short most beautiful Clitie I am resolv'd to leave you wholly to your own Disposal and desire no greater Favour than to be reckon'd amongst your Friends since I see it is impossible for you to love me as I wou'd have you or for you ever to make me happy I am sensible of the Violence I shou'd offer you shou'd I persecute you any longer and all that my Ambition craves that you wou'd suffer me to adore and honour you above all others and from this time I promise you no more to entertain you with any discourse of my love Clitie was so surpriz'd to hear him say this that at first she gave no credit to his words but imagin'd it some amorous Stratagem but at last he assur'd her of the Truth and wiping away all Suspicion she look'd upon him as a Person infinitely obliging and vertuous Can it be answer'd she that what you tell me now is Truth then have you made me happy and I will ever allow you the same place in my Amity that you have already in my Esteem for now I will no longer hide from you that I was driven even to despair that I have made you endure so much Inquietude which I knew not how to redress but continued she I never was more sensible of any thing than the Cruelty of your Destiny which had ordain'd a Person of your Merits and Vertues to sue to one so incapable of making you any Returns as I but since you only desire I shou'd look on you as a Friend be assur'd I esteem you as my best The Prince return'd her Thanks 〈◊〉 a thousand other obliging things 〈◊〉 spent the rest of that Visit with an Air seemingly full of Content and Satisfaction he thought it not convenient yet 〈◊〉 discover the Intelligence between him and Mariana fearing it might put her out of humour therefore he left that to some more proper season Thus he parted from her with an intention of being only her Friend and no more to trouble her with his Love but in a short time after his Passion which seem'd to be a Sleep rouses it self againe in his Heart and made him apprehend that a Friendship only with Clitie wou'd but make him more miserable and being her Friend he had now no more hopes for Love but must for ever live tormented with Despair What says he my Heart wou'd you no longer love Clitie What then unhappy thing wilt thou do Perhaps thou wilt shortly see her in anothers Arms whilst thou hast no pretension but to Friendship that 's to say thou must be pleas'd to see her with thy Rival and rejoyce in the soft Tenders of their Loves which none
out any Remedy for them tho' it would cost you but a word 's speaking But pray Madam wherefore shou'd a poor Lover who had made all the Efforts he was able to become only a Friend to his Mistress and made it his whole care and study to effect it appear so criminal before you It is because replies she briskly that no honest man promises any thing which he does not performe and if it lies not in his power to do it he ought to order the matter so that his Misfortunes trouble none but himself Clitie blush'd in returning this Answer and all the rest of the Evening she so order'd it that the Prince cou'd have no particular Discourse with her The Ball being done each return'd to their respective homes but Clitie and the Prince were extreamly troubled since she no longer doubted but the Prince was still as amorous as ever and that he would not desist importuning her as he had already done The Prince for his part cou'd draw no favourable Construction of Clitie's Discourse and her manner of delivering it He cou'd no longer defer the knowing the true Condition in which he stood with her the next Morning writ to her Woman Mariana and begged her to let him know for he was impatient till he did how the case stood with him and her Mistress She return'd him in answer That when Clitie was return'd from the Ball she did nothing but weep and sigh saying No Misfortune ever cou'd compare with hers and that she plainly perceiv'd the Prince was still as passionate as ever and that he only rallied with her when he only desir'd to become her Friend Mariana advis'd him to be firm in his Resolution and to lose no time in his Endeavours to mollifie her and that he shou'd not fail to give her a Visit the same day and that she for her part wou'd with all her power be assistant to him in rendring him again in her Favour The Prince receiv'd this News with much trouble and to encrease his Misery he felt his love for Clitie renew after such a manner that it was able to put him upon doing all the extravagant things imaginable maugre the Grandeur of his Soul which at any other time bounded it self in the limits of Glory He went the same day to wait on her whom he found all alone much troubled and melancholy I come says he going up towards her Madam to learn of you why you gave me that hard Treatment last Night and wherefore I have so soon lost the happiness of being of the best of your Friends if it is so that I am not of that number I will no longer afflict my self with your cruel Indifference You ought rather to wonder answers she that I should still admit your Visits after you have abused all those kind Sentiments and good Opinions I had of you but hereafter I shall be more cautious and less reduable to you for ' em It will be difficult to effect it replies the Prince for a man so lost in love as I am can never do too much to defend himself against the Cruelties of his Mistress What! replies Clitie interrupting him do you so daringly tell me you love and not believe you offend me Happen what will replies the Prince I must confess I am a thousand times more amorous than ever and since I have used all means possible to dissipate my Passion yet in vain it is most likely I shall continue so to my latest Breath As for what you threaten me with I am already so loaden with Misfortunes and Miseries that I cannot fear any new ones and all the power you have over me can never render me more wretched than I am It is true continues he that being quite wearied with suffering Woes incredible I thought to have made exchange of Love for that of Friendship and no sooner had I resolv'd it but I told you of it but if I have been deceiv'd cruel Clitie is it my fault or your own for I have not the power to see you but I must love you In finishing these words a Flood of Tears fell from his Eyes and Clitie all enrag'd as she was cou'd not avoid answering his Tears with her own who were as so many Witnesses that her Heart was touch'd with Compassion But what was most strange she having a thousand bitter things to reproach him with and wou'd never have permitted him to come into her Chamber but that she resolv'd to forbid him seeing her any more when she heard him speak in that manner with such a profound submission and unparallel'd respect and with so sincere and transcending Passion she had not the power to execute what she intended And altring her tone You wou'd Prince says she to him ' wear out my life by importuning me daily as you do since all will be in vain and I must ingeniously declare to you my Heart can never be in a capacity to receive your Love. I hope not so replies the Prince yet most adorable Clitie I shall never leave serving you and for all ask no other Reward but the liberty of seeing you and paying my Adorations to your fair Eyes which he spoke with so profound so true and so ardent a Passion that none cou'd have defended their Hearts but such who had the Constancy of Clitie He us'd all his Endeavours during the rest of their Conversation to reduce her to Reason at last she was perswaded that his Passion was rather an Inchantation than any thing else and that it was an Evil that wou'd admit no Cure and she laid down to him the Bounds and Limits that a disinterested Love ought to respect As unfortunate as the Prince was he was well satisfied with this Visit he found a goodness in the Heart of Clitie that always afforded him some Consolation if it cou'd not produce him any hopes Mariana on her part seeing matters so well accommodated was not a little pleas'd she still resolv'd to make the Prince continue his Suit she was not so much concern'd whether it succeeded or no so that he still continued to court Clitie Darbelle hitherto was not every way betray'd by Mariana that is to say his Letters were daily deliver'd to Clitie and Clitie's as duly given to him but seeing that whenever Clitie receiv'd News from her Lover she became more inexorable to the Prince she resolv'd to push her falsehood home and to pretend hereafter she did not so often receive Letters from him nor did she fail daily to instil the Poyson of her Malice into the Heart of Clitie by complaining of Darbelle's silence by which she gave her unspeakable Disquiets and branded him every minute with a thousand Reproaches for his negligence Clitie stood not in need of any help to aggrivate the Impatience she had to hear from him a Love like hers furnish'd her with means sufficient to afflict her self withal The Prince on the other side lived after his usual rate shewing a
Feet without taking his part even against her self nor cou'd all that was daily said to her of him make her believe he was yet inconstant The suspence in which she was seem'd to aggravate her Miseries cou'd she have really thought Darbelle no longer lov'd her Grief wou'd put an end to her life or were she certain of his Falshood the Assistance and Helps she received from every body by their Cares and Consolations might in time ease her Sufferings but in the plight in which she was now ever felt such Grief and Afflictions as the unfortunate Clitie In the mean time the Prince and Mariana made Advantages of all that happen'd and ceas'd not day and night to confirm her in a belief of the only thing in the whole World that had the least truth in it and was the most injurious for her The End of the first Part. CLITIE A NOVEL PART II. THE Prince had so well by underhand Practice spread through all the Court that Darbelle was married to a person of great Quality in Florence whom he intirely lov'd ever since his arrival in that Country that at last there was no more room left for Doubt and every one talk'd of it as a thing most certain Clitie cou'd no longer take the part of one whom she deem'd so unworthy her Affections began to hate him now more than before she had lov'd him It is certain she did it not without suffering inconceivable Perplexities she cou'd no longer abide at Court the constraint she lay under to appear as she us'd viz. making and receiving Visits and being obliged every day to the Company of such who made Pleasure their business who are inseparable from a Court had reduced her to a very low Condition she became so alter'd that it was difficult to know her for which reason she resolv'd to pass away some time at her House in the Countrey where she might have more liberty she doubted not but there she shou'd soon blot Darbelle out of her Memory or at least have more freedom to make her Complaints of his Falshood and to take more pleasure in the Hatred she had conceiv'd against him Mariana fail'd not to follow her and the more to aggravate her Resentments for Darbelle she never nam'd him without cursing his person and forgot nothing that might make him appear more criminal urging still the Obligations he had to Clitie and the Punishment he merited What wou'd she be continually saying to her Mistress cou'd not this false man for a little time resist the Charms of one Woman when you for him have contemn'd so many gallant men at Court and scorn'd so many Lords Is it possible continues she that his in-human Heart cou'd be so false so soon as he once was out of your sight to forget your Beauty Merit and all that you have done for him What Punishment can he think he deserves not And wherefore shou'd you for the Fault he has committed and for her whom he has marry'd never return to Court again and use your utmost power to revenge your self Sometimes she counsell'd her to employ all her Friends utterly to destroy him and to declare a thousand injurious things against him that he might go no where where he might not hear of it and know that you have no longer an Esteem for him These cruel Discourses of Mariana seem'd to indulge Clitie in her present Condition and she cou'd not but hearken to the Railings and Revilings against a man who she imagin'd had so cruelly abus'd her The Prince who wanted no information of all that pass'd in Clitie's Heart seem'd far more concern'd and troubl'd for her than ever and more to bewail her absence than any other he sent to enquire after her health every day and fain wou'd have gone himself to see her But Clitie who was now possess'd with a mortal Hatred against Mankind in general wou'd not suffer any Visit and whatever he endeavoured to that effect was all in vain she sent word she wou'd see no body and that nothing cou'd be more offensive or injurious to her than to press her any farther This Resolution wou'd not have been very pleasing to Lysidor had he not known the cause of it and he thought it no difficult matter since by Mariana's Care and Management she was brought about to hate Darbelle to make her in time change the Resolution she had taken to seclude her self from the World and to perswade her to come again to Court. It is certain that considering the great and violent Passion he had for her he cou'd hardly endure being so long absent from seeing her But Mariana to deserve the Rewards he had made her hope forgot nothing that might ease him she promis'd to order things so that he himself by her means shou'd be a Witness of the obliging things which Clitie continually pronounced against Darbelle The matter was not hard to compass for Clitie had but few Attendance with her in the Countrey so that Mariana with ease found out a way to get him in unseen and hide him in her Chamber where Clitie commonly pass'd most part of the day in reproaching and vowing an eternal Aversion against the Infidelity of Darbelle and that she never wou'd forgive him A while after it so fell out that Clitie's Father fell sick of a dangerous Feaver which oblig'd his Daughter to quit her Solitude to come and attend him This Conjuncture so far was favourable enough to her for during the time of her Father's Sickness none wondred to see her afflicted and sad but all things have their change and at length her Father recover'd his Health again and Clitie maugre the Condition in which she was was forc'd to open her Eyes and look upon her old Acquintance and was oblig'd to live at Court after the same manner she formerly had done but always with an Aire altogether melancholy notwithstanding all the endeavours that were us'd to divert her cou'd not perswade her to be loss sad The time that she had been in the Countrey seem'd to have given her new Charms and to have made her more amiable every one thought it a happiness but to talk with her and divert her and the Prince more in love now than ever was not a little pleas'd to see his Affairs go so well forward He doubled his Cares and Addresses to her and appear'd yet more magnificent than before he spar'd for no Charges he made Treats and Feasts that surpass'd all that ever were made which pleaded so advantagiously in his Favour to his Mistress that he had no cause to repent it Mariana on the other side apply'd the matter home talking to Clitie of nothing but of him nor was there one Servant in the house who did not almost adore him so great a Master was he in attracting the Love and Respect of all People whom Gold and Presents had any Power over every thing made to his Advantage in Clitie's Heart she now saw him much more
