made them pull both their Hoods over their Faces and to 〈◊〉 a little out of the way the better to avoid the Danger They passed them without any obstructions but neither Darbelle nor Mariana knowing that Clitie's Father had orders to apprehend him were much surpriz'd to find him in this Equipage they consulted a while about what they should do and to resolve to what place he should retire till the hour appointed to visit Clitie In short having well consider'd on the matter Darbelle not daring to trust any consider'd that it wou'd be very difficult to go to any place in his Woman's Habit without Discovery took up a Resolution to go directly to Clitie's and shut himself up in Mariana's Chamber He accomplish'd his desire most happily for they both got in without being perceiv'd by any and Mariana immediately went to Clitie to give her an account of all that had pass'd Clitie was extremely pleas'd at the News for Clitie's Father with the Guard departed to apprehend Darbelle almost at the same time that Mariana was sent to give him notice of it In the midst of these Troubles fearing what might happen to him she endured strange Tortures but no sooner did she understand that Darbelle was safe arrived but she went to him to testifie the Joy she received for his Escape Darbelle says she coming up to him I have deceived both my Father and the King to save your life and 't is no small trouble to me that it is not in my power to do yet more whereby I might testifie to you what interest I take in all that concerns you My fairest Clitie answered Darbelle you have had only care of preserving a man who is wholly yours but one who shall be imploy'd on no other account but your Service and to adore you even to his Grave Falling on his Knees and going to continue his Discourse Clitie prevented him saying to him Darbelle our time is precious and you have had a wonderful escape in this present avoiding your Ruine it is a great Argument Heaven it self has no small interest in you since it makes you so much its care and works such Miracles in your behalf abuse not therefore its goodness but lay hold on the means it proffers you and lose no time in making your escape out of Paris where your Enemies are so well informed of all that you do You cannot but be sensible that you have been betray'd since the King had information that you were retired to Lycida's House by very good fortune he gave his Orders for apprehending you to my Father and not to hold you longer it was from him I knew the Secret by which means I gave you timely notice Tho now you may imagine you are safe enough who knows what may happen How are you sure that none has dog'd you hither Consider therefore how miserable shall we both be shou'd you be taken in my Father's House My Honour and your life must be the Victims which our Enemies will sacrifice with all pleasure imaginable therefore both for my sake and your own I intreat you would not think of staying any longer here not only at Court but in the Kingdom and many times the Circumstances you lie under become more calm and tranquil as they grow old and 't is not impossible but after some time a means may be found out in your absence to pacifie the King's Anger and to change the Face of Affairs by making the King understand the Truth of the matter and that your Quarrel was not a set Duel but a Rancounter your Friends are many and powerful and I am sure will not forsake you and for my own part I will use all the interest I can that I may see you once again at Court and re-establish'd in the King's Favour Darbelle having hearkned to this Discourse of Clitie's without interrupting her being so overwhelm'd in Sorrow that he was incapable of saying one word and instead of returning her an Answer stood almost drown'd in Tears Clitie added a thousand other obliging things to comfort him at length Darbelle recollecting himself uttered these wordâ—â— but with so languishing a tone as he weâ—â— just departing this Life O my mâ— lovely Clitie does your Heart account with you in what you say on my account Clitie who already had resolv'd to discover to him the tender Sentiments she had for him and to give him all the assurances of Love that might become a Person of her Quality Honour and Vertue But one who still was under her Father's disposal paused a little ere she discover'd her self In short this was a lucky hour for Darbelle for Clitie thought it wou'd be very difficult to perswade him to leave her without giving him some hopes of seeing her again and being happy at his return and she fear'd that without some 〈◊〉 hopes he might yet be guilty of some extravagant thing in endeavouring to obtain her Love that might perhaps 〈◊〉 him his Life Having considered these things add to these the Passion she felt 〈◊〉 Heart which now she was no longer Mistress of she return'd him this Answer O Darbelle how cruel are you thus not to understand me and apprehend I love Alas Darbelle having given you such evident Proofs already methinks you might have been kind to me and spar'd my Blushes in telling you I love you and perhaps says she with a deep sigh more than you love me She blush'd in uttering these words and turn'd aside her Eyes from looking on Darbelle who was so extasied with what he heard and transported with the excess of Love and Joy he was not capable of returning her thanks nevertheless he threw himself at her Feet embracing her Knees and kissing a thousand times over her fair Hands at last he burst out O you great Gods are you not envious of the happiness I have Yes my adorable Clitie goes he on your 〈◊〉 is dearer to me than the Empire of the World But oh not all the Words 〈◊〉 Eloquence or Wit can e're express my Love and nothing but your All-charming Beauty can come in Competition with it And had I but the least thought that any thing cou'd change my Heart here I swear to you my divine Saint that I wou'd this moment pierce the persidious thing a thousand times before your Eyes He made a Million of Protestations 〈◊〉 an everlasting Love and Clitie gave him an assurance that she wou'd never marry any one but him and that she wou'd not only refuse all such who should make their amour to her but withstand the very Will and Command of her Father shou'd he ever attempt to bestow her on 〈◊〉 other Many passionate Expressions pass'd on 〈◊〉 sides for Confirmation of their Loves 〈◊〉 Protestations after which Clitie commanded him but with the greatest regret imaginable to depart the next day they 〈◊〉 of 'em seem'd to disolve in Tears 〈◊〉 the unseasonableness of the time and 〈◊〉 return of Clitie's Father constrain'd a
〈◊〉 Clitie promis'd she would not fail to 〈◊〉 him again as soon as she could get 〈◊〉 from her Father in the mean time 〈◊〉 desired him to resolve whither he 〈◊〉 go that so they might take 〈◊〉 of informing each other how matters 〈◊〉 and that she wou'd find some way 〈◊〉 other for their easie and secret Correspondence by Letters Darbelle sighing return'd her this Answer I am too much your Slave not to obey you in every thing altho' I run the hazard of my life in the Performance And here I implore Heaven's Aid to give one power to bear my Sufferings At 〈◊〉 words both parted Clitie to visit her Father who she found in a more pleasant Humour than what she left him My dearest Child says he looking on her the poor Darbelle by good fortune 〈◊〉 evited Death I have not found him 〈◊〉 Lyeidas's House the King can blame none but those who have given him 〈◊〉 Advice I am so well satisfied that 〈◊〉 met not with him that I cannot put 〈◊〉 a Disguise to the contrary and seem troubled especially since I am so well assured of my due performing all 〈◊〉 Commands I receiv'd from his Majesties for searching that House where they suppos'd he had conceal'd himself Clitie put on such an indifference during her Father's Relation that the most nice Observer cou'd have suspected her to have been a Party concern'd in the Business Soon after her Father took Coach to get and acquaint the King of his Proceedings and Clitie flew to visit her Darbelle carrying with her a small Casket of Pearls and Diamonds for him Darbelle says she our Affairs are now in an exceeding good Posture and seeing you are resolv'd to follow my advice I hope the Heavens will be pleased some time or other to compleat our Happiness lose no moment but quickly save your self here I present you with all my richest Jewels which are of value enough to assist you in whatsoever you shall stand in need of and I make it my request you would not refuse them for 〈◊〉 know it is very inconvenient for you to seek for others of your own and so great a Journey cannot but be expensive Darbelle was amaz'd at her Bounty and after having return'd her a thousand 〈◊〉 very obligingly Clitie says he there is no need of any thing more than your Commands to make me leave this place and to obey you and nothing but the Assurance of your Love and Fidelity which can support my Life when I am absent from your fair Eyes I love you continues he with too ardent a Passion to give you any longer these Apprehensions of fear which for your sake make not so deep impressions on your Heart as they do on mine And since you are pleas'd so to order me I will be gone by break of day as for my Life it will be in no danger the way that I intend to take for I have a Gentleman that has been brought up from his Childhood with me and one that has tied himself so to me that he is resolv'd to share in all my Fortunes he is endued with an infinite Wit and discreet Conduct by whose means I shall be able to put on what Disguise I 〈◊〉 till I shall arrive at some place where I shall have no longer cause to fear It is some time since says he that I commanded him to be in a readiness to execute what orders I shou'd give him and to be always prepar'd to follow me I will give him Instructions to attend me at St. Anthony's Gate to marrow by the break of day nor will I take any other with me till I shall come to the next great City through which I am to pass where I will furnish my self with other Servants to wait on me who neither knowing my true Name Quality nor my Business are not liable to betray me as apparently I have been already by some of my People tho' I know not whom to accuse As for Money most generous Clitie says he I have sufficient to serve me in my Journey I shall not put my self to unnecessary Expences the Passion that possesses my Heart will inspire me with nothing but your Idea and force me to seek out a Solitude where I may live free from all the noise of Pleasure or Disturbance of Delight I intend for Italy where I will never rest 〈◊〉 any place but such whose Shades 〈◊〉 melancholy Silence shall be agreeable to my Humour and to whom alone I 〈◊〉 make my Moans and lament your 〈◊〉 Absence sacrifice all to the Griefs and Sorrows I suffer for you After this manner my heavenly Mistress says he will I employ my Hour and spend my Days while I am banish'd from your 〈◊〉 in the interim I will sollicite all my Friends and Relations by my Letters to acquaint his Majesty of my Innocency and give him a true Account of all my Proceedings and if possible oblige him once more to give me free liberty of serving him and the inestimable Happiness of seeing you again O Heavens added he with Tears in his Eyes behold my incomparable Clitie what Resolutions I have taken to obey you yet I doubt whatever Endeavours I shall make it will not be in my power to live after I have parted with you Clitie hearkned to all his Discourse and dissolving in Tears conjur'd him again to accept of her Jewels but he still refus'd them and only took an enamell'd Picture of hers which was in a Box made of an intire Emerauld and set about with Diamonds of an inestimable Price They agreed together to give a reciprocal Account of all the very least Action 〈◊〉 their lives and that when Clitie writ to him she shou'd direct her Letters as he wou'd appoint her in his and that he would direct his to Mariana who would deliver them to Clitie he had sent a 〈◊〉 to his Gentleman whose Name was La Rock to have Horses in readiness in such a place as he had appointed him and had received an Answer that he would not 〈◊〉 to be there those who brought it 〈◊〉 knowing the Design had orders to attend him at the Corner of a Street before the dawning of the day All things being thus order'd Clitie and Darbelle passed the rest of the Night in discoursing about what they had to do both as to their Commerce by Letters as well as the means to accommodate their Affairs they made again a thousand Protestations of Love to each other that it should last till Death Sighs and Tears were their faithful Witnesses and in them never did two Lovers give better Testimonies nor did Darbelle fail in the least point of Respect to her It is true that at that moment wherein they were to part having for some time look'd upon each other without speaking the least Syllable but with Eyes 〈◊〉 most eloquent in Love and Tears and Sighs a thousand times more eloquent 〈◊〉 Words Clitie pressing the Hand of 〈◊〉 disconsolate
