replied she was ready to give her Satisfaction presently They took her at her Word and all the Company seating themselves round about her she begun a story not in the very same Terms as you will find in the following Chapter but yet so intelligibly as made 'em guess she was Mistress of a great deal of Wit in Spanish since she shew'd so much of it in a Language to whose Delicacies she was a perfect stranger CHAP. XXII The Impostor Out-witted A Novel A young Lady of the City of Toledo Nam'd Victoria descended from the Ancient Family of Portocarrero had retired her self to a House she had on the Banks of Tagus about half a League distant from Toledo in the absence of her Brother who was a Captain of a Troop of Horse in the Low-Countries She became a Widow at seventeen Years of Age being Wedded to an old Gentleman that had got a great Estate in the Indie's who six Months after his Marriage perish'd in a Storm at Sea leaving much Wealth to his Wife This fair Widow after the Death of her Husband kept House constantly with her Brother where she liv'd in such Repute that at the Age of Twenty all the Mothers propos'd her for a Pattern to their Children the Husbands to their Wives and the Lovers to their Desires as a Conquest worthy of their Ambition But as her Retirement cool'd the Love of many so on the other hand it encreas'd the Esteem the whole World had for her In this Country-house she enjoy'd at Liberty all the Innocent Pleasures of a rural Life when one Morning her Shepherds brought into her House a couple of Men whom they found stript of all their Cloaths and bound fast to a Tree where they had been tied the whole Night They had lent each of them a scurvy shepherd's Coat to cover themselves withal and in this fine Equipage they appear'd before the fair Victoria The poverty of their Habit did not hide from her the Noble Mien of the younger who made her a genteel Complement and told her he was a Gentleman of Cordove Don Lopaz of Gongora by Name who was Travelling from Sevil to Madrid about Business of great Importance and having overstay'd his time at Play about half a days Journey from Toledo where he dined the day before the Night surpriz'd them and both he and his Men falling asleep expecting a Mule-â—â—â—ver who staid behind some Thieves finding them both in that condition tied them to a Tree having first stript them to their very shirts Victoria doubted not the Truth of his Relation his good Mien speaking in his Favour and however 't was a great piece of Generosity to relieve a stranger reduced to this sad Extremity It happen'd by good luck that amongst the Cloaths her Brother left in her Custody there were some Suits for the Spaniards never part with their old Cloaths though they make new ones They chose the finest and that which fitted best the Masters shape and his Man was also Cloathed with what they could find next at hand Dinner-time being come this Stranger whom Victoria invited to her Table appear'd so Accomplish'd and entertain'd her with so much Wit that she thought that the Relief the afforded him could never have been better bestow'd They convers'd together the remaining part of the Day and were so much taken with each other's Perfections that neither of them slept so quietly that Night as they did before The Stranger would needs send his Man to Madrid to fetch him some Money and buy him Cloaths or at least he pretended it but the fair Widow would not suffer him promising to lend him so much as would carry him to his Journeys end He made some Overtures of Love to her the very same day and she gave him a favourable Audience In fine in a Fortnight's time the Opportunity of the Place the equal Merit of these two Persons a great many Oaths and Vows on one side too much Frankness and Credulity on the other a promise of Marriage offer'd and their Reciprocal Faith plighted in the preâ—ence of an old Gentlewoman Usher and Victoria's Waiting-woman made her commit a Fault she was thought uncapable of and put this happy Stranger in Possession of the most Beautiful Lady of Toledo For eight days together it was nothing but Love and Dear Fire and Flame 's betwixt these two Lover's But now part they must and Tears succeed Victoria indeed had right to stay him but the Stranger pretended he lost a great deal by not going however that since he had been so happy as to win her Heart he cared no more either for his Law-suit at Madrid or his Preferment at Court she then was eager to have him gone her Passion having not blinded her Reason so much as to prefer the Pleasure of his Society to his Advancement She got new Cloaths made for him and his Man at Toledo furnish'd him with as much Money as he desir'd and so he set forward on his Journey to Madrid Mounted on a good Mule and his Man on another the poor Lady full of real Grief at his Departure and he was no less Afflicted or at least pretended to be so with the greatest Hypocrisie in the World The same day he took his Journey the Chamber-maid making his Bed found a Picture-case wrapt in a Letter she carried it immediately to her Mistress who found in the Case the Picture of a most Beautiful young Lady and reading the Letter it contain'd these Words or others to the same effect Dear Cousin Here inclos'd I send you the Picture of the Beautiful Elvira de Sylva but when you see her you will confess how infinitely the Resemblance falls short of the Original and how much brighter this Beauty is than the Painter could draw her Her Father Don Pedro de Sylva expects you with Impatience The Articles of Marriage betwixt you and Elvira are drawn up according to your Wishes and in my Opinion very much to your Advantage All this I hope will be sufficient to hasten your Iourney Madrid this c. Don Antonio de Ribera This Letter was directed to Ferdinand de Ribera at Sevil. Now imagine I beseech you Victoria's Astonishment at the reading of this Letter which in all probability could be writ to no other but her false Lopez de Gongora She now perceiv'd but too late that this Stranger whom she had so highly and so hastily oblig'd had disguis'd his Name and by that Counterfeit she was assur'd of his Infidelity and Treachery The Beauty of the Lady in the Picture made her feel all the Torments of Jealousie and the Articles of Marriage already drawn up almost distracted her with Despair Never was any Mortal Person more deeply Afficted Her sighs went near to burst her Heart and she shed such a flood of Tears that her Head aked most intolerably Miserable abandon'd Woman that I am said she to her self and sometimes also before her old Gentleman-Usher and Waiting-woman who were
Now imagine what Surprize our Spaniard was in to find himself in this stately Apartment with two speechless Gentlewomen in Masks who Conducted him into another Chamber still better furnisht than the great Room and there left him all alone Had he been of Don Quixot's Humour he would have found sufficient Matter to please his Fancy and imagin'd himself to be no less than Esplaâ—dian or Amadis But our Spaniard was no more concern'd at it than if he had been in his Inn save only that he had a great Regret for his Invisible Lady and as he kept his Thoughts continually employ'd about her he found that Chamber more Melancholy than a Prison which looks never pleasant but on the outside He was easily perswaded that these who had provided him so fair a Lodging were none of his Enemies and doubted not but the Lady who spoâ—e to him the day before in the Church was the Conjurer that rais'd all those Enchantments He admir'd within himself the Fancy of Women and how soon they put their designs in Execution as for him he resolv'd to wait patiently the end of this Adventure and be Faithful to his invisible Mistress in spite of all the Threats and Promises he might receive in his new Lodging A little while after Servants in Masks and in very good Cloaths came to lay the Cloth and then serv'd up Supper Everything belonging to it was Magnificent Musick and Persumes were not forgotten and Don Carlos not only gratifyed his Smelling and Hearing but his Tast also for he eat and drank more than I thought a Man in his condition could have done But what 's impossible to so great a Courage I forget to tell you that he wash'd his Mouth for I am inform'd he took great care of his Teeth The Musick play'd yet a while after Supper and all being withdrawn Don Carlos fetch'd many a turn about the Room reflecting on all these Enchantments or perhaps on something else then came in two Gentlewomen and a Dwarf all in Masks who without asking him whether he had a mind to go to Bed spread a Magnificent Toilet in order to undress him He comply'd with them in every thing The Gentlewomen turn'd down the Bed-Cloaths and then withdrew The Dwarf pull'd off his Shooes Stockings or Boots and then his other Cloaths all which being done without exchanging a word Don Carlos went to Bed and slept pretty well for a Man in Love At break of Day he was wak'd by the singing of Birds that fluttâ—r'd in an Aviary the Dwars came to wait upon him land brought him the finest Linen in the World and the best wash'd and perfum'd If you think it fit I shall not mention what he did till Dinner which was at least as good as Supper has been but pass to the first breaking of that profound Silence which had been observ'd to that very hour A Gentlewoman in a Mask began to speak by asking him if he would be pleas'd to see the Mistress of that Inchanted Palace Don Carlos said the should be welcom And a little while after she came in attendedâ— by four Gentlewomen very richly Drest Such are not Cythera's Charms When Drest in Gay and Loose Attire She flyâ—s to a New Lovers Arms Upon the Wings of soft desire Never had our Spaniard seen a Person of more Majestick Mâ—inâ— than this unknown Urganda He was so Transported and Surpriz'd at the same time that he stumbled at every Bow and Step he made as he led her into the next Room whither she directed him All the fine things he had seen in the other Rooms I mention'd before were nothing in comparison to what he found in this last which still receiv'd a new brightness from the Lady in a Mask They walk'd on the finest Foot-Carpet that ever was seen since Foot-Carpets have been in Fashion There the Spaniard was plac'd on an Arm-chair in spite of himself and the Lady sitting by her self on I know not how many fine Cushions over against him she ravish'd his Ears with a Voice as sweet as an Harpscical speaking to him to this effect I doubt not Seignior Don Carlos but you are much surpriz'd with what has hapn'd to you in my House since yesterday but if all that is not able to move you yet by it you may see I am as good as my Word and from what I have done you may guess what I am able to do Perhaps my Rival both by her Artifice and the Advantage she has of having Attackâ— you first has made her self Absolute Mistress of that Heart which I pretend to dispute with her But a Woman is not to be Discourag'd by the first Disappointment and if my Fortune which is not to be despis'dâ— with all that goes along with my Person cannot perswade you to love me yet I shall have the Satisfaction of not concealing my self out of Shame or Deceit and to chuse to be Despis'd through my Defects rather than belov'd through my Artifice As she spoke these last Words she pull'd of her Mask and shew'd Don Carlos the Heavens with all their Glories for if you please a Heaven in Miniatuâ—e The finest Head in the World supported by the best shape he ever admir'd before â— in short 〈◊〉 Person all over Divine By the freshness of her Complexion one would not have thought her to be above sixteen years of Age but by a certain free and Majestick Air which young Persons generally want she appear'd to be near twenty Don Carlos paus'd a while before he answer'd her being almost angry with his invisible Lady who hinder'd him from surrendringâ— himself 〈◊〉 to the finest Person he ever saw and diâ—bious what he should say or do At last after an inward Conflict which lasted so long as to make the Mistress of the inchanted Palace uneasie he took a firm Resolution not to conceal from her his inmostâ— Thoughts which without any manner of question was the best thing he ever did in his Life This is the answerâ— he gave â—her which some have found a little too blunt Madam I could not but own my self extream happy in your Esteem if my Sâ—â—â—s would suffer me to love you I see well enough that I leave the finest Person in the Universe for one who perhaps is only such 〈◊〉 Fancy but Madam would you think me worth your Affection if you found me capable of Infidelity And how can I be Faithful if I love you Therefore Madam pity me but blame me not Or rather let us pity each other and complain both you of not obtaining what you desire and I of not seeing what I love He utter'd these words with such a Melancholy Face that the Lady might easily take notice he spoke his true Sentiments She used all the Arguments she could think of to persuade him but he was deaf to her Prayerss and unconcern'd at her Tears She renew'd the Attack several times but met still with a stout Resistance At last she began
