further than Noise had he had the strength in his Hand Ibrahim threw himself at his Feet begging him not to ruine him and owning ingenuously to him that it was for an other Woman than his Wife that he was fallen into that Perplexity it moderated his Jealousie a little But nothing put him in so good an Humour as the Purse and the Diamond which his Wife shew'd him Whereupon Ibrahim added that what he saw was nothing and that he would make him other-guess Presents in case he was trusty to him This Husband seeing some likelihood in what he said to him did a little calm his Anger Nevertheless having heard that Gallants paulm'd strange things upon Husbands he began to fall again into his jealous fit telling Ibrahim very resolutely for fear all this was Trick that he would know from what part of the Serraglio he had thrown himself into the Garden This was a question he would never have been prevail'd upon to satisfie nay though it had cost him his Life if in that instant he had not remembred that his steps were printed in the place where he fell and that thus it was a Proof against the Sultana should the Grand Signior come to take notice of it For this reason did he no longer persevere so much in concealing his Secret from him he own'd all ingenuously to him and desiring him at the same time to take a Spade and under pretence of working in that place set what he should think necessary to rights as well for the Sultana's safety as his own Though that at the Name of the Sultana Zelindu the Gardiner knew her to be the Grand Signior's Favourite he was a little troubled at the danger he was going to throw himself into if the Intrigue ever came to be discovered Yet as one is ever more sensible to one's own Concerns than to those of an other he was very glad that he had cured him of those Suspicions that might have remained in his Head. He went immediately to do what Ibrahim said to him and he had hardly struck twice with his Spade but that the Grand Signior appear'd to him out of the Closet-Window asking him if he had not seen any body leap down As you will doubtless wonder that after the Orders the Grand Signior had given to his Men to break open the Door so much time had pass'd before he came into that Closet it is fitting that you know that those he had brought with him to the Sultana's Apartment thinking he would stay there some time as he was wont to do had stragled up and down so as that when he wanted them they were not to be found Nay some hearing what pass'd and thinking to oblige the Sultana who they knew had a great ascendant over him went out of the way on purpose so that he had himself been forc'd to take an Iron Crow and as the Door was strong he had been a long while before he could break it open Besides he had prosecuted his first Thought That is to say of ferretting her Scrutoir and all the other Places where she might conceal her Letters But in short having found nothing he made reflexion that the Window was open and that perhaps some body having been hid in this Closet had made his Escape that way He had not dreamt in the least of this before So true it is that when a Person is in Anger they are but little guilty of reasoning This had made him ask the Gardiner whether he had seen any thing But this Man having answer'd him in the Negative he was vex'd that he had made such an Hurricane for nothing It is not necessary that I say how that the Sultana was in a terrible allarum while all this pass'd it is easie to be imagined She represented to her self at each instant how she had seen Two Persons strangled in her Presence and only expected the moment that the same thing should befal her as well as Ibrahim But at length seeing that the thing had turned so happily for her she began to be haughty again and told the Grand Signior with an Accent that rather spoke the Mistress than the Slave That the Condition of those that are destin'd to enter the Serraglio was a strange thing That they were exposed to his Caprices and to his Jealousie That Two poor Wretches had newly perish'd in her sight whose Blood was every moment in her Mind That this was not the first time she had endured his peevish Humour That it would be a greater kindness to kill her outright than thus put her to a lingring Death That in a Word if he was resolv'd ever to treat her in this manner she would rather make away with her self than suffer it The Sultan had diminish'd much of his Anger when he had found nothing in the Closet Thus being wholly dispos'd to make her satisfaction I am too blame Madam he said to her I own it but in short blame your self if I have push'd my Jealousie so far A Word said timely would have freed me out of this Extremity but you took delight in augmenting my Suspicions and you doubtless did it to see whether I really lov'd you You know that Jealousie is inseparable from true Love You were not content with mine it ever having been sedate and calm But why put ye me to this Test you that know 't is you I only love and that for your sake I should be ever capable of quitting my Empire A ready way to a Reconciliation was certainly such words as these coming out of the Mouth of so great a Monarch and Zelinda being not altogether so fierce as she might have been if she had found her self innocent quickly clos'd with it Things having pass'd in this manner the Grand Signior after having spent an Hour or thereabouts in an Entertainment all full of Affection on his part and all full of Artifice on Zelinda's propos'd to her to go walk in the Garden As she could not imagine any thing else but that Ibrahim was there she did what she could to divert him from this Resolution Nevertheless seeing that he persisted therein she durst no longer oppose it for fear that a longer Refusal might make him suspect something They took several Turns in a cover'd Alley and which was very pleasant but the Sultan being weary of walking there he propos'd to her the going into a Grove that was the whole Ornament of that place The same Reason that had oblig'd her to decline coming down into the Garden set her a studying to contrive some Excuse to avoid that Walk But the Sultan taking her by the Hand hall'd her along as a Man may say in spight of her teeth She would not stand upon any further Entreaty and having made way into the thickest of the Wood the Sultana rely'd upon the Fancy she had that if Ibrahim should by Chance be there he would take care to hide himself when she perceiv'd a Man stealing across the
