Caesar I complain not of your indiscretion said Servilia I loved with so much affection I was not ashamed my love should be known when a Passion is extream it slights vain decencies and they love weakly whose discretion over-rules their desires Tell it in open Senate that Servilia loves you I consent but then make your self worthy of that love by sacrificing to it your Passion for Murcia I have told you already said Caesar interrupting her that I loved Murcia even before I knew what love was this impression on my first inclinations cannot be effaced I must love Murcia as long as my heart is capable of loving but what I ow to Pompey restrains my Passion in such narrow bounds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not all incompatible with a more 〈◊〉 gallantry Call you then narrow bounds said Servilia interrupting those discourses your mistake dispenced with the night of the Feast of the Good Goddess in those amorous minutes Did you at all remember Pompey And if Claudius had been Murcia could your consideration for her Husband have suppressed those extasies of Love were expressed with so much violence Claudius aggravates things replied Caesar the Ideas remaining to him of his conversation with Pompeia makes him give a Character to mine very far beyond the truth Ah Caesar said Servilia interrupting If what you said to Claudius believing him Murcia had not been convincing you would not have sacrificed your resentments to the necessity you stood in of the discretion of that young man 'T was not the fear of death made you so peaceable your courage is above such effeminate apprehensions and besides the assurance you had your Wives Gallant was disguised in your house had furnished you with a pretence to have been hid there but you spoke in such binding terms that it was a just debt to sacrifice all to the repair of your imprudence Well then said Caesar whom Claudius's indiscretion had 〈◊〉 to an exceeding anger It must be 〈◊〉 you will have it so that I do love Pompey 's Wife and that I have expressed this love in terms I feared should be revealed If you love me Servilia as you would perswade me you ow some regard to what you believe I love You change colour at this discourse and the moderation I request is doubtless not palatable to your jealousie but Servilia Caesar 's Soul is not to be stormed by ordinary approaches all you are in vain one of the fairest persons in Rome if I find not wherewith to charm my Reason I shall regard you onely with the indifferency of those fair objects which please the sight without moving the Heart Would you have me love you as much as you suspect I love Pompey 's Wife you must sacrifice to me all your anger against Murcia Conceal what you know of the intrigue and oblige Claudius to the same secresie Are you capable of doing this for Caesar yes Caesar replied Servilia briskly I am capable Claudius shall never speak more of it and I will hold my tongue but recompence my discretion with some marks of complacency either feigned or true I can do any thing for Caesar whilst I am satisfied he loves me but can answer for nothing when you neglect or abuse my kindness Spâ—â—e a fruitless discretion cryed the secret witness to this discourse Pompey knows all you would conceal and if you aggravate the heart of Caesar it shall not be at the expence of Pompey 's ignorance The voice of Murcia's Husband which Caesar soon knew threw him into a miserable confusion he remained unmovable on the Bank where he sat and Servilia judging of the love he bore her Rival by the perplexity the consideration wrought conceived a malign joy at the adventure which she could not dissemble You know too much not to know all said she to Pompey who now entred the Bower 'T is true Caesar loves Murcia and according to all appearance is not hated but Sir among people so intimate as Caesar and you there should nothing be reserved You are maliciously disposed said Caesar interrupting her you know in your own Soul Murcia has reserved to her Husband alone all essential things and I swear to you Pompey by all that is most Sacred in Heaven and Earth and as a Man that makes Profession of Honor That I never obtained any Grace from your Wife might alarm a Rational Man I may have had some pretence to hope it but whether it were Chance crost me or the address and management of Murcia that hope never had effect I will believe you Caesar replied Pompey very coldly but as it is not enough for you that Pompeia be exempt from crime unless she be from suspition so 't is too little for me though Murcia continue chast if she can conceive a thought of not being so Caesar took Pompey at the rebound as he had done him before he rehearsed all those judicious Sentences he had cited to him on the disguise of Claudius but Counsels of what nature soever they be lose their efficacy with those that gave them when they pass through a third Mouth Pompey repudiated Murcia and Caesar to revenge himself of Pompeys rigor repudiated Pompeia This dis-union became publick Caesar and Pompey were divided with it Cato made advantage of their contentions as he had proposed and reconciling himself with Pompey became afterwards one of the most obstinate Enemies to Caesar Murcia's Gallant mad that his good intentions had such ill success revenged the Caprichios of Fortune on the indiscreet Claudius he exasperated Cicero against him who accused him in the Senate and freely prosecuted his profanation of the feast This accusation forced Claudius to withdraw from Rome and Caesar not content with this voluntary exile had in all likelihood pursued his vengeance to his ruine had not his voyage among the Gauls and the Victories he there gained diverted his dire resolutions He had many gallant intrigues during the ten years that War continued Love followed him among Strangers and forsook him not even in the Field of Battel he found Beauties among the Gauls as perfect as those of Italy he loved on the Banks of the Rhine and love left him not when he passed that River he judged the English Ladies worthy the reputation they have gained in the whole World He dedicated some time to the delights of Capua like another Hannibal and his adventures with Cleopatra are famous in all History but the life of Caesar is fertile enough in such adventures to afford several Relations Let us stop here and find a second Hero in Rome as we have found a Second Sage in Athens The End of the Loves of Julius Caesar THE LOVES OF Great Men. CATO of VTICA WHen coldness between Friends destroy not their Esteem the Reconciliation that followes makes their Friendship the more fervent Cato and Pompeys first love proceeded only from a knowledge they had of each others Merit which constrained them to a good will and though that by some politick
less kind to Sylla's Daughter had I had time to have perceived I was her Husband and the disloyal Martia will assure all the World that it was not any coldness or indifference of mine inspired her with the design of betraying me Such a particular inclination agreed not with the title of Curtizan which we cannot dispence with the giving to Flora but could I at that time have foreseen she would ever have deserved it she should never have been the Mistress of Pompey but she tendred her self to my hcart in such honest appearances that they overcame all scruples I was one day with Caecilius Metellus in the Temple of Castor and Pollux which was then to be dedicated and to take care of its adorning Metellus had Commission from the Senate he discharged his trust with as much care as magnificence and that I might be a witness of it he had then carried me into the Temple I there beheld many Pictures of an exquisite perfection and among the rest one of the Conception of the Twins where Leda was represented so fair it was impossible to look on her and not envy the divine Swan that enjoyed her The Painter who drew this piece said I to Metellus had his fancy very excellent and extraordinary it were to be wisht Nature were as perfect in her Lineaments we should not then see so many ill faces as we daily do Nature deserves all the praises you give the Painter replied Metellus that face of Leda's is taken from a young Roman whose Beauty far exceeds that representation you there see Is it possible cried I that there can be a Woman in Rome as fair as that painting and she not be as famous as the Capitol and other Singularities of the City The young Flora whom this Picture represents answered Metellus is of so mean a Birth that she has been as it were buried in that obscurity she is onely the daughter of a Mechanick and if he had not formerly wrought in my House Flora had been as unknown to me as to all other people of quality but Pompey that low Birth has not despoil'd Flora of a great Soul 'T is a small matter to see this Portraict and to know that it flatters not the Original I will tell you to perfect her description that I have loved this Maid for above two years and that there are no marks of Love capable to beget a sence of it in persons of her Character and Condition which she has not received of me I load her with presents I maintain the whole Family and would inrich it for ever if Flora would but comply with my desires but imperious as she is she disdains all my offers and stands more on her Beauty then I can either on my Birth or Quality She believes she should honor me in accepting me for her Husband if my Passion could carry me to that extravagance Flora entred the Temple as Metellus ended his Discourse she came to sit for some touches of a Picture wherein Clytemnestra was represented under some of her Features I protest I was dazled with the Beauty of the Maid and if I may say it she thought me not unworthy to be considered she blusht as soon as her eyes met with mine she looked earnestly at me when I feigned to look off her and she seem'd troubled to turn away when I surprised her with a glance I prais'd her Beauty exceedingly and I told Metellus he had administred a necessary preservative when he had told me of her cruelty she bravely defended her self from that quality and told Metellus in a pretty scornful way that of ten the title of Cruelty was given to what was but a result of right Reason and at the pronouncing that word turning her eyes towards me methought I read in them a destiny happier for me then that of Metellus You know well such favorable encour agements are seldom neglected I caused Flora be followed to learn her dwelling and on the morrow pretended some necessary business to employ her Father in and made use of the Occasion to speak with her I was at this time a Widower having buried Sylla's Daughter and not yet faln in league with Murcia so that I looked upon an intrigue with Flora to be the most pleasing amusement of my mind I could find out Sympathy had prepared me the way I need but speak to be listned to and I fancy had I kept silence I had been intreated to break it Facility generally disgusts delicated nice Minds but it produces a contrary effect when a Lover regards it as a miracle of Love That of Flora had this Character What Metellus had told me of the Vertue of this Maid what I daily discovered of the Reputation she had gained and more then all that somewhat of a sincere pressing forward of my heart and fully discovering to me that of my Mistress perswaded me that all the love in her was new and that no Star in the World but Pompey's could have had that influence You may judge by what I have told you of the discourse I had with Metellus he could be no long time without perceiving my good Fortune he had a mind to be cleared in his suspitions and Flora thinking her Love an Honor never took the pains to disguise it to my Rival Yes Metellus said she I love Pompey one main circumstance would be wanting to my happiness if you should not know his and my heart would be an offering unworthy so great a Man should it not be accompanied with a sacrifice of your desires This Declaration making Metellus observe as much Disdain in it as Ingenuity transported his Jealousie almost to a Fury I was forced to use all my credit and authority to rescue Flora's family from the effects of his anger and had he not died about that time he had possibly done by stratagem what he could not do by open force His death leaving me in a peaceable possession of the fair and loving Flora I cannot say I ever passed more happy time then the first five or six Moneths of this intrigue but there 's no happiness lasting here below and Man would forget the end for which he was born if the Providence of the Wise God did not mix his pleasures with some pain Geminius the Companion of my Studies and Comrade of my Travels and whom next Flora I loved more then all the World became unhappily in love with this fair Maid I concealed from him none of the secrets of my Soul he knew my Love and representing to himself the dispair into which I should fall if I should find my self betrayed by Flora used incredible endeavors to suppress this powerful inclination The Combats of the Soul are more dangerous to a sensible Man then the most Bloody Battles Geminius fell grievously sick I stir'd not from his Bed-side and Flora who could forbear my sight no more then I hers spent whole days with me in this sick Mans Chamber Our love was
kept nothing from him and therefore he thought it was not to be doubted but he had discovered all the design The King who knew best the Art of dissembling of any Prince in the world cunningly interrupts him by asking whither it was true that he loved the Lady Mareshale as much as some would perswade him Ligneroles acknowledged that he did Love but was not beloved The King being in Bed caused Monsieur to be called with whom he grew so angry that he made him consent to the destruction of Ligneroles and promise that he would not speak to him of it but nothing can be kept concealed from what we love the King returns to Paris Monsieur goes to visit Chasteauneuf she perceives his sadness he suffered her Solicite a long time before he let her know the cause and knowing it she condoled and became partner in his grief without acquainting Ligneroles The King gave a Ball at the Louvre the Mareshale takes out Ligneroles to dance Bussy believed her carriage not indifferent towards him and that which doubled his grief and his jealousie was that she never so much as cast her Eies on himself He comes to Chasteauneuf who had something to say to him the Mareshale knew he had loved her she feared lest Love should be renewed between them and Chasteauneuf perhaps found an easiness in it to which Bussy agreed not His heart no longer able to bear the Mareshales disdain which he believed was caused by her kindness to Ligneroles he resolved to challenge him The friendship of Bussy with Grillon was begun some few days before for he not enduring to live without Love in so gallant a Court found Madam Bonneval the most proper to beget it in him she was a very well made person but her Manners were more engaging then her Beauty Grillon follows her in all places she perceives it but forbids him not to follow her What would you have with me Grillon said she one evening in the Queens Closet All that should be given to those love well Madam answered he the King who overheard it began to laugh Madam de Bonnevall was vexed and Grillon somewhat abashed from that day forward she was very rigorous to him he complained to Bussy who was beloved without knowing it He promises to serve him with Madam Bonneval and without any longer delaying the effects of his promise that very day he goes to her and finding her alone Who knows not says he that you are lovely and that your Eies have the infallible secret of inchanting Hearts but I was ignorant till now that to so many Excellencies and so many Beauties are joyned such strange cruelties and that the pleasure of seeing you has for its certain consequence such mighty sufferings 'T is that I come to complain of continued he looking on her with an Eye full of Love without any design but I have some counsel to give you will you receive it continue I beseech you the chains of those which adore you 't will be no great favour done them 't is so great a misery to be disdained that it becomes natural to wish for happiness Speak Madam he was about to say and give some joy to the unhappy Grillon when Madame and Chasteauneuf came in Bussy conceiving he could not now continue the entertainment he had begun went and found out Grillon and gave him an account of what he had said Madam de Bonneval believed not at all that it was on Grillons part she had heard those loving words but on his own she was resolved to have kindly answered Bussy had not Madame come in He was the Man of all the world she most desired to engage she loved him and she believed her self Beautiful enough to create Love in him This easily perswaded her not to doubt but it was the design of his heart and not being capable of a cruel thought towards him and moreover being perswaded it might produce a good effect to spare him any farther trouble She sent him this Note next Morning LOve me and tell me so what should hinder you And to let you see I am more lovely then you think look here what Chains I command you to carry This Note was without superscription and inclosed a Bracelet of Hair of admirable weaving Bussy rejoyced he had so well succeeded in his amorous Embassie as much as he would have grieved had he known the tender goodness of Madam de Bonneval was addressed to himself and not to Grillon who was much affected when Bussy gave him both the one and the other he applied to himself all the sweetness was in that Note and received the Bracelet as a favor so much more worthy because less expected Esteeming himself happy by an adventure had made him despair had he known the truth of it But how should he come to learn it if Madam de Bonneval without appearing furprised at so ill tuned an accident does put on so cunning a disguise that Grillon cannot know her thoughts yet she cannot digest the affront it is a touch too sensible for Ladies and they never pardon the slighting of their Beauty Let Bussy serve for example Madam de Bonneval stifles all the love she had for him and onely meditates revenge she alters not her behavior towards him but endeavors to discover the cause of his refusal What is often said of love is true it cannot be long kept secret Madam de Bonneval lets nothing scape may serve towards the revenge as she designs She interprets and comments upon the Actions the Looks the Words of Bussy and draws thence Suspitions which become Truths and tell her he is in love One day she was with the Lady Mareshale when Bussy comes there but his carriage seemed so unconcerned that none but Madam Bonneval could have divined his thoughts Not able long to contain he throws on the Mareshale such amorous glances that Madam Bonneval perceived them though he durst not sigh so loud as to be heard She discovered love in the eyes of Bussy and was enraged it was not all for her by all these signs she knew he was deeply intangled And the more ingenuously to advance her revenge she doubles her appearances of Friendship and under the false resemblances of a complacent sincerity which she affected successfully labors to create confidences with the Mareshale Bussy had designed to sight Ligneroles on the first occasion presented on the morrow one brake forth the King would speak with him he loved him and doubted not a good issue of any dangerous design if entrusted to him The King comes into his Closet where he was told he attended and proposed the killing of Ligneroles Can you have any esteem for me Sir answered Bussy and make choice of me to rid you of Ligneroles by unhandsome ways Ah Bussy said the King what will not any Man undertake to revenge himself of a beloved Rival and to sustain the Interest of his King when he finds in his own Courage a
love he had for the Mareshale withstood this great Fortune but the interest of his family and his ambition made him comply with what was desired He began therefore in more steddy manner to fix his thoughts on Madame and considering her as the daughter of a great King and whose Wit and Beauty might pleasantly revenge him of the rigors of his Mistress he steered all his love and cares towards her This change surprised Madam de Bonneval and afflicted not at all the Mareshale Grillons Constancy was yet unhappy Madam de Bonneval was perplexed and melancholly she had laid designs which she could not execute and Grillon must suffer for it He was impatient and would have love immediately returned for love and the refusing him with any sharpness the recompence he requested was enough to make him believe there was none to give Sometimes anger and suspition tempted him to inconstancy but when he thought to love no longer one glance of Madam de Bonnevals recalled him to his Chains She thought on nothing but revenge on Bussy for being in love with the Mareshale She knew almost all passed in her heart her inclination for Bussy was no secret to her but she strove to lessen it by her malice and counsels and by the cunning she had to possess her with the thoughts of his love to Chateauneuf In sum she made her so ashamed of her thoughts that the Mareshale could not have kept them alive had she not been strongly prepossessed with the worth and honesty of Bussy Ligneroles had onely some shows of Monsieurs favor Dugua had the substance whose subtile spirit raised so many quarrels and caused so many disorders Yet so cunningly was his disgrace concealed that he could never discover whether he had consented to his death the same signs of trust and friendship still appeared but all those signs were onely kept up like false lights to deceive him Bussy not able to disabuse him together with Grillon very rarely left him Beauty good Men Birth and love in Monsieur could not banish from Chateauneuf the Passion she had for Bussy she envied the Mareshales happiness and the difficulty she foresaw would be found in depriving her of her lover strongly increased her desire Neufville not having succeeded with the Mareshale Bussy resolved himself to speak to her and his attempt was happy She was ready to go forth but her confusion was so great at the sight of Bussy that she would have drawn back into her Closet but he placing himself before her in a Suppliant and respectful posture Stay Madam said he I come not to speak of my love but of Ligneroles You know him continued he seeing she stayed to hear him and you know he loves you A little of your pitty would be a great allay of those cruel sufferings his Passion torments him with and I shall be happy in obtaining what I request for him The Mareshale blusht with anger at this discourse of Bussyes not doubting but he had given over loving her but willing to conceal her concernment You shall not obtain what you pretend from me replied she I find I have no disposition to do good and Ligneroles is to be pittied if he accounts upon any favorable thoughts I have none my heart is submitted to whatever I will and I fear not its betraying the interests of my glory to take part with those of my love Madam replied he Treason is easily pardoned when we find a sweetness in being betrayed and since you will find a great deal in this crime if your heart commit it you will without doubt be induced to pardon the fault by the pleasure you will receive in loving and being beloved Remember then Ligneroles Madam he is unhappy without deserving it he has a tender and violent Passion which he cannot communicate to what he loves besides his destruction is resolved I come to tell you of it who should have been the minister of the Kings revenge he would have obliged me to have killed him and Monsieur has resigned him to those cruel Reasons of State may possibly produce effects dismal to all France it is not from him I speak this he is ignorant I prest to a sight of you nor durst I have done it for myself but I thought I could not neglect serving him without leaving my self liable to just reproach he had already been lost without the assistance the Duke of Guise gave him Say without yours said the Mareshale interrupting him and fear not I shall value you too much That which you tell me surprises me not without cause and I should hardly believe all you have said were I not well perswaded of your sincerity but what can I do for Ligneroles I have not any power you have an absolute one over his heart replyed Bussy and the Commands of a Person beloved may gain from him what neither the Counsels nor Prayers of a friend can hitherto do Employ your Beauty to oblige him not to go this progress and let him know he has now no part in Monsieur and that his death is unavoidable if he withdraw not from Court This Madam is all that I have to say can you now complain of me or are you at all troubled to have heard me She was about to answer when Ligneroles entred from whom she concealed not the least circumstance of what had been said to her My destiny's very strange said Ligneroles to find more succor from a Rival then from the friendship of a Man I have so long served or from the heart of a Mistress I have so dearly loved No Madam I deserve not your love one alone is worthy of it if any can be his thoughts are so Noble and Virtuous his Love so excelling his Heart so great he possesses all qualities required in a true brave Man and all that the most delicate Lady can desire in a Lover Therefore love Bussy continued he sighing Hold said Bussy interrupting your indiscretion ought to be reproved The Mareshale could not enough admire the Character of these two Lovers Bussy refused to rid himself of Ligneroles it was as much as his life was worth to let scape the secret entrusted him by the King he believed it not important not enough to make Honour its sacrifice he advised Ligneroles of the designs against him and defended him after that against those the King sent to take away his life He speaks of the Love of Ligneroles and not only endeavors to serve him as a friend but essays to make him be beloved Ligneroles soul yields not in greatness to Bussy's he declares himself unworthy of his concern for him praises his Rival and pronounces him alone worthy of Love The Mareshale seeing Bussy about to withdraw stay said she and be witness I will spare nothing to save Ligneroles but all her goodness proved in vain he let her know he would rather chuse to die out of too much confidence in Monsieurs friendship then secretly accuse him by