than before but had not the Assurance to salute her I was sensible of my Fault as soon as I committed it but instead of repairing it I blush'd as much out of Shame as Leonora did out of Modesty Her Mother told me she design'd to return me Thanks before I went away for the Pains I had taken to find out their Habitation and this still encreas'd my Confusion She pull'd me into a * Bed-side Ruelle adorn'd after the French Fashion where her Daughter did not follow us because I suppose she did not think it worth her while to join Conversation with so dull a Fellow as I seem'd to be She staid with Signior Stephano whilst with her Mother I acted the Clown to the Life She was so civil as to find Matter to keep up the Conversation all alone which she did very ingeniously though nothing can be more difficult than to shew one's Wit with those that have none at all For my part I never was such a Blockhead in my Life and if she was not tir'd with me then she never was so with any Body Amongst other things to which I scarce answerd Yes or No she told me that she was a French Woman born and that Signior Stephano would inform me of the Reasons which staid her in Rome By this time Dinner being ready she was fain to pull me along to the Table as she had pull'd me before to the Ruâ—lle for I was so disorder'd that I did not know how to set one Foot before ' tother I was the same dull Loggerhead both before and after Dinner during which the only thing I did with Assurance was to stare upon Leonora I fancy she was uneasie at it and to punish me for it she never lifted up her Eyes all the while Had the Mother been silent the Dinner had been like a Carthusian Meal but she discours'd Sign Stephano about the Affairs of Rome at least I fancy so for I am not very sure of it At last we rose from Table to the great Comfort of every Body except my self whose Distemper grew worse and worse every Moment When we went to take our leave they told me a Thousand obliging Things which I only answer'd with the ordinary Complement we use at the bottom of a Letter However I did something more at Parting than I did when I came in for I saluted Leonora and by that means compleated my Ruin Stephano was not able to get one single Word from me in all our Way home I lock'd my self in my Room without pulling off either my Cloak or Sword There I revolv'd in my Mind whatever had happen'd to me Leonora presented her self to my Fansie more Beautiful than ever she appeard to my Sight I remembred how dull and silly I had been before the Mother and the Daughter and as often as I thought on it I was so asham'd that I could not forbear blushing I wish'd to be Rich I curs'd my mean Extraction and then I fancy'd to my self a Thousand lucky Adventures advantageous both to my Fortune and my Love At last having nothing in my Thoughts but how to frame a plausible Pretence to stay and not finding any to my liking I grew so desperate as to wish to fall sick again to which I had already no small Disposition I design'd to write to Leonora but all I could write did not please me and so I put into my Pocket the beginning of a Letter which perhaps I had not dar'd to send had it been finish'd Thus having disquieted my self to little purpose and not being able to banish Leonora from my Thoughts I resolv'd to go by the Vine where she appear'd to me first of all to abandon my self entirely to my Passion and pass by her Door once for all This Vine was well seated in one of the remotest Places of the City in the middle of several old empty Buildings As I pass'd along pensive and Melancholy under the Ruins of a Portico I heard some Body stalk behind me and at the same time I felt my self run through under the Reins I presently fac'd about and instantly drew my Sword and finding I had to do with the Servant of the young Frenchman I mention'd before I was like to return him at least as good a Pass as he made at me by Treachery But as I push'd him a good way without being able to close with him because he maintain'd a running Fight and endeavour'd to parry his Master came out from among the Ruins of the Portico and attacking me behind dealt me a stunning Blow on the Head and a great Thrust in the Thigh which made me fall down There was no likelihood of my escaping at so cheap a rate but because in an ill Action Peopleâ— seldom preserve a Presence of Mind the Servant wounded his Master in the Right Hand and at the same time two Minime Fryars of the Trinity of the Mount who pass'd that way and saw me treacherously assaulted running to my Help my Assassins made their escape and left me wounded in three several Places Those good Fryars happen'd to be Frenchmen to my great Comfort for in so remote a Place had an Italian seen me in the Condition I was in he would rather have avoided then succour'd me lest being found doing me a good Office he were suspected of being himself my Murderer Whilst one of those charitable Fryars receiv'd my Confession the other ran to my Lodging to acquaint my Landlord with my Disaster He came instantly to me and caus'd me to be carried half dead into my Bed With so many Wounds and so much Love 't was not long before I fell into a most violent Fever My Life was despair'd of by all and I had no Reason to hope better than the rest In the mean time my Passion for Leonora was so far from abating that it was rather encreasing though my Strength grew weaker and weaker Wherefore not being able to support so heavy a Burden without easing my self of it nor resolve to die without letting Leonora know that 't was only for her sake that I wish'd to live I call'd for a Pen and Ink. They thought I was Light-headed but I was so earnest in protesting that they would drive me into Despair in case they should deny me that Signior Stephano who had taken notice of my Passion and was so clear-sighted as to guess at my Design gave Orders that I should have all things necessary to write and as he knew my Intention he staid all alone in the Room I perus'd again what I had scribled a little before with Design to make use of some Thoughts which came before into my Head about the same Subject and then I wrote thus to Leonora I no sooner saw you but 't was out of my Power to forbear loving you My Reason did not oppose my Love but told me as well as my Eyes that you were the most lovely Person in the World whereas it should have
Disorder like one to whom some Violence had been offered her Commode torn off and her Steenkirk bloody as well as her Face Verville said she to me as soon as I appear'd approach me not unless it be to take away my Life wherein you will find less Difficulty than in offering Violence a second time to my Honour And as Heaven has given me Strength to resist your first Attempts so I doubt not but I shall be able to scratch thy Eyes out if I cannot be the Death of you Is this added she weeping that passionate Love you profess'd to my Sister Oh! how dear I pay for my Compliance with her Follies But when we act contrary to our Duty it is but just we should undergo what we stand moâ—â— in fear of But what do you now meditate pursued she perceiving my Astonishment Do you feel a Remorse of Conscience for your base Action If so I can well forget it with 〈◊〉 my Heart Thou art young and 't was a great piece of Folly 〈◊〉 me to trust my self to the Discretion of one of your Years Conduct me therefore to my Brother 's again I do conjure you for as passionate and severe as he is I dread him less than I 〈◊〉 you who art a bruitish Monster or rather a mortal Enemy 〈◊〉 our Family not satisfied with seducing a young Lady and murthering a Gentleman unless a more wicked Act compleat thy Crime Having made an end of her Speech which she utter'd with great vehemence she fell a weeping so bitterly that I never saw one so afficted This I must confess made me forfeit all the little Judgment I was till then Master of amidst so much Confusion and if she had not ceased of her own accord to speak I never should have interrupted her so much was I astonish'd at the Authority of her Expostulations But perceiving she had done speaking Madam replied I neither am I Verville nor is he I can assure you capable of such a base Action as that you complain of What! said she are you not Verville Did not I see you engag'd with my Brother Did not a Gentleman come to your Assistance And did not you bring me hither on my Entreaty where you have offered a Rudeness impious both to my Honour and Youth She could say no more so much her Grief oppress'd her Heart For my own part I never was so much perplex'd and could not apprehend how she should both know Verville and not know him at the same time I told her I was an absolute Stranger to the Rudeness she complain'd of and that since Monsieur Saldagne was her Brother I would conduct her if she pleas'd to the same Place where her Sister was These Words were scarce out of my Mouth when I spied Verville and Madam Saldagne coming into the Room where we were she being absolutely resolv'd to go back again to her Brother 's but how this dangerous Freak came into her Head I know not The two Sisters embrac'd each other as soon as they met and renew'd their flowing Tears as if they were contending who should weep most Verville earnestly entreated them to return to my Chamber laying before them the Difficulty of getting into their House after the great Alarm the whole Family was in adding withal the Danger they run by exposing themselves to their Brother 's present Fury the safety of the Place they were in and how near it was to break of Day which being once come they would enquire how all things went at Saldagne's and accordingly they might resolve what was most convenient to be done Verville easily persuaded them to condescend to this Proposition Those two Ladies finding now themselves secure in one another's Presence We went up to my Chamber whete having examin'd the strange Accidents which perplex'd us we were as apt to believe as if our Eyes had been Witness that Saint Far had certainly attempted upon Madam Lery's Honour Verville and my self knowing him capable of the like and worse Actions We were not deceiv'd in our Conjectures Saint Far had been gaming in that very same House where Saldagne had lost his Money and passing by his Garden a little after the Scuffle was over he met with Saldagne's Footmen who related to him what had befallen his Master whom they said had been set upon by seven or eight Rogues thereby to excuse their own Cowardise in leaving their Master in the Lurch Saint Far thought himself oblig'd to offer him his Service as a Neighbour and did not leave him till he had seen him carried to his Bed-chamber after which Madam Saldagne intreated him to protect her against her Brother's Fury and came along with him as his Sister did with us He intended therefore to secure her in the same Summer-house in the Garden where we were as I said before and being as much afraid lest we should see his Lady as we were careful he should not see ours the two Sisters by this Accident meeting together just as he was coming in and we going out I hapned to catch his Lady by the Hand whilst he laid hold by a like mistake upon mine and thus the Ladies were exchang'd Which was the more easily done by reason I had put out my Candle and the Ladies so terribly dismay'd as well as we that they did not know what they did in the Hurry As soon as we had left her in the Summer-house Saint Far finding himself alone with a very handsom Lady and having more Instinct than Reason or to describe him in his natural Colours being indeed a very Brute he takes advantage of the Opportunity never minding the Consequence or what an irreparable Affront he offer'd to a Lady that had thrown her self into his Arms for Protection His Brutality was rewarded as it deserved Madam de Lery defended her self like a Lioness bit him scratch'd him and made him bloody all over After all which he only went up to Bed and slept as soundly as if he had done the best Action in the World You wonder perhaps which way Madam Lery hapned to be in the Garden at the time we were surpriz'd by her Brother since there were none besides her Sister and her Waiting-Woman This puzled me as well as you but at last I learnt from 'em both that Madam Saldagne not daring to trust her Waiting-Woman with the Secret of her Amours had persuaded her Sister to attend her in the Garden and this was the Person I entertain'd under the Title of Maudlin Here my Wonder was at an end how a Chambermaid should be Mistress of so much Wit as I found in her Conversation And Madam de Lery told me she was no less puzled to find me so witty in the Garden by Night and such a Blockhead by Day when she mistook the dull Britan to be the same with me Ever after that we entertain'd Sentiments for one another something above a bare Esteem and I dare say she was not less satisfied than I
