charge this distressed Orphan and so ordered this disastrous beginning as to make it a means of setting her in the Throne of two mighty Kingdoms Zelinda was the most perfect creature Heaven ever made her Person was as miraculous as her life and this Story though very natural in every other part is incredible where it speaks of her Since the Sun went round the World he never saw so exact a Beauty and in this Beautiful body there was a Wit above the imagination of ours and such a one as no other body but hers had been worthy of In the age when others scarce spake Words she spoke Sense and such as might have become any mouth At her Birth all the Stars were agreed to contribute their best influences And she appeared so Divine a thing as one could not but imagine her fallen from Heaven by a Miracle She was so naturally inclined to Good that doing it in her was scarce a Virtue and it was not in her power at least not without great self-denyal to avoid the practice of all things commendable If we could look into the minds of the most extraordinary we should not find them so faultless as their lives and though their vertue at last gets the better 't is a victory like those in Civil Wars by which they must needs suffer since their Resolutions are no more their own then the inclinations that opposed them But in this perfect Creature Vertue reigned by Birth and not by Conquest and therefore she could never fail of doing well while she did what she liked best Besides these perfections which are to be described those Names Charms and Secret graces which make us love so often we know not why Zelinda possest in such abundance that she was the general inclination of every man and woman All her motions were so agreeable that no others Beauty was half so Charming and in her gentle Voice there was somthing like Enchantment Perhaps this is not all that might be but 't is certain all she deserved cannot be exprest and it will be easily much imagined that where there was so much there must be a great deal more And since Madam by this Description she appears so very like you I had as good confess ingenuously that in the story there were so many remarkable things of her that though I minded it extreamly I could never have drawn so good a Picture if you had not sat before me These were the Arms with which Zelinda was to be victorious and there needed no other since they were enough to Conquer Alcidalis who would easily conquer the rest She was received into Court with so general a joy that it seemed an Omen of her future Greatness there of which she then took possession The Queen who thought her self uncapable of any comfort since her Mothers death found the contrary whenever she was with her and the Kings affections scarce knew a difference between her and his only Son Alcidalis and Zelinda were of that Age in which Painters represent Cupids and had all the agreeable Beauties the greatest Masters in that Art could give them Their Charms were so equally taking though extreamly different and their very childhood was so extraordinary that none saw them without concluding them Born for one another and each had been an unparallel'd wonder of the World if it had not seen them together Indeed though they had the hearts of all that saw them they could never have been loved equally to their Merit by any but themselves no Souls but their own being capable of a Passion great enough to deserve theirs Accordingly the God of love intending to make his power remarkable by shewing it in persons so extraordinary settled it in their hearts so very early that they felt it long before they knew it and were not suffered to pass in quiet that first part of life which Nature seems to allow undisturbed by Passions Thus the first sight of Zelinda wrought the same effect upon Alcidalis which it was wont to do upon others and he made some impression upon the heart of Zelinda which she had never felt before The Queen in pursuance of her great design had bred up this Prince with all the artifice imaginable that might incline him to love her Daughter His first pratling was taken advantage of that he might be used to call her his Mistris he was dayly brought to see her and those about him still took all occasions to commend before him either her Face or Fashion But his inclinations were not the same with the Queens he that had Softness and Complaisance for all the World seemed to want it only for her Daughter and was no where so constrained as in her company Whether his high Spirit disdained to be thus given away without his own consent or that his Stars which brought him into the World for Zelinda gave him a natural aversion to whosoever would usurp that place they had designed her But from the first moment she came to Court and was by the Queen made her Daughters Companion his mind appeared immediately changed he was perpetually in the Dutchess's apartment and no where so well pleased as there Love to introduce himself easily into our souls at first comes alwayes accompanied with Delight and Beauty and makes no shew of violence or Cruelty till he knows himself Master of the place and too strongly fixed to fear being dispossest At first these young lovers felt his power in nothing but an extream pleasure in seeing one another and then such a sweetness mixt with joy spred it self about their Countenance that it was very visible their love made them appear more lovely Zelinda had still then been like others of her age but now began to be more lively and Alcidalis when he saw her was so gay and agreeable that it look't as if he had reserved for her company some particular Grace and the best of his humour In that innocent age they enjoyed a pleasant tranquillity of mind for some Months in which they were much happier then in many more that followed But their passions increased daily with their understandings and Love became so powerful that he quickly made himself be both felt and understood Alcidalis now grew more thoughtful then ordinary and when Zelinda was absent with an unusual sadness paid dear for the pleasure of having seen her there was no sport for him in any diversions but those he took with her for seeing her was his only pleasure or if any thing else was not indifferent to him it was talking himself and hearing others talk of her That heart which even from his Childhood was set upon conquering the World now hath no hopes nor thoughts but of gaining Zelinda or if sometimes those of his former ambition return it is but with design of rendring himself more worthy of her by laying at her feet as many Crowns as she deserved When ever she quitted the room he was as if fallen
