thing so attractive to return to his Countrey after eight or nine months absence the pleasure of Rome and the consideration that if he lost this opportunity he might perhaps never have such another all this I say made such a Party that the most beautiful and most charming Lady in the World could not have hindred many excellent Persons from quitting hers to take it But true Love which values nothing above its own satisfaction slights a liberty to be bought with too many tears yet in this conjuncture it was almost impossible for Alexander to refuse this cruel liberty being all he could in appearance desire and bestowed on him by the Bassa with a Mistress with whom he believed him passionately in love What reason could he find to refuse such a Present which had cost the Bassa so dear and ought to be the most acceptable to him He despaired to find any and saw clearly there was a necessity of parting unless Love favourable to Lovers in extremity would come to his aid and make the Bassa alter his resolution as they commonly do who take any against love never did Slave pay more Vows to be delivered from his Chain than he did for the continuance of his Captivity choosing rather to be a Slave the rest of his Life than to be for ever removed to such a distance from that which he loved a thousand times more than his Liberty The Bassa having passed some hours after in his Bed to muse upon the resolution he had taken which he adhered to though it made his heart ake called for his Aga and gave him orders for the departure of the two Christians causing store of Provisions and very rich Presents to be carried on board the Vessel this done he sent his chief Eunuch to the Sultaness his Wife to intreat her to give Laura her Liberty whom he was minded to send home to her Country together with Alexander for reasons of importance to her as of necessity for him and for the ease and repose of one and the other Having given these orders and the same time sent the Letter he had written to Laura he took Horse for Bardou one of his Houses of Pleasure a mile from the Town and staid there till midnight having all that time walked alone in the Gardens to wean himself from the sight and company of Alexander and the pleasure he took in Laura's discourse That night the Bassa could not sleep and in the Morning his Aga being come to bring him an answer from the Sultaness as to his request for giving Laura her Liberty he went presently to carry it to Alexander whom he found in appearance ready to be gone but in truth never less disposed but hoping every moment some change of resolution in the Bassa Ah Alexander said he we must part but I know not how we shall for the Sultaness who loves Laura with the same affection I do you notwithstanding my representing to her how much she was concerned in interest to have us part and to desire it as much as I cannot resolve upon it but hath sent me word this Morning she will sooner lose her life than her Laura You must go see Laura and tell her 't will be her fault if she be not free and go along with you for as for me what I have promised I will perform In the mean time I will give order that the Vessel be staid longer that it may not sail without you Sir answered Alexander there are frequent opportunities of Transportation and when you have given some longer time to satisfie the Sultaness and dispose her to grant Laura this favour our obligation then will not be less for our Liberty you are now pleased to grant us Alexander replyed the Bassa resolutions like that I have now taken in your favour go so much against the grain of a heart affected as mine that delays may be dangerous and time may make them faulter make use of the good motions reason and equity have inspired into me I do not tell you my thoughts are unalterable The spite I have against my heart oft its weakness the outrage I did Laura yesterday my shame to appear before her after it and the small hopes I have of gaining her Love are the true causes of your good fortune all this is yet fresh in my mind stay not till time deface these impressions there being nothing men are apt so soon to forget as the injuries they had done to others As they were discoursing together a huge Moor who served as Purveyor for the Count and brought him every Morning his Provision from the Seraglio came on the sudden into the Chamber with a great Basket on his head not thinking without doubt of the Bassa's being there The Moor started at the sight of him would have gone back but the Bassa with his hand made signs for him to stay he obeyed and laid the Basket on the ground which appeared very heavy and so he withdrew the Bassa of pure curiosity to see what they had sent Alexander to eat bid a Moor who waited in the Room take up the Basket lid which he did and found the Provision to be a Woman very pleasantly tucked up and mufled in her Barnus that she might not be known But being in the Habit of a Christian which the Bassa and Alexander had formerly seen Laura in they made no doubt but it was she The Bassa at first was very much surprized but then fell a laughing and said to the Count the Invention is rare and that she had far more wit than the Women of that Country but this is a product of Love the Father of Inventions However 't is certain nothing could have been done more proper for our design But shall not we see said he all your Provision Madam you are here between the two best Friends you have in the World and you have no reason to be shy of shewing your self having said this he drew near to the Lady and would have taken her by the arm to help her to rise but she refused and thrust him back I see Madam said he you have not yet granted me the pardon I begged of you I confess the offence was too great to be so quickly forgiven but you are taking your leave and it is not fit we should part without being friends for it would be a perpetual grief to me to see you leave this Country with hatred in your heart Deny not this favour added he reaching forth his hand to a man reduced to despair for having offended you and punishing himself so severely for the fault that there is no need of this extream cruelty from you But all he spoke was in vain for she hid her self more closely and fortify'd her self in the Basket to prevent being seen The Bassa was unwilling to press her any further but addressing himself to Alexander told him it was his part to make peace and to prevail with Laura to let him see her
precious to be employ'd in satisfying the curiosity of knowing by what means he was so unexpectedly arrived at so compleat a Felicity The Vessel under sail with a favourable gale rendred them as secure as Mortals can be on an Element where the Winds are in a manner Master of our Lives as well as Resolutions The Happy Lovers lost not the advantage of the Season to enjoy one another with as much pleasure and satisfaction as prosperous Love is capable of The Captain of the Bassa's Guards being arrived at Tunis took Horse and soon got to Bardou where he found his Master walking alone in the Garden and gave him an account of the departure of Alexander The Bassa like a man dejected and disconsolate having lift up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven without saying a word withdrew into a Marble Bower in the midst of the Garden where he continued all that day having given his Guards express Orders not to permit any Person whatever to come near him hoping thus to free himself from the importunity he fear'd from the Sultaness on Laura's account His Servants and Guards were much surprized at these Orders not knowing what might be the cause of his displeasure unless it were that Alexander was gone In the Evening arrived at Bardou a Spahie who brought him a Letter and was followed by another and he by a third who all came to speak with him on business of extream haste and importance but being acquainted with the Orders he had given they durst pass no further but resolved to wait his coming out of the Bower The Turks observe exactly the Orders of their Masters but Aly the Captain of the Guard gathering from the number of Couriers the importance of their business thought it his Duty to step to the Town being but three Miles distant to learn what the matter was and getting presently on Horse-back went directly to the General of the Gallies being one of them who had dispatched the Spahies The General sent him instantly back with strict Order to speak with the Bassa and tell him that to oppose the designs his Enemies had against his Life his presence was absolutely necessary at Tunis Aly who apprehended the consequence of the affair made no scruple when returned to Bardou to present himself before his Master who extreamly enraged to see his Orders broke first by him would neither hear him nor receive the Letter he would have delivered him from the General of the Gallies But locking himself up past his time till the fourth Prayer when he took Horse to return to the Town By the way he received Letters from several but thinking they came from the Sultaness or some of her party he opened not one of them The General of the Gallies astonish'd not to see him come after News sent him what was Plotting against him resolved to go in Person to see what stay'd him at Bardou and by the way met him The Bassa seeing him come with a very large Train asked him smilling if he thought he had been Besieged that he came to meet him with so numerous a Party You are pleasant Sir answered the General but I wish we stand not in need of far greater Forces before we come to Tunis The Bassa observing him to speak in good earnest fixt his Eye upon him a while without speaking a word then askt him what need there could be of the Forces he mentioned and with Indignation what says he will they Assault me for love of the Sultaness Do not you think Sir replyed the General there is reason enough for 't Can you believe that a Prince like the Dey your Mortal Enemy but from the Teeth outwards can brook the injury you have done him who loves the Sultaness his Daughter better than his Life What injury said the Bassa What injury reply'd the General An injury than which in my Opinion a greater could not have been offered What answers the Bassa interrupting him will they dispute my Power to set two of my Slaves at liberty at my pleasure No Sir said the General no question is made of your Right or Power in the particular you mention but the Sultaness was not your Slave and unless you design'd to engage in a new Civil War not only the Rules of Honour Justice and Religion but the Maxims of good Polity should have prevail'd with you not to deliver her into the hands of a Christian than which a greater misfortune cannot befal a Woman of our Religion The Bassa thought this Discourse so extravagant that he burst out a laughing and gave him no other answer but that he had taken the Alarm too soon The General being moved reply d with some heat you know me too well to think me concern'd at that you reproach me with but when you come to Tunis you shall judge if I had not cause to take the Alarm If the Dey answer'd the Bassa design a breach with me he will find a better pretence than you speak of True it is I have sent away Laura with Alexander the Christian without the consent of the Sultaness but there were reasons for it and such as the the Sultaness of all Persons living had most cause to approve The General of the Gallies did verily believe the Bassa was seriously bent upon raillery and willing to keep that as a secret which all the World knew which he took in ill part and had not spoke a word more on that subject had not the Bassa continued the Discourse But Sir said the General interrupting him what pleasure can you take in endeavouring to conceal from me one of your best Servants and Friends a business so notorious to all Every body knows Laura is in your Seraglio and that the Sultaness is embarked with Alexander Not to mince the matter I must tell you the general voice is that for Love of this Slave you have rid your hands of the Sultaness and Alexander and that you design to Marry Laura though a Christian But give me leave to tell you that besides the novelty of the thing the like having never happened in this Kingdom not only the Dey and Divan will oppose it but your Friends will to their power obstruct it and prevent it if they can and I dare undertake you will scarce find a Person of your side The Bassa hearing him speak in this manner thought him distracted and would have used him accordingly but restrained by the Friendship he had for him Laura says he whom I saw carried in a Basket whom I accompanied to the Port where they put her aboard a Shallop whom the Captain of my Guard conducted to the Vessel in which she was Embarked and he saw under sail this Laura is in my Seraglio and I am to Marry her Sir answered the General did I not know you very well and were fully perswaded of the good esteem you are pleased to Honour me withall I should not know what to think of your Discourse for it cannot be but
this purpose MY Mother died very Young leaving no Child but me My Father's Offices obliging him to a constant Attendance at Court he committed the care of my Infancy to a Sister of his settled about a hundred Miles from London He could not at thy Distance see me so often as he would so that when I came to Fourteen Years of Age he thought by disposing me in Marriage to bring me nearer him The Earl of Rutland had but one Son and the intimate Friendship between my Father and him induc'd them to think of a stricter Alliance Our Fortunes were equal and the Earl of Rutland's Son being Return'd out of Italy his Father acquainted him with his Design of Marrying him His Affection was no way engag'd to the contrary And the Business was agreed on without my Knowledge who was look'd upon as too Young to be Consulted with in a Cause of that Nature Yet Madam my Heart was sensible so early and capable of Discerning between Person and Person and made it appear by Experience Obedience and Affection do no not always agree The Equipage of the Young Gentleman was no sooner ready but he came where I was Being not in Love nor expecting much Pleasure in waiting on a Mistress he had never seen and was represented to him as a Child he pray'd Three of his Friends to Honour his Nuptails with there Presence The Earl of Essex was one of them When they arriv'd my Looks were divided between several Men all much of one Age and equally unknown to me I know well enough the Earl of Rutland's Son ws design'd my Husband and I presently wish'd he were the Man whom I afterwads knew to be the Earl of Essex at the first sight of whom all my Trouble for being Marry'd so Young was presently over He was the First spoke to me and look'd on me more earnestly than any of the others This made me believe it was as I wish'd But I was sadly undeceiv'd when the Young Earl of Rutland was presented to me I Blush'd and Sigh'd not knowing the Cause The Earl of Essex did also the like his Eyes went still in search of me and I was not reserv'd enough to avoid them The trouble I appear'd in was attributed to the Innocence of my Age and I quickly learnt to take care to hide it Our Parents being arriv'd we were Marry'd without being ask'd by them If we were willing The Earl of Rutland's Son appear'd pleas'd with his Fortune and perhaps found me more amiable than he expected I Madam was so in Love with the Earl of Essex all I could do was not to hate my Husband Yet I had the good luck my Kindness for my Lord of Essex was not so much as suspected 'T was believ'd I was then sensible of no other Pleasures but what Children delight in but no Age is a stranger to Love I quickly knew what it was to have a Kindness and soon complain'd the Liberty of my Inclination had been usurp'd upon I had little joy in being so far Mistress of my self as to wish I could love my Husband and endeavour it and to have an indifference for the Earl of Essex for all my Efforts to that purpose were vain The first Resolution I took was to avoid the sight of a Man who could only contribute to make me more unhappy And when he had taken his leave with the rest of my Lord of Rutland's Friends I pray'd my Father to spare my Youth for some time and not to expose me so early to the Court where I never had been My Desire was granted and when my Father return'd for London to satisfie me they took me to Rutland But the Course I took produc'd not the Effect I propos'd The Idea of the Earl of Essex accompanied me in my Solitude And my Father-in-Law being dead we were forc'd to go to London after a Years stay in the Country I trembled to think I should see the Earl of Essex again and resolv'd with my self I would be the most retir'd Person on Earth to avoid all Occasions of meeting him when News was brought me he was gone with the Earl of Leicester into the Low-Countries The Queen receiv'd me with that Kindness she usually expresses to those she intends to Honour I admir'd her Merit and the Pleasure to see my self respected by her suspended a while my secret inquietudes But within less than half a Year my Father died and soon after my Husband I was much afflicted at these losses I bewail'd my Father's Death a long time And if I had not for my Husband that great Kindness which is rarely met with in Marriages of Obedience my Reason and his Complaisance had forc'd me to esteem him and to express Acknowledgments sincere enough to save me the Trouble of any just Reproach from my self or any other The Queen having told me she desir'd to have me near her I quitted my House for an Apartment in this Palace and my Fortune which was very considerable gave me such Charms as drew about me a number of Suitors who pretended mighty Kindness for me but were really rather a Trouble than Pleasure to me In this condition was I when the Earl of Essex returned to London The Queen's Army had been Victorious and she order'd a publick Thanksgiving when the Generals arriv'd I waited on her to St. Pauls and had not the Power by any Consideration to be so reserv'd as not single out from all the Nobility of the Kingdom the Earl of Essex alone to fix my Eyes on The morrow he was one of the first to wait on the Queen I was with her before I was mov'd at the sight of him we looked on one another several times with equal Concern Madam said he as soon as he could speak to me I have not had a moments liberty to signifie to you how great a share I bear in your Losses I believe answered I you are sorry for my Misfortune 'T is natural for every one to be concern'd for such a Person as you are adds he But Madam I am much more concern'd than any other The Queen interrupted us But in all the respects the Earl of Essex paid her I would not but observe his Eye was towards me I confess I was glad to see him so eager and perhaps I answered him a little too soon but I was young tender and Independent His Merits were then extraordinary and he had the advantage of my first inclination He came the same day to see me in my Apartment and fail'd not to do it constantly afterwards All his Actions perswaded me at length that he lov'd me and it was not long e're he let me know it Madam said he one Evening having brought me to my Chamber after I had left the Queen Do you remember the time we accompany'd the Earl of Rutland to your Country-House I have not forgot Sir answered I that you were one of them that did him that Honour Is that all you
and she suffer'd more trouble in one poor moment by what she saw not then she had in many days by what she had seen she was forced to change her conduct and to feign a desire of renewing her friendship with a Woman whom she hated more then Death To how sad a point is a poor Lady reduced when she is so innocent as to trouble her self about the little Follies of her Husband and dares not render him quid pro quo She would fain have had this satisfaction though a very afflictive one of seeing what passed betwixt these two perfidious Creatures and putting a check to their Pleasure by her Presence for she was from Morning until Night either with the one or the other The Viceroy was extreamly weary of her everlasting Company he could have wisht with all his Heart that she had continued her ill humour and quarrel to Donna Angelica Whatever he did she would make one if he walk't out she did so too if he went to pay a visit to Donna Angelica she followed him and would be the last there I leave it for your Marry'd Young Brisk Gallants to judge whether this was not damnable troublesom He knew not what to do Donna Angelica who loved him not to the expence of her Reputation would contribute nothing on her part to make him more happy for fear of giving the Vice-queen an advantage over her who possibly waited but for an opportunity to ruine her So that being in despair with anger and vexation after having sought a thousand ways to rid himself of this trouble without meeting success in any he at last bethought himself of an expedient queint enough and such as few Spaniards would have thought on But the Ascendant of Love often carries them above that of their Nation He believ'd that Women were not jealous of their Husbands but for want of something else to amuse them and that as one passion drives away another he should quickly put an end to the Vice-queen's jealousy if he could find her out a Man capable of making a tender impression of Love upon her He studyed a good while whom he should make choice of to do him so important a service without prejudice to his Honour the affair was pretty nice and delicate but when a Man loves to that degree that he loved and is fir'd with the thoughts of enjoying those pleasures he was in search of he must pass by a great many such Scrupulosities In fine having run over in his mind all the Gallants of his Court that were capable of inspiring Love into the breast of a young Lady he cast his eyes at last upon a young Neapolitan Lord something ally'd to him and for whom he had procur'd a Regiment of Foot and who was newly arrived at Barcellona he was young full of sprightly air for whom the Vice-queen had already a particular esteem and he could not elect a Centleman more fit for his design He found him one evening walking alone in the Park and having taken him with him he fell into the discourse of the Ladies of Barcellona and smiling askt him how he found himself whether he had hitherto preserv'd his Liberty and if he were not engag'd in some Amour My liberty is entire answer'd the young Neapolitan How replys the Viceroy among so many fair Ladies in this City has no beauty had the power yet to reach your heart either you have a very obdurate one pursues he or I must believe you have left a Mistress in Naples to whom you will not be unfaithful Neither the one nor the other Sir replys the Colonel I was never amorous not that I am insensible of the passion but the business and art of War pleases me better than that of Love You are young says the Viceroy smiling and you ought not to have such Ideas for the one does not hinder the other you may make Love and yet very well discharge the duty of a Soldier Nay I will tell you more then that continues he there was never any great and perfect Warriour but who was made so by Love and so ingaging him further in that discourse he began to number up I know not how many Great Captains who owed the most glorious Actions they ever performed to the inspirations of Love and he concluded at last that he must imitate their Example if he would not pass for a Barbarian Count Henry for so the young Neopolitan was called yielded himself to the Viceroy's arguments but more out of complaisance than through any inclination judging very well that it would not become a young Courtier as he was to dispute against a passion on which all the World knew the Viceroy was so violently bent I will court a Mistress then says he since you advise me to it Don Fernand demanded of him whether he would not be content to receive her from his hands at which proposition the Count began to laugh but made no answer Do you fear then pursued the Viceroy that I shall not serve you to your satisfaction I know how to acquit my self in such an affair but too well Seignior says he and for that very reason it will be dangerous to owe that obligation to you No no you need fear nothing says Don Fernand smiling it is true I have loved the Lady whom I would willingly bestow on you for a Mistress but she is at present a trouble to me and I hate her almost as much as ever I loved her What a fine present Sir says the Count interrupting him do you make me then will not the kindness you have for me inspire you with something more obliging than to charge me with a Woman you know not what to do with No Sir says Don Fernand and I may tell you withal the offer I make you deserves not to be refus'd and there are few men would have been so generous as I am in it If you please Sir replies the Count honour some other Person with your liberality for I must return to what I have already told you that notwithstanding the examples of so many Heroes that have loved yet War pleases me better Lord Henry says the Viceroy the Person I speak of is one of the greatest beauties in this Kingdom and in wit and ingenuity not inferiour to any I believe it Sir replies the Count but she is withal a Woman Peevish Conceited Cross Spiteful Jealous Imperious and possibly worse than all this You do not know says Don Fernand smiling upon him and folding his Arms that it is my Wife you speak of Yours answers the Count blushing and thinking he had misunderstood him My Vice-queen replies Don Fernand whom I intend to bestow on you for a Mistress consider whether she be so unworthy of you It is true Sir says the Count blushing more and more I have made some visits to your Lady the Vice queen but it has been with your permission and I thought I had not been so unhappy as to
the Point of spoiling all but to shew he understood raillery Madam answered he smiling I have not been for a month together in such a Court as this is where there are so many fair Ladies capable of inspiring the most tender Affection without feeling the Power of Love You love then says she Yes Madam I do replies the Count since it must be so How since it must be so says the Ladies are you forc'd to it against your inclination No Madam replys he but there are you know certain Stars that incline our Hearts which way they please saying this he laught and lookt on the Vice-queen with such Grimaces and Gestures which extremely puzzled her to comprehend the meaning of what he said to her and to make him explain himself May we not know says she who this beauty is to whom these amorous Influences have inclined your affections Madam answers he with a good assurance if you please to take the pains to consult your Glass it will soon shew you that beauty I understand you not says she putting on a serious Countenance and I believe being what I am I do you a favour in not being willing to understand you If I may pretend to any favour from you Madam replies the Count it is that you would understand me and be assured that you need not go out of this Closet to find the object that has charm'd me in this Country You forget your respect Sir says she and now I see how far the little too much esteem I had for you has carry'd you But if you return not within the limits of your Duty and forbear hereafter such discourses to me I shall be angry in earnest You are young pursues she seeing him struck Mute and these are faults which may be excus'd in such as you If you have a design to love added she learn where to address your self better and in a place where something may be hoped Alas Madam reply'd he my success is so bad the first time that I should do well never to love more No no says she smiling you must not dispair of good success You will find others more sensible of your love then I am and if you will let me advise you I will tell you where you may direct your Languishing Courtship and I dare engage you will be satisfied with the Person I shall choose for you This Adventure was pleasant enough For you see on the one side the Husband on the other the Wife endeavoured to bestow a Mistress on him But he to crossbite 'em pretends to act the part of the scrupulous Lover and to make a conscience of being constant to his first Affection and therefore immediately tells her he cannot promise that his Heart will be able so soon to resolve upon a change that the choice he had already made was good that nothing could console him after so bad a Success Nevertheless after a great many Motives she laid before him and even Entreaties which she us'd he feign'd at length to be overcome and told her since it was her absolute Pleasure he would endeavour to obey her though he could not do it without forcing his Inclinations and in conclusion askt her who it was she had judged proper for the Empire of his Heart She answered him presently that it was Donna Angelica who had spoken to her of him that Day in such a manner as gave her to understand she was not insensible of his Merits and that if the Resentments she had of him were not tender and amorous yet they contain'd an Esteem which amounted to little less The Count would have been overjoy'd if what the Vice-Queen had told him had been true for of all the Court Ladies he had seen none that pleas'd him so well as Donna Angelica The Truth was she had spoken very advantagiously of him to the Viceroy's Lady but it was not without Design The Viceroy who conceal'd nothing from her had acquainted her of the Snare he had laid for his Wives Heart in the Person of Count Henry So that Donna Angelica who no less than he interessed her self in the Success of this Plot was resolved to help on towards the advancing of it by prepossessing the Lady's Heart with the good Qualities of this young Gallant The young Neopolitan ravisht with Joy that the Viceroy's Lady had so happily met with his Wishes in the Choice of Donna Angelica dissembled for the time his Satisfaction He only tells her that after her self all other Beauties were indifferent to him that he car'd not whom he received provided it were from her Hands but as for Donna Angelica he had neither Access to her nor the Privilege of going to her Apartment The Vice-queen bids him be at no Trouble for that she would remove all Difficulties and that if he pleas'd he might see her and speak to her in her Chamber where she came every Day It is easie to guess what the Design of the Vice-queen was in making a Love Intrigue between Donna Angelica and the Count. The Employ was something beneath her Quality But where the Interest of the Heart is concern'd we pass by the nice Scruples of Honour She had a mind to give her Husband a Rival and such a one as might be formidable to him and one whose Qualities were too charming not to be as much beloved as he For judging of her Constancy by the Faith she kept to the Grand Master she did believe she would not prove more faithful to her Lover than she had been to her Husband And indeed she judged well The Tyes of Love are as easily broke as those of Marriage and where there is a mutual passing of Oaths those of the Wife ought to be as binding as those of the Mistress If the former are violated the others may very well be so too A perfidious Mistress and unfaithful Wife are alike The Count knew not that it was to Donna Angelica the Viceroy made his Pretensions This Amour had not as yet made any great Noise about the Court He was a great Gallant and whatever he did in this kind passed for a piece of Gallantry which was ordinary to him He had not as yet acquainted the Count with his Love and the Vice-queen conceal'd it from him for fear the Knowledge of it might divert him and make him scrupulous how to be jointly concern'd in a Love Affair with the Viceroy So that finding Donna Angelica a Woman exactly to his Humour he resolved by the Assistance of so powerful a Confident to attempt so fair an Enterprise The bare Idea of it made him amorous and he was already impatient to see his charming Mistress The Viceroy's Lady told him he need but come the succeeding Morning and he might find Donna Angelica with her in her Chamber He retir'd full of this Hope but was hardly got from her Apartment when he meets with Don Fernand who reproacht him with his Negligence Why Sir says the Count interrupting him
