Zora was likewise giving all the necessary orders beforehand for to distance all the Servants from Roxana's Apartment that no interruption should be given that way and had found out a means to divert the Mother another way so that all things were in a readiness and seem'd to concur with the grand Design Cara who since the late Engagement he had with Zora was more assiduous in his Visits than ever seldom fail'd of seeing her once a day he did usually take the time that Roxana walked in her Garden because that she not caring much for Zora's Company would go without her whereby Cara had the greater liberty of entertaining her according to his Custom he came and finding scarce any person in the body of the House Zora her self being just at that instant out of the way Cara believing that she might be in her own Chamber went to see but finding her not there and passing by Roxana's Chamber looked in but not seeing her there neither and that the Key was in Roxana's Closet door he ventured in and having knock'd and no answer made he made bold to open the Door and peep in He was so surprised at the fight of so many delicate things which compos'd the Ornament of it that gazing earnestly on he enter'd quite in and forgot himself in the amazement he was Roxana being somewhat indispos'd did return from her Garden sooner than ordinary she came into her Chamber and was immediately followed into it by the Mufti who was in watch with Zora in a dark Corner in the passage so close that she had not time to reach to the Closet So soon as he was got in he shut the door upon him within side and went after Roxana who little thinking of him was crying out Oh! Ibrahim Ibrahim Madam said he coming softly behind her and taking her gently by the middle with both his hands disturb not the dead at this Roxana started for she thought it had been some of her people that were giving their attendance who had shut the door A living Dog is better than a dead Lion continued he and the Comparison is not so disproportionable as you may imagin betwixt your dead Ibrahim and your living most humble most passionate and most miserable Lover who not able to subsist any longer without your consent is come to dye imploring your pity and compassion saying of this he flung himself at Roxana's feet who had been prevented by the Mufti from discovering Cara in the Closet you may imagine with what apprehensions he remained there Roxana infinitely surpriz'd to find her self alone with the Mufti and the door shut would have got to her Closet but the Mufti taking hold of her Garment said Can you have so much cruelty in you Madam as to let me perish here and not so much as afford me one word of Comfort Speak Madam and let me know whether you doom me to life or death there pausing Roxana who could not get from him was forced to make him this answer I wonder Sir that notwithstanding I have so frequently told you that I should eternally so much love the memory of Ibrahim that I should never afford to spare one grain of Love on any thing else you will still persist in a fruitless pursuit of an imaginary Bliss which you can never obtain If the World Madam replyed the Mufti is not mistaken Ibrahim did gain from you what you so severely deny to me To undeceive you Sir replyed Roxana If you please to rise for I must not see you any longer in so unbecoming a posture before me I will tell you that though Ibrahim was my Husband as much as all the sacred Tyes of faithful Promises and Oaths could bind us together never to marry any other and to consummate that our private Contract and Mariage so soon as we had brought my Parents to consent Know Sir I say that I never admitted him to any further favour than the most modest Virgin in the World would a person that were an absolute stranger setting aside one single private enterview unto which I was surpris'd when I gave my heart wholly to him in lieu of his that he had given me But Madam answered the Mufti your promises were made to a living man and they did bind you no longer than till death had broke those bonds Sir replyed Roxana interrupting him with a little heat if the Vows I made him were made void by my death which I wish had been so he had not been freed from his part towards my memory had he remained alive the same it is with me I tell you I am still an untouch'd Maid and that in the resolution I am at present which I hope time will never alter should a Lover with an Empire be offered me I should reject it though it were in the just and lawful account of marriage wherefore Sir never think to gain any the least point over me in those sinister ways that you attempt Then Madam replyed the Mufti seeing that you are so plain I will be so too and tell you that my Passion being grown to that height and strength that I can no longer be Master over it I am now come to know of you whether I must obtain by consent or by force that without which I can no longer live and be my self This made Roxana to change Colour look about her and to tremble not being able to stir from the place where she was which was far from the Door After this said she it is neither safe nor just for me to remain here wherefore let me go or I shall call for aid In vain Madam replyed the Mufti I have provided before hand against all preventions you are in my Power There is not one of your Servants that can so much as hear you the door is fast you cannot escape me therefore once more Madam I humbly beg of you to have compassion on me and to afford me freely what you see you cannot prevent me from taking by force and with that he held her faster than before Roxana perceiving in what a danger she was and that she was to expect nothing less than what the Mufti threatned by the fierceness of his looks and the fire in his Eyes call'd out aloud for aid at which he with a forced smile said In vain all this I am not a person to do my work by halves I once again tell you that no body can hear you and that I will not lose this fair opportunity and this advantage of giving a vent to those Flames which would burn me up to ashes should they remain any longer blazing in my breast Roxana made her last effort to get from him towards the door which made the Mufti say Nay then Madam I must carry you to that Couch with that taking her up in his Arms notwithstanding all the resistance that she could possibly make he carried her towards the Couch at which having given a great shriek she