accepted of us by the Recommendation of Rancour You are acquainted with the rest of my Adventures which since that time have been common with us all as far as Tours where I think I saw the Devil Saldagne and if I be not very much mistaden I believe it will not be long before I meet him again in these Parts which I fear less for my own part than for Leonora's who would lose a most faithful Servant if I should miscarry or be forc'd to part from her by my unlucky Stars Thus Destiny ended his Story and after having comforted Madam Star a while whom the Relation had a little disorder'd by renewing the Remembrance of her Misfortunes which made her weep as if they but newly happen'd he took his leave of the Actresses and went to Bed CHAP. XIX Some Reflections which are not amiss Ragotin's new Disgrace and other Things which you may read if you please LOVE which make the young undertake any Thing and the old forget every Thing Love which occasion'd the Wars of Troy and many others besides which I do not think worth my while to mention here would needs make it known in the City of Mans that he is as much to be dreaded in a pitiful Inn as in any Place whatsoever He was not therefore contented with depriving the Amorous Ragotin of his Appetite but inspired 〈◊〉 Rappiniere with a Thousand irregular Desires a Man very susceptible of them and made Roquebrune languish for the Operator's Wife adding a fourth Folly to his Vanity Bravery and Poetry or rather obliging him to commit a double Infidelity For he had made his Amorous Addresses a long while before both to Star and Angelica who often advis'd him to desist and not throw away his Courtship But all this is nothing to what I shall now relate Love triumphed likewise over the insensibility and Misanthropy of Rancour who became enamour'd of the Operator's Wife too and by Consequence a Rival to the Poet Roquebrune a Punishment for his Sins and an Atonement for the cursed Writings he had publish'd This Woman's Name was Donna Inizella del Prado a Native of Malaga and her Husband or reputed such Signior Ferdinando Ferdinandi a Gentleman of Venice born at Caen in Normandy There were several other in the Inn besides the above-nam'd infected with the same Disease as dangerously if not more than those whose Secrets I have revealed but they shall be discover'd too in due Time and Place La Rappiniere fell in Love with Madam Star when she acted Câ—imene and intended then to have declar'd his Distemper to Rancour whom he thought capable of doing any thing for Money The Heavenly Bard Raquebrune design'd the Conquest of a Spaâ—ish Lady worthy his Courage But as for Rancour I cannot imagine by what Potent Charms this Foreign Lady could inflame with Love a Man who hated all the World This worn-out Stroller being in Hell before his time I mean in Love before his Death was still in Bed when Ragotin troubled him with his Passion as it were the Belly-ake came to desire him to mind his Business and take pity on him Rancour assur'd him that ere that day were over he would do him a Notable piece of Service with his Mistress La Rappiniere entred at the same time Rancour's Chamber who was still dressing himself and having taken him aside confest his Infirmity to him and vowed if he could bring him into favour with Madam Star there was nothing in his Power but he would do for him even to the making him one of his Assistants and bestowing his Neece in Marriage on him whom he design'd to make sole Heiress after his Death because he had no Children of his own The cheating Rogue promiss'd him yet more than he had done Ragotin which put this Hangman's Purveyor in good Hopes Roquebrâ—ne came likewise to consult the Oracle He was the most incorrigible presumptuous Coxcomb that ever came from the Banks of Garonne and one who thought every Body believ'd what he Romanc'd about his good Family Riches Poetry and Valour insomuch that he slighted all the dry Jests and Bobs that Rancour perpetually put upon him presuming that what he did was only for Conversation's sake And besides he understood Raillery as well as any Man alive and bore it like a Christian Philosopher even when it touch'd to the very quick He therefore imagin'd he was admir'd by all the Players nay even by Rancour himself who had experience enough to admire but few things and was so far from having a good Opinion of this poor Brother of the Quill that he made a full inquiry into his Extraction thereby to discover whether those Bishops and great Lords his Countrymen whom he quoted ever and anon for his Relations were the true Branches of that Genealogick Tree this Fool of Noble Alliances and Coats of Arms together with many other things had caus'd to be drawn in an old Roll of Parchment He was very sorry to find Rancour in Company though he had less need to be troubled at that than any one besides it being his ill Custom to be ever whispering in Peoples Ears and to make a Secret of every thing sometimes of nothing However he took Rancour in a Corner and at first very gravely desir'd to know whether the Operator's Wife was a Person of a great deal of Wit or not because he had lov'd Women of all Nations but the Spaniards and if she were worth his Labour he should not be much the poorer if he presented hâ—â— with a hundred Pistols which he as often mention'd upon every trifling Occasion as the great Family from whence he was Descended Rancour told him he was not so well acquainted with Donna Inezilla as to answer for her Wit though he had often met her Husband in the chiefest Cities of the Kingdom where he sold his Antidotes but if he desir'd so much to be inform'd about her Wit 't was but joining Conversation with her since she began to speak Erench tolerably well Roquebrune would needs entrust him with his Pedigree in Parchment that he might dazle the Spanish Donne with the splendor of his Race but Rancour told him his Pedigree would sooner make him a Knight of Maltha than a happy Lover Whereupon Roquebrune with a smiling Countenance added Well Sir you know what I am Yes yes replied Rancour I know well enough what you are now and what you will ever be to your dying Day The Poet went away as he came and Rancour his Rival and Confident at the same time drew near to La Rappiniere and Ragotin who were Rivals also though unknown to each other As for old Rancour besides that we naturally hate any one that endeavours to rob us of what we design for our selves and the general quarrel he had against all Mankind besides all this I say he ever had a particular Aversion to the Poet which this Discovery was not likely to abate Rancour therefore absolutely resolv'd from that
to the Bully but to tell you the truth 't was that of the most sneaking kind All these noble Talents added to a little Eloquence his Memory had furnish'd him with from his Master 's Table-talk made him to be the Idol if I may so speak of all those Servant Maids that had best Opinions of themselves Don Diego commanded him to cast an Ogle or two upon Isabella a young Wench that waited on the two Ladies Dorothea and Feliciana de Montsalva He forthwith obey'd his Master's Commands and Isabella was almost assoon caught in the Trap as it was set for her believing her self not a little happy to be belov'd by Gusman whom she in a short time lov'd again as he in a little while after did her really tho' his first Intentions were only to impose on her by his Master's Orders and for his ends As the Love of Gusman was a thing much coveted amongst the Servant Maids of that City so was Isabella's Fortune as great as the most ambitious Valet de Chambre could expect to be raised to She was very well beloved by her Mistrisses from whom she received many Favours and was besides in expectation of a Fortune to be given her by her Father an honest Tradesman Gusman then thinking seriously on the matter resolv'd to be her Husband as she on her part did to be his Wife and therefore having only taken one anothers Words they lived together as such Isabella was not a little displeased to observe than Mariana the Surgeons Wife at whose House Dorothea and Doâ— Sancho had their private Meetings still continued to be their Confidente in a Business whence she knew must come a great deal of Profit to her She had found out the Gold Chain which Sancho had given her and besides discover'd many other Presents he had made her and moreover imagin'd that then might have been several more which she knew nothing ofâ—â—â— This caused her to hate Mariana to Death and which inclineâ—â— me to believe that this young Lass was not a little Meâ—â—â—â—nary It is no wonder then if at the first request her deaâ— Gusman made her to tell him truly whether her Mistriss Dorothea were in Love or not she confest the whole secret to hiâ— on whom she had bestow'd her Heart She inform'd him therefore of as much as she knew of the Intrigue between the two Lovers and concluded all with railing at Mariana for deprâ—â—ing her of her Vails which she said was due to her as Servant of the House Gusman desired of her farther to let him know the Day and Hour when the Lovers were next to meet which she soon after did and he consequently acquainted his Master with not only that but likewise with all the rest that he had learned from the treacherous Isabella Don Diego hereupon habited himself like a Beggar and taking his Post just at Mariana's Door the Night that his Man had inform'd him the Rendesvouz was to be he saw his Rival enter there and some time after a Coach stopping before Dorothea's Cousin's House he observ'd both his Mistriss and her Sister to come out thereof and go in there which you may imagine left him in no small rage well knowing what secret Communication there was between the two Houses He Plotted therefore from that very Minute to rid himself of so formidable a Rival as Don Sancho might prove The surest way to take him off he thought was by Assassins and consequently forthwith hir'd two for that end With these he watched for him divers Nights together and at last met him and set on him with the assistance of his two Bullies both like himself well Arm'd Don Sancho no sooner perceiv'd their Intentions than he put himself in a posture of Defence being also indifferently well provided for that purpose for over and above his Sword and Ponyard he had two Pistols ready charg'd and stuck in his Girdle Don Diego was more forward to engage than his Companions who were only led to it by the thoughts of Gain Don Sancho at first gave Ground out of Policy till he had drawn his Assailants to a convenient distance from the House where Dorothea was But length fearing he might receive prejudice if he still continued on the Defensive part and perceiving Don Diego to press more vigorously than ordinary upon him he let fly one of his Pistols at him and brought him to the Ground half Dead but nevertheless crying out and bawling for a Priest as if he were Mad. At the bare hearing the report of a Pistol the Bullies immediately troop'd off Don Sancho retired to his Lodgings and the Neighbours coming out of their Houses to see what was the matter found the Wounded Man just expiring who nevertheless had so much Life left as to accuse Don Sancho of his Murther This our Cavaliere had soon notice of by means of his Friends who told him moreover that altho' the Law could not reach him yet would not Don Diego's Relations let his Death be unreveng'd but rather seek all opportunities to Murther him wherever they could meet him to Advantage Don Sancho hearing this thought it his best way to retire to a Convent where he knew he might be safe which he immediately did and from thence sent his dear Dorothea an account of his Safety ordering his Affairs so in the mean time that he might be be ready to leave Seville at the shortest warning Whilst matters past thus the Magistrates of the City were doing their best to find Don Sancho out but to no purpose After the heat of the Search was a little over and every body was of opinion that he was clear got off Dorothea and her Sister under pretence of Devotion were carried by their Cousin to the same Monastery whither Sancho was retir'd There the two Lovers had another Meeting in the Chappel where they mutually promised eternal Constancy and Fidelity to each other and at parting utter'd so many moving Expressions that Feliciana her Kinswoman and the good Monk that attended them wept exceedingly and which they were always afterwards enclinable to do whenever the remembrance of this Interview came into their Minds Don Sancho soon after got from Seville in Disguize leaving Letters behind him with his Fathers Factor to be transmitted to the Indies by the first opportunity By these Letters he gave his Father an account of what had befallen him and which had oblig'd him to leave Seville to retire to Naples for the saving of his Life He arrived there safe in a little time and was received very kindly by the Vice-Roy to whom he had the Honour to have formerly belong'd Notwithstanding the great Favours shew'd him he nevertheless led but an uneasie Life in Naples for above a Year or more and that because he had heard no News all that while of his dear Dorothea Some small time after the Vice-Roy equip'd six Gallies to go out a Cruizing after the Algerines Don Sancho's Courage would not suffer him to
Street before they knew where they were There Don Sancho received a slight Wound but in return gave his Enemy so home a thrust that he was some time in getting his Sword out of his Body and whom he left for dead In the mean time the Marquess was pursuing those that fled which they quickly did â—â—soon as they saw their Comrade fall Don Sancho at last saw several Lights comming towards him at a distance which suspecting to be the Watch as it really was he began to think of his escape He retir'd therefore in some confusion through all the blind Allys he could find and which at length bringing him into a large open Street he met full-but with â—n old Gentleman that was then lighting a long with a Lanâ—â—trn and who had drawn his Sword at the hearing of Don Sancho running towards him This old Cavalier was Don Manuel who had been playing a game at Cards at a Neighbours House and was now returning home after his usual Custom through a little Gate of the Garden which was near the place where Sancho met him At the first approach of our Adventurer Don Manuel cry'd out Who goes there A Man answer'd Sancho whose business 't is to make the best of his way if you do not stop him It may be Sir concontinu'd Don Manuel some Accident may have oblig'd you to search in such haste for a Sanctuary if so my House is near at Hand and may if it please you to accept it be of Service to you 'T is true reply'd Don Sancho I am in quest of a Sanctuary to screen me from a Pursuit which I fear is made after me and since you have been so generous as to offer a Stranger the Protection of your House he will trust himself wholly in your Hands and never forget both the Kindness and Honour you will do him Hereupon Don Manual immediately open'd the Door with a Key he had always about him and put him in a Grove of Lawrels whilst he went into his House to seek for a better conveniency for him Don Sancho had not been long in the Grove before a Woman came to him and Cry'd Come away Sir my Mistress Dorothea waits for you At the hearing of that dear Name Don Sancho began immediately to think that he was in his Mistresses Garden and that the Old Gentleman who had brought him in might be her Father He likewise suspected with reason enough that Dorothea had made some Rival of his an Assignation