from Heaven and next to her company he loved none best When alone which for her sake he was often he was perpetually reflecting upon all her words and actions and having considered them the several wayes they were capable of being turned drew from them accordingly either hopes or fears then remembring his own expressions of kindness was never satisfied with himself sometimes he thought he was too timerous sometimes too bold and remained alwayes at last as much displeased with himself as pleased with her He begun by degrees to give over all those recreations he was wont to be fond of Hunting which he loved best became a dull thing to him when she was not there and if he still minded his Exercises it was but to appear more agreeable to her In a word he considered Zelinda as if there had been no Body in the World besides Love on the other side had got into the heart of Zelinda but had not made so great a progress whether it were that fearing her high spirit he durst not make himself known to her at first or that she being the younger by two years was less sensible of that passion Yet she was not altogether unconcerned for when ever she saw the young Prince she had more care of her beauty and dress than ordinary she loved the Countess the less because she was designed for him and every little respect that out of decencie he paid her took somewhat from the satisfaction of the fair Zelinda Yet as she had a Soul generous resolute and infinitely sensible and by consequence capable of none but passions of the same nature the merit of Alcidalis formed in it an affection as fair and perfect as it self Love between Persons of so eminent quality like fire upon a Beacon is so impossible to be concealed that it is seen a great way off The affections of Alcidalis and Zelinda was soon observed by all the World and a great many perceived they were in Love one with another before they discover'd it themselves In the beginning when Childishness made their actions less observable though they saw one another with great joy no body thought there was any other Love between them then that of the innocent diversions they took together But as by degrees Zelinda grew more serious and Alcidalis began to shew himself master of a judgment fit to govern his Fathers Kingdom and a courage capable of conquering any other There was scarce any body in the whole Court but judged their Souls to be united by so strong a passion that it would be almost an equal difficulty to part 'em from their bodies or from each other The Queen who was politick beyond her Sex and designed nothing so much as marrying her Daughter to Alcidalis was the earlyest jealous of Zelinda's beauty and consequently the first that took notice of this amour But having a great confidence in her Interest and more in her self she thought they at last would be the only Sufferers and feared no stubborn resistance from minds so tender In the mean time the beauty of Zelinda increased daily and though it dawned but a while ago now shone with such light and lustre that she seemed to proclaim open War against the Queen and all her designs On the other side the young Prince sensible of his birth and parts began to be weary of living under the slavery of a Governour and the conduct of a Woman That heart great and Royal by Nature when filled with Love disdained any other Empire but Zelinda's He began to carry his inclinations for her a little more openly and favoured none but such as she recommended He run at the Ring only in her colours all his motto's spoke of her and he was so proud of her Chains that he hated all the World should not see them There were none who in their hearts did not favour their affection The Queen soon began to fear she had dallyed too long with a flame so fatal to all her purposes which now required her utmost care and endeavours to extinguish it Yet she resolved to trie violent remedies at last and strove by all fair means to win upon the disposition of Alcidales which she perceived to grow less tractable to her every day than other She used all the Arts she could to Eclipse the beauties of Zelinda and to advance those of her own Daughter whom she daily instructed both what to say and do never suffering her to appear but with pompe and luster But Zelinda trusting still to Nature whom she had been so much obliged to already neglected by her self was more admired by others and without any Pearl but those of her teeth or any Rubies but those of her lips and such other Jewels as a waiting Woman Muse dresses a Poetical Mistress in out-shone the other though adorned with all the glories of the East so much the wealth that Heaven bestows Ecclipses whatever the Earth can lend her Favourites The Queen seeing the danger of their continuing any longer in the same place and dispairing of all other wayes to interrupt their increasing affection resolves to trye if absence though it be the greatest torment of a settled might not prove the cure of a growing inclination And to that purpose under pretence of some indisposition desires leave of the King her Husband to pass two or three Months