from your Goodness These Words effected partly what she aim'd at The Queen blush'd sigh'd and was silent a while It must be confest proceeds she That to do all for him without putting him to the cost of one Sign of Repentance is to approve of his Pride and encourage him to carry it on to the highest Extremities He would have my Kindness do all and without any Reflection on the Outrages he hath done me he believes I shall think my self too happy in beholding the Executioner's Hand Never doubt Madam says the Countess but he makes account to triumph still over that Goodness your Majesty hath always made appear towards him Had he been carried from Westminster to the Scaffold had you given him a Sight of that Sence of Death and pardon'd Southampton without respiting the other's Execution he would have been glad to make use of any means in his Power to move you to Mercy But he knows the Power he hath over you and pretends that by receiving a Pardon he vouchsafes not to Petition for all the World will believe him innocent But Madam if matters be carried on thus What will the World judge of your Majesty There is not a Person ignorant of this Adventure And if the Earl of Essex without acknowledging his Crimes sees himself at Liberty Will it not be said That England is govern'd by a Queen not so discreet as Fame reports her to be At this Cecil arriv'd and fortify'd extreamly the Countess of Nottingham's Parly He seconded her with all the Art of a cruel Eloquence to perswade the Queen She was concern'd in Honour the Earl of Essex should die The Queen in a Pet consented he should be executed suddenly and Cecil lost no time in carrying her Orders to those who were to be Actors in the Execution The Earl of Essex as the Countess of Nottingham had shrewdly guess'd had no Thoughts of petitioning for a Favour which in all Probability the Queen's Kindness would of it self freely grant him But when he saw himself on the point of being carry'd to the Place of Execution he thought it his Duty not to neglect the Medicines he had in his power to bring about the Queen Then he resolv'd to implore Her Mercy and put her in mind of her Promises and Oaths And knowing the Countess of Nottingham was her Favorite and Confident though he had Cause to believe she had no great Kindness for him he was perswaded she might have Generosity enough to serve him in this important Meditation He sent to desire the Favour of a Visit from her The Countess impatient to know the Cause went directly to him without acquainting the Queen Who but a Barbarian could have seen the Earl of Essex's Person and at the same time know his Misfortune without being melted into Compassion Yet the Countess of Nottingham at the sight of him was all Cruelty and Revenge But feigning some sweetness she gave him away to declare himself thus Can you Madam pardon the most unfortunate of Men the Trouble he gives you at a time when he hath no cause to flatter himself you have any Remains of Kindness for him Yet nothing can be now of greater Advantage to me than your Protection I know the Power you have over the Queen and would you be pleas'd to joyn it to my Sorrow and Repentance for having offended Her I doubt not but we may prevail much Tell Her then Madam continues he putting his Knee to the Ground That you have seen me in this suppliant Posture full of Grief for having deserv'd Her Hatred Restore her this RING which I have kept and entreat Her to remember the Promises She made when She gave it me I beg my Life by this PLEDGE and She cannot deny it me without forgeting Her Oaths I can no longer look on Life as a thing pleasing to me but a miserable Wife and the Interest of a Son press me to continue it as long as I can I cannot think the Innocence of the One or the Infancy of the Other needs my Justification The Favour to be begg'd of the Queen is for me alone The Countess of Nottingham was transported with Joy to see the Earl trust her with the RING which had so often Alarm'd her and whose Power Cecil was still afraid of She frankly promis'd what she had not the least intent to do for Essex added feign'd Tears to her false Promises and assur'd him she would directly go use her utmost Interest with the Queen in his Favour But instead of going to the Queen to give Her an Acccunt of her Visit she went to Cecil who waited for her prais'd her Cruelty and had the Pleasure to see in his power the sole Obstacle against Essex's Death They went together to the Queen who asking How Essex receiv'd Her last Orders He was never observ'd so haughty Madam answer's Cecil he cannot prevail with himself to shew the least Sign of Repentance He thinks of nothing but his Wife and she is the whole Subject of his discourse to those who go to him Let him die then let him perish says the Queen very angry since he will have it so Let Me be eas'd of the tormenting Uncertainties and Disquiets I am under I am no longer against his Execution This Zealous Minister was unwilling to leave the Queen the least time of Reflection And while the Earl of Essex was in expectation of the Effect of the Promises of the unfaithful Countess of Nottingham provision was made for his Execution in the Tower to avoid a Rebellion among the People who lov'd him His Soul was naturally great and discover'd not the least Weakness in the last extremity Never did Man go to his Death with more Constancy and Firmness He did not murmur in the least against the Queen though he might have Reproacht her with Promises He mounted the Scaffold Resolutely Undrest himself Recommended his Family to those about him and having drawn Tears from all Eyes that were Spectators of that last Act of his Life he receiv'd his Death without so much as giving way his Eyes should be cover'd Thus Dy'd this famous Favourite of Queen Elizabeth One of the best Qualify'd Persons in the World and a Man who had been too happy had not Love had too great a Power over him Soon after the Queen had consented he should be Executed she Relaps'd into her former irresolutions and after a sharp Conflict within her self she resolv'd to Pardon him and sent an Officer of her Guards to forbid their proceeding further But it was too late Cecil had fore-seen what might happen and cruelly provided against the Effects of her relapse into former Kindness The Earl of Essex was already Executed and that was the Answer he carry'd the Queen Then it was she lost her ordinary Moderation then her Grief broke out publickly Cecil says she What Mischief hath your Barbarous Zeal and Impatience done me With that she burst out into Tears and would not endure the
more to desire or fear they then throw off their Masks and abandon themselves to all manner of Dissoluteness I could give a great many Examples of this but you will find enough in the Roman History if you will take the Pains to read it Belise You see Dorante that I have reserv'd the difficultest part for you according to my mind seeing it now lies upon you to tell us by what reasons the Salic Law could exclude Women from succeeding their Fathers and deprive them of what Nature allowed them Dorante It troubles me Madam that I am not so sensible of the Honour you do me and to tell you that the Salic Law had an admirable foresight in this third part which you condemn If this Kingdom should fall into the Feminine Line and we saw a presumptive Heiress of the Crown to what Misery should we not be reduced In effect should it happen that the Princess would chuse a Husband among her Subjects those who expect this Honour would make strong Parties and carry things to a greater extremity than in Elective Countries seeing the prize is no less than a Crown which would pass to their Descendants and remain for ever in their Family He that has the good fortune to be preferred will be so unhappy as to be hated of his Rivals the greatest Men at Court and who will never faithfully serve him If on the contrary the Heiress of a Kingdom should cast her eyes on a neighbouring Prince to bestow on him her Heart and her Scepter we should fall under the Domination of a stranger our Monarchy would become a Province of his States Thus Madam you see you have no reason to complain of the injustice done your Sex you must rather think this was ordered for the best seeing hereby is prevented all those dismal Revolutions which I have now denoted to you Belise I must needs acknowledge you have satisfied me with your Reasons although they be not very favourable to Ladies I believe that Cleonice is in the same sentiment and that she is not troubled that I have been so curious Cleonice You shall see that I will not be behind hand with you in another kind You have declared your self an able Politician and I must declare to you that I have particularly applied my self to the study of Morality Moreover I will be no less complaisant than you I consent that Dorante Philemon and Erastus tell us after what manner we should speak of Passions Vices and Virtues and I offer to shew you afterwards whether their Opinions be conformable of contrary to those I maintain The Company having laught at the pleasantry of Cleonice it was granted that there was no matter which oftner fell into Conversation than that she came from proposing so that it was resolved on that some time should be spent in discoursing on that subject ENTERTAINMENT XIX That to speak justly of the Passions of Vices and Virtues we should ordinarily descend from a general Discourse into particular Distinctions Cleonice BEfore we enter on the subject we are to treat of I would willingly know what it is to speak justly Philemon I can boldly say I understand the justness which is found in an expression but I acknowledge I should be puzzled to say wherein it consists Dorante can clear up this point Dorante I am perswaded that what