and that this was the time of their Rendevezouz He therefore followed Isabella but that more tormented with Jealousy than the fears of a Pursuit In the interim Don Iuan came at the Hour appointed and with the Key which had been given him open'd the Garden-door and went and hid himself in thâ— Grove of Lawrels whence Don Sancho was but just gone A Moment after he perceived a Man to come directly up to himâ— which at first gave him so much surprize that he thoughâ— good to put himself into a posture of Defence but observing it to be Don Manuel he endeavour'd only to conceal himself Don Manuel soon finding him out said to him Come come follow me and I will put you in a place where you nâ—â— not fear being discovered Don Iuan guess'd by what he haâ— heard that Don Manuel had saved some Person or other thaâ— fled from Justice but nevertheless thought himself oblig'd 〈◊〉 follow him tho' he was not the Man he took him for Aâ— he went along he return'd him a thousand Thanks for his Civility but you may imagine was not inwardly a little displeased at him for disappointing him of his Amorous Intrigss Don Manuel conducted him into a Chamber where he left him while he went to prepare a Bed for him in another adjoininâ— Room There we must leave him likewise in no smalâ— trouble and perplexity and return to speak of his Brother Don Sancho de Sâ—lva Him Isabella carry'd into a Ground-Chamber which look'd out into the Garden and where Dorothea and Feliciana staid waiting for Don Iuan de Peralta the one as a Lover who was studying to say something to please him and the other as one that could not Love him and design'd there to tell him so At Don Sancho's entering the Room the fair Sisters were wonderfully surpriz'd Dorothea immediately swoon'd away at the fright and would have certainly drop'd down on the Floor had not her Sister held her up in her Chair Don Sancho stood like a Statue Isabella was ready to die with fear believing that Sancho's Ghost was come to revenge the wrongs her Mistress had done him while alive Feliciana tho' extremely frighted likewise was nevertheless so employ'd about recovering her Sister that she did not so much mind it as she would have otherwise done At last Dorothea came to her self and then Don Sancho spoke to her after the following manner If the Report spread abroad of my Death did not in some measure excuse your Inconstancy ungrateful Dorothea quoth he I should not have now Breath enough left wherewith to reproach your Infidelity But 't was I that occasion'd that Report to be forgotten of my Enemies and not by you who have so often promised to Love none but me and yet who have now so soon nay so treacherously broke that Promise I might well revenge my self now I have an opportunity continued he and complain so loud that I might a wake your Father and he consequently rise and find your Lover whom you have hid in his House But Fool that I am I am yet afraid to displease you and torment my self more with the thoughts that I must love you no longer than with those that so plainly suggest to me that you love another Go on faithless Fair one Go on proceeded he enjoy your happy Lover be aprehensive of no danger in this new Amour be assur'd that will rid you speedily of the Man that has it in his power 〈◊〉 reproach you of Treachery all your Life long nay of 〈◊〉 you have betray'd even at a time that he has exposed 〈◊〉 Life to come to worship you At these Words Don Sanâ—â—â— would have been gone but Dorothea held him and was goâ—â—â— to justify her self just at the time that Isabella came running 〈◊〉 the Chamber to tell her Don Manuel was coming Don 〈◊〉 had only time to step behind the Door before the old â—â—â—tleman came in He began immediately to repremand his â—â—ghters for being up so late and afterwards went out of Chamber which he had no sooner done but Don Sancho out likewise and getting into the Garden hid himself as before among the Lawrels expecting an opportunity when he might get away Don Manuels business in his Daughters Chamber was to light a Candle wherewith to go to the Garden-Gate where the Constable and Watch were knocking like Mad for admittance having been told that one of the Persons that made the fray in the Streets was got in there Don Manuel made but
afterwards informed him how Don Iuan de Peralta had made love to her and what designs she had to disabuse him and to propose her Sister to him in Marriage and to conclude all she told him that if she could not perswade Don Sancho to believe her innocent she was resolv'd next Day to shut her self up in a Nunnery thence never to set Foot out again as long as she livedâ— By this relation the two Brothers came to the knowledge of each other Don Sancho was forthwith reconciled to Dorothea whom he demanded in Marriage of her Father Don Iuan likewise beg'd Don Manuel's consent to have his Daughter Feliciana and both were accepted by him for hiâ— Son-in-Law with so great satisfaction as is not to be expressed As soon as Day appeared Don Sancho sent for hiâ— Friend the Marquess Fabio who soon came to partake of hiâ— Joy that was then in agitation Don Sancho's Marriage was kept secret till such time as Don Manuel and the Marquess had haâ— an oppportunity to perswade the Cousin and Heir of Don Diego to forget the cause of his Kinsman's Death and to lay aside all Enmity to Don Sancho During this Negotiation the Marquess Fabiâ— fell in Love with this Gentleman's Sister and consequently desired her of her Brother in Marriage His request was granted with a great deal of readiness the Gentleman being presently sensible what advantage such a Match must be to his Family The three Marriages were solemniz'd in one Day and every thing succeeded so well that there was no disagreements between either of the Parties for a long while after which you must confess is not a little to be wonder'd at CHAP. XX. After what manner Ragotin's Sleep came to be disturb'd THE agreeable Inezilla concluded the reading of her Novel which made her Auditory sorry it was no longer Whilst she was reading it Ragotin who instead of hearing her had busied himself in asking her Husband Questions about Magick was fallen asleep in a low Chair where he sat and which the Operator was likewise in his Ragotin's sleep was not altogether voluntary for if he could possibly have kept down the Vapours of the Meat which he had eaten in great quantity he would not have been so rude as not to have hearkâ—ed attentively to Inezilla's Novel He did not sleep therefore soundly but would ever now and then see-saw his Head down to his Knees and then raise himself up again half awake and afterwards start and then drop down in like manner as drowsy Sinners are wont to do at Conventicles when the good Man proves tedious as well as dull There hapâ—en'd to be a Ram bred up in the Inn which roguy Boys that went up and down the Yard had been accustom'd to present their Heads to but holding their Hands stretch'd out before at the same time to keep him from doing them any harm 〈◊〉 these Boys this Ram would run with all his Might as these Creatures are naturally given to do This Animal had his free 〈◊〉 all over the Inn and came often times into the Chambers and it seems was in that of the Operator when Inezilla read the Novel He observing Ragotin nodding to and fro with his Hat dropt off took him for a Champion that had purposely presented himself to try his Courage with him and therefore drawing back four or five Paces as good Jumpers are wont to do he ran full speed like a Horse in his full Carrier with his horny Head against Ragotin's bald Pate which no doubt he would have shatter'd as much as a Piss-pot could have been when thrown upon the Stones from the top of a high Tower had it not been Ragotin's peculiar Fortune that the Assault was made while he had his Head up so that he received no other dammage than a superficial Graze on the Cheek by one of the Ram's Horns All the Company was so extremely surpriz'd at this Action that they remained for some time astonish'd which nevertheless could not hinder them from laughing This gave the Ram an opportunity having been used to make his course more than once to have another run which it seems he performed so inconsiderately that he run only against his Knees and therefore only wounded his Hands which had each of them a Horn to stand the brunt of Ragotin finding his Face to bleed and smart tho' he was a little stunn'd yet began to recover himself and having open'd his Eyes which he did not do till the second shock he soon discover'd the Author of his Misfortune which he had no sooner done but he fell to belabouring of him about the Head till the hardness of his Horns made him to withdraw his Hands which finding to be all over bruiz'd as well by buffetting as sustaining he flew into a great rage threatning revenge to all the Company if they did not desist from laughing at him He afterwards would have gone out of the Inn in a great fury had not his Host stopâ— him to pay the Reckoning which you may imagine he was as unwilling to do as he would have been willing to have put up his Dammage and Affronts could he but have got off Scot-free A TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS IN THE Second PART Chap. Page I. WHich serves only as an Introduction to the rest 145 II. Of the Boots 147 III. The History of Mrs. Cave 151 IV. How Destiny found Leander 160 V. Leander's History 162 VI. A Cuffing Battle The Death of mine Host and other memorable Matters 165 VII Ragotin's Panick Fear follow'd by several Mishaps The Adventure of the dead Body A shower of Cuffs Boxes and other surprizing Accidents worthy to have a place allotted them in this true History 169 VIII What became of Ragotin's Foot 175 IX Another of Ragotin's Misfortunes 180 X. How Madam Bouvillon could not resist a certain Temptation and besides how she got a bunch in her Forehead 182 XI Of what perhaps will entertain the least of the whole Book 186 XII Which it may be will be as little diverting as the foregoing 190 XIII An unhandsom Action of the Sieur de la Rappiniere 194 XIV The Iudge in her own Cause a Novel 198 XV. A matchless piece of Impudence in the Sieur de la Rappiniere 223 XVI Ragotin's Misfortune 225 XVII Some Passages between the little Ragotin and the great Baguenodiere 233 XVIII Which has no occasion for a Title 238 XIX Of the Two Rival Brother's a Novel 240 XX. How Ragotin's Sleep came to be disturb'd 261 THE Comical ROMANCE PART III. CHAP. I. Which may serve for an Introduction to this Third Part. IN the last Chapter of the Second Part of this Romance you have had little Ragotin all bloody with the several repeated buttings he received from the Ram whilst he slept in a low Chair in the Comedians Chamber and which occasion'd him to go out thence in a great fury But he had received so deep a Wound from Madam Stars Eys and was withal so desirous of
attention and wonder imagining that the greatest Orators of the Kingdom could not be able to utter any thing beyond it After this the Strollers desir'd time to prepare themselves and had eight Days given them The Company parted after Dinner just as the Prior of St. Lewis hapned to come in Madam Star told him he had done well to come having sav'd Olive the trouble of looking after him The Actresses seated themselves upon the Bed and the Actors in Chairs The Door was shut and the Porter had Orders to send away every Body that came to speak with them After silence was proclaim'd the Prior began his History as you may find in the following Chapter if you 'll take the pains but to read it CHAP. X. The History of the Prior of St. Lewis and the Arrival of Monsieur Verville THE beginning of this History quoth the Prior cannot but be a little tedious since it consists chiefly of Genealogy Nevertheless this sort of begining is necessary too to introduce a perfect understanding of the matter in Dispute I shall not endeavour to disguize my Condition since I am in my own Country In another it may be I might have pass'd for what I really was not which nevertheless I have never yet done I have always been very sincere in this Point I am then a Native of this City the Wives of my two great Grand-fathers were Gentlewomen and had a de tackt to their Sir-names But as you know the eldest Sons going away with the greatest part of the Estate leave but little for the younger Children who according to Custom are either oblig'd to go into Orders or else to Marry some inferiour Person or other suitable to their Condition providing she be Rich and Honest pursuant to the Proverb which has been a long time currant in this Country More Money and less Honour So that my two Grand-mothers were Marry'd to two rich Tradesmen the one a Woolen-draper and the other a Linnen-draper My Father's Father had four Sons whereof my Father was not the eldest My Mothers Father had two Sons and two Daughters whereof she was one and Marryed to the second Son of the Woolen-draper who had left off his Trade to follow Petty-fogging whereby he fool'd away most of his Estate which was the Reason that he left me but little My Father had formerly thriv'd very much by his Trade and Marryed a very rich Woman for his first Wife who dyed without Children He was pretty well advanc'd in Years when he Marryed my Mother which she consented to rather out of Duty than Inclination insomuch that there was more of Aversion on her side than Love which no doubt was the reason that they were thirteen Years Marryed before they had the least hopes of having any Children At last my Mother was big and when the time of her Lying-in was come she brought me into the World with a great deal of Pain having been four full Days in Labour My Father who was at that time employ'd in prosecuting a Man that had killed his Brother was overjoy'd when at his return the Women gave him joy of a Son He treated them all