me Madam said I and I obey his commands Let me never see you more said she interrupting me It begets a horrour in me to behold such unworthy proceedings in a man of Honour At these words she turned to reproach Madam de Bonneval and I withdrew in confusion and despair After this cruel adventure Madam proceeded Neufville Repentance for having offended you and done so great an injury to Bussyes friendship threw me into such deep affliction that could I but tell one part of it you would possibly have the generosity to pardon me I came to Madam Bonnevals with intent to beg it you avoided seeing or speaking with me and I am come hither to tell you all this 'T is my fault said Bussy interrupting him I ought not to have requested you to take care of my concernes I might easily have understood it because what I feel in seeing you Madam said he turning towards her with a look full of love and kindness must be likewise felt by others Could Neufville answer otherwise then he did when you spoke so kindly let us forget his fault and lament his misfortune for my part I will never spy out in him any other qualities than those of a Friend without ever remembring that he has been my rival and that he may yet be so The Mareshale yielded to what Bussy had declared his mind forgave Neufville and permitted him to visit her At this one came for him from the Queen of Navarre to whom Byron gave a Treat at the Arsenal And Bussy and Neufville went together to the Louvre and sometime after to the Arsenal where Madam de Bonneval saw plainly that the Mareshale had discovered her Treacheries as well by a biting reproach she made her as by the good intelligence she observed between Bussy and Neufville She easily allayed this misfortune with Grillons love and that remedy seeming to her very sweet and very pleasant she took good care to apply it Bussy was now free from all Melancholly Trouble and Rivalship He was in Love he was Beloved What could he more desire One great delight he yet wanted which his Love made him hope for and which he resolved to obtain On the other side the Mareshale had retrieved her Lover she loved him and those that Love can refuse nothing During the Collation they spoke a thousand things by looks which their hearts understood but this is not enough for true Lovers there are yet greater pleasures they had both the same impatience and the same desires and they were both perswaded they should find an infinite joy in their first Entertainment and that then they should find a recompence for the so many griefs they had endured by Suspitions Absence Anger and supposed Infidelities They wanted but opportunity to make them happy but this happy opportunity came and 't was Love that brought it 'T was about this time Madame was to marry the King of Navarre and nothing wanted but the arrival of a dispensation to compleat the affair The Duke of Guise loved her but she answered not his Love again and Bussy was beloved without loving He still received some favourable glance from that Princess she blusht when ever she saw him and he observed she delighted to converse with him He knew himself in love and doubted not her capable to be one day as much he often shun'd her glances and as often avoided her presence Those that love truly act thus They are neither pleased nor desire any person but that they love And 't was this made Bussy design to surprise the Marashale in her chamber without letting her have notice She was in a charming negligence Bussy saw her and Bussy was in love and alone Whence comes it said she That I have such a kindness on my Spirit and that all the motions of my Heart are so favourable to you 'T is because you love me Madam replyed he and that you could not see me have so much love without following me in so fair a path There is your question decided proceeded he casting at her glances full of Love and Eloquence which so well express what the Tongue is not able to utter But I have another more amorous question to ask you 't is for your Wits your Heart and your Experience to resolve such difficulties and the decision you shall give is so important that on it depends our happiness Bussy's Question to the Lady Mareshale That which I would know from you Madam is Whether Love that ingenious Artificer of the most voluptuous Delights has nothing beyond Looks and Words Some Pleasures and Transports which may confirm the Thoughts I am in that it consists not only in the Sight and Discourse The Mareshale blusht at the question he would have her decide but when her blushing and confusion were suppressed by what she inwardly felt she made this answer Beyond Looks and Words to use your own terms I find a confused mixture of impressment Pleasure and Love It is made up of all these I know not well how to decide your question proceeded she My Heart never learnt what it has now told you but I had it from a friend of mine to whom all the delicacy of this passion was a familiar Virtue and not from my self who am less knowing and experienced then she Madam said Bussy interrupting her Since your self know not whether the decision you have made be just let us essay by a sweet Tryal of our desires to find out a truth we cannot doubt of he ended these words with a kiss she made at first some resistance with design only to enflame his desires but in the end fearing to offend his kindness she attempted to give Bussy an amorous and ready revenge for his kisses and that she might not appear ingrateful she returned them with usury and neither the one nor the other would have the last kiss The Mareshales Eyes were more sweet and languishing then usual and seemed to invite Bussy to treat of the most endearing mysteries of Love In this very moment her chastity began to yield to the violences of her Lovers passion but alas can any one believe the cruel destiny of this amiable Person Her Face was on a suddain painted with a Mortal colour Bussy perceived it and called L'Hermite to her assistance but all remedies could be applyed were in vain she died within an hour after in Bussy's Arms. Her death was diversly spoken of but when within three days after happened that of the Queen of Navarre the perfumed Florentine Gloves were suspected and in the clearing those suspitions it was found that the Queen of Navarre had given a pair of those Gloves to the Mareshale In so dismal an adventure Bussy could not leave the Body of the Mareshale he lamented in so feeling a manner that his sorrow seemed almost as grievous as the death of the Mareshale He had lost the fairest Person in France just at the point of being happy his dispair was violent and lasting but yet he died not what he did we may hereafter tell you FINIS
converse with a Man in love I should have deserted you when I found you deserted that Wisdom first united us That friendship I had for you made me renounce my severity for your relief I have staid with you have endured to hear you talk of your Passion and wretch that I am there wants but little that your disease is become contagious I looked the other day upon your Orgina with an intention I never had for any thing but my Books I cannot banish from my memory the bewitching Idea that object left there I find a kind of indulgence for your weakness it delights me as much as it terrified me before and even the confused vapors of Sleep conspire to the breach of my quiet Athens pernicious Athens thou shalt never see Thales more the distemper he hath begun to contract in thee cannot be cured but by his flight And so finishing those words Thales went out of the Closet and without more delay hired a passage for Miletum not suffering the Prayers or Distress of Solon to stay him a minute longer After this so unexpected parting Solon went to see Orgina to acquaint her with what had hapned to him The Gods had too much favored me said he inrestoring my Orgina to me If they had likewise preserved to me my Danghter and my Friend I should have forgot my self in such height of Happiness and some great misfortune was necessary to ballance the joy I had in your recovery But then let my dear Orgina be all things to me since in finding her I lose all things Orgina received that obliging request as she ought to do it she made new Protestations of Love and Fidelity to Solon she endeavored to apply comfort to those misfortunes he already suffered under and to gain from him the knowledge of those he feared for the future she heard him relate all the particulars of the Birth and Horoscope of his Daughter but when in one part of the story she heard him call his Daughter Hypparete Hypparete Sir said she with a nimble hastiness Yes replied Solon so was my Daughter called and Sir continued Orgina of what age of what stature and what form of countenance as near as you can guess was this Hypparete She is of middle stature replied Solon slender fair complexioned bright haired her nose aquiline black-eyed and particularly remarkable for a Butterflie Nature took pleasure to imprint on one of her hands whence I took the Etymology of that name of Hypparete which I gave her Ah Sir replied Orgina seek not for Hypparete among Pyrates she is in the hands of one of your own Citizens It is that same Slave my Father bought some time before our departure from Salamina who passed for me during the time of our Captivity and whom Pisistratus at present keeps in the Kingdom of Argos This news was very unwelcome to Solon he loved his Countrey as may be judged by his own refusing the Dominion over it he knew the ambitious humor of Pisistratus and his flight from Athens having angred the Areopagites they had issued a Decree against his Body and Goods This rigor furnished him with a pretence to Enterprises and the Fortune of Hypparete assured their success Our Law-giver was so afflicted with the misfortunes his foresight denounced that he could not resolve to stay and be a witness to them he banished himself willingly from Athens and took that long voyage through all the Realms of Greece which his advice to Craesus made so memorable Those private Authors from whence I extracted this Relation have not told me whether Orgina followed Solon I will believe for the glory of the wise Man that his Folly reached not so far it is enough that he loved and that his love was the innocent cause of the enthralment of his Countrey I would likewise be perswaded that he married the Daughter of Amphicles but when we come to think his Mistress his Wife we cannot well think she staid behind at Athens Solons Predictions had a full effect Pisistratus subjected his Countrey and reigned peaceably the rest of his days Let us now search if this same City so famous among the Ancients and so fruitful in great Men cannot furnish us with other Examples to employ some pleasant hours The end of the Loves of Solon THE LOVES OF Great Men. SOCRATES T Is not of absolute necessity for that Man to be handsome who defignes to make Love The best Descriptions the World has given us of Socrates containe little answerable to the qualities of a Lover He was neither of a Courtly Humour nor of taking Shape or Feature He made Profession of an Austere Philosophy and yet for all this he was in Love But as Love knows how to change his shape and put on what disguise he pleases it was not under his ordinary figure he crept into the Soul of Socrates but under the Image of Virtue Timandra a young Phrygian Lady famous to Posterity for the adventures we are about to relate was Daughter to one of Socrates his Intimate Friends Some private reasons having obliged this Gentleman to frequent Athens he dies and valuing Soorates his Friendship equal to himself trusts to his care his only Daughter a charge which the Philosopher accepts with joy and generosity This Lady was very fair and Socrates discerned in her such sparkes of wit and good nature as he hoped might be one day improved into hands of Wisdom He undertook to make her a Philosophical Woman and prudently judging that converse with the World might obstruct his design he committed Timandra to the cares of Aglaonice the Astrologess who under the pretence of making her Celestial Observations lived in an extreame Solitude Socrates charmed with the good dispositions he found in the Soul of Timandra would spend whole dayes in forming her Manners after the Rules of Vertue For what reason would he say to her think you the gods have made you be borne so accomplished 'T is neither out of any singular love to your person nor out of any hate to other Women made less perfect but 't is to manifest in you the power of the qualities of the Soul above those of the Body had you had but an ordinary Beauty the assaults made on your Virtue would have been so feeble your Victory would not become an Example but now when in the fairest Lady of all Greece there shall be observed a Soul impregnable against all the assaults of Passion a laudable disdain of perishable and transitory pleasures and solid love for those can never wast you will become a Living Axiome which all the Arguments of our Libertines shall not have the boldness to insult over These Arguments which one would have thought should only have alarm'd the Gallant gave yet the Alarme to Conjugal Love and beat up a Charge to his Spouse Myrto Socrates Wife who for all her being Daughter to Aristides Surnamed the Just was not her self the more so observed some
trouble in her Husband when he saw not Timandra and discovering he paid his Visits to that Lady when ever he could get from her conceived a furious Jealousie This Woman seemed to have been chosen out by Heaven to keep the Virtue of Socrates in breath Never was there VVife more untractable and because she had kept her honour untainted under the shelter of little temptations she became a merciless Tyrant exacting tributes of Patience from those least ought to pay it She aspersed Timandra with all the Titles her Jealousie could dictate But Myrto said Socrates to her Is it from your own experience you judge so ill of the vertue of your Sex We should seldome suspect failings in others of which our selves are not or have not a will to be guilty Do you think the Gods have favoured you with a peculiar priviledge or whilst you would have them believed prodigal of Chastity to you is it to be presumed that they are niggards to all other women I know not what to answer to these Sophistryes said Myrto interrupting him I read no Book but my Prayers and would scarce be well pleased with any other but these frequent meetings and interviews between different Sexes are neither lawful nor honest there is alwayes in them some mixtures of Criminal designs and as one of your Schollars said well some dayes since Men and Women were only sent into the World to propagate Your memory retaines said Socrates very coldly mighty pretty passages of my Schollars Lessons I have no design Timandra should grow so learned and the Philosophy I teach her has Precepts utterly opposite to those you are pleased to remember See see what a pretty excuse you have found said his Wife interrupting him Love never wants pretences had you been a Painter you would have feigned to teach that art to Timandra now being a Philosopher you would by all means teach her to Philosophize but Socrates those who would give Lessons of Modesty and Virtue make not choice of Schollars so young and so handsome This Dispute was interrupted by the coming in of Alcibiades the bravest and most Courtly of all the Graecians whose inclinations though unconformable with the severity of Socrates impeded not a strict friendship between them The Philosopher made a Sign to his Wife to be quiet when he perceived Alcibiades whom he would not have know Timandra People so spritely and ingenious as this Illustrious Athenian often reap what Philosophy has sown but Myrto who was in a talking humour would not stop for all her Husbands Signes she appealed to Alcibiades whether her Suspicions were not just and reasonable and enflamed with Socrates his oppositions and endeavours to hinder her being heard exposed the whole pretended intrigue of her Husband with the faire Phrygian as an incontestable truth when want of breath made her silently retire Do you then impose on us at this rate said Alcibiades to his Friend or can you think we will be thus deceiv'd you are continually Preaching to us contempt of the Passions my Age and other Engagements can gaine no indulgence from you yet as if you spent your whole stock of Philosophy in Counsel to your Friends you remain your self unprovided Do you believe an angry Woman replyed Socrates coldly these are visions of her Jealous Fancy which have neither likelihood nor foundation How said Alcibiades is it not true then you have that affection for this Timandra at which your Wife appeares so alarm'd at I acknowledge replyed Socrates I have delighted to Cultivate and improve an excellent good Nature which Chance offered to my Cares and which all the considerations of Friendship oblige me not to see lie fallow And this excellent good Nature said Alcibiades interrupting him is seated in a fair and youthful person What is that Circumstance to our purpose replyed the Philosopher in a somewhat an angry tone or What communication can there be between the Beauty of a Woman and the Soul of Socrates Alcibiades was now returned from his first Exile and had had some experience in Love I talked like you replyed he when I was admonished against the charmes of Nemea How would I say to my self can Alcibiades whom the chiefest Ladies of Athens are proud to favour and whom a great Queen did not disdaine love a Curtisan I will see her and if my heart can find leasure to cast off nobler Passions Court her perhaps for some few houres but this light distraction cannot be called Love nor is Nemea of a quality considerable enough to give it me this was once my Song and yet Socrates you know whither this Love hurried me to what Censure I exposed my self by it and into what dangers it led my ambition Your soul and mine are very different said Socrates your Riches continually sollicite your delights you are softned by pleasures irreparably attending your degree and finding your self alwayes in a condition to attempt reliefe you may desire all things for my part the meanness of my fortunes secure my rest and quiet I regard Beauty but as an effect of Nature which teaches me the knowledge of its cause and finding matter to exercise my Virtue in that which debauches yours from that wreck I learn to keep my self in the Port. Alcibiades said many other things to the Philosopher to oblige him not to have such stedfast confidence in his Philosophy but he could not shake the opinion Socrates had of its fortitude Though he yielded Timandra to be worthy of love yet he would not grant Socrates to be capable of Loving But the testimony he had given of the merit of the faire Phrigian stir'd up a curiosity in Alcibiades to see if Socrates were as well skill'd in his distinctions of Beauty as Philosophy he had observed by their discourse the Philosopher was covetous of his Treasure he believed if he would have a sight of it it must be by stealth he therefore caused Socrates to be watcht to find out Timandra's House and having discover'd it he Apparelled himself like a Phrigian and making choice of a day wherein he knew the Philosopher imploy'd in giving publick Lessons to his Schollers he presents himself at Timandra's Gate pretending himself a Phrigian come to bring her Newes from her Countrey he spoke very well all Languages in use in his time and among other admirable qualities which graced him he had a most excellent way of acting all disguises But Socrates had given such Orders at Aglaonice's as were proofe against all occasions and all artifices The Astrologess came in the place of the Phrigian and her person being illfavoured and displeasing as Alcibiades hoped to find it beautiful and charming he retreated two or three paces at sight of her and much surprized asked her If she were Socrates his Scholler Yes replyed Aglaonice who had reasons for that untruth What have you to say to me or what are your affaires Nay nothing Madam reply'd Alcibiades very coldly I had many things to say
it has been forced to by the Philosophers in these two first Histories The end of the Loves of Socrates THE LOVES OF Great Men. JVLIVS CAESAR IF neither Wisdome nor Philosophy could secure Solon nor Socrates from the assaults of Love Ambition and Glory have as weakly defended the heart of Julius Caesar he was a Lover before he was a Conquerour and we may behold him likewise in the midst of his most illustrious Conquests not forgetful of the Rites of Love He was yet but Quaestor and had only exerciz'd his courage against the Cilician Pyrates when he Marry'd Pompeia Sister to Pompey the Great In those times as well as now a dayes the Marriages of Great People were rather Politick then Sympathetical unions Pompeia privately loved Publius Claudius and Caesar had a violent inclination for Murcia who was afterwards the Wife of Pompey The necessity Caesar stood in of Pompey's support deterred him from Crossing his Suite to Murcia and the same reason made him seek his Alliance He Married the Sister of that great Man the same day that Pompey Marryed Caesars Mistress Love which had not so easily complyed with the conjuncture but to triumph in the progress would not let Hymen rob him of his Rites Caesar loves Murcia no less now she is Pompeys Wife then he had done before she was so Nor did Claudius believe himself more unhappy for seeing Pompeia in the Armes of Caesar want of opportunity only made some little change in their fortunes Pompey was a Man of Authority necessary to Caesars Ambition he durst not let him suspect he went to waite on him only to Court his Wife and therefore restrained himself to stricter Laws of correspondence then the nearness of Relation might have allowed so that 't was only by his eyes that Murcia could guess the continuance of his Love Pompeia was committed to the governance of Aurelia Caesar's Mother one of the severest Matrons Rome ever produc'd she never suffered her Daughter-in-Law out of her sight but when she trusted her to the care of her Son Claudius could hardly in publick steal a wink and if Albra Pompeia's waiting-woman and consident of the intrigue had not solac'd the desires of this Lover with some kind Messages he had been constrain'd to renounce his Love or his Life Things stood in this manner when Caesar was chosen Praetor and during the year of his Praetorship the Consuls being absent from Rome at his House was to be kept the Feast of the Good Goddess that Feast was signalized among the Roman Dames and on the day it was to be Solemniz'd the Ladies of Quality assembled at the Consuls or in his absence at the Praetors House where they passed the night in Feasts and Dances and were it not for some private Ceremonies to which it was not seemly to admit Men or that they feared some escapes of joy repugnant to the Roman Austerity it was made death for any Man to be found at that Feast Caesar whose Soul was incapable of fear he knew that improbable attempts oftenest escape with impunity and resolved to make use of this occasion There was a Closet in the Alcove of Pompeia's Bed which answered by a private paire of Staires to a back door which was very seldome opened Caesar took the Key of this door and resolving to slip by this way into his Wives Chamber he writ to Murcia that feigning her self undispos'd at the Feast she should desire to repose her self some few Moments on Pompeia's Bed Murcia who loved Caesar and well weighed the hazard of his enterprize withstood his resolution with all her power but Caesar accusing the faintness of her Love that Reproach overcame all other considerations Caesar left his house at the usual time appointed he Supt at Pompeys to prevent all suspition he went thence to Cato's whither he knew his Brother-in-Law would not accompany him because Cato and he were at Enmity he came to Cicero's and went to two or three places more that several persons might affirm they had seen him and then coming to his private door when he judged it time he goes without noise and without being discover'd to Pompeia's Closet scarce was he got in but he heard some body Cough on his Wives Bed he softly opens the door and gently approaching the Bed side Is it you said he as softly as possible he could Yes was it answered with a voice as low as he had spoke It is I It is a long time I have expected you and I begun to believe you would break your word Caesar dispos'd himself to repair his neglect when he heard the Chamber door open he hastily throws himself back into the Closet and whether the conversation of those on the Bed were indeed very long or that Caesars impatience made him think it so most certain it is he never thought time more tedious That wicked quarter of an hour being ended Caesar distinguishes the voice of his Wife who making great excuses of not being able to stay longer took leave and shut the door after her he then nimbly comes out of his hole and embracing the Lady on the Bed with a fervour equal to his love Murcia my dear Murcia said he Is it possible that I have the liberty to confirme with my Tongue what my eyes have so often protested to you The Lady snatching out of Caesars armes and throwing her self down from the Bed sought for the door to save her self Caesar believ'd it some sudden compunction of Conscience come in an evil hour to disturb his Joy he felt for the Fugitives armes and having graspt one of them From whence comes this confusion sayes he embracing her afresh How have I made my self unworthy of the obliging impatience you expressed at my first arrival Do not discompose your self by these endeavours to escape me added he finding that this Murcia strugled to get loose from him 'T is in your pleasure to dispose both of your destiny and mine for you have an absolute power over Caesar At that name of Caesar Murcia or at least the party he took for her used redoubled endeavours to escape and that with so much vehemence that Caesar for fear of hurting her was fain to let her go Do said he all that your cruelty can inspire you with and if you are not satisfied with throwing into despaire a man that adored you call the Ladies of the Feast and deliver me to the rigour of the Laws I shall without the least murmur consent to my Death your procedure having made my life so hateful that did I not hope to lose it by suffering my self to be surprized here I had already taken it away Caesar had scarce ended this discourse when Albra entred the Chamber she gave a shrieke at the sight of her Master and would have fled back Stay Albra said he with a commanding voice let me save the reputation of what I love and dispose afterwards of Caesars life as thou wilt With these words he