does most contribute to the justness of a discourse is when there happens a real relation or a real opposition between the terms and between the things which are put together Thus I should not speak justly should I say that Lisidor is of Provence and Philemon an Officer of the Kings seeing there is no relation nor opposition between a Country and an Office Neither should I any more speak justly if being willing to testifie my acknowledgment to Cleonice I should explain my self in these terms I return Graces to a Person who has 'em infinitely This is properly what we may call a Galamathias and it is very hard to understand two words which are tyed together without any relation In effect in the first Place the Word Graces signifies only thanks and the other Word which is understood is only taken for some agreableness of the Countenance or of the Person I might moreover give you infinite Examples on this defect of justness but I shall content my self with telling you that it is chiefly in comparisons where it is to be chiefly avoided I should speak ill should I say that the Barbe Isabella of Philemon is as fine as the Diamond which Erastus wears tho' it be permitted me to esteem one as much as the other and to offer an Hundred Lewis's for the Horse as well as for the Ring But we should not compare the Beauty of a Stone with that of an Animal which is to say two things which have neither any relation or opposition between them Erastus I found yesterday Juvenal lying on one of my Friend's Table I opened it and 't was exactly on a passage of his sixth Satyr where he speaks of the manner after which the Women of those times coifed themselves He describes the bucklings and coiffings several Stories high which a wanton Dame wore and says that her Size was so tall with them that she might be taken for another Andromacha in beholding her before but if you viewed her behind she appear'd only to be a little Woman Now let it not displease Juvenal if I say he did not speak justly he had cited Andromacha he should then have opposed a Woman famous for her little Stature Cleonice Whence should he have taken it Perhaps History mentions none People do not usually take notice of a Quality so little recommendable Erastus Juvenal should then have chosen a tour which might furnish him with a just opposition and have said that this Lady might have been taken for a Giant before tho' she appear'd but a Dwarf behind Belise I now undestand what is contrary to the justness of an expression and you imagine well that the rest of the Company comprehends it yet better And therefore we may speak of the matter which Cleonice has giv'n us and acknowledge in the beginning that there is nothing so dangerous as the passions For my part I am perswaded that could our Hearts free themselves from their Tyranny we should enjoy a serene and happy Life Cleonice It 's true that the greatest part of the World regards Ambition Love and Hatred as the Springs of all Evils and it is commonly their violence which leads to the committing of the injustices which we see in the World Dorante We grant you that the impetuosity of the passions hurries but too often to the committing of crimes but can she not likewise be of great use in the leading us to Heroick Virtue Without Ambition we should see no Conqueror hear nothing of Alexander nor Caesar and none of those glorious Actions would be perform'd which procure an immortal Reputation So that instead of condemning
all the Quiet of her Soul and Happiness of her Days 'T is high time Madam to reveal the Mystery my Heart Madam is sensible and susceptible of the deepest Impressions And what I have in Appearance condemned most is perhaps the only thing has most Power over me The Earl of Essex is no less famous for the Victorg gain'd over my Heart than for his Treasons against me And I who have maintain'd the Freedom of my Soul and preserv'd the Liberty of my Affection from submitting to the Efforts of all the Princes of Europe and the Greatest of my Subjects have now the Misfortune to find my Inclinations violently sway'd in Favour of a Person as ungrateful as faithless You know what I have done to raise him nor can you be ignorant how ill he hath requited me by his Crimes A Man who being Governour of Ireland General of my Army in quiet Possession of the best Offices of my Kingdom and Master of my Affection yet could not forbear conspiring against that Authority I was but too much inclin'd to give him a Share of and perhaps against a Life I took no other Pleasure in but the Opportunities I had by it to make his happy It was not in the Queen's Power to say a Word more And the Countess more than ordinarily concern'd at the Discourse grew so much the more curious and pretending to comfort the Queen engag'd her dexterously to a further Discovery No Madam replies the Queen there 's no Hope of Comfort for me if the Earl of Essex dye By the Condition you see his Imprisonment hath put me in you may guess what I am like to be reduc'd to by his Death His Crimes I abhor but am in Love with his Person and find that as I have been so weak to let him know it I shall again be so weak to pardon him all You do not know his Carriage towards me And perhaps my Affection will as easily find Excuses for his Ingratitude as it did for my Kindness I will give you the Relation of it but conjure you to reproach me so plainly with the Shame I expose my self to that I may at last prevail with my self to abandon the ingratefullest of Men to the Rigour of his Fate I Shall not give you an Account of the Interests of England otherwise than what the Earl of Essex stands concern'd in I will pass by the Obstacles rais'd against my Establishment and tell you only I quickly gain'd Possession of the Throne was ador'd of my People and happy beyond the Hopes of a Person of my Sex But Elevation is not always attended with the Pleasure of Life and that smooth Gale of Felicity and Repose in the Beginning of my Reign quickly blew over at least in my Opinion Being settled in my Government I found my Court throng'd with Suitors of soveraign Grandeur striving to merit the Choice it was in my Power at once to make of a Husband and a King The Earls of Somerset Leicester Arundel and Hertford had most Right to pretend to it But finding my self disturbed by their Importunities in my most serious Affairs and not at all inclin'd to entertain their Suits I formally declar'd to them I design'd to live single and endeavoured to make them amends by considerable Imployments and Allyances I bestow'd on them Three of them openly quitted the Hopes they had conceived Only the Earl of Leicester more ambitious or more constant than the rest kept afoot his Pretensions and publickly continued his Services But it was not ordain'd his Perseverance should be crown'd with the Reward of my Affection The Earl of Essex having signaliz'd himself against the rebellious Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland made about this Time his first Appearance at Court and found with more Ease the Secret to please me Those who presented him to me spoke much in Commendation of him And I was too much an Eye-witness of the Merit of his Person I look'd upon him as an extraordinary Man Nor could I but think it equally extraordinary to find my self so strangely affected with him at the first Sight The Reception I gave him was very obliging and the Acknowledgments he made me were full of Repsect So that for the Time I saw no Cause to check my Inclination I may date from this first View the Loss of my Repose I presently fell into a Disquiet I had till then been altogether a Stranger to And in spight of my high Spirit I could not but inwardly acknowledge the Cause And all the Efforts of my haughty Humour against it serv'd only to make the Triumph of the Earl of Essex more Glorious You would better comprehend the Condition I was in did you know the Resentments of a great Soul jealous of its Reputation in Extremities of this Nature the Combats it undergoes and the Confusion that attends the Defence I fear'd my Eyes would discover the Pleasure I took in looking on the Earl of Essex and my Weakness occasion Discourses in the World to the Prejudice of my Glory I shun'd the Sight of him but to little purpose when I carry'd the Idea of him in my Heart I was angry with my self for it and summon'd my Reason to my Assistance to deface it But Love had so violently seiz'd my Heart that I struggle in vain to dispossess him By little and little I yielded my self Captive to that powerful Inclination which had at first Sight made me so much in Love with the Person of the Earl of Essex And pretending the Services he had done me against the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland and the Memory I had of the good Services of his Father as the Ground of my Favour I made him Knight of the Garter Master of the Horse and of the Privy-Council though under Age. Thus did I cherish and indulge the Weakness I had so long struggled with and condemn'd my self for The higher he grew in Office the dearer he was to my Person His Complaisance his Respect his Looks which to me appear'd all kind and languishing and especially my Affection which had Tenderness enough to give a favourable Construction to the least of his Actions conspir'd to betray me Envy rais'd him Enemies The Earl of Leicester concern'd to be jealous of him quickly suspected the Truth And looking on the Earl of Essex as a Person of Merit capable to cross his Pretensions he made it his Business to supplant him which I presently observ'd I easily foresaw the Trouble my Favour might cause between Persons so considerable And the better to countenance the Kindness I had for Essex I affected a little Complaisance for Leicester which somewhat abated the Edge of his Jealousie About that time the King of Sweden the Emperour for his Son and the Duke of Anjou made me their several Proposals of Marriage which I was forc'd to receive but wanted not Pretences to send home their Embassadours without any Fruit of their Negotiation How contrary to the real Motive of my