in Catalonia and having gained his consent she commanded all things to be in readiness for her journey and said she would have none attend her but the Ladies This news extreamly surprised our Lovers who had never felt the sting and been only acquainted with the sweets of Love and except some few apprehensions for the future which makes but slight impressions in minds so young and full of confidence their joy had been without trouble and their inclination without the least check Alcidalis was most concerned or at least could worst dissemble there was nothing he would not have attempted to divert this journey a thousand extravigances past through his imagination about it but seeing the time drawn on and the Queens resolution invincible he resolved at least not to let Zelinda part without a full and open declaration of his passion for her which till then though all his actions continually proclaimed to her his words had never presumed to offer the least hint of Whether it were that he wanted confisidence or thought it needless to declare a passion that none could ever hide The last night being come he went on the Queens side where after some time he found an opportunity of entertaining Zelinda alone it was the first minute that ever Alcidales knew what fear was He attempted once or twice to discover his passion but having not resolution enough to go on was fain to turn his discourse to something else and though at other times he was the gayest Man in the World near Zelinda he was then the most perplext But at last his heart beating and his
he I do already but 't is only that 't was no earlier adrest Whilst they were talking the Queen advanc't and Alcidalis coming up to her she received him with a Countenance so gay and full of satisfaction that Zelinda her self could do no more After the first Complements were over the Prince having told her how the Chace bringing him within seven or eight Leagues he thought himself obliged to kiss her hands the Queen seemed to thank Fortune for having conducted him so near her But Sir said she I believe you are already paid for all the trouble you have given yourself for it s to be imagined the favour that Zelinda granted you just now was not inconsiderable Since you thanked her upon your Knees for it as we saw truly it made me not know you at first and I thought it had been some of your Servants but I am very glad it was none but yourself who received that satisfaction Pray let us know what it was that we may partake in your Good-Fortune and thank her with you Zelinda did not grow red upon this because she had continued so since her discourse with Alcidalis and fearing what the Queen said might surprize him womens Wits being ever readiest on such occasions she answered and said Madam I was asking Alcidalis some News of Saracosa he who without doubt was thinking of his Hunting did not answer me I then reproacing him with his heedlesseness and Silence he kneel'd to me of a suddain and thought by other excess of Civility to repair the neglect he had shew'd in not replying sooner to what I said 'T was very civil in him said the Queen and because you believe the Prince is thinking of his Hunting still you have taken care to answer for him Zelinda seeing the Queen press her so hard quitted the Discourse But Alcidalis perceiving the pain she was in came to her assistance as she had done before to his and began a relation of some little indisposition the King had suffered in her absence so that the Discourse was quite changed The good humour Zelinda had put him into made him entertain the Queen with infinite complyance and address himself more then formerly to her Daughter But our young Lovers were not cunning enough to deceive her she perceived the alteration and concluded the gayety of Alcidalis and the respect he treated her Daughter with to be but effects of some obliging assurance he had obtained from Zelinda and from that moment took the resolution of parting them The Prince went the next day to Saragusa whether the Queen was forced to return eight dayes after this absence was much more supportable to him then the other for he had in it the comfort of knowing he was belov'd by the person in the World he most esteem'd they past some Months so well and with such Tranquility that Alcidalis could almost have forgot there was a happiness beyond it But there is a fatal point which nothing can ever pass and fortune is sometimes as weary of the joyes of Lovers as of the weight of Empires the highest happiness has this fault that it s then nearest its end This was sure the only cause of all the misfortunes that persecuted so innocent an affection The assurance that Alcidalis had of Zelindas kindness made him live with more discretion more fear of displeasing the Queen then ever he waited on her Daughter oftner converst less with Zelinda she who from her Childhood had been ever serious began to be more and more so to see and speak to the Prince with great Caution and respect and do all things that might make their affections less suspected but this discretion as it did ever between Lovers come too late the Queen who could not be deceived with much care secrecy and diligence gave order for the executing a designe which she had in hand as those which are in a place with their enemies secretly undermine for the most part fear least of all the ruine they must sink into and live in security whilst men dig Graves under their feet so our Lovers not imagining what was contriving against them enjoyed a perfect Tranquility and if they apprehended any mischief from the Queen they neither apprehended it so great so suddain nor in that dreadful manner it was to befall them Four Months after the Queen came back from Catalonia she took an occasion to in the beginning of the Spring to return giving no notice of any such intention till the day before Alcidalis and