three Sons Selim the Second Amurat and Osman to flye from their Cruelty into Persia Where she attempted by the solicitation of the Mahometists to have her Children who had alwaies been brought up by Selim's particular Care in the Mahometan Religion in which he himself had liv'd and dy'd to be brought over to her own Perswasion which being come to Selim the Second's Knowledge he got from her his youngest Brother which he secured under good hands but she retain'd Amurat which by that means was brought up in the Sect of Haly. After the Turks had liv'd some years under divers sorts of Governments still finding themselves as oft as they chang'd of Form of Government after the Death of him they had chose Protector in a worse condition than they were under the Reigns of their lawful Emperor they recalled back Selim the Second from his Exile he and his two Brothers were receiv'd by the whole Empire with all the Expressions of Joy imaginable he was seated on his Throne Crown'd and even Ador'd by his People Of Truth never was Prince except his Father Endow'd with so much Goodness and Mildness mixt with Majesty and Greatness of Soul. He had not been long re-established in his Dominions but that through the sollicitation of his people who earnestly desired to be govern'd by an Off-spring of so good a Prince he Marryed a Foreign Princess of the same temper of mind as himself though an Halist by whom he had no Issue This was a great Misfortune to him because that his natural mild and good disposition did incline him infinitely to love Children and the Conversation of the 〈◊〉 Sex when he had a mind 〈…〉 bend his thoughts and give 〈◊〉 self some Divertion from the business of State. Cha-abas the then Emperor of Persia who had fill'd Selim's Empire with all sorts of Orders of the Sect of Haly especially of the Mahometists who were like so many Spies in Selim's Court was inform'd amongst the rest of Selim's Amorous Disposition to which Inclination he gave the more scope for want of Children by his Sultaness to pass his time with There was sent over to that purpose a Persian Woman indifferently handsome of a mean Extraction a great Zealot of the Sect of Haly with full instructions how to gain Selim's Affections and when that was done how to govern him get from him a certain Knowledge of all the most private Consultations and Designs of the State and to influence him in all his undertakings she soon got so much the mastery over Selim's Heart that through her means all the secrets of the Port were known in Persia according to which Cha-abas and his Mahometical Counsel did take such measures as did still tend towards accomplishing that great work of extirpation of Heresie as they stiled it which had been so long contriving It was thought that the quickest way would be in getting Selim to forsake the Religion he was brought up in and to bring him over to the Sect of Haly very particular instructions were given to that purpose to his Persian Mistress whom he lov'd the more because she had brought him forth some Children which were the Darlings of Selim's Heart She together with others of that Faction in the Court did use all their Indeavours to bring that great work about and finding him so firm and stedfast to his Principles in Religion as not in the least to yield to their Solicitations Cha-Abas with his wicked Counsel thought it fit to remove him from the Throne to make room for his Brother Amurat who as you have already heard was very zealous to the Sect of Haly and did privately profess it All things being fitted in Church and State for that great Change upon which depended the entire and universal destruction of the true Antient Orthodox Mahometan Religion so long before design'd and privately whisper'd about and which could never be accomplish'd till the Mahometan Religion as it was particularly exercis'd in the Ottoman Empire were first ruin'd There was a design fram'd of Murthering the Sultan of sending over a Persian Army all of the Sect of Haly of sending Commissions to all the Nobility that were of the Sect of Haly in Selim's Empire and in fine of setting up Amurat to be Sultan who should aid to bring in the Sect of Haly and by his Power and Authority maintain it and should declare himself of that Sect and the Maintainer of it The Storm was ready to break and fall upon the Ottoman Empire from Persia when the Plot was discover'd the Grand Council of the Divan being Summoned they took the business into consideration sifted it to the bottom and found out all the contrivances the Conspirators and their Abettors all those that could be seiz'd at Constantinople and elsewhere in the Empire were put in Prison Examin'd Convicted by Authentick and undeniable Evidences to be guilty of the Enterprise which being against the Laws of the Empire they suffered the Condign Punishment which the said Laws had order'd to be inflicted on such Notorious Criminals after which all the Priests of the Sect of Haly were seiz'd that could be taken and according to a Statute of the Empire whereby they are declar'd Traytors divers of them receiv'd the due Reward of such Villainous Enterprises which they had made against the Sultan and the Empire And all those in the Empire of what degree and condition soever that were of the Sect of Haly were divested from all Publick Offices or Employes incapacitated for the future from having any Sway or bearing any Offices either Civil or Military banished from Court and commanded to remain at twenty Miles distance from Constantinople on great Penalties Thus that great storm which so severely threatned the whole destruction of the Ottoman Empire was dispers'd and the Empire reassum'd again its pristine Greatness Quiet and Natural Teâ—â—â— all â—ersons believing themselves and secure from any futâ—â— Aâ—em 〈◊〉 oâ— that Nature by 〈…〉 wholesome Laws thaâ— Selim and his great Council did Enact upon this great Deliverance amongst which they would have made one that should have excluded from succeeding to the Throne any Persons that should be of Haly's Sect though they were in all other respects qualified and known to be the undoubted Heir to the Empire But Selim's tender Love and Affection to his Brother Amurat would never permit him to give his consent to it so that it was not done Things were in this posture when Roxana of whom we are going to rehearse the Story began to appear in the World with all those Charms which made her as many Slaves as she had of Spectators She was Daughter to Aladin the Seraquiere or Lord Lieutenant of a Province a Person of a Noble Extraction very Wealthy and Popular and of the Sect of Haly She was Endow'd by Nature with all the Perfections which could accomplish a Person of about eighteen or nineteen years of Age and she had receiv'd an Education proportionable to her