is all I was inform'd of nor did I inquire into any more knowing such sort of People cou'd give me but small Intelligence of the particulars of Clitie's Marriage besides this unwelcome News had so surpriz'd me with Grief and Trouble that I had not the power to ask any more or to stay any longer Darbelle having heard this dismal Relation made a thousand fresh Complaints and new Imprecations against Clitie sometimes threatning her and sometimes saying he wou'd kill himself But after all the Disorders that Love and Anger had produc'd in his Heart he made a Resolution to see her the same Night and reproach her with her Falshood And adressing himself to La Rock I am but a Fool says he thus to torment my self for a perfidious Woman who has not deserv'd my Love no I will not kill my self she is not worth that trouble but I will have the pleasure to make her miserable by the Disdain I will shew her and by the Crosses I will give to all the Delights of her Life this same day will I go in Masquerade and threaten her in the very midst of the Ball and raise in her all those frightful Apprehensions which ought to terrifie one so criminal as she in having cast off so true a Lover as my self When La Rock heard him talk thus he presented to him the hazard he run in such an Enterprize and that perhaps instead of revenging himself on Clitie he wou'd be expos'd to the loss of his own Life and be so far from punishing her Falshood that he wou'd put her in a way no more to fear him You mistake me says Darbelle to him I have so great a desire to afflict Clitie that I will take care to preserve my self and that I may the better effect it I will be more cautious than you imagine and since the Feast of which you speak is to be publick and the Ball free for all Masquers I see nothing I need fear being well disguis'd La Rock cou'd not contradict him only put him in mind that his Disguise wou'd not be enough if he had not great care in governing his Passions when he shou'd see Clitie and speak to her He warranted all things and wanted nothing but the Disguise that shou'd gain him his Admittance Darbelle thought he cou'd not invent a Dress that wou'd more afflict Clitie than the Representation of one from the Dead he imagin'd that one who was so guilty as she wou'd be startled at the sight of a Ghost from the Shades below He sent for a Tailor to whom he gave directions what to do and in a short time it was ready it being a Dress of no great trouble and few Ornaments It was made of white Sattin after the manner of a Vest with large Sleeves of the same and cover'd all over with a Vail of black Crape spotted all with white which hung down to his Legs which none cou'd see without some Apprehensions of Death La Rock disguis'd himself after another manner for he intended to keep always by his Master but pretended not to be of the same Company and he had order'd him so to play his part that still as Darbelle was absent from Clitie he shou'd be near her and narrowly observe all her Actions and Behaviour All being now ready and the Hour come Darbelle went forth yet ere he went he had writ in a Paper four Verses that might help to terrifie her All things went as they cou'd wish Darbelle and La Rock arriv'd there and separated themselves as they enter'd Darbelle appear'd alone and La Rock seem'd to joyn with another Company of Masquers The Ball was begun ere they came the Ladies of which it was composed made a glorious and splendid Appearance but above all the rest Clitie who never in her life had dress'd her self so rich and so much to her Advantage she was so pleasant so beautiful and merry that it wou'd have griev'd any one to have disturb'd her The Prince her Husband was not there being engag'd at play in another Company with the King. Darbelle no sooner made his Entrance but the whole Assembly were startled at his Disguise there was not one of the Company whom it made not for some 〈◊〉 seem sad especially after the manner of Darbelle's personating it some at the 〈◊〉 took it for a Ghost indeed come from the Grave to disturb their Ball and put a stop to their Delights and Pleasures However he prudently conceal'd his Sentiments and the Disguise he had on was a necessary help to hide the Violence he did on himself to keep in his Passion He took a Seat near to Clitie's and for a long time he fix'd his Eyes on her without speaking a word which she soon took notice of But since Masquerades were design'd only for Adventures she imagin'd this some Frolick that some Friend of hers had undertaken and that she shou'd know the meaning of it the next day All this while Darbelle's Eyes were fix'd on her till he was taken out to dance by a very pleasant humour'd Lady who said to him as she gave her hand 〈◊〉 long to have a Dance with Death These words made him alter his posture he perform'd the Dance with a mournful Air but nevertheless with the greatest Grace that cou'd be which made 'em all to understand he was a Ghost of some Quality After having paid his Devoirs to the Lady who had taken him out he presented his Hand to Clitie as the Mistress of the Ball and danc'd with her and as he was taking his leave of her to go to his place again he slipt the Billet into her Hand which he writ ere he came forth in which were four Verses She was strangely surpriz'd both at the boldness of the Ghost and the odness of the Adventures but having no small stock of Wisdom she thought fit to say nothing of it at that time yet hop'd to be inform'd of the meaning on 't ere the Sport was over she almost dy'd with Impatience to know the Contents of the Paper just as one came and made his Addresses to her to dance with him so that at present she had no opportunity she pretended she was weary and that she was able to dance nothing but a Courant which was no sooner ended but she slipt aside into a Corner where there were but few Persons of Quality in respect of the other parts of the Room and going up to a Wax-Taper he open'd the Ghost's Letter where she read these four Verses This Ghost thou seest was in thy Fetters ty'd By Falshood and thy cruel Scorn he dy'd And to revenge his Wrongs is hither come To bear thee to thy everlasting home When Darbelle writ these Verses he counterfeited his Hand but whether in his haste or otherwise he had not so perfectly done it but Clitie in the reading saw some tracts of a Hand she had formerly known though she cou'd not precisely say whose it was she
yet a second time O most cruel Woman satisfie your Malice in looking on his Blood that shall be added to what you have already spilt In saying these words he drew out his Sword to have pierc'd his own Heart but the Princess all in a fright threw her self about him not yet knowing who he was being in the same Dress with La Rock whose Face she had seen while he had discours'd with her till the Transports and the Words he utter'd made her take more notice of him who now she knew to be Darbelle himself She shriek'd out and stepping back to avoid him she fell down being obstructed by the Bench which was behind her By good fortune there was not any body come yet into the place where they were that might observe what pass'd The Princess being thus fallen down swooned with the Fright and Surprize which she had to see Darbelle before her Eyes who so long she had imagin'd dead oblig'd Darbelle to think of nothing but to help her but it was impossible so soon to bring her to her Senses and to recover her the sight of Darbelle alive had struck her to the Heart with mortal Wounds She continued in this Condition for more than half an Hour the Woman who she brought with her came to her and joyn'd her Endeavours to those of Darbelle and La Rock not knowing the Cause of her Lady's Disorder At last after some time the Princess open'd her Eyes and looking first round about her she fix'd them stedfastly upon Darbelle gazing on him to be inform'd if what she saw was Truth but having well consider'd him she let her Head fall negligently which she rested on her Hand Darbelle bid La Rock retire that so the Princess's Woman might do the like which was soon perform'd and La Rock went some distance from them with the Woman that came with Clitie who he entertain'd with Discourse Darbelle seeing himself alone with the Princess took up the Discourse and said to her Where are those happy minutes Madam How far have you banished from me which you said you wou'd employ upon all occasions to see and speak to me Alas What have I done since that time and what Crime have I been guilty of that you shou'd run the hazard of your life to shun my presence Speak ungrateful fair and tell me why you have so unworthily deserted me Reproach me now with those Perfidies with which these three days past you have made a pretence only to excuse your own Falshood Pray tell me to whom I am married as you wou'd perswade me and to whom have I ever offer'd a Heart that I have carefully tho' to no purpose reserv'd for you alone Darbelle pronounc'd these words with a tone in which Anger and Love had equal shares that the Princess was quite astonish'd But the greatest Emotion that the presence of Darbelle had rais'd in her heart turn'd all to Joy of that Joy which she had to see him yet alive who she so long believ'd to be dead nor cou'd hinder her self from giving him marks of it wherefore without studying any Answer to his Reproaches nor concealing those Sentiments which her Duty perhaps wou'd have made her dissemble at another time she said to him Ah Darbelle is it your self that I see and may I be assur'd 't is not some Phantome that represents it self to me Yes Madam answer'd Darbelle I am yet living but now I am ten thousand times more miserable than had I died since I am ten thousand times more amorous The End of the Second Part. CLITIE A NOVEL The third and last Part being an Addition to the two first Parts IT was some considerable time ere the Princess cou'd believe Darbelle was alive altho' she saw him before her Face she had form'd such strong Idea's of his Death that he himself cou'd scarcely make her sensible he liv'd They gaz'd upon each other for a while and the Emotions of their Souls were so violent and sudden that they hardly knew where they were or what they did But if Darbelle was amaz'd to hear her ask if still he liv'd the Princess was no less confus'd a thousand Thoughts were crouding to get entrance into her Heart and her Tears and Sighs increas'd the cruel Tempest and nothing but a total wreck cou'd be expected A second time she falls into a Swoon nor cou'd Darbelle with the assistance of La Rock and Celia Clitie's Woman with all their Care and best Endeavours call her life back to its fair Habitation at last it was concluded lest the press of People who were now coming in shou'd see her in this condition that they shou'd carry her unto her Coach and send her home with her Woman nor did Darbelle fail to be by her on foot meeting many of his Enemies who tho' they knew him not made him suspect they did even to the Princess's Lodgings where her Husband and several other Noblemen were coming forth to go wait upon the King to the Play-house La Rock having his mind more disingag'd than Darbelle told him the hazard he was in of being known and that this rash proceeding wou'd be a means to deliver him into the Hands of those who wou'd not fail to take his life besides he represented to him the Danger to which he expos'd the Princess shou'd he be found with her who in the estate in which she was cou'd no ways be capable at present of giving him any further satisfaction But Darbelle was deaf to all his Arguments nor wou'd he stir until he had seen the Princess once again who by this time what with the shogging of the Coach and Celia's care was a little recovered and looking about her saw the disconsolate Darbelle by her Coach side she rous'd her drooping Spirits and was about to speak at the same moment he prevented her saying Madam I find the sight of me is grievous to you and I cou'd wish my Destiny had been so kind to have let me had that Death you spoke of rather than let me live a life that 's burdensome to all that know me She interrupted him here and in a soft and mournful tone her Eyes distilling Tears on her fair lovely Cheeks and with looks so sad and languishing she said Darbelle expose not thus a Life which Heaven is pleas'd to save a Life more pretious far than all the Joys on Earth and if you love me still as I have cause enough to think preserve it till we have unravell'd this great Mystery I can no more at present but ere long I 'le send you farther orders what to do I see the Prince is going to the Play and shou'd he find us two together the Consequence I fear wou'd prove too fatal both to our Lives and Honours Darbelle was all Obedience and lest they shou'd be surpriz'd speaking together left her entring into her Apartment and hasten'd home to his No sooner was he got into his Chamber with La Rock but he