as well as he could and made some of them drunk having given them strong White-wine on the Lees instead of Perry which he has many a time after told me and whereat we have laughed heartily Two Days after my Birth I was Baptised My Name signifies little to be mention'd I had for Godfather the Lord of the Place a very rich Man and my Father's Neighbour who having understood by the Lady his Wife that my Mother was with Child after so many Years Marriage desired he might hold what God sent her to the Font. What he desired was readily granted my Mother having no more Children than me bred me with all the care imaginable and perhaps a little too nicely for one of her Quality As I came to grow up it was observ'd I would be no Fool which occasion'd me to be mightily belov'd by every body especially by my Godfather who had but one only Daughter that had been married to a Gentleman a Relation of my Mothers She had two Sons one elder by a year than I and one younger by a Year but both who were as backward in Parts as I were forward which occasion'd my Godfather to send for me always when he had any of the better sort of Company which you must know he often had being accustomed to treat all the Princes and great Lords that passed by our Town to divert them which by Dancing Singing and Pratling I did For this purpose I was always kept in a better Garb than ordinary and I had surely made my Fortune with him had not Death taken him away suddenly as he was on a Journey to Paris I nevertheless was not so sensible then of his Death as I have been since My Mother sent me to Study and I profited extremely but when she understood my Inclinations ran towards the Church she took me from the College and brought me into the World notwithstanding her Vow to devote her first-fruits to God if he should please to give her any She prov'd quite contrary to other Mothers who do all they can to prevent their Childrens falling into ill Courses for she was continually feeding me with Money Sundays and Holy days especially to go a Gaming or to the Tavern Nevertheless having some discretion of my own all my Liberties and Abilities amounted only to making merry sometimes with my Neighbours I had contracted a more than ordinary Friendship with a young Lad Son to a certain Officer belonging to Lewis XIII's Queen Dowager who had likewise two Daughters He lived in that fine Park which as you may have heard was one of the greatest Delights of the ancient Dukes of Alençon His House there had been given him by the aforesaid Queen Dowager his Royal Mistress who had an Appennage upon that Dutchy We led a pleasant Life in this Park but that still like Children never thinking of what was to come This Officer of the Queens was called Monsieur du Fresne who had a Brother an Officer likewise who belong'd to the King This Brother requir'd du Fresne to send his Son to him which he could by no means refuse to do Before his Son went for the Court he came to take leave of me and I must own the parting with him raised the first Grief that ever I felt We lamented our Separation reciprocally but I had much greater Reason two Months after when I heard from his Mother the News of his Death I shew'd as much concern for the loss of him as I was capable of shewing and went immediately to join with his Sisters in their Grief for him which was exceeding great But as Time lessens all things when this sad remembrance was a little over Madam du Fresne came and desired my Mother that I might teach her younger Daughter a little to write whose name was Mademoiselle du
not yet dispos'd to receive his Addresses but that time for ought she knew might make an alteration upon her to his Advantage With these Words she left him and retir'd The small Hopes she gave him put him upon a Stratagem which was like to have spoil'd all and that was to make her Jealous He consider'd with himself that since she had shew'd some good Will towards him she would not fail to be Jealous if she really lov'd him He therefore sought out a Comrade of his that had a Mistress that lov'd him as much as his slighted him He desir'd him to give him leave to make his Addresses to her and he to do the like to his that he might observe how she would take it His Comrade would by no means grant his request till he had his Mistresses consent which nevertheless soon after demanding he easily obtain'd The first time that these two Ladies came together which I should have told you they did almost every Day the two Lovers made their exchange according to Agreement St. Germain stepping up to and Courting his Comrades Mistress whilst his Comrade did the like to the Haughty Margaret who received him but very coldly But assoon as she perceived her former Spark and his Mistress laugh'd she began to fly out into a great Passion well knowing then that this exchange had been concerted on Agreement and therefore immediately flung out of the Company with Tears in her Eyes This caused the obliging Mistress to go after her and endeavour to appease her telling her that this Stratagem of her Lovers was only to know her Mind the better and not to circumvent or affront her and therefore earnestly entreated her to take no farther notice of it but rather to favour the constant Addresses of so sincere a Lover as St. Germain had long been to her All this notwithstanding gain'd little upon the humoursom Margaret whereupon the unfortunate St. Germain was driven to so fierce a despair that for the future he fought nothing so much as to shew the violence of his Love by some rash Action which he hop'd might procure his Death This Resolution one Night not long after he had an occasion to put in Practice for whilst he and Seven of his Comrades were coming out of a Tavern half Drunk and with their Swords by their sides they chanc'd to meet three or four Gentlemen amongst whom was a Captain of Horse With these they began to dispute the Wall and which they obtain'd by being the greater number but the Gentlemen returning immediately after with four or five more of their Company they pursued these Persons that had so greatly Affronted them and overtook them in the High-Street when St. Germain being the foremost and having been the forwardest in the Affront the Captain discovering him to be a Trooper by his Hat stept up to him and gave him such a lusty blow with a Back-Sword that he cut thro' his Hat and cleft part of his Scull Having done this and thinking themselves sufficiently reveng'd the Captain and his Companions march'd off leaving St. Germain for dead in the Arms of his Friends He had little or no Pulse left and less Motion insomuch that they immediately carried him home and sent for several Surgeons who found Life yet remaining in him These drest his Wound stitch'd up his Scull and then bound it up The noise of this Contest had at first allarm'd the Neighbourhood but they were much more surpriz'd when they heard a Man had been so dangerously wounded The thing was talk'd about from one to t'other after a different manner but however all concluded that St. Germain was a Dead Man This Report quickly got to his cruel Mistresses House who tho' undrest yet immediately ran to see him and whom she found in the condition I have told you As soon as she saw Death begin to show its self in his Face she fell down in a Swoon and it was found no easy matter to recover her When she came to her self the Neighbours began to accuse her of being the Cause of this disaster and that if she had not been so unkind to him he would never have been so desperately rash this being but the result of what he had frequently threaten'd Then began she to tear her Hair wring her Hands and do all that Mad People are wont to do She afterwards proceeded to serve him with that diligence that all the time of his Illness she would neither undress her self nor lye down on the Bed not permit any of his Sisters to do any thing about him After he came to himself and began to know People it was judged necessary that she should absent herself which she was nevertheless with great difficulty prevail'd on to do He at length was cur'd and when he came to be perfectly well he was Married to his capricious Mistress Margaret to the satisfaction of every body but much more of himself After Leander had finish'd this Novel the Company return'd to the Town where having well Supp'd Danc'd and the like they put the new marry'd Couples to Bed These Weddings had been kept so secret that they had no Visitors for two Days after but on the third Day they were so embarras'd with them that they had not leisure left them to Study their Parts After a little time they all continu'd their Exercise as before except Ragotin who was fallen into a perfect Despair as you will find in the following Chapter CHAP. XVII Ragotin's Despair and Death with the end of the Comical Romance RAncour perceiving that he as well as Ragotin had no more hopes left of succeeding in his Love to Star got up betimes and went to the little Man whom he found likewise risen and Writing at the Table Upon his enquiry what he was doing he told him he was writing his own Epitaph How quoth Rancour Do People use to make their Epitaphs before they are Dead But what surprizes me most of all continu'd he is that you make it your self Yes I have made it my self answer'd Ragotin and will shew it you He thereupon open'd a Paper which was folded and read these Verses Ragotin's EPITAPH HEre th' unlucky Ragotin lies Who liv'd a Slave to fair Stars Eyes Yet Destiny him of her depriv'd Which made him take a Iourney strait To th' other World compell'd by Fate For needs must where the Devil driv'd For her a Stroller he became And here with Life concludes the same This is fine indeed quoth Rancour but you will never have the satisfaction to read it on your Tomb for it is the common Opinion that dead People neither see nor understand any thing of what we do that survive them Ah! answer'd Ragotin you have partly been the cause of my Misfortunes for you always gave me hopes I should succeed and yet I am very well assur'd you all along knew the contrary Then Rancour protested to him that he knew nothing certainly of it but confess'd that he
marry'd is never out of his Wive's Company and watches all her motions He talks of taking a journey to Valladolid shortly without me I will then justify myself and pay my debts This Billet which they kist a hundred times by the same token that they strove which shou'd out-do the other gave them fresh encouragement and made them easie enough for a few days But at last hearing no news from their cruel Mistresses they began after their old laudable custom to walk to and fro a hundred times a day before their Windows they pass'd whole nights in the street but cou'd not see a soul stir out of the house no more than if it had not been inhabited One day as these despairing Lovers happen'd to be at Church they had the good luck to see our young Bride come towards them Don Rodrigo kneel'd down by her under the nose of an old Gentleman Usher that had Squir'd her to Church He made his complaints to her in a few words she excus'd herself in like manner and at last told Don Rodrigo that her Husband was not to go to Valladolid altho he daily talk'd of it that she was â—mpatient to have a private conversation with him and that she only knew one way of bringing it about which wholly depended upon Don Pedro. My husband says she sleeps as sound as if he took Opium every night and we have not exchang'd a word with one another these four or five days by reason of a small quarrel between us which is not yet made up I had prevail'd with my Cousin Violanta to take my place but she 's unhappily sick and since none are privy to our love but she and Don Pedro and I wou'd not for all the world have it communicated to more youâ— must eâ—en get him if you think he loves you well enough to venture it to supply her room and go to bed to my Husband This attempt seems to be somewhat dangerous at first sight but if you consider that my good man and I are at odds as I have already told you and that he does not easily wake I don't question buâ— it will succeed to our expectation and this is all I can do for you This happy Love-Stratagem which Don Rodrigo so earnestly desir'd to know cool'd him in a minute when he heard it He not only doubted whether his Cousin wou'd take upon him to act this dangerous part but he likewise doubted whether he ought so much as propose it to him His Mistress continu'd inflexible in her resolution and as she took her leave of him she protested to him that in case the Proposal she had made him was not well received and executed in the manner she directed him he had nothing more to hope from her nay that she gave him full leave to banish her out of his remembrance altho at another time she wou'd as soon consent to her own death Neither the time nor place wou'd permit Don Rodrigo to talk any longer with his Mistress She went home and Don Rodrigo repair'd to his companion who cou'd not get a word out of him so much confounded he was at the unhappy Dilemma wherein he found himself either to make so unreasonable a request to his friend or to live without enjoying that happiness which is always more esteem'd before possession than after it At last shutting themselves up in their Chamber Don Rodrigo after he had for a whiâ—e refus'd to declare his grievance open'd the above-mention'd proposal to Don Pedro gilding the Pill as well as he bou'd to make it go down the better with him At first Don Pedro thought that he had a mind to banter him but his Cousin protesting the contrary in a very serious air and confirming it by so many Oaths that he cou'd no longer doubt of it he must needs turn the thing into raillery and told him he was exceedingly oblig'd to his Mistress for designing him such good fortune with so lovely a Bed-fellow and that it