Ottoman Gallantries OR THE LIFE OF THE BASSA OF BUDA Done out of French. LONDON Printed for R. Bentley and S. Magnes in Russel-street in Covent-Garden 1687. To the Honourable WILLIAM Lord CAVENDISH My Lord I Should not know how to Apologize for the Presumption of this Address if the Introduction of a Forreigner did not in some wise plead in my Excuse His Priviledges as such in a great manner entituling him to your Lordship ' s Protection I resolv'd at the same time I implor'd his Admittance to improve the Occasion as well for the discharging some awful sense of Gratitude for the Obligations I have to your Illustrious Father as for the paying your Lordship that Homage that is owing you from all those that make Profession of publickly honouring Merit and Virtue Yes my Lord as the World does both Esteem and Admire the ravishing Excellencies of your Person the surprizing Progress you have made in all sorts of Noble Exercises that Blooming Beauty of your Genius that Vivacity of Imagination Solidity of Judgment those Charms in Conversation and that early Harvest of Polite Learning that so soon in your Spring your Lordship stands possess'd of as if the Muses had a Mind to make some Amends by shedding all their Gifts upon your Lordship for the constant support and azylum they have ever found in your illustrious Family So it has a Respect and Veneration for your Goodness your Condescention Generosity Candour and Gallantry that conspicuously declares the Nobility of your Extraction Thus I hope this Offering will not only be interpreted as an Effect of my Zeal and Admiration but as a Testimony of the ardent and respectful Passion with which I am My Lord Your Lordship 's most Obedient And most Humble Servant B. Berenclow IBRAHIM BASSA OF BUDA I Am not at all surpriz'd to see that Love occasions many Disorders in Private Families It ever did so and ever will But to find that it is It that has kindled the War we at present see between the Turks and the Empire is a matter very extraordinary and nevertheless very true Easie will it be to know this Truth from the following History which I shall faithfully relate from the Memoirs I have received from one of my Friends at Constantinople where he has an Employ under a Foreign Minister by whom as he writes me word he was inform'd of what I am going to recount Count Teckeley that famous Head of the Male-contents that has so long born Arms against his Master after having according to the Destiny of those that are engag'd in such like Enterprises found that there is nothing more difficult than to succeed in their Projects was ready to sink when he resolv'd to send his Secretary once for all to the Grand Signior of whom he had already receiv'd divers Succours but too slender to bring his Designs about He expresly encharg'd him to tell this Prince and the Grand Vizier that he was oblig'd to come to an Accomodation with the Emperour unless they assisted him better than they had hitherto done That all his Partizans were weary of the War they had made for so long a time and for the most part at their own cost That he could no longer hinder them from returning to their own homes where they had their Wives and their Children principally since the Emperour gave them hopes of Liberty of Conscience and the Preservation of their Priviledges for whose Infraction they had taken up Arms against him That they daily persecuted him to accept these Conditions which he had endeavour'd to elude remonstrating to them that these were Promises that would never have effect That this had stopp'd them hitherto but that at length the want of Power he labour'd under would oblige him to close with those Offers This Secretary having laid these Reasons before the Grand Vizier this Minister laid 'em before his Master a Prince that having been brought up amid the effeminacy of the Serraglio did by consequence love Peace much better than Wan The Grand Vizier for his part desired nothing but Quiet not but that he was well experienc'd in Martial Affairs but because he loved a Sultana whose sight he preferred before all things By these means the Secretary had but a scurvy Reception and the Answer made to him was that the Grand Signior would by no means engage openly in the War but that he would give Order for the assisting of his Master under hand as had been done since his Revolt against the Emperour For this purpose several Bassa's had Order to repair to Constantinople and there in the Secretaries presence were they commanded to keep a secret Correspondence with Teckeley and to favour him in all they could yet without committing any Hostility that could embroil the two Empires The Emperour who was but ill serv'd in Spies hearing of Teckeley's Secretary's arrival at Constantinople and this meeting of the Bassa's imagin'd all to be for the making of War against him and an Envoy he had in that Court having signify'd to him that the thing was so he sent him Order to break the Designs that might be espouz'd to his prejudice in that Assembly by several advantageous Offers he caus'd to be made to the Turks if they would for Twenty Years prolong a Truce that was made between the Two Empires after the Battel of St. Godard The Grand Vizier who expected nothing less than this was over joy'd at this juncture and resolv'd to procure the advantage of his Master that was offer'd without running any Risque he began to give out a Rumour of an approaching