I can never do too much for you wherefore I have transmitted the Person himself here he was in his sleep when I did it but I suppose by this awakned or will soon awaken at your coming Moretto being now come to the steps that went to the Summer-House door Ascend Madam continued he and then admire what I have done for you With that he led her up and put her into the house then took the Maid who follow'd her Mistress and put her in also and bid them go forward to the Table As re-assur'd as Roxana was she durst not contradict her Guide which gave him time to shut the door upon them and to retire Roxana was wondering at the great and clear light which so many Lamps as were placed there did give when that Ibrahim as if newly awakned being set off with the most advantageous Dress that he could possible put on and adorn'd with a world of Jewels did raise himself from a Day-Bed on which he was lying and as if amaz'd startling and staring Is it a Dream or do I wake said he then looking about him Where am I continu'd he Then looking on Roxana Ha! What do I see the very Darling of my Soul my Heart's Delight and all that I most desired What good Angel has been so kind as to continue and conclude my Dream with such a blessed Vision Roxana Divine Roxana here and I stand still and not cast at her feet a Heart that is so wholly hers Pardon sweet Angel the Errour that the great surprisal I am in at so fair a Vision has caus'd me to commit and deign to accept the offers of an Heart whose greatest Glory is to be your Slave With that he was going to throw himself at Roxana's feet when she moving her Body that way But hold said he again to himself let not my excess of Joy render me too rash and lose the Blessing I enjoy in this bright Apparition by drawing too near with my Terrestrial Body then falling back again while he was speaking this thus he continu'd If you are not but condens'd Air or some Etherial Spirit who to mock my Passion for a time has assum'd this glorious shape to render me afterwards the most miserable wretch living when you again dissolve into soft Air. Speak give me some signs of Life a Voice coming from so admirable a Shape cannot but be all Harmony to my Heart At this Roxana bowing forward was going to speak when he again interrupted her thus By Heavens it moves but one word and I am blessed for ever Then did Roxana say Whoe're you are that thus exercise your Wit and Fancy upon a Person who knows her self much inferiour to what the extasy you seem to be in leads you to speak know that I am the real Roxana Mistress of this place If all I hear and see is not Inchantments which I am apt to believe is when I consider that Shape which is before me and those Expressions which whether true or feigned real or delusive please my Ears and Heart and if you are as real Substance as I find my self to be I may now say I have seen the reality of those things which I before did only frame in my imagination and since I find that all which that Great man has told me proves true even beyond my expectation I am apt to believe that all the rest he has told me will be of the same stamp If he has said Madam reply'd Ibrahim that you should see a Person in whose single heart there was more Love contain'd for you than in all the World besides though all were too little yet If that he told you that it was impossible for that person to live a day longer after seeing you without the hopes that you would accept of an Heart which is wholly yours If he has assur'd you that from the first moment that person beheld you he vow'd to live eternally yours I am the person In confirmation of which I here lay my life and all I can call mine at your feet protesting by our great Prophet that I will never rise again from this place till you are pleas'd to accept and receive this free though unworthy Gift I make you of my self Saying this he slung himself at Roxana's feet she extended her hand to raise him but he taking hold of it and pressing it hard with his lips No Madam continu'd he never must I rise from this place till you have spoke my happiness To which thus Roxana answer'd That I may the sooner relieve you from this unbeseeming and uneasie posture and to follow what the Heavens have decreed in which peradventure concurs something of my own inclination for I cannot but think when I reflect on all that has been acted this night that it is the will of Heaven Here is my Hand that I receive those offers you have made me of your Heart in exchange of which I give you another that was never any others but mine and now yours And I Madam reply'd Ibrahim do take the boldness to seal this Contract on this white Author of my Happiness with my Lips. With this she took him up then said to him looking on her Maid Here is one shall be a secret Witness of our secret Love till we find means to get our Friends consents mean time you know my Father's severity towards me by which you may guess that if he had been now at Constantinople I should not have had this opportunity which I know not when we shall have again because he is expected here again to morrow After this they fell to particular discourses about the means they should use to see one another and they agreed that Moretto for having been so instrumental to their mutual happiness in bringing them to the knowledge of the Caldean should be admitted into the Confidence not doubting but that betwixt him and her Maid they should have such frequent news of one another that they should not be long before they met again upon which and divers other discourses of that nature day beginning to break forth they thought fit to separate which after a thousand repeated assurances of constancy on both sides they did he leading first Roxana to the Gate of her Garden then he getting over the Wall by his Rope-ladder The brightest â—ay is frequently follow'd with a â—â—ormy Night and the fairest Night succeeded by a Cloudy Day Our Lovers Joys like all vehement Motions were too great to last long and though the Cause of it was not in themselves but from abroad yet so suddain so great and so passionate a Love as was between them rendred them not long happy as you shall hear from what follows Ibrahim was a Person that in all respects was very desirable no wonder then if that Roxana was so impatient to see again a Person so like that which she had fram'd in her imagination that could only please her She had employ'd her Maid and the Maid