Don Gabriel I think I have seen him but he has not such lineaments though this were possible nor such a complexion nor such a fine neck nor I know added he I am not a man to be so deceived as to take a Man for a Woman yet says Don Fernand it was the Count who was yesterday in the closet with Donna Angelica and the thief I mentioned the other day What the thief that I cudgeld replys Don Gabriel I speak not of the drubbs you gave a man the other night answers the Viceroy but what I have told you is very true Sir replys Don Gabriel if my wife had a design of making any gallantry she would not sure elect such a raw young Gallant as he is The youngest men are not the worst Gallants reply'd the Viceroy and youth is seldom displeasing in a way of gallantry nay more I assure you I know his voice too well to be deceiv'd We are more easily deceived replys the Grand Master by our ears then our eyes I see very well And I too sayd Don Fernand and to convince you fully read this Note which one of your wives Pages deliver'd this morning to a servant of mine whom he took without doubt for another Don Gabriel takes it and finds in it these words Are you not ashamed if your negligence you should have writ to me two hours since what say I two hours you ought not to have gone to bed without writing to me but I pardon you for Don Gabriels sake who loves you already almost as much as I. Love works every day great miracles but this is so extraordinary that I believe never any resembled it At least I can say that none but Donna Brigitta has found out the secret of reconciling two such contrary things in the world as is love and jealousy and make her self be equally loved by the husband and wife Adieu if you come not this day at least write to me This Note had no superscription and Don Gabriel having read it askt the Viceroy what he found in it that reflected upon his honour and how he knew it was addrest to a Gallant rather than to a Lady I think it is enough to clear that doubt answers Don Fernand that it was sent to Count Henry but for your sake added he laughing I will believe if you will have me that it was to Donna Brigitta whom the Note mentions Well replyes Don Gabriel rising to be gone if I have no other enemies to fear but the young Neapolitan I hold my self very secure on that side as to my Wife The Grand Master having thus left the Viceroy came to his wives apartment and askt her whether she had writ any note that morning she who readily suspected the Viceroy of some treachery answer'd him without any trouble that she had and that it was to Donna Brigitta Don Gabriel who would have sworn for his wife's virtue believed what she said shew'd her the letter the Viceroy had given him and told her from the beginning to the end all the discourse they had had together Whereupon the incensed Donna Angelica spoke all that her anger suggested against Don Fernand. She told Don Gabriel that which most troubled her in the baseness of the Viceroy's actions was that not being contented to use all means to create an ill understanding betwixt them he had to her greater dishonour charg'd her with a man whom all the Court knew to be the Vice-queens Gallant And that you may not doubt it added she besides the report that runs abroad of it I will shew you a letter which I found the other day by chance in which you may see what the Lady writes to the Count. She went to the closet and brought one her lover had sacrificed to her which he had received but two days before from the Vicequeen The Grand Master read it with an inexpressable joy that he had somewhat to insult over the Viceroy withall He went instantly to find him out and accosting him with a smiling countenance Sir says he I know not what day this is but all love-messengers are destined to mistakes on it Count Henry has more then one mistress a while since one of your men surpris'd a note which my wife writ to him and see here another which is fallen into the hands of one of my servants and which one of the Vice-queen's Pages carry'd to the same Gallant Some mistake on both sides but as you had the goodness to deliver me that of my wives I thought my self obliged to bring you this from yours Take it Sir added he you know the character I think it is your Ladys It is so answer'd the Viceroy coldly and began to read You have scarce left me my dear Count but I languish to see you again and the same pains other lovers suffer for a months absence I suffer them all for that of one night or a day Cruel are the minutes I pass without seeing you Return to morrow more amorous then ever if you will repair these disquiets The pleasure of being lov'd by you is so charming to my heart that I cannot purchase it at too dear a rate I find glory in it honour and revenge and all that another would lose by it Adieu for some hours for I hope as soon as I awake to receive the good morrow from you from whom alone I expect my happiness Nor do I desire to have any more of them if they do not come from you Adieu The Viceroy having put the note in his pocket with the same coldness he had read it and looking upon Don Gabriel who expected to hear him vent his passion in the most bitter terms imaginable what would you have says he I am one like your self like me Sir replys the Grand-Master then methinks my wives Letter should speak so as that does of the Vice-queens but there is a great deal of difference betwixt them That difference is just nothing answers Don Fernand and I tell you though our wives do not write the same they use us both in the same manner Sir replys the Grand Master if you are willing to believe so for your own comfort I will subscribe to it but raillery apart I know what I ought to think and till you have shew'd me as convincing proofs as I bring you you will give me leave upon the subject of our Wives to put a difference between your fortune and mine The Viceroy told him it would not be difficult to convince him provided he will believe his eyes and Don Gabriel having promis'd he would contribute on his part to the discovery as much as he could they parted the Viceroy being resolv'd not to leave one stone unturn'd to be revenged of the incredulity of the husband and treachery of the wife The Grand Master designing to let him use his endeavours without giving any notice of it to his wife of whose loyalty he thought he had no reason to entertain the least
not obtain farther satisfaction than that it was an effect of his Temper He had furnished him to excess with all that Countrey could afford for the Pleasures of Life and could not imagine the cause of the grief but fancied at last that to compleat his Divertisements Alexander might want the conversation of a Woman The Bassa being a Person much given to Gallantry was the more easily inclined to believe he had found the true cause of his Melancholy And looked upon it as no incurable Disease but presently resolved to find out a Remedy by furnishing him with a Mistress which was a high strain of complaisance in a Person of his Character but there were no limits to the Love he had for his Alexander The Law of Mahomet is very severe in this Point against Persons of another Religion though very indulgent to those of his own Those who fall into the Hands of the Turks and will make love to their Women are under the necessity of changing their Religion or Burning these Extremities are hard yet of the many Christians reduced to those straits I know not one who hath thought Martyrdom so charming as not to prefer Circumcision before Burning the Bassa though no zealous observer of the Law was willing however to avoid the Scandal that might follow if the Intrigue were discovered and therefore design'd to marry him to a Christian There was with the Sultaness his Wife an Italian Slave a young Maid of good quality lovely and witty it was not long since the Bassa had been in love with her but without any success whether it proceeded from the respect she bore to the Sultaness her Mistress who loved her intirely or from scruple of Conscience in point of Religion with which she excused her self certain it is his addresses were vain and after three Months eager pursuit of his design being not accustom'd to so much resistance he quitted her and cast his eyes on other less difficult conquests he hoped that one Christian with another might have better success and that Alexander being very lovely and young needed only to shew himself for gaining the love of a Maid of his Country professing the same Religion with him he endeavour'd to dispose her for the purpose by raising in her an esteem for the Gallant he provided her he had often spoken of him in the Chamber of the Sultaness where Laura the Slave we are discoursing of did constantly attend And having formed the design he seldom entertained them with any thing else but Alexander did this or Alexander said that of which he gave them so pleasant Descriptions that he could not fail of making some impressions of love for him in a Woman though never so little susceptible The Count knew nothing of all these good Offices the Bassa smiling sometimes at his sadness would tell him he should shortly see him in a different humor One having disposed all things on Laura's side who had told him she would not be displeas'd to see this Christian he took him into the Garden of the Seraglio to walk and after a turn or two asked him if he had ever been in love The question did very much surprize him apprehending that being among a People naturally suspicious the Bassa might perhaps have had some Jealousie of him though he could not imagine the cause But to disabuse him he held it necessary to affect great indifference in the business of Women and the truth is to that day he had not been in love And though it were ill courtship to the Bassa who was an admirer of Women to tell him he had never been in Love yet he chose rather to commit a solaecism in courtship than to give him the least cause of suspicion The Bassa advised him to have a care of himself lest Love should one day be revenged of him and told him he despaired not of seeing him a Lover in Barbary You are said he handsom and witty and there are here as in Europe dangerous Ladies who perhaps may have designs on your liberty and you are not yet got out of Tunis This Discourse unexpected and spoken with such an Air so troubled the Count he knew not what answer to make The Bassa much pleased at the disorder he had put him to What said he doth Love appear so terrible to you that you dare not encounter it can a Man of your bravery be afraid of a Passion Recollect your self and think it not so dreadful here as in Italy you arm your Cupid with weapons of War we dress ours with Flowers nothing is less cruel than Love among the Turks our Women are kind and good natured and never are the cause of any mans death by coyness and disdain the sole difficulty is in getting a sight of them gain but that point and nothing can be more easie than the rest your Ladies are scrupulous and shy of shewing favour to theirs Lovers and ours make a conscience of seeing theirs Languish it is not so odious to be fond and coming with you as 't is to be cruel and insensible here We follow in the first place the Law of nature preferring it to Mohomets as being Men before we are Muslulmans We hold our selves obliged to pay kind regard and affectionate tenderness to Female Beauty and expect from it a return of complacency And those who approve not these Maxims we esteem unworthy to taste the pleasures of Love I know that in Europe you use this Passion an extraordinary way making that Martyrdom which should be a delight but I would fain know what the design of that Woman can be who sees a man every day on his knees at her feet sighing for that which she also desires and it may be more passionately Why then must he be tormented Why so many sighs why so many tears expected from him when the passion of both Sexes is equal if that of the Female may not pass for the greater The Count having in this time recollected himself answered I believe Sir that in Love as in other matters every one may have his particular fancy and different Maxims for conduct but if I who was never in Love may be allow'd to deliver my opinion of it I conceive that Men born under a Law are insensibly disposed to bear it with ease And I dare confidently affirm there is more sweetness and charming delight in the torments we endure in our way of Loving than in those easie pleasures that cost you nothing think not Sir those torments so cruel as our Lovers represent them they aggravate them only to affect their Mistresses the more and to make them more sensible It would certainty surprize you to hear them cry Increase O love Increase so sweet a pain their sufferings are pleasures The Bassa was so charmed with hearing him speak that he would not interrupt him so that he proceeded What satisfaction can you find in a Love that is fulsom and dull without any pique to make it poynant
Bassa his Daughter in Marriage Alhie was then Sixteen Years old and her beauty at the height though at this day in my judgment no man that sees her but must be in Love with her These Marriages of Policy and State interest to which the Daughters of great ones are subject to be Sacrificed seldom prove Happy The Bassa Espoused Alhie and perhaps loved her a Week but after that returned to his former Engagements and for ordinary Beauties quitted the greatest of the Kingdom 'T is true it often happens thus in this Country where Men abhor loving by Duty and Obligation and commonly love Mistresses better than Wives But this Lady in my Opinion ought to have been excepted as wanting nothing requisite to satisfie the Passion of any reasonable Man but she is as unfortunate as others The Bassa though otherwise a Person of much Gallantry visits her scarce once in a Month yet he pays her all the respect in the World and she hath no cause of complaint but of his Love but take Love from Marriage what signifies the rest What a trouble is it to a Young Lady who knows her own merit to see her self slighted in that whereof she is most sensible A Lady who would think her self happy in being belov'd and thinks she deserves it You must be a Woman before you can comprehend the rigor of this usage and the greatness of her misfortune But to come to what concerns you the Sultaness hath ever had a great inclination for Christians and the greatest Pleasure she takes is in stories she makes me tell of my Country which surprise her so especially when I speak of the Freedom Men have there with Women that she hath a thousand times wished her Fortune had been as mine and that she had fallen into the hands of a Christian who would have carried her into that Country 'T is certain a Woman had better be a Slave with us than free among the Turks where their Life is nothing but a perpetual Slavery The Adventures of Love and Gallantry have pleased her so well in the relation that she longs for a sight of one of those I called Persons of Quality and Merit who were so Gallant and Handsom as I represented You were no sooner arrived but she came with great joy to tell me the Bassa had newly bought a Christian of whom they spoke Wonders I fell a laughing and asked if it were not such a one she had often wish'd for her Slave She blushed and turning about with a sigh answer'd who knows what may happen and whether Fortune hath not designed him for me She made me her Bedfellow that Night to entertain her on that subject On the morrow the Bassa having confirmed the reports of you and commended your Person she and I for several days had no discourse but of you The kindness she hath for me makes me somewhat familiar with her nor do we very strictly observe here our distance towards great ones this made me sometimes take the Liberty to quarrel with her for the longing she exprest for a Man she had not seen I confess said she this were falling in Love a little too soon if we managed our Love as the Christians do theirs But the Bassa having made such a description of this Man there is not a Woman in the Kingdom who would not have had a greater Passion for him than I have exprest And you may believe he would not have spoken so much in his praise before the meanest of his Empresses but though he slight me so that he cares not what I think my Affections are free You would esteem your self happy Madam said I to have such a Christian in Love with you More happy reply'd she than you can imagine And I will assure you I could willingly change the state I am in for the condition of a private Christian Lady What good does it me to abound thus with Riches to receive so much Honour to be the Daughter of a King and the Wife of a Bassa if I cannot be content nor do as I would nor love where love is due In a word I am nothing less than I am taken to be but a Slave more unhappy than those under Chains Poor Laura said she embracing me tenderly how I pity thee who hast tasted the Pleasures and Liberty of thy Country and hast unhappily fallen into their hands who use so unworthily all sorts of Women With such discourses as these did we entertain our selves ever since they spoke of you at Tunis The Bassa came oftner to visit the Sultaness though we knew not the reason and almost every day brought us the News of you And as he loves you entirely took pleasure in relating every thing you did Perhaps had he known the favourable inclinations the Sultaness had for you he had been more sparing in his expressions of you for I cannot believe he designed to prejudice himself in speaking obligingly of you But it was an oversight and most unpardonable in him who so well knew the temper of Women of this Country Judge you whether so good a report from so good a hand could want its effect The Sultaness was affected with them so much to the purpose that what at first was a bare inclination grew up by degrees to a settled Passion Her humour was suddenly chang'd from Merry and Jocund into Sadness and Melancholy and I who alone knew her Distemper could not but pity her sighs and complaints and was extreamly afraid she might fall into a Disease which they call Fantasie and is a kind of Melancholy that proves Mortal to many Men and Women of this Country I did my endeavour to cure her of this Passion by representing to her all the obstacles in her way to the happiness she desired But my Remedies came too late I did but trouble her to no purpose having said to her self all that I could possibly say to divert her from the affection she had taken So that despairing of Remedy on that side I apply'd my thoughts another way and flatter'd her hopes of bringing that to pass which I could not discover the least possibility to effect But to prevent the growth and increase of her Distemper it was necessary to deceive her by flatteries and hopes At last I know not how it fell out that the Bassa having spoken of you to me two days ago as he frequently does when he finds me alone I told him I should be very glad to see you if it might be done without noise and scandal I was extreamly astonish'd how easily he promised it And you may believe I had not waited here for you but that I very well knew him a Man of his word The Count having hearken'd to all this discourse with marvellous attention and thanked Laura for all her good Offices and answer'd all her obliging expressions in behalf of the Sultaness discovered to her the Bassa's design and the reason of his being brought thither Laura was
much of her but she passionately lov'd him Yet he was to take heed and believe he had need of abundance of discretion to deal with the Women of that Country whose passion of love is sometimes so violent that they observe no bounds that the Sultaness was indeed the most rational she had known amongst them and had the most wit yet tender and passionate as the rest That she and he would be immutably ruined if the Bassa who had no small experience in Amours should once have the least suspicion of the Intrigue That there was not in the Kingdom a man more tender of his honour than he and that all the kindness he had for him would not save him from his indignation if he once came to know he had seen his Wife As much taken as our young Roman was with the pleasant beginnings of his Amours and for all his rejoycings at those evident kindnesses he had received from the greatest Beauty under Heaven yet he could not forbear reflecting on Laura's good counsels but went musing along the Seragilo what course he should take what means he should use against so dangerous a Passion which would certainly bring him to ruin and confusion When the Bassa going to one of his Mistresses met him by the way and seeing him pass by without so much as saluting him he presently fell a laughing and taking him by the arm Now said he I see that you are in love The Count being confounded at his surprizing him in that case made excuses for his fault The Bassa made answer that if he desir'd to be pardon'd he must freely confess the truth and acknowledge himself extreamly disordered at the Merits and Beauty of Laura More Sir said the Count with a very deep sigh than you can possibly express or imagine But it being late and the Bassa not willing to stay he deferred the more particular inquiry to another opportunity and dismiss'd him to his Lodging This was a great happiness and no less pleasure to the young Lover who was not then in a condition to give the Bassa an account of his Amours Part of that night he pass'd walking in his Chamber as if he had intended to come to a Resolution before he went to bed It was not the fear of death or misfortune that troubled him but the horrour of ingratitude and having received so much kindness from the Bassa thought it inexcusable in him to have any unjust designs on his Wife But then says he should I not be the most ungrateful of men should I slight the affection of so charming a Person to whom if I consider her obligations according to their value I owe more than to the Bassa And is it not possible for me to see and to love her within bounds so as to be blameless on the one side and the other No no if there be ingratitude in that I cannot help it there is nothing in the World can excuse me to the Sultaness and love ought to make my excuse with the Bassa This was the last Combate between gratitude and love in the heart of the Count the last carried the day and going to bed thereupon he rested very well The Bassa who was extreamly desirous to see him so deeply in love that he should not be able to deny it was the first that spoke to him to return again that day to the Sultaness Lodgings he gave him the Key of the Seraglio and laughing told him he need not make such haste to come back if he found as much pleasure as he wisht him there but that he must have a care he did not engross all the love to himself but he should give Laura some part unless he were minded to languish as he had done a long time to no purpose The amorous Italian went straight to the Seraglio and Laura who waited for him told him at his arrival he might pass to the same Chamber he had been in and that she would give her Lady notice of his coming but she not having the patience of waiting so long was got already into the Alcove The Count having an extream curiosity and longing for a sight of that place thought it convenient for the purpose to make use of that time when he believed the Sultaness was absent and coming up to the Ballistre gently took up the Curtain But how was he surprized to see on the sudden that charming Person in a Posture the most capable of any to make one in love I shall not trouble you with a description of the Alcove which being a Room of State for the Wife of so puissant a Lord you may easily believe was very noble and rich It was raised a foot higher than the Chamber the approach to it being by a space cover'd with a fair Turky Carpet checkquer'd with little squares of Damask wrought with Gold The Sultaness lay on a Bed of Damask of like work and having design'd to shew her self that day to the Count she had not forgot to put her self in an equipage and posture capable to charm him at first sight she had turned her face towards the Ballistre leaning her head carelesly on her left arm which you might clearly see in her great Tiffany sleeve after the Turkish mode Her black hair was partly pleated with great ropes of Pearl parting down on her Breast and part on her shoulders and set off the clearness of her delicate Complexion vying with the Snow in whiteness to so much advantage that it wrought wonderful effects in the beholder She had about her body a small Gold Bodice only her bosom being half open and the rest cover'd with a piece of fine Tiffany like an Amazons Scarf all was visible from her Neck to her Breast and so admirable to behold that it had been impossible for an eye having seen it as the Count did to escape being enamour'd of it she had on her head plumes of several colours and in the midst of them a crescent of Silver Her Coat was of a light Stuff Imbroydered with Gold after the fashion of the Country with Diamond Buckles to tuck it up at the knee her Leg was half naked and the rest covered with Buskins all laid over with Diamonds and Pearls in a word she was all so Rich so Gallant so full of Charms that the poor Count was utterly undone at the sight His joy and astonishment were visible to her in that confusion of action and words in which he was so miserably plung'd that he knew not what was become of himself nor what he would say to her But falling into an Extasie and wholly swallowed up with admiration his Eyes and his Sighs were Orators for him The fair Sultaness as soon as she saw him would with a Handkerchief she had in her hand have covered her face and hid from him part of the confusion she was in But the happy Lover recovering courage by degrees passing his arm betwixt the Ballistres hindered her from it Once
you might have had reason Madam said he to have kept from my sight those treasures of love as knowing full well that no man can see them without dying for love of them but now 't is too late to conceal them from me I have seen more than any heart is able to bear without yielding it self and it would be extream cruelty in you not to compleat what is so happily begun As the Count was speaking to her in this manner she look'd upon him with eyes so tender and piercing that she seemed willing to execute what he desired The crafty Count having seiz'd one of her hands to which as he look'd upon it he gave a thousand amorous kisses by little and little drew it out so far on his side with so feeble resistance from the Sultaness that she came at last to lean her head on the Ballistre just over against the head of the Count. Then it was he had full liberty to take a view at his leasure of those Beauties that put him to amazement and ravished him with such joy as he had never before been sensible of As ill luck would have it the Ballistres were so close that not any two of them stood half the head distance one from the other However the two Lovers meeting half way made a shift to slip through a great number of Kisses the most charming and sweet that Lovers e're tasted The Count being naturally bold made one Liberty but a step to another and seeing what he was permitted to do and the pleasure she took in it he press'd his amorous temerity so far that what he did may pass for half an enjoyment Till then their entertainment was made up of dumb engagements a thousand times more eloquent than the finest expressions in the World Their eyes their sighs their actions their toyes had spoken a Language intelligible enough to perswade both they loved one another intirely They had no need of other conversation yet Laura arriving they changed it a little but they spoke before her the most tender and most passionate things you can imagine The Sultaness who had that confidence in her as to conceal nothing from her was not troubled at her coming But the Count who took not so much pleasure in these discourses though very obliging as in those dumb entertainments made a sign to Laura to take the other turn at which the Sultaness seeming a little angry let down the Curtain and so fastned it behind that he could not take it up But this being in Jest and to provoke his passion the more her rigour was short-lived and Peace presently made more firm than ever The first favours give a priviledge for others and a kind of right not only to hope but demand them The Count to be reveng'd of his Mistress for the piece of spite she had done him thrust both his Arms between the Ballistres and embracing her on the sudden kissed her with that violence that he forced Blood out of her lips The Sultaness was so far from complaining of the rudeness of his Caresses that being charm'd with the pleasure of them she carefully saved all the Blood on her Handkerchief to preserve it as a Trophy to shew Laura as a most sensible mark of the extream Passion her dear Alexander had for her Let me acquaint you by the way with a rarity of those parts that for a Woman to have been beaten by a Man she loves is esteemed in that Country a great evidence of affection to the party beaten I confess such favours are somewhat rude but 't is the temper of the Country and such is their custom As for the Blood that came from the lips of the Amorous Sultaness we may believe it proceeded from a transport of Love With us one may be bitten but not beaten through extremity of this Passion but blows exceed the limits of Gallantry and that Woman must be an African that loves to be so courted 'T is a fashion will never pass in Europe and though they use it sometimes yet never to oblige Women none of whom that I know of were ever pleased with a bastinade The rest of this visit having been spent in foolery and toys though sometimes of much moment in matters of Love I will not trouble you with the particulars Laura who was not far distant from the Lovers appeared at the least sign of their pleasure to have her attend The Count and the Sultaness bid each other adieu with the greatest kindness imaginable And Laura brought him to the Door of the Apartment so deep in Love he scarce knew where he was He went directly from thence to the Bassa who instantly observed the visible change of the Count 's former Sadness and Melancholy into a tender and languishing air at which the Bassa taking occasion to laugh said Well Alexander hath Love plaid his part well Is it your pain or your pleasure hath so charm'd you to day I confess Sir said he with a sigh it is the pleasure I have met with but pleasure I fear which may cause me much pain The Bassa believing that to be the Confident of the Count's Passion might be of some use took him by the hand and led him to the Garden to take a turn in the Walks He fell presently upon the subject of his good Fortune and prayed him to tell him truly how his Affairs stood The Count having his Heart and his Fancy all full of Love with very great ease gave him such a ravishing description of his tenderest affections and painted the pleasures he had taken that Evening so much to the life adding his sighs and exclamations with gestures and looks so eloquent and passionate that he awaked in the Soul of the Bassa the affection he had formerly for Laura and lately laid asleep What care soever is taken to cure one of this passion still there remains enough in the Heart of a Lover to set it on fire by the least spark that falls on it The insensibility and resistance of Laura had not Ice enough in them to quench all the heat of the Bassa's affection She had only covered it with ashes to preserve it the better against another time Had the Count acted like a Politick Lover he had easily fore-seen how ticklish and dangerous a business it is to make such representations before Persons who are amorously inclined and especially before a Man whom he had reason to consider as a Rival and in whose Power it was to dispose of him as he pleased But the truth is that in speaking thus of Laura he thought he hazarded nothing of his own he had really no kindness for her but hoped to do his own business the better in making the Bassa believe that he lov'd her which is the reason he did not carry himself in this with so much caution as he would have done in another conjuncture The Bassa slept not that Night Laura appear'd a thousand times more handsom and charming in