Rupture that so the Emperour augmenting his allarums might cause still more advantageous Conditions to be propos'd to him Nevertheless for the better insinuating of the War he sent for the Bassa of Buda who had not been summon'd to the first Assembly and as he was the Person the Port was wont to consult in what concerned Hungary the Emperour did not doubt but that the Turks would proceed to a Rupture with him This Bassa was a Man between Eight and Twenty and Thirty Years old as well made as a Man could be brave to the highest Degree but whose Wit did nevertheless surpass his Bravery and Good Mien He had obtain'd his Government not so much however by his Good Qualities as by the Love the Sultana Zelinda had conceived for him And this Adventure is extraordinary and sparkish enough so as to believe that I shall not weary out my Reader by giving him an account of it This Bassa was one of those Tribute-Children that are rais'd upon the Christians and his Mother having not been able to dispense her self from this unhappy Law which thus obliges to give what one best loves no sooner saw that her Child was cull'd out by those that are appointed to exact it but that she made a Mark in his Face that she might be able to know him again another day This Mark was just for all the World as if
stupid But what gave him still a better Opinion of his good Fortune is that she press'd his Hand at her going away He thought not fitting to say the least of this to his Sister though he was not wont to conceal the least thing from her but he believ'd there to be such as he could not divulge without being wanting to the Character of a well-bred Man and he plac'd in the Number of these what had newly happen'd Sultana Zelinda being gone the beauteous sick Sultana ask'd him what he thought of her All that a man can think Madam said he to her of a Beautiful Person and I know only You that ever was capable of disputing the Prize of Beauty with her What I now say he continued ought not to be suspected by you You know that Flattery is very ill becoming in the Mouth of a Person that has the Honour of being so nearly related to you But if what I now say to you be not sufficient to perswade you of my sincerity I mean to tell you with the same ingenuity that I have hardly in my Life seen a more Beautiful Person and yet I know none that affects me less This Converse held them till the time requir'd for him to go to his own House The fair though sick Sultana was over-joy'd to see him have these Sentiments For though the Grand Signior had commanded her to live in good Terms with Sultana Zelinda she against her had a certain Jealousie which is natural to Persons that aspire to one and the same Heart And indeed though in the beginning she had only comply'd with the Sultana's Desires out of a kind of necessity she came in process of time to relish the Occasion not perchance his Person but at least the Grandeur of his Empire which he had shar'd with her so long as she had enjoy'd a perfect Health So sweet a time being ever present to her Memory she wish'd nothing so much as that she might recover It was rather on this account than to deliver her from the Indisposition she labour'd under that she sent for Physicians from all parts to whom she promis'd Immense Sums if they could stop the Malady with which she was afflicted Several promis'd her what they did not perform but at last after having pass'd through the Hands of all these Quacks there was one that offer'd his Service telling her that he would stake his Life against her Recovery That nevertheless as she was weakned both by the Nature of her Distemper and the violent Remedies that had been given her it requir'd time to see the effects of his Promises for as much as that she was to be restor'd by little and little before the last Hand could be put to her Recovery The Promises this Physician made were quickly divulg'd throughout the Grand Signior's Court and tho they could hardly obtain Credit after so many others that had fail'd the beauteous Sultana yet Zelinda was allarum'd at them principally when she knew that by the Means of the Remedies he had given her she already began to mend daily She would willingly have doubted of it so ungrateful was the thing to her but it was impossible for her to do it seeing her self by the Change that appear'd in her Face that to think the contrary would be to flatter her self However you must know that she still continu'd to love her Rival's Brother and of this she had given him several Tokens in some other Visits which she had still paid him when he was there Nevertheless things had not proceeded further as yet either for want of Conveniency or that perhaps she was afraid of trusting her Secret with a Person engag'd in Interests so contrary to hers But in short she passed o're this Consideration in some days after and that because she fancy'd she saw in him a Love that fell in nothing short of hers It was in her Sisters Apartment where she imagin'd she perceiv'd it She was gone to pay her a Visit after her usual manner and discoursing familiarly with him of the return of her Sisters Health She will be more beautiful than ever said she to him and as the Sultan will not fail of reviving his Flames you will quickly share his Favour with her I do not envy added she her happiness but I am vex'd that the Benefits you are going to receive should come to you through any other hands than mine Before I tell his Answer you must know that what ever indifference he had entertain'd for her in the beginning he had in the process of time found so many Charms in her Conversation that if he was not Hand over Head in Love with her yet it might be said that she was not indifferent to him for which Reason taking that time to declare the Sentiments to her he had for her I love my Sister said he to her as a Brother is bound to love her but in short if I was suffer'd to tell my whole thoughts upon the matter as there are