juncture was the advice which her Mother had sent her in Writing concerning the Letter which had been delivered with her into the Captain's hand in which was written the Sentence of her Death but no Advice or Counsel had been added to her Mother's Care how she should avoid or get off that danger Cara's Love would not let him rest he took all occasions and made use of all the opportunities that offered themselves to shew a more than usual Zeal and Diligence to serve her personally thereby both to get another fair sight of her and to ingratiate himself into her good opinion of truth he was so diligent in serving her beyond that morose way which most of those who use the Seas are inclin'd to that Roxana could not but observe it and those assiduous Services being seconded with divers Presents of Refreshments and offers of further Services Roxana had no longer any place to doubt but that all was the Effects of her unfortunate beauty as she us'd to stile it Upon this Opinion she began to build some hopes to attain to the knowledge of the Particulars contained in the fatal Letter whereby she hop'd that she might find out some means to prevent that mischief which she was going to To this purpose she thought that her Beauty though so much alter'd of late might much contribute especially towards a person who she perceiv'd did endeavour by all means imaginable to see her face wholly unvail'd she therefore was not long without giving him an opportunity of so doing but so as if it were by meer accident She pretended that the want of a free Air in the Cabin did make her sick and therefore desired Cara that he would give his Prisoner leave as she term'd her self to take a little Air upon the Deck That was a Request so suitable to Cara's desires that he made her this answer My Prisoner Madam said you I know of no such thing and if you were so really you have those Charms about you that will set you free whenever you desire them to act be assur'd Madam continued he that I am so far from thinking you a Prisoner much less of using you like one that I here offer you all my Services in any thing that may tend to your satisfaction and content with that he took her by the hand and led her upon the most convenient place on the Deck Where she sate un … a large Umbrello incompassed round with her own Slaves and Servants The Wind blowing a little fresh her Vail was disordered by it she took that opportunity of shewing her self in pulling it quite off as she was about setting of it in order again as if by accident which causing her to blush she said to Cara who stood as if struck with Thunder at the admiration of so much beauty The very Elements are set against me they would not else have discovered to you Sir that which may hereafter slacken your Civilities towards a Person that now you will have no longer any Opinion that she deserves them Cara stood still mute gazing upon Roxana though vail'd again without the power to stir or speak one word Roxana taking that for a good sign took the liberty to proceed thus Cast your Eyes upon some other Object which may blot out of your imagination those Lines which my deficiency may have traced there that you may be no longer troubled at your so free offers of Services to a person so little deserving them I 'll release you of them Sir. Madam replyed Cara who was a little come to himself again I am so strangely surprised at what chance joined to my good Fortune has shewn me that I know 〈◊〉 whether I had better wish my self turn'd all into Eyes to gaze on that Treasure of Beauty I have seen or into one whole heart to offer at your Feet as a Sacrifice though most unworthy to so much perâ—â—ction Roxana finding the Air too cool arose to retire Cara accompanying her to her Cabbin She said I take Sir what you are pleas'd to say to me as words of course which your mouth uses to utter while your heart may have no share at all in them If ever I was guilty of any such thing Madam answered Cara be assur'd that now what I say is the pure and sincere Dictates of an heart that would be too happy to expire in your Service and that my mouth has no further to do with it than in obedience to my Heart's commands Take heed Sir that you say replyed Roxana you know not to whom you make those fair offers and what great inducements I may have to take you at your word You may wonder and not without cause at my forwardness in the acceptance of your Services continued she but know Sir that those circumstances that I at present lye under may be of such a nature as may plead my excuse for a way of proceeding so contrary to the Rules that the most prudent and modest of our Sex do observe In a word Sir I find that I have not too much time left me to imploy after some means to preserve my life Once more Sir I tell you that I am your Prisoner and that you have orders to lead me and to deliver me up to my Executioners Who I Madam replyed Cara strangely surpris'd when did I receive such Orders and from whom From Mufti Repset replyed Roxana It is he who has pronounc'd my Sentence and that has trusted you with the care of seeing it executed Riddles all Riddles to me Madam I can assure you answered Cara I have no further orders than to receive you and your Servants with your Goods on board my Vessel to convey you all to Persia there to deliver you into the hands of certain Religious Persons which for their austerity of Lives and discipline of Religion are the most unfit Persons that could ever be pitch'd upon to perform so horrible an Act as your bare mentioning of makes my very heart to tremble within me Well Sir replyed Roxana to convince you that I know more of the reach of your Commission than you know your self give me leave to tell you that you have in your power my Life and Death Yes Sir I know that you have a Letter in which is contain'd the Decree of my Death and that in the delivery or retention of that Letter consists either my happiness or misery I must confess Madam that I have a Letter answer'd Cara which I have order to deliver with you into such persons hands as I have mentioned but what the Contents are I am wholly ignorant of only this intimation I have had from the Mufti you mention'd that it contain'd the Emperor's particular orders and that therefore I should be very observant in the delivery of it Well Sir replyed Roxana obey the Order and deliver me up a Victim to the Mufti 's revenge though you incur the Emperor's displeasure Who I am certain knows nothing