Going thence I met with Saint Cire who told me the Prince would speak with me I hastned to him but found 't was no state affair he had to communicate you know him and know he is very inclineable to love and hard to forego it once entred into Mademoiselle de Bourlemont whom you have seen near the Princess had smitten him ere he was aware the letting her know it was a thing wherein the Prince was obliged to observe much Caution Yet he had so well ordered the affair that he had spoke and the Lady had not believed it dangerous to hearken to him nay more she appeared jealous as if she could have wished the Princes love no straggler This was in short what he had to communicate having drawn me to a Window that none else might hear he told me he had chosen me for his confident and encouraging me thereby to a freedom I declared to him my concern for Madam de Brion he promised me and I assured him of a reciprocal assistance in his love Hereupon we went into the walks to wait on the Princess and the Admiral who as soon as we came up to her 't is tedious being here said she to me cannot you invent some pleasing divertisement to drive away melancholly I have it at hand Madam said I what can be more pleasant then to talk of love you have nothing here to divert it and I find my heart inclineable to treat of it with none but you Where did you learn to talk thus said she smiling who has taught you to look so on me Madam replied I in a jovial manner but was much afflicted I could say no more for Bourlemont and another of the Princess Women coming up to us interrupted us and I could not find a minutes opportunity all that Evening to continue what I had begun Bourlemont who took notice with what delight I observed Madam de Brion softly in my ear asked me if I were in love as much as the Prince is with you replied I so that the rest might not hear She would needs know what I meant by that and I explained it to her she blusht and seem'd coy as if she desired not his kindness but I judged the contrary and told my observations to the Prince who requited them with giving me such an accompt of his Negotiations with the Admiral that I began to believe my attempts not impossible Soon after the Duke D'Aumale came to Orleans to treat on the Kings behalf as you very well know about the Restitution of some places which the Prince could hardly consent to The Dutchess was with him whose arrival turned the whole Town into pleasure and divertisement and many days were spent in Feasts and Balls That day the Dutchess coming was first known I happened to be with Madam de Brion we were at first talking of a thousand indifferent things but in the end I changed the discourse endeavoring to improve those few minutes my good Fortune gave me The Admiral answered very wittily to all I said of my Passion but I sought a return of love and was little satisfied with those reperties I observed the melancholly and seriousness with which I discoursed caused some joy in her and I loved her too well to rob her of that pleasure I guessed Madam said I that love would rejoyce you and you would not believe me but if you would now frankly declare your thoughts I am sure they must agree with mine I 'll swear your company does divertise me replied she and I cannot but laugh at your design of Courtship but you must understand I have a kind of stubborn heart that neither knows love nor desires to know it I 'll awaken that desire in it Madam replied I and will assure you on Loyes behalf he takes it very ill you should treat me so cruelly Take heed of quarrelling with him he is a powerful enemy who infallibly revenges himself on his despisers To let you see I don't fear him replied she I 'll wager with you he never overcomes me Do not lay any wagers answered I for you will be sure to lose She would not take my advice and we concluded to agree on the wager when Fontpertuis came in and was chosen judge if any difference happened between us she is a Kinswoman of hers whom you have often seen with her and who had a great power over her We had much ado to agree what our wager should be I would have had hers to have been some favors but that was not her design yet having represented to her that she run no hazard being as she affirmed she was sure to win she consented in the end to engage to admit my utmost service and I consented never to see her more and to quit the Princes party if I lost What will not men in love promise I gave her my word and she assured me hers two Moneths was the time allowed for tryal at the end of which Fontpertuis was to give judgment which had won I took my leave of her with telling her that I was resolved to neglect nothing to gain her she answered that she already accounted me of the Kings party and I you Madam said I of loves I came thence well satisfied with what I had said and what I had done and my joy made the Prince suspect me more happy then he I endeavored to perswade him the contrary who easily believed me but I told him nothing of the wager You cannot imagine said he to me how lovely Bourlemont appears to me I fancy I shall ever love her All say so said I when they begin to be in love and there is a pretty delight in saying and thinking our love shall never end but afterwards when its fervency begins decay and the kindness decreases without knowing a reason for it Believe me we return to our selves and to our wonted tempers and yours being to be inconstant so soon as you are satisfied we shall hear no more from you that Madam Bourlemont is fair or that you shall love for ever It s very true answered he I love change and finding it delightful cannot think of confining my self Believe me D'Andelot there are pleasures in inconstancy and 't is a mighty satisfaction to make love in a great many places at once and to find answers suitable to our desires I left the Prince in this opinion in which I could not resolve to imitate him That Evening the Duke and Dutchess D'Aumale arrived there was a Ball at the Princes where I received without thinking of it some favorable glances from Madam D'Aumale I desired not hers but Madam de Brions whom the Duke entertained and me thought I observed in his addresses to her something of the courtship of a Man in love He was a Rival might well be feared the Admiral hearkned to him and my jealousie made me discover a thousand things distracted me The Dutchess came to take me out to dance and I left her not
Answer but she excused her self as being forbid All her rage fell not upon me Fontpertuis had her share she had seen her on the Terrace with me and that place looked suspiciously at such a time of night She took unkindly all that Fontpertuis could alledge to her believing she had betrayed her in favor of the Dutchess I knew not what to think nor what to resolve in this accident the securest way had been to speak to the Admirale but she blasted all opportunities That therefore being impossible without displeasing her I chose rather to be gone and by that observance of her commands make her sensible I still wore her Chains But I did not that till I had spoke with Fontpertuis showed her the Letter the Admirale had writ and given her one in return of it Which done I took Horse for Tanlay where after I had stayed two days I went to the Rendezvous at Soissons I lay under great vexations after my departure though I heard my Letter had driven away most part of her suspitions At first she was unwilling to see it but Fontpertuis having opened it Madam de Brion read these words in it I Am not so guilty as you think me Madam Love brought me not where you saw me nor thought I to find what I met with Though my absence from you makes me unhappy enough my condition is much more to be lamented for the distraction caused by your belief of my infidelity I am unwilling were it possible to accuse you of any thing But why should you not ascertain your suspicions Why should you break off a love in its infant sweetness No you never loved me since you could do thus Farewel Madam I shall never lose the remembrance of having displeased you yet I do love you never ceased loving you and have that inward satisfaction to know that I must for ever love you She could not read this Letter without being touched at the very Soul Fontpertuis perceived it and we having before any departure agreed upon a correspondence she sent me word what effects my Letter wrought on Madam de Brions heart The Dutchess dream't not of my so sudden departure she was now almost convinced I had no intent to answer her kindness since I had neglected taking leave of her The Duke and Dutchess went next morning for Paris where having stayed some time the Duke attended the King towards the Siege of Havre de Grace whether the Queen Mother likewise coming was waited on by Madam D'Aumale You went every morning to Fecamp to give an accompt to the King what had passed that night at the Siege I seldom followed you for fear of seeing the Dutchess least the Admirale might have cause of complaint but one day I could not excuse my not going the Constable sending me My Commission being performed I was just upon return when Madam D'Aumale having heard of my being at Feeamp under pretence of inquiring news from her Husband made very heavy complaints of me I very quietly heard them and could not yet answer in the manner she desired Prince Portian came luckily to take me off and I returned to the Camp This Prince had formerly great pretences on her heart and it was thought he was beloved he was still in love but now his cares and kindnesses were not valued at a rush I was the darling that could make no returns Madam de Brion being come some time before to Maule informing her self of the particulars of the Siege understood that Madam D'Aumale went with the Queen her jealousie revived her love she feared the losing me Fontpertuis gave me intelligence of all the Admirales thoughts and I found my self less unhappy then I thought The same day that I assailed the Watch-Tower which I made my self master of I received a Letter from the Admirale which spoke these words MY Anger and Resentment cannot hold out against my love I have nothing more to upbraid you with and could I but see you I should think I had nothing more to desire But is not this too kind to you Or do you deserve this goodness Were it not more just in me to hate you pursuing the Counsels your unfaithfulness gives me But alass when I am apt to yield to that the secret intelligences you have in spite of me preserved in my heart blast all these thoughts Yet you could not expect these expressions and therefore must think them very kind But I demand an equivalent reprisal and will not be refused it tell me not that your honor and glory oppose it I will be preferred before both for all should be renounced at the command of her you love Dismiss your self then from the Siege what you lose on the score of glory you shall retrieve from the pleasures of a passion I will make happy If you obey me not never see me more and suffer me to believe you prefer the sight of Madam D'Aumale before mine Never was Man in a greater plunge then I I could not imagine which way to steer Love offered me pleasant and pretty things but I could not consent to blemish my reputation by quitting the Siege Saint-Cire was the first perceived the trouble I was in since I always used his advice I held it unfit to conceal from him the cause who upon first hearing it told there needs no consultation on this matter You must not stir nor can your going off be any way justified Stay but till the Siege be ended and then in the name of God go see Madam de Brion as long as you will and in the mean time take no heed of a Womans jealousie or anger Your Ladies will find out a return of kindness when once their lover pleases them and your peace will easier be made there then here whatever Articles she have against you Saint-Cire was a true friend and reason counselled me to follow his advice but love would not listen to it The Treaty with the Town which began about two hours after eased me of my trouble and made me determine to depart at the beginning of the night taking along with me onely one Gentleman I got to Madam de Brions on the morrow having rid that long way post and on the Wings of Love Never did I find in my self so great a disposition to joy and content I was going to see the onely person in the World I loved best and I was sure to find her heart full of a violent Passion which I had begot there I would not suffer her to be told I was come but chusing rather to surprise her myself went directly up to her Lodgings and into her Chamber which I found open But is it to be believed what I there saw Madam de Brion in the arms of a Man and Madam de Brions as I thought kissing him very lovingly She perceived me and came running towards me with an obliging air the joy in her face displaying nothing but pleasure but what I had seen making me contemn
Looks and Formality of a grave Judge with Sternness and Authority pronounced in this manner I ordain that Madam de Brion pay you the forfeit of the wager said she to me and if she fail I condemn her never to love you more 'T is an unjust sentence and I appeal said the Admirale and to whom Madam said I can you appeal who will judge with more equity then Madam Fontpertuis I know not answered she but Love possibly will judge better You may try then said Fontpertuis interrupting her but I me of the mind his judgement will not much differ from mine at which she was going out of the chamber the Admirale would have staid her but at last acepted her pretence of going to change her Habit. Madam de Brion durst not now come near me Shame Love and Modesty made her Blush Sigh and cast down her Eies I stept to her and reaching out my hand she gave me hers and looking up kindly at me my Eies spoke to her and she understood them and I had no reason to be displeased at the answer she returned me I took notice she had some Flowers in her bosome I snatcht at them and with a little resistance got them she told me I should not keep them and I was willing to return them to the place whence I took them What should I say any more for we were both in love and well satisfied with one another and our contents encreased before we ended this interview It lasted three hours and Fontpertuis at her return soon perceived Love had given judgement in a manner different from other Judges since neither one party nor the other complained The next was yet a happier day for me and those which followed more 'T is hard to pass from great sufferings to extream joy without being discovered The Duke D'Aumale who observed all my actions sooner believed my joy to proceed from my re-accommodation with the Admirale my good fortune doubled her jealousie and made him become more melancholly and hateful And though the Dutchess took kindly whatever Prince Portian talked to her of Love yet she could not forbear loving me more then I was willing the content she observed in Madam de Brion and my diligence to attend and wait on her wherever she went produced the same effects in her my joy had done in the Duke but I troubled not my self to take notice of their disgusts or if sometimes I did 't was only to take pleasure in them One evening coming out of the Old Palace I met Madam D'Aumale in the Queens Antichamber I would have avoided her but could not she urged there all she could and made use of all the obliging ways imaginable to make me unfaithful but I answered her like a constant man and I retired as soon as I could though not till Madam de Brion who came by chance into that room perceived our parly she grew a little jealous of it but I soon appeased her by promising never more to talk with the Dutchess Mean time Fontpertuis had not forgot the sweetness of our conversation at her Aunts she had done me great service and thought she deserved some kindness I saw her every time I went to the Admirales I had an esteem for her she was our Confident and I was pleased with her but she was not satisfied with my indifference one day thinking to find Madam de Brion in her chamber I met there none but Fontpertuis Her joy at sight of me made me guess her thoughts and I was returning to seek out the Admirale when she stop'd me in a manner that beg'd my stay whither would you go said she you know not where to find Madam de Brion and why do you fly me I was once thought worthy of a little Love what has changed me I have advantagiously served you in your passion and do not now desire you should love me for kindness sake onely love me a little for gratitude Whatever Fontpertuis could urge I continued faithful my refusal tormented her I could observe some signs of her anger and vexation yet they wrought no effect on me and I went off blameless There had for some days before great preparations been made for Running at the Ring 't is so small time since you cannot have forgot what passed at it and that I won one of the Rewards which was a Picture-Case richly set with Diamonds I destined it for Madam de Brion who at first thought it not convenient to take it but at length I made her resolve to accept it I had left it at my Lodgings and would have sent for it but she would not let me telling me I might leave it with Fontpertuis who would give it her at her return from the Queen I went and brought it to Fontpertuis who imployed it to bring about a Treason has since cost me a thousand sighs and is still the cause of those torments I cannot better describe to you then by telling you I am now as much deserving pity as I was worthy envy when I was beloved Fontpertuis having got the Picture-Case went to Madam D'Aumales whom she saw but seldom yet she had the cunning so to close in with her that speaking of his Beauty and her Wit she passed from their Praises to the Glory that Man would possess should be beloved by her till such time as the Duchess could no longer forbear discovering she loved me that I ingrossed all the thoughts of her soul and yet made no return of one because I was in love with Madam de Brion Fontpertuis had the knack to prevail so well o're the Duchess judgement that she made her believe I no longer loved the Admirale and that doubtless if she made but the least show of a desire of being beloved I would make an amorous return to her utterly disingaged from the charms of her Rival We easily believe what pleases us Madam D'Aumale resolved to write to me and Fontpertuis undertook to give me her Letter Madam de Brion being returned from the Old Palace asked if I had given her the Picture-Case Fontpertuis made answer she had not seen me the Admirale wondred at my neglect but said nothing of it On the morrow Fontpertuis gave me notice to come at the beginning of the night to Madam D'Aumales where Madam de Brion would be at play I believed her promised to go and at the hour appointed came thither Going in I met a servant of Madam D'Aumales who told me her Mistress was gone forth but that Madam de Brion and Fontpertuis were in her chamber I went up and met Fontpertuis who received me with such a smiling countenance as I could not suspect of any Artifice or Deceit I asked her where Madam de Brion was she told me in Madam D'Aumales little Chamber she was on a suddain troubled with a little Head-ach and was lain down on the Bed I went in the Chamber was dark and I had my mind full of the Image
that love and tenderness she once had for me We were in this condition when the King left Rouen I have done all I could since to regain the Admirales good will but cannot effect it The Progress of the Court to Bayonne not requiring my attendance I stayed at Paris and knowing that the Duke and Dutchess D'Aumale the Admirale de Brion and Prince Portian went to Fontainbleau I am come hither either to disturb their content or with hopes so firmly to establish my self in the kindness and affection of the Admirale that nothing may hereafter ruine me But I have yet been deceived in my hopes Madam D'Aumale still loves me and dispises Prince Portian who loves her so well The Duke continues my rival I am fearful least he should be happy and the Admirale adds to my fear by the obliging manner in which she treats the Duke and I am the more unhappy because I cannot renounce my love nor ever hope to incline Madam de Brion to be touched with what I suffer or to restore me to the same place I once possest in her heart Your condition is not so bad as you think said the Marshal de Moutmorency to D'Andelot I know the very thoughts of the Admirales Soul and am confident she preserves very kind ones for you but you must deserve them What would you have me do to be happy said D'Andelot Me thinks it is no hard task replied the Marshal and were it my case I would surprise the Admirale in her Chamber cast my self at her feet acknowledge my crime refer my self to her for punishment joyn sighs and tears to my repentance promise never more to see Madam D'Aumale and in short not part from her till I were as much beloved as I loved D'Andelot took the Marshal's counsel who was a notable man in affairs of love and whose story shall follow D'Andelots he surprised the Admirale he sighed he repented till his grief made her relent and that soon turned into love and that love became as kind as passionate and as happy as ever it had been before The Dutchess D'Aumale was quite disconsolate to have thus utterly lost all hopes of D'Andelot Prince Portian underrook to comfort her but he succeeded not at first but since Love and Patience overcome the greatest difficulties it need not be wondered at if they vanquish those which would oppose their Felicity The End of D'Andelot THE LOVES OF Great Men. BVSSY D'AMBOYSE THe Battel of Jarnac was fought under the Reign of Charles the IX the Prince of Conde chief of the Hugonots lost there his life Admiral Chatillon rallied the ruines of the broken Army and put his Brother D'Andelot into Cognac who by his valor made Monsieurs Victory fruitless 'T was in this Field Bussy D'Amboyse began to give such large assurances of what he one day would be that Monsieur though he loved him not had the Generosity to praise him at the head of the whole Army War had its time to revenge Hate and sustain Authority and Love must have his to create Pleasures for those who had the happiness to reach them and Pains and Sufferings for who were destined to be miserable Three months after this Battle Bussy conceived a design of gaining an esteem in the heart of the Widow to the Marshal de St. Andre the number of her Lovers was great he had reason to think his Rivals dangerous but Bussy feared nothing from Mankind and hoped all things from his Merit and his Love 'T was with the Duke of Guise and Ligneroles the favourite of Monsieur that he was to dispute the heart of the Lady Mareshalle There were many other Rivals but these two were the most considerable Bussy tries all imaginable ways to please he makes addresses to the Lady Mareshale he observes she delights in them he continues them he becomes both pleasing and necessary and makes himself be desired his Rivals believed they had reason to be jealous of him and he took little care to perswade them the contrary He durst not speak for a long time of his Love but at last ashamed of her silence he breaks it He goes into the Lady Mareshales Chamber at a time she would not be seen Mr. Lover who let you in said she with a severe cast of her Eye return immediately He feared he had displeased her that fear was obliging to the Lady she perceived it and recalled him who was withdrawing not expecting this return I came to tell you Madam said he that I am in love you have put it into my heart which all others might have attempted in vain I comply with delight to all it inspires 't is very tender and what will not you lose by being unsensible but Madam I see you are angry continued he perceiving she turned her Eies towards him in a manner forbidding despair The Mareshale was angry with her self that she had cast so kind a glance at Bussy Never see me more said she I cannot endure you Take away my Love and I consent said he interrupting her I have nothing to give you nor nothing to take away replyed she but once more I forbid you my sight Bussy goes forth just at the same time that Ligneroles was told she was not to be seen he believed Bussy happy and that belief increas'd his grief without diminishing his Love The Duke of Guise jealous and impatient and who found no pleasure in loving alone prays the Lady Mareshale to bear him company but her heart beginning to be engaged received coldly the Dukes proposition Ligneroles was the handsomest and best proportioned Man in all the Court yet his Love making no progress he would at least give some trouble to his Rivals he entreats Monsieur to feign to love the Mareshale Bussy who had preserved some intelligence with Chareauneuf let her know that she was about to lose Monsieurs heart if she found not a quick way to withhold it Assoon as she saw Monsieur she fills his Ears with reproaches and complaints he justifies his Love and Fidelity and promises no more to see the Mareshale Bussy durst not go near her and Ligneroles sharply repaid the jealousie he had given him The Court was at Paris but preparing for a Progress to Blois where the Peace lately made with the Hugonots was to be Signed and the Marriage Treated between Madame and the King of Navarre The Duke of Guise and Ligneroles knowing that she would not go this progress pressed the obtaining some favorable answer but she declared for neither there was only observed in her more civility towards the Duke and more complaisance for Ligneroles the Dukes Melancholly rejoyced Bussy but Ligneroles joy made him almost despair The King was two days at St. Germains with Monsieur and a very small number of Courtiers Ligneroles entertaining the King was so indiscreet to let fall some words made him suspect that the secret of the Marriage of Madam with the King of Navarre was not unknown to him Monsieur