others in the World whom I love infinitely more it would be much more grateful to me that they took care of my Fortune Wherefore added he if it must bâ— to their Prejudice that she recovers her Health though it would be more handsome in me to think it than to say it I am willing you should know that I wish she might never be cured This was a sufficient Explanation of his Mind as not to leave any room for doubt but that she was the Party ment in his Discourse So as that she was extreamly well satisfy'd And as there is nothing that makes greater progress with a Person as her knowing that you correspond with her Passion Sultana Zelinda was quickly sensible of such raging Flames that she was oblig'd to unbosome them to their Author It was not without Confusion however that she resolved to take this Course Such a step is ever a wrecking sort of Business to a Woman and if ordinary sort of Damsels make such a do in coming to that pass what must it not be when it befalls such a Person as Zelinda Nevertheless Love being stronger in her than all the Reflexions she could make she took Pen and Ink and wrote these Words to him Sultana Zelinda's Letter to Ibrahim IT is time that I lay aside the Scruples that stop me I love you since I must needs tell it you And indeed to what purpose would it be for me to conceal it since you are sufficiently clear sighted to see it in every thing I daily do Your Sister has no share in the Visits I make her You ought to make the Application of them wholly to your self And she is so very far from flattering her self with them as that we both of us make such Figures as would hinder us from ever being good Friends had she not a Brother that is capable of making me forget all things Thus let her in peace enjoy the Sultan's Heart I shall never be jealous of
well as Ibrahim who heard all that pass'd from the place where he was shut up However after having thus given Instances of his Cruelty he went his ways in a terrible storm But hardly was he got out of her Chamber but that he return'd his Eyes all sparkling with Fury Open me Madam said he to her your Closet to see if you have not had the imprudence to keep some Love-Letters And since that I am so unhappy that the People I have plac'd about you are more trusty to you than me let me at least omit nothing of what may inform me of the Occasion of my Misfortune It is easie to apprehend that these did strangely surprize the Sultana as well as Ibrahim who had heard them distinctly However Zelinda after having committed the fault of not managing this Prince as became her by some kind Words hoping that she might repair it Ah Sir said she to him Must your Celsitude needs continue to outrage me by the most sensible suspicions imaginable Should I write to any Body but my Dear Lord And should I receive Letters from any other than himself In saying these Words she threw her Arms about his Neck but he stepping back How Madam he answer'd her from whence comesit that you are so sensible to this Reproach and that you were not so but a moment ago to so many others that I made you I said a thousand things t' ye more outraging than this and not content with Words I proceeded to Effects All this nevertheless was not capable as I may say of unlocking your Teeth You saw that I exercised my Justice upon Wretches without so much as vouchsafing to implore my Mercy What ' s the meaning of your talking now when what I do does not come near the hundredth part of what I did I must certainly added he have caught you by your Feeble and I beseech you to open this Closet to me instantly to see whether I be mistaken or not The Sultana seeing that her Artifices had availed her nothing found her self still at a greater loss than before She would still have trifled him off with some sorry Reasons but he instead of being therewith satisfy'd thinking as it was true that all her Excuses only departed from the fear she was in of his discovering her Concerns Ah! this is delaying too much Madam said he to her and if you give me not the Key which I demand of you I shall quickly break open the Door The Sultana no longer knowing what to say made semblance of feeling for it in her Pocket and not finding it making the Grand Signior very impatient Pish once again I tell you this is trifling too long said he to her in a furious Passion and I see plainly that you fool me At these Words he call'd some Persons of his Train with a resolution to command them to break open the Door Ibrahim did not attend that Extremity to shift for himself and having devin'd that Matters would come to that pass he had seasonably open'd the Closet-Window that look'd into the Garden and leap'd out of it It was full Thirty Foot high but he had been so happy as not to hurt himself However in avoiding one danger he fell into an other No-Body comes into this Garden but the Grand Signior and the Sultana's and were he discover'd it was almost the same thing for him as if he had been caught in Zelinda's Closet As he knew all this very well he immediately sought out some place where he might hide himself This was no difficult matter for Places there were enough where a Man might hope not to be perceiv'd but wisely making reflexion that it was not sufficient to avoid all Peoples sight but that he must likewise contrive the means to get out of that Garden which he could not do but by the Ministry of the Gardiner He resolv'd to trust himself to him For this purpose he cast his Eyes about to see if he could spy him and getting no Body in ken he perceiv'd an House which could belong to none but him Thither stole he and after having listen'd attentively at the Door he knock'd and a Woman came and open'd it and was mightily surpriz'd to see so handsome a Man and of so good a Mien Save my Life said Ibrahim to her without Hesitation and to merit her giving some attention to his Words he gave her his Purse which was top-full of Gold with a Diamond of great value This does