of his great Merits and those important Obligations for which she was bound to Darbelle add to this the Pity which his Misfortunes rais'd in her notwithstanding all the opposition she cou'd make created in her something so tender that she found she was no longer Mistress of her own Heart and which wou'd have rendred Darbelle did he but know it in the midst of all his Miseries the most happy and contented man in the whole World. She resolv'd in her self no longer to hide her Sentiments for him and to confess to him that she had some Tenders of Love for him nor could either her Virtue or Reputation make the least Objection against this Resolution for Darbelle was one of the principal Men at Court and there were not many that cou'd equal him in Quality He had sought her in Marriage long before he had moved it to her Father and withal had got his Consent and to this add the Service he had done wherein he had lost all for her so perfectly finish'd the Work that she had not the least Repugnance in determining her Choice and resolving to make him her Husband nor cou'd she do less without incurring Censure and blame when the Truth shou'd be known But notwithstanding all these favourable Opinions for Darbelle had seated themselves in the Breast of Clitie he was nothing the more happy he was ignorant that she had the least Interest in his Affairs he wou'd fain have made her seusible of 'em but for some time it was a thing impossible for he was wounded in the Hand and had not the use of it to write to her nor durst he trust any person with the things he had to relate to her Clitie on the other side was almost in despair after not having heard from him in four whole days then 't was her Fansie made her apprehend he had receiv'd some mortal Wounds of which he since was dead and that the Troubles and Affliction he received from this Misfortune wou'd not permit to seek out any Friend to whom he might have declared the Truth of the matter At length Darbelle in spight of Chirurgeons who had him in cure was so impatient to know his Destiny that he was not to be hinder'd from writing a small Note to her which was deliver'd into her own Hands by the means of one of her Women called Mariana who was one she reposed much Confidence in and one to whom she had most freely open'd the Secrets of her Heart The Letter was thus exprest I Have done my fairest Clitie what you commanded me it has cost my Rival his Life but me a thousand times more since by his death I am debarr'd from seeing you and from that moment the fear of losing you has almost depriv'd me of my Reason so that I am resolv'd no longer to live if you take not some pity on me appoint me then if you shall think good some place and time where I may acquaint you more clearly with what you desire to know but above all abandon not the most amorous and the most unfortunate of all men This Letter was no sooner delivered to Clitie but she was amaz'd and surpriz'd by a thousand Disturbances which till then her Heart had never felt she open'd it and read it with eagerness but when she understood Darbelle still lov'd her most tenderly and that he was not far from her all those Disquietudes were converted to Transports of great Joy and losing not one minutes time writ to him an Answer in these words following I Am too much the Cause tho innocently of your Afflictions not to have a sense of them assure your self I have born my share in them ever since the first sad moment that I understood them and if to make you satisfaction for all those Misfortunes I have drawn you into be but the want of my Acknowledgments and Gratitude you have reason to be content I wou'd willingly grant you what you desire of me but I am afraid of your life expose not you self therefore imprudently but if you are resolv'd to visit me put on some disguise and come this night to Mariana's Chamber This Answer was carried back to Darbelle by the same Messenger that brought her his Letter it is impossible to express the Transports of Joy that this Note raised in his Heart he read it over and over again giving a thousand Kisses and if ever any died with Impatience he did little less in attending the blessed hour in which he was to be at Mariana's Chamber But the fear he had rather of exposing his dear Clitie than himself staid him and made him retard those pretious Minutes he imploy'd all the rest of the Day in contriving a proper Disguise but after a hundred Inventions he found none so commodious to deceive the Eyes of all those that might meet him as by putting on the Habit of a Woman He was but about sixteen or seventeen years old and as beautiful as the Morning and having attir'd himself in the Cloathes of one of Lncida's Women even those that help'd to make the Metamorphosis cou'd hardly know him now No sooner did the Night begin to spread its sable Mantle o're that part of the Earth but Darbelle hastned to visit Clitie and coming into Mariana's Chamber who by her Lady's order waited there to receive him but she locks the Door and run to give her Lady notice who after she had taken her leave as decently as she cou'd of those were come to visit her she went to Mariana's Apartment No sooner did Darbelle behold her but he fell prostrate at her Feet and transported by the Emotions of Fear and Love durst hardly open his mouth to speak a word but at length after having a while kept silent looking on her with timorous Eyes but so full of tenderness and passion that Clitie seeing him cou'd not refrain bedewing her fair Cheeks with Tears Lovely Clitie says he to her you here behold a Criminal against whom both Heaven and Earth have declar'd themselves every body in this place have sworn my Death but you alone most charming Clitie are the person from whom I must learn my Destiny yes dearest Madam I value not all the rest who threaten me Death and amongst all those Tempests and Dangers to which I am exposed I fear none but your Hatred or your Anger but goes he on with Tears in his eyes alas my charming Clitie what will become of wretched me if you forsake me In speaking these words a thousand Sighs stopt the passage of his Speech which made him incapable of saying any more And Clitie during this Discourse felt such a tender pity at the bottom of her Heart that she cou'd no longer suffer this unfortunate Lover to whom she was so much obliged to continue in that deplorable Condition told him in so soft an Air which was able to eleviate the most cruel Pains and comfort even the most desperate You do me wrong Darbelle to imagine
that it was almost impossible to see her and not to love Thus she spent five or six Months and none e're knew the Secrets of her Heart or the Resolution she had taken to espouse none but Darbelle she was daily importun'd and it is no easie matter to conceive the Trouble she was put to in defending her self from the Solicitations of that number that ador'd her There was not any tho' never so perfect in whom she found not some defect which she still us'd for excuses to her Father she had no sooner clear'd her self of all these Lovers but Fortune resolving still to persecute her rais'd up one whose Courtship and Love gave her much trouble It was the Prince Lysidor he was indeed but a Stranger yet ally'd to the Court of France and preferr'd to noblest and chiefest Employments of the Kingdom he was handsome to a Miracle and by all look'd upon and the most gallant and accomplish'd Person of the Court He lov'd her to that excess that all fear'd it would have cost him no less than his Life his Passion was made publick to all and none that ever saw him but had matter of Discourse either concerning his Love or his Mistress the violence of his Passion and his assiduous Addresses to her freed her from all other Pretenders nor did he miss a day in which he saw her not He made his Court to her and had gain'd her Father's Consent but by no means cou'd obtain the Daughter's and all the Power of the Court and Kingdom strove in vain to bring it about she withstood all and it may be truly said that never any was more constant and faithfull than this fair One was to what she had promis'd Darbelle She was recompenc'd with the most endearing tender Letters that ever Love indited which almost every day she received from him nor did she omit to answer them letting him know the very least thing that passed And if the Absence of these two Lovers gave them unexpressible Sorrows yet the daily Commerce by Letters did not a little ease their Sufferings That which most tormented Clitie was the extraordinary Passion that her Beauty had inspir'd the Heart of Prince Lysidor withal which raged so in him and became so violent that some fear'd it might raise in him Thoughts of stealing her away He was so extraordinary handsome young liberal gallant and magnificent in all things that it may be said nothing cou'd have rais'd him any Obstacle in the Heart of Clitie but that Darbelle had got possession of the place and without doubt had she been disinterested none had sooner been preferr'd amongst her whole croud of Adorers than this Prince but there needed no greater Bar to his happiness than Darbelle's Love. He cou'd gain nothing on her Heart more than an Esteem for him which made her much concern'd at his Sufferings she told him often and conjur'd him to think on her no more and to give her Father no further Trouble about their Marriage that it was utterly impossible for her to alter her Destiny and that her Father was to her instead of the best Husband in the World. These Repulses highly afflicted the Prince but they wrought not their design'd Effect and were no hindrance to him to love her more tenderly and he hoped in time her cruel Resolution might be chang'd His Merit and the Gold which he was even profusely lavish of in every thing that might advance his Love had gain'd the Heart and Friendship of Mariana he oblig'd her by many Presents and left no means unassay'd to gain her Favour for he was not ignorant she was the only person in the World to whom her Mistress intrusted her Secrets and made her Confident he knew they were never asunder whether walking abroad to take the Air visiting or at home they were often discoursing together and Clitie and Mariana seem'd never to be weary of each others Company The particular kindness that Clitie had for her was the reason which oblig'd the Prince to make her of his Friends he imagin'd he should search into the Heart of her Mistress by gaining that of Mariana he spared neither Cost nor Presents to engage her to his Interests Mariana was insensibly won to it she hearkned to his daily amorous Complaints and promis'd to do him all the Service she was able and if possible to render him one day happy with Clitie Having gain'd Mariana he doubted not the success of his Amours and assumed new hopes of one day overcoming Clitie's Cruelty he acosted her with more Courage and better Assurance than ever Mariana knew that Clitie had infinite Wit and that none in the World had a more apprehensive and piercing Judgment than she took all possible care to conceal the Correspondence she held with the Prince and gave him Instructions to that purpose she would often before Clitie seem to be displeas'd at him that she might not be suspected of his Party In the mean time Clitie who conceal'd nothing from Mariana discover'd to her the Sentiments she had concerning the Prince and often told her That his Misfortunes made her pity him and that she was much troubl'd he should still preserve a Love for one who cou'd never make him any return nor have any more than an Esteem for him so long as Darbelle prov'd constant Mariana was not wanting to extol the Worth of the Prince and put her in mind of all he had done for her she recounted to her all his Languishings and all the Sighs her Absence gave him when he came to visit her and found her not at home and the Torrent of Tears that flow'd from his Eyes when he was forc'd to complain of her Cruelty One day as Clitie seem'd more than ordinary concern'd for the Affliction of Lysidor Mariana made an Effort to batter her Constancy saying seriously Madam 〈◊〉 believe you have much a-do to preserve your Heart intirely for Darbelle and to defend it against the daily Assaults of the love of the Prince Oh! if you had 〈◊〉 heard the Complaints he made two days since thinking none had been near him in a close Arbour in your Garden and had you seen as I did the Transports that his Passion hurried him to I am confident you could not but have pitied him For my part goes she on who have less reason to love him than you especially since I have promised Darbelle never to forsake his Interest and daily to put you in mind of him I swear to you that being witness to the Despair of this poor Prince tho' he saw me not I had not the power to avoid shedding Tears as fast as he for certainly said she to Clitie it is impossible for him to live in the Tortures he indures for you and that a Heart so strongly attack'd with so many Afflictions as his is cannot any longer resist his Fate She spoke these things to the Advantage of the Prince with such Artifice and Cunning that Clitie whose