was undoubtedly the effect of Violanta's gratitude who not being in a condition to reward his services because she was sick and being prest to pay her debts turn'd it over to her Cousin's Husband with whom he shou'd certainly pass the night very agreeably He talk'd much to the same purpose and jested a long while sometimes well and sometimes but indifferently But Don Rodrigo was not in a humour to be merry and he appear'd so dejected and melancholy to his Cousin that he heartily pity'd him and was afraid that his despair wou'd carry him to some dangerous resolutions Don Pedro was bold in his temper a great lover of Intrigues and no man so ready as he to engage in any extravagant adventure he lov'd Don Rodrigo tenderly so that all this joyn'd together made him resolve to supply the room of the beautiful Virginia whatever her jealous Husband might do to him being therefore fully determin'd upon the matter he embrac'd his Cousin and put fresh life into him when he assur'd him that he wou'd hazard all that he might enjoy his beloved Mistress You will not added he be so much oblig'd to me as you think I consider it as an honourable action wherein I pretend to get as much reputation as if I shouâ—d signalize my self at a breach Word was sent to Virginia that her proposal was accepted she appointed that very evening to put it in execution The two Cousins went to her house and were introduc'd with as little noise as was possible Don Pedro was oblig'd by the fair Lady of the Enchanted Castle to undress himself before her being resolv'd that her orders shou'd not be transgress'd in the least Don Pedro having nothing on now but his shirt was conducted by her with all the care and circumspection imaginable to the fatal room and opening the Curtains the softly put the bold Don Pedro between the sheets who perhaps at that very moment repented for having gone so far and one may swear did not throw himself into the middle of the Bed She went away lock'd the Chamber door which put Don Pedro into cruel apprehensions and repaired to Don Rodrigo to whom I suppose she paid like a woman of honour all that she ow'd him or at least as much as he demanded of her In the mean time Don Pedro was in different circumstances from those of his Cousin who threw himself into the arms of his charming Mistress while our too charitable and adventurous Friend fear'd nothing so much as the embraces of a detestable man whom to his great sorrow he was like to find a very uncomfortable Bed-fellow He then began to consider but it was somewhat of the latest to what hazards his foolish rashness had carried him He blamed himself he called himself Fool a thousand times in his thoughts and was sensible that to transgress thus against any Husband was an unpardonable crime tho even he himself were to be judge These melancholy reflexions were disturbed and his just
before Early in the morning I received the most passionate Letter from him that I ever read accompany'd with a pretty Copy of Verses upon the Tyranny of Husbands He spent the remainder of the night after he had parted with 〈◊〉 writing them and next day when I receiv'd them 〈◊〉 could hardly do any thing else but read them over and overâ— as oft as I could do it in private Neither of us sufficientâ—â— reflected upon the hazard we had run to make it a wanting to us not to expose our selves so any more But althoâ— had not been inclin'd of my self to grant him all that â— asked of me or had loved Andrada less than I did or had not yielded to the insinuating flattery of his Letters yet could not have resisted the perswasion of my Chamber-maid who talkt to me incessantly in his favour She repreach'â— me with want of resolution which had made me think no more of Andrada and talk'd of the passion he had for me with the same vehemence as she could have told a Sweet-heart of her own what a kindness she had for him By this I found that she was not to learn her Trade now and likewise saw of what importance it is to be careful in the choice of those persons that are plac'd about those of my age and condition But I was resolv'd to ruin my self so that if she had been more vertuous than she was she had enjoy'd a less share in my confidence At last she over-perswaded me to receive Andrada in a Dressing-room near my Chamber where she lay by herself and we agreed that so soon as my Husband was fast asleep she should lye by him in my place while I pass'd the night with Andrada Thus we got him conceal'd into my Dressing-room my Husband fell asleep and I prepar'd to meet my Lover with all the emotions of one whose desires are violent yet who has a great deal to fear when a terrible noise of confus'd voices that cry'd out Fire Fire alarm'd my ears and wak'd my Husband At the same time my Chamber was all in a smoke and I cou'd perceive the flames through my Windows A Negro Maid that serv'd in the Kitchen had set it on fire being drunk and it was not perceiv'd till it had taken hold of some dry Wood and the neighbouring Stables and now had seiz'd the boards of my apartment My Husband was very well belov'd In an instant the house was full of neighbours that came to help us to quench the fire My Brother-in-law Don Lewis whom the common danger had made more active and diligent than the rest was one of the first that helpt us with his Servants and push'd on by his passion made his way into my Chamber through the flames that had already seiz'd the Stair-case He was in his shirt and had nothing over it but his Night-Gown in which he wrapt me up and taking me between his arms who might more properly be said to be dead than alive for the danger to which Andrada was expos'd rather than for my own he carry'd me to his own room through the communication his house had with ours and setting me down upon his bed left me there accompany'd 〈◊〉 some of my Women In the mean time my Husband and all that had concern'd themselves in this accident that had 〈◊〉 us bestirr'd themselves so notably that the fire was â—ut out after it had done a great deal of damage Andrada made his escape without difficulty among the crowd and 〈◊〉 of people that came to help us and you may imagine how joyful I was when Marina told me the agreeable news He writ to me a hundred foolish things the next day which I answer'd with more transport than he had shewn and thus we made a shift by writing to one another to soften and relieve that pain which absence gave us After we had repair'd all the mischief that the fire had done us and I had left Don Lewis's room to return to my own Andrada easily perswaded me to let him try the same way once more which had not fail'd the last time but for so unfortunate and unexpected an accident That very night we pitcht upon to make ourselves full amends for the time which the fire had made us lose a Cavalier of my Husband's acquaintance who was in some trouble about a Duel and had fled to an Ambassadors house where he did not think himself safe enough from the Civil Magistrate was oblig'd to abscond somewhere else My Husband carry'd him privately to his own house and took himself the key of the street door which he caus'd to be lock'd before his face lest any servant through treachery or indiscretion shou'd discover the place of his retirement This order at which I was equally surpriz'd and troubled was unluckily put in execution just as Andrada made the signal in the street which he had told Marina of before The poor Maid was in a strange confusion what to do and made him a sign from a low Lattice Window to stay a moment We deliberated upon the matter a little and afterwards she went and told him in a low voice what new obstacle our ill-natur'd destiny had trumpt up to oppose our design so she propos'd to him to stay till all our people were gone to bed and then he should try to get in through one of the Kitchin Windows which she wou'd open for him Nothing seem'd difficult or dangerous to Andrada provided he cou'd satisfie his love My Husband saw his friend to bed and went to bed himself in good time after the example I set him all our Servants did the same and Marina when she thought the whole family was fast asleep open'd the little Window for Andrada who with all the ease in the world got half way through but so indiscreetly or unfortunately that after several efforts which rather did him a mischief than helpâ— him he stuck fast by the wast between the Iron bars of the Window without being able to stir backward or forward His Valet could not help him from the street no more cou'd Marina from the place where she was without some one else to assist her So she went to call up one of the Maids in whom she cou'd repose confidence and told her that she had been over-perswaded that night by her Sweet-heart whom she lov'd intirely and was to marry in a little time to try to let him in at the Kitchin Window but that he stuck so fast in the Iron Bars that there was no getting him out without filing them or wrenching them out of their place She desir'd her therefore to assist her in this extremity to which the other readily consented but for want of a Hammer or some such Iron utensil Andrada had not been a farthing the better for the help of these two wenches if he had not be thought himself of his Ponyard which did the business so effectually that after a great deal of
struggling and sweating the Iron Bars were by main strength wrested from the Wall and my Gentleman deliver'd from the terrible fear of being found so scandalously wedg'd in a place where he cou'd be taken for nothing else but a House-breaker However this cou'd not be done with so little noise but that some of the Servants heard it and look'd into the street at the same time when Andrada carrying with him the Iron hoop which inclos'd him about the wast rubb'd off as hard as he cou'd drive attended by his Foot-man The neighbours and our servants cry'd out Stop Thief after them and made no question but that some Villains had attempted to rob Don Sancho's house especially when they saw the Iron Bar gone In the mean time Andrada got safe to his lodgings and was forc'd to file off the Iron Bar which grip'd him as close as a Belt for notwithstanding all the tricks that his man and he play'd there was no getting it off otherwise This third accident put him in a very ill humour as I came to be inform'd afterwards As for me I took it quite otherwise and while Marina not yet recover'd from her fright told me the story I thought I shou'd have kill'd my self with laughing However I was no less concern'd than he at this series of disappointments which rather inflam'd than cool'd our desires and wou'd not let us defer the happy minute of enjoyment any longer than the very next day after this pleasant but unlucky Adventure My Husband was in the City endeavouring to make up his friends business for him which in all probability would keep him there the remaining part of the day I sent trusty Marina to Andrada's Lodgâ—â—gs that were not far from my house she found him a 〈◊〉 still discompos'd with the fatigues of the last night and 〈◊〉 dejected by these unlucky crosses in his amours that Maâ—â—na was partly scandaliz'd to see with what coldness he reâ—eiv'd the advances I made him and to find him so backward 〈◊〉 give me the meeting altho she often assured him that 〈◊〉 was an opportunity that was not to be lost To make short of my story at last he came and I receiv'd him with all the transports of joy which a woman wholly abandon'd to her passion can feel I was so blinded by it that I did not perceive as well as Marina did with what indifference he made his approaches to me altho it was too visible However my embraces at last drew on his Hitherto our mutual joy could not be otherwise exprest than by our silence and the thoughts of what each of us desired with so much ardour put me into so great a confusion that I cou'd not look Andrada in the face and by this means gave him an opportunity to attempt what he pleased when Marina who like a discreet Chamber-maid had gone out of my room to be upon the watch came in all affrighted and told me my Husband was come home She carried Andrada into my dressing room rather dead than alive and seeming to be much more concern'd than my self altho I had more reason to be so My husband gave some orders to his people below before he came up into my chamber In this interval I had just time enough to compose my self and Marina to empty a great coffer full of lumber into which she put the despairing Andrada She had scarce stow'd up her Lover in this little sanctuary when my Husband came into my room and only kissing me as he pass'd by without any farther stay went into my dressing room where he found a Book of Plays and unhappilly open'd it He lighted upon a place that pleas'd him and had engag'd him to read longer if Marina had not advis'd me to go to him and try to bring him into my chamber My misfortune did not stop here for Don Sancho finding me strangely discompos'd and thoughtful as I had but too much reason to be endeavour'd by his own good humour to put me in a better Never in his life did he take so much pains to divert and please me as now and never did he vex and importune me more I begg'd him to quit my chamber pretending to be so sleepy that I could not hold up my eyes but by an unseasonable fit of pleasantry which was not usual with him neither he kept me company in spite of what I cou'd say to him and tho he was the most complaisant man alive in his temper yet he show'd so littlâ— of it then that I was forc'd to turn him out As soon as 〈◊〉 had lock'd my Chamber door I ran into my dressing room to deliver Andrada out of his prison Marina open'd in aâ— hast the Coffer wherein she had put him and both of us had like to have died of fear and grief 〈◊〉 we found him without pulse and without motion likâ— a dead man and so in effect he was according to all appearance Imagine to your self what terrible agonies thiâ— fight gave me and what measures it was possible for me to take in so cruel an extremity I wept I tore my hair I grew desperate I believe I had resolution enough to stabb my self with Andrada's Ponyard if my excessive grief had not so enfeebled me that I was forc'd to throw my self upon Marina's bed This maid altho she was concern'd to the last degree yet preserved her judgment better than I did in this our common misfortune and bethought herself how to remedy it which for my part I wanted strength to execute altho my reason had not been disorder'd in the least She told me that perhaps Andrada was only in a swoon and that a Chirurgeon either by bleeding or some other speedy relief might restore him that life which he seem'd to have lost I look'd upon her without returning her any answer my grief having in a manner made me stupid Marina lost no time in asking me more questions but went to put in execution what she had propos'd to me but no sooner had she open'd the door with this intention but my brother-in-law Don Lewis pop't in upon us and this second disaster was more terrible than the first Altho the Body of Andrada had not been expos'd to his view as it was yet the confusion and surprize he might read in our faces wou'd have told him that we had been engag'd in some myssterious affair which he wou'd not have failed to examine to the bottom being so much interess'd in me as he was both as a Brother-in-law and a Lover I was therefore obliged to throw my self at the feet of a man whom I had often beheld at mine and relying upon the love which he had for me and upon his generosity the essential quality of every Gentleman to resign the dearest thing I had in the World intirely to his will He did what he could to raise me up but being resolved to continue upon my knees I frankly told him as well as my tears and sighs wou'd