Zelinda were so surprised that they had scarce leasure to take leave one of the other as the Prince was expressing to her the Grief he left her with Sir said she Remember you promised me never to complain or fear the combination of the whole World against you whilst I was for you Minds assured one of another like Martyrs in the midst of all their Sufferings have still their thoughts fixt together with joy on their reward to come we shall meet again and even in absence our Memories shall make our past Satisfactions ever present to us and our imagination shall entertain us with those to come At that word she took a Ring from her fair hand and bad him keep it with her heart Alcidalis received it with all the joy his own was capable of and was almost in love with the sad occasion that drew so obliging a Discourse from her then taking another of the same inestimable value since it came from him he gave it her with the same words at which they parted with as much Grief as ever they had met with Joy Tears stole down both their Faces which both strove to hid from each other as ashamed of such a vulgar mark of Sorrow in so Transcendant a concern The Queen went away next Morning and staying but one day at her own house she pretended to have received some News from Barcellona which obliged her to go thither leaving her Daughter with a great part of her Train She took only Zelinda with her who imagined there was somewhat extraordinary in it but was not able to comprehend the reason so that knowing not what to fear she feared every thing The Queen spent the remainder of that day in seeing the Town and the magnificent reception that was made for her the next morning she was told that a Vessel bearing her own Name which she had built not long ago was newly come into the Port there was then an hundred Vessels in the Port of Barcellona which so soon as the Queen appeared saluted her with all the Guns so that for a while there was nothing to be seen but Fire and Smoak the Ships being hid with a Cloud of their own making they soon made themselves heard in a sound of Trumpets and Howboys The Musick and all the Naval Pompe together with the sight of that Element which at first seises the Eyes and Minds of all the World with Admiration could not in
be loved that there is no folly they are not capable of in that condition but the knowledge they have of themselves scarce suffers them ever to be firmly perswaded of it The Duke was no sooner in love but he became Jealous That passion which in other Countries is an accidental effect of love is there inseperable from it they conclude there cannot be a great desire without a great fear Love and Jealousy are Twins with them and ever born together Were it then the excess of kindness the Air of his Countrey or his own natural distrust or that he had heard somewhat concerning Alcidalis that had caused that effect his Jealousy arrived to that height that he never thought her safe but when she was with him and even then had scarce patience she should be seen by any eyes but his own She who for another reason cared not to be seen much easily complied with his Humour and told him she loved all the effects of his Passion equally that his very fears were agreeable to her since they were marks of his Love That her greatest content was to procure his that in having him she thought she had all the World and cared not if she was shut up for ever on these Tearms He receives these offers of hers with great joy and made use of the Liberty she gave him to take away all hers so that cutting off dayly somwhat of her Attendants and of a great Pallace which before she had the freedom of he reduced her to four or five Rooms and a few necessary Servants as the Duke gave her many marks of his Jealousy he also gave her some of his Love And strove to make her Prison as agreeable to her as possible there was no part of the World that did not contribute its greatest varieties to her Closets Art and nature seemed to strive which should most adorne her Retirement And she saw all things she could wish but men and those she saw only out her Windows The Duke bought the Lustiest and Handsomest Slaves that could be found which to divert the Malancholy which must needs attend such a solitude he caused to be taught to Fence Ride run at the Ring and all the exercises of the Nobility by the best Masters of Italy these were called the Slaves of the Dutchess thrice a Week they were brought into a Court all strewed with Sand where they did all their Exercises The Duke had two designs in this one of diverting his Dutchess and the other of making her despise all men by letting her see in Slaves the same Qualities which are admired in people of the highest Birth and most advantagious Education Alcidalis at his coming into Italy was informed of all this and judged that no Quality would so soon introduce him as that of a Slave to the Dutchess he communicated his designs to his Gentleman who had always attended him who Disguising himself like a Merchant went to the Officers that had the Government of the Slaves and exposed to sale Alcidalis who having all the Qualities necessary in a very eminent degree was soon Bought and so one of the greatest and most accomplisht men in the World became a Slave A while he was fain to learn of them he might have taught and seeming to learn every day somewhat of his exercises he in a short time so advanced that he was admired of all the World if he were challenged to run Wrestle Fence or Ride he was so constantly successful that at last he seemed but to be invited to so many Victories There was no Prize that any one or number of his Companions durst dispute with him Yet among all the commendations he obtained he felt a secret shame in himself that his Victories were gained only over a few Slaves for he had a heart as Generous as that Prince who scorned to Run with