but they must injoy O God! cry'd he out how cou'd I ever think when this shall happen that I can look on without resigning up my life No no Clitie it is impossible but I must still love you love more than all my Rivals put together and I will dispute with them your heart to the last gasp He walked hastily about his Chamber in pronouncing these last words just as Mariana entred who was so alarm'd at her Mistress's telling her the Prince no longer lov'd her that she cou'd not rest till she came to learn the Truth of it from himself The Prince after having understood the Subject of her Visit found he was no longer in a Condition of being her Friend only but on the contrary that he was a thousand times more enamour'd of her now than ever thought it convenient not to let her know the weakness he had been guilty of and disguis'd from her the Truth fearing that Mariana wou'd no more make him her Confident and that she wou'd not so freely disclose the Secrets of Clitie as formerly she had done Is it possible my dear Mariana says he composing himself the best he cou'd that you shou'd believe I cou'd live one moment without loving Clitie And do you not apprehend all that she has told you of my yesterdays Visit to be but a Love-mystery whereby I flatter my self to make some advantage Ah Mariana goes he on be confident that my Love and Life are too inseparable to be ever sundred and there is nothing so dear to me I will not sacrifice to my Passion Mariana easily believed all he said and was glad to hear him speak after this manner she flatter'd him in his Attempts and assur'd him she wou'd never forsake his Interest They had many other Discourses in which they continued some time concluding that before Clitie shou'd be undeceiv'd concerning what she believ'd of the Prince and that it was necessary to keep her in the same opinion the better to bring about their Designs He the same day composes a Song which he had so order'd that it should be given to Clitie as a piece of new Gallantry wherein none cou'd have guess'd either of them concerned though at the same time he did not question but when Clitie saw it she would find a perfect description of the last Conversation that she had with him and cou'd not fail to guess both the Author and his Intentions The Song is as follows SONG 1 To hold the first Rank amongst all the Friends Of a Beauty whom all do admire 〈◊〉 short of attaining the Lovers chief ends And does but inflame his desire 〈◊〉 Phillis decrees me no better a State And I must sit down content with my Fate 2 〈◊〉 behold the soft Object created my Grief To suffer a wrack under Friendships disguise 〈◊〉 all this smart without hopes of Relief And still to be stabb'd by her cruel fair eyes Phillis the doom I 'm sentenc'd to bear And ever to love yet ever despair 3 That Riddles are these O you powers of love That Tortures shou'd spring from a Fountain of Joy And all that shou'd please me my Torments do prove And the sweetest delights my Bliss do destroy Phillis to live and not to enjoy 〈◊〉 surely the cruelest way to destroy 4 But the pleasures of seeing ber tho' as 〈◊〉 Friend Docure the sad Wounds her Eyes do create 'Twixt curing and killing my life has no end And to love without hope is doom'd my sad Fate Yet 't is better to serve her in Torments and Pain Than never to see my dear Phillis again This Song was given to Clitie at a Ball the next day after the Conference she had with the Prince she had no sooner read it but reflecting on the last Stanza she became exceeding troubled it appear'd to her that all that the Prince had said to her was so lively represented in the Song that she cou'd not imagine but 't was he that made it and what confirm'd her in this Opinion was That she surpriz'd him looking on her with great earnestness nor did he take his Eyes once off on her all the time she was reading it which made her often change Colour The Prince was not a little pleas'd that Clitie 〈◊〉 guess'd the matter right And she found such Appearances and Informations in the Song touching their last Discourse that being of a genuine Wit and quick Apprehension that she doubted no longer who was the Author nor indeed was it probable that a Love so great as that of the Prince's shou'd be so easily and suddenly chang'd into Friendship without some further Design But Clitie reflected no more on the matter which now she had not the least doubt of for she soon understood from whom it came she was inform'd that a merry Lady out of a frolick humour wou'd have pick'd the Prince's Watch out of his Pocket unknown to him in drawing out the Watch the Song fell to the ground which when she had taken up and read she gave it to the rest of the Company ere he perceiv'd it But the business rested not here for the Prince having taken out Clitie to dance desir'd to know of her what Paper that was she was reading but now It is says she only a little Forgery that some Man of Wit had made to oblige some of his Friends What you say replies the Prince to her fair Clitie raises a curiosity in me They had not opportunity of saying any more considering the place and what they were about oblig'd them rather to dance than to enter into a Conference the truth is they danc'd together because they cou'd not now avoid it but any one might have perceiv'd it was not with that exactness as it ought it being the least thing they thought of After Clitie had seated her self in her place the Prince came to her and told her she had raised a Curiosity in him of what she had told him concerning a Forgery she spoke of that he had an earnest desire to see the Paper she had read if it were not a Crime to desire it of her she told him it was not a Secret and that she was one of the last that had read it and without further hesitation gave him the Song which he had taken care before to be writ in a Hand different from his own he read it but seem'd then to take little notice of it but a while after addressing himself to Clitie Madam says he how much I pity this unfortunate and how lamentable is his Condition I know not says she what you may do but I shou'd not much pity him were what he says a Truth since 't was only what himself had consented to In the humour you are of answers the Prince with sighing I believe there is scarce any body in the World that cou'd oblige you to commiserate their Troubles You take too much pleasure goes he on in the Sufferings of those that adore you to seek
thousand marks of Love and Respect to Clitie and since he saw she wou'd not become more mild to him he had some satisfaction to think that his Rival was not less miserable After a while Mariana kept up all the Letters that Darbelle sent to Clitie but as one Misery still follows the Heels of another and that Lovers are always more ingenious than other persons in doing ill Offices to their Rivals the Prince and Mariana resolve wholly to break off all Correspondence between Clitie and Darbelle and hereafter to conceal all their Letters This cou'd not but highly please the Prince and it was as duly perform'd and from that time Clitie receiv'd no more of Darbelle's Letters nor he of hers for Mariana to whom they were directed receiv'd them without so much as giving her one This Treachery was cruel enough of giving the Prince infinite Satisfaction 〈◊〉 the greatest Pleasure Imaginable to see the sad Complaints wherewith each Letter was charg'd and the unfortunate Darbelle being a long time without hearing any News from Clitie was cast into a most lamentable Affliction Darbelle knew not what Construction to make of her silence Sometimes he wou'd suspect that she was chang'd and false sometimes that she was either dead or extreamly sick for he thought certainly were she not dead or false it cou'd not be but she wou'd have writ to him again he found that the last Letters she sent were in a stile most soft and kind giving him an exact account of her Life that he could not apprehend that she who made such a shew of Love to him as Clitie did cou'd so soon fall from one extream to another All these things render'd him unspeakably uneasie and left him in a perplexing Incertitude But if Darbelle was so much troubled Clitie who they had so cruelly betray'd was not less afflicted and of the two was the most unhappy since Mariana who shou'd have been her sole Comforter made her much worse that she might better prepare the Poison she making her take she daily pretended to have heard News from Darbelle which extreamly tormented Clitie and altho' till now she had never been the Messenger of ill News to her yet with Tears in her Eyes and Venom in her Heart she told her'twas the common Talk that he was married in Florence to a Lady of great Qualit with whom he had been extreamly in love ever since he arriv'd there and that he was advanc'd to considerable Emploiments by the Duke of Tuscany who was extreamly kind to him and told her withal That he had sent orders into France for selling his Estate and that he never intended to return home again These things being assur'd to Clitie by a person in whom she had plac'd all her confidence together with the silence of the unfortunate Darbelle wrought such effects in her Heart as are not to be conceiv'd and none but a Heart so hard as Mariana's cou'd be insensible of Pity to all her Complaints and Tears which was all the miserable Remedy she had recourse to but all in vain One day when her Sorrows had made her almost expire in Mariana's Arms having told her that now she doubted no longer but he had blotted her quite from his Memory for another who he had 〈◊〉 in her stead and that all that had been reported of him was Truth she vow'd never to be reconcil'd to her self for loving so ungrateful a Person she protested solemnly she should have been less troubled at the news of his Death than that of his Marriage and Inconstancy These last words which Mariana mark'd well and which Clitie was always 〈◊〉 afforded her new matter and means of promoting the Prince's Affairs and utterly destroying Darbelle's she bethought her then that to accomplish her undertaking she had nothing to do but to establish Clitie in the Opinion of his Falshood which she already began to credit and after to spread abroad a Rumour of his Death and then when things were brought to this point Clitie imagining her self to be injur'd by him wou'd take from him perhaps not only the Esteem she had for him but her love and then she doubted not to bring about the Marriage of the Prince for she knew she had no aversion to him and that he was the only person in all the Court who lov'd her with such respect and submission that in gratitude she ought to make him 〈◊〉 return It is certain there was no hindrance but the Love she bore Darbelle which Mariana promis'd to remove that it might no longer impede the Prince's Happiness who on the other side seeing the fortunate Success that this Maid in all Appearance might work for him having a fair Prospect of once enjoying Clitie against 〈◊〉 natural goodness and honesty consented to the Cheat. He fail'd not to give her many thanks for her care nor did he ever forget to make her large Recompences to oblige 〈◊〉 to be mindful of all occasions for his Advantage The poor Clitie thus betray'd and loaden with Grief and Sorrows fell into a desperate fit of Sickness for now she no longer doubted Darbelle's Infidelity which was more strongly confirm'd by an unlucky accident equally unfortunate to both Lovers For Darbelle having been some time without receiving any Letters from Clitie fell into so deep a Melancholy that his Troubles would not permit him to write either to any one at Court or to his Friends about his Business for he had abandoned himself wholly to his Griefs that every body in France at the same time began to complain of his Silence and all at once to accuse him of the same Crime The Report which went currant of his new Amours and his Marriage by the under-hand dealing of the Prince and the management of Mariana gain'd belief in most people but all this concern'd none nor wrong'd any but Clitie who with the thoughts of it almost dyed It is true that Mariana did her best to comfort her in her Sickness in telling her she was too constant and afflicted her self too much for so ungrateful a man she intreated her to give truce to Sorrows and Tears and not daily to add fresh ones to 'em as she did since Darbelle was rioting in the height of Joy and Pleasure and no longer mindful of her or his Vowes gave all those Tenders and soft Embraces to another which he had only promis'd shou'd be hers These Reasons were but weak Consolation to Clitie but above all the Anguish that possess'd her Heart to think she was deceiv'd by an Ingrate for whose sake she had withstood so many Assaults counsell'd her at the same time to abandon him and fit him in his kind But the Idea of this Lover once so faithful presented it self to her always and disjointed all the Resolutions her Reason or her Anger cou'd propose The Memory of her lovely Darbelle still haunted her and she cou'd not think of those Tears he had so often showr'd down at her
importunate than before and altho' she gave him not the least hopes of marrying her yet she appear'd not altogether so cruel and inexorable It is certain that seeing so advantagious an alteration he began to make new Attempts to the establishing himself wholly in her Favours and her Father who wish'd nothing more than his Alliance daily seeing the great Qualification of the Prince made new Proposals to his Daughter with an earnest desire to effect it Clitie seem'd now more consenting than before making but faint Denials and desir'd some time to consider of it Now it was that the Prince saw the happy hour approaching which so long time he had despaired of left no means unassay'd to perfect it But when the time was expir'd wherein Clitie was to return her Determination and that she thought she had banish'd Darbelle's Image quite out of her Heart she found her self deceiv'd she perceiv'd she had not that Command o're her Heart as she imagin'd and there were yet some Remains of Love that combated for the poor unfortunate and tho' they produc'd not those lively Representations they had done formerly yet they were powerful enough to keep her Heart still in balance for some time between a Lover whom she thought so false and criminal and a Prince who every moment gave her new Proofs of his Passion Mariana who was privy to all her disturbances and doubts endeavoured all she cou'd by her Addresses and Artifices to banish them What remains there yet in your Heart wou'd she often say to Clitie for the worst of men and the most perfidious breathing that can any longer hinder you from making happy the most constant and passionate Lover that ever was in truth continues she you are now no more to be excus'd for being so little sensible of the most tender Passion of a vertuous Prince and the Affronts of so vile and perjur'd a Wretch as Darbelle What! says she when you should think of nothing but Revenge against this Traytor and strive to blot him for ever from your Thoughts do you put him in balance with so generous a Prince Alas replies Clitie with Tears in her Eyes I cou'd say as much as you do to any other person and I cannot but disapprove the Sentiments of my Heart as the most unjust in the World but it is for that Traytor Darbelle whom I can never hate enough I have endeavour'd all I am able to bring it about but I cannot effect it as I wou'd there are still some moments wherein ungrateful as he is I know not what Devil envious of my repose represents him innocent all night long my Heart is fill'd with his Idea and he appears all weeping on his Knees before me more passionate and amiable than ever nor can my Reason all the day dissipate the