make had I not done that very thing for which you condemn me and charge me with as a crime Alas if I have been guilty of a crime 't is not against you but against my husband to whom I ought to have been faithful to whom I have been ungrateful because I wou'd not be so to you and whom I have left to throw my self upon a cruel man that uses me ill When your death which I look'd upon to be real had flung me into that despair which how cou'd a woman avoid that expected every moment surpriz'd by her husband and when Don Lewis found me in this deplorable condition what cou'd I otherwise do than rely upon his generosity and the love he had for me He has most treacherously betray'd me at the expence of his own honour but it has been also at the expence of his own life which I have just now taken from him and â—tis this my dear Andrada that has brought me hither 'T is necessary that I shou'd conceal my self from Justice till I find a proper time to inform the world what Don Lewis's crime was as well as my own misfortune I have Money and Jewels enough to maintain you with splendour in any part of Spain where you will think sit to accompany a miserable woman I shall convince the whole world in a little time that I rather deserve to be pity'd than blam'd and my future conduct shall justifie my past actions Yes yes cry'd he interrupting me I will go and take Don Lewis's place now thou art cloy'd with him and have my throat cut like him when thou art cloy'd with me Ha! thou lascivious woman continues he how well does this last wicked action of thine confirm me in my belief that thou designedst to sacrifice me to thy Gallant but think not to come off with reproaches only I will rather be the punisher of thy crime than the accomplice of it He had no sooner spoke these words but he stripp'd me by main force in so barbarous a manner that even his servants were asham'd at it he gave me a hundred blows naked as I was and after he had satisfy'd his rage till he was quite weary he threw me into the street where if I had not happily met with you I had dy'd e're this or faln into the hands of those who perhaps are now searching for me When she had ended her discourse she shew'd Don Garcias the black and blue marks in her arms and those parts of her body which modesty wou'd allow her to shew and then resum'd it as follows You have heard generous Don Garcias my deplorable history Tell me therefore I conjure you what measures an unhappy woman ought to take who has caus'd so many calamitous misfortunes Ah Madam cries Don Garcias interrupting her that I cou'd as easily advise you what to do as punish Andrada if you wou'd give me leave Don't rob me of the honour of revenging your quarrel and don 't refuse to employ â—n whatever you think fit to command him a man who is 〈◊〉 less concern'd for your misfortune than for the outrage that has been done you Don Garcias pronounc'd these words with a heat which convinc'd Eugenia that he no less lov'd than pity'd her She thank'd him in the most obliging terms that her civility and gratitude cou'd suggest to her and â—â—egg'd him to give himself the trouble to go once more to â—â—er Husband's house to inform himself more particularly what people said of her flight and of the death of Don Lewis He happened to come there just at the time as they were carrying Don Sancho to prison together with his Domesticks and those of Don Lewis who had depos'd that their Master was in love with Eugenia The common door between the two houses which had been found open and the Ponyard of Don Sancho yet reeking with blood were circumstantial proofs that he had murdred his Brother of which nevertheless he was as innocent as he was afflicted at it The running away of his wife his Jewels and Money that were missing so strangely surpriz'd him that he could not tell what to make on 't and this troubl'd him infinitely more than his imprisonment and the proceedings of the Magistrate Don Garcias was impatient to carry this news to Eugenia but he cou'd not do it so soon as he desired One of his friends who had business with him stopt him a long while in the street where his lodging was that happen'd to be over against Andrada's from whence he saw a servant come out booted carrying a Portmantle He followed him at a distance accompanied by his Friend and saw him stop at the Post-house He came in after him and found he had hired three Horses that were to be got ready in half an hour Don Garcias let him go and ordered the same number of Horses to be ready at the same time His friend ask'd him what was the meaning of this he promis'd to tell him provided he wou'd make one of the number to which the other readily consented without troubling himself what the matter was Don Garcias desir'd him to put on his Boots and stay for him at his Lodgingsâ— while he made a short trip to his own Thus they parted and Donâ—â— Garcias went immediately to wait upon Eugenia to inform her what he knew of her affair At the same time he gave orders to his Landlady who was a woman he cou'd trust to furnish Eugenia with Cloaths and other necessaries and carry her that very night to a Convent the Governess whereof was her relation and friend After this he privately order'd his man to carry his riding Coat and Boots to the Gentleman's Lodgings whom he last parted with and having once more conjur'd the woman of the House to take care of Eugenia and conceal her from all the World he went to call upon his Friend and walked with him to the Post-house where they had not been a minute but Andrada came there Don Garcias ask'd him whither he was going he told him to Sevil. Why then replied Don Garcias we shall need but one Postillion Andrada liked the motion and perhaps thought Don Garcias and his Friend were a brace of Cullies whom he might easily bubble of their money at play They rode out of Valladolid together and gallop'd a pretty while without doing any thing else but gallop for I think 't is agreed on all hands that when men ride post they are none of the best conversation Don Garcias finding they were now in a fine open plain fit for business and remote enough from any house rode a little way before the company then come back and bid Andrada stop Andrada ask'd him what he would have I must fight you answer'd Don Garcias to revenge if I can Eugenia's quarrel whom you have mortally injur'd by the most cowardly and villainous action that ever was known I don't repent me for what I have done reply'd Andrada to him fiercely without
herself against so many noble qualities nor was she willing to be any longer in his debt after she had received so many obligations from him In short she marry'd him Both Court and City approved her choice and that she might not have any reason to repent of it not long after it so happen'd that the King of Spain bestowed a Commandery of St Iago upon Don Garcias And before that happen'd it so happen'd that our Bridegroom convinc'd Eugenia the first night of his bedding her that he was another sort of a man than Don Sancho and she found in him what she had not found in the Portuguese Andrada They had abundance of Children because they took abundance of pains to get them and the people of Spain to this day tell their History which I have given you here for a true one as it was given me NOVEL V. The Generous Lover OR The Man of Deeds and not of Words UNder a King of Naples whose name I cannot tell however I suppose it might be Alphonso Leonard de St Severin Prince of Tarento was one of the greatest Lords of his Kingdom and one of the most celebrated Generals of his time He died and left the Principality of Tarento to his Daughter Mathilda a young Princess about seventeen years old as beautiful as an Angel and as good condition'd as she was beautiful but so extremely good condition'd that those that did not know she had an infinite deal of wit would have been apt to call it in question Her Father long before his death had promis'd her in marriage to Prosper Prince of Salerno This latter was a man of a haughty disagreeable temper and the sweet and gentle Mathilda by virtue of being long accustomed to bear with him was so well prepared to love and fear him that never did Slave depend more upon the imperious will of his Master than this young Princess did upon that of old Prosper I think a man at the age of forty-five may very well be call'd old when he is mention'd with one so young as Mathilda Her affection to this superannuated Lover may be said to proceed rather from custom than inclination and was as sincere as his was interressed Not but that he was as fond of her too as 't was as possible for him to be and this was no more than what any man would have done as well as himself for indeed she was all amiable but 't was not in the nature of the beast I beg his pardon but 't is out to love very much and he rather esteem'd a Mistress for her dirty acres and unrighteous Mammon than for her merit and beauty The truth is he made love but awkwardly however he was so happy or to express my self more properly she was so easy to be pleased that altho he did not pay her half the respect and complaisance which one might expect from a generous Lover yet for all that he was absolute master of her heart and had brought her to such a pass as to submit to all his ill conditions He found fault with all her actions and plagued her incessantly with those musty advices that old men in their great wisdom so often inculcate to the young and the other so little care for In short he would have been a greater thorn in her side than a peevish malicious Governante if he could have found out any faults in her conduct It is true that when he was in a good humour he would tell her stories of the old Court play on his Guitarre and dance a Saraband before her I have already told you his age but to go on with his Character He was spruce in his Person and Cloaths curious in his Pertiwigs an infallible sign that his hair was none of the best he took mighty care of his Teeth tho time began to play tricks with them he valued himself upon his Lilly-white hands and suffer'd the Nail of his left little Finger to grow to a prodigious length by the same token he thought it one of the prettiest sights in the world He was nice to admiration in his Feathers and Ribbonds punctually twisted up his Mustachio's every night was always perfum'd and always carry'd some tid bit in his pocket to eat and some Verses to read As for himself he was an execrable versifyer was a walking Magazine of all the new Songs play'd upon most Instruments perform'd his Exercises with a grace but his chief Talent was Dancing He lov'd the wits that ask'd him nothing had perform'd some actions in his time that were brave and some that were otherwise and as one might say he had two Buzzards to one Hawk or if you please two Blanks to one Benefit In short I may properly apply to him a burlesque Song of my own making the latter part of which is almost worn into a Proverb SONG HEre lies a sine wight That cou'd sing you at sight And dance like a sprite And verses indite And bravely recite What 's more he cou'd fight I swear by this light Like Fury or Knight He knew what was what Cou'd gallop and trot And toss off his Pot And swear at the Shot Yet with all he had got It was the hard lot Of this boaster God wot To be a damn'd sot With all these fine qualities one of the loveliest Princesses in the world was desperately in love with him 'T is true indeed she was but seventeen years old but our Noble Prince of Salermo did not stand much upon that There is no doubt but the Princess Mathilda being so rich and beautiful as she was would have had a hundred Gallants more if it had not been universally believed in Naples that her Marriage with Prosper was as good as concluded in her Father's time or if that Prince's quality had not discouraged other pretenders who tho they wanted his Title were men of fortune and birth good enough to be his Rivals Thus the greatest part of these Lovers either govern'd by a principle of fear or discretion were content to sigh for her in private without daring to speak Hippolito was the only man that had the courage to own himself in publick the Rival of Prosper and the respective Lover of Mathilda He was descended from one of the best Families in Spain and came in a direct line from the great Ruis Lopezâ—dâ— Avalos Constable of Castile who was so remarkable an instance of the inconstancy of fortune since from the richest and most powerful Grandee of his own Country he was turned out of it poor and miserable forced to borrow money of his Friends and fly to the King of Arragon who took him into his own protection and gave him a fortune sufficient at Naples to support him according to his quality This Hippolito was one of the most accomplish'd Cavaliers of his time His valour had gain'd him reputation in several parts of Europe and all the world own'd him to be a man of the nicest honour As I