to hear him Commended Had I been desired I should have call'd him home as soon as France was in Peace But I sent him new Orders to joyn Admiral Howard who was going for Spain And I gave him the like Commission for this Expedition as for that of France He did Wonders in Spain His single Valour frightned the Enemies And having taken Calis and pillag'd the Coast of Portugal he put again to Sea for England The Fleet was scattered by a Storm and we had News the Earl of Essex was lost Then it was I knew better than ever the Kindness I had for him I could no longer perswade my self that his indifference for me deserv'd mine for him I accus'd the Sea a Thousand Times for having taken too unreasonable a Revenge for me and was under Sufferings more cruel than Death when News was brought me that by the Assistance of the Admiral of Holland he was arrived at Plymouth from whence in few days he came to Court To shew you how little Reason we have when we are in Love and how fickle are the Resolutions of a tender Heart though provok'd by Slights and Contempts I had lamented the Death of the Earl of Essex and receiv'd the News of his being Alive with a Thousand Transports of Joy I was extreamly pleas'd with the Report of his Arrival at London But when I considered I should see him full of Love for another and that perhaps I should not be able to conceal my Jealousie I was tempted to order him to give the Council an Account of his Conduct and not admit him into my Presence I was sometimes of the Opinion I should be able to do so But this weak Heart of mine so prepossess'd in favour of him revolted against all my Resolutions I must follow my Inclinations and see the most dangerous Enemy of my Repose the Troubler of my Rest He came to Whitehall I admitted him to my Presence I look'd upon him and spight of all my high Spirit he saw nothing but Kindness in all my Actions You may imagine what an agreeable Surprize it was to me to find at our first Conference that Absence had wean'd his Affections from the Countess of Rutland He appear'd no longer in that Languishing Melancholy I observ'd him in before his Departure He had Satifaction in his Looks The Air of his Actions were smooth and calm and I fancy'd as much Joy in his Face tho' the Countess of Rutland was absent as I felt in my self at the Explication he made I see you again return'd with Victory said I But am sorry it is not in my Power to reward your Toil with a Sight of the Countess of Rutland But if any thing I can do can comfort you I am easily comforted for her Absence when I am permitted to see your Majesty answered he I have no passion now but for the Glory of Serving Your Majesty and the Countess of Rutland is now to me no more than other Ladies of the Court. Are you no longer in Love with the Countess of Rutland replyed I between Joy and Distrust You have spoken too fast When you see her again When I see her again says he interrupting me it shall be without those Transports I exprest for her not forgetting the Respects due to Your Majesty What answered I are you not afraid of the Reproaches of a provoked Mistress No Madam said he in a free and unconcern'd manner All I am concern'd for is to do my Duty and approve my self worthy Your Majesties Favour This answer'd I deserves my Acknowledgment and time shall let you see I am not ungrateful Thus did the Earl of Essex assure me he was Cur'd of his first Passion And I was in Hopes it might be in my Power to see him one Day entertain another A Week after he desir'd leave to go into the Country about his private Affairs He was absent a Fortnight and return'd more calm and unconcern'd than ever The Earl of Leicester had doubled his importunities in this Absence of the Earl of Essex in France and Spain and obliged me at last to put him out of Hopes He is naturally Bold and was so blown up with the Opinion of the Glory he had gain'd by some late Atchievments that he proceeded to telling me plainly He was jealous of the Earl of Essex and would have made a Crime of the Discourse I told you of past between them as Essex left my Chamber The Answer I made him was an Absolute Command He should be silent Which was so far obey'd that after some days Murmuring he held his Peace Yet this put me in mind to observe some measures and not to follow openly my Inclinations Things continu'd in this State till the Troubles of Ireland I have often open'd my Mouth to let the Earl of Essex know the Advantges he had over me but Modesty shut it again Yet seeing him under a Necessity of going for Ireland when the Earl of Tyrone had rais'd a General Rebellion I had not the Power to let him take leave without acquainting him The Kingdom was at his Command Upon the first News of the Troubles he threw himself at my Feet begging the Honour of my Command to go Quiet those Disorders You have done enough said I and there 's no need you should by exposing your self to New Dangers oblige me to New Acknowledgments I doubt not Madam answer'd he but the Favour I beg of your Majesty will be envy'd me But I take the Boldness to say Your Majesty cannot refuse it me without doing your self Injury It being an occasion may contribute to meriting the Favour you have already honour'd me with The Ardour you express for undertaking Great Actions Reply'd I is not perhaps so Pleasing as you imagine And all the Good that may Redound to England through your Valour is less considerable than the Trouble is given me who take less Care of my Crown than your Life I am Ambitions Yet Ah! My Lord save me the Confusion of a more particular Explication of what you ought and might easily have long since understood I might perhaps presume too far in my Wishes says the Earl in some Disorder Wish boldly answered I I Love you and if I blush to tell you so 't is not that I am either Asham'd or Repent of it You may believe this Acknowledgment a very hard Task for a Person of my Humour who have seen you sigh for another when I slighted Kings for your Sake and would have Sacrificed more to your Satisfaction What Madam cryes he like a Man astonisht Have You lov'd me and I been so unfortunate to make my self unworthy Your Kindness by those Sighs I now disavow Did my Eyes never tell you what I look'd for in Yours said I. I never had the Boldness answered he to make any such Constructions of your Looks Your Fear was the effect of indifference said I but no more of what is past Tell me now can ye love me Rather ask
depriv'd of that Pleasure My Fears were only for you and can you believe I could have the least Satisfaction in the Queen 's Favour when her Jealousie should make her banish you Let it break out let her ruine me I will glory in my loving you and telling it to her Face I know the precious Gift she bestow'd on me leaves me some Hopes and I may make use of it but I would do it with Safety and it may prevail for more than my Life I apprehend you says the Countess you would reserve all for me and neglect your own Safety But you cannot incur a Danger wherein I have not a Share and the way to preserve my Life is to secure yours This Dispute had lasted somewhat longer but the Countesses Guards minding her it was time to withdraw she dispos'd her self to bid her Husband Adieu Their Separation was moving accompanied with abundance of Tears to which a Multitude of tormenting Inquietudes succeeded and ushered in a Day that instead of diminishing heightned their Sorrows The End of the First Part. THE EARL of ESSEX OR THE AMOURS OF Q. ELIZABETH PART II. THE Queen though angry gave no Order for comprehending the Countess of Essex in her Husband's Impeachment The Morrow after their Conference the Peers met in Westminster-Hall and the Earl of Essex and Southampton were brought before them by the Constable of the Tower The Particulars of the Trial are set forth at large in the Histories of the Time It shall suffice to insert here That the Prisoners being charg'd to have held criminal Correspondences with the Kings of Scotland and Spain and entered into secret Alliances with Tyrone and Traiterously laid and carry'd on a Plot against the Queen's Authority made a very stout and resolute Defence As politick as Cecil was he could not hide the Malignity of his intentions but it was observ'd he was not only a severe Judge but a dangerous Enemy The Heat and Animosity he discover'd against the Earl of Essex were answer'd by him with a slighty Resolution and undaunted Constancy Yet for all he could say in justification of himself he was Condemn'd with the Formalities usual on such Occasions Sentence was pronounc'd by the Lord High Steward That the Earls of Essex and Southampton were guilty of High-Treason and should be Beheaded The Earl of Essex was not mov'd in the least to hear himself nam'd but appear'd Heartily sorry to find the Earl of Southampton under like Condemnation and conjur'd the Judges to examine with less Severity the Conduct of a Person whose only Crime was the Love he had for him But not able to prevail he melted into expressions of the greatest Tenderness in the World for his Friend The Queen being inform'd of the Condition of things gave secret Orders to delay Execution She was of a High Spirit and highly provok'd yet found it very difficult to raise her Anger to a pitch equal to her Tenderness Cecil trembled to find the Execution of a Sentence deferr'd which he had with so much pleasure heard pronounc'd The Countess of Nottingham was equally alarm'd The Proofs were but slight against the Earl