short she went to lodge with Madam de Bonneval leaving charge to L'Hermite to be careful that Bussy might go out unperceived which she performed Assoon as he was gone thence he caused Horses to be brought parted from Paris and by six aclock in the morning o'retook the Court at Estampes The Mareshales surprize at his departure was so much the greater because she believed she had explained her thoughts to him in so kind a manner as could not deserve this Ingratitude How cruelly was she angry at her self for having been so yielding she resolved to love him no more but Love soon made her know he is not so easily rid off and that he is a sort of guost not to be driven when one will from that Heart he has once taken possession of She askes L'Hermite if Bussy had said nothing to her when he went and understood he had said nothing but seemed melancholly and she guest it happened by reason of Madam de Bonnevals coming and that not having expected her going to lodge with her he could not undergo so cruel a disappointment without being extreamly afflicted I told you that Bussy left Neufville his trusty friend at Paris he was to believe in Madam de Bonneval and to agree with her in what manner they might best serve him with his Mistriss in his absence whom though Bussy had offended in the tendrest part of her soul far from imitating his proceedings she continued to love him and forgot not the least duty of a kind and faithful Lover Madam de Bonneval knew nothing of Bussys being hid in the Closet and Wardrobe but there are secrets Love keeps only for its self She now begins to put in practice the ingenious design she had contrived to ruine the correspondence between the Mareshale and him Neufville was a Man proper for her design he was young handsome and discreet but he had a Heart of Wax and by that she believed she might revenge the scorn she thought Bussy had put upon her when he gave Grillon that Letter and Bracelet she had sent only to himself The Mareshale who would not give occasion to suspect the reasons she had to complain of him told them that she remembred him with delight and that his absence much more troubled her then ever any Persons did Some true friends gave this account to Bussy but Neufvilles Love contradicted it as well as the Treason of Madam de Bonneval who observing Neufvilles joy when he saw the Mareshale and his Heaviness when he parted from her conceived it easie to make him a Lover if already he were not What is in your mind said she to him one day that you doe not love look upon the Mareshale there is nothing so beautiful you are an accomplished Person and have desert enough and why should you be ungrateful to your self she told him so many other fine things that he suffered himself to be seduced and it must be added that the sweet and obliging carriage of the Mareshale compleated his loss by deceiving him thus he became unfaithful to his friend but Love was his excuse and when he undertakes a justification we are constrained to grant pardon to the most guilty Neufville then forgot all that he ought to the esteem and friendship of Bussy believing that his passion ought to see nothing beyond its own satisfaction Ligneroles who stayed a day after his Rival overtook not the Court till they came to Orleans where a Feavor seized Chateauneuf Its accesses not having been violent Monsieur resolved to go as far as Blois but the next day the distemper doubling she was constrained to stay Whilst Love is forming these cruel vexations for Bussy Madam de Bonneval entrusts the Mareshale with the whole secret of her commerce with Grillon Love had some difficulty to enter her Heart that way but at last he found a passage her anger against Bussy assisted and the diligence and constancy of Grillon compleated the rest How stand things said the Mareshale to her does he know you love him I think he has no reason to doubt it answered Madam de Bonneval I have writ to him in a manner sufficiently explaining my thoughts and as we seldom forget things done for what we love I believe I remember that Letter to be thus YOu are very pressing and I have occasion enough to complain of you I might justly load you with a thousand reproaches but I cannot content your self to know that you are not forbid guessing whether I love or hate you Put your self in a condition to deserve the first by your Love and Faithfulness and I promise to secure you from all pains may accompany the latter What was Grillons answer said the Mareshale shall not I know whither he writ kindly you are about to be judge of it said she drawing a Letter from her Pocket where she read SInce happy Lovers are never content you cannot wonder if I complain who am not so 'T is the property of Love still to be asking and I have never yet received so much from him that I can think he deserves thanks for his Presents But if he resolve to make me any let them come by your hands all I can receive elsewhere will bring little satisfaction and without your goodness I cannot but be unhappy would you have me so No doubtless he shall not be so if his happiness depends on me pursued she returning again her Letter his Desert and Love have made a great progress in my Heart and if I continue in this mind I am perswaded there will be many other Lovers more to be pittied then he what do we signify if we love not without Love there is no solid Pleasure and without that of what use is Life we are soon tired with the constraints of severity and by that we may find how cruel the Laws are to us reducing us to extract our shame from the same Center whence Men draw subjects of Esteem and Glory but do you know what we ought to do raise our selves above these sorts of Laws and Love since nature has given us Hearts tender and sensible That Sage-Mother would not have let us be born with such strong inclinations of loving unless she had designed us to requite with Love Mens Love to us let us then follow the bent of our own Hearts and believe that that Virtue which has so many pains and troubles for its guard is only an endowment which Women unprovided of allurements of the Body or charms of the Mind have maliciously invented to revenge the Scorn Nature has thrown on them but we who have thanks to return to her may tread in more pleasant paths and since Love is accounted one of the greatest Virtues is it not so always to do virtuously so follow what it inspires This is doubtless most singular Morality said the Mareshale but who is it will begin the practice of it there have some been found in all times replyed Madam de Bonneval and
you and I should do very prudently in following these Maximes 'T was thus she concluded the discovery of her passion The same day that the King arrived at Blois where the Articles of the Treaty of Peace were at last decided by which the Hugonots obtained the greatest part of their desires The Marriage of the King of Navarre was likewise agreed on and a Courier sent to Jane D'Albret Queen of Navarre to advertise her of it and to press her coming to Blois whither the Court was onely come for the easier accommodating the affairs of that Marriage and the Peace Monsieur went every other day to see Chateauneuf at Orleans her Feavor having left her she was carried back to Paris by direction of the Physitians Bussy and Ligneroles led a sad life at Blois and the destiny of the happiest was so averse that he believed himself most to be pittied and lamented They were one evening in the Garden but apart Grillon was with Bussy to whom he was showing a Letter he had received from Madam de Bonneval Ligneroles who walked alone and was somewhat near them seeing a Letter in Bussy's hands believed it came from the Mareshale If I could hate you said he drawing towards him I should not be so unhappy and perhaps the pleasure of revenging my self on a Rival that triumphs over me would help me to support with less grief the cruelties of the Mareshale There was said Bussy but one way wherein I desired to be Master I hoped all from my Love and from her I love but you have deprived me of the only good could make me happy by telling me my happiness makes you despair you that are loved you that know it and to whom it has not only been told in my presence but you have likewise received a favour which was only due to my love alas 't is of that cruel favour I complain replyed Ligneroles I am sensible it was designed for you I was not used to be so treated and had I had my choice should rather have been content with usual and known rigors then a moments kindness received from chance and not from the heart of the Mareshale Hitherto said Bussy interrupting we have lived rather like Friends then Rivals let us continue to do so Grillon is not to be suspected we may freely speak our thoughts before him To show you I approve what you say replyed Ligneroles I am about to tell you that not being able to resolve on my departure without having some privacy with the Mareshale I went to kiss her hands that evening the fire took in her Lodgins That accident so affrighted her that she swounded but I suspected not the true cause of it till an hour after I made a show of being gone and hid my self L'Hermite came to search among the ruines of the Chamber and I thought I heard her name you I guess'd it not impossible but you might be stayed at Paris and in the Lady Mareshales house though you were believed to be gone Alas I was but too certain of it some time after I saw come forth the Mareshale with L'Hermite who told her there was no doubt to be made but you perished in the Flames of the Closet her Tears affected me and I was just about to discover my self when you appeared and seeking a place to hide my self turned back into a Chamber and sate me down neer a Press What could I think of your return and of the kindness of the Mareshale when she came up to me Ah Ligneroles said Bussy interrupting him tell me not that I wish I had never known then he related to him all had happened with her and perceiving his thughts concerning Grillons Letter prayed him to show the Character but Ligneroles would not see it Bussy having assured him that it was not from the Mareshale having thus cleared their suspitions they parted with such expressions of Esteem and Friendship that Grillon was amazed to think how Rivals could live in such good intelligence but these were no common Men. 'T was now Bathing-time Bussy who was prescribed it went every night so did the King and most part of the Court He scarce knew how to swim but trusting to his little cunning ventured out of his depth and the stream carried him away he strove against it and endeavoured to regain the shore but all his striving was in vain in the end he grew weaker and weaker breath and motion failed him and he was ready to sink to the bottom when a Man swimming with skill and strength div'd so luckily after him that in a moment he rose again holding Bussy Every one cryed out assoon as they perceived the danger but 't was Ligneroles outstript all that would have saved him and repaid Bussy the succor he had once given him He was carried home having scarce any sence and 't was Grillon told him how Ligneroles had saved him he came to him soon after and what they said was worthy of what they had done the one for the other The Court had then resolved to depart within two days for Borgueil though Bussy was not in a condition to goe within those two days yet he would have followed it but Ligneroles and Grillon opposed it His Grief was not so great to hinder the thinking of his Love The Mareshale was innocent he had offended her in coming away against her Orders and without telling the cause and had neither writ to Madam de Bonneval nor to Neufville he resolved to go assoon as he was recovered and repair his fault with so much service that she should lose the memory of it With his hopes in a short time to see the Mareshale there grew up a melancholly he could not suppress Ligneroles was the cause of it his Merits his generous Thoughts and the greatness of his Soul all troubled him not that he had not a Rival he might hate but that he had a friend whom he was not in a condition to serve and make happy These sad thoughts were his entertainers one morning when Grillon came back to Blois and told him Ligneroles was killed as he was Hunting and that within five hundred paces of the King The grief he conceived at his death is not to be imagined he would have risen and returned to the Court made open complaints and thrown out reproches and threats but what would they have done are the Great obliged to give an account of their actions or agrees it not with their interest and authority to punish Pride and Insolence The King would doubtless have chastis'd this in Bussy had he had the boldness to speak but Grillons good Counsels hindred his going and on the morrow he went with him towards Paris Madam de Bonneval made use of Bussy's absence she omitted no occasion of blaming his carriage and forgetfulness The Mareshale for the most part heard her but without answering her and made her judge by her manner of acting that she was kind and constant
her cunning becoming fruitless on the Mareshales part she attempted to succeed by Neufvilles who assisted but two much with his love all being fittingly disposed for the design by her contrived she sends an express to Grillon with Letters which he received at Orleans after Ligneroles death was known at Paris at which the Mareshale was very lively afflicted but had the satisfaction to know that she could not alone grieve his death whom all the world lamented Bussy received a Letter by Grillon from Madam de Bonneval which gave him notice of the infidelity of the Mareshale After he had made Grillon read it what shall I do said he this unlooked for misfortune over-whelms me and in the condition I am I know not what to resolve Grillon seemed at first as troubled as he but at length counselled him to make hast to Paris and above all things convince himself of the matter Bussy approved Grillons advice and sent back the Express empty Being come to Paris Madam de Bonneval who was content with Grillons love received him like a lover she bated not and he appeared not unworthy her reception However though she gave him a thousand testimonies of her trust and kindness yet she never let him know either her anger or design of revenge on Bussy she spoke of him with esteem she seemed earnest to serve him and it was she had advised him of his Mistress treason We are less sensible of any affront then that committed against our love That offence is most cruel and he that receives it without deserving it has strange griefs to undergo In the midst of all these perplexities his love still subsisted and the inclinations of his heart told him sufficiently that he must still love though he knew himself forsaken Then thinking of his unknown Rival who had snatched from him what had cost him so much to seek after fain would he have found out who this happy man should be but would never have guest Neufville whom he believed his friend tell he was disabused the next morning when Madam de Bonneval made Grillon tell him she desired to speak with him He came at the hour appointed and without stopping at the unnecessary circumstances of this interview I will onely tell you that she hid Bussy and that soon after Neufville entred he had a Black Satten Suit Embroidered with Silk of the same and between space and space might be seen double L L in Embroidery of Pearls Bussy at first sight guest not what those Cifers meant but he soon found out they were the Mareshales who was of the House of Lustrac She was not long ere she came and Madam de Bonneval feigning to order her head tire at the Glass Bussy over-heard the Mareshale say to Neufville I fear least you undertake to please me you must succeed in it your manners are so obliging you are so ingenuous and complaisant and have so much estimable merit that I fear I cannot resist it Change your procedure it is too winning and know that I will not be affected These words were pronounced by a delicate mouth and the fairest eyes in the World glanced favorably on Neufville and Bussy believed all this due onely to his love Have no care nor complaisance for me continued she nor prefer me before all other Ladies nor shall I be so weak to love you for it How happy was Neufville And how desperate grew Bussy He was in the mind to come forth and upbraid the perfidiousness of his Friend and Mistress but knowing that it is love always makes reproaches and complaints he withdrew without hearing out the remainder of their discourse which he believed he could not quietly listen to The Mareshale knew not of his return no more then did Neufville About twenty paces from the Mareshales Bussy met Chateauneuf who desirous to know some news from the Court and to tell him that Neufville was his Rival carried him to the Tuilleries whither he had designed to go Whilst he walked two turns with her he gave her an accompt of all she desired to know and told her so respectively that he would never love that she had not the power to complain of a Man she could not hate In vain would she have disswaded him from loving the Mareshale he remained constant though he thought himself not obliged to do so As soon as Neufville was parted from Madam de Bonnevals House the Mareshale and she came to the Tuilleries they discerned Chateauneuf at a great distance and the nigher they drew the more Madam de Bonneval obliged the Mareshale to observe that the man was with her did much resemble Bussy She granted the resemblance but could hardly believe she saw him till Bussy and Chateauneuf turned towards them the Mareshale blushed at the sight of her lover he passed by her with much respect and could not forbear looking after her but he spoke not and continued his walk with Chateauneuf Madam de Bonneval whose design was to increase the Mareshales grief put her in mind how she would not believe her when she had formerly told her Bussy loved Chateauneuf Ingrateful Man said she to her do you see in what manner he treats you after all this can you love him to be in Paris without seeing you and publickly sacrifice your love at the feet of your Rival Alass said she I feel all you can instil into me but let me suffer and complain I have no need of your Counsels and will onely follow the dictates of my own heart Bussy at his return home told Grillon all he had seen and heard at Madam de Bonnevals So great a cause of despair in so constant a Passion the Treason of the Mareshale and the death of Ligneroles infinitely perplexed him and created sufferings he could hardly undergo sometimes he was resolved to love no more but to seek in a quiet Retreat the Remedy of so many Griefs Grillon told him that was to yield the Mareshale to Neufville and that he ought to make her return either for glory or for loves sake but he was too incensed to follow this advice Some days after the Court arrived at Paris with the Queen of Navarre who joyned it at what time it was at Bloys The ties of Friendship and Interest which had formerly been between the late King of Navarre and the Mareshale de St. Andre had made her have a great esteem for his Person after his death she had preserved for the Mareshale the same thoughts she had had for her Husband she Commanded her to see her often and had no cause to blame her neglects for that she seldom was from that Queen but shared in all her divertisements and all her pleasures Queen Catherine of Medices mortally hated her she knew that Jean of Albret had remonstrated to the King of Navarre that he might be chosen Head of that Faction divided France if he knew how to make use of the occasion of taking the Authority into his