whither she had a design to go but she would by no means suffer it however she was forced at the repeated Instances oâ— our officious Cavalier to take his Servant Fulvio with her and two Horses for her self and Iulia. I will not mortifie the Reader with the Melancholy parting between Hippolito and Mathilda I will let her go in quiet to Anconâ— where she sold some of her Jewels and bring back the pooâ— Hippolito to the sad Ruines of his House where he arriv'd without a Farthing in his Pocket and all the Earthly Goods he had in this transitory World was the Horse he rode upon He had scarce set Foot to Ground when he met with a Neapolitan Gentleman who was in quest of Mathilda as well as several more whom the King dispatch'd to all Parts of Italy to find her out and went just as Chance directed him He acquainted Hippolito with Roger's Disgrace after what manner Mathilda's Innocence came to be discovered the Orders the King had given to find her if possible in short with all that had happen'd at Naples ever since he had left it except his Majesty's violent Love of the Beautiful Irene which was known to all the World however our Gentleman conceal'd it from him whether out of an excess of Discretion or for some other Reason which I don't know You may imagine that Hippolito Generous as he was and loving Mathilda better than himself was extremely pleas'd to hear of so unexpected a Revolution in her Fortune altho' at the same time he came to know that his own Condition was more desperate than ever This Gentleman assuring him that the King had promised Prosper that he should Marry this Princess as soon as she returned to Naples This last News hinder'd the wretched Hippolito from going to Court it made his Life odious to him and he avoided all manner of Company so carefully that he was the only Man in the Kingdom who knew not what a great Ascendant his Sister had over the King In the mean time Mathilda was no where to be heard of altho' the Gentleman that had accidentally met with Hippolito went to Ancona whither he told him she was gone yet he could hear no News of her notwithstanding all the enquiry he made to that purpose A Report ran of this Princesses Death and some People pretended to relate the very Circumstances of it at last it came to Hippolito's Ears and threw him into a fit of Sickness which had like to have cost him his Life But in short his Body recovered a little Strength in spite of the Indisposition of his Mind He sometimes rode on Horse-back along the Sea-shore and 't was in one of these Melancholy Freaks that after he had made several Reflections upon the Misfortunes of his Life he resolved to go and end his Days in the War which the Grecian Princes were at that time carrying on against the Turk who began to extend his Conquests from Asia into Europe At last Mathilda was found and Hippolito was so ravished with Joy that he bestowed his Horse the only Moveable he had left him in the World upon the Man that brought him the News The same Day his Servant Fulvio came to him and was exceedingly astonished to find his Master so Melancholy and in so bad an Equipage at a time when all Italy talked of nothing but the great Power his Sister Irene had over the King and the Love he had for her He told Hippolito the Princes's Name where Mathilda retired he informed him in what manner Prosper came to Compliment her from the King and Conduct her to Naples and according to the laudable Custom of Servants that always make hast to tell their Masters ill News he exaggerated to him the joy Mathilda had discovered when she saw Prosper and the Marks of Affection she shew'd him Her Passion for him is so increased continues this indiscreet Valet that she has newly spruc'd up the old Cap of Plumes with which Prosper formerly presented her which he has so often upraided her with and which is so well known at Naples by the many Iests that have been made on it at Court I can't imagine says he where the Devil she had laid it up to find it at so so critical a Iuncture but to be sure she must set a mighty value on it After this rare trusty Fulvio began to rail at the Princess of Tarento a little more than became him but Hippolito bid him hold his Tongue and perhaps had Cudgel'd him if he had not given off or alter'd his Language Fulvio likewise told his Master that the Princess desired him to come and meet her How cries Hippolito and does she not sufficiently afflict me by not loving me but to enhance my Affliction must she make me see how well she loves another and will she Caress Prosper before me To give him I suppose the Pleasure to see me die of Grief as if their Happiness wanted nothing to compleat it but my Death But continues Hipoliâ—o I must obey her and see how far her Injustice will go He was in a good Vein to complain of his ill Treatment and perhaps had effectually done it as he had just provocation when he saw afar off a Body of Horse which Fulvio assured him came with the Princess of Tarento who designing to see Hippolito wou'd needs pass by his House in hopes to find him there Altho' the King had sent his Coaches for her yet she was resolv'd to make her Entry into Naples on Horse-back Prosper looked as big upon his Prancer as a Holiday-Heroe and being all over cover'd with Feathers like an Indian Monarch rode by her side He entertain'd the Princess with a World of treble resin'd Compliments and every other Moment Sung some Amorous Ditties to her very Methodically and like a Man of Art Hippolito who was out of sorts both as to his Mind and Body wou'd fain have declined seeing his Rival and appearing before so much Company but Mathilda who knew him afar off because perhaps she saw Fulvio with him who had parted from her so lately rode up to him and Prosper and the rest of the Company did the same Mathilda repreached Hippolito in the most obliging manner that could be that being her best Friend he had not done her the Honour to meet her on the Road as some of the best Quality in City and Court had done Hippolito protested to her that he had never heard of her happy Return till now and added that altho' he had known of it he had not presum'd to meet her for fear such an unhappy Wretch as he was should infect and disturb the publick Joy Mathilda assured him that he had disturbed hers if she had not been so happy as to meet him She conjur'd him to come and take part in her good Fortune as he had done all along in her Adversity and added that having a design to Marry because she had found by woful
Or Gamester that loses and has not a Rag on The Spirit of Versifying being spent I return to my Prose to tell you that I am Madam Your most humble Servant Scarron LETTER IV. To Monsieur Sarrazin YOU must certainly have little or no Business upon your hands in your Kingdom of Bourdeaux since you can condescend to Write to such a mean Fellow as I am or else Madam de Viger has got entire Possession of your Heart and Soul since you could put your self to the Expence of so many Lines to let me know what famous Exploits she has perform'd in Peace and War For my part if she is so handsome as you tell me she is I must freely own to you that I would much rather break my Leg than have known her when I was able enough to lead up a Country-Dance and I would advise you dear Friend of mine not to meddle there since you have not much time to lose But after all is not this Miracle of Beauty purely fram'd in your own Imagination For you tell me such strangeâ— Stories of her that I protest I should not believe 'em but that I know you too well to think you would say so many fine things for nothing Till you thought fit to undeceive us 't was an Article of Faith with us at Paris that nothing at Bourdeaux was capable to inspire Love but M. Guyonet Whose Smiling Looks and Charming Air The Hearts of ev'ry Nymph ensnare But since we have read your Letter we easily believe that if Madam de Viger makes a right use of her Charms she will at least make as many Slaves as Guyonet has made unhappy Damosels and will abundantly revenge her self upon the poor Men for all those Ravages which that dangerous Hero of Bourdeaux has made on her own Sex But tell me dear Friend of mine fairly and honestly tell me are you not afraid to make one of those Slaves you that pretend to be such a Servant to Love As for me were I now what you tell me you are Qualis eram bonae Sub regno Cinarae And were at this present Writing upon the Banks of the Garonne where she makes so many Flowers spring under her Feet it would let me see it would at least cost me two or three Thousand Inquietudes seven or eight Hundred Jealousies the Devil and all of restless Nights and uneasie Days and numberless Tuns of Tears for you must know I have as good a hand at Crying as any Man in the World nay even as your self tho' you can cry like any Priest in a Lent-Sermon But to return to Madam de Viger 't is a thousand pities that she is Wiser than Solomon to my knowledge there are abundance of Men in the World that would be content with all their hearts to be as great Fools for her as the Queen of Sheba was for the aforesaid King of Ierusalem For instance your humble Servant who does not pretend to be so Wise as the Son of Bersheba as she it seems tells you I am tho' for my part I think her ten times more Amiable than the Queen of Sheba would immediately ride Post to Bourdeaux to see her if I went to Bareges as I design'd but a confounded Planet that breaks all my Measures will force me in my own Defence to set sail for America within this Month. What fortifies me in this Resolution is that we are eternally plagu'd here in Town with a New Crop of Sots who call themselves Platonists forsooth and are perpetually plaguing us with their damn'd airy Doctrines Theyâ— no longer trouble their heads to enquire whether a Man is a Man of Honour or Worth and so forth but whether he is a Wit of the new Stamp and can talk Platonically I don't doubt but we should soon see these Platonick Rogues hooted out of the World but some of the most considerable among them give out that they are countenanc'd by a certain great Princess whose Wit in truth is equal to her high Rank otherwise these refin'd Platonists with a Pox to them had been hiss'd off the Stage long ago Thus my most Witty Frienâ— I have laid before you my Reasons why I am resolv'd to go to the West-Indies I have been tempted too for a Thousand Crowns to enter my self in our New West-India Company which is going to settle a Colony within 3 Degâ— of the Line upon the Banks of the Lorillaine and the Lorenoque So adieu France adieu Paris adieu ye She-Devils in the Shape of Angels adieu ye Menages ye Sarrazins and ye Marignies I take my leave of Burlesque Verse of Comedies and Comical Romances to go to a Happy Climate where there are no Affected Beaus no Godly Canting Rascals no Inquisition no Rheumatisms to Cripple and no confounded Wars to Starve me LETTER V. To Madam de Sevigny I Have liv'd the most Regular Life in the World and have taken as much Care of my self as a dying Pope and all in Obedience to the Commands you were pleas'd to lay upon me not to Die till you had seen me But Madam with all my Care and Caution I find my self a Dying out of the impatient desire I have to see you If you had better consider'd your own Strength and mine you would never have put me upon so unrighteous a Task You Ladies forsooth with your Charms and other Merits imagine that you have nothing to do but Command and carry all before you but we poor Wretches forsooth cannot dispose of our Lives just as you would have us In my Opinion now you may content your selves to kill those Gentlemen that see you sooner than they desire without obliging those to Live who are depriv'd of your Sight as long as you desire it You may e'en thank your self if I cannot Obey this first Command of yours since you have hastned my Death though one would have thought that to please your Ladyship I should have had as good a Stomach to live a Hundred Years as any Man else But Madam can you not change me this kind of Death for if you cou'd you 'd infinitely oblige me These foolish Deaths that come from Love and Impatience are by no means proper for one of my Age much less are they things I have a fancy for and if I have Wept a hundred times in my life for those unhappy Gentlemen that dy'd of these Distempers pray consider how lamentably I shall bewail my self who take it for granted that I shall die this pretty Death But 't is impossible for a Man to avoid his Destiny and whether I had been your Neighbour or liv'd a thousand Miles from you 't is all one for I am fated to receive my Deaths Wound from you What comforts me is that if I had seen you my Death had been ten times more cruel than now it is like to be I am inform'd on all hands that you are a very Dangerous Person and that those who look upon you without due Care grow