Wonders in the Age we live and in Turkey as well as here there are very serviceable People when a man knows how to engage them by such winning Such attractive Means as these Ibrahim made use of And indeed this Woman without making any Reflexion on the Danger she expos'd her self to if it should chance to be known that she had given him harbour for in fine she might well imagine that he came from the Serraglio let him in very amicably and having discours'd some time together upon this Adventure he was oblig'd to tell her that Love was the Cause of his Disorder yet without specifying to her any further particulars The Woman who was the Gardiner's Wife hearing him talk in this manner bid him fear nothing and as she had been formerly in Love she would take a most peculiar Care of him That she knew what a Person was capable of in that Condition not that she had ever done any thing but in Honour and Honesty but because that her Relations being against her marrying the Husband she had they were both oblig'd to have recourse to Artifices to deceive them Thereupon she began to run into Particulars of her Husband's Courtship and already began to make known by the Prologue that the History would be long when Ibrahim who had other things in his Head desired her to defer that Account till an other time giving her to understand that some body or other might pop in upon them immediately and that it was expedient to find out a Place where to hide him In all this House there was but one Chamber and a Garret over it and Ibrahim was of Opinion to go into the Garret but was disswaded from that by this Woman who told him that a Fellow her Husband employ'd in his Profession lay in it and that as they knew not how long he should be obliged to stay there it was not fit he should be seen by a young giddy-pated Cox-comb who might perchance discover the whole Mystery She was rather of advice to disguise him as a Woman and he jumping with her in Opinion she gave him a whole Suit of hers and hid his in the Bed. While that this Metamorphosis was doing in came the Husband who was mightily surprized to see a strange Face and whose Sex his dear Spouse was busie a changing As she was so so pretty and that it 's very natural to be jealous he began to make a terrible Bussle nay and perhaps things would have proceeded
had been made to all Comers but a Man coming at the same time to ask for him the Porter let him in under my Nose either that he had not the Wit to know that this might vex me or as is more probable he did nothing without his Master's Order If it had been in an other Occasion I leave it to be guess'd how I should have taken this Affront But the Concern of my Love not permitting me to manifest my Resentment I went my ways without saying a word but not without carrying along a peevishness as render'd me quite another man. I returned thither on the morrow and the same Complement having been made me or at least the Porter having contriv'd an other Excuse not to let me see his Master this was more than needed to cause me to make a noise if the same Reasons that had detain'd me the Evening before had not still detain'd me that Day What shall I say In short I had the Patience to do the same thing for Eight Days together at the end of which seeing that it would be the way to make me ridiculous if I went again I chose to write to him and accordingly did so in most submissive Terms And the Tenour of this Letter was to undeceive him of there being any Fault of mine in what had pass'd and to let him know that I had been several times at his House to discourse him my self on this Affair I gave it to One of my Men with Order to deliver it to him himself and to demand his Answer Nevertheless as I was afraid after what had befallen me my self they would not introduce him if he said he belong'd to me I forbid him saying of that but only that he had a Letter to give him from one of his Friends With this Pre-caution he was introduced to him And as my Man could then no longer excuse himself from telling him from whom he came he had no sooner mention'd my Name to him but that he refus'd to take the Letter telling him angrily That when he had been once offended he never pardoned As I did not expect such an extraordinary Complement I had not instructed him what Answer to make him Nevertheless happening to have some Wit My Master is not a Man said he to him to be treated in this manner And though it were true that he had offended you which however I shall not grant the Submission he makes to you would be capable to sweeten any other Spirit than yours These Words far from producing the Effect he hoped did only serve to insense him the more So as that my Man seeing there was nothing to be done with such a rugged Temper thought fitting to come his ways But in coming out of the Chamber he left the Letter upon a Stool telling him he was afraid I should beat him if he brought it back As I was impatient to know the Success of this Embassy I thought the time tedious till he return'd But I had so little Reason to be satisfy'd with the Reception that had been made him that the hopes that had fed me hitherto quickly vanisht I approv'd what he had done and what he had said And as he was making an end of giving me an Account of all word was brought me that a Footman ask'd for me I was surprized to see Lidiana's Livery What would'st thou Friend I said to him hastily already hoping for some better News It is a Letter Signior answer'd he that my Master sends you back and he desires you never to take the pains of writing to him At these Words he presented me my Letter which was still sealed up And as there was no way for me to decline taking of it I was struck with grief in having to do with a Person of so little Reason This was as yet but the Moiety of my Misfortune This whymsical Man guessing that I did not make all the Paces without finding some returns in his Daughter he forbid her not only to have any