embrac'd her he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her never to forsake him assuring 〈◊〉 that should not be his last Present 〈◊〉 desir'd him to come to her the next day at an hour when she was confident Clitie wou'd not be at home that they 〈◊〉 farther consult what measures to 〈◊〉 in order to the supplanting of Darbelle and by some means or other to 〈◊〉 her to love the Prince Thus then they parted after having 〈◊〉 each other a thousand Promises of Fidelity and Amity Mariana fail'd not 〈◊〉 go immediately to her Mistress and 〈◊〉 better to disguise her Proceedings she 〈◊〉 her That now she was indeed worthy to be belov'd she prais'd the Grandeur 〈◊〉 her Soul and admir'd the Constancy of her 〈◊〉 who had so resolutely and rigorously 〈◊〉 the Efforts of the most powerful and sincere Lover in the World she seem'd 〈◊〉 put her in some way or other of 〈◊〉 the Prince and to prevent his daily 〈◊〉 In short she so well played the 〈◊〉 that Clitie confided more in 〈◊〉 now than ever she had done She receiv'd not one Letter from Darbelle that Mariana shew'd not to the since and indeed almost all those that Clitie had writ in answer to 'em This perfidious Woman slipt not the least occasion of deceiving Clitie and serving the Prince and it would be difficult to distinguish between the Fidelity that Clitie had for Darbelle and that which Mariana had for the Prince The day following Lysidor fail'd not to visit Mariana at the hour appointed 〈◊〉 did she forget to tell him all that she 〈◊〉 learn'd from Clitie she discover'd to 〈◊〉 all that Darbelle had writ to her and what she had writ to him by way of 〈◊〉 and tho' the Entertainment was as a bitter Poison to the Prince yet he made her repeat the same things over and over a hundred times Their Conversation ended as the 〈◊〉 had done in Presents and Protestation to be true and faithful It is true 〈◊〉 the Prince had seriously considered ever Transaction he found his Affairs 〈◊〉 his Mistress were but in a lamentable Condition and he despair'd do what he cou'd ever to gain her Heart he took a Resolution of leaving her and no more 〈◊〉 trouble these two Lovers in passion which to him seem'd so just and ought to be applauded by all vertuous People no soone did his Reason break through and dissipate those Clouds that did obscure his Glory but he was possess'd with a mortal Aversion for Mariana and all her Treachery seem'd odious to him and no doubt but the Soul of this Prince was so great and glorious that it was impossible to make greater Efforts than he made to reduce his Heart from so unfortunate a love he intended no farther to engage her in his Business and cou'd not have good thoughts of one who had so treacherously abus'd her Mistress Now it was that his Eyes being open'd he was sensible of the Deformity of Mariana's Actions that he had not any room in his Heart but what was possess'd with Rage and Anger against her he purpos'd forthwith to discover to Clitie what a Snake she had harbour'd in her Bosome and to tell her all that Mariana had made known to him One day when Glory seem'd to have the only sway of his Heart and to have got the Ascendancy o're Love by the Endeavours he had made he went to find out Clitie with a Resolution to ask her pardon for all the Troubles and Anxities he had given her and to inform her of all that he knew of Mariana Having that day found her alone as she was gathering Jessimine-flowers in a Terrase-walke before the Windows ' of her Apartment he says to her with a cheerfulness more than usual Fair Clitie wonder not I pray you that I presume this day to speak to you with more Assurance than formerly I have done since I am perswaded the business I now come to discourse to you of will be more agreeable to you than any I have yet spoke to you of since the first minute I had the happiness to see you Know then pursues he Madam I am come to throw my self at your Feet and implore a forgiveness of all that your fair Eyes and my Passion have forc'd me so often to say to you against your Approbation In short most beautiful Clitie I am resolv'd to leave you wholly to your own Disposal and desire no greater Favour than to be reckon'd amongst your Friends since I see it is impossible for you to love me as I wou'd have you or for you ever to make me happy I am sensible of the Violence I shou'd offer you shou'd I persecute you any longer and all that my Ambition craves that you wou'd suffer me to adore and honour you above all others and from this time I promise you no more to entertain you with any discourse of my love Clitie was so surpriz'd to hear him say this that at first she gave no credit to his words but imagin'd it some amorous Stratagem but at last he assur'd her of the Truth and wiping away all Suspicion she look'd upon him as a Person infinitely obliging and vertuous Can it be answer'd she that what you tell me now is Truth then have you made me happy and I will ever allow you the same place in my Amity that you have already in my Esteem for now I will no longer hide from you that I was driven even to despair that I have made you endure so much Inquietude which I knew not how to redress but continued she I never was more sensible of any thing than the Cruelty of your Destiny which had ordain'd a Person of your Merits and Vertues to sue to one so incapable of making you any Returns as I but since you only desire I shou'd look on you as a Friend be assur'd I esteem you as my best The Prince return'd her Thanks 〈◊〉 a thousand other obliging things 〈◊〉 spent the rest of that Visit with an Air seemingly full of Content and Satisfaction he thought it not convenient yet 〈◊〉 discover the Intelligence between him and Mariana fearing it might put her out of humour therefore he left that to some more proper season Thus he parted from her with an intention of being only her Friend and no more to trouble her with his Love but in a short time after his Passion which seem'd to be a Sleep rouses it self againe in his Heart and made him apprehend that a Friendship only with Clitie wou'd but make him more miserable and being her Friend he had now no more hopes for Love but must for ever live tormented with Despair What says he my Heart wou'd you no longer love Clitie What then unhappy thing wilt thou do Perhaps thou wilt shortly see her in anothers Arms whilst thou hast no pretension but to Friendship that 's to say thou must be pleas'd to see her with thy Rival and rejoyce in the soft Tenders of their Loves which none
out any Remedy for them tho' it would cost you but a word 's speaking But pray Madam wherefore shou'd a poor Lover who had made all the Efforts he was able to become only a Friend to his Mistress and made it his whole care and study to effect it appear so criminal before you It is because replies she briskly that no honest man promises any thing which he does not performe and if it lies not in his power to do it he ought to order the matter so that his Misfortunes trouble none but himself Clitie blush'd in returning this Answer and all the rest of the Evening she so order'd it that the Prince cou'd have no particular Discourse with her The Ball being done each return'd to their respective homes but Clitie and the Prince were extreamly troubled since she no longer doubted but the Prince was still as amorous as ever and that he would not desist importuning her as he had already done The Prince for his part cou'd draw no favourable Construction of Clitie's Discourse and her manner of delivering it He cou'd no longer defer the knowing the true Condition in which he stood with her the next Morning writ to her Woman Mariana and begged her to let him know for he was impatient till he did how the case stood with him and her Mistress She return'd him in answer That when Clitie was return'd from the Ball she did nothing but weep and sigh saying No Misfortune ever cou'd compare with hers and that she plainly perceiv'd the Prince was still as passionate as ever and that he only rallied with her when he only desir'd to become her Friend Mariana advis'd him to be firm in his Resolution and to lose no time in his Endeavours to mollifie her and that he shou'd not fail to give her a Visit the same day and that she for her part wou'd with all her power be assistant to him in rendring him again in her Favour The Prince receiv'd this News with much trouble and to encrease his Misery he felt his love for Clitie renew after such a manner that it was able to put him upon doing all the extravagant things imaginable maugre the Grandeur of his Soul which at any other time bounded it self in the limits of Glory He went the same day to wait on her whom he found all alone much troubled and melancholy I come says he going up towards her Madam to learn of you why you gave me that hard Treatment last Night and wherefore I have so soon lost the happiness of being of the best of your Friends if it is so that I am not of that number I will no longer afflict my self with your cruel Indifference You ought rather to wonder answers she that I should still admit your Visits after you have abused all those kind Sentiments and good Opinions I had of you but hereafter I shall be more cautious and less reduable to you for ' em It will be difficult to effect it replies the Prince for a man so lost in love as I am can never do too much to defend himself against the Cruelties of his Mistress What! replies Clitie interrupting him do you so daringly tell me you love and not believe you offend me Happen what will replies the Prince I must confess I am a thousand times more amorous than ever and since I have used all means possible to dissipate my Passion yet in vain it is most likely I shall continue so to my latest Breath As for what you threaten me with I am already so loaden with Misfortunes and Miseries that I cannot fear any new ones and all the power you have over me can never render me more wretched than I am It is true continues he that being quite wearied with suffering Woes incredible I thought to have made exchange of Love for that of Friendship and no sooner had I resolv'd it but I told you of it but if I have been deceiv'd cruel Clitie is it my fault or your own for I have not the power to see you but I must love you In finishing these words a Flood of Tears fell from his Eyes and Clitie all enrag'd as she was cou'd not avoid answering his Tears with her own who were as so many Witnesses that her Heart was touch'd with Compassion But what was most strange she having a thousand bitter things to reproach him with and wou'd never have permitted him to come into her Chamber but that she resolv'd to forbid him seeing her any more when she heard him speak in that manner with such a profound submission and unparallel'd respect and with so sincere and transcending Passion she had not the power to execute what she intended And altring her tone You wou'd Prince says she to him ' wear out my life by importuning me daily as you do since all will be in vain and I must ingeniously declare to you my Heart can never be in a capacity to receive your Love. I hope not so replies the Prince yet most adorable Clitie I shall never leave serving you and for all ask no other Reward but the liberty of seeing you and paying my Adorations to your fair Eyes which he spoke with so profound so true and so ardent a Passion that none cou'd have defended their Hearts but such who had the Constancy of Clitie He us'd all his Endeavours during the rest of their Conversation to reduce her to Reason at last she was perswaded that his Passion was rather an Inchantation than any thing else and that it was an Evil that wou'd admit no Cure and she laid down to him the Bounds and Limits that a disinterested Love ought to respect As unfortunate as the Prince was he was well satisfied with this Visit he found a goodness in the Heart of Clitie that always afforded him some Consolation if it cou'd not produce him any hopes Mariana on her part seeing matters so well accommodated was not a little pleas'd she still resolv'd to make the Prince continue his Suit she was not so much concern'd whether it succeeded or no so that he still continued to court Clitie Darbelle hitherto was not every way betray'd by Mariana that is to say his Letters were daily deliver'd to Clitie and Clitie's as duly given to him but seeing that whenever Clitie receiv'd News from her Lover she became more inexorable to the Prince she resolv'd to push her falsehood home and to pretend hereafter she did not so often receive Letters from him nor did she fail daily to instil the Poyson of her Malice into the Heart of Clitie by complaining of Darbelle's silence by which she gave her unspeakable Disquiets and branded him every minute with a thousand Reproaches for his negligence Clitie stood not in need of any help to aggrivate the Impatience she had to hear from him a Love like hers furnish'd her with means sufficient to afflict her self withal The Prince on the other side lived after his usual rate shewing a