for love of me what a cruel assault have you but now endured The Sultaness did nothing but laugh at the last adventure she had been in and told him she took more pleasure to see Chabania's despair for whom she had ever a natural aversion than she had suffered of harm by her outrage and violence But she confessed the same time that she was in extream perplexity when she met with the Bassa ranging over the Garden in search of that Woman and that it was the highest piece of good fortune imaginable that she had her Barnus with her to hide her self in She added that her dear Husband had said to her a thousand gallant things and had done also some things a little extraordinary but that it was her good fortune to be not far from the Bower and to make her escape She told him further that there remained no more doubt of the Bassa's being newly fallen in love with Laura and that she was very well assured of it by the kindness of his expressions and the transports she observed him in at this rencounter that this was the true cause of all their alarms and the reason why he brought him not into the Seraglio as formerly The Count was of the same judgment and both held it necessary to make good use of the occasion and that Laura who was to act the principal part should imploy her best address and complaisance in their favour The Bassa taking small pleasure in the Garden after the unhappy success of his amorous designs having done his endeavour to pacifie Chabania would bring her back to her Lodgings and pass'd by Alexander's Bower to let him understand it was time to withdraw The Count followed him immediately being extreamly joyful to have come off so happily from a walk that had prov'd so full of adventures He bore his dear Sultaness company into her Apartment where he staid not long for fear of the Bassa but withdrew to his lodging He past the rest of the night very pleasantly though he slept not at all and the truth is he had reason enough to be well pleased though his Patron had not who was more labouring under mortal afflictions Laura whom he now was more deeply in Love with than ever put him in despair by her Rigours and Cruelties if no more pity from her then no more pleasure to be expected in his life His great affection for Alexander could not keep him from being his rival and wishing to share with him in the favours she did him His passion was arrived at a point which is the highest of sufferings that of not being loved and when he thought of the opportunity he had let slip the night before when he had Laura in his power he was so cruelly vext he could have found in his heart to be revenged of himself yet he had no great cause to blame his discretion for he had done enough and unless he would have driven hiâ— Gallantry to the last push of all he could not haâ—â— done more He was not willing to declare himself to Alexander nor acquaint him with the thoughts he had newly entertained as well to prevent the displeasure he believed it would give him as for that he conceived the Count might be of use to him in the design and that the discovery might be to his prejudice In the Morning as soon as he was up he went as he sometimes was used to the Count's Chamber without any attendant and found him in bed A Man said he must be as happy as Alexander in his Love before he can sleep as quietly as he If there be any answered the Count hath cause to commend his good fortune on that account it must without doubt be a Person of your comliness and Gallantry who to gain love need no more than say you are in love Yes replyed the Bassa with a smile except it be to Laura who hath made me very sensible that I can sigh to no purpose and that the master of her person may not be the master of her heart It was necessary that Alexander should come from Europe to Africk to make that Conquest This Sir replyed the Count may be an instance of the Vagaries and Extravagancies of Love who often knows not where to fix but follows the effects of destiny or the Stars which are predominant over the affections And I believe Sir added he smilling as for the Love of Laura you are already very well satisfied and so little concerned where she bestows it that you never designed to make me in Love with her that you might be my Rival However said he observing the Bassa sigh I assure you should it so happen you cannot do me a greater favour than in letting me know it And you shall find that all the passion I can have for her shall not hinder any performance of the duty I owe you I will quit all my pretentions as I know you have the least design upon her that I may prevent all dispute with a Person to whom I am so deeply oblig'd that there can be nothing so dear to me but I will part with it for your sake Believe it Alexander answered the Bassa it is not so easie a matter to be disingaged from a passion like yours you may as well perswade me you cannot be in Love I am certainly in Love replied the Count and it may be as deeply as possible but having so many favours daily heaped on me from you there is nothing in the World I shall Love more than your repose and satisfaction And Sir if Laura appear now as amiable as formerly to you I must tell you again I love her no longer so easie a matter was it for the subtile Italian to be generous in parting with that in which he was so little concerned The Bassa asked him if he would say as much before Laura He answered he believed him too just and too gallant to desire him to make a declaration of that nature before one who had been his Mistress At last the Bassa proposed another walk in the Garden that very day and at the same time prayed him to write about it to Laura which the Count having not been able to avoid received his answer The burnt child dreads the fire we do not commonly expose our selves twice to the same danger The Bassa 's usage of me last night gives me small encouragement to trust him the second time And you are an eye witness how ill I was handled by her he had with him Let it satisfie you that if you come hither I will have the honour to see you But no more walking The Bassa much troubled at so unexpected an answer went out of the Counts Chamber without saying a word and pass'd in solitude the rest of the day But in the Evening he went to the Sultaness where he presently met Laura who inquiring of Alexander and why he had not brought him with him would it displease you said the
Bassa if I supplied his place this Evening that were too great an honour for me replied Laura smiling but the Sultaness expects you and is not very well The Bassa gave her his hand and would have led her into a private Chamber Laura perceiving it and that he was in good earnest prayed him to let her go that her Lady was not well and he knew well enough she could not endure her being a moment out of her sight I I replied the Bassa the Sultaness is sick and cannot be a moment without you but 't is because ' t is desire to pass that moment with you had it been Alexander you could have staid a little longer The Bassa said this with so pleasant a tone she could not forbear laughing You know Sir replied she 't is another case when you are with the Sultaness Besides Sir added she smiling one would venture a little for a Sweet-heart Well well said he pressing her to go along with him 't is love hath brought me hither I Sir answer'd she striving to get away from him and 't is Love obliges me to avoid the occasion of being found alone in your company for though I know you a most accomplished Person you will allow me to tell you you have not too much respect for our Sex and 't is very hard trusting you witness your assaults last night in the Garden The Bassa made her a thousand Oaths he would keep within the bounds of that respect and discretion she might expect from the severest vertue and protested he desired only one quarter of an hours discourse Laura who knew the violence and obstinacy of his humour when denyed any thing he held reasonable to be granted him disposed her self to entertain him that quarter of an hour He reproached her a thousand times for her hardness and cruelty against him and gave her withal the kindest words and the most tender and passionate expressions imaginable Laura to defend her self pleaded her Honour her Religion and her Duty to the Sultaness her Mistress three things she would not betray for the World Had you but a little Love for me said the Bassa with a sigh you would not find so many reasons for defence I have my Religion as you have yours and the Precepts of it perhaps as severe as yours but Love is stronger than all the Precepts the Laws the Religions of the World and those who serve him worship no other God As for the Sultaness how are you concerned that is my business not yours and it shall be your fault if ever she know it But what do you tell me of Honour Surely 't is more for your Honour to love a Man as I am than to love such a one as Alexander You mistake your self Sir answered Laura if you think that in the visits he hath made me there hath any thing pass'd contrary to my duty 'T is not with those of our Nation as with the People of this Country We may be together and no body by yet my Honour secure I swear to you Sir Alexander never received that favour from me which I could not afford the Person for whom I am the least concerned in the World The Bassa interrupted her what not in the Garden Neither in the Garden nor any where else replyed she had he ever any other advantage than a sight of me which with us is accounted for nothing Can you make me believe answered the Bassa what you say Laura told him there was nothing more true and he might rest assured of it But Sir said she for your better satisfaction bring him no more hither and you shall see whether I make my complaint for it 'T were pity replyed the Bassa to destroy so fair a friendship and I do protest to you that were it in my power I would give you no trouble but I am not so much Master of my self to gain this point on my heart to be unconcerned in your Love But since you love Alexander with so much indifference that you can so easily resolve not to see him more I have no cause to afflict my self but rather to hope you may one day love me perhaps as much as you do him After these words the Bassa retired with a heart a little better at ease than when he came in but as deeply in Love as before He gave not an intire and firm credit to what Laura had told him of her indifference and small concernment for Alexander but did believe her passion for the Christian not so great as he had imagined or that their Love had been cooled by some quarrel for he had observed on the one side and the other more indifference than is usually consistent with that passion But then reflecting suddenly on himself may not this be said he resuming his jealousie and diffidence an effect of their policy may they not be agreed to deceive me and being already sufficiently assured of one anothers affections may they not pretend they have no Love for one another that they may Love one another with greater security No no adds he this cannot be there is no hiding of Love it will appear if not smothered to death She loves not Alexander at all or loves him but indifferently thus he the more easily perswaded himself to be so in that he did most passionately desire it might be so and thence-forward his passion increased so fast it became greater than ever Hope being a passion that more than any other foments that of Love easily promises it self happy events and flatters it self with expectation of good fortune and success Laura gave the Sultaness an accompt of all the pleasant discourse and the Sultaness could have wished Laura had not been altogether so severe to the Bassa but a little more kind and complaisant without which she thought they could not see Alexander so often as she desired Laura on the contrary told her that to have been complaisant would have spoyl'd all for that the Bassa would then have entertained some hopes of favour from her and so become more amorous than before and consequently more jealous of his supposed Rival than ever What shall I do then said the poor Sultaness who can do nothing but fear and cannot expect any thing but crosses and misfortunes Laura told her things were not in so desperate a condition that she need trouble her self for it for the Bassa had promised to send Alexander on the morrow and that they would consider with him how to order their business The Count did not know that the Bassa had been with the Sultaness but having not heard from him that day he went on the morrow to wait on him at his rising He found him abed so dejected and melancholly that he might by his countenance easily discover the heaviness of his heart Yet he received him with that air of kindness and friendship might well assure the Count he was not displeased with him The Bassa was silent a while and then looking
once more being the last time The Count took it ill that she made so shy of shewing her self to a Person to whom she was too much obliged to deny him his request in such a conjuncture what cause soever she might have had of quarrel against him Besides he was particularly concerned to press her to shew her self for the last refuge he had was his hope that the Bassa's tenderness for her would perhaps at the moment of parting take fire afresh and make him change his resolution with these thoughts he went to her and gave her all the reasons he could invent to be reconciled to the Bassa and let him see her a moment but all to no purpose He had not one word of answer which angered him so that having taken her twice or thrice by the arm to make her rise he was just going to force up her Barnus and threatned to do it but the Bassa would not suffer it bidding him force her no further that she had cause enough to complain without doing her new violence for love of him But says he let us make use of the time and since she is brought hither to our hands and you have no more to do but embark let us finish what we have begun and perform what we have undertaken there never can be a fairer opportunity and I cannot think that Laura will be sorry to leave such a Country as this or part with us to go along with you The Sultaness in all probability is yet asleep let us not stay till she awake We must presently carry Laura as she is in the Basket into the Ship you shall bear her company and as soon as you arrive you shall hoise sail and away as for me I will pass the rest of the day at Bardou and give out such orders as may be necessary that in case the Sultaness miss Laura and find she is escaped you may not be staid Having said this he sent a Moor to the Port with order to have a Shallop in readiness to carry Laura and Alexander aboard the Christian Vessel riding at Gouletta This done he sent for the Captain of his Guards and bid him accompany the Count and commend the care of that Basket to the Moors who were to carry it along Having given these orders he had no more to do but bid his dear Alexander adieu and having embraced him with tears in his eyes he bore him company to the Shallop and from thence went to Bardou with a heart full of grief The poor Count was more to be pitied He was not much concerned to express how sorry he was to part with the Bassa but as for the Sultaness whom he could have wished to have seen once more at least his trouble to leave her was so great that he felt not the grief he should have shewed when he bid the Bassa adieu who had so highly obliged him When he saw he must part and no hopes of seeing her his heart was so full he could not speak a word the tears ran down his cheeks which much moved the good Bassa who thought they were shed for him and was not displeased to see himself outdone by a Man who was not ungrateful and cordially loved him At last he saw him embarked and bid him the last adieu The afflicted Count was so oppress'd with grief that from the Haven to Gouletta having given his heart a little more liberty than he durst have done in presence of the Bassa he let fall such lamentable expressions looking towards the Town that the Captain of the Guard and the rest that accompanied him were extreamly astonished and moved to compassion By good luck they understood not Italian but his gestures his tears his looks and the colour of his countenance expressed an unparallel'd trouble and affliction He no sooner got a board the Ship but he threw himself on a Bed and was so much beside himself that he did not as much as think of his Basket but the Captain of the Guard had eased him of that care and caused it to be carried into his Cabbin after which he took leave of him and having commanded the Captain of the Vessel to hoise up his Sails he went into the Shallop and returned to Tunis then was it that Alexander finding himself alone in his Cabbin abandoned himself to the torment of his grief Ah Fate said he unjust Fate what have I done that you use me so cruelly that you force me away from a Person without whom I cannot live Ah my Sultaness dear Sultaness must I leave you must I absent my self from you for ever For ever said he again rising up Ah Heavens let me rather be set ashore I shall find pretence enough with the Bassa let me rather trust Love than Fortune she hath betray'd me Whatever happen I must die and I had rather die at her feet whom I love than at this cruel distance Having said this he went to see if they were still at Anchor but found they were already a great way from Land and sailing with a favourable wind had almost lost sight of Gouletta What despair was he in Ah my heart said he there is no remedy now I must perish Dear Sultaness added he taking his Sword in his hand see whether I am guilty of this absence and receive the Sacrifice I make you of my Life with that he drew his Sword and was going to thrust himself through when on a sudden the Person in the Basket who had thus far hearkned to all he had said threw her self upon him to prevent further mischief Let me alone to finish a life which cannot but be unhappy at this distance from all that I love Ah dear Alexander answered the Lady embracing him with all tenderness her joy not permitting her to say any more The Count finding immediately notwithstanding the trouble and transport he was in some difference between this voice and Laura s looked behind on the Lady who held him in her arms But what an astonishment what a charming surprize was it for a heart like his and in the condition he was in to see that it was the Sultaness her self THE HAPPY SLAVE The Second Part. OH Heavens Is it you Madam cry'd the Fortunate Lover Is it you says he again overwhelmed with a full Tide of Joy flowing so fast it had almost made him speechless may I believe that I see you the moment I thought I had utterly lost you Oh happiness unparallel'd and beyond expectation But Madam direct me I beseech you where to pay my Devotion am I obliged to Love or to Fortune Your thanks are due dear Alexander said the Sultaness for the Design to Love and to Fortune for the Success The Happy Lover extreamly amazed at so surprizing an Adventure found in himself so sudden an alteration from the depth of Grief to the height of Joy that to enjoy more fully the present pleasure of so blessed a change he thought his moments too
Attacks are Proofs of it and if these Artifices are employed in a Profession wherein is seen so much generosity what is there not practised in others Philemon I am perswaded there is ever something that is mean and low in lying and dissimulation There have been great Captains who would never have recourse to Stratagems they would win a Victory not steal one Dorante I confess this is a generous Sentiment and it is observable that only weak Animals endeavour to supply by craft the defects of strength which Nature has not giv'n them Erastus If Cleonice will give me leave to speak when Dorante has done I would say that if there be any sincerity in the World it is to be found among Embassadors Belise But Embassadors may without scruple disguise the truth Having received their instructions it is not permitted them not to follow 'em this would be to betray their Master and to fall into an unpardonable Crime Philemon What may we not say of Lovers They lye continually in the protestations they make and their Mistresses are no less dextrous at dissimulations In fine they torment themselves they groan they dye and yet are scarcely got out of their Mistresses sight but they make a party in the divertisement with the first friend they meet Belise These light words you speak of are so common that they cannot be condemned as lyes when there is no design mixt with them of deceiving A Lady who hears her eyes praised of her mouth looks on this piece of Gallantry only as a gaiety of Fancy which Custom has authorised But what Lyars should we not find should we run through the different professions of Men from the highest to the lowest Cleonice We should have too much to speak of should we enter on each particular and if on the other hand we should examine the falsities wherewith the Arts deceive our Senses either agreeably or with horror Erastus We are not now to moralize on the Vices of Men nor on the Marvels of the Optic We treat only of Conversation and it is sufficient to shew that a Lyar cannot please in a serious Entertainment Dorante We are agreed that we would have such a one be silent for we are soon weary of hearing what we do not believe We so greatly love truth that those who never speak it are very willing that others should not disguise it from them and I believe there are only Romances and Poetry wherein fiction can divert And here a resemblance to truth is required and a relation that wants it would not draw much attention So when a Man has a design to please by his discourse he should mix methinks a Character of sincerity to the agreableness of his expressions and behaviour It is hereby that a discourse pleases and insinuates it self on the contrary we hear with uneasiness as I said before what we do not believe Philemon But how will you distinguish an effective sincerity from that which is only so in appearances You know that they are ordinarily only persons of Wit who dissemble and you cannot doubt but they use all their Art to disguise the truth Dorante I confess they are more capable of dissembling than your gross dull people and therefore it is we see less sincerity at Court than in the Country and we see a subtiliz'd sort of People in a Neighbouring State whose words are not greatly relyed on However it is not impossible to make the distinction you speak of provided a Man has a piercing and discerning judgment A man that would appear sincere without being so in effect does oftentimes discover himself even by the care he takes to conceal himself He forgets nothing to attain his ends but it is not so hard as you imagine to perceive certain efforts he makes to perswade The earnestness which he shews and the turn which he gives to his expressions are observable Frankness guides it self in a direct contrary manner it tends plainly where it would go It has a more open Air appears in the eyes in the gesture and all the countenance In stead of having recourse to Ornaments of Language it rejects them as fruitless it is an enemy of ostentation and neglects the appearing wholly and fully what it is It speaks without Art and with Confidence and yet never fails of making a soft impression Whereas scarce have we perceived the artifices of a dissembling Person but so far are we from being pleased in hearing him that we are at a defiance with him as imagining he is always ready to deceive us An ingenious carriage produces different effects agreably insinuates it self and according to the intentions it may have it sets our hearts at rest or moves our affections Belise However it is to be considered how far sincerity should proceed for I find nothing so ridiculous in Conversation nor nothing more incommodious in the occasions of life than for a man to speak whatever comes into his head Dorante You know Madam that sincerity has its bounds as well as all other Virtues and I do not think we are obliged to imitate the simplicity of a Countrey Lover who declared his Passion in a manner which I think was very pleasant He swore to his Mistress that he was desperately in love with her and yet he could not consent to marry her How said she in a Rage can you pretend you find me such a one as you like and yet not willing we should spend our Days together To speak ingeniously replied he I can love you as my Friend but I am of the Humour of my Father who would never marry Erastus Though he declared himself very ingeniously a Bastard yet he hurt thereby no body but himself whereas there are Simplicities which perplex a whole Company And of this I have an Instance in the beginning of the last Month when the Court was at Fontain-Bleau We were together in the Countrey Timante and I and we visited in our Journey honest Merigenes to whose Politeness and Capacity I suppose you are no Stranger Cleonice seemed shy of travelling with two Men and therefore took one of her Friends along with her called Melicerte I cannot tell whether you know her but I can truly say that if she be not handsom she is young and witty She was of so an agreeable Humour the first Night we supt at Merigenes's that the Good Man shew'd himself really smitten with her and addressing himself on a sudden to Timante I wonder said he to him you should reckon Melicerte homely I find you but a bad Judge of Beauty and I 'll never trust you in these matters again Consider I pray you into what Confusion this Simplicity cast us Timante did what he could to repair the Fault he had committed in speaking without doubt too freely to a Person of Merigenes's Humour Remember more punctually my words answered he I told you that Melicerte was a very amiable Person and yet the Charms of her Face were not
sublime Spirit vast and penetrant an happy Memory a solid Judgement and delicate Discernment As for the gifts of the Body all the World immediately declares it self for the Beauty of Women and the good Meen of Men and for my particular I prefer Health and a noble and free Air in all manner of Behaviour We forget not the Favours which we hold of Fortune It is she which gives Riches and Honours And I dare even affirm she often contributes to our Glory in conducting us as it were by the Hand into conjunctures which become happy to us But say we in few Words that true Merit consists chiefly in the good use we make of the different advantages we now mentioned I will follow the Custom we have to refer this discussion to Morality without charging our Conversation with it However I cannot but say something of Valour and Liberty which are my two favourite Virtues It is certain that to be charm'd with 'em I would have them be in all their purity without mixture That Valour lead us to brave Actions without proceeding to Rashness that it be accompanied with a prudence which may make us fear the ill Success which may be attributed to us in a word that it marches to glory through perils without Ostentation I likewise require that it have no need of any assistance to render it self worthy our admiration That it be not sustained either by Ambition nor Anger nor Revenge That in a Battel Emulation Shouts and Cries make it go neither farther nor with more earnestness than if it saw it self alone and disarmed Neither do I know whether I should give it the name of Virtue how blazing soever it were if it appear'd to me unjust Belise There are then few Conquerors whom you esteem and I believe you spare neither the reputation of Caesar nor the glory of Alexander Philemon I confess I would have Equity reign every where So that I would not condemn those who reproach Caesar for having opprest the Liberty of his Country and who cannot bear with Alexander's carrying Fire and Sword into Countries where they never so much as heard of him Let 's instance for Example a great Monarch who makes only lawful Conquests Here 's what I read this Morning of it Has he ever attack'd any place without winning it Has he ever giv'n Battle without vanquishing Were ever better disciplin'd Troops seen Troops more zealous more ready to fight and signalize themselves What Conquerour surrounded with warlike Nations has stretch'd the limits of his Conquests so far in so short a time What Warriour has triumph'd over such puissant Confederates and ever rendred his Dominions more redoutable and flourishing Here 's what was said heretofore of an Illustrious Warriour whose Valour rais'd him to the Empire He practices himself alone all the Military Virtues and it is an admirable thing that being above all Corrivals he contends for glory with himself he endeavours to ravish it from his first actions by others still more glorious As to what concerns Liberality I would have it no less exempt from Ostenation than Valour I would have it readily shew'd in a grateful manner and the most seemly as is possible when it is to relieve persons who want necessaries for their Subsistance But I require on the contrary that one give in the sight of as many People as is possible when the gift is the recompence of Merit In a Word I would have a liberal Person to do as one of my Friends did whose liberality is thus mention'd His Liberality equals that of a magnificent Prince in the greatness of Presents and surpasses it in the choice of Persons Those who receive his Benefits are the only Persons that can speak of ' em In fine his generosity would be more universally admired if it were not so great because more Persons would comprehend it in an Age wherein this Virtue is so rarely practis'd in it's perfection Loving as I do extreamly this beneficent humour you would have me speak more of it and enlarge my self a little on the bounty of a great King One cannot speak more advantageously of a private Person than to say that he has the spirit of a Prince and one cannot better praise a great Potentate than in saying he has the goodness of a private Person That in a condition which permits him every thing he endeavours only to satisfie others Was ever seen in a mean fortune so much goodness as he shews in the midst of his greatness Whilst all Europe lies prostrate at his feet imploring his protection or redoubting his prowess it seems as if he had need of the least of his Subjects so sensible is he of their afflictions so earnest is he to offer 'em remedies so favourable an ear does he lend to their supplications This incomparable goodness extends it self to all conditions the great receive every day Testimonies of it the People every minute bless it the domesticks are charmed with it and strangers admire it Of the two parts of Justice he leaves to the Parliament that which disposes of the Punishment of Crimes reserving only that which distributes Recompences He uses his Authority only to restore to repeal to pardon In fine his power appears without bounds when he is to do good and it seems as if it were without Authority when it is to punish The Refusal of a favour is a Language unknown to him and his Closet as well as his Heart is always open to the remonstrances which is made him in behalf of the miserable Belise I take notice in the praises you now made you have spoken only to the advantage of Men and not one Word of Commendation to those of my Sex I believe it is I that hinder you but if I shut your mouth herein methinks Cleonice should open it Philemon Well then for the love of her I will open it I 'll Praise a celebrated Beauty whom all the Court admires and Cleonice will have the pleasure to see one part of her Charms in the piece which I shall set forth Yet Dorante could bettter than I acquit himself in this affair he knows the Author that drew the Picture and the Lady for whom he wrought But what ought I not to undertake to recover your favours I will satisfie you then Madam and recite Word for Word the little work I promis'd provided my Memory will give me leave Here 's in what terms the Painter addresses himself to the Beautiful Lady whose Picture he drew You know Madam that ordinary Beauties goe only to the Painters to seek some new Charms or to get rid of some Defects You only Madam are above Arts which flatter and embellish They have never wrought you on but unfortunately and in making you lose as many advantages as they are wont to bestow on Persons less accomplish'd than you But if you are little obliged to Painting you are less to Dresses You owe nothing to the Science of others nor to