any but Kings though he did all things with an incomparable Grace it was with so much neglect and contempt of what he was about that it was no hard matter to see his thoughts were somewhere else When ever he entered the Lists for the Divertisement of the Dutchess he came the first and went away the last In all his exercises he had his Eyes and Heart fixt upon the Window he thought she stood at For the Jealous Duke had so contrived it that she could see without being seen What Mistakes and Errors are not men capable of the most Faithful Lover upon earth adores now a Beauty he has never seen Sighs before her and gives her at his eyes his heart And being born a Slave to Zelinda has blindly sold himself to another Alcidalis who had been remarkable amongst the most accomplisht Princes was easily so among these Slaves The first day she saw him his Beauty and the Graces that accompanied all his Actions attracted the eyes of the Dutchess afterward he gained her esteem and then her admiration and having considered how throughly she thought she saw in his Mine and Courage somewhat worthy of a Nobler destiny and much above his present Fortune She took notice how fixtly he looked up at her Window of the Paleness and Sadness of his Face which all the applauses continually given him were never able to change for a Minute All this together gave her at first Pity then Curiosity and at last Love One Night as this Illustrious Slave went out of the Palace of the Duke in a dark Passage he felt himself pulled by one whom by that light he could only perceive to be a Woman who taking him aside said Clariantes for that was the name he chose to be called by in this Disguise If you are as truly Brave as you appear come to morrow morning at two a Clock to the foot of the Greek-Tower there you shall be put in a way of being the Happiest man living She said this in great haste and left him without staying for his answer But this was enough to set his Thoughts a work Since Fortune began to persecute his love this seemed to him the first Moment she began to remit of her usual Rigour he made no question but this Message came from Zelinda since to make him Happy was in the power of none but her Yet whether it be that men so extraordinary hold some little intelligence with their destiny or that the unfortunate entertain hope but Coldly which has so oft deceiv'd them he durst not be confident of his good Fortune but expected the hour she had assigned him successively agitated by Impatience Hope and Fear The time so much longed for being come as soon as it was dark he came to the foot of the Tower which was an old Building which entered some fifty Foot into the Sea Alcidalis came in a small Fisher Boat which having fastned to the Wall he attended the success of his Adventure an hour before any body came to him His Mind all the while no less toss'd between Hope and Fear then the small
Window with begging Eyes Hands and Voices in vain striving to infuse compassion into the enraged Rabble who roared incessantly Give us our King restore us our Prince down with the Murtherers Zelidan not knowing the occasion of their Mutiny nor enquiring now but led by a generous principle of assisting the distressed made her way through the Croud beckoning with her hands for their noise made all speech useless for silence and liberty to passe having attained to their Front she faced them and turning up her Beaver shewed them a Countenance which never failed of gaining a respect from the most Barbarous The Grandeur of her Meen and the Majestick sweetness of her Eyes soon converted their confused Bauling to a silent admiration which she whose greatness of Spirit was ever present in the extremest ' danger strait improved to the advancement of her designe the relief of the besieged Queen and Princess Bowing her body then with a charming resistless Grace peculiar only to her self thus she harangu'd them Valiant Souldiers and most worthy Citizens whose Valour and unquestioned Loyalty have still been the support and glory of your own as well as the envy of all neighbouring Princes whose free born hearts with joy submit to all decrees that bear the stamp of unbribed Justice why are those shining Weapons brandished now against weak Women against your undoubted lawful Queen that used to strike a Trembling horrour in your boldest Foes Are you injur'd in your Trade are your due Liberties restrained Behold your good your gracious Queen ready to offer nay intreat you to make your own Conditions Behold Majesty in the form of an humble suppliant have you the hearts of men and look on this without being moved to duty and submission Had your Wives and Daughters been ravished your Estates given for a prey to the Insolent Souldier had your Friends been lawlessly Imprisoned nay put to cruel undeserved deaths all which the great Gods forbid the desolation of your City and killing of each other would be no recompence Look round about you behold your yet burning habitations see how scattered Limbs and torn Bodies pave your Streets look how the destracted people flye those Buildings which the fire has spared as if some deadly Plague possess'd them or the licentious Sword of a Barbarous Foe were at their backs Will you convert your stately Rooms to Graves your City to a Desart and your sacred Temples to noisome Denns for Woolves and base Receptacles for Batts and Owls shrieking Harbingers of Death Go on let every neighbour hide his Treacherous Dagger in his Friends heart consume each other bravely and leave your Wives and Children a miserable Prey to the next Invader that will vouchsafe safe to seize and drive them to perpetual Slavery I that am a stranger cannot without Tears of Compassion foresee that desolation which you seek my heart bleeds and an universal horrour runs through all my Veins if you are injured my life shall be sacrificed to your