Commerce with me but he watcht her so narrowly that though she had been of an Humour to do things to the prejudice of his Commands it would have been impossible for her Nevertheless he knew not that we had a String to our Bow which it was difficult for him to break This was the Waiting-woman whom the Go-between had placed with the Mother by whose means I receiv'd five or six Letters after one another But all on the sudden I saw my self depriv'd of this Consolation and when I ask'd the Reason the Go between told me that the Father had taken away all the Ink and Paper that was in the House that there was no longer any Writing but by his Order and not content with this he had plac'd Maids with his own Hand about the Mother and Daughter to hinder any one from being so charitable as to furnish them wherewithal to keep on foot our Commerce All these Pre-cautions seem'd to me very strange in a Man I had never offended and all the Comfort I had left in so great a Misfortune was that I could still write and receive Answers by word of Mouth I knew not whether they were ever conformable to what the Go-between told me But in fine as they could not be more obliging for me I took thence an occasion to revive the Design I had interrupted for the Reasons already specify'd I mean the proposing a-new a private Wedding To oblige this Woman to do her Duty well I not only shew'd my self beneficial to her but still made her hope for great rewards if she sped This is a Secret very serviceable to many People and there are thousands that thereby succeed in their Designs But for my part who am the most unfortunate of all men I found my self Ship wrack'd where others find an Harbour That you may apprehend this Truth I must tell you Sir That this Woman understanding her Trade to Perfection lur'd me for some time without giving me any positive Answer One while Lidiana did but weakly oppose my Proposal another while she absolutely rejected it as the thing in the World the most injurious for her At length after having thus impos'd upon me for Two Months That is to say during the whole time that my Employment permitted me to stay at Venice she no sooner saw me upon the Point of my Departure but she told me That Lidiana being perswaded of the Honesty of my intentions had at length resolved no content me So great a piece of News and which besides was so little expected by me overwhelm'd me with an indicible Joy. Is it possible I said to this Woman that Lidiana yields to my Desires And how shall I ever acknowledge this Obligation for which I know I am only endebted to you I told her thereupon all that an Inamorato is capable of saying when he thinks himself just ready to enjoy a Felicity after which he has long sigh'd And not content with expressing my Acknowledgement
Trick I us'd This Person had put my Promise under the Bolster I took it slily away with a full Resolution not to marry her since that instead of the Ravishments I had promis'd my self to have met withal in her I had found something so different that the Day was not more from Night Now these are the Particulars of that Rendezvouze to which it is convenient to add to undeceive you at present of the thought you had of its being Lidiana for the Go-between having propos'd to her the Secret Marriage I have before-mention'd and in no wise prevailing with her to consent to it she bethought her self of making an other supply her Room to merit the Recompences I had propos'd Thus one may see how dangerous it is to trust in those Venial Souls and provided they have your Money they mind not by what means Besides it was an easie matter for her to paulm this Trick upon me She had in the House a Creature she had several times put to all sorts of Tryals Besides she lay in Lidiana's Chamber nay and in her Bed the Father of that fair Virgin thinking fit to have her by him for fear of those Nocturnal Rendezvouzes by which the sharpest circumspection is over-reach'd Now I was ignorant of this Circumstance Thus all things conspiring to my Misfortune it is not to be wondred that I was cruelly deceived In the mean while I went away the next Morning without bidding Adieu to the real Lidiana of whom however I had no cause to complain But the Adventures of a Wicked Night had so pawl'd me that I was no longer capable of Gratitude or of Love. Being possess'd with such Sentiments if I could have made my Horse fly I should have done it so eager I was to distance my self from Lidiana to whose disadvantage I told my self then at least as many things as I had told my self a little before in her favour So precipitated a Departure did extreamly surprize her She was not for some time to be perswaded that I was gone but at length having no room left for doubt if her Love made her be troubled for my Proceedure her Spight suggested into her so many things against me that it may be said to have got the Victory Nevertheless she was not so well Mistress of her self as that she could entirely forget me wherefore after having waver'd a long time whether she ought to write to me or not her weakness was more prevalent than her Haughtiness Perhaps she thought hereby rather to revenge her self on me than make appear the Remnants of her Love. Nevertheless as in regard of that Passion it is more grateful to a Lover to meet with Reproaches than to be treated with indifference this had been still matter of Triumph to me supposing I had been still as sensible to her Merit as I had formerly been But leaving this Question apart which nevertheless was never contested by able People I will repeat to you the Tenour of the Letter she sent me LIDIANA's Letter to RIVELLI I Thought you of a Character so different from that of other Lovers that I made no Scruple of giving you Testimonies of my Weakness But in fine it was a folly in me to believe otherwise than that all Men resemble one another There is not one but that is a Deceiver And as it would be Blindness to doubt of this after