your own Industry and you may securely remit your self to Nature she having taken such excessive Care of you Most Women are handsom only from the Dresses they use What they put on serves to hide their Defects whereas on the contrary whatever you put off discovers some new Charm I shall not give you any general and common Praise The Sun will no more furnish me with a Comparison for your Eyes than the Flowers for your Complexion I might speak of the regularity of your Face and symmetry of every part of your Body But I perceive beyond the observations I have made there are a thousand things to think which cannot be exprest and a thousand things which are better self than thought on You have collected in your self the divers Charms of different Beauties That which surprises which pleases which flatters which touches which sharpens Such a one has resisted a disdainful Beauty which has yielded to a delicate one and delicacy may give disgust to Lovers who like only to submit to disdainfulness You only Madam know how to charm all the World The passionate find in you the Subject of their transports Different Spirits divers Humours contrary Tempers all are subject to your Empire The Charms of your Conversation are not a whit inferiour to those of your Face One is no less affected with hearing you than seeing you You can create a passion for you though vail'd Never was so much Politness seen as in your discourses nothing so lively nothing so just nothing so happily thought In fine Madam what one may say after one has examined you is That there is nothing so unfortunate as to love you nor nothing so difficult as not to love you Having ended this Recital Philemon continued to speak in this manner I see that Erastus is ready to die with Impatience to insult over me His Eyes tell me that what I now gave out for a Picture represents nothing in particular the whole being but a general Description an heap of Expressions which an Author would have pass for exquisite ones Erastus Fear not that I shall complain for not having seen in this Description a certain resemblance which you made me hope for It belongs less to me than the Lady who expected it to make you reproaches Had you been as good as your word Cleonice would have had the pleasure of believing her self handsomer than she is and I the vexation of finding her more disdainful This is a business that is between you and her Philemon It is plainly seen you would set us at odds but Cleonice may easily distinguish in my Recital The Regularity of her Face and Symmetry of every part of her Body Moreover I would fain know to whom may be better applied what I said of Conversation and Politeness Must I declare openly that it was of Cleonice that I spake Cleonice I would advise you not to do it because no body will believe you Belise You understood him well enough he need not explain himself and I wonder my Husband should tell you such fine things in my Presence Let him protest if he will that this is only to practise the Maxim we speak of and that he inserted these indirect Commendations only to praise in an ingenious manner It belongs to Erastus to see whether he will agree in it Erastus I 'll agree to nothing to day I have a controuling Humour in my Head and it is Timagenes who gave it me by his Obstinacy Dorante You have been in a Dispute then let 's know whence arose your Difference and what has caus'd the Heat you seem still to be in Erastus It is observ'd that of late Timagenes has a particular Love for Berenice He was notably set upon for it at Celysire's even to the putting him almost out of Countenance But in fine being ashamed of his Confusion he took Courage and with an assured Tone thus spake Is it any marvel says he that I should love a most amiable Lady Shew me any Snow whiter or any Rose of a more lovely Colour than her Complexion Berenice's Eyes are black great well set and temper'd with such Sweetness and yet so sparkling that the Room she sits in seems to be on fire with ' em Her Mouth is small well shaped her Lips scarlet which as soon as a smile opens them you see the finest Teeth in the World I added immediately that nothing could be truer than what Timagenes had said of Belise Of Belise said he briskly the resemblance of the names deceive you it is of Berenice that I speak So much the worse for your Eyes replied I with a tone of assurance it is not the conformity of names it is the Praises you give to Berenice which have made me believe you rendred justice to Belise Belise I would not interrupt you as soon as I ought The Company it seems must remark after what manner you give Praises whether true or false besides I have not the strength to make you silent immediately for I am a Woman and you give me fine Words Cleonice I shall never hear any discourse of Praising but I shall remember an Elogium which a Friend of Dorante's made for the King Two Shepherds spake therein one an Italian whom I shall call Thirsis the other a German to whom I shall give the Name of Menalca Their Character was as different as the Genius of their Nation Thirsis loved ingenious Arts and Rest Menalca's inclinations lay only for War and his greatest delight was in a tumultuous Life They came to France only to see a King who fill'd all the Earth with his Name After they had considered him with great admiration they looked on one another and immediately knowing one another to be strangers they accosted and enquired the occasion of their Travels They had no sooner understood it but this conformity of design made 'em continue their Conversation But I know not whether I should make them to relate in wretched Prose what they most ingenuously express'd in Verse Dorante Your Prose is well worth my Friend's Poetry only go on Cleonice I will tell you then in few words that Thirsis was astonish'd how the King could so easily govern a great Kingdom as a Father of a Family rules his House He admired the Kingdom should be so flourishing and in so good order even as Menalca admired the Discipline observ'd in the Armies When the Italian acknowledg'd that Paris exceeded Rome for fine Arts and Painting Buildings and Musick the German was charm'd to see with what exactness all that respected the Military Art was observed He said there were never any braver Troops never any better pickt Men better clad better arm'd and more willing to serve If Thirsis mused at Court on a King extraordinary well shaped Equitable Magnificient Wise Merciful Menalca could not be tired in Praising the Armies of a Vigilant Prince Indefatigable and Intrepid In fine not to engage my self farther into a discourse whence I cannot perhaps
the Passions I rather wish a good use were made of them and that they were rendred profitable We love the effects of Clemency and Compassion we admire that which the love of Glory produces and the sequel of Infamy And however decry'd Fear is yet in a thousand occasions she makes up one part of Prudence It is from her that we foresee evils and avoid them What may we not moreover observe if we examine the other passions Erastus It seems to me that we have only the passion of Love to examine there being scarcely any other but it It takes different names according to the difference of its objects Ambition is only the love of Greatness Covetousness the love of Riches and Hatred which appears so opposite to Love is to speak properly only a disguised Love seeing we have only aversion for that which is offensive to us because we love our own preservation Philemon When we had only to explain what Love is do you think we should be without Perplexity Although it be so natural and general a Passion among an infinite Number of Persons which feel it you will find few that can tell you what it is You may be perswaded of what I say by this Philosopher who says that Love is I know not what that comes from I know not where and goes away I know not how Dorante We are so little accustomed to enlarge our selves on this Subject we speak of and to engage our selves in Subtilties which serve only to tire the Mind that I do not think we ought to discuss the Nature of Passions Those who are minded to inform themselves farther may read the Works we have on this Subject and in the mean time content themselves with the Distinctions which we have promised to bring It must be acknowledg'd that we are to blame in condemning the Passions and in being afraid of them They are indifferent in themselves and if it happens they sometimes disturb the Tranquility of our Life there are other Occasions wherein they are of great Help to us Men without Boldness would they march to Glory through Fatigues and Dangers Let 's make another Distinction Shall we call a Man valiant who has done a great Action by an Impetuosity of Boldness and shall we accuse of Cowardise a Person that panick Terror has seiz'd in some Occasion True Valour is when in every Rencounter our Courage disposes us to vanquish the Obstacles which oppose our Designs as a Man must not pass for a Coward but when 't is his Custom to avoid Danger Thus we may reason on the other Vices and on the other Virtues A Magistrate is not to be praised as just for having done Justice once To merit this Commendation he must be in a firm and constant Disposition to render to every one what belongs to him Cleonice I have for this Quarter of an Hour had a Desire to ask you the Reason for the calling Passions those Emotions which agitate the Heart Erastus It is because they make the Body suffer through their Violence Belise I return then to what I have ever said that the Passions are Monsters which are to be rooted out Philemon Are you willing to begin with Shame Women will be very much obliged to you You will free them from a Passion which keeps them in a strange sort of Bondage Were they once without Shame they would have the Pleasure of doing what they liked without troubling themselves about what the World calls Reputation Erastus It 's true that Shame serves as a Guard for our Women and there are other Passions which are necessary for the Commerce of Life The Compassion we have for the miserable leads us commonly to succour one another in our Misfortunes Dorante Does not Emulation excite to obtain the Advantage we want to raise us to the Persons we see above us Cleonice But is there not a Mixture of Envy in Emulation Erastus Nothing is more different than these two Passions Emulation is lively and generous and Envy base and malicious The first is a Regret at our small Desert the other a Vexation which arises from the Merit of others Emulation would raise us and Envy would abase what is above us In fine nothing is more worthy of our Contempt than Envy nothing is more commendable than Emulation It made Caesar weep at the Sight of Alexander's Picture and hindred Themistocles from sleeping near the Trophies of Miltiades You know what Caesar and Themistocles afterwards executed Philemon As to what regards Vices and Virtues I would speak differently of them according to the different Circumstances thereto joyned There was seen heretofore in Greece a Republick wherein Theft was pardoned provided it was committed dexterously and you know well that Robbery found not the same Impunity in any other Country Erastus We have at this Day Neighbouring Nations where the Customs are very different If Dorante would be praised for his Temperance probably he would not go to search Applause on the Banks of the Rhine as you would not advise me to go towards the Tyber if you proposed excessive drinking Cleonice Are Distinctions to be made when we speak of Virtue in general is it not equally reverenc'd by all Nations Dorante Every body does not regard it in the same manner and I know not whether it will not puzzle us to say precisely what it is It 's true there is a natural Equity which is generally approved but it is not less certain that it is diversly practised There never was any Obligation more indispensable than that requiring Children to serve those who brought them into the World especially when they are grown old and find themselves afflicted with Diseases All the People of Europe observ'd so just a Maxim and yet the Scythians who possest more Country than Europe comprehended accused those Children of Inhumanity who let their Parents live under an incurable Malady For their Parts they gave the fatal Blow as a Stroke of Grace and thought it just to terminate thus their Parents Misery They extended further their pretended Charity They eat their Bodies instead of burning or interring them imagining nothing more pious than to give this Sepulture to their Parents for to change them into their proper Substance and make them live again in themselves as far as it was in their Power Consider this well The Scythians commend a Man who comes from committing a Parricide and other Nations punish him as the greatest Criminal Erastus In speaking of the different Manners of People we may cite the Punick Faith which is to say the little Fidelity the Carthaginians observ'd in their Promises It 's certain the Romans had more Probity and I should have more relyed on the Word of Regulus than the Oaths of Hannibal and all his Army Philemon I think it more usual to distinguish the Vices and Virtues according to the Professions of Persons than according to the Customs of their Country A Virtue renders us recommendable only
Actions were the Interpretations Men made of my Refusal of Marriage with these Princes It redounded much to my Honour my Glory was increas'd by it and the World admir'd my Contempt of Love even then when my Soul was wholly possest by it The Aversion I exprest for Foreign Alliances rais'd the Hopes of the Earl of Leicester and Essex seem'd overjoyed at it Not said he as I heard afterwards but that the Queen is discreet in all her Actions and her Choice had she made one had been decent and just But that I think her so fit to reign alone that I could not without extream Trouble see her share her Authority with a Husband who perhaps would in time be her Master The Construction I made of the Earl of Essex's Zeal was suitable to my Affection and the Desire I had of gaining his Heart which I wish'd so passionately that I fancy'd it done and that the pretended Severity that made me slight Kings was the only thing that frightned his Respect and that he had declared his Love to me could he have thought he durst presume to do it The Duke of Alanson not discourag'd by my Refusal of his Brother began soon after to make Addresses for himself and it was not in my Power to deny my Consent for his Voyage to London But what Advantages soever he pleaded in his Favour certain it is the Earl of Essex lost not any he had gain'd over me The Stay of that Prince in England fortify'd the Earl's Interest He was constantly at my Elbow When the Duke of Alanson spoke to me methought I read Reproaches against my self in the Earl of Essex's Eyes The Earl of Leicester watched me as carefully though not with equal Regard from me I rais'd so many Difficulties against the Duke of Alanson's Design that he was forc'd to desist And I rid my Hands of his Person and his Suit without giving him Cause of Complaint You know that after the Death of the Queen of Scots the King of Spain who still makes himself indispensibly subject to a Necessity of opposing me enter'd into a League with the Pope against me And having fill'd the World with injurious Declarations against my Right to the Crown they joyn'd all their Forces to pull it off my Head The Spaniards made themselves on the sudden Masters of Daventer The Duke of Parma laid Seige to Sluys It was high Time to provide for Defence and the Earl of Leicester was sent away with all the Nobility of the Kingdom in the Head of a numerous Army The Earl of Essex was one of the first to follow him and as strongly inclin'd as I was to stay him yet I thought the Man I lov'd ought not to be idle when he had Opportunity by Glorious Actions to merit the Kindness I had for him I will not spend Time in giving you a Relation of a War which perhaps you are sufficiently inform'd of and concerns not the Secrets of my Life It tended to our Advantage all to the very Winds having favour'd our Side When the Generals of the Army arriv'd at London I was carry'd in Triumph to St. Pauls yet the Joy I had to see the Earl of Essex was greater than that for the signal Victory obtain'd Amongst an infinite Number of Persons of several Ranks my Eyes were fix'd only on him And much ado I had sometimes out of Policy to cast a Look on the Earl of Leicester Both of them had done very great Actions I commended them publickly and particularly joy'd the Earl of Essex for the Success of his Valour and Conduct who spoke so much in Praise of the Valour and Conduct of the Earl of Leicester that he was forc'd in Requital to do him Right in giving him openly the Elogies he deserv'd Not long after this Expedition the Earl of Essex fell into a very deep Melancholy I was the first that perceiv'd it and took it for an Effect of some secret Passion I wish'd now and then he would once take the Boldness to declare himself but presently my Reason upon second Thoughts set before my Eyes the Confusion would certainly follow an Explication of that Nature to the Ruine of my Reputation and that high Esteem the World had for me Yet to speak Truth I could not resolve what to do or to wish I am in Love I desir'd to be lov'd again and that was all I could make of it The Earl of Essex in the mean time continu'd sad I was troubled to see him so and fancying my self the Cause I was desirous to know it and resolv'd to fetch it out of him He had full Liberty of Access to me and I enlarg'd it daily But not to expose my Reputation in forcing him to declare himself I pretended an Inclination to favour the Earl of Leicester who since his late Victories had entertain'd new Hopes One Day as the Earl of Essex came to thank me for the Government of Ireland I had bestow'd on him I was loth to lose the Opportuity and interrupting what he would have said in Acknowledgment You need not enlarge your self said I on a thing I am fully assur'd of I take Pleasure in raising your Fortune and wish I could as easily remove your Melancholy as I am pleas'd to give a new Proof of the Sense I have of your Service You may in your Turn oblige me added I who am fallen into a troublesome Conjuncture and find it very difficult to reduce my Affections into a Compliance with the Necessity of the State This presses me hard to provide England a King This Choice is difficult and I have not a mind to make it among Foreigners You are discreet and I have Reason to believe not the least loving of my Subjects I will take your Advice speak your Mind freely what Man in England you think best deserves this Fortune I look'd on him with that Kindness as would have inspir'd the most fearful with Boldness I observ'd in his Eyes extraordinary Emotions and all the Symptoms of a Secret ready to break out The Point appear'd Tender and My Imagination flatter'd Me all would be as I wish'd Your Majesties Resolution answers he will render a Man more Glorious by the Quality of Your Husband than of the Greatest Monarch on Earth Remember said I I expect not a Panegyrick but Advice from You And that your Business at present is to Nominate the Man I am to make King not to Commend his good Fortune in being so The Business is so nice Madam replyed he I dare not speak my mind though Your Majesty order it Did you know said I what moves me to this Confidence in you you would perhaps express your self with a great deal more Freedom But because to bring you to it I must proceed further tell me whether you think the Earl of Leicester deserves to be your Prince The Earl of Leicester answers he is Well Born and a Person of Great Merit and will answer the Honour your
remember of it adds he Did you observe nothing in my Eyes worthy taking notice of And was it possible you should inspire into me so much Love without feeling the Power of it in your self The Friendship I had for the Earl of Rutland and the Progress he had made prevented my speaking of it Yet Time and Absence have but increas'd my Passion And I protest sincerely from the first moment I saw you my Heart was never affected with any but your self A Discourse of this nature may perhaps be thought unsuitable to the Condition I was then in who Mourn'd for a Father and a Husband Yet I had not the Power to be offended with it The Earl of Essex assur'd me I had gain'd his Affection I was willing to gain his and I car'd for no more You will give me leave Madam to pass over my Answers and tell you only the Earl of Essex was very well satisfied with them that we then settled the Correspondence we have so long maintain'd and that we found Occasions and Opportunities to polish and perfect it Thus far you see me ignorant of the Queen's Inclinations I as well as others attributed the Favour we saw the Earl of Essex was in to his Services and his Dexterity in setting them out to advantage But in time I perceived my mistake And as reserv'd as the Queen was found out the Mystery and tremble at the Discovery The Earl of Essex had an elevated Soul and capable of Greatness Ambition might rob me of him and I was willing to fortifie my self against all Misfortunes and to reserve only an Esteem for him But what hopes of doing that now which all my reason and two Years Marriage had not effected At last Jealousie succeeded my Fears and I began to believe the respect the Earl of Essex had for the Queen might proceed from a secret Affection I fretted at this and grieved at the Heart The Earl perceived it and sollicited me long to tell him the Cause I refus'd as long as I was able I am Jealous said I to him at last with a little Heat and afraid I should lose your Affection 'T is not an Unhappiness answers he to see you love me so as to doubt of me But there is no Cause to question my Faithfulness who never lov'd any but you The Queen loves you said I and her Kindness for you with the Advantage of her Grandeur may be dangerous Temptations to your Perseverance The Queen love me Madam Replies he How you interpret her ordinary Bounty which hath perhaps too generously recompenc'd my Services beyond their Merit She is too Haughty and too Great a Mistress of her self to fall into such a Weakness You know what Illustrious Alliances she hath slighted and are to believe she is above the reach of Love There is not a Monarch on Earth but I would prefer you before him answer'd I and measuring the Queen 's Affection by mine I am easily persuaded she may do so too her Eye is always upon you spite of all her Precautions and is never else satisfied and I have observed some Sighs from her which a Heart concern'd as mine cannot hear without Trouble I did not till now know how happy I was says the Earl of Essex but your Jealousie makes me sensible of it Yet Madam give me leave to assure you you have no Cause for it Were the Queen Weak as you Imagine did she offer me her Crown and her Kindness I would by my Refusal let you see though I have Ambition my Love for you infinitely exceeds it To satisfie you of your Mistake allow me to procure her Consent to our Marriage You have mourn'd long enough to avoid all imputations of Indecency It is in your Power to make me the happiest of Men and to clear all the doubts you have of my Faithfulness I was far from opposing the Proposal he made and I was not fully convinc'd the Queen was in Love with him yet I thought if she was he knew it not To let you see adds he I will not conceal from you any Kindness the Queen hath exprest for me I declare I Sacrifice to you one of the handsomest Ladies of the Court who hath a thousand ways invited my Love I prest him to let me know her Name but he conjur'd me to be satisfy'd with what he had said and not to force him to further Indiscretion I gave over Pressing him The Countess of Nottingham Blush'd at this Part of the Discourse having Reason to believe her self the Person intended She Hated him the more for 't but had the Command of her self not to interrupt the Countess of Essex who proceeded in her Story This freedom of the Earl put an end to my suspicions I left him to take his Time for speaking to the Queen When he went to thank her for the Government of Ireland bestow'd on him he return'd to me with a Transport of Joy to tell me The Queen had not only Consented to his Desires but intented to make the Earl of Leicester King of England This quieted my Spirit and made me acknowledge I had no cause to be Jealous We spent some days with a great deal of Pleasure but were Cruelly interrupted by the Order the Earl of Essex received to go into France to command the Forces the Queen sent in aid of that King I had not time to express my Grief to him or to be a Witness of his We parted in haste and then it was I repented I had believ'd him and that the Queen's Coldness towards me convinc'd me of the Truth of my former Suspicions and that her sending away the Earl of Essex was but to remove him from me I left Court as soon as I could with Decency ask the Queen leave to retire into a House of my Fathers about Fifty Miles from London I will not tell you how I was Alarm'd at the News of the Earl of Essex his Death in his Return from Spain nor how we Writ to one another in his absence I was ready to Dye for Grief when he arriv'd at my House more Respectful and more Amorous than he had ever appear'd He would have put me out of my Opinion concerning the Queen But I obstinately maintain'd it True When I had convinc'd him of it he offer'd to leave England if I would name a Place where he might Live quietly I had Affection enough to incline me to Consent to this Proposal But considering it Unjust in me to spoil the Progress of his good Fortune and put an end to his hopes by an Unexcusable Retreat I told him it was impossible And ushering with a Sigh the Advice I was going to give him Forget me Sir said I for I see your Fate will force you to it The Queen will still cross us and never want Pretence to Seperate us 'T is better breaking off an Engagement that suits not with your Affairs Nothing in the World can be a greater Misfortune to me but I
will submit to it if it be for your Good You suspect me of indifference said he interrupting me and you have the Cruelty to advise me to it Did you love me more you would know me better And were I capable of doing an unjust thing I believe you would Exhort me to forget you for no other cause but that you might think of me no more But Madam to shorten our Discourse and our Doubts which almost make me Mad Believe it I love you above all things in the World there is a sure and easie way to satisfie you of it You are not willing to go with me out of England and yet you are still afraid of the Queen Let us Marry privately and conceal it till we see a more favourable Time This will frustrate the Queen's design to our Prejudice you will no longer doubt of my Affection And if the business be discover'd 't is but flying out of the Reach of the Resentments we fear I was strangely mov'd at this Discourse Every thing oblig'd me to believe him Yet considering it would reflect upon my Reputation to be privately Married I was afraid to consent The Earl Complained of me I Cry'd Love was our Arbitratour and decided the Controversie in his Favour After long resistance I agreed to a private Marriage on Condition the Earl would go for London on the Morrow and appear dis-engagag'd to the Queen from all the Kindness he had had from me We agreed to be Married at the Earl of Southampton's his particular Friend where I was to stay while he went for London Thus we parted He took London Road I went for Southampton attended by Tracy a Domestick of the Earl of Essex's in whom he repos'd an entire Confidence As the Earl was on the Road he had leisure to consider what Measures to take My Lord Southampton came to receive me at his House where the Earl of Essex arriv'd soon after he had obtain'd leave from the Queen to Absent himself a few Days We are now come to the Instant that usher'd in our Crosses We were Marry'd in the Presence of my Lord Southampton Tracy and some Women of mine and a Kinsman of the Earl of Essex He gave me an Account how the Queen had receiv'd him and began to confess he believ'd she lov'd him He stay'd but six Days at Southampton in which time we agreed what course to take I was too far from London to see the Earl often without discovering our Correspondence Nothing seem'd more proper to Conceal it than a House he had within few Miles of London on the Thames side It stood alone and was strong enough to prevent a Surprise Having settled my Affairs I was conducted thither by my Lord Southampton and Tracy while the Earl of Essex return'd for London Nothing could be more pleasant than the Solitude I was in My Lord of Essex came to see me every Day And I spent there two Years without a moments Trouble At last an Accident happen'd that miserably perplext us The Earl of Essex had an infinite of Enemies who envy'd him and for all his Caution they took notice of his extraordinary Assiduity for the Place I was in They told the Queen of it She was disturb'd at it more perhaps for the Suspicion she had of some Private Gallantry of his there than for those matters they would have possest her with I gave her no Trouble The Earl's Disengagement with my pretended Journey into France had secur'd her as to me Yet she would go see whether the Earl frequented that House only for the Pleasure of the Place or some hidden Cause One Day as the Earl was with her she gave Orders her ordinary Retinue should be ready to wait on her I have long had a mind to see your Country-House says she to the Earl I have had a very pleasant Description of it The Weather is fair and I believe a Walk so far may do me good You may imagine the Fears this put the Earl in He durst not openly oppose her Design but endeavoured to divert her by saying His House deserv'd not the Pains it would cost her to go so far When he saw her resolv'd upon it he begg'd leave to go before to put things in order for her Reception Nay says she you shall be my Guide There 's no need of Preparation The Earl at these Words trembled for me He was depriv'd of all means of Precaution and the Concern he appear'd in made the Queen more curious Imagine what a Trouble he was in by the way and how often he wish'd something might hinder their Arrival But Fortune favour'd the Queen's Designs so far that they came safe to the House and she would presently go see the Lodgings The Earl astonish'd gave her his Hand The Chamber I us'd was the best in the House and the first the Queen staid at The Earl seeing no Remedy steps to the Door which he found open contrary to Custom and was pleasingly surpriz'd to find only Tracy there sleeping or rather pretending to sleep on a Couch He was quickly awak'd and having express'd his Surprize and Respect immediately withdrew The Earl of Essex who thought him at London began to take Heart fancying his good Genius had revealed the Adventure to Tracy But a new Trouble arose My Picture hung in the same Room under a Curtain The Queen ask'd If it was the Earl's He answered with some Trouble It was not The Queen drew the Curtain and saw her self drawn at length where the Earl thought my Picture would appear Then it was he was perswaded the faithful Tracy had had an Intimation of the Journey The Queen express'd much Joy to see her Picture in the Earl's Chamber From the House she went into the Garden took a short Repast during which Tracy found the opportunity to whisper the Earl He need not trouble himself and return'd to London without the least suspicion Thus Matters pass'd on their side As to ours The very instant the Queen told the Earl of Essex she would see his House the Earl of Southampton was at her Chamber-Door You are come in very good time to go along with the Queen to the Earl of Essex 's says the Officer who was going to provide the Equipage The Earl of Southampton by these few Words quickly discover'd the Storm that threatned his Friend And to provide a Remedy I am not very well said he to the Officer Perhaps the Queen may command me to wait on her I will not go into her Presence Pray let her not know you have seen me The Officer promis'd she should not and Southampton hastened to the Earl of Essex's to tell Tracy who immediately took the best Horse his Master had and put him so well to it that he was with me before the Queen left London I was not a little troubled at the News Tracy hid me and my Women in a Quarter where was no likelyhood of our being discover'd and then chang'd the