made use of an ingenuous feigned device to discover his thoughts Will Bussy refuse to serve me said she I should said he but I cannot I have loved you too well Ah 't is not that which I desire replyed she interrupting him come to me to morrow and you shall know what I have to say She had time to say no more by reason of the arrival of Madam who beginning to fancy some interest in Bussy observed nicely all his actions On the morrow going towards the Mareshales he passed by Madam de Bonnevals where he saw Neufville enter L'Hermite had order to make Bussy stay she told him his Mistriss dined at Madam de Bonnevals and that she would return immediately He was about to go and surprize the Mareshale and Neufville and to load them with a thousand reproaches but L'Hermite who understood the most part of his melancholy hindred his going out In short the Mareshale soon returned she would not see Neufville but had left him in the hands of Madam de Bonneval who too officiously pressed her to hear what he would say Being then alone in her Chamber with Bussy Though all treaty of love be for ever ended between us said she yet I have so great an esteem for you as to aske your Counsel Will you give it me Bussy promised it and she proceeded thus Since I have lost all hopes of being beloved by you I think it may be permitted me to engage in another violent passion which may last all my life my heart whispers me in favour of Neufville he is worthy of love he loves me What do you counsel me To hearken to all that your heart dictates Madam reply'd Bussy and to give your self wholly to Neufville But if I love him reply'd she if I have given him markes of it and if I do all I can to perswade him that no one can be more beloved than I do him Will you have no regret for what you lose What matter whether I am unhappy or desperate reply'd he you may love you may be happy and you may have the pleasure never more to remember Bussy follow follow your own thoughts Madam and never think of those cruel torments you make me undergo Ah Ingrateful Man said the Mareshale Will you forsake me then you that have made me so sensible Can you Counsel me to give my self to another You have done it already said Bussy interrupting her and sighing and I have known but too well how dearly you love Neufville Is it possible that you can upbraid me in the least reply'd she you who went hence for the progress in despite of that kindness of mine to request your stay Ah Ligneroles cry'd Bussy How happy were you at that time and how did I envy the delights you then enjoyed He told the Mareshale in what manner she had been deceiv'd she blusht at what she understood from Bussy and the confusion she appeared in made her yet seem fairer In sum he told her he could no longer doubt her being false that he saw her at Madam Bonnevals with Neufville and heard her say to him a thousand kind and obliging things The Mareshale fell a Laughing at this discourse Bussy grew angry and would have been gone when Neufville entred the room whatever L'Hermite could do to hinder him and though the Mareshale had forbid his entrance He looked pale and grief and repentance seemed lively represented in his Countenance Having demanded only the favour of Audience from the Mareshale and Bussy it was granted him and he spoke thus Had I not been assisted and pressed forward to become so guilty I had never betrayed either the trust or friendship of Bussy or have dared to prosecute my Love but Madam will you believe me 't was Madam de Bonneval who counselled me to love you and to tell you so thence had my crime its spring your inchanting carriage your charming features and in short all your Beauties brought it into a Stream The Mareshale who had a respect for Madam de Bonneval could scarce believe this perfidiousness but Bussy having pul'd out of his pocket a Letter which she had writ for his return she could no longer be doubtful of her treason after having read her words REturn Bussy the Mareshales constancy stands in need of you Her heart is assaulted in one of its most sensible places I know it and know she cannot visit You have a Rival thought too lovely his sight in one moment destroyes all that ought to be reserved for your passion How unhappy are men to have so much Love for ungrateful Women She well knew the Character to be Madam de Bonnevals and withal remembring how she had still endeavoured to divert her from loving Bussy she began to search the cause Will you tell me the truth said she to him Did Madam de Bonneval never love you possibly some refusal you made of her heart has made her attempt revenge on yours I know nothing certainly Madam said he after having thought a little while on what she had said but I have some suspitions you may possibly help me to give some light to He then began to tell her of the request Grillon had made to him to serve him with Madam de Bonneval in what manner it was performed and the interruption given by Madame and Chateaneuf and that on the morrow she sent the Note and the hair Bracelet which he carried to Grillon There needs no more said the Mareshale The cause of Bonnevals hate is plain she applyed to your self what you said for Grillon and Grillon doubtless received a favour design'd for you In the end she would justifie her self concerning those thousand kind things Bussy had heard her say to Neufville assuring them to be caused by Madam de Bonnevals artifice and that she had engaged her to speak so to Neufville to discover if he were truly in Love with her by counselling that if it were so to command his absence that Bussy might have no cause of complaint at his return He understood as well as the Mareshale that he had unhappily contributed to make the Treason succeed and that Madam de Bonneval had managed all things so well that any other as well as he would have believed her the most unfaithful woman living Neufville hearkned and could not but be amazed to hear how farr Madam de Bonneval had carry'd her lies and treachery when the Mareshale prayed him to let Bussy know how she had finish'd that Discourse of which as he had told her he had heard the beginning Imagine said he what pleasure I had to hear such kind and charming words pronounced in my favour for Who had ever the like said to them I hoped and I dare say I believed I was beloved but How great was my despair when after having acknowledged I was in Love Ingrateful and most perfidious man that you are said she going away from me Is it thus that you serve Bussy Love will not permit
his to win the Athenians by applause he was one of the first to give Solon joy for the greatness of his actions he exhibited shows to the People as a token of his congratulation and made a magnificent Feast where he exposed to view all his riches a vanity usual among the Ancients and which made up an essential part of the Treat There was to be seen at this of Pisistratus Vessels of Gold of an excessive weight very rich moveables and Stones of great price among which Solon observed a Carbuncle of singular Beauty which he knew to be the same he had given to Orgina at his departure from Salamina The sight of it moved him to the Soul he asked Pisistratus where he got that Carbuncle Pisistratus smiled and replied It was a Mystery he could not explain before so many Witnesses This answer troubled Solon so much that he could scarce dissemble it he was impatient till the company were gone that he might clear himself of the perplexities of his mind and pretending some private business to stay with Pisistratus he asked him If he were one of those Witnesses whom he thought unfit to hear the explanation of his mystery You of all the World replied Pisistratus the mystery in which I am concerned is a Mystery of Love Judge then Whether it ought to be trusted to a conformed Philosopher whose Soul stands like a Rock against all the storms of Passion and who is continually Preaching its impossibility I am none of those Philosophers you speak of said Solon interrupting him I reverence Wisdom and would be truly wise if I could but this Wisdom consists not in a brutish fierceness Those who describe her so never knew her well she was made for Man and should be a sociable Vertue How replied Pisistratus If I tell you that I am in love and that this Carbuncle is given as a token of my Mistresses kindness will not my Passion seem a weakness to you or can you pardon my amour It is possible replied Solon whom this discourse troubled more and more I may there are crimes carry their excuses with them Love is indeed of it self a great extravagance but there may be a Mistress so perfect that that Love may become an effect of Reason Pisistratus had no love for Solon and believed him as severe as he seemed to be but it is hard for any lover to resist the occasion of speaking of what they love and he was so extreamly delighted with the thoughts that so famed a Wiseman approved his Passion that he could not forbear crying out Then a thousand thanks to love that hath made me become the most reasonable of all Men for never was there Woman so perfect as Orgina nor ever was the effect of that Reason made me love her so powerful in any Brest as in mine That name of Orgina put all the Philosophy of Solon to a stand Do you call your Mistress Orgina said he interrupting him Yes replied Pisistratus that is the name of the person I adore I have heard speak of her at Salamina said Solon She is indeed of that Island answered Pisistratus and Daughter to Amphicles considerable both for her Birth and Degree her Father having been always inclineable to the part of the Megarians escaped out of Salamina during the Siege with intent to retire to Megara but was met by an Officer of the Athenian Army who seeing him followed by his Daughter and a very fair young Slave thought he might make considerable booty by seizing them he kept his prey very close fearing some sharers and returning to Athens after the Army was dismissed he sold me the prisoner and his two fair attendants Had not Solon been accomptable to Posterity for the title of Wiseman that Age had given him he had ill-recompenced Pisistratus for the confidence wherewith he obliged him But the quality of Philosopher is a heavy burden for those who undertake to bear it He was forced to keep a guard upon his Sences as upon his declared Enemies and not daring to lift up his eyes on Pisistratus fearful least his countenance should betray him he asked him in a doubtful and trembling key If he were as much beloved as he loved I cannot guess I am hated replied Pisistratus with the briskness of a successful Lover and you may judge it by the Carbuncle which hath been the occasion of this converse Orgina gave it me telling me withal That it was the greatest token of Love could be given by the Daughter of Amphicles and that if I knew the secret contained in it I would confess that Orgina offered an obliging Sacrifice when she intrusted me with it This Relation so much increased Solon's trouble that grown doubtful of his power to master it he thought it best to leave Pisistratus and seeming to satisfie himself by faintly telling him That Salamina was become one of the Members of Athens and that he ought not to treat as a Slave a Virgin whom his Countrey had adopted he bid him adieu but in such a disorder as was very slenderly agreeable to the reputation he had gained Being come to his house he found there Thales sirnamed the Milesian one of the most famous Wisemen of Greece and particular friend to our Athenian The Inhabitants of the Island of Coos had sent him a Tripod of Gold fished out of the Sea near their Island which was pretended to have been cast in there by Helen in her return from Troy and which by the Oracle of Pythia the Prophetess was destined to the wisest Man of all Greece The modest Thales not believing himself worthy that renown resigned it to Solon and now came to prepare him to receive the present intended to be made him next morning Alas cryed Solon when he understood the occasion of his Friends journey What a labyrinth is the Heart of Man None dear Thales can find out its Mazes and Windings those who think a Philosopher as perfect in the practise of Knowledge as in his Precepts would soon quit that Error if the Eyes were as certainly the Windows of the Soul as they are but the Mask This Morality looks prettily from you replied Thales in the glorious occasion that now courts you I applaud my self for the opinion I have conceived of your Wisdom and I observe with much satisfaction it is not friendship hath prepossessed me in your favor Accept the Tripod dear Solon for you onely are worthy to receive it nor can any other possess it without usurpation Thales and Solon had contracted so strict a friendship there could be no Vail or Hypocrisie between them Solon had discovered to the Milesian the birth of a Daughter which he had in his youth whose horoscope had told him She should be one day fatal to her Countreys Liberty It was by Thales Counsel she was secretly brought up in one of the Isles of the Aegean Sea without knowing either her birth or the misfortune threatned her This trust injoyned
a farther which Solon could not refuse he discovered to his friend the true state of his heart and not hiding any circumstances of his love Judge added he if I deserve the mysterious Tripod which the gods destined for the wisest of Men two or three violent Passions at once triumph over my Soul I love Orgina as much as I can love and I hate Pisistratus as much as I can hate I am jealous and desperate and in the extravagancies of my fury know not whether I should not be transported to act the same violencies against what I love as what I hate Keep the Tripod dear Thales or make a present of it to some one that is wiser then Solon I know no one replied Thales that more appears so your Laws seem to have been dictated by the gods your conversation is learned and instructive you are externally calm and quiet and have refused soveraign power if you be not wise who then is Or on what foundation shall we make judgments of Men If it be true that your Soul is the Whirligig of so many Passions let us deplore dear Solon the excess of humane frailty which hath spred it self into all Men equally appearance onely making some difference between them We can never teach true Wisdom we learn onely the Art of feigning Anacharsis Byas you and I we are all subject to the same failings and the gods can onely boast perfection Concluding therefore that the Tripod ought to be consecrated to some divinity they sent it to that Temple at Thebes which the Thebans had lately built in honor of Apollo sirnamed the Ismenian Solon prevailed with Thales to stay some days longer in Athens to assist him in his extremities with his wise Counsels Whiles they were one day shut up together and Thales diswading his friends love by all the arguments his Philosophy could furnish him with a Letter was brought to Solon left by an unknown person at his Gate who refused to stay for an answer Solon opened it with a concern that Thales observed and he found these words I Have observed you as I thought concerned for me and I have had a belief that I often perceived in your eyes that passionate trouble might well convince you loved and yet Solon you now come often into the place where I am and pass many hours without letting your love betray me to you Are you yet Solon Or can I forbear reproaching you with this calmness without ceasing to be the delicate ORGINA Solon burst out into a cry of joy at the reading of this Letter and kissing with an extasie the so beloved name of Orgina put Thales into a strange astonishment Is it possible said he to Solon that that Wisdom so famous in all Greece and with which I believed you so liberally supplied should sink under so weak an assault Pray my dear Thales said Solon embracing his friend trouble not my joy by such an unprofitable reflexion It is no more the Solon celebrated through all Greece that now speaks to you it is a sincere friend who shows himself unmasked to his friend You would find all men different from what they appear if you could see their hearts naked as I discover mine to you And besides my dear Friend What do you call true Wisdom if it be not the Art to make our selves happy Can our felicity reside in any other thing And is it not the impressions we seek of joy or grief which create our pleasures or our pains Believe me Thales let Men think of us what they please it is not their Opinion creates our happiness it is the natural motions of our own Souls In vain would all Greece believe you happy if you believe it not your self and others judgments of that happiness you found not would but increase your misery and sorrow Ending these words he hasted to Pisistratus House resolved to see Orgina if he could possibly but she was not there to be found Pisistratus had surprised the Letter Carrier as he came to return an account of his Commission and though the seeming austerity of Solon might create a dead repose in his Rival Pisistratus who was born suspitious believing he could not be too watchful of a treasure he feared to lose had carried away the young Orgina and her Slave to a Countrey-house of his two days journey from Athens This news afflicted Solon as much as can be imagined he observed two or three circumstances equally vexatious he would not for his life that his weakness should grow publick The sudden departure of Pisistratus and that just at the instant he received Orgina's Letter made him conjecture something of the truth and if he were apprehensive of his glory he was no less of his love he saw his Mistress carried away and in the power of a lover whom he believed jealous such a Man as Solon seldom fears without seeking a remedy and People who are in power ever mix the greatest Interests with their own He had begun the establishment of the Areopagites a Counsel of great authority in Athens and whose Decrees have made it since famous he labored in the accomplishment of this Work and declaring to the Assembly that he had notice that some Athenians held some of the Inhabitants of Salamina in a kind of slavery he represented it as a thing ignoble for Athens to permit that people by her adopted should be reduced to servitude This Remonstrance was thought just a Decree was issued out against those which held any of the Inhabitants of Salamina commanding their release in three days on pain of death Pisistratus being the onely Man aimed at in this Decree Solon took care to give him the first notice In vain had they imposed the Penalty of Death on the Disobeyers Pisistratus would have suffered a thousand deaths ere run the hazard of losing Orgina he secures himself with her in the Kingdom of Argos and those who had Commission from the Areopagites to make him give obedience to the Decree found onely in his House the Slave of Amphicles Solon grew even desperate at this new misfortune See now said he to Thales how much all your boasted Wisdom contributes to our Happiness had it not been for that Reputation of wise Man I so little deserve I would have forced my Mistress out of my Rivals Arms she was mine before he knew her her Letter assures me I have lost no right in her and I have a power in Athens to which that of Pisistratus must have been constrained to yield And yet because I pass for a wise Man and must pay wondrous Caution to that Title I am robbed of Orgina and my rival peaceably possesses her He would needs see Amphicles his Slave to draw from her some little satisfaction she was brought to him but O Gods What was his astonishment when he knew her for the same Orgina he believed to be in the Kingdom of Argos with Pisistratus he wanted the charitable
took a Wax-light out of Albra's hand and returning to the Closet resolved to retire as he came the person escaped from him was got there before him and Caesar was much surpriz'd to find it to be young Claudius the Lover of Pompeia disguis'd under the habit of a Woman he looked wistly at him more then once before he believed his own eyes till Claudius judging the more he consider'd him the better he must know him 'T is I Caesar said he you are not deceiv'd you see 't is not you only whom love has prevailed with to seek an advantage from the Feast How said Caesar interrupting him Was it you whom Pompeia came to find when you were laid upon the Bed and Was it to give you such full and free entertainment I retreated so quietly into the Closet You may be deceiv'd in the voice of the Woman that spoke to me reply'd Claudius But Caesar I can take no other for Murcia you have too often and too plainly named her and that secret is of counterpoise enough to exact from you an oblation of your suspitions if you can destroy me by revealing me you run the same danger in being revealed and if it be true that I love you love likewise and whilst you know not the object of my love but by conjecture you have declar'd in express termes that you love Pompey's Wife Caesar whose reason follow'd Claudius's word for word and whose ambition had no less a concerne then his love in the concealing his intrigue with Murcia apprehending it might be both the loss of his Mistress and ruine of his designes if he suffer'd his resentments to take place us'd all his endeavours to suppress them and giving the Light he held to his wives Gallant Go march said he and boast if thou dar'st that thou hast done Caesar the greatest injury he can receive and that he has not the courage to revenge it Thou mayest now talke whatever thou wilt the discretion I owe to my Love submits it self to all Censures Claudius went down the Privy-staires which were the same Albra had brought him in by but one of Aurelia's Women being by chance in the Court near the foot of those Staires seeing Claudius put out his light as soon as he espy'd her began to have some suspition of the truth She stop'd the disguis'd Lover demanding what he was and whether he went the confus'd answer he gave and the fulness of his voice made him known for a man Aurelia had notice of the accident she caused the Ceremony to cease and sending for Officers commanded Claudius to be deliver'd over to the Censor Caesar then appeared pretending to be run into the noise and the fear he was in to be impeached in the Criminals Examination obliging him to take him out of the hands of his Mother he caused him to be carry'd to Cato's whose very near Kinsman he was Aurelia could by no meanes approve this excess of Mercy You know not said she to her Son what kind of Man you save from the rigour of the Laws he is your Wives Gallant I have a long time taken notice that wherever they meet they have observed each other with a discomposure betraying too much love and 't was without doubt by her order he came hither disguis'd in that manner for Pompey's Wife finding her self indisposed and having desired a moments repose on Pompeia's Bed she receiving the request with so an unbecoming a manner that I was forced to lead Murcia to mine I found not your Wife there when I return'd into the Assenibly I caused Albra to search her and having asked her why she had so left the Feast she told me that she had a little business in her Chamber but I 'le assure you she lied not she had indeed great business there Of all this Discourse Caefar was ignorant of that part only which concern'd Murcia the rest he knew from the original In the mean time Claudius was at Cato's who sharply reproved his boldness Caesar could not have chose for him a better retreate Cato loved the young Man as wild as he was and Servilia Cato's Sister was the trustee of all his Secrets she had a long time been in Love with Caesar without finding a way to make him sensible this disdain had converted her love into an anger equivalent to a violent hate and as well to find occasions to exercise it as to revenge her self on him that slighted her She encourag'd Claudius in his passion for Pompeia 't was she had put him in his Womans disguise and inspired that rashness into him to convey himself into Caesar's house Now that by the report of what had passed she understood 't was a Rival defended Julius his heart against her approaches she gave loose reines to all the fury and all the Jealousie a Womans breast was capable of conceiving Nor was Caesar less tormented within though the causes of his trouble were different his Spirit was fierce and delicate he could not think of the affront he had received without such violent indignation as reach'd almost to Madness But that rage being balanc'd with what he ought to the honour of Murcia and the necessity he stood in of Pompey's friendship he run from thought to thought and from desperate resolutions to the most pacifick deliberations and not knowing precisely what to determine on concluded himself the most miserable man living He past the rest of the night walking in a disconsolate manner in his Chamber and assoon as it was day he went to Pompey to make Complaint of his Sisters demeanour Pompey would not excuse her but knowing nothing more of her Crime then that Claudius was found disguis'd like a Woman at the feast of the Good Goddess he was of the mind she could not therefore merit all those reproaches wherewith Caesar calumniated her he therefore urg'd him to say whether he had any secret light touching that business which the rest of the World knew not No said Caesar in a perplexed manner but it is not enough for the delicacy of my humor that the Wife of Caesar be free from crime I would have her be so from Suspition Pompey us'd all his endeavours to appease Caesars anger he told him That in accidents of this nature Husbands ought to themselves the best part of their tranquility that nothing should be believ'd but what was seen And Caesar continued he we should in discretion see as little as we can What advantage gain you in taking away your Wives Reputation the wrong you do her recoils on your self and if you drive on the business to a divorce of her 't is an even lay you take another less honest then she Chance governs in all Marriages and Women should be chosen blindfold After these Learned Sentences they went together towards the Senate they met Cato by the way Though Pompey and he were enemies yet they forbore not on occasion to talk together Cato joyned himself to the two Brothers