satisfaction Methinks I see a noble Indignation in your eyes and a true remorse in Blushes rise upon your Cheeks how generous how becoming does it look Oh make haste to perfect your Repentance let not future Chronicles deliver to succeeding Ages the Saracusans Swords were stained with the Slaughter of Poor forsaken helpless Women But follow me to Safety Wealth and Honour All that love their Liberty their Countrys Peace and the Honour of the great Gods follow me Then casting her self from her Horse with her drawn Sword she began to lead them off When one that sought his particular Advantage from the general Ruine that had fomented the Rebellion as some set Houses on fire to Steal with more advantage and safety cryed out Companions Friends and Brothers whither are you going like Beasts to the Sacrifice And what is this bold impertinent Stranger that dares There Zelidan put a full stop to his Seditious Oration and his Life together by a thrust which pierced his heart An Action which might have branded her with rashness so boldly to hazard the Fury of a yet discontented Multitude but the Success justified its Prudence in such extreams no middle paths are safe for without a murmur all the rest followed her marching over his body she had killed to the Market-place where with another Speech she sent them pacified to their several houses and by one of the most understanding was informed That the long absence and supposed loss of Alcidalis and the late death of the King were charged as Crimes upon the Ambitious Queen and the Commonalty stirred up by some discontented Spirits had sought revenge by force of Armes which caused that dreadful noise and destruction which he so happily had stopped Scarce was this information finished when a Messenger from the Queen entreated That by his presence at the Court he would assure that Life and Honour he had so generously repriev'd The joy Zelidan conceived to find the Prince absent and as she believed constant to his Vows for the nimble faith of Lovers keeps equal pace with their wishes obtained an easie Pardon for all other injuries and hasten'd her to the service of the Queen whom she found with the Princess her Daughter and all the Train that distracted time would allow ready to receive her in the first Court The troubled thoughts that filled their Breasts at their meeting darted through their trembling Eyes and in unsettled colours spread themselves upon their Cheeks though the causes were different and a secret to all but themselves Zelidan maugre all her goodness could not see the fatal instrument of her sorrows without some strange emotion in her heart nor could the Queen behold Zelidan whose believed residence at Tarentum and her disguise secured Zelinda from the most prying eyes notwithstanding her Prudence and experienced conduct without displaying to the strict observer some symptoms of that passion which had newly seized her For the little audacious God of Love had hovered still round Zelidan and while he appeased the mutinous Rabble began a new and more dangerous insurrection in her Breast sending from every word and action of this charming Amazon a Golden Arrow to her heart which her present Dangers nor the Grief for her yet scarce breathless Husband could defend her from But the constraint she imposed upon her self in striving to conceal her Passion exposed it more openly especially to Zelidan who marked it with much satisfaction hoping from thence an opportunity of a full and innocent revenge In short the amorous Queen received him as a Messenger of Happiness from Heaven What recompence said she Illustrious Stranger can we offer you to whose miraculous Relief we owe our Lives and all we have to give If the sacred powers could admit a Rival in their worship our adoration to you were a just debt Madam answered the seigned Zelidan bowing with a profound Reverence to your own unequalled Virtues you owe your safety and I the glory of my success had not my
indulgent Stars sent me to your aid the Gods had by some Miracle preserved in you the brightest Ornament of their Creation Many fine things were said on this occasion for they were both excellent at reparties and rejoynders but my treacherous memory has lost them Besides I believe the repetition would be as tedious to the Reader as to my self therefore I 'le on to the matter which was thus Zelidan was treated with all the Magnificence and Honour gratitude and love could invent and failed not by her discreet conduct to settle a perfect correspondence again between the Court and City but her thoughts were still hankering after Alcidalis purposing after a little rest and what light she could get by enquiry to guide her on to search the World till she found him The Queen gave every hour new marks of her Passion and sought occasion of discovering it more plainly to Zelidan who by all returns his different Quality would petmit added Fewel to augment the Flame And by the Sighs and Torments he observed her suffer for her great heart was loath to make the first address and he as positively determined as he had good reason not to ease her by making the first Courtship received some compensation for her former injurious treatment The poor Princess was as unable to defend her self from the assault of this Victorious Amazon as the Queen and with deepresentment observed her Mothers Passion Thus did the feigned Zelidan revenge what the true Zelinda had endured Love and Jealousie was the business of the Court and the Queens supposed Marriage with Zelidan the discourse of the City For the blind fears or unreasonable wishes of the inconsiderate Multitude always anticipate the intentions of their Princes transforming their very supposed thoughts into Acts which receive their publick censure or applause e're they have Being The Queen observing how carefully Zelidan declined all occasions of being attaqu'd