highly satisfy'd in her but there are some Husbands who think no Women so bad as their own of which Number Don Fernand was The quiet Possession palled him and being disgusted with the continual serving up of the same diet he was resolv'd to divert himself with change when he could at the Expence of others He had for these some Months us'd to Hunt upon the Grounds belonging to the Grand Master of the Artillery whose Wife though not altogether so absolute a Beauty as his own yet shone with so many charms as that few of her sex could stand in competition with her and withall was extreamly pleasant and divertive in her humour and of the most pleasant and gallant Wit in the World In a Word a Woman exactly fram'd to his own Mould and Temper The Grand Master was a Man perfectly cut out for War and so consequently you may guess very unfit for the Court He bent all his mind to the Duty of his charge and left the Affairs of his House to the manage of his Wife of whom he had a good opinion being of a Temper contrary to the Genius of those of his Countrey not at all inclined to the yellows Some Relation between him and the Viceroy together with the Friendship that was contracted between the two Ladies who had been long acquainted served for an inducement to bring the Grand Master to Court where Don Fernand would needs honour him with a particular Apartment Hitherto all went well neither did any one perceive the Viceroy's design upon Donna Angelica so was the Grand Masters Lady called he spoke not to her but with his eyes and by his handkerchief which in that Country serves for a Love-Interpreter as well as the eyes But now since of an outward he had made a domestick Amour the convenience of daily seeing and entertaining the object of his Ardent Affections encreased his Passion to such a Height that it could be no longer kept a reserve from the quick sight of so penetrating a Lady as his was A little Jealousy is sufficient to disunite two Women A bare suspicion will dissolve the strongest Tye of Friendship that can be between them The Viceroy's Lady began to look very indifferently upon Donna Angelica without assigning to her any reason for it For most commonly one Woman does not love to betray the jealousy she possibly may have of another that seems to her to be such a Point of Honour as she will never but in the last extremity and when she is no longer capable of concealing it discover the reproachful signs of this weak passion in her Donna Angelica soon perceived the change and as soon guest the occasion of it yet she behaved her self in her usual manner towards the Viceroy's Lady A Woman takes an extream Pleasure to see her self beloved especially by a Person of Quality and deserving Merit as Don Fernand was But Donna Angelica shewed so much discretion in her conversation with him that his Lady had nothing to ground a Quarrel on But that discretion was wanting in him whose Passion was raised to such a heighth that it was not in his power to restrain it The Viceroy's Lady who would no longer serve them towards the convenience of their interviews seeing that Donna Angelica abated nothing of her free and indifferent carriage he refus'd her the ordinary civility of entring into her Chamber where he us'd frequently to wait on her and which had serv'd the Viceroy as a pretence in his Visits to her Donna Angelica could not dissemble this affront the injustice of it being too great considering the freedom of her conversation wherewith she had hitherto treated Don Fernand and she was now resolv'd to be reveng'd and spare nothing whereby she could be able to make her jealous in good earnest It is something dangerous to provoke an Enemy when it lyes in his power to do us more mischief then yet he has done Donna Angelica had no sooner seen the Viceroy but assuming to her self a more serious countenance than ordinary Sir says she I know not what Pleasure you can take in making dissention betwixt your Lady and me I Madam answered Don Fernand absolutely astonisht at the Reproach she made him Yes you your self replys she you make her by some of your actions imagine that you love me and she by hers would confirm me in my belief of the same I did not think answered the Viceroy smiling that I could ever have been so much oblig'd to my Wives ill humour as that she should make a declaration of love for me but since it is so Madam I wish she may always continue it for I swear to you nothing is so true as what she would perswade you to And Madam I love you to such a degree as no Man yet ever loved before me I perceive replys she that she is already extreamly jealous but she shall be sufficiently punisht for it Yes Madam replyed the Viceroy if you would but love me a little Not so replied she although indeed any other would do it perhaps through revenge if not through inclination but added she laughing I desire not to push on my revenge so far This Discourse was interrupted by some Ladies who came to visit Donna Angelica and the Viceroy being oblig'd for that time to retire writ a Lettter to the Lady the same day to this purpose Revenge your self Madam revenge your self of the Vice-queen who has had the Curiosity to pry into the secrets of my Heart she is perswaded that none can have so tender and ardent a Passion as that I bear you that I think of none but you that I seek nothing but you and that I have no Pleasure but when I see you and am so happy as to be in your Company It seems she has penetrated into the most secret folding of my Soul and you ought to be angry with her in earnest for since this offends you and it is to your resentment I must owe your kindnesses I would wish to see you so incens'd against her as may make me truly Happy at least you cannot choose a fitter revenge all the mischief will fall upon her and we alone shall enjoy the Pleasure Once more Madam let me beg of you to take your revenge for though there were no subject for it you will however but do an Act of justice in bestowing a little Love upon a Man who is not altogether unworthy of some Place in your Heart being Don Fernand. This Letter was deliver'd to Donna Angelica which she read not without a Smile but return'd him no Answer nevertheless the Viceroy from this time saw that his affairs were not attended with any extraordinary ill Circumstances The Vice-queen perceived she had committed an errour and that by refusing Donna Angelica the priveledge of her Chamber she had given her Treacherous Husband a fair occasion to see her in private Her Jealousy daily encreas'd she imagin'd a thousand times more then was indeed
have caused any unjust suspicions in you by my conduct you mistake me answers the Viceroy I tell you that if you like my Wife it would please me extreamly to see her made sensible of your deserts and you will oblige me by endeavouring to make her so do I now speak plain If this raillery Seignior answers the Count is but to make a tryal of my respect I declare unto you I am so Religious an observer of my Duty that setting aside the high Obligations I have to you so great a Sacriledge would never enter into my thoughts The Viceroy thereupon walkt a while without making any answer and then turning suddenly towards the Count All this says he would be proper for another in another Conjuncture but since I desire not this respect or duty from you can you do me any displeasure think you by serving me my own way I tell you again pursues he raising his voice a little higher you will oblige me extremely if you will make love to my Wife or at least endeavour to make her sensible of your Love Count Henry more astonisht than ever at the strangeness of the proposition knew not what to think nor what answer to make At which the Viceroy laughing I see says he this discourse surprises you and you have reason but I have mine too I love most passionately even more than ever and the greatest Obstacle that opposes my Love is my Wife and what would not a passionate Lover do to remove such an obstacle She is jealous and troubles me continually with her importunities What remedy is there for me I have try'd a thousand ways in vain she hath counter turn'd all my inventions I am continually wearied with her endless complaints and reproaches She follows me where ever I go and poisons with her Presence all the pleasures of my Life I have fancied that something which may amuse her would do me Knight-service and much relieve me and that you are a Man very proper to inspire love into her Soul You are Young Handsome Pleasant in your Humour have abundance of Wit and she has an esteem for you It is true she is proud and haughty but still she is a Woman as other's are For my part knowing the Sex so well I doubt so little of your success that I must desire you to keep such moderation in it as I may hope from a Relation and Friend You are discreet and I confide in you you know well enough how far the service I desire of you ought to extend The Count after some opposition of accepting such an Employment either out of complaisance to the Viceroy or else because the Vice-queen pleased him at length suffered himself to be overcome by the Viceroy's perswasions which reacht so far as to let him understand that he would not complain though to the prejudice of his Honour this amusement should happen to be carried on somewhat further then he desired Thus they parted the Viceroy highly satisfy'd that he had engaged the Count in a service which another would have fear'd to have entred into And the Count on the other side wondring at the charge of such a commission as this which was laid upon him He had never been very much in love himself and he could not well conceive how any one should be so far transported with that passion The Viceroy was to entertain the Ladies the next night at a supper which was to present the New Gallant with an occasion of entertaining his Mistress The Vice-queen as I have already told you was a very beautiful Person and such a one as Count Henry might very well make his applications to without doing himself any considerable violence Yet nevertheless because it was a thing put upon him so he found not in him that inclination which no doubt he would have had had it voluntarily came from his own motion Though her beauty was excessively charming yet the too prodigal bounty of such a Husband was a great allay to a young Heart which is sooner engaged by the difficulty than the too great facility of the enterprise He was at this feast where he appear'd something abasht and his Spirit was seiz'd with such a melancholy which was not usual in him for he was generally mighty Brisk and a Person of one of the best humours in the World The part he was to play had something embroyl'd him and taken off from his accustomed jollity that Evening Not that the declaration of love which he was to make seem'd so difficult to him there is less trouble in saying we love when we do not than when we do but that love is so ingenious as to furnish a Man with a thousand inventions which are impossible to come into the fancies of those that are not possest with that passion The Viceroy's Lady appear'd that Evening more beautiful then ever she gave him fair play because she fell upon him railingly twice or thrice about his melancholy But the Count more frozen and contracted than Ice it self scarce made a word of answer to all the raillery that the fair Lady was pleas'd to bestow upon him The Viceroy lookt on him with an eye of pitty And being asham'd of his want of confidence came up to him and reprocht him with the title of the poorest and most pittiful Gallant he ever saw in his Life telling him if there were no better the Ladies would be very much put to it Sir answer'd the Count I will be what you please to ordain me but I protest I must obey you in it with a World of Distraction for I fear you may lose more by it then you will get And what does it concern you briskly answer'd the Viceroy what I gain or lose do but what I desire you and trouble your self no farther The Count who could no longer excuse himself advances towards the Vice queen who having also a desire to speak with him met him almost half way and told him in whisper she had something to say to him and desired him not to go away before she had spoke with him The Count over-joy'd that she had given him so fair an occasion of obeying the Viceroy deferr'd his Court-ship to that time When it was grown pretty late and most of the Company was retir'd the Viceroy waited on Donna Angelica to her apartment Which his Lady had no sooner seen but she made a sign to the Count to follow her and she led him into her Closet where having made him sit down by her My Lord says she what is the cause why you are so extream melancholy may we not ask you pursued she with a most charming Air whether it be not the effect of some Inclination This question and the freedom she had us'd towards him all that Evening having made him suspect that all this was a trick that the Viceroy and she had before agreed to play him and that they had a Mind to divert themselves at his expence he was upon
and tender in Love that not only I never had any other Design than to love you but also that I never will love any besides your self so long as I live As he was speaking in this manner the Viceroy who was by Accident then walking in Alley that led to this Arbor saw him in this Posture but at the distance he was from them he could not well discern whether it were his own Lady or Donna Angelica that he saw His Reason would fain perswade him it must be the former but there were some Motions of Jealousie that began to torment him having made him apprehend it might be the other he was resolved to be sure and therefore hastes towards them to know the Truth Donna Angelica was the first that perceived him who hastily making the Count rise up from the Ground What have you done Sir says she the Viceroy has seen you and I know not what he will think of it Madam answer'd the Count I know not whether you may have any cause to fear on his side but I am in despair for your sake although not in the least for my own It is upon your account I speak replies she and you know not possibly the interest he will take in it The Viceroy no sooner knew Donna Angelica but changing colour twice or thrice according to the different motions wherewith he was agitated his voice failing as if he had been stabbed to the Heart Certainly Madam says he the Count has either receiv'd or does demand of you some extraordinary favour to be in that supplyant posture I saw him in at your feet One or the other says she being netled at his words may possibly be true but you may better be informed of it from him than me to which purpose I leave ye together The Viceroy would have stopt her but she desired him to let her go with such an air as Don Fernand durst no longer oppose her in it Never was Lover so dissatisfy'd as the Viceroy What he had already seen almost gave him his deaths-wound and for his comfort afterwards she fled from his sight He walkt about there without saying a word his mind being tortur'd with a thousand thoughts each more destracting than other and at last making a stop before the young Neopolitan who was also in as dumb a figure as himself By what I perceive says he to him without looking on him you are one of those who with great difficulty begin to love but when once they are set in none comes amiss to them A few days since you knew not what love meant now one Mistress is too little for you The Count which though young and unexperienc'd in these affairs yet had a piercing wit of his own readily apprehended by the trouble he saw in the Viceroy's countenance as well as by what he had heard him say to Donna Angelica that it was she he was so deeply in love withall and that it was his jealousy only which had made him speak in that manner so that to repair the ill effect of this last adventure he told him that he was utterly ignorant of the ground of this reproach which he made him and that if he were in love it was with the Vice-queen and that too in pure obedience to him and that he had not thrown himself at the feet of Donna Angelica but to render her his Acknowledgments for the many good offices she had done him as to his Lady This reason though plausible enough of it self did not work a perfect cure upon the mind of the jealous Don Fernand but however he was somewhat appeased by it You Italians says he as a small matter obliges you so you carry your acknowledgments to such an excess that one would imagine you had received very high favours and that no less then a perfect surrender of all was made to you when indeed very little or nothing is done for you It was I continued he that desired Donna Angelica to serve you in your love to my Wife and it is to me only you are to owe the Obligation And to leave you nothing more to guess of this business but to repose an absolute confidence in you it is Donna Angelica whom I love and therefore that you might not be any longer deceiv'd and that in leaving the Vice-queen to your dividend let me desire you that you would forget to cast your eyes on the other and to avoid even being seen in her company at least in private If I were in your place I know which of the two would please me best and I must confess there is no Woman I could love better than my Wife were she anothers but she is mine and that title is sufficient to give all Husbands a disgust who are of my humour and constitution Do not think this to be any caprice most marry'd men are of this temper and I know also good store of Wives indeavour to imitate them and so to repay them in the same Coyn. As he was discoursing after this manner the Vice-queen who as soon as she could had got rid of her visitants came hastily into the Garden with a resolution caus'd partly by curiosity partly by Jealousy to over-hear Donna Angelica discourse with the Count and passing through the Labyrinth that she might not be seen she came to the place time enough to over-hear some part of the moral discourse her honest Husband held with the Count she listned with a great deal of patience even with that which exceeded other Women and she heard the Count make her Husband this answer Sir the Vice-queen is certainly one of the most beautiful persons under heaven and a man must be then as you say her husband not to love her but likewise you ought not to fear that a man who is not her husband and to whom you have given the liberty of loving her should not make his advantage of that blessing and should ever dream of engaging himself elsewhere as for my part I will stand firm as a Rock to this inclination as long as you shall think good to permit me This Resolution of the Count 's did a little comfort the Vice-queen for her Husband's contempt who heartily endeavour'd to perswade the young Gallant that he could not make a better choice than that of his Wife nor find a more Agreable Husband than himself provided he came not to one particular point which he kept for a reserve leaving him all the rest They parted thus from the Arbour and being come to the Palace together the Viceroy took his leave to go to Donna Angelica with whom he was to make his peace before he went to bed if he meant to sleep quietly that night As for the Vice-queen she was walking still in the Garden making divers reflexions upon what she had heard What a vexation was it for a person of so many killing charms as she abounded with to think of the rare Dialogue wherein her husband with
his usual eloquence had set forth the esteem and love he had for her Women of what condition or quality soever can never pardon such kind of slights especially those that are handsom She call d him by the most injurious names she could invent Is it possible says she that I can be so little valu'd and that a man for whom I have given my self a thousand torments and whom I have loved hitherto even to the contempt of a thousand that deserv'd it better should himself labour for his own dishonour Oh Heavens pursues she this indifference of his or rather this insupportable injury he does me cannot sufficiently be punished I ought to content a husband that is of this humour I have yet the same charms and winning looks as I had wherewith I might allure a thousand lovers to me without giving him the trouble of seeking them for me he shall not have cause to complain on that score I will see how for his patience will extend and I am a fool my self if I make not him the greatest of all mankind Let me begin with this young Neapolitan I perceive I am not indifferent to him and since he is a Gallant I receive from my husbands hands let me entertain him so kindly as that he may have no cause to be dissatisfyed He will lose more by it then my self With these thoughts she bore her self company to her Chamber and entertain'd her self with them the greatest part of the night during which she confirm'd her self in the resolution she had taken of seconding her disloyal husband's good intentions When a virtuous woman has taken the pains to convince her self and is fully perswaded thto ' the motives of Revenge and Honour that the sin is excusable neither virtue nor honour is of strength sufficient to oppose her The Count was extreamly out of humour that he had met with so unlucky an encounter with the Viceroy's Mistress He foresaw the consequences of it and he was not a little troubled at the Resolution he had taken To think no longer to love Donna Angelica was nonsense because already he was so far engag'd and to continue it was absolutely to ruine himself What in the world to do he knew not as the case then stood if he had been able to believe his interest in this fair one so powerful as to perswade her to agree with him in deceiving the Viceroy they might then keep their love secret but he durst not flatter himself so far as to that point he had a desire notwithstanding to satisfy himself in this particular if he could find ever an opportunity for it without plunging the Viceroy into new suspicions Whilst he was labouring under this inquietude he saw him come into his Chamber The Count altogether surpriz'd at this visit presently judg'd that some great important business had brought him thither The Viceroy observing in his Countenance the trouble that lay upon him to put him out of his pain after he had familiarly seated himself on the bed-side where the Count was laid You see says he smiling what it is to be in love by my being up so early when you are as fast taken in the Amorous lime-twigs as my self you will then sleep as little as I do and passing from this little preamble to the occasion of his visit he told him That Donna Angelica was mightily incens'd against him even almost to the last extremity for what he had said the evening before in the Garden You know pursues he whether I testified any kind of regret or jealousy when I found you alone with her though possibly I might have had very good ground for both But however she has past a thousand severe censures upon that action You must go wait upon her this morning and if she puts you upon that Chapter endeavour what you can to disabuse her but above all be sure to take no Notice that I have spoke to you or that I have in the least made you my confident of my passion for her If she speaks to you of the Vice-queen let her understand that all your inclinations are bent that way for her It is the ordinary frailty of Womenkind to flatter themselves that they are extreamly admired by the men and you having seen them both together she perhaps may think you have made a dividend of your heart betwixt them but let her understand your inclinations let her see your heart is incapable of adoring any more than one Divinity and that having made choice of the Vice-queen you have given up your self absolutely to be subject to her Empire After these and a great many other good Remonstrances the Viceroy went his way and the Count having drest himself to the most advantage he could directed his way to the Palace and found Donna Angelica bright as the Day setting before her Toilet she blusht when she saw him possibly at the remembrance of the last words he had spoke to her and having made him sit down they both remain'd silent perplext I am apt to believe with the multitude of their thoughts rather then want of matter for a Discourse But Donna Angelica unwilling any longer to insult upon the young Lovers disorder took pity on him thereby to retrieve his Courage I thought says she you came here to ask my pardon for the boldness you took yesterday in the Evening but by what I perceive you have forgot it already It is true Madam answers he sighing I am criminal enough to beg your pardon since I have been so unhappy as to displease you but I must confess to you though I were to expiate my fault with the laying down of my life at your Feet I know not whether I could ever repent of what I said to you and if it be a crime to love you I am in danger of being all my life the greatest criminal in the World You do not feat then replies she to offend me Alas Madam says he sighing I dread your least displeasure but love is a God more to be fear'd than you It is high time to explain my self and I am so wretched as not to please you let me then at least understand my misfortune Well Sir says she will you be satisfy'd if I tell you that such a Man as you never sigh'd in vain she could not bring forth these words without blushing but they so strangely possest our young Lover with a joyous transport that flinging himself at her knees he embrac'd them a thousand times She made him rise and told him smiling he should have a care the Viceroy did not find him again in that Posture whom he was to look upon as his most dangerous Enemy I know it Madam says he in a tone wherein there was less assurance and that he is already too well established in your Heart ever for me to hope to displace him it is not on that point replies she you ought to fear him but it is because he will have
Women are less discreet in Love than Men especially when they love as this Lady did Donna Angelica had a dying Impatience to see the Count and was angry at him that he did not rather expose himself to some Danger than suffer her to languish as she did and though she had her self forbid him for some time to come to her yet she would have had him testified to her that his Love was more powerful than her Prohibition and that he lov'd her to such an Excess as made him uncapable of obeying her Besides these Complaints which she thought she had reason to make of him she had her Jealousie also which not a little tormented her She understood that he went every Day to the Vice-queen and though she had advis'd him to do so the better to conceal their Love yet she was so vext at it that she could not pardon him Insomuch that she writ him this Letter upon that Subject When you do not see me the least you can do is to see no body but you have need of Consolation and it is in the Arms of the Vice-queen you find it Ingrateful Man What can you say to this Will you yet say it is to amuse her What can you fear from her You are a Traytor and you endeavour only to deceive all the World me you shall not I assure you Aieu What a Cruelty was this to the poor Count into what a Gulph of Dispair did the Perusal of this Letter plunge him He thought to go and wait on her that very Moment either to justifie himself or die at her Feet But lest his Rashness might ruine them both he thought he could not use too much Circumspection At length he bethought himself that as he had by the Disguise of Womans Cloaths got undiscover'd out of her Apartment so the same Disguise might be favourable to him and get him into it He was young handsome and well shaped his Complexion was such as might become a young Lady And there was no Danger that the Grand Master with whom he had no Acquaintance and who had seen him but once or twice en passant should know him He goes then to a young Lady one of his intimate Friends and desires her to furnish him with a Suit of Womens Apparel that might fit him She brought him one help'd him on with it and it became him so extreamly well that nothing could appear more charming This done he takes the same Lady's Coach and being attended by one of her Women that knew nothing of the Intrigue came to the Palace He goes into Donna Angelica's Apartment desires to see her and is admitted into her Chamber under the Name of Donna Brigitta a Country Lady who came to wait on her from another Lady of her Acquaintance He was no sooner in the Chamber but to his great Confusion he saw the Viceroy there But by good Fortune Donna Angelica who came before him to receive the Stranger hindred the Viceroy from observing his Disorder The Jest was that she did not know him and that she would have him brought him further into the Chamber but the Count soon put her out of her Ignorance by squeezing her Hand and she was so extreamly surpris'd to see him that she stood a good while in a Maze but at last she recovered her self and led him into another Chamber and presently return'd to Don Fernand. But with what Trouble and Disquiet I leave to the Judgment of any Woman that has loved and found her self in the like Circumstances She had with her the most dangerous of all her Enemies at least she lookt upon him as such though he had an extraordinary Passion for her And on the other side was the dear Object of her Desires whom for some Days she had not seen and for the Sight of whom she most passionately languished To compleat all in comes the Grand Master who finding this Lady alone and understanding she stay'd for his Wife who was with the Viceroy being a very civil Person though naturally no great Courtier he thought himself obliged to keep her company The Count as I told you had a very winning Air with him The Grand Master easily mistook him for a Country Lady for he had not seen any so handsome in Barcelona and though he was by his rough disposition not much inclin'd to admire the Sex yet he found this Lady so exceedingly adjusted to his humour that he even surpassed himself he passed a thousand Complements on her after this manner He offer'd she telling him that she was but newly come to Town to show her the Artillery to lead her to the Arcenall and to walk with her upon the Ramparts to salute her with the great Guns and a thousand other things belonging to his trade of War and which he thought a handsom Woman ought to love as well as he This was the sum of his Courtship and Gallantry to her The Count who was very complaisant seriously thanks him as if those were the greatest Obligations he was capable of laying upon him and being desirous to gain his favour he lookt upon him in so obliging a manner as was enough to gain the absolute conquest of his heart And no doubt the Grand Master would at last have made Love had he known how but as that was not his Trade he contented himself with making her several other as he thought signal offers of his Service either for herself or her Friends And I believe he would have also made her a tender of his Purse had not Donna Angelica come in to whom according to the Spanish fashion he was to yield his Place though it was extreamly against the grain with him so to do This amorous Lady had a great deal of trouble to get rid of the Viceroy but it was well repair'd by the charming sight of her dear Count she lookt on him with admiration and blusht not with anger for it was not possible for her to conserve any against so dear and so obliging a Gallant But rather with Love and Jealousie to see him so handsome and so attractive in that figure Perfidious Man says she to him with a charming Air you see every day new ways to surprise me but I had sufficiently been reveng'd on you had the Viceroy or the Grand Master discovered you for they you know are two enemies you ought to fear No it is your self Madam replies the Count whom I fear more than all the enemies in the world besides therefore let me beg of you to give me some assurance that you are not angry with me and I shall be contented And who says she sighing can be long angry with you The very sight of you pleads your excuse Go says she blushing you know too well the way to get your pardon I shall not go about to acquaint you with the sequel of this Discourse but we may imagine they would have seal'd the Articles of a firm Peace had not Love which still
and season it for relish What divertisement to be expected from an innocent Cupid a Child without wit without waggery that permits you to do in all things as you please The Bassa could not forbear laughing and told him that to make him believe that Love the most charming that made him suffer most he must make it appear by trial in himself by being in Love enduring with pleasure all the torments he spoke of Sir said Alexander I was never in love in my Country where you know we have freedom of living and Liberty of converse with the Female Sex it is not probable then I shall fall in love here where we are not allow'd so much as a sight of them means may be found replied the Bassa to satisfie you in that particular if you desire it I do not conceive it for my advantage said the Count to thrust my self into the fire to try the experiment or to change my Religion No no said the Bassa it is with a Christian I would have you acquainted and one in my judgment very beautiful and not unworthy your sighs had I been of your mind and like the Lovers of your Country taken pleasure in being vext and tormented my business might have been done She made me pine for her above three Months till weary of a Mistress that had so little sense of my pain I betook my self to others that were more of my humour her beauty and wit will certainly charm you and you may find her as haughty as fierce as cruel as you can wish it may be difficult to have a sight of her as being with the Sultaness who since she knew the inclinations I had for her would never permit her to step out of her Apartment but I 'le bring you thither disguised as an Eunuch there is no other way of entrance for you into the Seraglio and you are so young that by Night you may pass for an Eunuch without any suspicion The Count gave him a thousand thanks for the favour not but that he could have been very well content to have been without it having no great desire to engage himself in Acquaintance in a Country where he would tarry as short time as he could yet in complaisance to the Bassa and of Curiosity to see a Slave the Bassa represented so beautiful he accepted this offer with some kind of joy The fourth Prayer being over he came to his Patron being the time he usually went to the Seraglio And having taken the Habit of an Eunuch provided for him there he waited on the Bassa to the Apartment of the Sultaness Laura who had notice of their coming waited their entrance the Bassa came smiling up to her and whispered her in the Ear that he had brought her an Eunuch who could tell her News out of Italy pray'd her to have a care of him and to use him as a Person he lov'd entirely Laura fell a laughing and answered she doubted not but the Eunuch should give him a good account of his Reception The Count though Disguised was so easie to be known that had the Bassa said nothing his good Mien had discovered him No Eunuch no Turk had so good an air She gave him her hand to lead her into a Chamber where they should not be exposed to their view who past by Sir said she I know not what thanks to give the Bassa for the favour he hath done me to afford me a sight of you no man being allowed entrance here but himself and the Eunuch whose Habit he hath caused you to take I cannot impute it to any thing but the extraordinary affection he hath and daily declares for you 'T is true Madam answered the Count the kindness of the Bassa to me is extream but if either of us have reason to be concerned how to thank him as he very well deserves 't is certainly I for the favour he hath procured me yet I could wish I were not wholly beholding to him for it but that as he would have me believe you had a hand in it Sir replyed Laura I shall tell you no lye I have made it sufficiently known to you I desired this favour from him He told us things so glorious of you and related them so much to your advantage you may easily believe I who for three years I have been here have not had the Liberty of Converse with any Man could not but desire acquaintance of a Person so generally esteemed Madam said he this Country hath been favourable in allowing me a Reputation which perhaps I may find difficult to maintain in your Opinion You need not fear that reply'd Laura your Mien confirms sufficiently the reports that have past of you But to change the Discourse do you know said she smiling that sometimes 't is dangerous in a Nation like this to make your self so much the subject of Discourse if not on the Mens account yet certainly on the Womens who fall in Love meerly on report without a sight or knowledge of the Party The Count answer'd smiling Madam there is no danger of your being of the number of those kind-hearted Ladies I am not so Fortunate And why said she might not I be one who have so long'd for a sight of you but to lose no more time I must tell you your Fortune is better than you think and I do that for another which perhaps I would not have done for my self The desire of seeing a Man is here reputed a mighty advancement of Love where to see and to agree are all one But I have undertaken this affair and made the Bassa believe I have very favourable thoughts of you And to satisfie your Curiosity of knowing the Party for whom I have so much complaisance in store it is for the Bassa 's Lady Madam Alhie the Sultaness The confidence she is pleased to repose in me is so great that she hath entrusted me with this Secret and my kindness for her should not admit one moments scruple doing her this Service I cannot doubt but you have heard of her Beauty never was any so famous in this Kingdom nor perhaps in the World more worthy admiration And as for her temper 't is the sweetest and most lovely that can be imagined The first view you have of her will perswade you she hath an Inclination to Love so tender so languishing is the air of her Countenance And though this be natural to the Women of this Country and that the first thing they are taught is to sigh and appear languishing yet I have not observed those weaknesses in her but on your account To deduce things from the Original I must inform you that when the Bassa returned from Constantinople having dispatched the Affair depending there between him and the King and Divan of this place and being confirmed by the Grand Signior in the Offices his Father had left him which they had disputed the King in order to Reconciliation was advised to give the