of Southampton and the Queen sensible his long Friendship with the Earl of Essex had chiefly engag'd him in the Matters in Charge pardon'd his Life at the Request of his Friends News was brought of it to the Earl of Essex whose truely brave and generous Soul immediately broke forth into sincere Protestations He should die now with Satisfaction and Content since the Queen had own'd by her Pardon the Innocence of Southampton While the Earl of Essex expected with a Resolute Constancy the Catastrophe of his Tragedy the Countess his Wife was inform'd at Whitehall he was executed Till then she believ'd it uncertain but this News surpriz'd her so terribly she fill'd the whole Court with her Lamentations The Queen heard them but was not concern'd as the rest were for them Let her cry says she to the Countess of Nottingham she must shed many more to wipe out the Score of those Tears she hath cost me The Countess of Nottingham was so far from endeavouring to pacifie the Queen that all her Care was to keep up her Anger And because she was ignorant of many things she thought her self concern'd to know she took advantage of the trouble the Countess of Essex was in and made her frequent Visits not to bemoan her afflictions but to find out something to render her more miserable It must needs have been an unparallel'd Cruelty not to pity the handsomest Lady on Earth appearing to our Eyes in a Condition more deplorable than can be exprest She fell every minute for very Weakness into the Arms of the Women about her and recover'd her self only to lament the more pittifully Which affected all but the Countess of Nottingham who saw all this with an Unconcernedness suitable to the hardness of her Heart Ah Madam says the Countess of Essex as soon as she saw her Will you not use your Interest with the Queen in favour of the Earl of Essex You know my Lord of Southampton hath his Pardon replies she and the Queen perhaps will do as much for your Husband Madam says the Countess of Essex 'T is not the Crimes charg'd on my Husband jointly with the Earl of Southampton nor those common to both that render the Queen inexorable You understand me when I tell you there are others she more deeply resents And she hates the Earl of Essex less for the Attempts attributed to his Ambition than his Engagements with me But Madam replies the Countess of Nottingham willing to find out the Mystery of their Love she was yet ignorant of If you thought the Queen would oppose it or be unsatisfi'd with it why did you not quit a Business wherein you were to expect nothing but Crosses If you were ever in Love says the Countess of Essex you know very well we have not always our Wits about us when we are deeply engag'd in Affection However Madam when I Married my Lord of Essex I did not know the Queen was so much concern'd for him Perhaps answers the Countess of Nottingham I might do you some Service were I throughly acquainted with the particular Passages between my Lord of Essex and You. I am not in a very fit disposition to discourse you Madam says the Countess of Essex But if I could by any Confidence prevail with you to do something for us I would give you an Account of all you desire I will not promise you I shall certainly prevail with the Queen But Madam adds the cunning Countess of Nottingham I will use my Interest and perhaps effect more than we have Reason to hope for Have a good Heart Madam do not despair The Queen is good and I will zealously serve you when I am instructed what course to take The Countess of Essex yielding to the Perswasions of her bitterest Enemy dry'd up her Tears and after a short pause spoke to
Caresses or the Comforts of any about her While the Queen abhor'd her self for the Orders her Anger had given Cecil who had so faithfully caus'd them to be executed enjoy'd the Pleasure of having procur'd them And the Countess of Nottingham Triumph'd in her self for the Revenge she had taken of a Man who had slighted her Charms 'T is impossible to express the Grief of the Countess of Essex the most Stony Hearts had Tears for her The Queen whose Anger was dead with the Earl sent to comfort her and assure her she was at Liberty and might dispose of her Husband's Estate Let Her take my Life and keep Her Pity to Her self says the Countess to the Queens Messenger She hath Robb'd me of all that made my Life dear to me and 't is not in Her Power to repair the Mischief she hath done me The Earl of Essex his Friends finding her at present incapable of Comfort even from them whom she esteem'd highly for their Love to the Earl took her from London in hopes that Time might make her Susceptible of that Consolation which the Violence of her present Sorrows render'd altogether vain As for the Queen She languish'd out the rest of her Life The only Comfort she had was to think the Earl of Essex had slighted Her to his Death and never made Her any Submission The Countess of Nottingham had small Joy of her Faithless Life A violent Malady seiz'd her and made her sensible of the Horrours of Death Remorse of Conscience tormented her the Ghost of the Earl of Essex whose Death her Cruelty occasion'd seem'd to Haunt her incessantly And being at the point of Death she could not depart without acknowledging her Crime to the Queen Having begg'd one Moments Audience she confess'd all that had pass'd between the Earl of Essex and her the Love she had for him the Implacable Hatred that succeeded it and her Perfidiousness in keeping the RING he had trusted her with With that she presented the RING to the Queen who was ready to dye at the receiving it and was within very little of making the dying Countess feel the violence of her Resentment Wretch crys she with looks full of Indignation What Remorse hast thou expos'd me to Whether Heaven will Pardon thy Crimes I know not sure I am I shall never forget them Having thus said the Queen went out and the Countess in few Hours Dyed This prov'd a Mortal Blow to the Queen's Health who not long after Dyed uncomforted for the Death of the Earl of Essex Cecil had lov'd the Countess of Nottingham too well to be easily Comforted for hers By the Death of Queen Elizabeth the Crown of England pass'd into the Illustrious House of the STUARTS whose Right it was King James after a Glorious Reign left it to his Posterity for the Repose of his Kingdom FINIS THE VICEROY OF CATALONIA OR THE Double Cuckold Made English by JAMES MORGAN Gent. Fronti nulla Fides Juven LONDON Printed for R. Wellington at the Lute in St. Paul's Church-yard And E. Rumball at the Post-house in Covent-garden 1699. To all secure in their own Thoughts and Undiscovered CUCKOLDS Gentlemen AS I doubt not on one side but this Title comprehends in reality a most numerous and powerful Party and am proud and full of confidence having put my self under your Protection Cornua sumo so on the other side I lose much of my assurance when I consider that it is to destroy the very being of your happy condition to imagine that any of you will think your selves concern'd in this Dedication since that very thought would make you really cease to be so and rank you in another herd amongst the Jealous and Suspicious to whom I do not apply my self It is to you Gentlemen I speak who are sure you are not spoken to It is to you only our resolute Don Gabriel submits himself though at the same time like a blunt Souldier as he is he tells you that even to you he yields in nothing but his Fortune which it seems was as obstinately bent to force upon him the knowledge of that fatal secret as he was to avoid it and though he confesses he was guilty of much weakness in permitting himself to be carried away by the importunity of Don Fernand even so far as to watch the actions of his Wife a horrid sin in it self yet he desires you to believe that even in that action he never consented to any thought that suggested to him the least doubt of her Virtue but Arm'd his Soul with a strong contempt of Don Fernand's Jealous Humour In fine he had still been as Happy as any of you had not his unkind Destiny peevishly forced upon him that secret which your kinder Fates so carefully keep from you doubly kind indeed since they both take from you the knowledge of a reality which would destroy your Happiness and with the Idea of an imaginary thing your Wives Virtue no where existent but in your own Brains make you really Happy Here he submits and acknowledges the advantages your favourable stars have given you over him he adores that Heaven of Happiness from which he is fallen and instead of giving thanks to his officious Friend Don Fernand or others who had contributed to Awake him out of his Golden Dream of Security he cries out with the Grecian in Horace pol me occidistis amici Non servastis Don Fernand on the other side though he stands in need of Friends deserves no Favour from you A Jealous Mad Man he swears you are all Cuckolds but believe him not believe him said I You know he lies Poor envious Cuckold he would disturb the quiet security of your thoughts and use you as he has done Don Gabriel but hearken not to him and if ever you fall into Don Gabriel's Misfortune of knowing what you would not know let it never be justly objected to you that you did in the least contribute to your own unhapppiness but confirm your Hearts in your just contempt of those miserable Wretches of whom it is so fitly said that I need not name my Author Rather then not be knowing they will know What being known creates their certain Woe This is the Advice of the brave Souldier Don Gabriel who has been try'd in both Fortunes And this is highly recommended to you by him who as much as any one desires the continuance of your happy ignorance James Morgan The Double Cuckold IN the Reign of Philip the Second a Gentleman named Don Fernand govern'd in Catalonia in quality of Vice-Roy a Man to give him his true Character of a most agreeable humour and endued with extraordinary quality but much addicted to Pleasures and above all to those of Love which he pursued even with the Hazard of his Reputation He marryed one of the greatest Beauties of Spain a virtuous young Lady and of so Pleasant a Wit and Humour that any other but he would have found reason to have been