part well On the other side Mariana had so fully instructed him during the time he lay conceal'd that he was as perfect in the business as the Authors of the Cheat themselves they inform'd him of all the Questions that Clitie might be suppos'd to ask and the Answers he was to return At length they arriv'd wherein they appointed to inform Clitie of the return of her Messenger Mariana so order'd it that she receiv'd a Letter before Clitie's face which gave her an Account of this News she presently shew'd it her Mistress and seem'd as eager to know the Success of the Journey as Clitie she returned an answer to her Brother commanding him to come at such an hour as she appointed and to take off all Suspicion she would not have her Mistress believe that she had spoken to him ere she her self had seen him The Prince to shew as tho' he knew nothing of the matter seem'd to know nothing of the return and to keep Clitie in the belief that Mariana still kept all her Secrets abstain'd from coming to Clitie's House at the time When the hour appointed by Mariana in her Letter to her Brother was come her Brother enters her Chamber with an Air of a man who had been expos'd to the Fateigues of a long Journey Clitie was with Mariana the same time that he appear'd but was so surpriz'd and so trembled that she cou'd hardly speak to him Mariana's Brother prevented her saying Madam I have perform'd all that you commanded I have been in Florence where I have seen both Darbelle and his Wife I was at their Palace which is indeed the most magnificent of the whole City He is look'd on there as the Prince's chief Favourite and in all appearance is exceedingly well setled in that Countrey he lives very happily and well contentedly with his Fortune his Wife who I saw at my leisure is one of the greatest Beauty's in the World she is very fair and exceedingly well shap'd and as I am inform'd of noble Extraction and of no mean Quality But Madam continues he the better to satisfie your Curiosity I have brought from thence her Picture I had no small trouble to get it being one of the greatest Beauty's of that Court but by the help of my Gold I had it exquisitely well painted by one of the most reputed Artists of that Place Who indeed inform'd me of the whole Story how that he fell in love with her as soon as he arriv'd in that Countrey and was not long ere he was lov'd again that which for some time deferr'd their Marriage was the distance that he was from his Estate and Countrey of which her Friends wou'd first inform themselves and since the time of their being married 't is reported he adores her Clitie who had attended this Relation with a mortal sadness cou'd now no longer endure it so saying to Mariana's Brother Sir you have too well executed my Orders and at the same time desir'd him to leave her alone which he perform'd No sooner was he gone but she cried but in so lamentable a Voice that it wou'd have mov'd a heart of Stone Perfidious Wretch alas then thou hast forgot me ingrateful man how have I deserv'd this usage She repeated these words a hundred times then dropping down on her Couch she fell in a Trance being a long time ere she cou'd be brought to her self again Mariana seem'd to be as much afflicted as her Mistress and pursu'd her Injuries yet further Barbarian says she O that I cou'd tear thy perfidious Heart in pieces for the cruel Abuses thou hast made my dear Lady suffer unhappy thee 〈◊〉 ever thou camest hither to betray 〈◊〉 with thy Falshood A little after addressing her self to Clitie Ah Madam says she think no more of that Monster who does not deserve to have his Name pronounced by you and who perhaps is at this very instant laughing at your Credulity and scorning your Complaints and Sighs Clitie continued many days in an unspeakable sadness never giving any truce to her Tears and Sorrows but at length she forbore 〈◊〉 Complaints and her Hate got the upper hand of her Love and she resolv'd never more to think on this ungrateful man 〈◊〉 use all possible means to be reveng'd 〈◊〉 him The Prince next day without seeming to know any thing that had pass'd wass very desirous to know the good or bad Success of his Affairs pays a visit to Clitie whom he was told was in Bed and 〈◊〉 him word that she desir'd to be excus'd that time intreating him to stay some 〈◊〉 days longer For the poor Clitie no sooner had heard the Relation of Mariana's Brother with the Circumstances of Darbelle Amours and Marriage but her Heart was e'en broke and she was so disconsolate that she had much ado to support her self in her sad Condition the showr'd down Tears in abundance and never ceas'd uttering over and over again the most soft and tender things that Love cou'd e're invent Mariana did all she cou'd to comfort her in this lamentable Estate and it is most certain had she had any person whom at that time she cou'd have confided in as she did in her the Emotions of her Heart wou'd almost have made them expire in Grief The Prince came as he was order'd but with little Assurance and as much Trouble He enters her Chamber with so sad and mournful an Aire but withal so amorous that Clitie maugre the motions of her Spirit cou'd not forbear as she confess'd afterwards some Sentiments of Joy to see such marks of Love and tender Passion in the Eyes of a man that she cou'd no longer look on but as her Friend Well then most charming Clitie says he to her falling on his Knees by the Bed side now the time is come in which your goodness has promis'd to pronounce me happy or for ever miserable but continues he looking on her with Eyes more tender and passionate than before If as I believe by the sad Conditiōn in which I find you that Death must be my Doom for surely the Troubles in which I see you can proceed from nothing but a sense of Pity that has possess'd your Breast in the behalf of a most unfortunate Prince who you are sending to his Tomb However most adorable Clitie say something whatsoe're it be to put an end to the Torments I endure which are so insupportable He stopp'd at these words his Tears falling down his Cheeks Clitie had yet no power to answer him she only 〈◊〉 forth many Sighs to intimate the Affliction of her Heart from whence they came The Prince interrupting them implor'd her again to declare his Destiny a long time without her speaking one word but at last she return'd him this Answer Prince I will never pronounce the Sentence of your Death you merit too much my Esteem and indeed my Love by all those Cares and Addresses you have rendred me and those Evils you have suffer'd
for my sake that I shou'd not confess that I believe you one of the most worthy men alive but says she my Heart is so sad and so fill'd with Inquietudes when I propose to my self to love any that I cannot without much difficulty make any Resolution permit me I intreat you only eight days more that I may reduce it to an intire consent to make you happy In finishing these words she dissolv'd in Tears and whatever the Prince cou'd say or do to hinder her was to no Effect He departed thence the most satisfied and contended man in the World seeing so happy a procedure of his Enterprize while the poor unfortunate Darbelle wore way his tedious Hours with a Sorrow not to be parallel'd The sweet and undisturb'd Content in which he had liv'd five or six Months wherein he almost every day heard News from his lovely Clitie or had Letters from her cost him dear for all those cruel Passions that are wont to attaque the Hearts of the most desperate in love had took possession of his his Fears and Jealousies were grown so strong they hurry'd him even to despair how often wou'd he think his Clitie dead When as oft as he wou'd he read over her Letters and found such marks of Love and Goodness in them that he cou'd impute her silence to no other Cause But these Thoughts reduc'd him to so lamentable a Condition that it is not to be describ'd All the Cares of La Rock who only of all his Servants knew the true Reason was to no purpose he now resolv'd to run all hazards and return again to France whatever danger might befall him The Consideration only of Clitie and the Hopes he still had daily to hear from her deterr'd him for some time but his Fears did not always predominate in his Heart but sometimes gave way to his Jealousie he wou'd imagine within himself that it cou'd be possible any thing cou'd have happen'd to Clitie that cou'd have hinder'd her writing to him and that Mariana in whom he put such Confidence was now silent by her Mistress's Commands tormented with these Thoughts he cou'd impute it to nothing but her Inconstancy Oh unhappy that I am wou'd he often say in the depth of his Solitude Clitie for certain no longer loves me and I cou'd never lose her Heart but 〈◊〉 the Happiness of some more fortune Adorer who for ought I know she loves a thousand times more while ◠am now speaking of it than ever she did me and nothing but this change cou'd have hinder'd her from writing to me and the great Obligations by which Mariana is bound to her has prevail'd with her to hide from me the Secret and not to let me know the least thing of it lest it shou'd give me an occasion to interrupt their Pleasures To one who was so passionate a Lover these terrible Suspicions made him utter a thousand disobliging things against her but pausing a while and having well consider'd his Misfortunes he fram'd to himself what might seem most likely to be true he believ'd her Father against her consent had forc'd her to marry some other and that the Tenders she had for him and her Love being weakned by absence and length of time were not furnish'd with Fortitude to withstand the Commands of her Father who was now weary with the continual Disobedience of his Daugbter These Inquietudes wrought such Torments in his Soul that it cast him into a violent fit of Sickness in the same time that he had made a Resolution to return again to France to be certify'd of his Fate The Agitations of his mind caused so raging a Feaver in him that he was reduced to the lowest ebb of life But after he had pretty well recovered and the greatest danger past he was so weak and low for more than two Months that he was not able to quit his Bed so that he was constrain'd to do what he could to be expos'd to the most cruel Violences that Love was capable to inflict He had found out a Retreat the most sutable to his Condition of all the Seats in Tuscany it was near the City of Florence on the Banks of the Arne in the bottom of a Valley where all things that an amorous Heart cou'd desire were met together He bought an House from a certain Florentine which was handsome enough after his manner it was ancient and seem'd to have been some old deserted Castle built all of Marble the River Arne washing its Walls as it pass'd gliding by its Issues were of long Walks planted on each side with green Lemmon and Orange Trees at the ends of which was a Grove in whose Shades and Silence this unfortunate and disconsolate Lover found incomparable Charms In this sad Solitude had he made Arbours in which he us'd to read his Clitie's Letters and to return their Answers where indeed he spent most of his time This course of living was much more agreeable to him being a man so extreamly amorous who had never receiv'd any Favour from that blind Deity tho' by him he had suffer'd much Disquiet All his Actions were of Love and one might truly say Love was all his business he was indued with an admirable Wit and compos'd the finest Verses in the World but the whole and continual Subject of 'em was his charming Clitie there was scarce one Tree about his Mansion in which he had not carv'd his Clitie's Name after a thousand pretty ways on some he drew it in Cyphers on some her Name at large on others her Anagram and Acrosticks in soft and pretty Verses on some again he wou'd write the whole History of his Love so that on which side soever one walk'd they might see something or other to content their Curiosity it seem'd as tho' the very Spirit of Love govern'd the whole place and with such power that all who came there and took pleasure in reading those amorous Devices return'd thence either more loving if their Heart had been touch'd before by that soft Deity or else more fit to take the Impression if yet their Hearts had never felt it All the Nobility and Persons of Quality in Florence often came to visit him but he took little notice of any who came to see him nor wou'd he be troubled with them resolving to imploy the Remainder of his Life in thoughts of his dear Clitie and studying means to see her again so that most of those who came to his House contented themselves only in injoying the Pleasures of that agreeable Solitude and return'd without speaking to him Nothing was more talk'd of in Florence than this delightful Solitude there was something in it which at the same time gave content and rais'd a Curiosity in the most great and piercing Wits of that City they cou'd not comprehend why such a Person as he so young and handsome whose Air and Mean spoke him not of common Birth shou'd take delight in so solitary a
was married her self to a Gentleman of very good Quality When the Prince had a little liberty from his Amours that is after he had reap'd the Fruit of all his former Trouble and Pains he betook himself more than ever to the Court he purchas'd great Employments near the person of the King his Princess was likewise admitted amongst the Ladies of Honour to the Queen Thus they liv'd in peace and tranquility enjoying such Pleasures as made all the World envy'em When the King of France declared Wars with the Hollander the Preparations for it were prodigious and there were no less than 20000 Men in Arms the Effects were sudden and wonderful And the King who went in person to command his Army did such surprizing Actions that Posterity will hardly believe In two Campaigns he over-run almost all Holland notwithstanding the Spaniard and the Emperour with almost all Europe were joyn'd against him to stop the Course of his Victories The Sieges of Cities which were at another time almost impregnable lasted not above ten or twelve days and you might have seen in one Campaign a large Province taken and retaken 'T is certain such great Enterprizes were bought with the Life of many a gallant Man and it might be said the Example the King gave to his Subjects by being himself present upon all Occasions even in the hottest of the Battel encourag'd them so well inspiring them with so much Valour that there was scarce a person of any Quality in his whole Kingdom who had not put himself in the Service imitating the Actions of so valiant and hardy a Prince These Occasions however agreeable to gallant Souls cou'd not but cost the Lovers many a Tear when they were forc'd to quit the soft Embraces of their languishing Loves to put on the more rugged Fury of Arms and no longer to think of any thing but Blood and Death but above all these things were insupportable to the Ladies and as it separated them from their Lovers they imploy'd all the time of their Absence in Mourning and Complaints and appear'd greatly afflicted for their Departure But their Lovers who were forc'd to leave them had 〈◊〉 thousand other things to think on they were employ'd in making up their Equipages and their Regiments and many other things which diverted them from thinking so much on their Mistresses Our new married couple who as you were but as Lovers to each other felt more than any the sad separation this War did make they complain'd in secret of their sad Fate they wept and spoke all the soft and most passionate things they cou'd invent But at last the time 〈◊〉 come in which they must part The Prince who commanded two Regiments one of Horse the other of Foot