the description of the Count than ever she had done in his Eye at full sight He esteemed himself the most unfortunate of Men not only for that he had quitted the pursuit but had contributed so much to see her in the Arms of another Hereupon jealousie presently possest him attended with a train of spite rage and peevishness to torment him What greater shame thought he could ever happen to a Man as he was who never found resistance from a Woman than to have been slighted by a Slave who was his dependent and had yielded to another Slave as soon as she had seen him For after the passionate relation Alexander had made the Bassa made no doubt but all was concluded he had fancies of this kind that troubled him extreamly and if he did not then hate the Count 't is certain he retained not for him that kindness he had formerly exprest towards him And as for Laura though he was then more in Love with her than ever he had a pique against her and could not forbear reproaching her all Night for her want of discretion in making greater account of a mans kindness that could do her no Service than of his by whom she might have made her Fortune These thoughts were followed by others concerning his Person He accused himself of baseness and weakness of Heart to trouble himself with the thoughts of a Creature that so little deserved his esteem or to intend to hinder the satisfaction of two Lovers whose Love he himself had caused and promoted All this notwithstanding he went on the morrow with the Count to the Seraglio but for no other end but to observe the countenance of Laura who surprized to see him come This is extraordinary Sir said she laughing twice in one week What will People say of it As for you said the Bassa you will say no ill of it I come in so good Company and should others believe as formerly that I come for love of you you know t is not for my self and therefore you are the more obliged to me Laura very civilly thanked him for his goodness They fell then all three into a little discourse of Gallantry wherein the Bassa spoke so many kind things to Laura that she might understand part of that Amorous trouble he was in if she had mistrusted it but he delivered himself with such an air that his Complements and kind Expressions were taken for meer effects of his good humour But the Bassa's coming thither being under pretence of seeing the Sultaness he could not dispence without giving her a Visit but he was not long with her being not able to rest till he return'd to the two Lovers which he did with all the speed in his power He told Laura a thousand things more obliging than formerly and having highly caressed her gave her at parting such a look that if she had made the least reflection upon it she might have easily perceived the kindness he had formerly for her took fire afresh with more vehemence than ever but she could not suspect in the least he would trouble her any more after the kindness he had exprest for his Alexander and having been the instrument of the pretended Passion between her and the Count. She took all for Gallantry and made it the subject of raillery with the Sultaness to whom she gave an account of all that had past with the Bassa and with Alexander The fair Turk went that Evening to bed ill satisfied with her fate having been disappointed of an Entertainment she had expected as pleasant as that she had received the day before from her dear Christian she could not sufficiently lament the unluckiness of the Visit given her by a man who Courted other Women and seemed to have been born to incommode and give trouble only to her Laura answered in raillery She had little reason to complain of it to her to whose complaisance she was beholding for a sight of her Lover Ah Laura said the Sultaness who knows for what reason he hath been so complaisant You may very well believe it was not to oblige me I believe so Madam replyed Laura but you are obliged to him however and ought to thank him for me After this little raillery they fell to discourse what could have brought the Bassa thither that evening and could not imagine but it was in Complement to the Count. The Bassa by this time was fallen into a deep Melancholy seldom appearing but when he walked in the Garden sometimes alone and sometimes with Alexander and then not a word of Laura nor any discourse of going again to the Apartment of the Sultaness This troubled our Lover who besides his affliction for being deprived of the sight of a Person he loved better than his Life and ceasing to see her must cease also to live had a thousand tormenting surmises and troublesome fancies upon the Bassa s change of humour which he could not attribute to any thing but his having taken some umbrage and jealousie of him on the account of the Sultaness The Sultaness and her Confident were no less tormented on the other hand they had seen a first a second a third and a fourth long day pass without a sight of their Alexander Lovers are very exact Accomptants and keep reckoning of the very moments but account nothing more tedious than a day of absence What should be the meaning of all this said they one to the other having a thousand fears upon them though they knew not of what 't is a difficult matter to keep any thing secret in places of that nature Yet they could not imagine they had given any occasion of discourse or that any Person in the Apartment had made the least discovery of their Intrigue At last on the fifth day after abundance of Affliction the Bassa came to see them but the mischief of it was that he came alone Besides he appeared so dull so musing and so much out of humour they made no more doubt but he had smelt out the Intelligence they held with the Count. But that which gave them the killing blow and raised their fears to the height was that Laura having according to her custom waited the Bassa out of the Chamber and asked him what he had done with her dear Eunuch I am jealous of him said the Bassa making no stay I need tell you no more Laura made hast to give her Mistress the Alarm and told her there was no more doubt to be made but jealousie was the cause of the Bassa's not bringing Alexander with him the Bassa himself having told her so that instant those who are guilty are easily frightned and fear hath this property that it so confounds the imagination that the lightest suspicions are taken for clear and unquestionable truths With what sighs what tears did the poor Sultaness afflict her self yet not so much for the ill consequences she might apprehend from the jealousie of the Bassa as for the
in such a place as this with a Lady so beautiful as you Surely the Sultaness will hence-forward rest assured of my Passion The Count made a pause expecting her answer but not receiving a word from her he proceeded telling her I thought we had not been so debarred the pleasures of an Assignation but we might have enjoy'd that of discourse but for ought I perceive you mean to follow the fashion of Turky and since 't is a favour in this Country for a Woman to shew her self or speak to a man you will deprive me of the one and the other But while we are together I pray let us live after the mode of our Country which is far better than the Turkish To do otherwise with we were altogether too rigorous and more I believe than you have promised the Sultaness or she expects at your hands Away I beseech you said he taking her by the Barnus with this useless Hood and do me the favour to tell me some News of the Sultaness or if you please of the Adventures brought you hither which from the day I first had the honour to see you I have had an extream longing to ask you This you will not deny me if you think I may be any way useful to you as I doubt not but I may being your Country-man and so well esteemed by the Bassa as to be able to do you some Service All this Discourse so obliging for Laura she heard without replying a word or quitting her Barnus as he had desired The Count seeing this pressed her no further but with more serious air said if you desire Madam to pass the Evening in this manner it will be very unfortunate for me but I must comply And removing a few paces from her he went and sat him down in a corner of the Bower where he continued a while without speaking a word The fair Lady fetched a sigh as if she had been displeased at his quitting her The Count laying hold on that occasion to be even with her took his turn of tormenting in not answering her sighs At last she came to him took him by the Arm and embraced him with many grimaces as if she would have turned all into ridicule The Count fell a laughing and said Madam I beseech you be satisfied with the Sacrifice I make to Love without trying my patience any further let us if you please have a little conversation but answer me when I speak for I do not love talking to my self But all would not do she laughed under her Hood and took pleasure in vexing him The Count at last growing impatient this is too much Madam said he and since you will needs laugh I 'le shew you a trick shall make you speak in spight of your Heart having said so he took her in his Arms and not being able to take off her Hood he used some Familiarities with her would have forced speech from a Maid of Laura's Discretion and Modesty But the Lady was still silent and so little concerned that she scarce made any resistance At which the Count was extreamly surpriz'd and after all the esteem he had for Laura apprehended there might be a design in the business and that he was abused Then it was he did all in his power to get sight of her through a little glimmering of light that came into the Bower Did the Sultaness know said he the liberty you allow me she would give you no thanks for your silence or your being shie of affording me a sight of you which it seems you do to give me occasion to attempt greater matters and deny me small favours to grant me the principal The fair Lady not able to defend her self longer quitted her Barnus and having escap'd out of his hands Ah little Traytor said she is this the Fidelity you have promised me Oh Heavens Madam said he is it you t was the Sultaness her self had taken Laura's place and you may imagine what a pleasant surprize this was to the Count who could not on the sudden otherwise express it than by his exclamations and running after her who fled not too â—â—st he overtook her at the Door of the Boâ—â—r and embracing her most tenderly My dear Sultaness said he the second time is it you Yes answered she suffering her self to be gently brought back into the Bower it is I who repent me already of what I have done for you who did not deserve it Did you think me so simple to expose into the hands of another that which I hold most dear in the World Do not I see how ill it is trusting of you Your Constancy was very tottering it was at least half overcome And had Laura the counterfeit Laura answered your offers where would you have been Never was Man more confounded than the Count at all these Reproaches He made a free Confession but excused himself by her carriage towards him alledging it impossible for any Man to have withstood the attaques she had made At last he carried the Cause all was accommodated and Agreement made and Love singed the Articles To come in search of a Gallant as the Sultaness had done into a Garden where she knew her Husband was present was an Adventure somewhat bold And doubtless there are many Women who will condemn her conduct as imprudent but of those who are in Love there are few who being in her place would not take the same course The Bassa though accompanied with a very Beautiful Person past away time somewhat worse than the Count Chabania his Mistress had besides Beauty an excellent Wit and a very taking carriage which made her pass for the most charming Person in the Seraglio The Bassa had formerly been deeply in Love with her but Love for convenience is not very durable Her Patron was not in an humour to Entertain her that Evening and had not brought her with him into the Garden but to serve for a pretence to colour other designs she apprehended as much as soon as she knew that Laura was in the Garden which the Bassa unluckily told her thinking he might satisfie her in that point by letting her know that Laura was deeply in Love with Alexander in whose company she was But Chabania was so far from believing it that she presently fancied Alexander to be no other than the Bassa's Confident in the Affair and that he had not brought Laura into the Garden but for his Master She had been formerly jealous of him even to distraction and I know not how it came to pass the Bassa was so overseen as not to have made choice of some other of his Women who might have been more for his turn on this occasion She was at her wits end for the small countenance he gave her all the while he was with her she had scarcely four words from him and saw clearly his thoughts were wholly of Laura This was vexation enough for a Woman in Love who knows her self handsom
her self The Sultaness thinking this action too violent to be Alexander's began to mistrust and having given him his liberty till then she did the utmost in her power to resist him and knew though a little too late that she was abused and that this Man had neither the shape nor the stature nor face of her Alexander and that it must be the Bassa which some marks she knew about him soon put out of question she changed her method and stood upon her guard The resistance she made after the kindness she exprest at the first was observed by the Gallant and made him perceive that the cheat was discovered and no hopes of hiding himself So that without further dallying he made his last efforts and rendred those of the Sultaness so useless that he obtained his design This transported Lover was happy at least in conceit which sufficiently proves the power of imagination and that our greatest pleasures proceed from it I am sure there is no unfortunate Lover but may envy his mistake and that chance could not put a greater obligation on any Man than this on the Bassa His passion thus satisfied he withdrew without saying a word and the Lady made all the hast she could to her Chamber for fear the passionate Bassa should renew the assault Laura who had been much troubled at missing of her was no less amazed to see her come in the condition she was in which made her throw her self on the Bed where half weeping half laughing she told her the story of the adventure At which Laura did nothing but laugh expecting very pleasant conclusions from so comical beginnings The Count had been at the Bassa's in the Evening and not finding him within came on the Morrow to acquaint him with the resolution he had taken on the proposal As he entred the apartment he was told that the Bassa had been ill that night and had not slept at all and that he had forbidden any entrance into his Chamber but the Count having more priviledge than others they let him pass and he found him abed and writing with so sad a meen and so dejected a countenance that the Count presently concluded he had had a very ill night seeing Alexander on the sudden he coloured a little but the Count laying one knee to the ground I come Sir said he to beg one favour more of you You are the principal Author of all the Love I am engaged in it is my misfortune that you feel the same passion Accept I beseech you the sacrifice I make you Sir I will never love and if you will have it so I will never see Laura more Bless me cryed the Bassa what Lovers are these is it posible that two persons who began to love one another with so tender affection can part with such ease and that I who am am not beloved cannot bring my self to this speak Alexander and tell me whether it proceeds from any distast you have taken or that you do it for my sake No Sir answered the Count Laura is this day as amiable in my eyes as the first day I saw her but rather than see you in the condition I find you in I will not spare the doing my self any violence I am capable of and for your quiet and my own I heartily wish I never had seen her This example is so rare replyed the Bassa that nothing less than the esteem I have for you can make it credible In the mean time this Billet will let you see that I have not staid for you to set me a President but that I know in my turn how to give Presidents for others to imitate but not to out do It is written to Laura read it And there it will appear to you that if I have done you wrong I know how to punish my self for it I should be heartily sorry so virtuous and excellent a person as you should part from us with an ill opinion of me The Count extreamly surprized at this discourse not comprehending the reason of it after an answer full of respect and acknowledgment to his dear Patron took the Billet and there read these words If all the passion Man can have for a Woman is not capable to justifie the crime I committed against you you ought to pardon me at least having suffered in one night all the torments and afflictions of a cruel repentance which yet fills my soul with grief and confusion And if by giving you and your Lover your Liberty I may in some measure make amends for my faults you may make you ready for your voyage for to morrow morning you shall go both together Farewell and think of the violence I did my felf in forcing from my bosom two persons whom of all I ever saw I loved most entirely and then you will find me not altogether unworthy of pardon The Count was so confounded at reading the Billet as never was Man and had much ado to hide the disorder it put him in he kneeled the second time as it were to give the Bassa thanks for this last favour which before his engagement in Love with the Sultaness had been the greatest he could have done him but now after his passion it was certainly the greatest misfortune could befal him He was willing by this action to hide from the Bassa the trouble he was in But the Bassa took him up and told him he could not see him in that posture for a business where he had more cause to complain of him than to thank him that he should know at leisure the whole matter from Laura and that in the mean time he had nothing to do but prepare for his Voyage that he had given order to stay a Christian Vessel which should have gone off that very day for Italy and should land them at Legorn that the weather was fair and that without fail he should embark with Laura on the morrow for all which he gave him his word The Count having taken leave of the Bassa went out of the Chamber with a heart so full of trouble and affliction for the news he had received that he wanted a more proper place to comfort himself and to vent his thoughts of the resolution the Bassa had taken to give him his Liberty and to send Laura with him He knew not what might have obliged him to a resolution of this nature though upon reading the Billet he did imagine the Bassa had committed some outrage on Laura but this was not the thing troubled him it was the Sultaness from whom he must part and must bid her adieu for ever to part with a Woman one loved so tenderly to part with her for ever and to part with her in the height of his passion sounds very harsh and where is the Lover could take such a resolution for any reason what-ever Yet Liberty which to a Man who knows what 't is to be a Slave to a Man of Alexander's quality is a
he pleaded in excuse the great Passion he had for me that to expiate his fault he would deprive himself for ever of the sight of me and send me back with my Love to my Country being all could be desired from a generous Rival And that if I were sensible of the pain and regret my absence would cost him I should find him punished beyond his desert My joy was not greater than the trouble of the Sultaness upon receiving this News which put her into an unspeakable affliction Her Nights and her Days were wholly spent in Tears she used all means possible to prevent the misfortune she apprehended from Alexander's return into Italy I gave her way choosing rather to renounce my Liberty than see her die for grief in the condition she was in But the Bassa the firmest of men in what he resolves on not perceiving the reason she had to oppose a design she had more reason than he to promote considering the Passion she knew he had for me which must needs trouble her was true to his Resolution and knowing there was in the Port a Christian Vessel ready to Sail for Italy he caused it to be staid for our Embarking therein What a trouble was it to the Sultaness to see the Bassa so obstinate and us on the point of departing Never was a Person so plunged in a Sea of despair never were sighs so lamentable as hers I was resolved to entreat the Bassa to put off our departure to another occasion that I might gain time to dispose her to grant me the favour but whether it were for the shame to see me or for fear that the sight of me might melt him into a tenderness that might alter the Resolution he had taken he appear'd not at the Seraglio The Morning we were to be gone the desolate Sultaness resolved to die or to follow us she had long studied to contrive a way how to do it I was her Bed-fellow but neither of us slept a wink Laura says she having considered well what she would do thou knowest the affection I ever had for thee that I have used thee more like a Sister than a Slave Thou knowest my heart and I need not tell thee I cannot live without Alexander I desire no acknowledgment of what I have done for thee added she kissing me with her face all bath'd in tears but for pity sake forsake me not in the most desperate condition that a Woman in Love as I am can be reduced to but do something to save my Life had she desired mine with such melting expressions I could not have denied it her which she might perceive by the tears I shed to accompany hers Then she told me of an intention she had thought of whereby to get aboard with us and that she doubted not of the success if Alexander had the Passion he pretended to have for her and if he had not she would comfort her self and find pleasure in Rage for the absence of so ingrate a Person that without the knowledge of any one in the Seraglio she would be carried to his Lodging and thence aboard the Vessel we were to Embark in and that the Bassa sending for me to be gone we might all three get aboard before any Discovery could be made of her departure To give her content I approved of what she said but did really apprehend the success of this affair and presage I know not how that I should be the sufferer 'T is a dangerous business to yield ones self up to the conduct of Lovers in that which concerns the interest of their affections they are apt to flatter themselves to puff themselves up with hope and admit of no fear When the day began to appear in our Chamber we thought it high time to set about and take order for what we thought necessary for accomplishing our desires We got up and the Sultaness having put on a Suit of mine commanded me to call her one of the Eunuchs who was Purveyor for Alexander and ready to Sacrifice his Life for the Service of the Sultaness she sent him for the basket wherein he used to carry the Provision and placing her self in it wrapt up in my Barnus commanded him to carry her to Alexander's Lodging I saw her go away in this manner waiting with fear and impatience enough to hear the success of this contrivance of the Sultaness and expecting every moment Orders from the Bassa for my going away At last the time of Embarking being over and the Sultaness not returned I was desirous to be informed how matters past and understood with astonishment and displeasure enough that Alexander was gone and that the Bassa having brought him to the Port returned for Bardou Then it was Sir I felt the stroke of my ill Fortune in losing not only the hope of returning to my Country which might have given me some comfort but of ever seeing the Sultaness the Person of the World I had most kindness for and one who rendred my Captivity pleasing I could not doubt but her flight would be laid to my charge but the consideration of a Life so unhappy as mine had produced in me so clear resolutions for death that had you taken notice at your arrival you could not observe any trouble in my countenance And in good earnest the loss of my dear Sultaness afflicted me so that the appearance of death could not have done more They asked me oftentimes what was become of her the answer I made was that I knew not But having been long taken for her Confident I was shrewdly suspected As for the rest of her Servants you might have read in their countenances the trouble of their minds This is that Sir I had to say to you of the Sultaness and if you think this Story may be of use to the Bassa and conduce to the procuring peace between him and the Dey I should be very glad you would relate it to him though I may appear guilty of having committed a crime against the one and the other But they have prudence enough to be sensible of the condition of a poor Slave whose happiness consisted in her complaisance to a Mistress who loved her so well as to make her a confident in affairs of this consequence The Turk made answer that the Bassa had so much kindness for her and so little for the Sultaness that he would easily pardon the Treason she was guilty of and as for the Dey he could not be much offended with her for having done his Daughter so eminent a service in assisting her in a piece of unfaithfulness to a Husband who the Dey knows had not any Love for her and that he would make use of the particulars of this Story to reconcile them that he would manage this business with some Friends of the Divan and particularly with the Aga the Deys Favourite who had great influence over him and though a Renegade loved the Christians very well and might
do her some service To these expressions he added a thousand assurances on his part and civilities enough to oblige her extreamly This done he withdrew to avoid the suspicion her Guard might have of a longer discourse it being already very late but promised to see her again on the morrow and bring her News of all that past The Bassa being now at the Head of so many Moors thought himself strong enough to take the Field and as soon as it was day marched down towards the Town to favour the retreat of his Friends and of the Souldiers who came flocking in to him so that before noon he had an Army of Moors and Turks above ten thousand strong The Dey used all diligence possible to arm his people but found himself not strong enough that day to encounter the Bassa whose Arms were already grown terrible to his Enemies who from his just indignation against them apprehended a Siege But his quarrel being chiefly to the Dey and wanting Cannon to attack him in the Castle he was in the Bassa was forced to wait the arrival of the Artillery he had sent for to the Port whereof he was Master In the mean time having assembled the principal of his Friends to make his complaint to them of the unjust proceedings of the Dey and to demand their advice he was not a little amazed to hear them all maintain as the General of the Galleys that it was his Wife was gone away with the Christian and that Laura staid in the Seraglio and that the Dey had reason enough for what he had done in the belief he was in of the Bassa's intentions to make away his Daughter The Bassa who still fancied that they were abused would not vouchsafe to contradict them but calling in the Captain of his Guards asked him before them if he had not the day before spoken with the Sultaness Poor Aly shivering for fear fell down at his feet with his face to the ground and confessed he had thought the Bassa had sent him to the Seraglio on purpose to blind the world and that it was desired he should justifie before the General of the Galleys he had seen the Sultaness there but that in truth she was not there and that he found only Laura weeping for the departure of her Mistress The Bassa for all this would not be perswaded but said he must see the Slave before he could believe it having many Reasons to the contrary when he received a Billet from the Deys Secretary to this purpose My Lord Mahomet Bassa I know not whether it was your good Fortune or mine that ordered the Dey's making choice of me to take away and guard your fair Slave but you may be assured she could not have fallen into better hands she wants for nothing and you may believe I hold neither my Estate nor my Life too dear to bestow in your service and obliging of her If in the mean time I may be allowed the liberty of giving you Counsel I would advise you to endeavour the advantage and peace of your Countrey rather than that War and Ruine which will be inevitable unless you moderate your Passion There is no Man more sensible than I of the injury they have done you but I am sensible also that the appearances for which you are condemned have misled the Dey and that the blame of the departure of your Wife ought to be charged only on your Wife The rash Counsel of disaffected persons which the Dey hath followed in this affair hath put you both into this present disorder God grant it proceed no further and that we may not to the scandal of other Nations see our Countrey ruined by those who have it in charge to maintain and preserve it I hope both of you will be better advised and waiting your Answer I wish you all happiness Adieu Assen Secret The Bassa having read this Letter could no longer doubt of the truth of the thing knowing Assen to be a person of great Integrity and his very good Friend He was easily comforted for the loss of the Sultaness and laught at the adventure and could not believe she had had a design to follow the Christian if he had not given order to carry her aboard in the Basket He was not much troubled at the mistake he had been guilty of and thought that in matters of Love a Mistress of at least as good value as a Wife He never suspected any treachery in the Case but was willing to know what reason could have reduced her to disguise her self in that manner and go along with Alexander yet he could not but think Laura of the Plot but thought himself revenged of her and her sufficiently punished in having lost at once her Lover and the occasion of her liberty to pleasure a Mistress who might become a Rival He longed extreamly to see her to know the whole business and Love adding new flames to this curiosity made him so impatient of delay that how dangerous soever the enterprize might have been he would have gone that very day to Tunis if his presence with the Army had not been absolutely necessary to receive those who every moment came over to his party He sent his Friend this Answer Mr. Secretary You have in your hands a Treasure which if the Dey knew how much I value he would not have trusted you or any other therewith as being assured he might with it make his peace when and on what conditions he pleased Take care of her I conjure you as you would of my person and believe I will never forget a service of so much importance Send hither your Moor to morrow at the fourth Watch I shall want him for a business I cannot trust any other person withall nor write to you at present Mahomet Bassa Dey By that time he had written this Billet the night was far gone yet for more surety he would not let the Moor go till three or four a Clock in the Morning The Walls of Tunis are very low and in some places easie to get over True it is they were then very well guarded but the bearer of the Billet being known to belong to the Deys Secretary there was no danger of his being staid and accordingly he found his passage free as he could wish The generous Assen had been that Evening to visit his fair Prisoner according to promise and given her an account how matters stood with some hopes of accommodation between parties at difference for that it was clear by the confession of the Eunuch who had carried the Sultaness in the Basket that if the Bassa had a hand in sending away the Sultaness she had contributed not a little to her enlargement out of a criminal passion she had for Alexander by going to see him at his Lodging Laura well pleased with this News could not sufficiently thank Assen for the obliging care he had of her He had sent so many several sorts of