Thoughts of my Dreams by night See there then says she to her Mariana the source of my Misfortunes and I can sooner die than think to marry any other till I am better assur'd if it be possible that Darbelle is married as is reported and so ungrateful as we think him This was the last Resolution that Clitie took nor was she to be alter'd from it she spoke to Mariana to seek out for some body in whom they might confide whom she would send into Florence and who at his return might make her a faithful account of all things Mariana found her self in no small perplexity at this Discourse of Clitie The Journey cou'd not be perform'd but in some considerable time and it was not unlikely this delay might hinder the Prince's marrying her fearing least Darbelle himself might come back to know the cause of her silence and so discover the Cheat of the Prince and her self These things then with a thousand others which the Prince presented to himself yet more cruel and dangerous put him almost into despair He consulted with Mariana about what was to be done and she made him sensible that after the manner that Clitie had so discours'd to her it wou'd be absolutely impossible to compass his Designs without deceiving her yet once more in pretending to execute her Orders and that if they did not all the time and pains they had employ'd hitherto in making her change her Opinion were to no purpose He agreed then that Mariana shou'd propose to Clitie the sending a Brother of hers into Florence assuring her he was one in whom she might confide both as to his Secrecy and the executing her Commands This Contrivance appear'd very seasonable and they had now no more to do than to put it in practise which was no difficult thing to effect since Clitie had not the least Suspicion that Mariana was not altogether for her Interest The perfidious Mariana fail'd not to be very pressing in the business telling Clitie what she had thought of in order to her satisfaction she soon confirm'd her in a belief of her Brother's fidelity and good management The poor credulous Clitie following her wonted custom left all to her Care and Expedition she only desir'd to speak with him giving him this Caution to believe nothing but what his own Eyes were Witnesses to and charg'd him strictly to get a sight both of Darbelle and his Wife and to inform himself the best he cou'd after what manner he liv'd with her and to neglect nothing that might satisfie her Curiosity and to give her a faithful Account of all that he learn'd Having given him this Charge the Gentleman took his Journey at least pretended so to do he furnish'd himself with all Necessaries such a Journey requir'd They told Clitie that he had taken Post when all the while he lay conceal'd in the Prince's Apartment knowing it was enough only to make him disappear This Journey cou'd not be perform'd in less time than a Month not reckoning the time it would take up in performing all those Orders Clitie had given him in instructing himself in the Circumstances concerning the false Darbelle During this time the Prince and Mariana had private Meetings where they consulted together to make all to their Advantage at the pretended return of him whom Clitie supposed she had sent into Florence they cause a Picture in Minauture to be drawn of a most exquisite Beauty who they design'd shou'd pass for Darbelle's Wife and composed in order all the Discourses that was to be made to Clitie about this business Nothing of Novelty happen'd during this supposed Journey Clitie hover'd daily between Fear and Hope Hate and Love and since the time she had sent to inform her self of his Life she imagin'd Darbelle less guilty The time being come for the return of Mariana's Brother they forgot nothing that they thought might be necessary to the deceiving Clitie but this Treachery seem'd to have so agreeable a success that there needed not such extraordinary Care. The Prince talk'd with Mariana's Brother he gave him rich Presents and promis'd him much more considerable ones if he perform'd his
part well On the other side Mariana had so fully instructed him during the time he lay conceal'd that he was as perfect in the business as the Authors of the Cheat themselves they inform'd him of all the Questions that Clitie might be suppos'd to ask and the Answers he was to return At length they arriv'd wherein they appointed to inform Clitie of the return of her Messenger Mariana so order'd it that she receiv'd a Letter before Clitie's face which gave her an Account of this News she presently shew'd it her Mistress and seem'd as eager to know the Success of the Journey as Clitie she returned an answer to her Brother commanding him to come at such an hour as she appointed and to take off all Suspicion she would not have her Mistress believe that she had spoken to him ere she her self had seen him The Prince to shew as tho' he knew nothing of the matter seem'd to know nothing of the return and to keep Clitie in the belief that Mariana still kept all her Secrets abstain'd from coming to Clitie's House at the time When the hour appointed by Mariana in her Letter to her Brother was come her Brother enters her Chamber with an Air of a man who had been expos'd to the Fateigues of a long Journey Clitie was with Mariana the same time that he appear'd but was so surpriz'd and so trembled that she cou'd hardly speak to him Mariana's Brother prevented her saying Madam I have perform'd all that you commanded I have been in Florence where I have seen both Darbelle and his Wife I was at their Palace which is indeed the most magnificent of the whole City He is look'd on there as the Prince's chief Favourite and in all appearance is exceedingly well setled in that Countrey he lives very happily and well contentedly with his Fortune his Wife who I saw at my leisure is one of the greatest Beauty's in the World she is very fair and exceedingly well shap'd and as I am inform'd of noble Extraction and of no mean Quality But Madam continues he the better to satisfie your Curiosity I have brought from thence her Picture I had no small trouble to get it being one of the greatest Beauty's of that Court but by the help of my Gold I had it exquisitely well painted by one of the most reputed Artists of that Place Who indeed inform'd me of the whole Story how that he fell in love with her as soon as he arriv'd in that Countrey and was not long ere he was lov'd again that which for some time deferr'd their Marriage was the distance that he was from his Estate and Countrey of which her Friends wou'd first inform themselves and since the time of their being married 't is reported he adores her Clitie who had attended this Relation with a mortal sadness cou'd now no longer endure it so saying to Mariana's Brother Sir you have too well executed my Orders and at the same time desir'd him to leave her alone which he perform'd No sooner was he gone but she cried but in so lamentable a Voice that it wou'd have mov'd a heart of Stone Perfidious Wretch alas then thou hast forgot me ingrateful man how have I deserv'd this usage She repeated these words a hundred times then dropping down on her Couch she fell in a Trance being a long time ere she cou'd be brought to her self again Mariana seem'd to be as much afflicted as her Mistress and pursu'd her Injuries yet further Barbarian says she O that I cou'd tear thy perfidious Heart in pieces for the cruel Abuses thou hast made my dear Lady suffer unhappy thee 〈◊〉 ever thou camest hither to betray 〈◊〉 with thy Falshood A little after addressing her self to Clitie Ah Madam says she think no more of that Monster who does not deserve to have his Name pronounced by you and who perhaps is at this very instant laughing at your Credulity and scorning your Complaints and Sighs Clitie continued many days in an unspeakable sadness never giving any truce to her Tears and Sorrows but at length she forbore 〈◊〉 Complaints and her Hate got the upper hand of her Love and she resolv'd never more to think on this ungrateful man 〈◊〉 use all possible means to be reveng'd 〈◊〉 him The Prince next day without seeming to know any thing that had pass'd wass very desirous to know the good or bad Success of his Affairs pays a visit to Clitie whom he was told was in Bed and 〈◊〉 him word that she desir'd to be excus'd that time intreating him to stay some 〈◊〉 days longer For the poor Clitie no sooner had heard the Relation of Mariana's Brother with the Circumstances of Darbelle Amours and Marriage but her Heart was e'en broke and she was so disconsolate that she had much ado to support her self in her sad Condition the showr'd down Tears in abundance and never ceas'd uttering over and over again the most soft and tender things that Love cou'd e're invent Mariana did all she cou'd to comfort her in this lamentable Estate and it is most certain had she had any person whom at that time she cou'd have confided in as she did in her the Emotions of her Heart wou'd almost have made them expire in Grief The Prince came as he was order'd but with little Assurance and as much Trouble He enters her Chamber with so sad and mournful an Aire but withal so amorous that Clitie maugre the motions of her Spirit cou'd not forbear as she confess'd afterwards some Sentiments of Joy to see such marks of Love and tender Passion in the Eyes of a man that she cou'd no longer look on but as her Friend Well then most charming Clitie says he to her falling on his Knees by the Bed side now the time is come in which your goodness has promis'd to pronounce me happy or for ever miserable but continues he looking on her with Eyes more tender and passionate than before If as I believe by the sad Conditiōn in which I find you that Death must be my Doom for surely the Troubles in which I see you can proceed from nothing but a sense of Pity that has possess'd your Breast in the behalf of a most unfortunate Prince who you are sending to his Tomb However most adorable Clitie say something whatsoe're it be to put an end to the Torments I endure which are so insupportable He stopp'd at these words his Tears falling down his Cheeks Clitie had yet no power to answer him she only 〈◊〉 forth many Sighs to intimate the Affliction of her Heart from whence they came The Prince interrupting them implor'd her again to declare his Destiny a long time without her speaking one word but at last she return'd him this Answer Prince I will never pronounce the Sentence of your Death you merit too much my Esteem and indeed my Love by all those Cares and Addresses you have rendred me and those Evils you have suffer'd
for my sake that I shou'd not confess that I believe you one of the most worthy men alive but says she my Heart is so sad and so fill'd with Inquietudes when I propose to my self to love any that I cannot without much difficulty make any Resolution permit me I intreat you only eight days more that I may reduce it to an intire consent to make you happy In finishing these words she dissolv'd in Tears and whatever the Prince cou'd say or do to hinder her was to no Effect He departed thence the most satisfied and contended man in the World seeing so happy a procedure of his Enterprize while the poor unfortunate Darbelle wore way his tedious Hours with a Sorrow not to be parallel'd The sweet and undisturb'd Content in which he had liv'd five or six Months wherein he almost every day heard News from his lovely Clitie or had Letters from her cost him dear for all those cruel Passions that are wont to attaque the Hearts of the most desperate in love had took possession of his his Fears and Jealousies were grown so strong they hurry'd him even to despair how often wou'd he think his Clitie dead When as oft as he wou'd he read over her Letters and found such marks of Love and Goodness in them that he cou'd impute her silence to no other Cause But these Thoughts reduc'd him to so lamentable a Condition that it is not to be describ'd All the Cares of La Rock who only of all his Servants knew the true Reason was to no purpose he now resolv'd to run all hazards and return again to France whatever danger might befall him The Consideration only of Clitie and the Hopes he still had daily to hear from her deterr'd him for some time but his Fears did not always predominate in his Heart but sometimes gave way to his Jealousie he wou'd imagine within himself that it cou'd be possible any thing cou'd have happen'd to Clitie that cou'd have hinder'd her writing to him and that Mariana in whom he put such Confidence was now silent by her Mistress's Commands tormented with these Thoughts he cou'd impute it to nothing but her Inconstancy Oh unhappy that I am wou'd he often say in the depth of his Solitude Clitie for certain no longer loves me and I cou'd never lose her Heart but 〈◊〉 the Happiness of some more fortune Adorer who for ought I know she loves a thousand times more while ◠am now speaking of it than ever she did me and nothing but this change cou'd have hinder'd her from writing to me and the great Obligations by which Mariana is bound to her has prevail'd with her to hide from me the Secret and not to let me know the least thing of it lest it shou'd give me an occasion to interrupt their Pleasures To one who was so passionate a Lover these terrible Suspicions made him utter a thousand disobliging things against her but pausing a while and having well consider'd his Misfortunes he fram'd to himself what might seem most likely to be true he believ'd her Father against her consent had forc'd her to marry some other and that the Tenders she had for him and her Love being weakned by absence and length of time were not furnish'd with Fortitude to withstand the Commands of her Father who was now weary with the continual Disobedience of his Daugbter These Inquietudes wrought such Torments in his Soul that it cast him into a violent fit of Sickness in the same time that he had made a Resolution to return again to France to be certify'd of his Fate The Agitations of his mind caused so raging a Feaver in him that he was reduced to the lowest ebb of life But after he had pretty well recovered and the greatest danger past he was so weak and low for more than two Months that he was not able to quit his Bed so that he was constrain'd to do what he could to be expos'd to the most cruel Violences that Love was