much as making any severe Reflexions or bearing malice against any Person even my profest Enemies much less against such as are absolute Strangers to me A Key to both Parts of the Court Secret. Selim the First King Charles I. Selim the Second King Charles II. Amurat The Duke of York Osmond The Duke of Glocester Soliman The Prince of Orange The Sultana Queen Mary Zelinda The Princess of Orange Cha-abas The French King. Clorinet Tyrconnel Chilase The French King's Confessor Repset Peters the Jesuit Zora His Sister Clorineta The Lady Tyrconnel Monitenna Madam of Maintenon Emperor of Migrena Emp. of Germany Grand Visir Rinola D. of Loraine The Bassas of Swibrunckia D. of Brunswick Abrania Bavaria Brugulnea Lunenburg Xonisea Saxony Grubdenbran Brandenburg Sehes Hesse Stenrum Munster The Saraguere Kelwad Waldeck The Ottoman Empire Great Britain The Persian Empire France Albiona England Myrgena Germany Pesina Spain Haldon Holland Clonstad Scotland Leridan Ireland Constantinople London Ispahan Paris Risauta Austria Blunid Dublin Lynderodon Londonderry Mahometans Protestants Mahometists Jesuits Halists Papists Grand Mufti The Pope Mufti Bishops or Priests Heathens Turks The Grand Council of the Divan or of the Empire The Parliament As for Aladin Roxana Cara and Moretto the Reader may apply them as he thinks fit The Court Secret A NOVEL PART II. AMbition is a Passion so absolute and imperious that when a Mind is once possess'd with it there is rarely any admittance for any other at the same time It seizes the whole Man and Love it self that masters the Masters of the World can scarce get entrance in an heart prepossess'd with that Tyrant that is continually fed with those Court-Flatteries wherewith Princes are usually entertain'd Yet there is no Rule so general that will not admit of some Exception and in the Person of Cha-abas the now Emperor of Persia may be seen that that unsufferable Ambition which caus'd him to aim at an Universal Monarchy and that has arm'd all the World against him threatning no less than the utter Subversion of his Empire has at the same time receiv'd also into his Bosom that little Deity who blinds all those Victims which he designs for Sacrifices insomuch that the Vulgar who seldom dive into the Secrets of Princes have attributed wholly to his boundless Ambition that in which Love had as great a share if not the advantage I shall leave it to the Reader 's Judgment in the reading of this Second Part of the Court Secret in which that Emperour 's Private Amours are set forth according to the Memories fallen into my hands When the Persian Emperour had been advis'd by his Politick Council to make choice of a Wife for Amurat that might espouse the Persian Interest be capable of governing him when he should come to the Government which right or wrong was to happen according to the measures which they had taken in the prospect they had that Amurat was a great Proselyte to that Sect. This present Sultana was pitch'd upon as the most proper and fit person that could be had for that purpose She was therefore chosen from a great number that aspired at that honour to become in success of time the chiefest Instrument by which all the Halists should work their Designs in that Empire Of truth her Wit Address Presence of Mind Courage Boldness and exquisite Beauty which gave lustre to all her other excellencies did highly contribute in rendring her Mistress of Amurat's Affections and fitted her above all other persons in the World to carry on so great a Design The Sultana had formerly liv'd in the Persian Court where Cha-abas had had the opportunity of admiring her Charms and doubtless he had been so absolutely master'd by them as never to have been brought to resign such a Treasure of Beauties to another when he had it at his disposal had he not been diverted from it by the choicest Beauties of his Empire which were daily offer'd to him and the Shame which was continually set before his eyes of losing so fair an opportunity of rendring himself Master of the Ottoman Empire so much coveted and aimed at by his Predecessors the Glory of the Performance being by his Fortunate Stars reserv'd for his invincible Arms which would illustrate all his Conquests establish for ever the Religion of Haly throughout the Ottoman Empire and Crown him with eternal Glory and Renown Those and such like Arguments for that time caus'd his Ambition to triumph over his Love he yielded to their Advices and permitted himself to be led by Interest to the prejudice of Love who enraged at the Assront devested Cha-abas Heart from its Natural Severity and infus'd it into the Sultana's Bosome rendring it thereby so obdurate to all his Intercessions that all his Repentance and Submission should not be of force to make in it the least impression The violent Counsels of the Mufty Repset and other Halists having been the occasion of that prodigious and wonderful change in the Ottoman Empire which had caus'd Amurat and the Sultana to retire into Persia from the Fury of an enraged Multitude against whose Torrent no Bank of Religion Allegiance or Loyalty can hold and that nothing but its own impetuousness can allay They were oblig'd to run the same Fortune also the Mufti like the rest of his Order not much troubling his Head at the wonderful Alterations which he with the assistance of others of his Fraternity had wrought in Turky Of truth it may be said of that Society that they were ever true to that design they first took in hand to stick to the Interest of the House of Risauta That made them when they found notwithstanding all their efforts that the Persian Emperour still grew more and more formidable to the great prejudice of the Pesinians they on the sudden feign'd themselves weary of protecting the Pesinians made Overtures to wholly relinquish their Interest and to come over to that of Persia which was greedily embrac'd by its Emperour who not distrusting them did wholly relie on their Counsels they in the mean time by that means and Stratagem designing the total Ruine of the Persian Empire and the raising of the House of Risauta above whatever it had yet been This made them to put Cha-abas upon glutting his Ambition by all base and violent Usurpations Breaches of Treaties Treacheries upon the Territories of those Neighbouring Princes that were at Peace with him which made the Grand Mufti himself to be affronted by him by which doings he has now drawn upon him the hatred of all Princes who have all joyn'd against him that will not hear of any Terms of Accommodation who have oblig'd the Grand Mufti not to protect him but to abandon him to the just Revenge of all those Princes whom he has so highly offended and that even will not assist Amurat in the least in the recovery of his lost Empire because it has happen'd through his following the evil Counsels of the Persian Emperour