your Carriage I am become so wise at present that I should rather choose to lose my Life than ever more commit the Folly I have done In short I hate you now as much as I ever lov'd you This says All to express the Sentiments I am in since it is certain that I have been so possess'd in your Favour that nothing could be added to my good Opinion She has Reason said I smiling in my self never more to commit the Folly she has done It is effectually the means to disquiet those that have to do with her and I advise her to stick to her Face which far from discovering her Defects has so many Attractions that no body would ever imagine that the rest was so little answerable thereunto After this Reflexion and some others that were as little to her advantage I felt my Pulse as I may say to know whether I ought to make her an Answer but fearing if I did so it might make me incur an other Letter I resolv'd by my silence to break off all Commerce between us Two. Now this was my Proceedure whence it is easie to conjecture that Lidiana seeing her self slighted in this manner effectually hated me in succession of time as much as she had ever lov'd me But what do I say Her Aversion did much surpass the Love she had ever had for me I will make who will be Judge And I will take you your self Sir to Witness after I shall have related to you the Sequel of my unhappy History You must know that the Campaign being ended I was in Garrison in a City where all the Women even such as were of the very Dregs of the People were so many Beauties And certainly though I have travell'd as much as any Man of my Age I know no place where Beauty is more generally found This infinitely pleased all the Officers Severall allured by so great a Charm married in this Place others that had not as yet Devotion enough for so holy a Business got Mistresses and of the whole number of us I may safely say that only I remained insensible They all wonder'd at this and particularly those that knew me to be of a Temper very prone to Love But in short one single Night had given me a Disgust to all Women and they were all Lidiana's to me About the middle of our Winter Quarters I had a Boon to ask of the Senate and thinking to obtain it better in Person than to demand it by a Letter I departed Post though to tell the Truth I considered on it more than once by reason of Lidiana whom I was afraid of meeting some where or other nay and for whom I had so much Aversion that I dreaded to hear her so much as speak Being arriv'd at Venice I did not so much as enquire after her for fear some troublesome Person or other should come and extoll her Gracefulness and Beauty to me Only the Go-between knowing of my Return came to see me or to speak more exactly to renew some Commerce with me so to get some Money from me But I sent her Word that I would not speak with her Yet this not making her desist she came again several times which oblig'd me to send her Word That if she was ever more seen at my Gate I would have her whipt She knew not what to think of so great an Alteration But in fine these Words being positive she was afraid of the Bastonnade and importuned me no more I came not alone to Town one of the most Considerable Officers of the Army kept me
form this Resolution and much more to execute it so great is the Feeble when one is in Love. But what much help'd to make me gain this over my Mind is that Lidiana had no longer any Quiet with her Father since she had so formally thwarted his Will. Thus believing my Absence would skreen her from all these Persecutions I went to Rome and thence into France where I serv'd in the Forces that were appointed against Flanders But though War be capable of possessing one's Mind entirely principally when a Man has a little Ambition it is nevertheless certain that wherever I went I carry'd Lidiana's image along with me She every where came to torment me insomuch that having no more Repose in that Countrey than I had at Venice I return'd thither incognito to have at least the Consolation of seeing her I found she was gone thence on her return into our own Countrey and taking a Journey thither my self I was told the saddest News that ever could have befallen me It is not necessary that I tell it you you know it Sir as well as I I mean the stealing away of Lidiana by the Aga. Any other that had been less in Love would have contented himself with venting of Sighs and with accusing Fate of injustice But as my Love was of a different Nature from that of all Men I also took a Resolution which no other Man but I would have taken it was to come snatch Lidiana out of the Aga's Hands wherein though I saw an insurmountable Difficulty my Consolation was that either I should die in pain or that I should speed in my Design Whereupon I came hither only as courting Death as I may say but Destiny seeking still more and more to oppress me I was inform'd that your Celsitude had had the same Eyes as I That is to say that you had found Lidiana so Beauteous that you had put her into your Serraglio It would be impertinent for me to tell you my Despondency at this News it is easie for you to judge of it by the Resolution I took to pass over the Walls of the Serraglio And I undertook to do so so much the more willingly in that I hop'd that Lidiana being there against her Will she would concur with me to free her self out of Slavery supposing that I was so happy as to get to the Speech of her There is no need of my telling you any thing farther You know how you found me and I shall only add that your Celsitude is concern'd to punish me out of hand since that as long as I shall be alive I shall not only dispute against you but also against the whole Earth together for a heart without which I cannot hope to live This Man having thus related his Concerns the Grand Signior who had hearkened to him without one's being able to say whether he was animated with Revenge or Hatred went out of the Chamber and so