cou'd no ways avoid being of the number and following that Royal Army to the War. Clitie was inconsolable yet she was forc'd to give way to her cruel Fortune that thus ravish'd from her her dear Lord. She was no sooner left alone but all the Adventures of her Life represented themselves afresh in her memory one after another they were so extraordinary and so surprizing that she wanted no Imployment amongst the Confusion of her Thoughts which furnish'd her with an infinite number of odd Phansies The History of the unfortunate Darbelle do what she cou'd was not the least thing that fill'd her Thoughts she us'd a thousand Endeavours to banish them her Memory but all in vain having a long time withstood the Assaults and made her greatest Efforts against this cruel Idea she wou'd suffer her self to be overcome and this unfortunate Man wou'd present himself to her Fancy a thousand ways she sometimes wou'd imagine she saw him dying for love of her and banish'd the Kingdom upon her Quarrel and sometimes she wou'd look at his Port and brave Aspect which were enough to fetch Tears from the most insensible and as guilty as she thought him the soft Impressions of her first Passion cou'd not but make her feel some Sparkles of the same Fire which she stifled as soon as they appear'd These Thoughts never seiz'd her heart but they left her much disconsolate and sad she not being able to guess the cause for nothing is more certain than that all this while she had so mortal a Hatred to him that it cou'd admit no Augmentation and never did his Name his Person or any thing belonging to him present it self to her Eyes or come into her Thoughts but she branded him with Falshood and Treachery and wish'd him a thousand Punishments in the other World in which she thought he was for the Prince and Mariana to bring about their Design of making Clitie consent to the Marriage cou'd think of no way more infallible after having perswaded her to a belief of his Inconstancy and Falshood than to publish a Rumour of his Death which passed for an unquestionable Truth The Campaigne in which the King went himself to make the more Expedition carrying with him the chiefest Lords and Nobles of his Kingdom lasted not long but was ended in a Month in which he made himself Master of three or four considerable strong Cities and won a great Battel which so weakned his Enemies and so dispers'd their Forces they were no longer in a Condition to attempt any thing against him he thought it necessary to give ease to his Troops and let them refresh themselves in their Enemies Countrey while himself and the Court return'd to St. Germains As the Prince was most afflicted of any in parting from Clitie he was also the most joyful when he was returning to a place where he shou'd meet her again This return gave them mutual satisfaction and this second meeting gave them all the Pleasures of a new Amour so that none cou'd be more happy than they were But Heaven had not bestow'd this happy day on Clitie to let her long continue in peace for she was born to endure all the Perplexities of a Heart whom Love had subjected to his Laws and the end of her Misfortunes was not yet arriv'd Darbelle at length after having been a thousand times ready to die in his Solitude by the Violence of those Troubles the silence of his Mistress gave him by the careful attendance of La Rock and the strength of his Youth and Constitution recovered The danger was no sooner past but he propos'd returning into France to ease his Troubles La Rock with all the Respect he cou'd oppos'd his Designs representing to him the Dangers he wou'd run in such a Journey especially if it shou'd so happen that Clitie had chang'd her Sentiments of him he put him in mind that he had been once betray'd already and that now perhaps he wou'd betray himself by some inconsiderate Action and that since Love was the only cause of his return he might in all appearance do something or other that might discover him and lay him open to the malice of his Enemies Again he represented to him that
that she doubted if it were not a real Ghost that had appeared to her she was in great Frights and Agonies all that Night and as it is usual with us to dream of things which our minds have been fill'd with in the day-time she had nothing all this Night but Darbelle in her Fancy she saw him in a hundred Shapes amongst the rest that which so nearly touch'd her was that of a weeping Lover dying and reproaching her with Marriage as the Ghost had done at the Ball. These Thoughts so disturb'd her that she cou'd not rest all Night and since she went late to bed it being almost day she made that a pretence not to quit it all the next day that she might have the more liberty to consider what had happen'd and by that means to conceal the Confusion she was in Darbelle fail'd not to send La Rock three or four times to inquire how she did and being impatient to see her again not being able without much Trouble to attend the time of the Ball he wou'd needs write a Lettter to her to prepare her for what he intended to tell her the next Evening and to double her Curiosity that so she might be sure not to fail to meet at the time and place appointed he caused this Letter to be deliver'd her by an unknown person who was ignorant from whom he had it and the place from whence it came The Letter was in these words Madam THe dead have those Priviledges the living are debarr'd they go where they please invisible and it is by this means that Darbelle's Ghost is with you at this present reproaching you with your shameful Infidelity and to let you know how false all those Accusations are wherewith you tax him assuring you that he never yet loved any person but your self This Letter being deliver'd the Princess at the same time she was profoundly musing on Darbelle not having any body with her she was so affrighted that she fansied she really saw him come from the other World to talk with her but recovering her self a little from the Fright seriously consider'd what the meaning of all this might be but cou'd conclude on nothing Thus she pass'd away all the rest of the day but in the Evening that she might be better inform'd in what she saw so obscure she sent to invite a few of her choice Friends to come to her House and hear the Violins She gave orders to her People to let all that came in Masquerade enter saying she hop'd it wou'd divert her The time was no sooner come but Darbelle enters but he no longer represented the Ghost he had put on the Habit of a Shepherd the most rich and splendid that ever was seen having all things answerable that made up this Pastoral Equipage She knew him not at first he having chang'd his Dress But Darbelle being one of great Curiosity was willing to conceal himself at first that he might observe her Behaviour and to see whether or no she had any Impatience to converse with the Ghost He was soon satisfy'd for he perceiv'd the Princess observ'd every Masquer with such care and diligence that he might easily guess her Heart had no small disquiet she always kept her Eye towards the Door and the least noise that was made either in coming in or going out raised in her some new Curiosity which was not without some satisfaction to Darbelle But at last it was impossible that such a Lover who run all hazards to speak with his Mistress wou'd any longer let slip so favourable an Occasion He approach'd the Princess and said to her Madam the Gods have sent for the Ghost back again who has given me charge to come hither to you and in his behalf to tell you that he will never forgive you his Death nor the Sufferings you have caus'd him to indure for you At these words the Princess look'd at him surveying him from Head to Foot and having well observ'd him says to him Whoever you be I conjure you keep me no longer in suspence tell me what Interest you have in my person and wherefore you speak to me of Darbelle I perceive well you have been his Confident and that he has discover'd to you all the considerable Adventures of his Life I 'm sure you have given me reason enough to think so In short say what is it you wou'd speak in his behalf has he order'd you as he was dying to come to me and beg my pardon for all his Falshoods Darbelle by the help of his Disguise heard all she said without running any Risque but he was strangely amaz'd at what he heard however he judg'd it necessary still to conceal himself tho' he had enough to do to perform it he made use of what the Princess had put in his Head to clear himself and speaking to her as tho' he had really been the Confident of Darbelle who at his Death he had commanded to come and find her out and tell her what he wou'd have her understand Madam answers he I perceive you already know some of those things I have already told you since you are not ignorant of Darbelle's Death but it appears you are but little concern'd at what has befaln him since you brand him with perfidious and of whom you speak such injurious things I wou'd therefore let you understand adds he that all the while he was in Tuscany I was his dearest Friend we lay together and we conceal'd not the least Secret from each other you may well perceive he has not hid from me the Love you had for him he wou'd talk to me of it a thousand times a day giving me a Description of you and it is as certain that he is now dead But Madam you are the only Cause of it every one of his Friends to whom he writ to send him News of you told him you had deceiv'd him and that you lov'd the Prince Lysidor at which he was so much troubl'd that it cast him into a fit of Sickness from which when he had a little recovered and that he had taken a Resolution to come hither in person and kill his Rival he understood by his Friends Letters that you had married him At this second cruel News he fell so violently sick that his Despair in two days finish'd his life When he was breathing his last he implor'd me with such words mingled with Sighs and Tears that I cannot recount them without a most sensible Affliction that I wou'd come and seek you out and tell you that for love of you he dy'd and charg'd me at the same time to accuse you of Infidelity The Princess when she saw he had finish'd his Discourse answer'd Sir if you had been sincere you wou'd have added to what you have said and have told me that he was married in Tuscany to one who he so intirely lov'd that he no more thought on me than if I had never been perhaps he
LICENCED Octob. 1. 1617. Rich. Pocock CLITIE A NOVEL Written by Rich. Blackbourn Gent. LONDON Printed for Ric. Bentley and S. Magnes in Russel street in Covent-Garden 1688. To the HONOURABLE Sir Edward Sebright Bar. SIR THE Author 's untimely death preventing his Desire of addressing this Piece to your Patronage I thought my self obliged the Copy being left in my hands at once to make good his Intentions and gratifie my own Inclination It being therefore a Posthumous Work though the first Fruits of his Fancy your favourable Protection will be the more generous His Ingenuity might have made some proportionable Offer at your Character and indeed where so many Accomplishments of Mind and Person are happily united the most modest Account that could be given would have made no small Panegyrick without any Assistance of Artifice or Rhetorical Colours I dare not undertake to draw you to the Life nor can pretend to touch those many shining Graces wherewith Art and Nature have made you admirable Besides Sir your own Modesty that inseparable Companion of ingenious Tempers might think that too much which all that know you will find too little and short of the fair Original The Charms of Behaviour Civility and Courtesie especially when they are the Result of a good Nature in a Person of Quality are no small Inducements to attract the Love and Esteem of Mankind But if besides the Accomplishments of a Gentleman the strongest Dispositions to Vertue and Knowledge with an early and eminent Progress therein be enough to create an Expectation in the World your best Friends and nearest Relations have only this to wish on your behalf that your ripe Manhood may make good the Promises of your Youth and render you as undoubtedly they will an Ornament to the Nation But Sir my present Design being not to present you with an Encomium but only to beg your Favour to an Orphan-Piece of Ingenuity if it have the good Fortune to divert your leisure Hours as it was the Author's Ambition it will be no small Satisfaction to Sir Your devoted Humble Servant N. TATE CLITIE A NOVEL PART I. CLITIE is of an Extraction illustrious enough to make her esteem'd one of the greatest Ladies of the Kingdom but her Merits and her Beauty yet render her a thousand times more worthy the Respects and Adorations of all that ever knew her If Heaven has given her a Desert above others and a Beauty more adorable than ever was it has not given her a heart less tender or less passionate her Soul has naturally all the softness that Love is capable to inspire and none was ever made a fitter Object for the Seat of that soft Deity than her self She was but thirteen years of age when the whole Court looked on her with admiration and all the greatest Persons of the Realm made her Pleasure their care and study Her Father had many great Employments near the Person of the King who loved her extreamly nor did a day pass wherein many did not importune him to gain a consent to marry her but amongst the multitudes of those whom her Charms and Beauty had rendred her Captives Darbelle and Amasis seem'd to be the greatest Trophies of her conquering Heart Darbelle was a man of great quality and altho' he was very young and of a Beauty not common to men he was not less couragious and extreamly breve his Father had spent much money in the Wars and lived up to the height of those Employments that were given him which left him not that Wealth that the deserved however he had a noble