though he is so great a Preselyte to the Religion of Haly of which most of those Confederate Princes against Cha-abas are Professors Thus have the Mahometists under pretence of Friendship to Persia work'd those Ends and brought about those purposes for the advantage of Pesina which they could not compass by open force and put the Pesinians by their entring into the Confederacy in a Capacity of not only recovering suddenly all that Cha-abas has at several times basely stol'n from them but in sharing also in that spoil which is intended of the whole Persian Empire I hope the Reader will pardon this Digression on condition that I will not trouble him with any more And now I return to my Subject again Cha-abas having gone so far in his Design against the Ottoman Empire as to cause Amurat to desert it though his Designs were first quite different from what had happen'd he design'd farther to make use of Amurat's Desertion of his Empire to his particular advantage which could not be done without causing Amurat to change the Resolution which his good Nature had promp'd him to of retiring from the World into some Religious Place there to end his days in Devotions To this purpose Cha-abas gave Orders That all persons from the highest to the lowest in his Dominions should give the same respect to Amurat and to his Sultana as they us'd to shew to himself He caus'd them to be bravely and magnificently entertain'd in all places they pass'd through made his own Guards to attend them and sent his own Chariots to bring them to a magnificent Palace which he had caus'd to be richly furnish'd and adorn'd with all necessary things for their Reception and went some part of the way himself to receive them with all the Demonstrations of Sorrow imaginable and all the Assurances of Friendship Aid and Assistance that could be expected protesting That notwithstanding all those formidable enemies which he had at that time on his hands he would re-seat Amurat on his Throne and that he would beg for Peace on his bare Knees of his enemies rather than not pursue the destruction of the Mahometan Religion which he was resolv'd to accomplish happen what would and to make Amurat a more glorious and absolute Prince in the Ottoman Empire than ever any of his Predecessors had been Thus did that Vain Man that Monster of Pride Cruelty and Ambition domineer and huff when he knew not which way to turn himself before the Confederate Princes who were all resolv'd to pull down his Pride and to take from him at once all those places and whole Provinces which by fraud and deceit he had at divers times encroached and stoln from them He had first tried all means imaginable and had apply'd himself to the Grand Mufti and to the Emperour of Myrgena with promises to restore all that he had gained from them but they told him that they knew him too well to trust any longer to his Word which he had never kept So that finding that that would not do he had propos'd to beg those Princes Pardon which he had offended and to make full restitution of all that he had possest himself of theirs with an assurance that he would submit to all that they should please to impose upon him provided they would but withdraw their Forces from falling upon him till he had accomplish'd that great Design he had so well begun of totally rooting out the true Mahometan Religion But those Confederate Princes knowing that all that he said was but to divert them from taking revenge of all his perfidious dealings against them and that at the very time that he so earnestly begg'd for a Peace he was animating and fomenting the Heathens to continuing a War against the Mahometists they therefore gave no ear to any thing he said but went on still with their preparations of War against him with all the vigour imaginable This made Cha-abas to look out for a place of Retreat in time in case he should be driven out of his own Empire but he did it with that same Pride and Ostentation which usually accompanies all his Actions He cast his eye on the Island Leridan pertaining to Amurat and which still held out for him all the Natives of that Kingdom being Halists and govern'd by Clorinet who was a great Halist also and who had been plac'd in that station by Amurat After then that he had brought Amurat and his Sultana to that Palace which he had appointed for them and settled an Allowance for their Maintenance suitable to their Greatness he began to consider which way to begin and in what proper Terms to propose to Amurat so that he might not find out his drift the reâ—â—ction of Clonstad and of Albiona to him but Amurat was not long without giving him himself a fair opportunity of declaring his Mind for he being still dejected and unconsolable for the loss of the Love of his Subjects without which he had no prospect of ever recovering his Right again did still pursue the Design which he had taken of leaving the World and of retiring into some Religious House where to end his days in peace and quietness and mention'd his Design to Cha-abas There needed no more to set the Persian Emperour on this was matter sufficient for him to work upon He represented to Amurat that that would tarnish the Glory of all his former Actions it would give occasion to the World to censure him and to future Ages to entertain aâ— very ill Opinion of him He added That he himself was so highly concern'd in the whole Business that it would greatly tarnish that Glory which the Justice of his Cause and the good success of his Arms had acquired him if he did not re-establish Amurat on his Throne and totally root out of all his Dominions the Mahometan Religion as he had already done out of his own Empire and would do out of the whole World before he would be quiet That a War which was founded on Religion and the extirpation of Heresies as his was was not to be left undone being of quite another Nature than those Wars which are made on the account of securing ones Right enlarging of ones Dominions increasing of ones Glory and the like That whosoever once set his his Hand to that Plough wherein Religion was concern'd was not to look back but to go forwards over all the Hazards and Difficulties imaginable being confident that the more perillous the more glorious the Achievement of the thing would be that he was ready to assist him with Men Arms Ammunition and Money with Vessels to transport them over into Leridan where he thought it the most convenient to begin by the total suppression of all his Mahometan Subjects through the aid and assistance of those Forces which were all Halists under the Conduct of his Lieutenant Clorinet In fine he said so much to Amurat and did so subtly disguise his Designs to him under