resolved to push on her destiny by a naked Declaration of her Love In pursuance of her intention having commanded her Attendants to convenient distance while Zelidan was leading her in a walk of Oessamine whose interwoven Branches made so thick a Shade that the Sun in its Meridian strength and lustre could not pierce them with the gentle pressings of his hand reiterated Sighs and speaking looks having strove in vain to prevent the shame of a plainer discovery at last with broken interrupted Language thus she spake Is it possible that the owner of so many accomplishments as wait on the Illustrious Zelidan should be insensible of that noble Passion which is to others the very cause of all hrave Actions and the great reward at which they aim has Love that reigns o're all the World besides no power in our Court or is there no Object worthy of your Sighs casting her eyes on those of Zelidan which were fixed on the earth she paused and in a restless Agony waited his Answer which he had just began when a Gentleman whose earnest business might well warrant his rude interruption of their Privacy relieved him by crying to the Queen Save your self Madam Save your self by sudden Flight the Rebellious Citizens are again in Arms and Headed by a desperate Stranger like an impetuous Torrent that has o'reflowed its Banks are rouling to the Palace overthrowing all opposition with their resistless Fury Justice and Liberty is Ecchoed through the Streets but Blood Mischief is their aim E're his unwelcome Message was finished the scattered Courtiers came thronging about the Queen and Zelidan like frighted Chickens seeking shelter from the ravenous Kite He strait attended the Queen into the Pallace assuring her by the way That his swâ—â—â— victory or death should evince the great desire he had to serve her And staying not for her answer which doubtless would have been That if he had any respect to her safety he should preserve it in that of his own for her fate was so inseparably linked to his that she could not survive his death or some such obliging thing snatched what Arms he soonest found and ran to the Palace Gate followed by a small but resolute Company of faithful Servants to the Queen The Princess who till then had smothered her Passion for Zelidan in the narrow limits of her Breast despairing of success against a Rival which Duty forbad her to oppose and seeing what she prized dearer then her soul hasting to apparent death took a Sword from the nearest Attendant and followed Zelidan hoping some Fatal Blow would in his sight end her hopeless Passion with her life The brave Stranger for so his Acts declared him that led on the Citizens conquered all opposition till Zelidans arrival put a cheque to his growing victory With an undaunted Meen she met him and by her resolute Action gave proof of a Courage far above her strength but the invincible Alcidalis for he it was who had before conquered her in her own Province of Love found but small danger from her Arms. He received her first charge on his Shield and by several marks taking her for Zelidan the famous Stranger and as he thought pretender to his Crown cryed out If thou wilt be a King go Reign among the shades and boast thou dyedst by the hand of Alcidalis At the beloved name of Alcidalis Zelidan endeavoured to retreat and discover her self but in vain for with such fierce Blows he pursued his Speech that she fell Breathless at his Feet The unhappy amorous Princess striving with her feeble Arms to defend the fallen Zelidan notwithstanding all Alcidalis could do to preserve her fell a deplorable Sacrifice to the incensed Rabble and dyed imbracing of Zelidan The Queen who from a Window beheld all this Action at first lamented not the death of her Daughter but considering her as a Rival Sacrificed all sentiments of Nature to the satisfaction of her jealousy But seeing her beloved Zelidan Bleeding on the ground extremity of Grief made her so insensible of all other considerations that she was about to precipitate her self from the Window But hope which is the last thing that leaves the unfortunate made her still think it not impossible to recover him She was running out to that purpose when Alcidalis now a compleat Victor was entring the Pallace with all the submission of a Pious Son he met her and declared He would take all for Enemies that failed to render her the Honour due to the Widow and Mother of their King Without staying or answering him at all but with an upbraiding look where Rage and Compassion strove for Superiority which seemed to call him a thousand Cruel Murthereres she abandoned her self wholly to the impulse of her Passion and casting her body on those of Zelidan and the Princess her Daughter she divided her Kisses and Lamentations between them 'Till excessive sorrow like a Tyrannical Usurper seized and oppressed all her Vitals By its sad weight reducing her to a state as deplorable and void of life
as theirs whom she grieved for Never had Love and Grief a greater Sacrifice then here nor misery more powerful Arguments to gain compassion from the most obdurate hearts here is a large Field for the Author to expatiate on the vicissitude of humane things but the Gentle Reader would think him very inhumane nay in my Conscience accessary to their Murthers if he suffered three of the most Illustrious Persons in the World to lye neglected on the ground and dye for want of careful attendance while he was shewing his Common-place Wit therefore he hastens to their relief with resolution to save them all if he can Alcidalis took the Queen in his Arms while others performed the same service to the Princess and Zelidan conveying them to their several apartments the uncertain Multitude that some few Minutes before breathed nothing but death and damnation against them now followed them Houling and Groaning All the Arts and strength