reasons were lull'd asleep yet when things were reaccomodated it became between these two great Men a solid and violent Friendship not expiring but with their lives They were together in the same Garden where Pompey over-heard the Discourse between Caesar and Servilia and the sight of the Bower where it was held calling into Pompeys mind the troubles he felt during that entertainment What a strange kind of Madness said he to Cato is that point of honour a Husband places in his Wives Chastity Why should the glory of a man depend on a Caprichio of which he is not Master When a General flies out of terrour of his Enemy 't is a personal remissness and 't is fit that he who commits the fault should suffer the disgrace but when my Wife acts a Gallantry I contribute neither by Connivance nor Counsell and yet the whole shame of the Action lights on my head Who told you so said Cato interrupting him I perceive not that an honest man is lest esteemed by reasonable People because his Wife is non exactly tender of that we call honour in her Sex I am sure he ought not to be reply'd Pompey but yet Custome gives Authority to this injustice and the title given to a Husband whose Wife is unchast is one of the greatest Ignominies can be thrown on him Hold hold said Cato interruping him and shaking his head I esteem my self not a rush the less for having seen Martia in Hortenfius his Armes and would take her again when forsaken by her Lover as the relict of one of my best friends if at least I found any benefit by doing it This is not the sort of moderation that surprizes me reply'd Pompey Martia should not be lookt upon by you as a disloyal Woman you surrendred her to Hortensius by contract in form of Law and were forced to make use of all the power you had over her to oblige her to ratifie your Gift All things in this life wear two faces Pompey reply'd Cato and they show to the good or bad but just as the prudence of man knows how to hold the light to them Listen to what I never told any but Munatius and judge of the sincerity of my returne in friendship to you by the secret wherewith I shall intrust you Martin is as you well know Sir perhaps one of the fairest persons of the world I loved her dearly and thought she loved me as well The charmes of her Soul had preserved and gave new life in my heart to those flames which Marriage usually extinguishes I found Martia more worthy of love when I absolutely and perfectly knew her then when decency and good manners conceal'd a part of her merit and if the words of a Woman may have any credit with a well-grounded understanding Martia acknowledg'd to have found in me all I discover'd in her I am in the exterior severe but this severity is only in appearance I am in private sociable and love divertisement like other men and Martia us'd to tell me I prov'd a more loving Husband then she durst hope for when I was but her Lover she would often say that that Cato which permitted himself to be seen by his familiar friends was not that Cato show'd himself to the Senate and Common-wealth and methought she spoke truth I justifi'd her opinion with all the complacencies a wife could expect from the best of Husbands and those who are perswaded they deserve any ones kindness easily believe they possess it I had an absolute confidence in Martia's faith she might have betray'd me before my own eyes without fear of conviction she perceiv'd without doubt this advantage and would not let it lie fallow Hortensius is a handsome Man his riches vast which make his expence easie and Women naturally weak are sooner taken with glittering then solidity Hortensius was captiv'd by Martia's beauty and Martia yielded her self to Hortensius gayety dispence with me from telling you how they did declare their thoughts I have not entred into so nice a deduction of the Story Martia has betray'd me she is at present the Wife of Hortensius great things alwayes presuppose the less and when effects speak a discourse of the wayes is needless Hortensius got admission into my House by becoming a feigned servant to my younger Sister Portia being a person both of great honour and as great riches his propositions were easily listned to but Drusus Livius our Vncle under whom we had all been bred and whom we respect as a Father is a Man infinitely scrupulous in the Customes of his times and would never consent to marry Portia the younger before Servilia her elder Sister you know Servilia and many other persons know her as well as you and that Matches for Maids of her humour are rare to be found out Hortensius was therefore forced to prepare himself for patience He at first made it mighty difficult but has since acknowledged to Munatius that it was a difficulty he foresaw and for the reason of which alone he chose to ask Portia rather then Servilia The intentions of this supposed Lover appeared to us as sincere as they were false we endeavoured to support his patient expectation with a very strait familiarity he had the same liberty in my house and my Vncles as if he had been my own brother and he continually seem'd to behave himself more and more worthy of the love he professed to my Sister My Wife grew not at all Jealous of him she had so well made up conditions of accord with her Lover in that point that whatever was done for Portia was placed to the account of Martia but it happened not so nor was she so just with him in the case of Lucia Daughter of Drusus she there lookt upon as seeds of Love what was indeed but a simple Civility and these suspitions troubling and disturbing her humour which was naturally somewhat imperious she writ to Hortensius in these termes I Believe I deserve to be beloved Hortensius and that opinion makes me easily believe you do love me I have done no less for you These dispositions of our hearts may as you perhaps think raise some trouble in mine at the sight of your inconstancy but Hortensius expect not that glory I shall behold your change with as much tranquility as scorn and 't is by that effect of my courage I design to make you know what you lose when you lose She was doubtless about to write the Name of Martia but I gave her not time I had been at the house Drusus had built in the Marches of Ancona and had once designed to spend some time there but an oppressing Melancholly making me apprehend something had happened to Martia that fear made me post home to rid me of the Suspition of it and taking upon me the humour of Gallant that I might surprize my Wife with my arrival I had forbid my People giving her notice I surprized her indeed as I designed but
violent and scarce contained it self before suspected witnesses but we constrained it not before our best Friends I was still speaking kind and feeling things to Flora and she answered me in terms every way as touching our eyes made a continual commerce of eloquent glances and the most indifferent things were advanced to profit by our laborious Passion every thing turning into an occasion of expressing the warmth of our desires Judge into what condition we put the passionate and discreet Geminius he was brought to that extremity that the Physitians gave him over and when he felt his death approaching he declared to me the cause of it The Friendship I had for Geminius could not be balanced by any thing but my love to Flora were I to have parted with my life to save my friends I should have given it without reflexion but when I understood Flora was the concern I asked time to resolve resolve nothing Pompey said the dying Geminius I discovered not my grief to find a remedy I am too happy to die for that I love best in the World and though your generosity would contribute to my recovery I know it depends not on you your happiness is so great it dazles you and you see but a part of it I am since so Destiny pleases more clear sighted I have observed particulars in the love of Flora that destroy the confidence I could have in your friendship Live happy and let me die miserable and give not that increase to my torments to let them cost you one sorrowful reflexion This discourse pronounced by an expiring Man and one I so dearly loved touched me to the very Soul I thought I ought to my friends life at least a seeming willingness to contribute to his cure and presuming enough on Flora's constancy to believe she would preserve her self wholly to me in despite of myself I assured Geminius that if he could gain her love I would look on his happiness without a murmur I have not faith enough in the fictions of the Poets to believe this assurance restored Geminius life but his disease being come to the Christs certain it is that from that day we observed his amendment I resolved to assist it by my absence and as well to convince him of my sincerity as to avoid the reproaches of Flora I went to spend some time at the Countrey-house whether Sylla was retired after having laid down the Dictatorship I writ every day to Flora Letters full of that Love possest my Soul I had not engaged never to love her more but onely promised she should love my friend if she could Wretch that she was she could but do it too much Love is no mighty task to one of that Sex Geminius Painted my slight compliance with such lively colours that at my return to Rome I learned from Flora's own Mouth her infidelity How cryed I can it be true that you loved Pompey with so much fervency and cease to love him with so much ease Who has told you I have ceas'd to love you replied Flora Do you give the title of change to that sacrifice you constrained Is it because I have restored you a Friend whose loss had made you desperate that you accuse me with want of love Alass I expected a thousand thanks for my chearful obedience 't was a thousand tortures to me to yield to it and I made use of all the powers of my kindness to resolve upon what you reproach for a decay of Passion Ah Flora said I how cruel is your obedience to me How much more would you have obliged me had I found you less submissive Flora ask'd pardon for her error and swore to me she would stop the career of it and doubtless would have done as the said That deadly grief she expressed at our separation hath-fully perswaded me Geminius destroyed me with my own Weapon and that Flora believed she pleased me in betraying me but the remembrance of that inconstancy has given me disgusts I could never vanquish Flora forbore to see my Rival any more she felt a remorse for her credulity which almost cost her her life I loved her a long time after our rupture and her memory is yet grateful to me but Cato I was born nice and delicate and in my mind true love is incompatible of partnership Night rather then want of Matter broke off the converse of these two Ilustrious Romans I shall find out a way to renew it hereafter but it is good to make use of the leisure of contriving it and leaving these two reconciled Enemies to their quiet rest endeavor after their example to enjoy some time of repose The End of the Discourse of Cato and Pompey THE LOVES OF Great Men. D'ANDELOT DUring the Progress to Bayonne the King had given leave to the Duke D'Aumale to hunt in the Forest of Fontainbleau and to kill the Wild Boar. In one of these Chaces the Dutchess D'Aumale Natural Daughter to King Henry the Second and Diana of Poictiers coming near to the Inclosure they had made a Wild Boar broke the Toyls and frighting her Horse he ran clear away with her towards the left-hand D'Andelots Horse frighted at the same accident followed Madam D'Aumales her Husband was a good way off with Prince Patien and Madam L'Admirale de Brion two other Ladies who were near the Dutchess cryed out that weak assistance being all they could give her none daring to venture their skill in riding at her rate except Madam de Brion who pursued her on full speed The cry came soon to the Duke who hearing how his Ladies Horse was frightned had not been concerned for her had he not at the same time heard that D'Andelots with a like fright took the same way with the Dutchesses he rid then with all speed to overtake them D'Andelot who could not guide his Horse letting him run where-ever he pleased heard a noise beside him and saw Madam D'Aumale coming up very near him but in a moment she was passed him and he lost sight of her by reason of a small Coppice was before him which the way dividing in two he was forced to enter and there saw Madam D'Aumale faln That sight made him strive hard again to stop his Horse but since he could not he threw himself down to take care of her whom he feared was hurt she was almost stunded and in that disorder discovered some part of her fair body There is scarce that Love and Constancy in the World can resist against so many Beauties and though possibly this minutes sight changed not utterly the object of D'Andelots love yet so pleasing an adventure made him at least very sensible but care of the Dutchess made him soon forego the pleasure he reaped with his eyes He was come to her and had just taken her in his arms to lift her up when the Duke and Madam de Brion arrived yet he gave not over his officious employ and the asking her whether she
all that Evening Madam de Brion observed what I did I perceived it but I forbore not discoursing with the Dutchess On the morrow the Duke came to visit the Admiral I happened to be there and having observed her more nearly then at the Ball began to suspect her already in a condition to make me lose my wager the loss was considerable and many reasons obliged me to prevent it Mean time the Prince prosecuted his love with Bourlemont and his endeavors were not successless he had the satisfaction to know she did not hate him he let me know his happiness and not trusting to any other the secret of his Passion gave me a Letter for her but I lost it and it unhappily fell into Madam de Brions hands who not knowing my Character thought after having read the following Lines I had deserted her for the Dutchess You unjustly accuse me with loving the Admiral have a better opinion of your own Beauty and my Faith and think not I can love by halves 'T is possible I may have given occasion for your suspitions by those enterviews you have seen between us but believe me they were not all on the score of love and when their causes shall be known you will repent you Injustice and I shall have the satisfaction not to have any cause to reproach you Though at the sight of this she dissembled a joy and content I found afterwards she had much ado to restrain her grief and anguish The Dutchess loved her very well and that she might have the more of her company she left her Lodgings and went to sojourn at Madam D'Aumales during her stay at Orleans The first night she went to lie there there happened a tumult in the City One of the Duke D'Aumales servants quarrelled with a Citizen who was wholly interessed for the party and called him Rebel He could not endure that injury and the servant was very scurvily treated other servants came in to his aid and the Neighbors to the Citizens The quarrel grew general and the Citizens in great numbers pressed even to the Dukes Gates and entered them and their animosity made it be feared they would force in that tumultuous manner through all the Lodgings The Duke D'Aumale being with the Prince had news of the commotion and having told it me I made haste and came just at the instant they had past the Court and were breaking open the Dutchess Chamber I appeased the multitude and at my name the door was opened and I took the Dutchess and conveyed her out by a convenient postern I knew not that the Admiral had that night changed Lodings nor did the Dutchess tell me so till I had put her in a place of security Saint Cire whom I had made stay at the Dukes Lodgings to compleat the appeasing of the tumult took care of the Admiral and I returning immediately to see if I were obeyed was surprised to see Madam de Brion coming out with Saint Cire who was conducting her to the Princesses I excused my self not knowing her to have been at the Dutchesses she received my excuse very coldly yet upbraided me not but civilly dispenced with my attending her The Prince understanding from Bourlemont I had not given her his Letter asked me what I had done with it I told him how I had lost it and sought in vain for it in all places where I had been Bourlemont was mighty angry at my neglect fearing his privacies with the Prince might take air by it but I satisfied her by telling her none could suspect to whom it was writ being without superscription and the hand was so well counterfeited 't would rather be taken for mine then the Princes All which was but too true and that resemblance but too much justified when the Admirale saw in the Dutchess hands Verses she had prayed me to give her and which I had writ For my part I who suspected not Madam De Brions thoughts employed all my cares to incline her affection The Duke managed the same design and I often feared with better success then my self Though the Dutchess was still extreamly favourable to me yet I constrained my self not to perceive what she would have me see how easie had been my passage unto her Heart had I had a design to enter it All Prince Portiau's Merit had vanished for me and I plainly saw it must be my fault if I were not beloved by one of the fairest Persons of the world but I could not consent to it whilst my Love to the Admirale withstood it and I chose rather to be constant and unhappy with her then dearly beloved elsewhere My mind told me these thoughts ought to hope for some reward if they were but known but there was nothing beheld in me but Treason and Inconstancy and that was a strange kind of way to gain Love from any Person They were playing one night at the Princesses the Admirale was onely looking on and I thought it a convenient time to speak to her and having drawn her out of the hearing of the company I begin to apprehend said I that you will not love me and that I shall lose my wager but Madam is not the Duke D'Aumale the causer that reproach drew on hers and she appeared to me full of anger and jealousie and yet in the mixture I could discern some Love you will supply that loss with Madam D'Aumale said she and her Beauty will make good all you can lose by me Ah Madam 't is onely your heart I am ambitious of replyed I and though I cannot obtain it with all my sufferings I will never give you the pleasure to call me unfaithful You have fully done it already answered she with a disdainful smile but you deserve not I should complain of you that would be a mark of esteem and I have onely scorn for you I besought her to no purpose to explain why she treated me thus She returned to see them play and I withdrew satisfied to know a part of her thoughts but terribly afflicted at the reproach she made me The Duke D'Aumale having finished his Treaty with the Prince returned to Court The Dutchess at departure seeing me sad and melancholly attributed it to her self and obliged her thoughts with an opinion I was concerned for her The Admirale thought as she did and continued for some time that she staied at Orleans to shun my company and scorn me The Constable being brought back to the City the Prince and Princess went thence together with Madam de Brion She would not have seen me but I would wait on her on the way I expected at least some indifferent regards but I had not so much as that small content and believed my self unhappy Fontpertuis perceiving my grief made me assign to hope and I answered her by other signs My Brother the Admiral was come to Orleans one day before the Princes departure he was dissatisfied with the Treaty and would have had
it broke but the Prince could not consent Soon after Peace being concluded I heard that Madam de Brion was at one of her Lord ships within two Leagues of my House at Tanley having no business of consequence at Court I went down under pretence of building a Lodge after the Italian mode and to that end some days before me sent down and Architect had undertook it As soon as I had reached Tanlay all my thoughts were employed how to see the Admirale I knew her fair and lov'd her and would purchase her love at what rate soever I acquainted Fontpertuis by Letter of my design to see Madam de Brion she returned me answer 't was not yet time and that the Admirale was very angry at me but mentioned not the occasion but withal told me that she was going for eight days to visit an Aunt of hers whither if I would take the pains to come I might know the cause of all As soon as I could learn Fontpertuis was come to her Aunts I went to her House which was but three Leagues distant from mine I have already told you Fontpertuis was a kinswoman of Madam de Brions and that she entrusted her with all her secrets yet certain it is the Admirale knew not that I had writ to her or that she had answered me or appointed me to see her She made me a very civil and courteous reception and at her sight I was more rejoyced then I had been since the absence of Madam de Brion she told me from whence the anger proceeded and that its original was from the suspitions she had I was in love with Madam D'Aumale which were confirmed by a Letter she accused me to have writ to her 't was not hard to pacify my self on the whole to Fontpertuis did it she believed me and assured me I was not hated The assurance made me hope I must be beloved she was to be judge the time drew nigh that our wager was to be decided I trusted neither so much to my love nor the kindness the Admirale might conceive for me as to neglect the care of making my judge favourable there lay all my thoughts after having taken leave of Fontpertuis and his Aunt My Houshold affairs Unseasonable visits and Letters from the Prince and Admirale which I was obliged to answer kept me two days from seeing Fontpertuis You may have observed she is taking enough has Wit and pleasant Converse and I stood in need of her Credit As soon as I came she complained of my neglect in not seeing her all that time her manner of looking and talking with me made me suspect her heart was smitten I resolved to make Tryal and found my self not deceived she was indeed in love I told her what I thought she confessed it blushing and casting down her Eyes In this conjuncture I forgot the Love and Faith I owed the Admirale and greedily snatching the opportunity offered had the pleasure to seduce my Judge In four other visits I paid her I had the like entertainment I confirmed her good intentions towards me and doubted not of her giving sentence on my side if the Admirale would be determined by her judgement yet sometimes I feared lest Fontpertuis had too much love which might forbid her suffering me to be happy and engage her for the Duke D'Aumale who since his departure from Orleans had put all those things in practice carried any likelihood of contributing to his desires but she satisfied me with so much sweetness and kindness that I had no farther trouble then the expectation of the hour of judgement She took leave of her Aunt and returned to Madam de Brion counselling me to come thither without asking her permission and I was too much in love to neglect her counsel I followed her next morning and without telling the Servants who I was asked for Fontpertuis who was brought to me she told me the Admirale was in an Arbor in the Garden I requested her to shew me the place she was my guide and shewing me the Arbor left me within some few steps of it I presently went into the Arbor and there beheld Madam de Brion asleep on a Bed of Sods Had I till then been unsensible this sight would have made me love The sweet composure and loveliness of her Neck which all appeared strangely moved and tickled me a pleasant extasie spread it self through my whole body and I was wrapt up into transports and desires that appeared to me almost like a third Heaven to which I found all my inclinations so ready to bend 't was onely one way possible for me to find a happiness beyond it for still I but lookt and durst do no more till love made me a little bolder and what had I not done if she had not waked she was surprized to see me and see her self alone with me How D'Andelot said she you that are so obliged to me how can you forget that I requested you no more to see me Alas Madam said I who would not forget it when Love Commands it At this she rose up and Fontpertuis coming in I continued talking after that rate not doubting but my discourse was more acceptable then it would have been perswaded You see Madam said I an unhappy Man who comes onely to know by what justice you have condemned him to such sufferings do you set no value on his Love and Faith and must he hope nothing from his perseverance Pardon me Madam if I call you ingrateful you deserve that Title added I sighing though once I thought I should never have cause to call you so Your perfidiousness replyed she has smothered all I found lovely in you I have observed your crime at large but you have given me so little leave to discern your passion that I have happily suppressed the Commencements of mine Ah Madam said I interrupting her that victory you will gain over your self will cost me dear 't is hard for me to be accused of Treason by what I love more then all the world and judge but how it must afflict me I cannot make you sensible that Love deserves any thing At this I asked her what was my crime she fairly told me and 't was as easie for me to justifie my self by showing many other Letters in the same Character which the Prince had writ to me she began to listen and in short was so well convinced that I overthrew all the unjust suspitions she had conceived against me our discourse ended in her gracing with an apparant joy the finding me loving and constant and I studied to six her imaginations upon the consent I received from her sight and goodness and left her not till I bore off all that Hope could promise Fontpertuis had indeed great care to oblige me and seconded earnestly the perswasions of my innocency I saw very well what thanks she expected and she deserved them but poor soul was cheated for want of time and