capable to inflict He had found out a Retreat the most sutable to his Condition of all the Seats in Tuscany it was near the City of Florence on the Banks of the Arne in the bottom of a Valley where all things that an amorous Heart cou'd desire were met together He bought an House from a certain Florentine which was handsome enough after his manner it was ancient and seem'd to have been some old deserted Castle built all of Marble the River Arne washing its Walls as it pass'd gliding by its Issues were of long Walks planted on each side with green Lemmon and Orange Trees at the ends of which was a Grove in whose Shades and Silence this unfortunate and disconsolate Lover found incomparable Charms In this sad Solitude had he made Arbours in which he us'd to read his Clitie's Letters and to return their Answers where indeed he spent most of his time This course of living was much more agreeable to him being a man so extreamly amorous who had never receiv'd any Favour from that blind Deity tho' by him he had suffer'd much Disquiet All his Actions were of Love and one might truly say Love was all his business he was indued with an admirable Wit and compos'd the finest Verses in the World but the whole and continual Subject of 'em was his charming Clitie there was scarce one Tree about his Mansion in which he had not carv'd his Clitie's Name after a thousand pretty ways on some he drew it in Cyphers on some her Name at large on others her Anagram and Acrosticks in soft and pretty Verses on some again he wou'd write the whole History of his Love so that on which side soever one walk'd they might see something or other to content their Curiosity it seem'd as tho' the very Spirit of Love govern'd the whole place and with such power that all who came there and took pleasure in reading those amorous Devices return'd thence either more loving if their Heart had been touch'd before by that soft Deity or else more fit to take the Impression if yet their Hearts had never felt it All the Nobility and Persons of Quality in Florence often came to visit him but he took little notice of any who came to see him nor wou'd he be troubled with them resolving to imploy the Remainder of his Life in thoughts of his dear Clitie and studying means to see her again so that most of those who came to his House contented themselves only in injoying the Pleasures of that agreeable Solitude and return'd without speaking to him Nothing was more talk'd of in Florence than this delightful Solitude there was something in it which at the same time gave content and rais'd a Curiosity in the most great and piercing Wits of that City they cou'd not comprehend why such a Person as he so young and handsome whose Air and Mean spoke him not of common Birth shou'd take delight in so solitary a
place as tho' he had resolv'd to separate himself from the rest of Mankind never imagining that Love and the Estate in which he was oblig'd him to it He always went by the Name of Conrade ever since he left Paris and not one of his Domesticks La Rock excepted knew but it was his right Name and it was no difficult matter for him to deceive every body by perswading them to believe what he pleas'd himself of his Adventures His pretence for living in that lonely House was the agreeableness of the place which he told them was so conformable to his solitary Humour and he promis'd them it shou'd not be long ere he wou'd satisfie the Curiosity of so many thousands who endeavour'd so earnestly to know the Secrets of his Life This is the Estate in which Darbelle had put his Affairs while he was absent from Clitie A most solitary dwelling the River Arne one of the finest Rivers in all Italy and the green Woods and Groves which incompass'd it made it altogether delightful and a most admirable Landschape He had apply'd himself to play on the Lute he had chosen the most skilful Artist in Florence to instruct him and having a Soul all amorous and tender was the more taken with this melancholy Exercise which is usually the Delight of the sorrowful and those whom Love has wounded and soon became a Master of it In a word all those agreeable Ingredients that can be found out to delight Lovers were to be had at Darbelle's House Cou'd the unfortunate Darbelle have made a speedy return into France and have left this pleasing solitary Exile before the Prince and Mariana had perfected their Design he might have found his 〈◊〉 more kind but Heaven who had otherwise order'd it wou'd needs give Clitie a Proof of his Constancy by such Misfortunes as never any Lover but himself had undergone It was now nine Months since he parted from Clitie to retire himself about Florence in that solatary Castle which we have but now describ'd six Months whereof he passed away as happily as one in his Condition cou'd have wish'd that is he daily receiv'd Letters from his Misiress by which he understood all that hapned to her he return'd her Answers and cou'd easily perceive the Pleasures Clitie took in his Amours by the Assurances she gave him of her Faith. It was after these six Months that the Prince and Mariana had contriv'd the cruel Design to cheat them both and set them at variance beginning to suppress the Letters of both parties to open them and make use of the Contents to their own Advantage and by little and little seeing the happy Success of their Enterprise they insensibly perswaded Clitie that he was false to her and was married And this was it this unfortunate Lover perhaps might have prevented if the cruel Sickness which his Inquictudes and Troubles not to hear from her Mistress had cast him into had not oblig'd him to keep his Bed more than two Months having almost lost his life and given over by his Doctors If these Conjunctures were so troublesome to him they were as favourable to the Prince for after a great many puts off and infinite delays which Clitie made 〈◊〉 she cou'd resolve to marry him she was solicited with such pressing and urgent Importunities by her Father and the Prince that at length she gave her consent I must needs say as she her self has since confess'd that she had never taken this Resolution but thereby to free her self wholly from Darbelle who she cou'd never banish from her Thought how unconstant soever she believ'd him The Prince and Mariana now saw 't was necessary to spread abroad the Rumour of his Death which was so effectually perform'd that Clitie had not the least hopes left of seeing him again it wou'd be a hard matter to express the Joy the Prince receiv'd when he saw himself establish'd in Clitie's Favour and that he doubted not the Possession of her Heart The Visits which he made her were so full of the Transports of Love and tender Respect that none cou'd see him with his Mistress without perceiving at the same time some sparks of the Fire that burnt within him his looks were lively and piercing and sometimes for languishing that Clitie her self cou'd not avoid saying to Mariana That she believ'd it impossible for any to love better or more than he did On the other side Clitie having a length banished from her Heart all that had so long been Enemies to her Tranquility and Repose hardly ever thinking of Darbelle became so beautiful and charming that none in the Kingdom cou'd compare with her And the day before they were married she began to treat him in so soft and tender a manner which gave him a taste of those Pleasures that he was to have ere long the sole fruition These Nuptials being so extraordinary both by the Quality and Merits of 〈◊〉 new Lovers the Prince cou'd but allow some day for their Preparation during which time all sorts of magnificent Diversions were seen every where at the end of which this happy Prince enjoy'd an intire Victory over the Heart and Person of Clitie who no longer conceal'd the Sentiments she had for him who was one of the most amiable and accomplish'd men in France she believing her self obliged to make him some Retalliation for the sufferings she had caus'd him to endure gave her self up wholly to those Tenders and Devoirs that she ow'd him On both sides Love had made them suffer such Torments that now they began to taste the Pleasures that had so long time been deny'd them the whole Court were Partakers of their Joy and this Match was matter of Discourse for all Paris for as the Passion of the Prince was known to every body so likewise was the Cruelty of Clitie and every one discanted on the business as they fansied Never did two Lovers seem more contented they were swallow'd up in Delights and felt a reciprocal kindness they gave mutual Caresses even in publick the Names whereby they call'd each other and the Expressions wherewith their Discourse was fill'd were the most agreeable and tender in the World. Notwithstanding all this there were some certain moments wherein the Prince's Conscience accus'd him and he consider'd that it was with the greatest Treachery imaginable to which he ow'd the Conquest of his fair Clitie nor cou'd he quite banish the Troubles and Disquiets these Thoughts wou'd give him yet when they tyranniz'd most they gave occasion for her to sooth him out of his Melancholy and to say a thousand obliging things to comfort him Mariana had no small share in the happy Fortunes of the Prince which all along she tasted by those infinite Presents that he made her which swell'd to such a mass of Wealth that she purchas'd a considerable Estate But when Clitie was once married she made that a pretence to quit her Service and in a little time after
as soon as he shou'd be gon Clitie might perhaps write to him and give him orders which he could not then follow and that without all doubt the silence of Clitie was occasion'd by some sickness which for the present hindred her from writing to him These Reasons had been convincing enough to any whose Heart was not so far carried away by the power of Love who thought he had no other Imployment for life but what might put him in a way of seeing his Mistress again He answer'd him That in short he was resolv'd to be satisfied in his Destiny and if Clitie were dead he had nothing to do but to follow her and if she were false to him that he shou'd not do himself Justice if he reveng'd it not or at least trouble their Repose and Pleasures This Resolution put an end to all their Contestations and so soon as he was able to undergo the fateigue of the Journey he parted taking only with him La Rock leaving all the rest of his People at his solatary Mansion with orders to remain there till his return He cou'd not make such speed in his Journey as he intended his Body being yet very weak and were he not encourag'd by the Assistance of powerful Love it wou'd not have been possible for him to have done it however at length he compass'd it and arrived safe in Paris He took up his Lodging in a retir'd and private place and he had hardly alighted off his Horse but he told LaRock he wou'd go immediately to Clitie and know his Doom LaRock throwing himself at his Feet conjur'd him not to expose himself so to his Death assuring him that he wou'd undertake by his Care and Management to do all things to his Satisfaction He told him he wou'd soon inform him of all things and that it was far more proper for him to execute such a Design than Darbelle being unknown to every body and might with more ease be instructed in the Truth of all things which wou'd be more difficult for Darbelle to perform The Consideration that La Rock might easier inform himself of what he sought to know made him consent to his going to Clitie La Rock after having disguis'd himself went out of his Lodgings but in is impossible to describe the impatience of the amorous Darbelle every minute seem'd to him an Age he was a thousand times in a mind to run through the City and expose himself to be discover'd in so dangerous a place But the Transports and Agitations of his Soul are not to be conceiv'd Love Anger Revenge Fear and Jealousie all at one time took possession of his Heart and made such terrible Emotions in it that it had like to have kill'd him Oh unfortunate Wretch that I am what shall I do if Clitie be dead I will not live a moment after so cruel a loss Then all on a sudden another Passion wou'd predominate o're his Sense But says he if this ungrate shou'd prove false to me what wou'd become of me Ha! I will revenge it with my own Hand I will stabb my Rival through her Eyes All these different Passions every one having 〈◊〉 much ground for them as the others 〈◊〉 him into such dreadful Incertainties that he was the most afflicted Man in the World. Hardly had La Rock been gone one moment to inquire after his Mistress but he was still running to the Door or looking out of the Window to see if he were not coming back again But after two hours La Rock enters so sad and dejected that Darbelle soon suspected he had no good News for him Well then says he I perceive you bring me little Comfort by your looks however speak freely and whatever Sentence you have to pronounce let me hear it quickly for the Doubts and Inquietudes I have been in since you departed has been more cruel and tormenting to me than the worst that can befal me Is Clitie dead Is she false in short What is become of her and what will become of me La Rock who was extreamly perplex'd cou'd have wish'd with all his Heart some other had his Office was seiz'd with a shaking all o're and knew not where to begin his Discourse But Darbelle fir'd with Impatience and not being able to forbear any longer La Rock says he to him hold me no longer in suspence unless you wou'd see me expire before you He pronounc'd these words with so 〈◊〉 and disconsolate an Aire that La Rock at the same time told him Clitie lives but she lives no more to you for she is married to Prince Lysidor I saw him at her Father's House where this day he makes a great Treat there is nothing to be heard but confusions of Noises Fiddles and Musick and Crouds of curious People go in and out so that it is no hard thing to enter there La Rock had no sooner spoke this but Darbelle gave a lamentable Groan and said O Heavens then is the unjust Clitie married And cou'd you look on and suffer it Then he fell in a Swoon on a Couch against which he was leaning La Rock run to his Assistance and endeavour'd all he cou'd to recover him yet all the Care and Pains he took cou'd not for above two hours draw him out of this miserable Condition but at length his Speech and Strength being a little recover'd made fresh Exclamations against Heaven and his Mistress accusing them both of Falshood that he had never merited but it was not long ere he turn'd his Complaints into Threats all the while raving on nothing but Swords Daggers and Poisons La Rock for many Reasons dar'd not call for any body to help his Master and to reduce him from the pitiful Condition in which he lay for fear his Complaints and Transports shou'd betray who he was and was forc'd to content himself with what he alone cou'd do to comfort him but the Evil was too recent and violent to admit any Consolation and there was an absolute necessity to let it take its Course Darbelle having all this while suffer'd a thousand Tortures turn'd him towards La Rock Clitie has married the Prince Lysidor says he to him how was you inform'd of it and what Certainty have you for it I was told it answers La Rock at their own House who were all in a Confusion tho' I had no other Information than the Musick and Hautbois who when I approach'd and commended their playing and the fineness of their Aires they were so pleas'd with me that there was nothing I cou'd ask them that they did not resolve me They told me the Princess had given a great Dinner to a dozen Ladies of the Court and that after that Repast there was to be a splendid Collation and all the Company wou'd sup with her and to finish the day there was to be a Ball where many Lords and Noblemen wou'd be in Masquerade in the most gallant Habits and Devices that cou'd be invented This