a Watch over your Actions and if we are not wonderfully circumspect his jealousie will bring a great deal of trouble to us both Then the Count acquainted her with the visit he had received from him that Morning and the Discourse they had held and that it was by his Order he had made her this visit and in fine each of them passing from these confidences they intrusted one another with their deepest reserves The Count acquainted her with what had pass'd between him and the Viceroy's Lady and Donna Angelica to requite him conceal'd nothing that had pass'd between the Viceroy and her self Thus having diverted themselves they took their measures how to deceive both the Viceroy and his Lady After which having made a very fair progress in so early an Amour they parted infinitely satisfied with each other The Vice-queen who used every Morning to receive a visit from her dear Gallant waited for him with more impatience than ever and began to be quite and clean out with him for tarrying so long from her as if he could have divined the favourable dispositions of her heart towards him that Day She could stay no longer but immediately after Dinner she went to visit Donna Angelica to hear what was become of him she was told he had pass'd part of the Morning in her Chamber which news together with some other melancholly thoughts put her clearly out of all good humour for the rest of that Day The Count came not to her till about the Evening and found her in her Chamber very much indispos'd and full of thoughtfulness No doubt she was thinking at that time of him And she receiv'd him with such an indifference as gave him plainly to understand she had a quarrel with him and he was not long ere he knew what it was for after he had used some importunities to beseach her to disclose she reproach'd him with a thousand things many of which he was not guilty of and which ended all in the visit he had made that Day to Donna Angelica upon which she made a long and smart descant The Count answer'd her that if he should be in love with that Lady he pay'd but the Duty of an Obedience to her in it You are a Traytor replies she you have obey'd me without repugnance and it appears but too plain that I councell'd you nothing but what was agreeable before to your inclinations and thar in refusing your heart I only hindred you from becoming perfidious to me You have yet so much power Madam answer'd the Count over this heart that if you please but to recal the gift you have made of it it will easily return an absolute Captive to you To speak to her in this manner was indeed to deserve the name of a Traytour but he had reason to apprehend some danger from her as well as from the Viceroy He plainly saw she had engag'd him in an Amour with Donna Angelica whom she mortally hated but with an intention to ruine her Moreover as he knew not what was in the Breast of this fair one although he had of late discover'd some encrease of her inclination towards him he did not imagine that what she said to her would be of so great a consequence But the Vice-queen who really imagin'd that the Count's inclination was greater towards her rival had not any difficulty to be perswaded to what she was willing to believe and so engag'd him to make his most tender addresses to her The young Count who after he had so happily pass'd the Morning was now full of Gallantry added Treachery to Treachery and said to her all he could have said to Donna Angelica insomuch that the abused Vice-queen furiously swallow'd all his Courtship and was most passionately charmed with it These sort of Treacheries are much in use as well among Men as Women which is the reason that we take a stricter care and rely no more upon the faith of words then upon that of looks The Heart it self often proves a great Lyar what it longs for one Day it has an aversion to the next The young Count was something tainted with the corruption of the Age and the Vice-queen though otherwise a very ingenious Woman suffered herself to be deceived because she extreamly wisht all things just to the standard of the young Courtiers Rhetorick to her He saw Donna Angelica but it was privately and from her he came full of Love to make his Courr to the Vice-queen He used the same disguise towards the Viceroy whom Donna Angelica treated more favourably to amuse him and not to make him suspect that she had any secret Intrigue with Count Henry But it is impossible for a jealous Man and a jealous Woman long to be abus'd by those whom Love takes pleasure sometimes to blind It is very difficult when we are possess'd with a great Passion to be always on the Defensive part against another Passion and if we are the least forgetful before those who watch us narrowly we are soon caught The Vice-queen and Donna Angelica very seldom saw one another the Jealousie which had already embroiled them on their Husband's Account had now also disunited them on the Account of a Gallant As for the Viceroy he was well satisfy'd with the Proceedings of the Count as to his Wife but not as to his Mistress and while he was at rest from the Importunity of the former he was much disquieted for the love of the other The submissive Posture in which they had seen the Neapolitan Count in the Garden came continually into his mind and he had observ'd so great a Change in Donna Angelica's Carriage and Behaviour since that time who did sometimes absent herself for half a day together so that no body knew what was become of her that it gave him sufficient matter for his Thoughts to work on The Vice-queen was much happier then for she imagin'd she had an equal return of Love from the Count to that she gave him she saw him every day and took all the Liberty with him that any Woman would take who cares not if all the World knows she entertains a Gallant She had a right to it not to be question'd nay further none could indeed tell how to say any thing against it Her Husband would have it so he was a Gallant she had received from his own Hand who had train'd him up on purpose to make him pleasing to her It is true he had prescribed him some Limits but however the Vice-queen was mightily pleased in that he left her the means of revenging her self on him and it was in the transgression of those Limits that the pleasure of her Revenge consisted When Inclination is joyn'd with Revenge we very seldom miss our Blow And Women especially who have always their Revenges ready at hand The Vice-queen found her self one Morning extreamly inclined not to pardon her Husband She had had that Night a thousand pleasant Dreams of the Count
Don Gabriel I think I have seen him but he has not such lineaments though this were possible nor such a complexion nor such a fine neck nor I know added he I am not a man to be so deceived as to take a Man for a Woman yet says Don Fernand it was the Count who was yesterday in the closet with Donna Angelica and the thief I mentioned the other day What the thief that I cudgeld replys Don Gabriel I speak not of the drubbs you gave a man the other night answers the Viceroy but what I have told you is very true Sir replys Don Gabriel if my wife had a design of making any gallantry she would not sure elect such a raw young Gallant as he is The youngest men are not the worst Gallants reply'd the Viceroy and youth is seldom displeasing in a way of gallantry nay more I assure you I know his voice too well to be deceiv'd We are more easily deceived replys the Grand Master by our ears then our eyes I see very well And I too sayd Don Fernand and to convince you fully read this Note which one of your wives Pages deliver'd this morning to a servant of mine whom he took without doubt for another Don Gabriel takes it and finds in it these words Are you not ashamed if your negligence you should have writ to me two hours since what say I two hours you ought not to have gone to bed without writing to me but I pardon you for Don Gabriels sake who loves you already almost as much as I. Love works every day great miracles but this is so extraordinary that I believe never any resembled it At least I can say that none but Donna Brigitta has found out the secret of reconciling two such contrary things in the world as is love and jealousy and make her self be equally loved by the husband and wife Adieu if you come not this day at least write to me This Note had no superscription and Don Gabriel having read it askt the Viceroy what he found in it that reflected upon his honour and how he knew it was addrest to a Gallant rather than to a Lady I think it is enough to clear that doubt answers Don Fernand that it was sent to Count Henry but for your sake added he laughing I will believe if you will have me that it was to Donna Brigitta whom the Note mentions Well replyes Don Gabriel rising to be gone if I have no other enemies to fear but the young Neapolitan I hold my self very secure on that side as to my Wife The Grand Master having thus left the Viceroy came to his wives apartment and askt her whether she had writ any note that morning she who readily suspected the Viceroy of some treachery answer'd him without any trouble that she had and that it was to Donna Brigitta Don Gabriel who would have sworn for his wife's virtue believed what she said shew'd her the letter the Viceroy had given him and told her from the beginning to the end all the discourse they