opportunity Soon after my return to Tanlay the Duke and Dutchess of Aumale came thither the sight of my Rival troubled me as much as the Dutchesses I understood presently that the Duke could not pass by without seeing the Admirale and those desires made him submit to perswade the Dutchess to pass by Taulay which found in her a readier compliance out of hopes her Beauty and address might at last vanquish the indifference I had shewed towards her They stayed two days at my house where I entertained them with all the divertisements a Countrey House could afford in the best season of the year since 't was impossible for me to avoid conversing with the Dutchess she took her time when the Duke was otherwise imployed I found in her discourse so much love would have ravished me had it come from the Admirale what would not I have given to have heard her say halfe those kind things the Dutchess did You are pensive D'Andelot said she to me jogging me by the Arm and take no care to answer me I turned my self towards her sighing without thinking of it what would you have me answer Madam said I recollecting my self you cannot but think as well as I how little I deserve the respect you give me I could not have thought replied she there was a Man in the world so cruel or who had so great a value of himself as to slight the intreaties of one of my birth but you have made me believe there are such and I find it so great a torment as nothing can counterpoyse unless you change your thoughts Ah Madam cryed I interrupting her why cannot I love you or why may not I lay open to you the secrets of a heart I cannot give you for if I should divide it 't would give you continual cause of complaint and me no satisfaction No no said she I will have no divided heart and had much rather it should be all Madam de Brion's then I have but a part One of the Admirales Gentlemen came to interrupt us his message was to compliment the Dutchess on her arrival and to desire her to come and spend some few days in her House she was somewhat at a stand what to answer when the Duke who came up to us took the word out of her mouth and promised on the morrow to come wait upon her I perceived her discontent at the Dukes haste to leave Tanlay but now she must submit and I had too much interest to accompany her to omit it The Duke and Dutchess had Lodgings appointed them looking out upon a Terrace of Orange Trees as most of the rest do the Dutchess lay in one Chamber and the Duke in another by the side of it At Madam de Brions we received the news of the preparations made to besiege Havre de grace the English Forces were much feared the Prince was in League with them during the War and it was feared upon a breach they would send him considerable relief Orders being brought to me for the march of the Infantry I dispatched them to all places whither they were to be distributed and I made ready my Equipage to be in eight days at Soissons where the Rendezvous was appointed The Duke D'Aumale was much affected at the sight of Madam de Brion and I was as much pleased to know I was beloved The Dutchess easily spied out my joy and all I could do to conceal my happiness was of no proof against her jealousie which formed things bigger then they were The two moneths the Admirale and I had taken for the decision of our wager were now expired within four days I put her in mind of it she only blusht and answered nothing but her silence was a Million my Love understood it very well I was diligent to secure my Judges favour by that complaisance a faithful Lover should onely give to the Person he loved but Interest changes maximes of Love and that obliged me to treat thus with Fontpertuis to whom my kindness was but policy There were sent from Paris to Madam de Brion two China Gowns excellently stained with little Antick Figures which appeared the more admirable because Europe had seen so few of them She gave the finest to Madam D'Aumale who seeing the Admirale wore hers put it on the same day That Evening as we were all in the Garden and that walking in the Serene gave us a delight the heats of the day had robbed us of I coming near to Fontpertuis be sure to meet me said she on the Orange Terrace I have somewhat to say to you in behalf of I made her a sign to speak lower Madam d'Aumale being by us The Duke Amorous Zealous and withal ill treated talked of love with the Admirale Will you be always cruel Madam said he and never pitty what I suffer you will find much more sweetness in that amorous conversation I so sincerely propose then in that indifference hinders and by its niceness obstructs the injoyments of those pleasures love would confer but Madam d'Andelot loves you and can you be so insensible as you appear These words smote her but after having stood mute a while Should I permit you said she to search my heart you would find little there conributing to your desires your love should be applied to the Dutchess onely she is one of the most charming persons of the World and I will never be upbraided to have bred a disunion between you He would have replied but the Admirale unwilling to hear any more called Madam D'Aumale who was still talking as fast of love to me as I was assuring her that if she knew me well she would soon be convinced I did not deserve her kindness The Duke D'Aumale closing continually with Madam de Brion it was impossible for me to have any talk with her but my eyes spoke what my tongue could not and hers answered me so that I enjoyed not onely the content to know I was understood but that my sufferings were shared in The Haut Boys and Flutes I had brought playing us some tunes we stayed till night being pretty well spent Supper was brought into a Pleasure-House in the Garden and having afterwards taken some few turns about the Alleys all withdrew to rest but I to expect the good hour Fontpertuis had assigned me All the obliging signs and glances Madam de Brion had given me made me believe she would hasten my felicity and that Fonpertuis had order to be the intelligencer I came therefore to the appointed Terrace the night was as cloudy as lovers would desire I gingerly marched on towards the Admirales Lodgings and as well as night would give me leave methought I perceived a Woman come out I advanced and she came towards me I thought I knew her by her China Gown and her stature but methought much more by her desires and mine that were so pressing they made her understand I would speak with her and she had the goodness to
all she could offer me Disloyal Lady said I what would you have with me How wretched am I to have bin the witness of what I have seen She held me by one arm but not able to listen to her nor see her longer I snatched away from her mounted again my Horse and taking the road towards Havre returned to the Camp My melancholly was too great to be concealed 'T was thought to proceed because the English had not addressed themselves to treat with me when my Battery was neerer advanced then any other but the true cause was never guest at and you your self were deceived as well as others What lamentable reflexions did I make on my adventure no cruel thought nor just suspition but represented to me Madam de Brions crime and made me judge my self the most unhappy Man living because I still loved her guilty as she was Sometimes my Anger gained the day against my Love but in few minutes my Love again vanquished my Anger yet I would listen to no justification she writ to me but I sent back her Letters without opening them and made her judge by all my proceedings that I broke off all Commerce the time for giving judgement on our wager was above a month expired I was content to have lost but it madded me to lose by the treason of a Person I so well loved The Siege ended the King you know went to Roen to be declared Major and thither came the Admirale whom I took no notice of amongst all the Feasts Rejoycings and Delights Madam D'Aumale continued her endeavours to seduce a Heart I designed to keep at rest since the Person to whom I had given it so ill treated it in a time when I least deserved her rigor I withstood her kindnesses best by the care I took to shun her that was enough to tell her I could not love but my indifference increased her passion Madam de Brion could not without jealousie behold all the Dutchess did to engage me she would not yet lose me and at last found out the secret to make me return She nick'd the time to a hair for I was just ready to comply with Madam D'Aumale's love and one day more had put me quite out of her reach Fontpertuis whom she had instructed what to say to me talked a long time with me at the Ball at first I had refused to hear her believing her an accomplice in the Admirales infidelity but at length my anger abated and she made me consent to come and see her on the morrow Madam D'Aumale who was still in hopes her Beauty would at last affect me seeing the discourse held between me and Fontpertuis feared something was contriving contrary to her desires and therefore came to interrupt us but my resolution was taken and having promised to see the Admirale what ever kind or endearing things the Dutchess could say drew from me no other answer then a sigh She began to complain of my filence and I know not how I should have justified it had not Prince Portian come up to my relief he left Madam D'Aumale no more that evening and the company breaking up I retired not yet dreaming which way the Admirale would justifie her self She had made Fontpertuis say a thousand things to me not at all relating to the infidelity I accused her of I thought onely to see her to make a tryal whether there were yet in my heart any love remaining for her On the morrow I forgot not the hour appointed I was brought to her chamber by Fontpertuis and I found her to have dismissed all other business onely to entertain me she appeared wonderful handsom and every look had a charm and so much was I bewitched with her Air Action and Carriage that I had nothing more to desire to make me happy but only to be perswaded of her innocence and now we were alone What you will forsake me then said she and can you thus easily resolve to relinquish a passion begun with so much Eagerness Fervency and Delight Alas Madam said I you snatch it from me by the uncertainty wherein you leave me of your Faith and I restore it you said she by an assurance I never betray'd you You cannot say so much to me the Beauty and Kindness of Madam D'Aumale have made you forget what was due to my Love even in a time when I loved you told you so and that you were sensible of it and this in my own house and in my own fight What Treasons have you not been guilty of to me yet I forgave you writ to you you come and have scarce seen me but you rudely leave me without giving me time to convince you of the injustice of your suspicions since my arrival you have never come nigh me have searce been heard pronounce my name nay have shun'd the very sight of me Go you cannot love me ingrateful Man that you are as she ended these words I saw a Man coming in by the Closet door with his sword drawn I knew not at first what to think of it but turning towards the Admirale I could hear her cry out See there that dangerous Rival robs you of my heart if you still love me you will defend your self against him I was sat with one of my Arms thrown over the back of the Chair and in that posture surveyed this Man whose fury had methought little terror in it at length I thought it to be Fontpertuis disguised and it was she indeed who as Madam de Brion told me I had under the same Masque taken for a beloved Rival when I came from the Siege of Havre to see her My suspitions being thus blown over 't was now my part to clear those the Admirale had against me What had passed on the Terrace of Orange Trees she could scarce forget but now I was in love and was loved again it proved no hard matter to justify my self we renewed again a fair correspondence and Fontpertuis perswaded us 't was the best way to banish all complaints and let old suspitions give place to Love We had no small Interest to believe her and we did so She then proposed giving judgement who had won the wager At that I looked on Madam de Brion and perceived she blusht and stood silent I drew a good Omen from her blushes and no longer doubted but my happiness was neer I beg'd her to consent to Judgement she turned onely her Eies towards me and sighed That answer had a charm passed sweetly unto my soul and made me feel an unexpressible delight Fontpertuis knowing the favourable thoughts the Admirale had for me asked both her and me if we would stand to her judgement Yes yes we will stand to it said I judge us Madam Brion cryed out it was not fair I should answer for her without consulting her mind and would have withstood the sentence but I entreated her so well that she was appeased Whereupon Fontpertuis putting on the
of what I loved and perceived not the Treason practised against me but committed one my self against the Admirale and knew it not was ever such perfidiousness heard of or could any Man be made more unhappy Y' are very much to be pittied indeed said the Marshal of Montmorency laughing to have obtained such a favor from one of the finest Women of a Kingdom I know not the Man would not have been glad to have supplied your place as scrupulous as you are to account the greatest of pleasures for an unsupportable torment When one is in love replied D'Andelot we value not the finest Women but think onely of those we love and yet methinks said the Marshal you digested very well your kindnesses to Fontpertuis and are not so regularly faithful as you would have us believe 'T is true replied D'Andelot that I have not observed that maxime with her but I was to work her to my designs and could I better engage her to my interests then by engaging her love But pray proceed said the Marshal interrupting him to tell us what you did in the little Chamber I knew continued he Madam D'Aumale by her voice I sighed for grief at the deceit put upon me and was about to be gone when Fontpertuis brought in Lights and I saw not Madam de Brion but was alone with the Dutchess so many Beauties of which I might dispose at pleasure made my heart utterly unfaithful and upon tryal I found that there is sometimes as much pleasure in Infidelity as in a true and constant Passion I renewed again and again my Disloyalties to the Admirale and my Treason began to grow familiar to me when there had like to have hapned a scurvy accident The Duke D'Aumale came home and wanted but little to surprise us Fontpertuis came running in afrighted and had scarce the time to say He followed her I hid my self behind the Bed had I gone into the Chimney as I was once thinking to do I had perished either with the fire or smoak for the Duke coming in pale and heavy and his looks enough declaring him distempered called for some fire believing a fit of an Ague was seising on him I knew not possibly how to get out and Madam D'Aumale seemed to be in more trouble then I. Each of us were deliberating what was the best course to be taken when it pleased my evil destiny to bring in Madam de Brion who having heard I was at the Dutchesses came either to know the truth or to surprise me in the very Act of Treason against her love She met with Fontpertuis and asking what her business was there she replied I come says she to satisfie my self about some suspitions I have of D'Andelot I am afraid he abuses your love he has been a whole hour together alone with the Dutchess and is at present hid behind the Bed The Admirale upon this came in full of anger against her lover and unable to endure the cruel injury she believed she had received the Dutchess began shrewdly to apprehend her rage and resentment Fontpertuis having carried her treachery thus far went home to the Admirales and left the persons concerned in no little trouble and perplexity brought on them by her cunning and artifice The Duke whose Feavor augmented not able to keep up any longer retired into his Chamber and went to Bed Scarce was he gone out but the Admirale maliciously told the Dutchess she was somewhat ill and throwing her self upon the Bed pretending to have a pain at heart she leaned her head towards my side and drawing the Curtain gave me such fierce looks as spoke a thousand things to me without uttering a word when on a sudden her first dissembled grief became a true one and I perceived her swound away At that fight without premeditating what might happen I gave so grievous a shout that almost all the house came into the Chamber I came out from behind the Bed and endeavored to assist her what I could My sight had much contributed to her swouning but the Picture Case which Fontpertuis had without my knowledge given on my behalf to the Dutchess was that compleated it Madam D'Aumale chanced to have that Case in her Pocket and it was faln upon the Bed The Admirale by chance laid her hand upon it and looking to see what it was knew it and presently imagined that either I had given it the Dutchess or that it was dropt out of my Pocket whilst I was tumbling with her on the Bed The Duke returns to the Chamber my sight amazes him and being jealous of both he knew not which to reproach his Wife or the Admirale who was long before she recovered out of her swound I took her by one of her hands spoke to her she at last opened her eyes and seeing me turned them towards the Duke on whom she kept them a good while fixt The Duke could not imagine what to make of this adventure there was a secret in Madam de Brions distemper which he would have given any thing in the World to discover The Picture Case which he knew partly satisfied his desire and he thence apprehended the cause of the Admirales sudden grief and the Dutchess confusion yet he could not clear all the doubts his heart mustered up touching his Honor and his Love neither by it nor by the convincing knowledge he had of his Dutchess love for me and his amorance I enjoyed all the Admirales affection not able therefore to stay there any longer he retired into his Chamber The Admirale restrained her Passion and gave me not a reproaching word but she ordered me to be gone with all the authority of a commanding Mistress Madam D'Aumales eyes requested my stay and seemed to entreat they might be preferred before Madam de Brions but Love gained the day over Infidelity I repented my crime and went away more in love with the Admirale then I had ever been before Soon after I was gone she retired to her Lodgings not without easing some of her fury on Madam D'Aumale who not caring at what rate she gained my love was little troubled at the discontent of her rival Fontpertuis glad at this success added new Treasons to them by telling Madam de Brion I had given the Picture Case to the Dutchess That our correspondence was setled and that I had received a Letter from Madam D'Aumale which she had cunningly and without suspition got from me All these apparent Truths such exact Reasons of Suspitions and the Imaginations Fontpertuis inspired into the Admirale made her resolve never to love me more but to abandon me to my inconstancy and leave me master of the Dutchess heart which I could not accept I was guilty but still I loved I would fain have been pardoned and endeavored all I could to deserve that pardon by a sincere and lasting repentance which I had the better hopes of because I believed the Admirale could not refuse it to
security for the execution and that his Soveraign abbets the action But what ever the King could say or promise he could not make Bussy consent to his desires In this desperate affair he becomes the friend of Ligneroles and chuses rather to expose himself to the Kings anger by representing the merits of his Rival and the services he might one day render him then to oblige his revenge at the expence of his honor and reputation The King appeared ill satisfied with Bussy's generous thoughts but in his Soul approved what he seemed to condemn yet forbidding him upon pain of death once to pronounce the Proposition he had made him Bussy answers nothing and withdraws Madam de Bonneval who had grown into great confidences with the Mareshale though not such secret ones as la Hermite who was one of her attendants tells her that one of her people had seen Bussy go to Chateauneuf's but she drew false conjectures from this visit Chateauneuf had sent for Bussy to come to her Lodgings to tell him the design the King had to destroy Ligneroles believing he knew it not She loved Bussy and the love he had for the Mareshale hindred him from answering her love She believed Ligneroles was beloved and that by preserving his life Bussy might lose the hopes of ever affecting the Lady Mareshale and then she flattered her self he might return to her Directed by such prudent policy she told him the cause of Ligneroles disgrace as she had learnt it from Monsieur representing to him that it was more glorious to overcome a Rival by generous procedure and by advertising him his destruction was designed then to triumph over his evil Fortune by concealing from him that the Kings most cruel resentments were ready to fall upon him Bussy hears all Chateauneuf would say on this subject without promising any thing save onely to be secret in his having learnt it of her He perceived by her carriage that she desired an entertainment like to those they had had together in the time they loved but that time was passed love had disposed of Bussy's heart in favor of the Mareshale and though Chateauneuf were one of the fairest persons of France and employed now all her charms which had formerly seemed so alluring and let him now hear a thousand flattering and pleasant things he still remained constant and parted from her without giving the least reason to be reproached as to his love Understanding that Ligneroles was in the Garden of the Hostel of Soissons he goes thither and after having drawn him off some paces from the Mareshale who was with Queen Catherine of Medices I was resolved yesterday to kill you as a Rival whose happiness made me despair said Bussy to him to day I would endeavor to preserve you as an honest but unhappy Man who have doubtless neither deserved death by the 〈◊〉 maximes of State nor the particular hate of the King I should have received you as an enemy fit to be feared answered Ligneroles but I dread you more with the merit wherewith now you appear and if possible I would ow you nothing In vain I examine and search my self in what point I can be guilty You are not innocent replied Bussy since you have let the King perceive you were not ignorant that the marriage of Madame and the King of Navarre was onely an ingenuous pretext the more fecurely to ruine the Hugonots The silence and confusion of Ligneroles accused him and he had now no hopes but in Monsieurs Protection he could not believe himself forsaken by him but Bussy assured him of it My crime is having spoken says he at length but I had rather die then doubt of Monsieurs friendship he knows not my destruction is resolved for he who never kept secret from me would not have concealed a design against my life Whatever Bussy could alledge he would not take the advise he gave him not to go this progress nor take the ways to secure himself he offered Ligneroles spoke after this of the Lady Mareshale The esteem I have for you said he hinders me from concealing the estate wherein my love and services have put me with her I love her and she knows it I have sighed I have complained and all the fruit I have gathered from all this is the pleasure to see my self hopeless you believed there were strong ties of kindness between us and it was my interest not to disabuse you she wanted one of the family to keep up her affairs with Monsieur I was capable of serving her and you took for love that assiduity she permitted me rather to give her an accompt of my Negations then to give me marks of her goodness Ah Bussy must I tell it you continued Ligneroles for you onely is reserved the happiness to affect her Soul and she sees you not onely for fear of loving you too much That fear should be a glory and pleasure to you Proceded he sighing what would not I do to inspire the like But you would be unfortunate if such a thing were which is what I cannot desire at such a price after that you have now done Are you so generous replied Bussy to tell your Rival in good earnest that he is not hated I am unhappy enough to be pittied for not being loved said Ligneroles interrupting and that I am in danger of losing my life and need not be suspected to want sincerity towards the Man I esteem most of all the World The Mareshale who observed them feared their Discourse might end in a quarrel but her apprehensions changed subject when she beheld them embrace Her suspicions of Bussy increased she was jealous of Chateauneuf Their confidences at the Ball and the impressions of his visiting her much perplexed her mind and besides that he parted from Ligneroles more like a Friend then a Rival What then had she not reason to fear Ladies would lose nothing they believe the number of their lovers is a mark of their merit and an increase of their reputation I say not the Mareshale had these thoughts but she could not look upon the semblances of his change but as an injury in his judgment She concluded by their actions they were become Friends and that Bussy had yielded to Ligneroles all the pretentions he had on her heart she seemed to have more scorn for Bussy and more fierceness for Lignetoles when they met the Queen who soon after went to the Louvre and the Mareshale with her These Rivals went together from the Hostel de Soissons Ligneroles was assaulted by four unknown men who cryed out to Bussy they would have onely the life of Ligneroles but all the answer he gave was to let them know it was hard to take that from a man he defended Ligneroles opposed his courage to his enemies numbers and conjured Bussy to let him perish alone and not run the hazard of losing his life either by these Assasines or by the anger of the King who