Command and no small Estate Amasis was not inferiour to Darbelle in Birth but was so rich and magnificent that if Darbelle had some advantage on him by his Beauty and Behaviour he had the advantage of Darbelle by his Retinue and Equipage which were the most agreeable and most gallant of all the Court it cannot be deny'd but he had a natural Vanity and never man was more puff'd up with an opinion of his own advantages â—han himself Celse who was Clitie's Father had greater inclination for Amasis than all the other Suitors of his Daughter and earnestly desir'd a Marriage between them But Clitie young as she was had a Wit and Judgment so discerning that she â—ou'd not avoid having far more indifference for him than for Darbelle But Amasis who was of a violent Temper and whose Transports often carried him even to Brutallity after having rendred all the endeavours he was capable of â—o overcome the Rigours of Clitie saw there was no hope for him and that he had no longer any pretensions of marryâ—ng her her Father having declar'd he wou'd never force his Daughter's Inclinations but leave her the free choice of an Husband wholly in her own disposal believ'd he cou'd not better disintangle himself from the Chains of this inhumane but by applying himself to some other Lady of the Court. He had hardly thought of this design when the Eyes of the fair Julia help'd him to compleating of it he found her pliable enough to listen to him and so much the rather because this Lady who had no small esteem of her own Charms and Beauty had a mortal Jealousie against Clitie who young as she was had already robb'd her of a thousand Adorers Julia no sooner beheld the passionate Flame she had kindled in the Heart of Amasis but she was overjoy'd it being a matter of Importance and of Glory to gain so eminent a Victory over Clitie which was no small Argument of the good Entertainment he received from her Amasis on the other side who had no intentions but to beguile his time with Julia and dissipate some of those Troubles the Cruelty of Clitie had given him became really in love with her and as it is usual with Lovers to side with their Mistresses in their Opinions he failed not in a little time to share with her the ill will she had for Clitie In the beginning the matter was dress'd in a thousand little Raileries which Amasis and Julia made on her which at first she laugh'd at but at length the Insolence of Amasis 〈◊〉 to please his new Mistress came to be published in all places that he had received Favours of Clitie and that it was one of her fault that she did not marry him Clitie cou'd not hear these things 〈◊〉 of her without resenting it with a mortal Affliction She had not long the power to dissemble the Subject of her Grief for Amasis with an unpatallell'd boldness adds daily more and more to his Detractions and before so many Witnesses that every thing came to Clitie's knowledge Yet nevertheless ere she would resolve on any Revenge she wou'd have better grounds 〈◊〉 what she heard than publick Rumour Darhelle who was seldom absent from her had no small share in her Troubles and she had also for him a great esteem and some tenderness He daily intreated her to discover to him the cause
that it was almost impossible to see her and not to love Thus she spent five or six Months and none e're knew the Secrets of her Heart or the Resolution she had taken to espouse none but Darbelle she was daily importun'd and it is no easie matter to conceive the Trouble she was put to in defending her self from the Solicitations of that number that ador'd her There was not any tho' never so perfect in whom she found not some defect which she still us'd for excuses to her Father she had no sooner clear'd her self of all these Lovers but Fortune resolving still to persecute her rais'd up one whose Courtship and Love gave her much trouble It was the Prince Lysidor he was indeed but a Stranger yet ally'd to the Court of France and preferr'd to noblest and chiefest Employments of the Kingdom he was handsome to a Miracle and by all look'd upon and the most gallant and accomplish'd Person of the Court He lov'd her to that excess that all fear'd it would have cost him no less than his Life his Passion was made publick to all and none that ever saw him but had matter of Discourse either concerning his Love or his Mistress the violence of his Passion and his assiduous Addresses to her freed her from all other Pretenders nor did he miss a day in which he saw her not He made his Court to her and had gain'd her Father's Consent but by no means cou'd obtain the Daughter's and all the Power of the Court and Kingdom strove in vain to bring it about she withstood all and it may be truly said that never any was more constant and faithfull than this fair One was to what she had promis'd Darbelle She was recompenc'd with the most endearing tender Letters that ever Love indited which almost every day she received from him nor did she omit to answer them letting him know the very least thing that passed And if the Absence of these two Lovers gave them unexpressible Sorrows yet the daily Commerce by Letters did not a little ease their Sufferings That which most tormented Clitie was the extraordinary Passion that her Beauty had inspir'd the Heart of Prince Lysidor withal which raged so in him and became so violent that some fear'd it might raise in him Thoughts of stealing her away He was so extraordinary handsome young liberal gallant and magnificent in all things that it may be said nothing cou'd have rais'd him any Obstacle in the Heart of Clitie but that Darbelle had got possession of the place and without doubt had she been disinterested none had sooner been preferr'd amongst her whole croud of Adorers than this Prince but there needed no greater Bar to his happiness than Darbelle's Love. He cou'd gain nothing on her Heart more than an Esteem for him which made her much concern'd at his Sufferings she told him often and conjur'd him to think on her no more and to give her Father no further Trouble about their Marriage that it was utterly impossible for her to alter her Destiny and that her Father was to her instead of the best Husband in the World. These Repulses highly afflicted the Prince but they wrought not their design'd Effect and were no hindrance to him to love her more tenderly and he hoped in time her cruel Resolution might be chang'd His Merit and the Gold which he was even profusely lavish of in every thing that might advance his Love had gain'd the Heart and Friendship of Mariana he oblig'd her by many Presents and left no means unassay'd to gain her Favour for he was not ignorant she was the only person in the World to whom her Mistress intrusted her Secrets and made her Confident he knew they were never asunder whether walking abroad to take the Air visiting or at home they were often discoursing together and Clitie and Mariana seem'd never to be weary of each others Company The particular kindness that Clitie had for her was the reason which oblig'd the Prince to make her of his Friends he imagin'd he should search into the Heart of her Mistress by gaining that of Mariana he spared neither Cost nor Presents to engage her to his Interests Mariana was insensibly won to it she hearkned to his daily amorous Complaints and promis'd to do him all the Service she was able and if possible to render him one day happy with Clitie Having gain'd Mariana he doubted not the success of his Amours and assumed new hopes of one day overcoming Clitie's Cruelty he acosted her with more Courage and better Assurance than ever Mariana knew that Clitie had infinite Wit and that none in the World had a more apprehensive and piercing Judgment than she took all possible care to conceal the Correspondence she held with the Prince and gave him Instructions to that purpose she would often before Clitie seem to be displeas'd at him that she might not be suspected of his Party In the mean time Clitie who conceal'd nothing from Mariana discover'd to her the Sentiments she had concerning the Prince and often told her That his Misfortunes made her pity him and that she was much troubl'd he should still preserve a Love for one who cou'd never make him any return nor have any more than an Esteem for him so long as Darbelle prov'd constant Mariana was not wanting to extol the Worth of the Prince and put her in mind of all he had done for her she recounted to her all his Languishings and all the Sighs her Absence gave him when he came to visit her and found her not at home and the Torrent of Tears that flow'd from his Eyes when he was forc'd to complain of her Cruelty One day as Clitie seem'd more than ordinary concern'd for the Affliction of Lysidor Mariana made an Effort to batter her Constancy saying seriously Madam 〈◊〉 believe you have much a-do to preserve your Heart intirely for Darbelle and to defend it against the daily Assaults of the love of the Prince Oh! if you had 〈◊〉 heard the Complaints he made two days since thinking none had been near him in a close Arbour in your Garden and had you seen as I did the Transports that his Passion hurried him to I am confident you could not but have pitied him For my part goes she on who have less reason to love him than you especially since I have promised Darbelle never to forsake his Interest and daily to put you in mind of him I swear to you that being witness to the Despair of this poor Prince tho' he saw me not I had not the power to avoid shedding Tears as fast as he for certainly said she to Clitie it is impossible for him to live in the Tortures he indures for you and that a Heart so strongly attack'd with so many Afflictions as his is cannot any longer resist his Fate She spoke these things to the Advantage of the Prince with such Artifice and Cunning that Clitie whose
Heart was not made of Adamant was capable enough of the tender Impression of Love and cou'd no longer defend it self from pitying this unfortunate whom she had made so miserable I am even in despair answers Clitie since this is arrived to this pitch of Folly that he must either marry me or die for if I have seem'd more cruel to him than to many whom I esteem'd less it was only to endeavour to free him of the unhappy Passion he has for me I am not altogether insensible and I acknowledge I feel a certain Compassion for him when I behold such tender and true Marks of his Love as he daily gives me But you know Mariana says she that nothing can dispossess Darbelle of my Heart my Duty and Inclination plead wholly for him and it is impossible for me ever to alter for which reasons I am resolv'd to forbid the Prince ever to see me again Ah Madam answers Mariana do not drive him to this cruel Extremity all the World knows that he has endeavour'd unsuccessfully all means possible to cease loving you but since 't is not to be effected envy him not the Consolation of dying in your sight As Clitie and Mariana were thus discoursing the Prince who had before been informed of the Conversation that should be made enter'd he appear'd 〈◊〉 dejected and sad that in short Clitie was surpriz'd and Mariana seem'd to be so much concern'd at it that she could 〈◊〉 forbear pronouncing some words that made known her Astonishment The Prince who seeing none present with Clitie but Mariana told her with Tears in his Eyes Alas thou cruel 〈◊〉 One make an end at once both of my Grief and Life that I may no longer importune you and since it is my misfortune to persecute you thus to no purpose let me die to make an expiation for all the Torment I have given you Alas pursues he your Eyes most Divine Clitie are a thousand times more beautiful than the Morning but I cannot render them either delightful or soft to me what then shou'd I do with life It is much better for me to expire at your Feet than daily to be the Object of your Anger He utter'd these words with a languishing sadness which became him so well they wou'd have mov'd compassion in the most obdurate Heart when a Death-like paleness cover'd all his Face his Strength began to fail him and he cou'd no longer keep himself from falling on the Couch whereon Clitie sate just like a man expiring Mariana presently skreek'd out O good Gods he is gone he is dead dear Madam says she say some obliging thing to him to recover him if possible Clitie who is certainly the most excellent of her Sex stood not now to consult either the Love she bore Darbelle or the Cruelty she had design'd to shew the Prince she regarded nothing at present but the lamentable Condition in which he was and believing that unfeignedly he wou'd die if she gave him not some Relief Prince says she if it yet lies in your Power have more regard to a life so valuable as yours and give not up your self as you do to an unparallel'd despair for be assur'd I have not the least unkindness for you and if I have not answer'd your Love in all Respects it is because the Heavens have other ways decreed it I am so far from seeking your Death that I wish nothing more than that you may live which by all the power you say I have over you charge you to obey After these words which gave a little Comfort to him he began to lift himself up The Prince being come to himself again wou'd have return'd her 〈◊〉 for what she had said to him but Clitie reflecting on what her Compassion 〈◊〉 made her utter fearing it would but augment his Passion went out of the Room angry with her self leaving the Prince with Mariana who pretended to stay while with him to prevent any extravagant thing his Despair might cause him do which might be more troublesome Clitie tho her Design was only to discourse with him and to make a favourable Construction of her last obliging words to the Prince's Advantage Mariana no sooner came into Clitie's presence but she feign'd new Stories of the Ravings Sighings Lamentations and Tears of the poor afflicted Prince and the great pains and difficulty she had to