But as I hinted before I pay'd dear for that indifference and those slights I gloried so much in Five or six months after our arrival at Naples there appeared at Court a young Gentleman whom Love seems to have raised up for my ruin It was the Marquess Hippolito of the House of Accelyn equally considerable for his good parts as his Birth a Youth whose outside was taking enough to charm at first sight but as traiterous and wicked within as he was outwardly handsome and well accomplished When you have heard out my story you will say I speak with too much moderation It is hard to hate what we have been once truly in Love with In spite of that unpardonable outrage he did me I find that if I saw him and had it in my power to take my revenge of him by death which he hath but too well deserved my resentment would give place to the inclination I had for him He was newly come from France and had got the Court-air so peculiar and natural to those of quality of that Nation I was extreamly pleased to see him and looked upon him with delight the first time he appeared at Court and was sensible of it though with shame and anger at my self From thenceforth he was constantly in my thoughts though very troublesome to me I was displeased with my self for it and would upon any terms have put him out of my mind but the more I endeavoured it the more I found him settled there I saw him several times after and to end the War within me would fain have perswaded my self it was not for my honour to entertain such thoughts of that Gentleman but I found in the end my ingenuity deceived me That which contributed most to my ruin that both by his looks and his actions he seemed to prefer me before all the Ladies of the Court and though he did not declare so much yet I could observe he had more than an ordinary respect for me and would now and then say to my self some things I fancied he might and would have said to me At last I made my self of his Party and blaming my past coyness I thought it very allowable and just to have some esteem for a man who merited it from all the World Having once entertained this thought and convinced of it as reasonable my passion and Love finding my heart already more than half open press'd in and absolutely took it The Viceroy's Lady who often diverted her self in entertaining me with all the Intrigues of the Court having one day told me several Stories asked me if I knew the Marquess Hippolito's Mistress for that for some days past she observed him very solitary and out of humour which she took for an effect of some inclination Had she look'd upon me when she asked me the question she might have read in my countenance how much I was concerned for I chang'd colour three or four times But being upon the Tarrass of the Palace on the Country side she was looking that way and took no notice of me so that having time to recover my self I answered with an affected coldness that he was a dull young fellow and I believed incapable of Love and thereupon out of Jealousie her question had raised in me I made a description of him as really unlike him as contrary to the thoughts I had of him The Viceroy's Lady fell a laughing and having looked upon me so as she believed would have put me out of countenance is it possible says she that you should think so of a man whom all the other Ladies esteem the handsomest of the Court If I were not very well perswaded of your indifference for all men I should believe of you quite contrary to what you say But look to your self for sooner or later you shall be met with and your insensible heart shall have her turn as well as others As for me I confess were I as you that young Gentleman would please me and I would not have you slight him Think of it he is a Person of merit and worth and wants nothing of what may justly deserve Love from a fair Lady as you are Who would not have believed but she spoke in good earnest Who could have mistrusted her after so many kindnesses and favours she daily laid out on me I know not whether I was to blame but must confess I yielded my self to be taken and was ready to unsay in her presence all that I had spoken against the Marquess Hippolito and to acknowledge I had prevented her in the thoughts she had been pleased to inspire into me of him but my modesty restrained me I thought my self concerned in honour to expect an Address from him before I would confess my self taken I could never discover perfectly this Ladies design but as far as I can guess by the consequence she question'd me of pure jealousie endeavouring to discover whether I had any affection for the Marquess She had often seen us talk together judging by her thoughts of him that it it was hard enough for a Lady to be acquainted with a Gentleman of so many charming Qualities without loving him she had doubtless some apprehension I had on his account ceas d to be insensible But finding by what I said that I continued indifferent her jealousie giving place to Love-policy she desired to settle some friendship between him and me to serve her for a pretence to see him as oft as she desired At least I am of opinion these were the reasons obliged her to speak of me as she did and to tell me if ever I meant to love I could not make a better choice I stood out stifly to the end telling her my Liberty was so precious that I would not part with it for any consideration in the World if the keeping depended wholly on me But because those of my condition were not born to enjoy it all their Life whatever I endured I would be guided by my Friends and absolutely obey their pleasure who had the right to dispose of me Hereupon she embraced me and said all the Maids of the World would be wise were they of my humour and followed my example In the mean time since I was resolved not to slight the Counsel of Friends it was her advice I should admit the Marquess Hippolito to see me sometimes But Madam said I interrupting her hath he desired leave to do it and is it at his request you make me the motion She answered saying that I need not trouble my self for that but might believe this overture came not altogether from her and that the Marquess had found me out as well as others You may imagine what a pleasure she did me in telling me this who desired nothing more than the love of that Gentleman This discourse being over we parted extreamly mistaken in our thoughts of one another She imagin'd I was still the same and altogether insensible of love and I thought
she had spoken as a Friend and really desired to see me in love with the Marquess We began to have the young Lords Company after the particular kindness between him and Don Alphonse Son to the Viceroy gave him free entrance where he pleased and the Viceroy having no small esteem for the Marquess was not only glad to see him at Court but ingaged him by his Civilities to come to him oftner I shall forbear mentioning what the Lady contributed on her part but you may believe if very probable that having the kindness she had for him she omitted nothing in her power to further these Visits At first he was altogether for me at least in appearance for several days he wanted nothing of diligence or complaisance to please me Where-ever I went he still waited upon me approved all that I said and took my part on all occasions In a word he practised all that may be done for gaining a Mistress and was presently looked upon in Court as a new Servant of mine Many of my Friends congratulated my Conquest and I could not but laugh at them Not but that I believed it being easily perswaded to credit what I so much desired but that I was afraid to believe it so soon and was unwilling it should be known to avoid the shame that might attend a mistake He had not as then spoke to me of Love and the least I could do was to expect he should declare himself A Lover of so much Wit as the Marquess could not fail of finding an occasion But I know not whether fortune befriended him so ill as not to afford him one However 't is certain he never took any to discover his Passion by Speech All that I knew of it was from his looks and his sighs which perhaps my kindness interpreted too favourably Men being now accustomed to a general Gallantry that in shew and appearance both their words and their actions speak altogether of Love These promising blossoms of an apparent affection were all blasted on the sudden I was surpriz'd at it to astonishment to see him so far advanced to make so sudden a stop at a time I least expected it and prepared my self to give occasion to discover his affection which I fear'd his respect for me or his fear to displease me had hindred from doing I could not imagine the cause of so sudden a change for three whole days he absented from the Court and when he appeared there he looked like a man so cold so altered as if he durst not cast an eye upon me whereas before he was jovial and complaisant and his eye never off me you cannot easily imagine how terribly this vext me I was upon the point of asking him the reason and had certainly done it but that I was over-rul'd by a little haughtiness and pride which making me look on his inconstant proceeding as an effect of manifest Treachery inspired me with scorn and aversion against him which however I smarted for in the end for two whole days I did nothing but weep and complain of Love and my own wickedness The Viceroy's Lady observing me sad and dejected though I did all in my power to hide part of my trouble asked me what I did ail which probably she knew but too well but was willing to have the pleasure of hearing what I would say I who till then had not the least reason to distrust her made no scruple of telling her in plain terms the cause of my grief and told her she had more than any contributed thereto This made her blush and comprehending on the sudden what I meant but thinking without doubt I had discovered her secret But I fell unhappily to explaining my self and seriously confess'd to her that what she had said to me of the Marquess Hippolito had produced in me some disposition of kindness for him which cost me then very dear having been very confident she would not have deceived me but that the Marquess had now deceived us both I must confess says the Traytress I was willing to conceal from you the inconstancy and change of a foolish young flash and did design not to speak to you any more of him not thinking you could be much concerned for him after what I had heard you say of him But since you are aware of his inconstancy and so much concern'd at it I must tell you that to my grief as much as yours I have discovered he is otherwise engaged She perceived me blush extreamly at that word and in truth I was so disordered within it was impossible to hide my despair Otherwise engaged Madam said I sighing Yes answered she to a new Mistress very lately Judge you continued she what I said to him on that occasion and whether he did deserve to be reproached having exprest so much passion for you that I thought it impossible a man could have been more deeply in Love Oh Heavens cry'd she how deceitful are men now adays He excused himself by the Friendship he hath for my Son that to be his Rival were to betray him and that the confidence he had in him in acquainting him at his arrival with his offection for you obliged him to make a Sacrifice of his heart to serve my Son's interest Sorry excuses I confess says she but how can we help it 'T is a mercy however he knows not the favourable inclination you have for him for which he is unhappily beholding to me as the cause of your kindness He should never have known these worthy inclinations reply'd I I never discovered them to any but your self Madam for whom I had no reserve and I hope you have not told him Think not says she I could so far forget my self though I were not so much your Friend as you know I am I know very well with what caution to manage their concerns who repose a confidence in me Then I asked her trembling whether she knew the fair Lady had robbed us of him That says she I cannot learn of him but I will endeavour to discover it by my Son who without question knows who she is leave that to me and I will bring you news of her as soon as I can discover her Thus did my Rival triumph and laugh at me I must confess I was a very Fool in that I had not then more wit than to trust any Woman but it was the confidence I had in her that blinded me Yet when I call to mind a thousand things then spoken and done I cannot but wonder I who had seen so much of the world could not make discovery of the treachery they acted against me I did nothing but torment my self night and day and avoided all occasions of being with the Marquess for fear my weakness should to my disgrace prevail over my resolutions I saw him entertain himself commonly with the Viceroys Lady and asking her one day what it was they discoursed of and whether she had discovered the secret
I was so desirous to know she answered me no but that I should not trouble my self for the Marquess would come to me again and that she studied how to bring it about I was vext at this and told her I did not desire it that she might do her pleasure but that I desired to be unconcerned And the truth is the pains I endured would I believe by degrees have made me insensible and cured me at last But on a day the Viceroy treated us in the Garden I quitted the Company and walking aside to muse in a dark and solitary place I met with the Marquess I thought it an effect of the Ladies care and that she had made use of this occasion to reconcile us I know not whether he took the haughtiness and seriousness of the Looks I entertain'd him with for an ill Omen or not but sure I am he trembled as he approached me and with a very settled tone told me it was very strange to see a person of my Humour finding out so solitary a Walk there being so much good company in the Garden it had been said he excusable in any other as an effect of some amorous thoughts but for you Madam for me replied I interrupting him and who hath told you but I may have been led hither by Love Ah Madam answered he we know you too well to entertain any such suspicion and I am sure if you can love any thing it must be only your self 'T is well replied I if it be true as you say that I love nothing at all but as for what you reproach me with 't is reported you are not altogether indifferent there is some ground for the report Madam indifference being a Quality I never stood much upon especially towards you of all the people in the World What not towards me replied I when you knew me insensible 'T is true Madam answer he I was told so but submitted however to the destiny of those many unfortunate Lovers you have made such in this Court. In matter of affection said I we are not to be led by example some have more merit or at least better Fortune than others we are sensible towards some when we are not so towards others One person shall please without knowing wherefore amongst an infinite of others who shall not have that advantage though equally handsom In a word every one hath his lucky moment you may believe I could not have said all this without blushing The Marquess having heard me with such attention as clearly discovered him surpriz'd at my discourse was just going to answer me when the Viceroy's Lady who would never with her good will have us both out of her sight unhappily interrupted us and surprizing us on the sudden said I dare lay a good wager you were speaking of Love 't is true answered I smiling we were discoursing of a very pleasant question occasioned by being reproached by the Marquess for my insensibility He hath reason Madam replied the Lady to prevent an answer from the Marquess he who is so deeply in Love may justly reproach you if you know it not I can assure you of it and will in time tell you more I thought said I we had not been so great strangers but I might have known it from himself without being obliged to another for the News and if we two were alone I know how I would quarrel with him for it All this was spoken with an air of raillery which wrought very effectually on the inclinations of the Marquess which the Lady discoursed of I applied to my self imagining what she spoke of it was done for my honour and to engage me to an obliging answer which I gave She presently fell into other discourse and led us insensibly towards the Company On the morrow the Marquess having mused all night on what I had said found me alone looking out at a window of the Palace and falling insensibly on the discourse of the day before asked me though I had no inclination to love whether I would be displeased at one who loved me with the greatest passion in the World I answered there were but few I would allow that liberty to and that in the whole Kingdom I knew but one I could permit to use that priviledge I believe he could not but understand I meant him and my looks did but too much confirm him in the opinion he though he observ'd it would not take notice of it I know Madam says he it is extreamly imprudent to propose a Person of a meaner rank than yours or one of small merit or not Master of Qualities worthy your esteem but the Person I speak of is beyond all exception Finding him take a course so contrary to what I expected I had not patience to permit him to make an end having ground enough to believe it was not for himself he made this Declaration and interrupting him briskly A Lover said I blushing with anger and shame perhaps would not displease provided he were like the Marquess Hippolito any other may come too late I had scarce spoken these words but I repented me of them and unwilling to hear any more in the confusion the torrent of my Passion had put me in I withdrew Oh Heavens cry'd he running after to stay me How unfortunate am I Unfortunate said I turning toward him Is the esteem I have for you a means to make you unfortunate Yes Madam replied he with a sigh that precious and charming esteem I was made believe could never be gain'd which I would have purchased with all I have dear in the World He stopped there Well said I what of that esteem Ah Madam answered he they have made me renounce it I had no sooner heard these words but I went on my way having given him some looks full of indignation but seeing him follow me and not able for very grief to speak to him I made signs to him with my hand that he should come no further It is beyond imagination what a desperate condition I was in that night Rage shame spite fury repentance in a word all the Vexations of a Lover mock'd betrayed assaulted me by turns I fell so sick that for many days I kept my Bed however I resolved to speak to him once more to know who had caused him to renounce my esteem as he had told me I presently fancied it was Don Alphonso but was very desirous to learn how the matter had been managed and expected every day to see him with his Friend or with the Viceroys Lady and that I should find an opportunity to speak to him of it In the mean time he came not to my Chamber though all the Court did me that honour for the short time I continued indisposed this surprized me extreamly and hearing one day he was in my Anti-chamber I sent Clarice my Servant to desire him to come and see me having something to say to him He would have come instantly as the
would make me his Wife He was to come to me in my Chamber at night an hour after all should be in bed and because my Chamber was near that of the Viceroys Ladies where I had liberty of entrance at my pleasure I told him I would leave the door open and pray'd him not to make a noise or speak a word lest the Lady should hear us You see Assen I conceal nothing from you though I might alledge many reasons in excuse of my fault I cannot tell you all this without blushing for I must confess had I been more wise or more prudent I could not have been so unfortunate as I am The Viceroy was gone that day out of Town all things seemed to favour us but it was for my ruin The hour was come and I heard a man entring softly into my Chamber for there was no light to see him by and I easily believed it was my dear Servant I received him with the kindness of a Woman in Love and made no doubt but it was he for he had the same imbroider'd Wastcoat which he had caused to be made against our Wedding being one of the richest ever seen in the Court Part of the night we pass'd in an amorous silence till at last he fell asleep As for me I found my self a little indisposed and wanting a light to find something to take I ventured to go into the Ladies Chamber which commonly had a watch-light burning all night Having opened the door from my Chamber to hers I was not a little surprized when approaching the watch-light and casting my eyes towards her to see if she were a-sleep the Curtains being all open because of the hot weather I saw a man in his cloaths lying by her I doubted very much whether it were best to go back whence I came or take away the watch-light but the need I had of this prevail'd with me to go on and light the candle I had in my hand and having seen so much I was possest with a Spirit of curiosity to know who that fortunate Gallant might be I perceived him in the habit of Marquess Hippolito I was surpriz'd at the adventure and had I not been fully perswaded I had newly left him in my Chamber I do not know what extravagances I might have run into However this Circumstance inflamed my desire of knowing who it was I perceived he was of the same stature with the Marquess and had the same hair the Ladies arm was over his face so that I could not see it I was at the beds feet and could not be mistaken I trembled all over as an Omen of my misfortune Heavens said I within my self am I awake or asleep is not that the Marquess could he quit me this night to come to this Lady perhaps they held correspondence together and she knew he was to pass this night with me All these Reflections were made in a moment and the next moment after that I came into my own Chamber to find out the truth But how was I astonished to find the Marquess there too Oh Heavens cry'd I which of the two is the counterfeit And drawing near him in my Chamber I perceiv'd by the colour of his Hair how unhappily I was deceived and that it was Don Alphonso was there What a Fury what Rage did this put me in I seiz d the Ponyard he had laid on my Table and not knowing with which of the three to begin being all equally perfidious I thought the Marquess as most criminal was first to be sacrificed to my just revenge for fear of an Escape So that I went into the other Chamber but the noise that I made having awaked Don Aphonso he was amazed to see a Light and perceiving me enter his Mothers Chamber he got up in a trice and frightned at the sight of the Ponyard in my Hand he ran after me and laid hold on me by the Arm just as I was going to stab that Traytor the Marquess but he was also sufficiently surpriz'd to see me lifting up my hand to kill the Marquess lying by his Mothers side He was enraged at the sight and to wash away the stain of his Family with the bloud of the Traitor was ready to execute that vengance he had hindred me to take but I staid him and throwing my self upon him Traitor said I this blow was not reserved for thee thou shalt not have the pleasure of being first reveng'd At these words and the bustle that we made the Marquess and the Viceroy's Lady awaking were at their wits end not knowing what resolution to take The Marquess judging that the Ponyard Don Alphonso had in his Hand threatned only him made use of the time I held him to lay hold of his own and stand on his Guard I left them in this furious Disorder hoping they would sufficiently revenge one on another for their Treason against me and re-entring my Chamber I shut the door on that side and having taken with me all that was considerable in money or Jewels I went out at another door and ran through the Streets like a mad Woman to seek a Felucca in the Port to carry me to any place my despair would lead me I was so unhappy as not to find one ready and had not the patience to stay for fear of being pursued and forced back to that Court where I had rather die than appear At last with much ado I found a Barque bound for Barcellona provided they went far enough from Italy and that my Name and my Birth were concealed I cared not whither they carried me so that I went on board without taking a moment to consider 'T is not a single Accident makes us unfortunate the greatest disasters have commonly a large train of misfortunes Thus far my soul entertained not a thought but what the transports of despair and resentment had suggested But when I saw my self at Sea and in no other Company than that of five or six poor Mariners who knew not what to think of me my heart was so full that nothing could ease it but a torrent of tears I will not trouble you with a Relation of the sad thoughts I had for two or three days that I had the opportunity of a solitary entertainment but on the fourth I found my self plunged into new afflictions About Sun-rising the Sea-men put up such a lamentable cry it almost broke my heart I thought we had been Shipwrack'd and asked what the matter was more out of curiosity than any fear of death being the thing I heartily wish'd for I found the Gallies of Biserti had us in Chase and took us an hour after I received this disaster with such tranquility of spirit as really astonisht all the Spectators All my fear was for my person having fallen into the hands of men who are the most barbarous and inhumane on earth and have no respect for our Sex However whether it was my particular good fortune or that
extreamly desirous to improve so happy a beginning by a suitable progress to an intire pacification But though she saw him much troubled and very penitent she gave him not the comfort of a kind expression or look but against her inclination forced her self to appear harsh and act the cruel against him Assen who thought one night at least necessary to be afforded Laura to dispose her self for an intire Reconciliation and that being upon the point of executing so hazardous a design care should be had to take their measures aright asked the Aga whether he thought it not fit to retire lest being seen to come from Laura so late he might give cause of suspicion The Aga answered he need fear nothing the Dey having given him full power to stay as long as he pleased But Laura who had more reason to be of Assen's than of the Aga's opinion who was wholly led by his passion spoke to him though somewhat against her will to withdraw The Aga ready to obey this order begged the favour of her to give him hopes at least she would pardon him if he made it appear he was altogether innocent as to the matter of Alphonso and that her hatred of him should be at an end She made him no answer but her eyes betrayed her heart and spoke clearer in his favour than her voice could have done Beyran kissed one of her hands which she could not refuse him and left her full of that evenings adventures which found her entertainment The rest of that night not knowing what to think of Beyran's fortune whom she believed turned Turk for despair at the thought of this the tears trickled down her Cheeks and she perceived that if what he told her was true of her having been betrayed by her Maid and that he had not any hand in Alphonso's base action as in truth it was scarce credible he had she would love him more than ever and pardon his being found with the Vice Queen though this was a tender point and not to be remembred without a volly of sighs Assen found the Aga's news true and not able to get out of the Castle went with him to his apartment where the pretended Renegado caused a Bed to be provided him but they spent the whole night in discourse Assen you may believe had an itching curiosity to hear the story of Marquess Hippolito having heard Laura's Assen as soon as they were private fell into that discourse The Aga who knew how much he wanted Assen's help to plead for him to Laura was ready to pleasure him with the relation and having understood Laura had told him part of What concern d her he was willing to acquaint him with what came not to her knowledge and began thus When I arrived at Naples I found there the Viceroys Son whom I was acquainted with in my younger days and renew'd our friendship establish'd rather in the conformity of our age than of our Inclinations he brought me to Court and esteemed it necessary a new comer should be a little instructed in the passages there he took the pains to tell me all the principal Intrigues and â—ffairs of Love and made me the Confident of his Passion for the fair Eleanor expecting from the fair friendship between us I would when acquainted with her do him the best service in my power I had a sight of her and by the first effects of that view could easily fore-see there was no continuing Alphonso 's Friend without becoming his Rival I was troubled at it and reproached my self for my unfaithfulness but what signified that when there was love in the case There was no resisting Eleanors charms and I had instantly taken the resolution to love her had not the Vice Queen used all possible arts to divert me she express'd no small complaisance for me which I attributed to the friendship between her Son and me But having found me one day in deep meditation she asked me whether I would freely acknowledge the cause of my melancholy if she could guess what it was and might serve me in the business I assur'd her I would she adds I was under the Fate of many other unfortunate Lovers who could not see Eleanor without being affected with the excellency of her Beauty I was strangely surpriz'd to find a passion scarce entertained in my Soul already known to the Vice Queen and could not imagine how she came by the discovery of a secret I had resolved to keep close as long as possibly I could it was not in my power to deny it the trouble in my face and change of my colour having given her sufficient evidence how truly she had guessed I told her I found my self too weak to resist the Charms of that beautiful Maid and was sorry only Don Alphonso her Son and my Friend was concern'd she answered that a passion we cannot master was not to be complain'd of nor blam'd and that her Son could not be so unreasonable as not to pardon my falling into a distemper himself had been afflicted with But she believed I should prove as unfortunate as her Son but to keep her word with me she would let me see my concerns were more dear to her than the Interest of her Son but I must not blame her if her endeavours should prove ineffectual which she had too much cause to expect from the strange and unparallel'd insensibility of that fair Maid that she would speak for me that very day and see what hopes of a favourable reception and whether she defi'd love out of a general aversion for Mankind or a particular disgust against some of that Sex The same time she assigned me Ten a Clock at night to meet her in the great Walk in the Garden to receive an account of her Negotiation I was there to wait for her and she keept her Assignation I saw her come with one of her Maids who was her Confident and having given her my hand to lead her into a Bower I went in with her trembling for fear of having ill News which I presently apprehended from her Countenance Poor Marquess says she you have no better fortune than others this Girls heart is proof to all Essays and did you but know that ill-favoured description and scurvy character she gave of you you would soon judge it to no purpose to apply your self to her but I would have you believe I say not this to discourage you but should be sorry to see a young Gentleman as you having qualities worthy the esteem of a fair Lady should imploy them where there is not any hopes to prevail I had certainly suspected this extraordinary condescension and goodness of the Vice-Queen had not what she said been agreeable to the report of the whole Court that the fair Eleanor was the most insensible person in the World I knew well enough 't was not any concern she had for the Passion of her Son made her speak as she did she loved