of Physick were diligently applyed which restored some weak symptoms of life in Zelidan and those were carefully Cherished but the unfortunate Princess was irrevocably dead The Queens Swouning being only the effect of a vehement surprizing Passion death soon was beaten off and his pale spreading Ensigns rufled up by her returning Senses But life came accompanied with all those killing Griefs that waited on its exile which like the envyed Favourites of some weak unhappy Prince for forrows soon insinuate themselves into the hearts affection raised new Commotions among the souls discontented faculties and the oppressed Senses those necessary Subjects and support of Life which were like to prove as fatal as the former had not the News of Zelidans hopeful Recovery repressed their Violence by the removal of the cause Weak as she was she caused her self to be removed to his apartment But Gods what a universal amazement seized the Queen and all the Attendants to find their Champion was a Woman For so her swelling Breasts declared which by undressing her the better to apyly their necessary aid were discovered Her Senses in a little time were perfectly restored and 't was difficult for the most curious observer to determine whether the Queen or Zelinda for so we must call her now she s discovered was in the greatest confusion after they had a long time gazed upon each other the Queen finding in the transformed Zelidan the well known Beauty and Meen of the persecuted Zelinda lifting her eyes to Heaven cryed out I yeild just Gods I yeild to my inexorable destiny Ab Zelinda thy injuries have been too well revenged Having said this e'r Zelinda could answer she retired Love being now wholly exextinct Nature resumed her power and carried her to the apartment of the Princess where with such moving passion she deplored her loss that the most inssible were forced to sympathize with her The News of Zelidans Transformation flew straight through the Pallace and the extraordinariness of the change raised a Curiosity in Alcidalis to behold her for he had not heard that it was Zelinda The Messengrr he sent to obtain that liberty entered her Chamber just as one was going from her to entreat the favour which he sought The Prince full of shame for his Victory over a Woman hastened to beg her pardon When he entered his Attendants respectively withdrew to the furthest part of the Room Neither the Paleness her loss of Blood had planted on her Cheeks nor their long separation could hinder the discovery of the true Zelinda at first sight So perfectly had love engraven her Image in his heart What Pen can describe the Violence of their differnt Passions which then Tyrannized in this Princes Breast Shame and grief for wounding her he prized above his Life and joy that she survived and was in a place where he was now sole Master and able to give and receive the highest proofs of a mutual unalterable Love like meeting Tydes whose opposed forces change swift running Streams a while into a fixed Calme reduced him to a state of insensibility Without Speech or motion he beheld her Such extasies are the usual effects of sudden Joys or Grief the heart being surprized and oppressed with unexpected Events all the Vital Spirits croud so fast to its assistance that they often cause that ruine Nature sends them to prevent As some whose Animal Spirits are obstructed and as it were smothered by the indigested Vapours which from the Stomach fume into the Brain and a while deprive them of the benefits of Life as interposing Clouds obscure the Suns lustre retain their Senses but want power to imploy them such the present State of Alcidalis was he knew what he ought to speak and act but the greatness of his Love and violence of his desires took from him all ability of utterance till Zelinda whose condition much resembled his fearing his silence proceeded from some change in his affection thus began Is this the kind reception Alcidalis gives the unfortunate Zelinda do all the dangers I have past and all my constant Love merit this cold return Great Gods have you preserved me from so many various Deaths to perish here here in the only Haven where I had deposited my last hopes of assured safety Oh Alcidalis let thy Sword give me a speedy and more welcome death then thy disdain Here casting himself on the Bed and imbracing her he could get out no more but Oh my dearest Zelinda and was relapsing again into his former extasie which overcoming with much difficulty he proceeded Your safety and your love my adored Zelinda are blessings too great to be received at once with less concern Since your loss in blindness to all other objects of delight I have wandred ore the World pardon me if I could not meet the first appearance of my Glorious Sun without amazement Give me ye Divine Powers proportioned strength to bear my Happiness lest like a starving man while I too greedily receive it that hastens my death which only can restore my fainting life Then do you yet love me cryed the overjoyed Princess and will the King keep those vowes which Alcidalis made to the then Happy Zelinda For ever for ever answered the transported Alcidalis the enjoyment of my adored Zelinda is more then ten thousand Empires Ah Sir said she but interest of State State cryed Alcidalis my Zelinda is all all to me I would not thank the Gods for a Crown but to lay it at her Feet Then turning to the Attendants which had now filled the Room impatience of beholding their long lost Prince bringing them thither from all parts raising his voice he cryed out He is a Traytor and the Mortal Enemy of Alcidalis that will not kneel and Petition the excellent Zelinda to be his Queen whose Beauty and Virtues merit the Empire of the Universe The Gods to whom I pay all reverence shall never but by death Divorce me from thy Arms. Were I Racked to ten thousand peices as every part of a