would not want advice of the assistance he gave him Bussy impatiently endured what Ligneroles said and parry'd most part of the thrusts made at him The Duke of Guise chancing at this moment to pass by took their part the four men yielded to the courage and constancy of the Duke Bussy and Ligneroles they fled in disorder some of them wounded and one of them was taken by Bussy's servants whom Ligneroles let go against the Dukes mind not doubting but from him might be learned the first authors of this attempt But Bussy and Ligneroles who judged it commanded by the King drew off the Duke from those suspicions he might have had by feigning a Family quarrel which they would revenge This assassinate made a great noise and Monsieur talked publick That he made Ligneroles case his own but in private he said otherwise He knew from whence the blow came and Dâ—gua who was beginning to enter into his favor and who was gained by the King had made him approve the design conceived for the killing Ligneroles at his coming out of the Gardens of Soissons The King who was violent in the first eruptions of his anger was about to command mand the arresting of Bussy for assisting Ligneroles and whom he believed had betrayed his secret but the esteem he had for him banished this design of revenge The Duke of Guise had no share in the Kings resentments not being at all faulty Bussy came that Evening to the Louvre and saw the King who received him with many praises for the action he had done though he did not approve it but he undershood dissimulation On the morrow Bussy sent to request of the Lady Mareshale he might have the honor to kiss her hands he had never spoke to her since she had forbid him seeing her She was full of anger and of shame and could not prevail over her heart to bring it to that indifference she desired which hindered her agreement to Bussy's request Just as her answer was brought to him Ligneroles came into his Chamber understood it and assured him he would omit nothing possible for him to do to procure him an enterview with the Mareshale It is hard to be obliged for such a kindness to a Rival but Bussy was constrained to it Ligneroles was still of the same mind not to retire from Court and Bussy argued hard against a resolution which had no other foundation then Monsieurs Friendship on which he had much less reason to conside then on a provident and quick withdrawing which was the onely way to fecure him Ligneroles came to the Mareshale and at first pleaded in vain on Bussy's behalf but at last she consented to see him She after asked him who were those had assaulted him he would not tell her the secret but he told her that without Bussy's assistance he had been in very great danger and that the Duke of Guise had likewise defended him It was agreed between them that Bussy should come after Supper and that on condition he brought him which he did She was beginning to be undrest and desired him to be present at their entertainment to deprive Bussy of the happiness he might find in seeing and discoursing her alone which Bussy feared but Ligneroles who would not be genenous by halfs civilly retired and by his retreat left him full liberty to see speak and he heard She went for a moment into the Alcove to change her shift whilst Bussy staid looking on a Picture of a Mignon love which endeavored to climb to the top of a Rock he drew a Pencil out of his Pocket to write I shall drrive when the Mareshale gave a great shriek and came running almost naked into his arms Such a sight would certainly affect one indifferent what then could be Bussy's thoughts who was in love He stopt her asking the cause of her sright and endeavoring to reassure her but he perceived she swounded and was in condition to create extasies of love So that Bussy suckt in pleasures at his eyes their employment was to him obliging and charming and they showed him curious things it is impossible to express the sweet and tender motions of his Soul love onely can do it but love is discreet and tells not all it feels L'Hermite who was as fraid as her Lady was fled to call other Maids to her assistance whilst Bussy endeavored to bring her to her self They entred readily into the Chamber followed by Ligneroles who being got onely to the Stairs foot ran back in hast to know the reason of the noise he heard How was he surprised How astonished And how afflicted all at once to see the Mareshale in the arms of one she loved What jealous thoughts did not this sight inspire him with He believed himself unhappy but what thought he not of the happiness of his Rival Yet those thoughts gave place to others more sad and grievous when he perceived that all Bussy's trouble proceeded from the Mareshales swounding They put her in Bed and soon after she opened her eyes and her fright being allayed Ligneroles and he withdrew The Mareshale had as was well known a strong natural antipathy against Spiders of which she could tell no cause she then saw one on the Hanging and saved her self whereever she could and L'Hermite sharing in her Mistress fright fled as I said before On the morrow Bussy returned with design to see her but the shame and confussion wherein she was to be seen in a condition so contrary to Modesty made her resolve to refuse a pleasure she would gladly have received under pretence of not being well recovered from her fright He divined one part of her thoughts but unwilling to be a second time obliged to Ligneroles and trusting in Neufville he gave him Commission to let the Mareshale know he had some important business to discourse with her Neufville did it but not being happy in serving his Friend he in vain attempted to perswade her she ought to hear what Bussy had to say to her In the mean time Bussy was to be pittied he had not onely the pangs of his love and the cruelties of the Mareshale to groan under but must likewise endure all that grief caused by Ligneroles his misfortune The Duke of Guise assisted by the Counsels of Madam de Bonneval who he had formerly loved and who was still his friend neglected nothing he thought might make him be beloved This Prince was young brave ambitious and handsome every way lovely and deserving but to what end were all these great qualities whilst he was not beloved and yet made all his happiness consist in the being so But in a Conference he had his love changes object it was with his Uncle the Cardinal of Lorrain who having already broke off the Match between Madame and the King of Portugal would do the like with the King of Navarre and by his credit with Queen Katherine of Medices marry her to his Nephew The
his flight of having consented to his death Bussy joyned his Counsels and Reasons to the Mareshales but he remained firm in his reselution of going the progress The next day the King hunted with the Queen Madume and several other Ladies all on horseback After having for some time chaced an Hare which the Dogs eat the King had a desire to take some Conies with a Ferret saying He would kill all came out of their Buries These woods were observed by the Hugenots and Politicians and they drew judicious conjectures from his humour which might have served to secure them against those cruelties acted soon after upon them but they suffered themselves to be deceived by Soveraign Faith by the cunning of Katherine de Medices and by the Honours and Dignities they received At this Chace the Duke of Guise was still neer Madume taking the same course to win Love from her as he had done with the Mareshale Bussy carefully observed all the Duke did to whom the Queen had made a signe to come speak with her just at the same time that Madame having taken notice of Bussy's curiosity called to him to know the reason In the last Assembly at the Louvre Madam said he I observed that the Duke of Guise always had his Eies turned towards you and seeing nothing so perfect and accomplished as he I wisht he might fall in love for I thought you alone a worthy object of his passion I had those thoughts when you took him out to dance I observed his joy when he received your hand and the blushes that seised you In summe Madame I employed so well my Eyes that I could not doubt but you might one day love I know not but I might be deceived but it seemed to me as if the day approached this is what I observed Madame when you took notice of my hearkening to you She begun to laugh at what he had said you fetch your conjectures a great way off said she but I have too much esteem for you to leave you in an opinion that I will ever dispose my heart to the Duke of Guise To whom then that is worthy of it can you give it replyed he if you refuse it to him To Bussy interrupted she inclining her self towards him when he shall cease to love the Mareshale Ending these words she rid off leaving him confused and not knowing what to think how many reflexions did he make on this adventure He believed Madame had a mind to divertise herself with him rather then hoped she had any design of inspiring him with the boldness of making love to her The Chase ended all returned to Paris In the way Bussy and Ligneroles complimented the Duke of Guise that the Beauties of Madame had delivered them from so dangerous a Rival He received with a good Grace what they said on that point not utterly disowning his love to her and yet not seeming too much affected to have it believed Madam de Bonneval was at this hunting and would fain have perswaded the Mareshale that Bussy had held some amorous Propositions with Madame but she began to give less Faith to what ever she attempted to say against him He was grown powerful in her heart his merit his generous thoughts and above all the love which had touched her had made him gain a place in the tendrest receptacle of her Soul from whence it was very hard to snatch him Bussy was ignorant what his happiness was and despaired of being beloved A great delight which surprises us when we least suspect it is that brings most sweetness with it Bussy made this pleasant tryal he could not think himself happy but how joyful was he when he could not doubt it The Court prepared to depart next morning and the Courtiers took leave of those Ladies did not go the progress Bussy intended not to take his of the Mareshale fearing to offend her by his sight and by this respectful and prudent carriage he light upon the secret of making himself be desired not to go without seeing her he thought not to find her at Madam de Bonnevals Lodgings whom he believed his friend and therefore would not omit waiting on her having employed the time he thought necessary in this visit he rose up to be gone How will Bussy part then without seeing me said the Mareshale to him he answered that before he durst not but now he took what she had said for a Command He failed not to attend the Mareshale about two hours after her going from Madam de Bonneval who the better to deceive him had at his going out assured him of her friendship in a manner that appeared so full of fair Faith that he went away well perswaded he had not a better friend then she and that without doubt she would be serviceable to him in his Love Bussy was so quick-sighted as to have observed that the Mareshale began happily to purge away her errors of indifference and with such sweet reflexions and such kind thoughts he came to her his Looks were full of Languishing and Submissiveness and his Words full of Love and Eloquence He spoke at first of what he felt of the torments absence would create and of his fears to be hated The Mareshale answered to all this or rather her passion answered for her In the sequel of the discourse she made some complaints but they were obliging ones should you permit me said she to have the least occasion to reproach you Could you goe without seeing what you love is it thus you would perswade your passion or do you know how to love better then you Madam replyed he you dare not stand the tryal for then you would find all the knowledge is on my side and therefore you would save your self that shame she blusht at this answer and asked if he went with the King No Madam you have affronted me said he and being resolved to be revenged I am not now for the progress and what revenge can you take of me replyed she as I can acknowledge Benefits so I am sensible of Injuries and let me advise you that 't is dangerous making me your Enemy Whatever you can say Madam said Bussy interrupting her my resolution is fixt and without fearing your threats I must attempt to make you love me this enterprise will displease you and then I at least shall have the delight to have given you some vexation Revenge your self every day thus upon me replyed she I shall know how to give affront for affront and then I shall have the pleasure of not having yielded to you in resentment This discourse gave much relief to Bussy who was before in great disquiet out of the uncertainty he was in of the Mareshales thoughts for him but never found Lover more kind ones nor greater hopes of happiness when l'Hermit came to give notice that the Duke of Guise entred His new passion could scarce subsist his heart lean'd towards what he had so much
hands If this counsel had been executed with as much boldness as was given with judgement Catherine de Medices had been no longer Mistrifs of affairs she could not live without ruling but the King of Navarre being too moderate and suffering himself to be carried away with the passion he had for Mademoiselle de Roy who was gained by Catherine de Medices he yielded to her what he could not keep This was the true foundation of that hate ended not but with the death of Jean of Albret Bussy was gone to Chantilly to visit the Duke of Montmorency then returned from England whither he had been sent to hinder Queen Elizabeth from giving assistance to the Hugonots by proposing a Match with the Duke D'Alanzon Bussy staid there two days during which came the Queen of Navarre under pretence of seeing his fine House but indeed to engage him in the interests of the King of Navarre the better to oppose the hatred and Authority of Katherine who in the ruines of the greatest Men of the Kingdom would not spare the Montmorency's whom she ever hated both because of their uprightness and because they would not abase themselves to depend directly on her power The Duke civilly received the Queen of Navarre but would not enter into any Treaty with her though some forbore not afterwards to give other interpretations to the conference he had with this Queen and had not he prudently remained at Chantilly during the King of Navarr's Wedding he had been possibly enveloped on that dismal St. Bartholomews day which cost France so much blood The Duke treated her with all the Magnificence she could expect from a great King The Mareshale was with her still fair but Languishing and negligent of her self Catherine de Medices not able to suffer the Imperious humour the Spirit the Courage and the Constancy of Jeane d'Albret and her hatred making her take cruel resolutions she soon after put them in execution Bussy's Merits were well known though he had not yet that great repute he afterwards gained There were then few men of France had so much Wit Valour or good Mien as he The Duke de Montmorency presented him to the Queen she received him so kindly that he was compelled to stay at Chantilly though he were resolved to return to Paris besides the entreaties of the Duke and the sight of his Mistress abating his desire of going so soon he the easier consented to stay There was in Chantilly a Hall and a Closet of Armes whither the Constable Anne de Montmorency had caused to be brought from all Europe what could most worthily embellish them with what ever was rich or rare Above all these things was in esteem a Scimitar set with Diamonds and Emeralds which the Grand Signor Soliman had sent him together with a Hanger or Dagger all adorned with Rubies The Queen curious to see all the several Rooms and Magnificent Furniture which adorned them passed into this Hall of Armes and thence into the Closet where she was showed that Dagger thought beyond all vallue both for the Stones which enriched it and for its workmanship which added to its beauty and Ornament After it had been in the Queens and some other hands the Mareshale would see it and having sufficiently admired it Bussy not being far from her having observed his stand she went towards him and drawing out the Dagger and setting it with a threatning look to his brest To what use said she ought this to be destin'd To pierce the most faithless of all hearts said he taking the point and turning it towards the Mareshale This Answer surprized her and she expected not such a reproach who could not believe she deserved it Ah Bussy replyed she in a doleful accent there was never a more faithless then yours Madam said he interrupting her They were entring into a Discourse had not been soon finish'd but the Queen going out of the Closet called the Mareshale who accompanyed her Madam de Bonneval was not at Chantilly the Mareshale had intreated her to go and Grillon had desired her to stay at Paris thus the Friend was refused and the Lover had his request Was not this very just they could never before converse with so much Love as they had a desire to do Grillon now passed one part of the day with her the Lady was tender in short they said a thousand things were never told This entertainment being on their own private account and they being discreet Lovers all that passed could never be known but it may be judged they treated of nothing less then indifferency and the curious have observed that they received often these Entertainments and that if Love had not been mixed with them they had not taken so much delight in talking without witnesses Was not Madam de Bonneval too happy she was beloved by one of the honestest men of France she had by her cunning betray'd her Friend made Bussy unhappy in stead of doing him Services as she had promised she fears not the penalties treason and perfidiousness deserve she triumphs o're the misfortunes of the Mareshale and Bussy and when she is with Grillon forgets all the World the better to think of her Love The Mareshale and Bussy found often at Chantilly opportunities of talking but the Mareshales fierceness and Bussyes shame and anger to be forsaken hindred them from uttering what they even died with a desire of speaking Thus each had their grief and affliction Bussy that to find the Mareshale more lovely since he believed her false The Mareshale to observe in Bussy a sadness which had very much changed his countenance The Queen of Navarre returned on the morrow to Paris but Bussy staid yet one day with the Duke of Montmorency after which he returned to Court he became every day more and more in Love and the beauty of the Mareshale made him forget the infidelity he thought her guilty of Madam de Bonneval continued still seeing the Lady Mareshale that is to say deceiving her L'Hermite told her judgment but it was not well received and she was silent Bussy seldome saw Madam de Bonneval she complained to Grillon that he might tell him but he had no more an inclination towards her he looked upon her as the cause of her misfortune without suspecting her Treason and he could have wished never to have heard the person he loved pronounce words in favour of another but the thing was done he had seen he had heard Can he any longer doubt So many causes of sorrow in a passion so tenderly preserved tormented him beyond a power of enduring so that he was often in the mind to quit utterly his love and silently retreat from the World The Soul of the Mareshale was tossed with no less violent storms she was loth to lose Bussy and she gave sufficient assurances of it one evening that she found him at the Queen of Navarr's She was resolved to know if he yet loved her and
he loved him tenderly and he knew that his inclinations to love were often hurtful to his affairs He got rid of Myrto who was come that day from Athens to fetch him back and coming without any attendance to the Philosophers Grove he found the Astrologess beginning to grumble at the Stars that Alcibiades was so long a coming she believed her cause of grief was ceased when she perceived Socrates It was dark and the Philosopher who would not show himself till it were to purpose slipt among the Trees Aglaonice follows his track coughing twice or thrice to discover her self and seeing that signal ineffective Alcibiades said she to Socrates in a tone which her vexation changed from her usual voice is it for tryal of me that you flie me thus The Philosopher ashamed at the impudence of this unknown Lady stop'd to reproach her for it Aglaonice perceiving he staid and as she thought for her run to him with open Arms but was suddenly stop'd by a Woman who rushing from behind a Tree thrust her self between her and him she took for Alcibiades This Woman was Myrto who finding her Husband absent and learning at his Countrey House that he was gone to the Academy had followed him at a distance to pry into his actions and see what she could discover When she had this Reason by the Action of Aglaonice to believe it was an Amorous Rendezvous And is it thus Socrates said she you prepare to dispute for Wisdom against its opposers must there be an intrigue of Gallantry to dispose your Soul to the defence of Vertue and do you employ that time you feign to dedicate to the study of Philosophy in making your self unworthy the name of a Philosopher The name of Socrates informing Aglaonice of her mistake she was thinking of a prudent reatreat when Plato the beloved Scholar of Socrates appeared to hinder her he had lost some Notes which he much valued and came to see if they might not be let fall in the Academy whether he remembred to have brought them and because it was dark he had brought a Torch in his hand That light discovered the Astrologess before she could escape It is not easie to imagine the Philosophers surprise at this apparition How cryed he is it you Aglaonice who have made an assignation with Alcibiades The disorder the Astrologess was in joyned with the words she had uttered assured Socrates of a truth she had not the power to confess the Philosopher soon dived into the secret of this intrigue Alcibiades was too dainty to court a Creature of Aglaonices make Socrates remembred what he had said coming from her house in the Phrygian habit Aglaonice feeble Aglaonice said he sighing thou destroy'st in a moment the precautions of many years At these words he runs towards Timandra's that quarter of Athens wherein stood the Astrologesses house was not very far from the Academy Myrto followed him for some paces continuing her clamors but he vouchsafed not a word to appease her nay scarcely did he perceive his Wife speak so strongly had his suspitions seiz'd his spirit He found Alcibiades still with Timandra he was so charmed with the sight of her that neither policy in him nor prayers from her could make him consent to leave it There is Tyranny in what you have done said Socrates in an angry manner You snatch from me a secret I would have kept and without respect to that friendship should be so dear to you refuse me the first compliance I ever exacted from yours 'T is not that friendship Socrates makes you thus hot said Alcibiades interrupting him your anger would have been better moderated had it had so easie a cause but Socrates you love Timandra I ever mistrusted it the disorder wherein now you appear confirms all my suspitions It was most certain as Socrates had protested to the prying Alcibiades that he did not believe he loved Timandra he had that confidence in his wisdom gave him not leisure to examine himself on this point but his friends reproach forcing him to a sudden review of himself he found his precaution was strong Jealousie and examining the dreadful fears he had had least Timandra should love or be beloved he found out that nothing but love could create such violent apprehensions he let himself fall into a Chair more concerned with what he began to discover then a criminal at the reading his sentence and looking on Alcibiades with an anger mixed with kindness which at the same time drew Compassion and Jealousie from his friend What have I done to you Alcibiades said he thus to stir up in my Brest thoughts I knew not of and which prove most cruel because they can be no longer unknown I have loved you better then you have loved your self I have hazarded my life my credit and the esteem of all Athens to maintain your interests I have opposed your weaknesses and frailties with all my power and when I could not master them have concealed them Ingrateful Alcibiades why should you discover mine If I love not Timandra you injure my reputation in accusing me and if I love her as I begin to fear I do you transgress against friendship by exposing your self to the hazard of being my Rival Withdraw your self from this danger Alcibiades and whether you regard me as a Philosopher who would preserve his Schollar exempt from Passion or whether you regard me as a faithful friend who merits some compliance Withdraw your self and see Timandra no more I esteem your Philosophy too much said Alcibiades interrupting him to do it this injustice it is fit it should triumph over those desires have the boldness to contend with it Stand out then Socrates and stand out with success you will sully the glory of your life if you leave Posterity to believe that the voluptuous Alcibiades had gain'd over himself what you dare not enterprise on yours Socrates was not pleased with these Reasonings he would have sacrificed all his reputation of Wisdom to the priviledge of loving Timandra without disturbance but Alcibiades keeping firm to his Proposition Socrates was constrained to submit Alcibiades loved Timandra and Timandra loved him These Precepts of Wisdom so carefully instilled and which a long habitude seemed to have made impregnable against all Protestations and Assiduities yielded at the first assaults of Alcibiades 'T was for this Timandra he died some time after as the Historian of his life tell us and if I may believe my satyrical memories it was the displeasure that Socrates conceived at this adventure made him meet death with such constancy The Astrologess was fain to call the Stars to her defence for the Heart they had made her hope for but when we are reduced to make use of such Cautions we find often the Stars but very ill security I will leave her to consult her Books about their deceit and pass to the Loves of some great Captains which may ease my stile of that preciseness