the Vice-Queen whom I then thought to have written in good earnest I saw nothing in this Lady but what pleased me extreamly and to speak the truth it was the sole moment I may be said to have forgot the fair Eleanor since I loved her She was in a loose dress but handsom and rich beyond expression I had not seen the like at Court and knew not what to think the Richness of the furniture as well as her dress declaring her to be a Lady of no ordinary quality but I was very much perplext to guess who she was I made up to her and spoke and the amorous impatience I had to know her not permitting the use of much Ceremony towards the Lady that stay'd for me I put my knee to the Ground and laying hold on one of her fair hands which she allowed me to kiss It was but reason Madam said I I should have languished all this day as I have done who could not expect this happiness without being put to the pain at least of longing for it I looked for an answer in hopes to know the voice but she said not a word I intreated her to ease me of the pain she might believe I was in and that if she resolved not to be seen she would however vouchsafe to speak to me that where I was directed to bring a heart of love I hoped to see a Lady that had Beauty and Wit that as yet she had only moved my curiosity but if she meant to reach my heart I must see her As I spoke thus I perceived her laugh which gave me the boldness to lift up her hood She put back my hand but so weakly I thought it would not displease her to press a little further there were but we two in the Room her Confident having doubtless received Orders to withdraw and I was ready to put her to the squeak when at last she threw off her hood But how was I surpriz d to see 't was the Vice-Queen Well Sir says she blushing will you be content with your good fortune And will it not be presumption in me to fancy my self capable to make you forget all other Beauties I answered her more like a Gallant than a Lover she was satisfi'd however and without ingaging further in the relation of a discourse of which you may guess the consequence I will tell you only that having spent two or three hours in her company I return'd to my lodging the way I came and she to the Palace I saw her on the morrow and our Correspondence held for some time but cur'd not my passion Her Son with whom I had particular as well as general reasons to maintain a fair Correspondence exprest more friendship for me than I could have wisht he was not content to make me the Confident of his affection but imploy'd me to speak for him to the fair Eleanor expecting more benefit from the Intercession of such a Friend than any addresses of his own I did and you have doubtless heard from her she let me understand I should speed better in speaking for my self than for him 't was then I thought my self the most unfortunate of men for believing so easily what the Vice-Queen had said to me whose conduct convinc'd me sufficiently how far she concern'd her self in my business I design'd that moment to abandon her favour and give my self up intirely to my first passion but to prevent the trouble I might expect from the Vice Queen if she knew it I thought fit to dissemble a little and disingage my self by degrees without declaring on the sudden for Eleanor I observed the best I could the measures I had taken but 't is a difficult matter to conceal a passion from a jealous and a witty Woman The Vice-Queen perceived my relapse before I made Eleanor acquainted with it she punished my Apostacy with a thousand reproaches which were seconded with tears and I the better to manage her pretended a firm Re-ingagement to her But what will not a slighted Lady do or what more dangerous than a jealous Woman I was thenceforward more curious of seeing and speaking with the beautiful Eleanor and avoided the occasions of being found in her company while the Vice-Queen was by but all to no purpose the Vice-Queen knew all and so well discern'd what was true from what was feigned that she guessed exactly right of the privatest of my thoughts One day as I walked with her in the Garden she told me we had both lost time to no purpose I inforceing my self against my Inclination to pretend continuance of affection for her and she endeavouring to make me love though against my will That she saw well enough what I now did was but the effect of my civility to a Lady of her quality who had exprest kindness for me But 't was time to put an end to our pain and to satisfie me she intended it she assured me she would no longer oppose my Inclination and that I would believe it upon the Confession she made me that I might expect from Eleanor not only a kind reception but something of love yet I put no great confidence in all these good words as coming from a party too lyable to suspicion But when by an Excess of goodness she added that to convince me she was more my Friend than I could imagine she would contribute more than any other to my satisfaction and procure a Letter from the Viceroy to Eleanor's Father to perswade him to consent I should have his Daughter I was so transported with joy I could not forbear making her very large acknowledgements She told me I should see by the answer to that Letter what good Service she had done me She did as she promised and after the Letter she procured from the Viceroy I doubted not of being compleatly happy in few days The news was confirmed by the beautiful Eleanor and I had the pleasure to see her glad of it as I was nothing troubled me then but the slow pace of time The Viceroy had sent an express to Genes but the Courier was scarce got a Horse-back but I wish'd him return'd every moment seemed a year by my longing and impatience the only pleasure I had was the time I was in Eleanor's company who assur'd on her part of the success of the Viceroy's Recommendation who had great Interest with her Father and sensible of the pain I was in to have the matter confirmed had not the power to deny my passion the favour of a visit which I begged I might make her having engaged my self to her with all the promises and oaths to be expected on such an occasion from a Lover belov'd The assignation was made and her Chamber agreed for the place of Rendezvous Pardon me my dear Assen for fetching a sigh at the remembrance of that day which should have been a time of love and of joy but was the most dismal and unfortunate of my life Night was
come and when I thought my self just ready to be possess'd of so great a happiness Clarice who waited on Eleanor in her Chamber and was her intimate Confident brought me a Billet I will shew you having by good fortune kept it safe to this minute With that he took out a little Purse from his pocket and out of the Purse the Billet which he read to Assen in these words I am heartily sorry my dear Hippolito I must fail my assignation But an unhappy accident I must not now tell you of will for a few days retard our happiness you may believe me as sensible of it as you are but love me as you have done Love will furnish us with opportunity enough Adieu I had never received a Letter from Eleanor nor knew her Character so that it was easie for Clarice to make me believe that Billet came from her I asked her what her Mistress ail'd Nothing says she laughing but that she is not very well this evening I fancied understood her meaning and examin'd her no further but withdrew sufficiently displeased with my ill fortune that night when a Page of the Vice-Queens met me coming down stairs and told me his Lady desired to speak with me In the humour I was in I could have wish'd a Dispensation from waiting upon her but not knowing what excuse to make being so near her and fearing she might have something to tell me from Eleanor being the common subject of her discourse with me I followed the Page into her Chamber where I found her expecting my coming she was at her Toilet and the Viceroy being out of Town as soon as she saw me she reproached me for deserting her so she could of late scarce see me in the croud that if I would not out of Gallantry I should at least out of civility have afforded her my company when destitute of other I was not disposed for giving her so pleasing an answer as I would have done another time however I said not any thing to disoblige her I was melancholy and vext but so deeply in love I had a stock of kindness and complaisance which abundantly furnished me with pleasing expressions which the Vice-Queen did not disapprove of I had not seen her in a better humour and falling into discourse she kept me with her a great part of that night but she thought me out of humour and quarrelled with me upon 't I excused my self as having sat up all the night before at play Hereupon she invited me to lye on her Bed I was priviledg'd to be familiar and without further intreaty made use of my liberty for the truth is I was almost dead for want of sleep within less than two hours I was awak'd on the sudden by the light of a Flamboy held before my eyes and the first object I saw was Eleanor with a Ponyard in her hand to take away my life had not Don Alphonso laid hold on her arm and prevented the stroke Judge you what amazement I was in I might with some reason have suspected all this a Dream But my Rival having seized the Ponyard to execute what he had hindered Eleanor to do had she not done me in her turn the like Service I thought it high time to take care of my life and running to my Arms put my self in a posture of defence The Vice-Queen half dead with the fright came running to part us but was like to have been kill'd by her Son who seemed as eager to dispatch her as me I happily saved her two or three times and at last standing before her the fury Don Alphonso was in made him run on my Weapon and kill himself rather than be killed by me I saw him fall which troubled me extreamly foreseeing the dreadful Consequence of such a misfortune I turn'd towards the unhappy Mother to ask her what she would do and found her swouned away and lying without motion I was so much afflicted with the spectacle I wish'd my self dead at last necessity pressing me to withdraw I entred Eleanor's Chamber to see her once more and dye at her feet if she desired my life to expiate my fault but I found her not and so left the Pallace without any obstacle My design was to pass into Sicily and being in search of a Felucca to embarque in found Clarice almost drown'd in tears at the Port. I knew her and asked whither she went and what she would have Ah Sir said she I have been looking for my Mistress who the Mariners tell me is embarqued not a quarter of an hour since for Barcellona I was strangely surprized at the news and without further deliberation took the first Felucca I met and Clarice being very willing to go with me in search of her Mistress or rather to get away from a Court where she had reason to fear the severest extremities after the disorder lately happen'd wherein she knew her self concern'd I put her aboard and had the weather so favourable we hoped to reach Barcellona before Eleanor could be there I took care to enquire the Name of the Felucca she was embarqued in and the Masters I was till then so distracted and oppress'd with grief and despair it was not in my power to make any resolution on all these misfortunes but being got to Sea I recollected my self and considered all those disasters but the more I thought on them the more was I perplex'd about them I could not imagine by what accident Don Alphonso and Eleanor should be together to surprize me in the Vice-Queens Chamber unless we had been betray'd or Don Alphonso more in favour with Eleanor than I believed and if that were so why should my Rival prevent my death as he did and why did she take her turn too to save my life from Alphonso unless both were ambitious of the honour to have killed me However I must confess I deserv'd death and wish I had received it at Eleanor's hand I should not then have had the displeasure of imbrewing my hands in the Blood of a Person who had all the reason in the World to be reveng'd of me Clarice was very ill in the Felucca of the fright she had taken or else Sea-sick I had not seen her all the time of the disaster at Naples I told her part of the story and found it so much afflicted her especially when I acquainted her with the death of Alphonso she grew worse and worse I asked her several questions which she answered with a great deal of trouble pretending Ignorance but in such a manner as gave me cause enough to suspectned the contrary and believe she was more concer in this business than I was aware of I was unwilling to press her in the condition she was in to reveal the secret though I was curious of a discovery but hoped to make it when she should be a little better We arriv'd at Barcellona but no news of the Bark Eleanor went aboard of I
resolved to have patience a while as well as the Merchants who had effects in it of great value But how careful soever I was of Clarice she grew worse than at Sea and all the Physicians could do for her prevented not her being reduced to that extremity they gave her over as desperate so that finding her self at deaths door she sent for me to her Chamber and having desired to speak with me in private the rest of the company quitted the Room and she told me that Don Alphonso having gained her she did him all the Service she could against me with her Mistress and having over-heard part of my last discourse with Eleanor she instantly acquainted my Rival with it who transported with rage and despair against a design so fatal to his Affection resolved by any means to defeat it and if possible make advantage of it for himself That in order to this he made her write a Letter and carry it me as from her Mistress that Don Alphonso took his time and his measures accordingly having learnt from her the hour and the manner of my coming to Eleanor's Chamber that he got in without difficulty but what pass'd further she knew not only some hours after hearing the noise of Swords she ran in where she found her Mistress all in disorder packing away that she would have followed her but her Mistress begg'd of her to let her go alone At last finding the noise increase in the Vice-Queens Chamber she was frighted and went towards the Port where I found her with that the unhappy Girl with abundance of tears begged that now at her death I would pardon her a Crime had cost her her life She said no more but two hours after died I will not tell you the different motions of my heart during the dismal Relation this Wretch made me but the appearance of Death in her face made me pardon her As for Don Alphonso I heartily wish'd him alive again as not sufficiently punished by one death for his Treason but the Traytors being both in another World I had no Subject to exercise my Revenge on unless my ill Fate against which I spent my time in fruitless Complaints To Compleat my misery News came the Bark we expected was lost which was confirmed by Advice from several Parties Never man in such despair as I I will not tell you the extravagancies it made me run into it distracts me to think on 't there was no other remedy to bring me to my self but to perswade me the News from Sea were not so sure but that we had reason to expect further Confirmation and that Vessels reported cast away came frequently safe into Port that the Sea was a large Countrey and one Vessel might be easily mistaken for another and that many fell into the hands of the Turks which were supposed to have been wracked because they were not heard of This gave me but small comfort yet I thought I had some reason of hope undertaking a Voyage to visit all the Ports of the Levant till I should learn some certainty of the Felucca I was in search of The Aga having finished his Story Assen told him he was very glad for his sake that Matters pass'd otherwise than Eleanor believed that it would be no hard matter to make his peace when she understood the Treachery of her Chamber-maid that he was not to wonder at the Anger she express'd against him for that she knew not any of the Particulars he related to justifie himself but suspected him of Intelligence with Don Alphonso to betray her Heavens is it possible cries Hippolito she should do my Love the injury to entertain such a thought of me had I not loved her as I did could she fancy me capable of so much baseness Sir said Assen when there 's Evidence against us and no Plea in defence for our justification we are easily cast what could you expect a Lady dishonoured by the Son should have believed of you whom she found in the Arms of the Mother but that he sacrificed the one to you that you might leave him the other Ah! Assen replies the Aga with a sigh let 's talk no more of what 's past as innocent as I am of the one side I must acknowledge my self guilty of the other But let me entreat you to excuse and extenuate the fault as much as you can before her or rather never speak of it but endeavour only to disabuse her and alter the ill opinion she hath of me and assure your self what-ever Fortune befal me I will not be ungrateful for the Service you will do me I believe you have heard from her who I am and if the condition she is in or any other Reason hath oblig'd her to conceal her Birth and other things concerning her that might render her more worthy the zeal you have for her Service I will satisfie your curiosity in every particular Assen thanked him and fell a laughing and answered he had known her too long to want Instructions in those Particulars and could give a better account of her Birth and Family than any Person what-ever The Aga surpriz'd at it entreated him earnestly to let him understand how he being a Turk should so long and so particularly know her Assen told him the Story and part of what happen'd at Genes It was day by that time Assen had done which put them in mind of taking some resolution about the design in hand and the means to be made use of to get Laura out of the Castle without danger They thought of several ways but all appear'd full of uncertainty and inconvenience yet they two could best do it of any the one having all the power over Laura's Guards and the other over the Garrison of the Castle But all things were so strictly examined by the vigilance of the inferior Officers whom the Dey a man as vigilant as fearful had strictly commanded to be always on Guard and not permit any to come in or go out without taking exact notice of them that it was absolutely necessary to take right measures and still fear the success Assen at length bethought himself of a Stratagem the less subject to discovery as covered under a cloak of Religion though in truth apt to startle a nice Girl as Laura There was a Souldier of the Castle dead the night afore to be buried that day he resolved to lock up the Corps in a Chamber and carry out Laura on the Bier as if she had been the Souldier to be buried in the Church-yard behind the Castle The Aga was of opinion there could be no danger in the expedient but doubted much whether Laura could be induc'd to make use of it yet after long consultation and discourse of other means they thought that not only the best but the only one they could promise themselves a good design from But to prevent the trouble Laura might have upon the apprehension of Death or other sad Accident
away In what perplexity then was this unfortunate Company they were five or six Leagues distant from the Cape of Carthage where the Brigandine was they had no time to lose and knew not what to resolve on when on the sudden they heard the noise of Horses making towards them Assen hid Eleanor and Hippolito under an old Wall and advanced with some of his people towards the Horse-men They marched apace and quickly asked who is there Assen told them who he was and by good fortune found it was Romadan the Master of the Gallies coming from Port-farm with a Guard He told him the Bassa's Sophies had taken from his people some Horses he had in readiness to go for Cape-Carthage to see a Brigandine he was sending out to Sea Romadan who knew the respect the Bassa had for Assen was angry for what was done by the Sophies and to remedy the inconvenience told Assen he might take his choice of what Horses he pleased out of his Troop and not trouble himself for his own they should be sent him where he pleased to order Assen glad of the opportunity accepted his offer and Romadan taking him aside told him The Bassa had a design to come again to him and by any means to get Laura out of the Castle and that he would do well in his return from Cape-Carthage to take the Camp in his way and endeavour to divert the Bassa from so dangerous an Enterprize Assen having promised it dis-engaged himself from Romadan as soon as he could but Romadan would oblige him at parting with two of his Horse-men to accompany him and serve him from the Parties that were abroad and might set upon him unknown This put Assen into a little perplexity but he would not refuse the kindness for fear of giving cause of suspicion And having taken his leave he advanced towards his company and acquainted the two Lovers in few words what fortune he had met with All mounted and Eleanor in Boys Cloaths pass'd for a young Slave of Assen's the night helping to cover the disguise they made all the haste possible Hippolito being still at Eleanor's elbow the Master of the Gallies Horse-men led the Van to answer those they met and Assen as Commander in chief sometimes on one side sometimes on the other without affecting much to be near Hippolito or Eleanor by the help of the Horse-men they had free passage and were several times saved from being taken and carried before the Bassa At last being come to the Brigandine they delivered the Horses to be restor'd to the owners and having rewarded them well for their pains Assen sent them back with this Letter to the Bassa Sir Be not displeased with me for endeavouring the liberty of a Maid to whose Family I owe mine you have often heard me speak of my obligations to my Patron when I lived among the Christians I have met with an occasion to satisfie them in the Person of his Daughter being that same Laura the Dey kept Prisoner Wonder not my gratitude hath prevailed with me to expose my life for those who saved mine The Dey perhaps may have as much reason as you to excuse me but in actions that honour and reason inspire I fear no reproach Laura was the 〈◊〉 of the difference betwixt you the Peace will be easier made now she is gone Thus doing my duty I procure the good of my Country which every honest man wishes and will certainly thank me for Adieu live content and prosper in your designs and be so just as not to condemn Assen They instantly hoised sail and the Weather being favourable they doubled the Cape pass'd Port-Farine and were got a great way to Sea before the Horse-men could have come to the Bassa whom we will leave foaming with rage and fury against Assen and return to the happy company now beginning to take pleasure in seeing themselves out of danger at least from Land for as to the Sea while you are on it there is no security against it Hippolito sat sighing by his beautiful Eleanor and she feasted her self with the sweetness of liberty to enjoy in safety the conversation of a Lover she had given over for lost Assen was busie giving orders in the Brigandine but being becalmed on the sudden and no way to be made but by rowing he sat by them to congratulate their happiness 'T is true says Eleanor I should esteem my self the most fortunate person on Earth if after what you have assur'd me of the Marquess you could ease me of the scruples the Turks habit he wears raises within me Was it possible adds she blushing you should change your Religion 'T is the very thing I longed to know of him Madam and how he came to Barbary for he hath not yet told me No Madam answers Hippolito I am still a Christian and had I been threatned with Death or with Torments I should not have changed my Religion but 't is true I have been long thought a Turk Assen who could not conceive how it could be so in a Country like his where in matters of Religion there are Formalities not to be counterfeited pray'd him to declare what course he had taken and how it was possible for him to escape Circumcision being the first of the Ceremonies used in that case Hippolito to satisfie him knowing he should at the same time do Eleanor a pleasure went on with his story I told you formerly of the resolution I took of searching every Creek of the Mediterranean for the Vessel this Lady embarqued in I did so for seven or eight months in a little Frigat with six pieces of Ordinance wherein I was at last taken by a Vessel of Tripoly of no less than thirty Guns after six hours Fight and the loss of almost all our men I was carried to Tripoly where they presented me to the Bassa who upon the good report they gave of my behaviour in the Fight used me very civilly and having in few days express'd no small affection for me wished I would turn Turk and sent me for the purpose to a famous Cady to be instructed in their Faith this Mahometan Doctor was a very honest man and witty he was the Son of a Renegado and had less Faith than his Father in what he taught others he spoke very freely to me and I opened my self to him and pray'd him to make the Bassa believe I was turn'd Turk he did so the Bassa believed it on his word and express'd for me more kindness than ever but he had a Nephew who was jealous of it and often quarrelled with me on that score which might afterwards have produced further inconvenience The Bassa who had a tender love for this Nephew foresaw what might follow and resolved to part us for some time till this Nephew were cured of his jealous and tempestuous humour he sent me with great Presents to the Dey of Tunis his intimate Friend recommending me very earnestly and
you would make me believe my self as happy as you say help me to a sight of the Sultaness Laura told him he should presently hear of her and brought him into a Chamber where her Lady was used to receive visits It was her custom to seat her self in a kind of Alcove the passage to which was through her Chamber made up with great Ballistres guilt and covered with a Curtain of very thin Silk through which she could see those whom she honoured only with a sight of her which is a piece of State used in that Country Laura told the Count that the Sultaness would see him from behind that Curtain And shall not I then said he have the honour to see her I know not said Laura but 't is a favour so great that 't is never granted but when they are willing to grant all that may be expected Ah Madam said the Count I beseech you to desire that favour for me tell her it will be of small consequence to give a stranger a sight of her and that I shall die with grief if she deny me that honour Laura promised him all the assistance in her power and leaving him for a moment went to advertise the Sultaness who questionless longed for news of the arrival of her dearly beloved Christian In the mean time the Count considered the Riches and Ornaments of the Chamber being the most magnificent of the Apartment it was set out with four Crystal Glasses which had a pleasant effect on the Gold and the Jewels which glitter'd all about Scarce had the Sultaness seen Laura but she knew by her countenance the happy news she brought and without allowing her time to say any thing she past to the Alcove from whence she design'd to take a view of the Christian before he should know that she was there But she made too great a noise at her entrance and the Cavalier let her know he had perceivd her by saluting her as he did after the Turkish mode Laura arrived the same time from the other side and going to the Ballistre went to whisper the Sultaness who was not able sufficiently to express the pleasure she took in seeing this Christian and the Charms that appear'd in his Person As for him he was strangely perplext at a visit of this nature where he could neither see nor speak to the Party he visited He went he came he turn'd about as desired and at the end of the Shew went silently to the Ballistre and addressing himself to the Sultaness having seen a shadow of her through the Curtain he told her a thousand pretty Stories a thousand Gallantries to oblige her to afford him a view for she understood Italian and spoke it pretty well having learnt it of Laura She was very well pleas d to hear the Count speak and heartily laught at it but answered not a word nor had the Curtain drawn The Count was impatient and accounting every moment lost he spent in that manner seem'd to fret and be angry and in a frank and free way told her he should die of the Phantasie as the People of that Country if she denied him this favour and that at last he would with his own hand draw that troublesome Curtain and he had certainly done it if Laura who fear'd the Sultaness might take it ill had not hindred him But Laura was mistaken and her Lady gave her not thanks for her pains 'T is a Maxim among the Women of that Country not to sin of themselves against the Rules of their duty but press them a little and offer them the least violence they will presently yield without any resistance their excuse is that nature is weak that men know it well enough and are very much to blame to press them so home that if there be harm done it must be laid to their score who cause them to do it and not to them who are ignorant of it and innocent in the business Laura not well verst in the use of this Maxim committed a fault when she thought she had been discharging her duty The amorous Sultaness would have been ravish'd with joy to have been seen by the Christian and the officious Slave spoil'd all by a piece of useless discretion But her Lady was willing to receive the miscarriage and satisfie in some measure the extream desire her dear Christian had to see her she gave him leave to ask what he pleased to make him amends for the rigour of the custom of that Country which made it undecent for her Sex to shew themselves to any but their Husband The Count presently desired she would at least do him the honour of shewing him one of her fair hands The Sultaness no sooner heard him but lifting up the Curtain a little she gave him her hand over the Ballistre The young Count was so charmed with this favour that transported with joy he laid his knee to the ground and kissed her hand with such passion that the Sultaness equally transported wrung his hand pressing it so hard to let him know she approved of what he did She was not over careful to keep her self unseen and having put forth her arm she could not choose but sometimes appear to him in part by one chance or other to which perhaps she contributed a little Her Gallant could have wish'd he had had a full sight of her but thinking he had enough for the first time he would not adventure to desire any more The pleasure the Sultaness took in the sight of him was so great and so charming that she could have willingly past that night with him But knowing that many eyes were upon her and that she lived where men are extreamly given to jealousie and especially of their Wives she had apprehensions of being Lampoon'd in her own Apartment for staying so long in the Alcove at a time so unseasonable for receiving a visit And Laura had told her 't was time to withdraw But how cruel a thing 't is to be forced to part from that which we love it cannot be done without pain and regret Still she found some little pretence or other to stay him a little longer at last she presented him with a Gold Chain beset with Jewels and told him obligingly it was not fit a Slave like him should wear any other The happy Count better satisfy'd with this Chain than if she had given him the Grown of Tunis answered her Gallantry and the favour she did him with the most passionate and the most grateful expressions imaginable And seeing the necessity of parting he took his leave of the Sultaness and withdrew with Laura who accompanied him to the Gate of the Apartment Presents among the Turks are the first Evidences of affections and often pass for declarations of love Laura who knew it well enough made the Count sensible before parting what that meant which he had received from the Sultaness and that he was not to doubt having heard and seen so