recover him after Clitie had parted from 〈◊〉 nor did she leave any thing unsaid 〈◊〉 might touch her Heart in favour of 〈◊〉 Prince But Clitie's Constancy and Fidelity wou'd admit in her a love for none but 〈◊〉 Darbelle his Merit the many Obligations that she had had from him and those reciprocal Promises and mutual Vows they had made eternally to love each other still possess'd her Memory and no less 〈◊〉 Heart besides she daily receiv'd from him such pastionate and tender Letters and full of Wit and Judgment that they 〈◊〉 wou'd have been potent enough to 〈◊〉 defended him against all his Rivals At length by little and little the Prince's Presents his Solicitations and the promises he daily made Mariana that she 〈◊〉 share with him in all his good Fortune quite corrupted her and gained her wholly to his side she now forgets all he had promised Darbelle and all the 〈◊〉 she ow'd to Clitie and not considering the fatal Consequence this horrid Perfidy might cause discover'd to the Prince all their Secrets and assur'd the Prince that Clitie lov'd Darbelle even to death and 〈◊〉 that was the occasion of the Quarrel between him and Amasis and that he had 〈◊〉 left her but by her Command and after she had given him a thousand Assurances to love him to her Grave and to marry him as soon as their Affairs were in Condition to admit it that no Day scarcely passed wherein Clitie had 〈◊〉 Letter from him and that she as often sent him Answers and to be short the Darbelle was the only hinderance of 〈◊〉 happiness and that she had cause to 〈◊〉 confidently assur'd that nothing but the Pre-ingagement cou'd hinder her from 〈◊〉 him and that his Person and Addresses had nothing in 'em but what 〈◊〉 advantageous and agreeable did not 〈◊〉 consideration of the Love she had to Darbelle interpose This Relation of Mariana's 〈◊〉 surpriz'd the Prince and sensibly afflicted him he was so amaz'd at it that it 〈◊〉 some time ere he came to himself and declar'd he had rather the Rigours and Cruelty of Clitie had sprung from a hatred 〈◊〉 his own Person than from the love she had for Darbelle he forgot not to return Mariana a thousand Thanks for the Favours and good Offices she had done 〈◊〉 in discovering to him such important Secrets from which he hop'd to reap great Advantage They swore a mutual Amity nor did they part before he had 〈◊〉 rewarded her for what she had done 〈◊〉 him he pull'd off his Finger a Diamond Ring of great Value which he presented to her and having
importunate than before and altho' she gave him not the least hopes of marrying her yet she appear'd not altogether so cruel and inexorable It is certain that seeing so advantagious an alteration he began to make new Attempts to the establishing himself wholly in her Favours and her Father who wish'd nothing more than his Alliance daily seeing the great Qualification of the Prince made new Proposals to his Daughter with an earnest desire to effect it Clitie seem'd now more consenting than before making but faint Denials and desir'd some time to consider of it Now it was that the Prince saw the happy hour approaching which so long time he had despaired of left no means unassay'd to perfect it But when the time was expir'd wherein Clitie was to return her Determination and that she thought she had banish'd Darbelle's Image quite out of her Heart she found her self deceiv'd she perceiv'd she had not that Command o're her Heart as she imagin'd and there were yet some Remains of Love that combated for the poor unfortunate and tho' they produc'd not those lively Representations they had done formerly yet they were powerful enough to keep her Heart still in balance for some time between a Lover whom she thought so false and criminal and a Prince who every moment gave her new Proofs of his Passion Mariana who was privy to all her disturbances and doubts endeavoured all she cou'd by her Addresses and Artifices to banish them What remains there yet in your Heart wou'd she often say to Clitie for the worst of men and the most perfidious breathing that can any longer hinder you from making happy the most constant and passionate Lover that ever was in truth continues she you are now no more to be excus'd for being so little sensible of the most tender Passion of a vertuous Prince and the Affronts of so vile and perjur'd a Wretch as Darbelle What! says she when you should think of nothing but Revenge against this Traytor and strive to blot him for ever from your Thoughts do you put him in balance with so generous a Prince Alas replies Clitie with Tears in her Eyes I cou'd say as much as you do to any other person and I cannot but disapprove the Sentiments of my Heart as the most unjust in the World but it is for that Traytor Darbelle whom I can never hate enough I have endeavour'd all I am able to bring it about but I cannot effect it as I wou'd there are still some moments wherein ungrateful as he is I know not what Devil envious of my repose represents him innocent all night long my Heart is fill'd with his Idea and he appears all weeping on his Knees before me more passionate and amiable than ever nor can my Reason all the day dissipate the Thoughts of my Dreams by night See there then says she to her Mariana the source of my Misfortunes and I can sooner die than think to marry any other till I am better assur'd if it be possible that Darbelle is married as is reported and so ungrateful as we think him This was the last Resolution that Clitie took nor was she to be alter'd from it she spoke to Mariana to seek out for some body in whom they might confide whom she would send into Florence and who at his return might make her a faithful account of all things Mariana found her self in no small perplexity at this Discourse of Clitie The Journey cou'd not be perform'd but in some considerable time and it was not unlikely this delay might hinder the Prince's marrying her fearing least Darbelle himself might come back to know the cause of her silence and so discover the Cheat of the Prince and her self These things then with a thousand others which the Prince presented to himself yet more cruel and dangerous put him almost into despair He consulted with Mariana about what was to be done and she made him sensible that after the manner that Clitie had so discours'd to her it wou'd be absolutely impossible to compass his Designs without deceiving her yet once more in pretending to execute her Orders and that if they did not all the time and pains they had employ'd hitherto in making her change her Opinion were to no purpose He agreed then that Mariana shou'd propose to Clitie the sending a Brother of hers into Florence assuring her he was one in whom she might confide both as to his Secrecy and the executing her Commands This Contrivance appear'd very seasonable and they had now no more to do than to put it in practise which was no difficult thing to effect since Clitie had not the least Suspicion that Mariana was not altogether for her Interest The perfidious Mariana fail'd not to be very pressing in the business telling Clitie what she had thought of in order to her satisfaction she soon confirm'd her in a belief of her Brother's fidelity and good management The poor credulous Clitie following her wonted custom left all to her Care and Expedition she only desir'd to speak with him giving him this Caution to believe nothing but what his own Eyes were Witnesses to and charg'd him strictly to get a sight both of Darbelle and his Wife and to inform himself the best he cou'd after what manner he liv'd with her and to neglect nothing that might satisfie her Curiosity and to give her a faithful Account of all that he learn'd Having given him this Charge the Gentleman took his Journey at least pretended so to do he furnish'd himself with all Necessaries such a Journey requir'd They told Clitie that he had taken Post when all the while he lay conceal'd in the Prince's Apartment knowing it was enough only to make him disappear This Journey cou'd not be perform'd in less time than a Month not reckoning the time it would take up in performing all those Orders Clitie had given him in instructing himself in the Circumstances concerning the false Darbelle During this time the Prince and Mariana had private Meetings where they consulted together to make all to their Advantage at the pretended return of him whom Clitie supposed she had sent into Florence they cause a Picture in Minauture to be drawn of a most exquisite Beauty who they design'd shou'd pass for Darbelle's Wife and composed in order all the Discourses that was to be made to Clitie about this business Nothing of Novelty happen'd during this supposed Journey Clitie hover'd daily between Fear and Hope Hate and Love and since the time she had sent to inform her self of his Life she imagin'd Darbelle less guilty The time being come for the return of Mariana's Brother they forgot nothing that they thought might be necessary to the deceiving Clitie but this Treachery seem'd to have so agreeable a success that there needed not such extraordinary Care. The Prince talk'd with Mariana's Brother he gave him rich Presents and promis'd him much more considerable ones if he perform'd his
place as tho' he had resolv'd to separate himself from the rest of Mankind never imagining that Love and the Estate in which he was oblig'd him to it He always went by the Name of Conrade ever since he left Paris and not one of his Domesticks La Rock excepted knew but it was his right Name and it was no difficult matter for him to deceive every body by perswading them to believe what he pleas'd himself of his Adventures His pretence for living in that lonely House was the agreeableness of the place which he told them was so conformable to his solitary Humour and he promis'd them it shou'd not be long ere he wou'd satisfie the Curiosity of so many thousands who endeavour'd so earnestly to know the Secrets of his Life This is the Estate in which Darbelle had put his Affairs while he was absent from Clitie A most solitary dwelling the River Arne one of the finest Rivers in all Italy and the green Woods and Groves which incompass'd it made it altogether delightful and a most admirable Landschape He had apply'd himself to play on the Lute he had chosen the most skilful Artist in Florence to instruct him and having a Soul all amorous and tender was the more taken with this melancholy Exercise which is usually the Delight of the sorrowful and those whom Love has wounded and soon became a Master of it In a word all those agreeable Ingredients that can be found out to delight Lovers were to be had at Darbelle's House Cou'd the unfortunate Darbelle have made a speedy return into France and have left this pleasing solitary Exile before the Prince and Mariana had perfected their Design he might have found his 〈◊〉 more kind but Heaven who had otherwise order'd it wou'd needs give Clitie a Proof of his Constancy by such Misfortunes as never any Lover but himself had undergone It was now nine Months since he parted from Clitie to retire himself about Florence in that solatary Castle which we have but now describ'd six Months whereof he passed away as happily as one in his Condition cou'd have wish'd that is he daily receiv'd Letters from his Misiress by which he understood all that hapned to her he return'd her Answers and cou'd easily perceive the Pleasures Clitie took in his Amours by the Assurances she gave him of her Faith. It was after these six Months that the Prince and Mariana had contriv'd the cruel Design to cheat them both and set them at variance beginning to suppress the Letters of both parties to open them and make use of the Contents to their own Advantage and by little and little seeing the happy Success of their Enterprise they insensibly perswaded Clitie that he was false to her and was married And this was it this unfortunate Lover perhaps might have prevented if the cruel Sickness which his Inquictudes and Troubles not to hear from her Mistress had cast him into had not oblig'd him to keep his Bed more than two Months having almost lost his life and given over by his Doctors If these Conjunctures were so troublesome to him they were as favourable to the Prince for after a great many puts off and infinite delays which Clitie made 〈◊〉 she cou'd resolve to marry him she was solicited with such pressing and urgent Importunities by her Father and the Prince that at length she gave her consent I must needs say as she her self has since confess'd that she had never taken this Resolution but thereby to free her self wholly from Darbelle who she cou'd never banish from her Thought how unconstant soever she believ'd him The Prince and Mariana now saw 't was necessary to spread abroad the Rumour of his Death which was so effectually perform'd that Clitie had not the least hopes left of seeing him again it wou'd be a hard matter to express the Joy the Prince receiv'd when he saw himself establish'd in Clitie's Favour and that he doubted not the Possession of her Heart The Visits which he made her were so full of the Transports of Love and tender Respect that none cou'd see him with his Mistress without perceiving at the same time some sparks of the Fire that burnt within him his looks were lively and piercing and sometimes for languishing that Clitie her self cou'd not avoid saying to Mariana That she believ'd it impossible for any to love better or more than he did On the other side Clitie having a length banished from her Heart all that had so long been Enemies to her Tranquility and Repose hardly ever thinking of Darbelle became so beautiful and charming that none in the Kingdom cou'd compare with her And the day before they were married she began to treat him in so soft and tender a manner which gave him a taste of those Pleasures that he was to have ere long the sole fruition These Nuptials being so extraordinary both by the Quality and Merits of 〈◊〉 new Lovers the Prince cou'd but allow some day for their Preparation during which time all sorts of magnificent Diversions were seen every where at the end of which this happy Prince enjoy'd an intire Victory over the Heart and Person of Clitie who no longer conceal'd the Sentiments she had for him who was one of the most amiable and accomplish'd men in France she believing her self obliged to make him some Retalliation for the sufferings she had caus'd him to endure gave her self up wholly to those Tenders and Devoirs that she ow'd him On both sides Love had made them suffer such Torments that now they began to taste the Pleasures that had so long time been deny'd them the whole Court were Partakers of their Joy and this Match was matter of Discourse for all Paris for as the Passion of the Prince was known to every body so likewise was the Cruelty of Clitie and every one discanted on the business as they fansied Never did two Lovers seem more contented they were swallow'd up in Delights and felt a reciprocal kindness they gave mutual Caresses even in publick the Names whereby they call'd each other and the Expressions wherewith their Discourse was fill'd were the most agreeable and tender in the World. Notwithstanding all this there were some certain moments wherein the Prince's Conscience accus'd him and he consider'd that it was with the greatest Treachery imaginable to which he ow'd the Conquest of his fair Clitie nor cou'd he quite banish the Troubles and Disquiets these Thoughts wou'd give him yet when they tyranniz'd most they gave occasion for her to sooth him out of his Melancholy and to say a thousand obliging things to comfort him Mariana had no small share in the happy Fortunes of the Prince which all along she tasted by those infinite Presents that he made her which swell'd to such a mass of Wealth that she purchas'd a considerable Estate But when Clitie was once married she made that a pretence to quit her Service and in a little time after