that she doubted if it were not a real Ghost that had appeared to her she was in great Frights and Agonies all that Night and as it is usual with us to dream of things which our minds have been fill'd with in the day-time she had nothing all this Night but Darbelle in her Fancy she saw him in a hundred Shapes amongst the rest that which so nearly touch'd her was that of a weeping Lover dying and reproaching her with Marriage as the Ghost had done at the Ball. These Thoughts so disturb'd her that she cou'd not rest all Night and since she went late to bed it being almost day she made that a pretence not to quit it all the next day that she might have the more liberty to consider what had happen'd and by that means to conceal the Confusion she was in Darbelle fail'd not to send La Rock three or four times to inquire how she did and being impatient to see her again not being able without much Trouble to attend the time of the Ball he wou'd needs write a Lettter to her to prepare her for what he intended to tell her the next Evening and to double her Curiosity that so she might be sure not to fail to meet at the time and place appointed he caused this Letter to be deliver'd her by an unknown person who was ignorant from whom he had it and the place from whence it came The Letter was in these words Madam THe dead have those Priviledges the living are debarr'd they go where they please invisible and it is by this means that Darbelle's Ghost is with you at this present reproaching you with your shameful Infidelity and to let you know how false all those Accusations are wherewith you tax him assuring you that he never yet loved any person but your self This Letter being deliver'd the Princess at the same time she was profoundly musing on Darbelle not having any body with her she was so affrighted that she fansied she really saw him come from the other World to talk with her but recovering her self a little from the Fright seriously consider'd what the meaning of all this might be but cou'd conclude on nothing Thus she pass'd away all the rest of the day but in the Evening that she might be better inform'd in what she saw so obscure she sent to invite a few of her choice Friends to come to her House and hear the Violins She gave orders to her People to let all that came in Masquerade enter saying she hop'd it wou'd divert her The time was no sooner come but Darbelle enters but he no longer represented the Ghost he had put on the Habit of a Shepherd the most rich and splendid that ever was seen having all things answerable that made up this Pastoral Equipage She knew him not at first he having chang'd his Dress But Darbelle being one of great Curiosity was willing to conceal himself at first that he might observe her Behaviour and to see whether or no she had any Impatience to converse with the Ghost He was soon satisfy'd for he perceiv'd the Princess observ'd every Masquer with such care and diligence that he might easily guess her Heart had no small disquiet she always kept her Eye towards the Door and the least noise that was made either in coming in or going out raised in her some new Curiosity which was not without some satisfaction to Darbelle But at last it was impossible that such a Lover who run all hazards to speak with his Mistress wou'd any longer let slip so favourable an Occasion He approach'd the Princess and said to her Madam the Gods have sent for the Ghost back again who has given me charge to come hither to you and in his behalf to tell you that he will never forgive you his Death nor the Sufferings you have caus'd him to indure for you At these words the Princess look'd at him surveying him from Head to Foot and having well observ'd him says to him Whoever you be I conjure you keep me no longer in suspence tell me what Interest you have in my person and wherefore you speak to me of Darbelle I perceive well you have been his Confident and that he has discover'd to you all the considerable Adventures of his Life I 'm sure you have given me reason enough to think so In short say what is it you wou'd speak in his behalf has he order'd you as he was dying to come to me and beg my pardon for all his Falshoods Darbelle by the help of his Disguise heard all she said without running any Risque but he was strangely amaz'd at what he heard however he judg'd it necessary still to conceal himself tho' he had enough to do to perform it he made use of what the Princess had put in his Head to clear himself and speaking to her as tho' he had really been the Confident of Darbelle who at his Death he had commanded to come and find her out and tell her what he wou'd have her understand Madam answers he I perceive you already know some of those things I have already told you since you are not ignorant of Darbelle's Death but it appears you are but little concern'd at what has befaln him since you brand him with perfidious and of whom you speak such injurious things I wou'd therefore let you understand adds he that all the while he was in Tuscany I was his dearest Friend we lay together and we conceal'd not the least Secret from each other you may well perceive he has not hid from me the Love you had for him he wou'd talk to me of it a thousand times a day giving me a Description of you and it is as certain that he is now dead But Madam you are the only Cause of it every one of his Friends to whom he writ to send him News of you told him you had deceiv'd him and that you lov'd the Prince Lysidor at which he was so much troubl'd that it cast him into a fit of Sickness from which when he had a little recovered and that he had taken a Resolution to come hither in person and kill his Rival he understood by his Friends Letters that you had married him At this second cruel News he fell so violently sick that his Despair in two days finish'd his life When he was breathing his last he implor'd me with such words mingled with Sighs and Tears that I cannot recount them without a most sensible Affliction that I wou'd come and seek you out and tell you that for love of you he dy'd and charg'd me at the same time to accuse you of Infidelity The Princess when she saw he had finish'd his Discourse answer'd Sir if you had been sincere you wou'd have added to what you have said and have told me that he was married in Tuscany to one who he so intirely lov'd that he no more thought on me than if I had never been perhaps he
your Injustice and Infidelity tell me therefore I beseech you why you have deceiv'd Darbelle and with what Reasons you can pretend ever to excuse your self of the Contempt you have of him Is it not sufficient that he has dy'd of Love and Despair hearing of your Marriage without giving the utmost Marks of your Hatred in blasting the very Memory as you do of one who died so innocent Clitie hearkning to what La Rock said to her with great impatience cou'd no longer endure his Reproaches but assum'd the Discourse and said to him I know not who you are but these two days past I have suffer'd all that you have entertain'd me with of the greatest Secrets of my Life and now I have met you according to your desire I wou'd willingly run yet a farther hazard and tell you something that yet you know not provided that on the other side you inform me likewise of all those things which give me so much Inquietude and have rais'd in me this Curiosity Tell me then says she what was the true Cause of Darbelle's Death for you have been at too great Charges and Pains in travelling so far to tell me things so contrary to Truth What Devil was assisting at his Death that yet inspir'd him to deceive even to the Grave And you that talk to me and asperse me with Falshood and Ingratitude how dare you say he lov'd none but me all the while he was in Tuscany when he who protested to me by his Letters of an Eternal Love at the same time paid all his Adorations to a Lady in Florence whom he married without giving me the least notice of any thing that might resolve me why he made so sudden a Change Darbelle married answers La Rock Ah Madam I swear I swear to you by all that 's good and sacred it is not so 〈◊〉 and if you wou'd give me leave to acquaint you what Pleasures and what Troubles he has had during his Exile I wou'd tell you he never had any Satisfaction or Content but when he receiv'd your Letters and that he gave himself up to all the Torments of Despair when he wanted them all the words that can express the most intollerable Pain cannot make you sensible of those that he endur'd when he saw that you forgot him he complain'd Night and Day of the severity of his Fortune But Madam it was in so moving a manner that I who was Witness to it as well as Confident of his Amours swear to you I had not the power to hinder my self from being sensible of his Afflictions and share with him in all his Troubles What! replies the Princess is not Darbelle married in Florence Is he not Favourite to the Grand Duke And in a word was he not establish'd in that Place with hopes to spend the remainder of his days there No Madam says La Rock to her nothing of all that you have said is true and he never had any other Imployment in a long solatary House whither he had retir'd himself about three Miles from Florence but to think on you and to sigh and grieve for your Absence Night and Day which perhaps ere long you will believe In speaking these words he rose and desir'd the Princess to give him leave to speak to his Page who he had sent about business and waited there to return him an Answer No sooner had he left his place but the Princes fell into a great Confusion by what she had understood from him that she cou'd not recover her self She enter'd into a deep musing so that she seem'd immoveable she lean'd against one of the sides of the Theatre ruminating of a thousand things one after another and knew not what she shou'd believe Mariana's Brother had seen Darbelle married and La Rock swears he never was but that he had always lov'd her most tenderly she consider'd that Mariana's Brother's Assertions were the Foundations why she her self had married which was the Occasion of Darbelle Death after she had been the Cause of 〈◊〉 Misfortunes Calling to mind all 〈◊〉 afflicting Adventures she cou'd not refrain strain pouring down Floods of Tears and giving her self up to an excess of Sorrow which had took possession of her Heart La Rock who had order from his Master to leave his place to him after he had satisfy'd the Princess of his Innocence and made his Fidelity appear return'd to give him an Account of what he had done and in what Condition he had let her telling him she was now more perswadded of his Death than ever insomuch that this poor Lover dying with Impatience to discourse with her with his Heart lay'd open cou'd stay no longer but went and supply'd La Rock's place In this obscure place the Princess having pull'd down her Hoods to hide her Tears so that Darbelle had no great Difficulty to keep himself unknown to her for some time She was plung'd into so deep a study that Darbelle was forc'd to draw her out of it by speaking thus to her Ah Madam what may be the cause of all these Tears you shed They wou'd accuse a Heart less barbarous than yours of Love But after having made Darbelle die for Love and Despair I can never believe that you cou'd ever be troubled for such a one as he The Princess at these words startled as one new waken'd out of a dreadful Dream remaining still leaning on the Pillaster that was by her supposing him still the same person that had spoke to her before answer'd him You but ill know my Heart which you so accuse of Infidelity and I shou'd be still happy did not my Love in spite of me yet seek for the dead even to the Grave Alas continued she Darbelle of whom you speak to me is past seeing and notwithstanding all the Care and Pains you have taken to justifie him I know too well he is false and ungrateful yet nevertheless his cruel Idea still haunts me every where Believe not adds she that I wou'd confess my weakness it I ever thought he could see me again for alas he is dead and cou'd I give the least credit to what you have told me of him or that he dy'd for love of me I know not the thing in the World that cou'd afford me the least Consolation Darbelle who heard her speak found so much Sincerity and Truth in her words that instead of answering her as La Rock had always done at the same moment felt such an Extremity of Grief that it almost kill'd him nor cou'd he refrain from bursting out in Tears The Princess who found something more than ordinary in his silence lifted her Hoods a little up and having perceiv'd Darbelle to weep who still she took for La Rock Certainly says she Darbelle is very happy in having such a faithful Friend as you who so much interest your self in things that perhaps have hardly ever concern'd him What wou'd you ungrateful as you are replies Darbelle kill him