had had together Whereupon the incensed Donna Angelica spoke all that her anger suggested against Don Fernand. She told Don Gabriel that which most troubled her in the baseness of the Viceroy's actions was that not being contented to use all means to create an ill understanding betwixt them he had to her greater dishonour charg'd her with a man whom all the Court knew to be the Vice-queens Gallant And that you may not doubt it added she besides the report that runs abroad of it I will shew you a letter which I found the other day by chance in which you may see what the Lady writes to the Count. She went to the closet and brought one her lover had sacrificed to her which he had received but two days before from the Vicequeen The Grand Master read it with an inexpressable joy that he had somewhat to insult over the Viceroy withall He went instantly to find him out and accosting him with a smiling countenance Sir says he I know not what day this is but all love-messengers are destined to mistakes on it Count Henry has more then one mistress a while since one of your men surpris'd a note which my wife writ to him and see here another which is fallen into the hands of one of my servants and which one of the Vice-queen's Pages carry'd to the same Gallant Some mistake on both sides but as you had the goodness to deliver me that of my wives I thought my self obliged to bring you this from yours Take it Sir added he you know the character I think it is your Ladys It is so answer'd the Viceroy coldly and began to read You have scarce left me my dear Count but I languish to see you again and the same pains other lovers suffer for a months absence I suffer them all for that of one night or a day Cruel are the minutes I pass without seeing you Return to morrow more amorous then ever if you will repair these disquiets The pleasure of being lov'd by you is so charming to my heart that I cannot purchase it at too dear a rate I find glory in it honour and revenge and all that another would lose by it Adieu for some hours for I hope as soon as I awake to receive the good morrow from you from whom alone I expect my happiness Nor do I desire to have any more of them if they do not come from you Adieu The Viceroy having put the note in his pocket with the same coldness he had read it and looking upon Don Gabriel who expected to hear him vent his passion in the most bitter terms imaginable what would you have says he I am one like your self like me Sir replys the Grand-Master then methinks my wives Letter should speak so as that does of the Vice-queens but there is a great deal of difference betwixt them That difference is just nothing answers Don Fernand and I tell you though our wives do not write the same they use us both in the same manner Sir replys the Grand Master if you are willing to believe so for your own comfort I will subscribe to it but raillery apart I know what I ought to think and till you have shew'd me as convincing proofs as I bring you you will give me leave upon the subject of our Wives to put a difference between your fortune and mine The Viceroy told him it would not be difficult to convince him provided he will believe his eyes and Don Gabriel having promis'd he would contribute on his part to the discovery as much as he could they parted the Viceroy being resolv'd not to leave one stone unturn'd to be revenged of the incredulity of the husband and treachery of the wife The Grand Master designing to let him use his endeavours without giving any notice of it to his wife of whose loyalty he thought he had no reason to entertain the least
for love of me what a cruel assault have you but now endured The Sultaness did nothing but laugh at the last adventure she had been in and told him she took more pleasure to see Chabania's despair for whom she had ever a natural aversion than she had suffered of harm by her outrage and violence But she confessed the same time that she was in extream perplexity when she met with the Bassa ranging over the Garden in search of that Woman and that it was the highest piece of good fortune imaginable that she had her Barnus with her to hide her self in She added that her dear Husband had said to her a thousand gallant things and had done also some things a little extraordinary but that it was her good fortune to be not far from the Bower and to make her escape She told him further that there remained no more doubt of the Bassa's being newly fallen in love with Laura and that she was very well assured of it by the kindness of his expressions and the transports she observed him in at this rencounter that this was the true cause of all their alarms and the reason why he brought him not into the Seraglio as formerly The Count was of the same judgment and both held it necessary to make good use of the occasion and that Laura who was to act the principal part should imploy her best address and complaisance in their favour The Bassa taking small pleasure in the Garden after the unhappy success of his amorous designs having done his endeavour to pacifie Chabania would bring her back to her Lodgings and pass'd by Alexander's Bower to let him understand it was time to withdraw The Count followed him immediately being extreamly joyful to have come off so happily from a walk that had prov'd so full of adventures He bore his dear Sultaness company into her Apartment where he staid not long for fear of the Bassa but withdrew to his lodging He past the rest of the night very pleasantly though he slept not at all and the truth is he had reason enough to be well pleased though his Patron had not who was more labouring under mortal afflictions Laura whom he now was more deeply in Love with than ever put him in despair by her Rigours and Cruelties if no more pity from her then no more pleasure to be expected in his life His great affection for Alexander could not keep him from being his rival and wishing to share with him in the favours she did him His passion was arrived at a point which is the highest of sufferings that of not being loved and when he thought of the opportunity he had let slip the night before when he had Laura in his power he was so cruelly vext he could have found in his heart to be revenged of himself yet he had no great cause to blame his discretion for he had done enough and unless he would have driven hiâ— Gallantry to the last push of all he could not haâ—â— done more He was not willing to declare himself to Alexander nor acquaint him with the thoughts he had newly entertained as well to prevent the displeasure he believed it would give him as for that he conceived the Count might be of use to him in the design and that the discovery might be to his prejudice In the Morning as soon as he was up he went as he sometimes was used to the Count's Chamber without any attendant and found him in bed A Man said he must be as happy as Alexander in his Love before he can sleep as quietly as he If there be any answered the Count hath cause to commend his good fortune on that account it must without doubt be a Person of your comliness and Gallantry who to gain love need no more than say you are in love Yes replyed the Bassa with a smile except it be to Laura who hath made me very sensible that I can sigh to no purpose and that the master of her person may not be the master of her heart It was necessary that Alexander should come from Europe to Africk to make that Conquest This Sir replyed the Count may be an instance of the Vagaries and Extravagancies of Love who often knows not where to fix but follows the effects of destiny or the Stars which are predominant over the affections And I believe Sir added he smilling as for the Love of Laura you are already very well satisfied and so little concerned where she bestows it that you never designed to make me in Love with her that you might be my Rival However said he observing the Bassa sigh I assure you should it so happen you cannot do me a greater favour than in letting me know it And you shall find that all the passion I can have for her shall not hinder any performance of the duty I owe you I will quit all my pretentions as I know you have the least design upon her that I may prevent all dispute with a Person to whom I am so deeply oblig'd that there can be nothing so dear to me but I will part with it for your sake Believe it Alexander answered the Bassa it is not so easie a matter to be disingaged from a passion like yours you may as well perswade me you cannot be in Love I am certainly in Love replied the Count and it may be as deeply as possible but having so many favours daily heaped on me from you there is nothing in the World I shall Love more than your repose and satisfaction And Sir if Laura appear now as amiable as formerly to you I must tell you again I love her no longer so easie a matter was it for the subtile Italian to be generous in parting with that in which he was so little concerned The Bassa asked him if he would say as much before Laura He answered he believed him too just and too gallant to desire him to make a declaration of that nature before one who had been his Mistress At last the Bassa proposed another walk in the Garden that very day and at the same time prayed him to write about it to Laura which the Count having not been able to avoid received his answer The burnt child dreads the fire we do not commonly expose our selves twice to the same danger The Bassa 's usage of me last night gives me small encouragement to trust him the second time And you are an eye witness how ill I was handled by her he had with him Let it satisfie you that if you come hither I will have the honour to see you But no more walking The Bassa much troubled at so unexpected an answer went out of the Counts Chamber without saying a word and pass'd in solitude the rest of the day But in the Evening he went to the Sultaness where he presently met Laura who inquiring of Alexander and why he had not brought him with him would it displease you said the