as soon as he shou'd be gon Clitie might perhaps write to him and give him orders which he could not then follow and that without all doubt the silence of Clitie was occasion'd by some sickness which for the present hindred her from writing to him These Reasons had been convincing enough to any whose Heart was not so far carried away by the power of Love who thought he had no other Imployment for life but what might put him in a way of seeing his Mistress again He answer'd him That in short he was resolv'd to be satisfied in his Destiny and if Clitie were dead he had nothing to do but to follow her and if she were false to him that he shou'd not do himself Justice if he reveng'd it not or at least trouble their Repose and Pleasures This Resolution put an end to all their Contestations and so soon as he was able to undergo the fateigue of the Journey he parted taking only with him La Rock leaving all the rest of his People at his solatary Mansion with orders to remain there till his return He cou'd not make such speed in his Journey as he intended his Body being yet very weak and were he not encourag'd by the Assistance of powerful Love it wou'd not have been possible for him to have done it however at length he compass'd it and arrived safe in Paris He took up his Lodging in a retir'd and private place and he had hardly alighted off his Horse but he told LaRock he wou'd go immediately to Clitie and know his Doom LaRock throwing himself at his Feet conjur'd him not to expose himself so to his Death assuring him that he wou'd undertake by his Care and Management to do all things to his Satisfaction He told him he wou'd soon inform him of all things and that it was far more proper for him to execute such a Design than Darbelle being unknown to every body and might with more ease be instructed in the Truth of all things which wou'd be more difficult for Darbelle to perform The Consideration that La Rock might easier inform himself of what he sought to know made him consent to his going to Clitie La Rock after having disguis'd himself went out of his Lodgings but in is impossible to describe the impatience of the amorous Darbelle every minute seem'd to him an Age he was a thousand times in a mind to run through the City and expose himself to be discover'd in so dangerous a place But the Transports and Agitations of his Soul are not to be conceiv'd Love Anger Revenge Fear and Jealousie all at one time took possession of his Heart and made such terrible Emotions in it that it had like to have kill'd him Oh unfortunate Wretch that I am what shall I do if Clitie be dead I will not live a moment after so cruel a loss Then all on a sudden another Passion wou'd predominate o're his Sense But says he if this ungrate shou'd prove false to me what wou'd become of me Ha! I will revenge it with my own Hand I will stabb my Rival through her Eyes All these different Passions every one having 〈◊〉 much ground for them as the others 〈◊〉 him into such dreadful Incertainties that he was the most afflicted Man in the World. Hardly had La Rock been gone one moment to inquire after his Mistress but he was still running to the Door or looking out of the Window to see if he were not coming back again But after two hours La Rock enters so sad and dejected that Darbelle soon suspected he had no good News for him Well then says he I perceive you bring me little Comfort by your looks however speak freely and whatever Sentence you have to pronounce let me hear it quickly for the Doubts and Inquietudes I have been in since you departed has been more cruel and tormenting to me than the worst that can befal me Is Clitie dead Is she false in short What is become of her and what will become of me La Rock who was extreamly perplex'd cou'd have wish'd with all his Heart some other had his Office was seiz'd with a shaking all o're and knew not where to begin his Discourse But Darbelle fir'd with Impatience and not being able to forbear any longer La Rock says he to him hold me no longer in suspence unless you wou'd see me expire before you He pronounc'd these words with so 〈◊〉 and disconsolate an Aire that La Rock at the same time told him Clitie lives but she lives no more to you for she is married to Prince Lysidor I saw him at her Father's House where this day he makes a great Treat there is nothing to be heard but confusions of Noises Fiddles and Musick and Crouds of curious People go in and out so that it is no hard thing to enter there La Rock had no sooner spoke this but Darbelle gave a lamentable Groan and said O Heavens then is the unjust Clitie married And cou'd you look on and suffer it Then he fell in a Swoon on a Couch against which he was leaning La Rock run to his Assistance and endeavour'd all he cou'd to recover him yet all the Care and Pains he took cou'd not for above two hours draw him out of this miserable Condition but at length his Speech and Strength being a little recover'd made fresh Exclamations against Heaven and his Mistress accusing them both of Falshood that he had never merited but it was not long ere he turn'd his Complaints into Threats all the while raving on nothing but Swords Daggers and Poisons La Rock for many Reasons dar'd not call for any body to help his Master and to reduce him from the pitiful Condition in which he lay for fear his Complaints and Transports shou'd betray who he was and was forc'd to content himself with what he alone cou'd do to comfort him but the Evil was too recent and violent to admit any Consolation and there was an absolute necessity to let it take its Course Darbelle having all this while suffer'd a thousand Tortures turn'd him towards La Rock Clitie has married the Prince Lysidor says he to him how was you inform'd of it and what Certainty have you for it I was told it answers La Rock at their own House who were all in a Confusion tho' I had no other Information than the Musick and Hautbois who when I approach'd and commended their playing and the fineness of their Aires they were so pleas'd with me that there was nothing I cou'd ask them that they did not resolve me They told me the Princess had given a great Dinner to a dozen Ladies of the Court and that after that Repast there was to be a splendid Collation and all the Company wou'd sup with her and to finish the day there was to be a Ball where many Lords and Noblemen wou'd be in Masquerade in the most gallant Habits and Devices that cou'd be invented This
your Injustice and Infidelity tell me therefore I beseech you why you have deceiv'd Darbelle and with what Reasons you can pretend ever to excuse your self of the Contempt you have of him Is it not sufficient that he has dy'd of Love and Despair hearing of your Marriage without giving the utmost Marks of your Hatred in blasting the very Memory as you do of one who died so innocent Clitie hearkning to what La Rock said to her with great impatience cou'd no longer endure his Reproaches but assum'd the Discourse and said to him I know not who you are but these two days past I have suffer'd all that you have entertain'd me with of the greatest Secrets of my Life and now I have met you according to your desire I wou'd willingly run yet a farther hazard and tell you something that yet you know not provided that on the other side you inform me likewise of all those things which give me so much Inquietude and have rais'd in me this Curiosity Tell me then says she what was the true Cause of Darbelle's Death for you have been at too great Charges and Pains in travelling so far to tell me things so contrary to Truth What Devil was assisting at his Death that yet inspir'd him to deceive even to the Grave And you that talk to me and asperse me with Falshood and Ingratitude how dare you say he lov'd none but me all the while he was in Tuscany when he who protested to me by his Letters of an Eternal Love at the same time paid all his Adorations to a Lady in Florence whom he married without giving me the least notice of any thing that might resolve me why he made so sudden a Change Darbelle married answers La Rock Ah Madam I swear I swear to you by all that 's good and sacred it is not so 〈◊〉 and if you wou'd give me leave to acquaint you what Pleasures and what Troubles he has had during his Exile I wou'd tell you he never had any Satisfaction or Content but when he receiv'd your Letters and that he gave himself up to all the Torments of Despair when he wanted them all the words that can express the most intollerable Pain cannot make you sensible of those that he endur'd when he saw that you forgot him he complain'd Night and Day of the severity of his Fortune But Madam it was in so moving a manner that I who was Witness to it as well as Confident of his Amours swear to you I had not the power to hinder my self from being sensible of his Afflictions and share with him in all his Troubles What! replies the Princess is not Darbelle married in Florence Is he not Favourite to the Grand Duke And in a word was he not establish'd in that Place with hopes to spend the remainder of his days there No Madam says La Rock to her nothing of all that you have said is true and he never had any other Imployment in a long solatary House whither he had retir'd himself about three Miles from Florence but to think on you and to sigh and grieve for your Absence Night and Day which perhaps ere long you will believe In speaking these words he rose and desir'd the Princess to give him leave to speak to his Page who he had sent about business and waited there to return him an Answer No sooner had he left his place but the Princes fell into a great Confusion by what she had understood from him that she cou'd not recover her self She enter'd into a deep musing so that she seem'd immoveable she lean'd against one of the sides of the Theatre ruminating of a thousand things one after another and knew not what she shou'd believe Mariana's Brother had seen Darbelle married and La Rock swears he never was but that he had always lov'd her most tenderly she consider'd that Mariana's Brother's Assertions were the Foundations why she her self had married which was the Occasion of Darbelle Death after she had been the Cause of 〈◊〉 Misfortunes Calling to mind all 〈◊〉 afflicting Adventures she cou'd not refrain strain pouring down Floods of Tears and giving her self up to an excess of Sorrow which had took possession of her Heart La Rock who had order from his Master to leave his place to him after he had satisfy'd the Princess of his Innocence and made his Fidelity appear return'd to give him an Account of what he had done and in what Condition he had let her telling him she was now more perswadded of his Death than ever insomuch that this poor Lover dying with Impatience to discourse with her with his Heart lay'd open cou'd stay no longer but went and supply'd La Rock's place In this obscure place the Princess having pull'd down her Hoods to hide her Tears so that Darbelle had no great Difficulty to keep himself unknown to her for some time She was plung'd into so deep a study that Darbelle was forc'd to draw her out of it by speaking thus to her Ah Madam what may be the cause of all these Tears you shed They wou'd accuse a Heart less barbarous than yours of Love But after having made Darbelle die for Love and Despair I can never believe that you cou'd ever be troubled for such a one as he The Princess at these words startled as one new waken'd out of a dreadful Dream remaining still leaning on the Pillaster that was by her supposing him still the same person that had spoke to her before answer'd him You but ill know my Heart which you so accuse of Infidelity and I shou'd be still happy did not my Love in spite of me yet seek for the dead even to the Grave Alas continued she Darbelle of whom you speak to me is past seeing and notwithstanding all the Care and Pains you have taken to justifie him I know too well he is false and ungrateful yet nevertheless his cruel Idea still haunts me every where Believe not adds she that I wou'd confess my weakness it I ever thought he could see me again for alas he is dead and cou'd I give the least credit to what you have told me of him or that he dy'd for love of me I know not the thing in the World that cou'd afford me the least Consolation Darbelle who heard her speak found so much Sincerity and Truth in her words that instead of answering her as La Rock had always done at the same moment felt such an Extremity of Grief that it almost kill'd him nor cou'd he refrain from bursting out in Tears The Princess who found something more than ordinary in his silence lifted her Hoods a little up and having perceiv'd Darbelle to weep who still she took for La Rock Certainly says she Darbelle is very happy in having such a faithful Friend as you who so much interest your self in things that perhaps have hardly ever concern'd him What wou'd you ungrateful as you are replies Darbelle kill him