threw himself upon his Bed where for above an hour he lay without the least sign of Life till at length by the Assistance of La Rock he began to open his Eyes from whence whole floods of tears did flow O La Rock said he was ever any Misery like to mine What shall I do what will become of me O lovely Charmer goes he on there needed not this last Affliction why wou'd you have me still preserve a Life so full of Woes and Griefs Then ceas'd a while and after a small pause which multitudes of Sighs did cause he began to rave and cry'd O you immortal Powers what do you mean Can Heaven be Heaven Can it be the Throne of Mercy and yet not shew one glimpse of it to me Has Justice banish'd thence all other Attributes and that bright sparkling Roof beset with Golden Characters of Light has it not one not one propitious Star for me Must I be still the Mark at which you level all your Vengeance But oh why name I you who silently look on and see the Sport and Reaks my Fortune plays me La Rock while his Transports were thus furious thought it convenient not to interrupt them but stood a mute Spectator of his Master's Passion who having been silent for a time his Grief and Anguish stifling all his words lay rankling at his Heart steps to his Bed-side and with all the reason he cou'd urge endeavour'd to allay his Trouble What says he to him is become of all your Courage and whither is your Patience flown Patience is stale replies he and I am weary of it my passive Fortitude has quite forsaken me and nothing but despair supplies its place At least answers La Rock preserve your self till you have found out the Cause of all these Troubles my mind still tells me Clitie is not so much to blame as you imagine and 't is most certain there has been soul Play us'd to both of you her last words to you were not like those of Hate but rather might I judge of Love and Pity and 't is not impossible but Heaven may have yet in store a milder Fortune for you Wherefore once more look up and hope the best for worse cannot befal you O La Rock says he taking him by the Hand these words imply you are the best of Friends but they can never ease my Heart they are to me as Cordials to a breathless Corps and Fate has set me beyond the reach of Comfort Heaven my Friends Clitie and Hope it self have all deserted me cou'd I admit the smallest Hope I yet were happy but alas that Bladder that shou'd buoy up the sinking man with me is burst and leaves me in the Ocean of my Miserles 't is the last thing leaves us but our Lives but Life is forc'd upon me still to augment my wretched State shou'd Clitie as you would perswade me love me still what Profit will it afford me She is anothers now and I must ne'er expect to see her more The poor afflicted Princess was no sooner got into her Chamber but she went to Bed watring her Pillow with those streams of Tears which fell from her fair Eyes She began to reflect on this last Adventure Darbelle still lives says she to her self and as he says and I alas too late believe is constant still What Demon envious of our Loves contriv'd such false Reports And curst Adraste what more hellish Devil cou'd make thee tell me that thou sawest him married Thus for some time she wou'd take the unfortunate Darbelle's part when in an instant all her thoughts wou'd change and she wou'd say What tho' he does live may he not yet be married 'T is true I had no Witness of his Death but bare Report but of his Falshood I have Adraste Mariana's Brother who in Florence saw him with his Wife and whose Portrait yet lies by me wherefore then shou'd I afflict my self for one so false and treacherous no! let him go back again to Florence there he will find relief and in his Spouse's Arms forget his Troubles These Thoughts prevail'd a while yet maugre all she cou'd not think a man so guilty as he seem'd to be wou'd leave his Wife Employments and the Favour of the great Duke and run the hazards of so long a Journey nay and his Life to boot to come to Paris unless it were to clear himself She cou'd fix satisfied on nothing but with the Impatience she had to be better fatisfied early in the Morning she sent for Mariana who suspecting nothing of the business came to wait on her but no sooner did she enter but the Princess's Blood rose all in Blushes on her Cheeks and I know not what of shivering possess'd her Heart They being alone she made her sit down upon a Couch by her then in a low and lamentable tone she told her all that had happen'd since Darbelle came to Paris and that he was return'd again alive and unmarried and that her Brother had deceiv'd them all Mariana was not a little surpriz'd at this Relation however she conceal'd her Sentiments and assum'd the Discourse Can it be possible Madam says she that what you say is truth and are you confident you are not abus'd Yes Mariana answers the Princess I am abus'd and so is he but who has done this piece of Wickedness is yet to me a Mystery Mariana was glad to hear her say this and seeing she did not in the least mistrust her since she had so freely discover'd to her all her Adventures with Darbelle and his return to Paris and remembring that Machivillian Maxim That those who begin in sin must never quit that Road till they have reach'd their Journey 's end seem'd to be much concern'd and fearing lest the Princess shou'd send for Adraste and by Gold and Presents get the Truth out of him for she knew him to be one who would boggle at nothing if Gold were the Reward told the Princess that she wou'd write to her Brother who she pretended was gone into England with the Embassadour and know the truth and wou'd leave no means unattempted to sound the very bottom of this business They had many other Discourses concerning this Adventure when Mariana pretended urgent business and took her leave promising to come and see her again next day in the mean time she wou'd consider about what was best to be done in an affair of such great Consequence She no sooner quits the Princess but with all the Wings that Fear cou'd lend her she flew to find out Lysidor who she acquainted with the whole matter The Prince when he first heard it was no less amaz'd at it than she had been but having well consider'd every thing he order'd her to meet him in the Evening at a certain place which he appointed in the mean time to keep all secret and to go back again to the Princess and endeavour all she cou'd to wheedle out of her Darbelle's
if not it was but death at last which wou'd only shorten his Misseries and give him a Pass port to the other World but some few days the sooner La Rock by no Arguments he cou'd use cou'd alter his mind however he was resolv'd to run all Dangers with him and though Death it self should happen to share with him in this Adventure The Night began to grow old when Darbelle and La Rock enter'd the Room where they were dancing but a more glorious shew of Jewels and Beauty which far out-shin'd them was no where in the World to equal what was there but above all the Princess was the Load-stone which attracted the Eyes of all the Spectators she had on a Gown so rich with Imbroidery and so cover'd with Gemms that one wou'd have thought wou'd have purchas'd a whole Province she was dancing a Minua with the King which hinder'd her from taking notice when Darbelle enter'd and it made much to his purpose for at sight of her he was strook with a sudden Fear which for the present depriv'd him of all his Senses and he stood just in the Door not able to go forward which most of those at the Ball imputed to his unwillingness to enter till the King had made an end of his Dance by which time our Lover was ten times more amorous than ever and all those cruel Thoughts he had before of Clitie quite disappear'd and Love All-powerful Love again had got possession of his Heart he gets up to La Rock and speaking to him in a low voice La Rock says he if I fall I shall fall gloriously and never man receiv'd his Doom in so illustrious an Assembly let us go on and dare the worst our Fate can do for having seen her if she love me not I have no further use for life The Princess being seated had time now to look about her but O Heavens no sooner did she see our amorous Shepherd but her Colour went and came and in spite of all the Constraint she laid upon her self to hide her Surprize she cou'd not hinder her self from falling into a Swoon all run to her amongst the rest Darbelle was not idle he had her by one of her Hands while others run for Water the good old Celse was not least concern'd he got her in his Arms and bath'd her with his Tears but after a while she began to recover and Celse asking her what was the matter she whisper'd in his ear Darbelle the unfortunate Darbelle was in the Room He seem'd to take no notice of what she said but having placed her again in her Seat and left her to the care of the Ladies who were about her he went to the King and talk'd in private with him for some time after which there was a Command given that all the Doors shou'd be shut and none stir in or out Darbelle till this time had Eyes and Thoughts employed on the Princess and observ'd not Celse's talking with the King but when he heard this Command that none shou'd go in or out he was not a little surpriz'd who altho' he did not in the least suspect that he was the occasion of it yet was far more astonish'd when the Princess was pretty well recover'd he heard the King give a second Command that all who were masqued should pull off their Vizors and discover who they were Now was the time our masking Lover saw himself the Mark at which all was levell'd he began to repent his Curiosity and within himself to muster up all those Reproaches and Revilings he had had against Clitie But in short the King's Commands must be obey'd and all unmasqu'd but Darbelle who was unwilling to discover himself which drew the Eyes both of the King and all the Company upon him who admir'd who that shou'd be who was repugnant to the King's Orders when Celse himself comes up to him and takes off his Masque crying out in a loud Voice O Heavens it is Darbelle It is not to be conceiv'd the several Opinions that were in this Noble Assembly but above all the poor Princess who did not dare to speak and her Heart was almost rent in sunder at this last unfortunate Disaster she doubted not but he was now become a Prey to the King's Anger and inveterate Malice of his Enemies but she was more surpriz'd when the King coming to her took her by the Hand saying Come hither Lady do you know this Man Then stepping to Darbelle he in an angry tone ask'd him how he dar'd appear before a King so much incens'd To which Darbelle falling upon his Knees and humbly crav'd his pardon answer'd That that Love which made him first incur his Majesties Displeasure had since so blinded him that he was incapable of doing any thing but what tended to his Love. The King seeing our two Lovers in so great a Consternation and resolving no longer to amuse them commanded Darbelle to arise and gave him his gracious Pardon for all that he had done and taking him by the Hand as old Celse did the Princess they brought them both into the middle of the Room and joyn'd the Hands of two whose Hearts were long before united He told Darbelle he was oblig'd to Celse who had procur'd his Pardon and contriv'd this Device to make their Happiness surprize them when they least thought of it The END A Catalogue of some Plays Printed for R. Bently and S. Magnes 1. BEaumont and Fletchers Plays in all 51. in large Fol. 2. Mr. Shakespear's Plays in one large Fol. Volume containing 43 Plays 3. Tartuff or the French Puritan 4. Forc'd Marriage or the Jealous Bridegroom 5. English Monsieur 6. All mistaken or the mad Couple 7. Generous Enemies or the ridiculous Lovers 8. The Plain-Dealer 9. Sertorius a Tragedy 10. Nero a Tragedy 11. Sophonisba or Hannibal's Overthrow 12. Gloriana or the Court of Augustus Caesar. 13. Alexander the Great 14. Mythridates King of Pontus 15. Oedipus King of Thebes 16. Caesar Borgia 17. Theodosius or the Force of Love. 18. Madam Fickle or the Witty false One. 19. The Fond Husband or the Plotting 20. Esquire Old-Sap or the Night-Adventures 21. Fool turn'd Critick 22. Vertuous Wife or Good Luck at last 23. The Fatal Wager 24. Andromache 25. Countrey Wit. 26. Calisto or the Chast Nymph 27. Destruction of Jerusalem in two Parts 28. Ambitious Statesman or the Loyal Favourite 29. Misery of Civil War. 30. The Murder of the Duke of Gloucester 31. Thyestes a Tragedy 32. Hamlet Pr. of Denmark a Tragedy 33. The Orphan or the Unhappy Marriage 34. The Souldiers Fortune 35. Tamerlain the Great 36. Mr. Limberham or the Kind Keeper 37. Mistaken Husband 38. Notes on the Emperor of Morocco by the Wits 39. Essex and Elizabeth or the Unhappy Favourite 40. Vertue betray'd or Anna Bullen 41. King Lear. 42. Abdellazor or the Moor's Revenge 43. Town-Fop or Sir Tim. Tawdry 44. Rare-en-tout a French Comedy 45. Moor of Venice 46. Countrey Wife 47. City Politicks 48. Duke of Guise 49. Rehearsal 50. King and no King. 51. Philaster or Love lies a Bleeding 52. Grateful Servant 53. Strange Discovery 54. Atheist or the Second Part of the Souldiers Fortune 55. Wit without Money 56. Little Thief 57. Valiant Scot. 58. Constantine 59. Valentinian 60. Amorous Prince 61. Dutch Lovers 62. Woman Bully 63. Reformation 64. Hero and Leander 65. Love Tricks 66. Julius Caesar. 67. Fatal Jealousie 68. Monsieur Ragou 69. Island Queen or Mary Queen of Scotland 70. Empress of Morrocco 71. Common-wealth of Women 72. The Noble Stranger 73. Duke of Millan 74. The Knave in Grain 75. Amends for Ladies 76. Mammamouchi 77. The Emperor of the East 78. The Wedding 79. St. Patrick for Ireland 80. Albumazor 81. The Tragedy of Albertus 82. Royal King. 83. Humerous Courtier 84. The Hollander 85. Merchant of Venice 86. False Count. 87. Rover Second Part. 88. Counterfeits 89. Troylus and Cressida 90. Spanish Fryer 91. Lucius Junius Brutus 92. Brutus of Alba. 93. Caius Marius 94. Siege of Memphis 95. Byron's Conspiracy 1. Part. 96. Byron's Conspiracy 2d Part. 97. Loyal Brother 98. Disappointment 99. Mackbeth 100. Rollo Duke of Normandy 101. The Love sick King. 102. Maids Tragedy