Bassa if I supplied his place this Evening that were too great an honour for me replied Laura smiling but the Sultaness expects you and is not very well The Bassa gave her his hand and would have led her into a private Chamber Laura perceiving it and that he was in good earnest prayed him to let her go that her Lady was not well and he knew well enough she could not endure her being a moment out of her sight I I replied the Bassa the Sultaness is sick and cannot be a moment without you but 't is because ' t is desire to pass that moment with you had it been Alexander you could have staid a little longer The Bassa said this with so pleasant a tone she could not forbear laughing You know Sir replied she 't is another case when you are with the Sultaness Besides Sir added she smiling one would venture a little for a Sweet-heart Well well said he pressing her to go along with him 't is love hath brought me hither I Sir answer'd she striving to get away from him and 't is Love obliges me to avoid the occasion of being found alone in your company for though I know you a most accomplished Person you will allow me to tell you you have not too much respect for our Sex and 't is very hard trusting you witness your assaults last night in the Garden The Bassa made her a thousand Oaths he would keep within the bounds of that respect and discretion she might expect from the severest vertue and protested he desired only one quarter of an hours discourse Laura who knew the violence and obstinacy of his humour when denyed any thing he held reasonable to be granted him disposed her self to entertain him that quarter of an hour He reproached her a thousand times for her hardness and cruelty against him and gave her withal the kindest words and the most tender and passionate expressions imaginable Laura to defend her self pleaded her Honour her Religion and her Duty to the Sultaness her Mistress three things she would not betray for the World Had you but a little Love for me said the Bassa with a sigh you would not find so many reasons for defence I have my Religion as you have yours and the Precepts of it perhaps as severe as yours but Love is stronger than all the Precepts the Laws the Religions of the World and those who serve him worship no other God As for the Sultaness how are you concerned that is my business not yours and it shall be your fault if ever she know it But what do you tell me of Honour Surely 't is more for your Honour to love a Man as I am than to love such a one as Alexander You mistake your self Sir answered Laura if you think that in the visits he hath made me there hath any thing pass'd contrary to my duty 'T is not with those of our Nation as with the People of this Country We may be together and no body by yet my Honour secure I swear to you Sir Alexander never received that favour from me which I could not afford the Person for whom I am the least concerned in the World The Bassa interrupted her what not in the Garden Neither in the Garden nor any where else replyed she had he ever any other advantage than a sight of me which with us is accounted for nothing Can you make me believe answered the Bassa what you say Laura told him there was nothing more true and he might rest assured of it But Sir said she for your better satisfaction bring him no more hither and you shall see whether I make my complaint for it 'T were pity replyed the Bassa to destroy so fair a friendship and I do protest to you that were it in my power I would give you no trouble but I am not so much Master of my self to gain this point on my heart to be unconcerned in your Love But since you love Alexander with so much indifference that you can so easily resolve not to see him more I have no cause to afflict my self but rather to hope you may one day love me perhaps as much as you do him After these words the Bassa retired with a heart a little better at ease than when he came in but as deeply in Love as before He gave not an intire and firm credit to what Laura had told him of her indifference and small concernment for Alexander but did believe her passion for the Christian not so great as he had imagined or that their Love had been cooled by some quarrel for he had observed on the one side and the other more indifference than is usually consistent with that passion But then reflecting suddenly on himself may not this be said he resuming his jealousie and diffidence an effect of their policy may they not be agreed to deceive me and being already sufficiently assured of one anothers affections may they not pretend they have no Love for one another that they may Love one another with greater security No no adds he this cannot be there is no hiding of Love it will appear if not smothered to death She loves not Alexander at all or loves him but indifferently thus he the more easily perswaded himself to be so in that he did most passionately desire it might be so and thence-forward his passion increased so fast it became greater than ever Hope being a passion that more than any other foments that of Love easily promises it self happy events and flatters it self with expectation of good fortune and success Laura gave the Sultaness an accompt of all the pleasant discourse and the Sultaness could have wished Laura had not been altogether so severe to the Bassa but a little more kind and complaisant without which she thought they could not see Alexander so often as she desired Laura on the contrary told her that to have been complaisant would have spoyl'd all for that the Bassa would then have entertained some hopes of favour from her and so become more amorous than before and consequently more jealous of his supposed Rival than ever What shall I do then said the poor Sultaness who can do nothing but fear and cannot expect any thing but crosses and misfortunes Laura told her things were not in so desperate a condition that she need trouble her self for it for the Bassa had promised to send Alexander on the morrow and that they would consider with him how to order their business The Count did not know that the Bassa had been with the Sultaness but having not heard from him that day he went on the morrow to wait on him at his rising He found him abed so dejected and melancholly that he might by his countenance easily discover the heaviness of his heart Yet he received him with that air of kindness and friendship might well assure the Count he was not displeased with him The Bassa was silent a while and then looking
thing so attractive to return to his Countrey after eight or nine months absence the pleasure of Rome and the consideration that if he lost this opportunity he might perhaps never have such another all this I say made such a Party that the most beautiful and most charming Lady in the World could not have hindred many excellent Persons from quitting hers to take it But true Love which values nothing above its own satisfaction slights a liberty to be bought with too many tears yet in this conjuncture it was almost impossible for Alexander to refuse this cruel liberty being all he could in appearance desire and bestowed on him by the Bassa with a Mistress with whom he believed him passionately in love What reason could he find to refuse such a Present which had cost the Bassa so dear and ought to be the most acceptable to him He despaired to find any and saw clearly there was a necessity of parting unless Love favourable to Lovers in extremity would come to his aid and make the Bassa alter his resolution as they commonly do who take any against love never did Slave pay more Vows to be delivered from his Chain than he did for the continuance of his Captivity choosing rather to be a Slave the rest of his Life than to be for ever removed to such a distance from that which he loved a thousand times more than his Liberty The Bassa having passed some hours after in his Bed to muse upon the resolution he had taken which he adhered to though it made his heart ake called for his Aga and gave him orders for the departure of the two Christians causing store of Provisions and very rich Presents to be carried on board the Vessel this done he sent his chief Eunuch to the Sultaness his Wife to intreat her to give Laura her Liberty whom he was minded to send home to her Country together with Alexander for reasons of importance to her as of necessity for him and for the ease and repose of one and the other Having given these orders and the same time sent the Letter he had written to Laura he took Horse for Bardou one of his Houses of Pleasure a mile from the Town and staid there till midnight having all that time walked alone in the Gardens to wean himself from the sight and company of Alexander and the pleasure he took in Laura's discourse That night the Bassa could not sleep and in the Morning his Aga being come to bring him an answer from the Sultaness as to his request for giving Laura her Liberty he went presently to carry it to Alexander whom he found in appearance ready to be gone but in truth never less disposed but hoping every moment some change of resolution in the Bassa Ah Alexander said he we must part but I know not how we shall for the Sultaness who loves Laura with the same affection I do you notwithstanding my representing to her how much she was concerned in interest to have us part and to desire it as much as I cannot resolve upon it but hath sent me word this Morning she will sooner lose her life than her Laura You must go see Laura and tell her 't will be her fault if she be not free and go along with you for as