threw himself upon his Bed where for above an hour he lay without the least sign of Life till at length by the Assistance of La Rock he began to open his Eyes from whence whole floods of tears did flow O La Rock said he was ever any Misery like to mine What shall I do what will become of me O lovely Charmer goes he on there needed not this last Affliction why wou'd you have me still preserve a Life so full of Woes and Griefs Then ceas'd a while and after a small pause which multitudes of Sighs did cause he began to rave and cry'd O you immortal Powers what do you mean Can Heaven be Heaven Can it be the Throne of Mercy and yet not shew one glimpse of it to me Has Justice banish'd thence all other Attributes and that bright sparkling Roof beset with Golden Characters of Light has it not one not one propitious Star for me Must I be still the Mark at which you level all your Vengeance But oh why name I you who silently look on and see the Sport and Reaks my Fortune plays me La Rock while his Transports were thus furious thought it convenient not to interrupt them but stood a mute Spectator of his Master's Passion who having been silent for a time his Grief and Anguish stifling all his words lay rankling at his Heart steps to his Bed-side and with all the reason he cou'd urge endeavour'd to allay his Trouble What says he to him is become of all your Courage and whither is your Patience flown Patience is stale replies he and I am weary of it my passive Fortitude has quite forsaken me and nothing but despair supplies its place At least answers La Rock preserve your self till you have found out the Cause of all these Troubles my mind still tells me Clitie is not so much to blame as you imagine and 't is most certain there has been soul Play us'd to both of you her last words to you were not like those of Hate but rather might I judge of Love and Pity and 't is not impossible but Heaven may have yet in store a milder Fortune for you Wherefore once more look up and hope the best for worse cannot befal you O La Rock says he taking him by the Hand these words imply you are the best of Friends but they can never ease my Heart they are to me as Cordials to a breathless Corps and Fate has set me beyond the reach of Comfort Heaven my Friends Clitie and Hope it self have all deserted me cou'd I admit the smallest Hope I yet were happy but alas that Bladder that shou'd buoy up the sinking man with me is burst and leaves me in the Ocean of my Miserles 't is the last thing leaves us but our Lives but Life is forc'd upon me still to augment my wretched State shou'd Clitie as you would perswade me love me still what Profit will it afford me She is anothers now and I must ne'er expect to see her more The poor afflicted Princess was no sooner got into her Chamber but she went to Bed watring her Pillow with those streams of Tears which fell from her fair Eyes She began to reflect on this last Adventure Darbelle still lives says she to her self and as he says and I alas too late believe is constant still What Demon envious of our Loves contriv'd such false Reports And curst Adraste what more hellish Devil cou'd make thee tell me that thou sawest him married Thus for some time she wou'd take the unfortunate Darbelle's part when in an instant all her thoughts wou'd change and she wou'd say What tho' he does live may he not yet be married 'T is true I had no Witness of his Death but bare Report but of his Falshood I have Adraste Mariana's Brother who in Florence saw him with his Wife and whose Portrait yet lies by me wherefore then shou'd I afflict my self for one so false and treacherous no! let him go back again to Florence there he will find relief and in his Spouse's Arms forget his Troubles These Thoughts prevail'd a while yet maugre all she cou'd not think a man so guilty as he seem'd to be wou'd leave his Wife Employments and the Favour of the great Duke and run the hazards of so long a Journey nay and his Life to boot to come to Paris unless it were to clear himself She cou'd fix satisfied on nothing but with the Impatience she had to be better fatisfied early in the Morning she sent for Mariana who suspecting nothing of the business came to wait on her but no sooner did she enter but the Princess's Blood rose all in Blushes on her Cheeks and I know not what of shivering possess'd her Heart They being alone she made her sit down upon a Couch by her then in a low and lamentable tone she told her all that had happen'd since Darbelle came to Paris and that he was return'd again alive and unmarried and that her Brother had deceiv'd them all Mariana was not a little surpriz'd at this Relation however she conceal'd her Sentiments and assum'd the Discourse Can it be possible Madam says she that what you say is truth and are you confident you are not abus'd Yes Mariana answers the Princess I am abus'd and so is he but who has done this piece of Wickedness is yet to me a Mystery Mariana was glad to hear her say this and seeing she did not in the least mistrust her since she had so freely discover'd to her all her Adventures with Darbelle and his return to Paris and remembring that Machivillian Maxim That those who begin in sin must never quit that Road till they have reach'd their Journey 's end seem'd to be much concern'd and fearing lest the Princess shou'd send for Adraste and by Gold and Presents get the Truth out of him for she knew him to be one who would boggle at nothing if Gold were the Reward told the Princess that she wou'd write to her Brother who she pretended was gone into England with the Embassadour and know the truth and wou'd leave no means unattempted to sound the very bottom of this business They had many other Discourses concerning this Adventure when Mariana pretended urgent business and took her leave promising to come and see her again next day in the mean time she wou'd consider about what was best to be done in an affair of such great Consequence She no sooner quits the Princess but with all the Wings that Fear cou'd lend her she flew to find out Lysidor who she acquainted with the whole matter The Prince when he first heard it was no less amaz'd at it than she had been but having well consider'd every thing he order'd her to meet him in the Evening at a certain place which he appointed in the mean time to keep all secret and to go back again to the Princess and endeavour all she cou'd to wheedle out of her Darbelle's
make but at the break of day he rose and went to Clitie's Chamber who he found pretty chearful and hearty for she had rested well that Night he made all quit the Room and seating himself by her Bed-side he began a Discourse in this manner My dearest Child says he why will you let your aged Father pine and mourn away his few days left him in Grief and Sorrows and not ease his Pain Thou knowest I ever dearly lov'd thee nor was there any trouble seiz'd thy Heart in which I did not share I do remember yesterday that Mariana spoke to you of Darbelle and what she meant by it I come to learn of you therefore dear Daughter hide from me nothing of the Truth for if Darbelle be yet alive and not married as I have cause to suspect and in this City I shou'd be so far from disturbing his Peace that I will use all my diligence with the King to get his Pardon and perhaps establish him again at Court. The Princess was not a little surpriz'd to hear her Father speak in this manner tho' she cou'd not but be well-pleas'd to see his kindness to Darbelle and not to keep her Father any longer in doubt she acquainted him with the whole Story from Darbelle's going into Florence even to his coming back again to Paris all the Tricks and Cheats Mariana and the Prince had put upon them and lastly the Murder he and Adraste would have committed wou'd the Heavens have permitted it who in the same time sent others to take their lives The Princess here alter'd a little the Truth of her Relation for none but her self knew who were they that kill'd them Celse was a hundred times about to have interrupted her but the oddness of her Story and her soft manner of relating it mov'd him to such a Commiseration of their Misfortunes that it drew Tears from the Eyes of the good old Gentleman who when she had made an end he recounted to her his Dream in all things so agreed with what Clitie had told him that he wanted no further Confirmation to establish his belief that Darbelle was still virtuous tho' still unhappy in his Princes's Favour who he resolv'd to solicite so in his behalf that he wou'd never let the King rest till he had got his Pardon Many Discourses they had touching the means to bring it about which now they had more likelihood to effect than before since the Prince Alcander Amasis's Brother and Lysidor were dead who daily press'd the King for Justice as they call'd it against Darbelle Who having escap'd the Hands of his Assassinates and those of the Magistrate and his Officers return'd again to their old Lodgings fell into such Perplexities and Torments of mind that it cast him into a dangerous Feaver which held him some Months with little hopes of his Recovery but Youth and Nature being strong prevail'd with Death and once more set him on his Feet again He resolv'd to spend no more of his days in a place where every thing combin'd against him but to return again for Florence where he design'd in solitude to end his days and to efface whate're his Love had made him write upon his Trees in favour of his Mistress and in their room to write Invectives against the whole Female Sex. To this end one day he discover'd his mind to La Rock and order'd to prepare Horses and all things necessary for such a Journey and that at the beginning of the next Week he wou'd set forward La Rock seconded his Design and commended his Resolution and in pursuance to his Commands went the same day to furnish himself with Horses when Fortune who is never constant in any thing conducted him to a man whose Horses were at Grass in a Field in the Countrey near the place where the Princess had her House and to which she was retir'd in order to the better recovering her Health The Man and La Rock took Coach together and went to the place aforesaid not being above four or five Miles from Paris and while the Horses were fetching in La Rock walk'd forth to see the Beauty of the place which was certainly one of the finest Seats in that Countrey and walking along a River whose purling Streams seem'd to keep Consort with the noise the Winds made among the Leaves of the Trees that grew in the Grove he heard as he thought at the other side of a thick Hedge the Sighs and Complaints of a Woman his Curiosity led him to go as near as possible he cou'd without been seen and listen to what she said who having seated himself in a convenient place cou'd through the Leaves behold a Woman lying on a Bank of Flowers making her Arm more white than Snow her Pillow her curling Hair hung negligently o're her Face which as the friendly Wind remov'd away made him perceive a Cheek more beautiful and fair than ever he had seen before but what mov'd him most and hid what most he long'd to know was the other fair Hand that ever and anon was imploy'd with a Handkerchief in wiping away those Tears which fell in streams from her distilling Eyes he had not long attended but the beautiful disconsolate broke forth again into Words and said Fond Wretch what avails it to complain to Heaven who as they are just ought not to take thy part Blame Heaven no more but lay the Fault upon thy own Credulity that is it has wrought thy ruine and the overthrow of one whose Love and Constancy can meet no parallel Oh! there drying her Eyes again with her Handkerchief she stifl'd the name of some Man so that he cou'd not understand who she meant What a foolish Man art thou to be so faithful to one who has so little deserv'd it How has thy Love blinded thee to make a second Venture when thy first cost thee so dear And thy too much Constancy has been the Cause of all thy sad Misfortunes To what purpose dost thou pursue thy passion when it leads thee to thy Ruine And to what end dost thou indulge thy own Destruction Here she ceas'd her words and spoke with Eyes whose silent Rhetorick ran gliding down her Face and drew the perfect Map of Sorrow But goes she on thou canst weep and that thou think'st enough a few Woman's Tears the next akin to Crocodiles Cou'dst thou weep Blood and through the Sluces of thy Eyes drain all the Moisture of thy Veins 't were yet too little to wash away the Misery they have caus'd Rest and Content are now grown Strangers to me or if perchance sometimes the Night gives me Repose my Sorrows waken with the Day and gush upon me with the greater power I know I torment my self in vain for he knows nothing of it or if he did his Injuries are grown so great I never can expect Relief from him nor ever to possess the place I once had in his Heart which I deservedly have lost tho