was as desirous as she to know certainly who was the Person whom the Mufti had not nam'd and which he had some Jealousies was her self by the great disorder that his coming had put her in besides the suspicion he had entertain'd at her shifting of her Seat so soon as she had perceiv'd him under pretence of getting more out of the Cold Air consented to her desires and taking her by the Hand led her out begging of her a further opportunity of discovering his Passion which she with all the modesty she was Mistress of endeavoured to evade and they meeting with Company with which that Walk us'd to be fill'd at that time of the day they parted without any further appointment or Rendezvous than what Fortune should present to them as it had done before Cha-abas mixt himself with a Company of Ladies amongst which was one named Monitenna who had render'd great pieces of Services to Cha-abas during his late Distemper and to whom he had protested a World of Acknowledgments and of Love She look'd on Clorineta with a World of Disdain Rage and Spight as on a person that intended to deprive her of that Love which her most assiduous Cares and indefatigable Labours had obtain'd from Cha-abas And though she could not lay claim to any Beauty and that she was but the Relicks of a mean Person of Birth and Estate though of a celebrated Wit of which she also had a great share she thought that her Services might stand her in place of all those other things as being more material and effectual Wherefore from that moment she declar'd her self in her own Mind a mortal Enemy unto Clorineta and did her afterwards all the ill Offices that she could possible as we shall have occasion to declare As for Clorineta she had a Message deliver'd to her from the Sultana which made her to retire Though her Beauty had while present suspended Cha-abas Passion towards the Sultana for that time he had no sooner retired from her Company but that the Sultana presented her self to his Imagination with all those Perfections and that Majestick Grace which always accompany her He soon forgot that he had told Clorineta she was the Person he ador'd and as if nothing of that had ever been the next time that he met with Clorineta which was in the Sultana's presence he took no more notice of her than if he had never seen her before and wholly address'd himself to the Sultana to whom he said aâ—undance of very fine things but at such a distance that they might have been shar'd amongst the rest of the Company and this Visit which he had made to the Sultana with a design of giving her some more particular Marks of his Passion than he had ever done yet termin'd only in inviting her to a great Ballet and Masking which he had design'd for to give her some diversion though his design was to give her then in as splendid a manner as he could possible a Declaration of Love in Writing She a long time pleaded her melancholly Humour which render'd her more fit for the Conversation of Religious Women than to participate of the Pleasures of so splendid a Court especially in the absence of Amurat who for ought she knew might be exposed to eminent dangers while she should be revelling here but those her suggestions having been over-rul'd by divers Discourses back'd with assurances that before all things could be fitted for so magnificent an Entertainment as he intended there would certain news come of Amurat's great success in Leridan she at last on those Conditions yielded to lend her presence to so Noble an Assembly where all the Chief Lords and Ladies of the Persian Court were generally invited Every body from that time began to make Preparatives to appear as splendid as they could at the Grand Ball which was call'd The Ball of the Royal Love and to get such Disguises that would keep them from the knowledge of all Persons but those unto whom they would be known As for Cha-abas he spar'd neither Cost nor Charges to render it the most magnificent and splendid that ever was Of truth it was so like the Ambition of the Giver that I cannot but find a sheet or two of Paper more than ordinary to set down the Description of it in my Novel not doubting but that the Reader will not grudge the time that he shall employ in the reading of it But first we will give time for the preparation of all the necessary things for this great Mask and in the mean time give me leave to entertain you with some Transactions in the Ottoman Empire relating to the Historical part of my Novel Upon Amurat's deserting of his Subjects and abandoning them to the Fury of all their Enemies which in the Opinion of many of his Subjects acquitted them of their Oaths of Allegiance to him for as they said There were mutual Oaths pass'd betwixt Amurat and his People at his accession to the Crown He on his part did promise to govern them according to the Established Laws of the Land and to maintain the Mahometan Religion and all the Laws that had from time to time been made for its preservation against all the Assaults and Conspiracies of its sworn Enemies the Halists and to protect and defend his People from all Forreign Usurpation and Invasion and his People on their part had promis'd to obey him as their King and Governour and to pay unto him the same Allegiance and Obedience which they had done to his Predecessors on the assurance that he would faithfully and inviolably keep and observe his Coronation Oath I say that many of his Loyal Subjects did believe and thought in their Consciences that the Emperour's Breach of his Oaths had dispenc'd them from those which they had taken to him of their Allegiance Yet there remain'd some amongst them who still were of Opinion That though Amurat had broke his Coronation-Oath that did not free them from those Oaths of Allegiance to him which they had taken saying That his doing ill or committing an Errour was no warrant for them to do the same But when it came to that pass that the Emperour deserted them and his Kingdoms and thereby renounc'd to the protecting and defending of them Nay That on the contrary he joyn'd with the Halists against his own People and applied himself to the greatest declared Enemy of the Ottoman Empire and of the Mahometan Religion which he had declar'd over and over he would root out of the World then I say that help'd to take off all those Scruples which had been left on their tender Consciences and found that what at first was but strife who should have the upper hand of the Halists or Mahometans in the Ottoman Empire was now turn'd into a War of Religion in which the true ancient Mahometan Religion the Laws of the Land the Liberty of the Subject were concern'd In fine where all lay at stake and