for me what I have promised I will perform In the mean time I will give order that the Vessel be staid longer that it may not sail without you Sir answered Alexander there are frequent opportunities of Transportation and when you have given some longer time to satisfie the Sultaness and dispose her to grant Laura this favour our obligation then will not be less for our Liberty you are now pleased to grant us Alexander replyed the Bassa resolutions like that I have now taken in your favour go so much against the grain of a heart affected as mine that delays may be dangerous and time may make them faulter make use of the good motions reason and equity have inspired into me I do not tell you my thoughts are unalterable The spite I have against my heart oft its weakness the outrage I did Laura yesterday my shame to appear before her after it and the small hopes I have of gaining her Love are the true causes of your good fortune all this is yet fresh in my mind stay not till time deface these impressions there being nothing men are apt so soon to forget as the injuries they had done to others As they were discoursing together a huge Moor who served as Purveyor for the Count and brought him every Morning his Provision from the Seraglio came on the sudden into the Chamber with a great Basket on his head not thinking without doubt of the Bassa's being there The Moor started at the sight of him would have gone back but the Bassa with his hand made signs for him to stay he obeyed and laid the Basket on the ground which appeared very heavy and so he withdrew the Bassa of pure curiosity to see what they had sent Alexander to eat bid a Moor who waited in the Room take up the Basket lid which he did and found the Provision to be a Woman very pleasantly tucked up and mufled in her Barnus that she might not be known But being in the Habit of a Christian which the Bassa and Alexander had formerly seen Laura in they made no doubt but it was she The Bassa at first was very much surprized but then fell a laughing and said to the Count the Invention is rare and that she had far more wit than the Women of that Country but this is a product of Love the Father of Inventions However 't is certain nothing could have been done more proper for our design But shall not we see said he all your Provision Madam you are here between the two best Friends you have in the World and you have no reason to be shy of shewing your self having said this he drew near to the Lady and would have taken her by the arm to help her to rise but she refused and thrust him back I see Madam said he you have not yet granted me the pardon I begged of you I confess the offence was too great to be so quickly forgiven but you are taking your leave and it is not fit we should part without being friends for it would be a perpetual grief to me to see you leave this Country with hatred in your heart Deny not this favour added he reaching forth his hand to a man reduced to despair for having offended you and punishing himself so severely for the fault that there is no need of this extream cruelty from you But all he spoke was in vain for she hid her self more closely and fortify'd her self in the Basket to prevent being seen The Bassa was unwilling to press her any further but addressing himself to Alexander told him it was his part to make peace and to prevail with Laura to let him see her
I was so desirous to know she answered me no but that I should not trouble my self for the Marquess would come to me again and that she studied how to bring it about I was vext at this and told her I did not desire it that she might do her pleasure but that I desired to be unconcerned And the truth is the pains I endured would I believe by degrees have made me insensible and cured me at last But on a day the Viceroy treated us in the Garden I quitted the Company and walking aside to muse in a dark and solitary place I met with the Marquess I thought it an effect of the Ladies care and that she had made use of this occasion to reconcile us I know not whether he took the haughtiness and seriousness of the Looks I entertain'd him with for an ill Omen or not but sure I am he trembled as he approached me and with a very settled tone told me it was very strange to see a person of my Humour finding out so solitary a Walk there being so much good company in the Garden it had been said he excusable in any other as an effect of some amorous thoughts but for you Madam for me replied I interrupting him and who hath told you but I may have been led hither by Love Ah Madam answered he we know you too well to entertain any such suspicion and I am sure if you can love any thing it must be only your self 'T is well replied I if it be true as you say that I love nothing at all but as for what you reproach me with 't is reported you are not altogether indifferent there is some ground for the report Madam indifference being a Quality I never stood much upon especially towards you of all the people in the World What not towards me replied I when you knew me insensible 'T is true Madam answer he I was told so but submitted however to the destiny of those many unfortunate Lovers you have made such in this Court. In matter of affection said I we are not to be led by example some have more merit or at least better Fortune than others we are sensible towards some when we are not so towards others One person shall please without knowing wherefore amongst an infinite of others who shall not have that advantage though equally handsom In a word every one hath his lucky moment you may believe I could not have said all this without blushing The Marquess having heard me with such attention as clearly discovered him surpriz'd at my discourse was just going to answer me when the Viceroy's Lady who would never with her good will have us both out of her sight unhappily interrupted us and surprizing us on the sudden said I dare lay a good wager you were speaking of Love 't is true answered I smiling we were discoursing of a very pleasant question occasioned by being reproached by the Marquess for my insensibility He hath reason Madam replied the Lady to prevent an answer from the Marquess he who is so deeply in Love may justly reproach you if you know it not I can assure you of it and will in time tell you more I thought said I we had not been so great strangers but I might have known it from himself without being obliged to another for the News and if we two were alone I know how I would quarrel with him for it All this was spoken with an air of raillery which wrought very effectually on the inclinations of the Marquess which the Lady discoursed of I applied to my self imagining what she spoke of it was done for my honour and to engage me to an obliging answer which I gave She presently fell into other discourse and led us insensibly towards the Company On the morrow the Marquess having mused all night on what I had said found me alone looking out at a window of the Palace and falling insensibly on the discourse of the day before asked me though I had no inclination to love whether I would be displeased at one who loved me with the greatest passion in the World I answered there were but few I would allow that liberty to and that in the whole Kingdom I knew but one I could permit to use that priviledge I believe he could not but understand I meant him and my looks did but too much confirm him in the opinion he though he observ'd it would not take notice of it I know Madam says he it is extreamly imprudent to propose a Person of a meaner rank than yours or one of small merit or not Master of Qualities worthy your esteem but the Person I speak of is beyond all exception Finding him take a course so contrary to what I expected I had not patience to permit him to make an end having ground enough to believe it was not for himself he made this Declaration and interrupting him briskly A Lover said I blushing with anger and shame perhaps would not displease provided he were like the Marquess Hippolito any other may come too late I had scarce spoken these words but I repented me of them and unwilling to hear any more in the confusion the torrent of my Passion had put me in I withdrew Oh Heavens cry'd he running after to stay me How unfortunate am I Unfortunate said I turning toward him Is the esteem I have for you a means to make you unfortunate Yes Madam replied he with a sigh that precious and charming esteem I was made believe could never be gain'd which I would have purchased with all I have dear in the World He stopped there Well said I what of that esteem Ah Madam answered he they have made me renounce it I had no sooner heard these words but I went on my way having given him some looks full of indignation but seeing him follow me and not able for very grief to speak to him I made signs to him with my hand that he should come no further It is beyond imagination what a desperate condition I was in that night Rage shame spite fury repentance in a word all the Vexations of a Lover mock'd betrayed assaulted me by turns I fell so sick that for many days I kept my Bed however I resolved to speak to him once more to know who had caused him to renounce my esteem as he had told me I presently fancied it was Don Alphonso but was very desirous to learn how the matter had been managed and expected every day to see him with his Friend or with the Viceroys Lady and that I should find an opportunity to speak to him of it In the mean time he came not to my Chamber though all the Court did me that honour for the short time I continued indisposed this surprized me extreamly and hearing one day he was in my Anti-chamber I sent Clarice my Servant to desire him to come and see me having something to say to him He would have come instantly as the