was receiv'd by the Sultana with that courteous and affable disposition with which she charm'd all Persons that approach'd her Presence and bid him tell the Emperour that no Laws were to be prescrib'd him in his own Empire where it was but too much honour for every one to obey especially by a poor dejected Princess who had refug'd her self under the Wings of his generous Protection but that she should be better disposed and more fitted to receive so great an honour with that respect which she ought to shew to so great and glorious a Monarch about the Evening if he pleased to do her so great an honour and so dismiss'd the Messenger with Civility who having finish'd his business in publick with the Sultana made a Complement to Clorineta who had been present at the delivery of his Message to the Sultana and who had remain'd behind when the Sultana had retired to know whether Cha-abas had retain'd any thoughts of her The Mercury soon found an opportunity of secretly conveying the amorous Note into Clorineta's hand who greedily receiving it told him that she would take the first opportunity that she could possible to read privately the Contents and that according as it required she would send an Answer by an express Messenger With that the Messenger went his ways as having finished the business he was came about and returned to give Cha-abas an account of his Embassy Monitenna with a Rival's look than whose Eyes none are more piercing had observ'd the delivery of the Note the earnestness with which Clorineta had seis'd it and the care with which she had conveyed it into her Bosom all this increas'd her rage and whetted her revenge she did not abandon her Rival one moment all that Day endear'd her self as much as she could possible to her and seeing her in a pensive humour ask'd her what she ailed and whether she could assist her in any thing and do her service Yes answer'd Clorineta and my dear Monitenna you may save my Life or let me loose it I am in such a condition that I want the assistance of such a friend as you are to help me out of it by your good Counsels and Directions Let us get in some private place my Dear added she while the Sultana is retir'd according to her daily custom obout this time and there I 'll lay open my Heart to thee in hopes that thou wilt be my faithful Friend and Counsellor with that taking Monitenna by the hand she led her into her own Appartment When they were got privately together here said Clorineta giving the Note to Monitenna read what the Emperor has writ to me with that Monitenna opening the Paper read in it as follows I Hope that envious Demon of my happiness which guided the Sultana to disturb our Assignation will not be so malicious as to give us new cause of Complaint I shall pay the Sultana a visit this Evening if you can prefix a time for that happy moment and convey to me your designs in Writing I shall be as obedient und diligent in the performance of your Commands as I am impatient of all delays defer no longer giving me some new Assurances of your condescention unto the most passionate desires of him who dies for love of you What do you think of this said Clorineta so soon as Monitenna had made an end of reading I think Madam that there are no Instructions to be given you upon this he has spoken so plain 'T is true reply'd Clorineta but yet there is something that infinitely disturbs my mind What can disturb the mind of a Person who sees her self belov'd passionately belov'd by the greatest Monarch in the World reply'd Monitena those who he abandons who he Sacrifices to you may have cause to complain but for you upon whom his love flows beyond bounds or measures Then Clorineta interrupted her saying From thence flows my misery also for on the one hand I must wrong the best Princess in the World to whom he also makes his Court at the same time if I keep the knowledge of it from her and if I let her know it I shall incurr her hatred and his displeasure in betraying him to her But besides all this I must confess to you that I have gone so far in a commerce of Gallantry with the Mufti Repset that knowing how apthe is to be transported with Passion should he come to the knowledge of my entertaining of any new love though that of a Prince he would be apt to break forth into some extravagancy or other though he should involve himself in my ruine This is my case dear Monitenna continued she and you see how much I stand in need of your Advice in such an intricate business I am not capable of giving you Counsel in this I can assure reply'd Monitenna and where I in your case my self I should stand as much in need of Advice as you do at present which if I could not get I would then follow my own Inclinations and obey my own desires The love of an Emperor is a great inducement to what I say You speak very true reply'd Clorineta and I do verily believe that should I discover Cha-abas's love to the Sultana she would not be so much concern'd at it considering how little she regards his to her self farther than allowing him that respect due to Crownned Heads Well my Will is good I could venture on in giving the Emperour an Assignation if I could tell where conveniently and that I could conceal it from the Mufti 's knowledge Where do you think would be the most convenient place continu'd she None like one of the Pavillions in the Garden answer'd Monitenna after every body is retir'd there you may have all the freedom imaginable of entertaining one another You say right reply'd Clarineta but should Repset at that time come to my Chamber all hours being alike to him and he not find me there nor at the Sultana 's what noise and disturbance would he not make in his Jealousie I know not answer'd Monitenna except you should pretend you were gone ill to Bed and had given out that you would not be disturbed by any Person whatsoever I believe that might do reply'd Clorineta if you would be so kind as to give him his Answer I should do a great deal more for you reply'd Monitenna than that comes to Then will I go write the Assignation for this Night said Clorineta and give it to Cha-abas when he comes by and by to visit the Sultana and then I will dispose my self to go meet him at the place and time appointed which I believe will be most proper betwixt eleven and twelve for the Sultana retires not till eleven besides the Mufti seldome comes to me after eleven I shall rely upon you continu'd she to manage the Mufti in case he should drop in at such an unseasonable time Fear me not reply'd Monitenna as to my part with the Mufti