to that of the Sultana who was interested in this Discourse There without telling her what this Man had related to him he would needs be acquainted with her History from her own Mouth to see whether he had not impos'd upon him But her Account having been altogether conformable to his he wanted much of being in that Anger he would have been in had he perceiv'd they had prevaricated with him Nevertheless he was still uncertain what he was to do For on the one side he judg'd this Man worthy of Death for the Love he dar'd to harbour for the Sultana He consider'd on the other That he was sufficiently punish'd in the manner he was treated In fine Mildness having prevail'd over all other Considerations he granted him his Pardon at the Request of Sultana Zelinda not that she did honestly espouse his interest but because she thought that by preserving his Life it would be for her an instrument ready at hand that would serve to render the Grand Signior jealous of her Rival Now indeed her Policy had been good supposing that his Celsitude had suffer'd him to stay in his Dominions but having had the Pre-caution to send him away thence nay end to cause him to be accompany'd to the very Frontier that so he might not be imposed upon by this means her Malice prov'd all to no purpose While that all this pass'd Ibrahim was still in the same place whence he imagined he might easily escape having engag'd the Husband and Wife in his interests But as People often reckon without their Host it happen'd that in the very time that he thought himself in the greatest security it wanted little but that he had been discovered in the manner I am going to relate After all the Bussle that I have newly re-counted the Grand Signior went down into the Garden with the Two Sultana's and as he was walking there fell a terrible Rain that oblig'd him to seek out some Place where he might be under shelter There being none nearer than the Gardiner's House he ran thither with his Company and Ibrahim had but just time to hide himself In the mean while the Gardiner's Wife was so surprized that the Grand Signior easily perceiv'd that something ail'd her The Sultana's passed also the same Judgment But they all having attributed it to the surprise she was in to see Persons of their Rank the lowness of her Extraction sav'd her The Rain being over the Grand Signior return'd into the Garden and there it was that Sultana Zelinda was surprized with a strong Jealousie For while she was amusing her time in contemplating some Figures that were upon their Pedestal the Grand Signior struck aside with her Rival and kindling his Flames a-new that had only been interrupted by her Malady he entred into an Arbour that was at the end of an Alley the Door of which he shut after him for fear Zelinda should come and disturb his Conversation Zelinda no sooner perceiv'd that he went off but that being vex'd for having given Occasion to the Affront that was done her she walk'd apace to overtake him She was almost as soon as he at the Arbour which she saw him direct his steps to and when she was just got up to it she saw her self shut out This was so terrible a Vexation to her that she had never had the like Perhaps she did not love the Sultan and the Love she had for Ibrahim is a good instance of the contrary since Two great Passions are incompatible with one another But in her Ambition supplying the Room of Love she was for all the World as jealous as if she had really lov'd him I shall not however lose time in relating all that her Anger made her say and indeed it would be needless since there is no body but may imagine that in such Circumstances one is capable of saying many things It is more expedient that I proceed to her Actions by which it will be made more manifest than by her Words with what Spirit she was
Passion spoke but little fondness nay and he excus'd himself from accepting of an appointment she made Almonac propose to him who on his part did not allow Zelinda his Ministry but with trembling after what had happen'd The Sultana was startled and also picqu'd at this Refusal and though he had us'd as a Pretext that if he did not accept the Offers she made him it was rather out of fear of engaging her in some ill Business than for his own sake yet was she of a quite different Opinion She entertain'd a Fancy that his denying of her thus was because he had got an other Mistress and this thought inspiring her with a Design to ruine him she only suspended this Resolution till such time as that she could be truly inform'd how this Matter stood To effect this she brib'd one of his Principal Servants imagining that if he had any Intrigue there must be some one or other to whom he must have imparted it But not one having been able to give her any such Account because that effectually her Suspicions were ill grounded she laid aside above half her Anger beginning to believe that it was only Fear that had hinder'd him from accepting of her Rendezvouze After she had thus justify'd him in her Mind she was but a very little while before she restor'd him her Affection So true it is that in the Hearts of Lovers the Passions that seem the most contrary succeed one another Far am I from saying that they be effectually so For after all whatever Hatred a Lover or a Mistress may think they have for each other we are too blame to call by that Name the Sentiments with which they are animated So far it is from being Hatred that it is an Excess of Love insomuch that the greatest Mischiefs that can befall them would be if that should happen which they desire against the Beloved Person Sultana Zelinda did quickly give proofs of what I now say for instead of continuing in the revenge she meditated a moment before she signify'd to Ibrahim that she lov'd him more than ever insomuch that she could live no longer if he refus'd her the satisfaction of entertaining him in private It would not have been well in Ibrahim to have persisted any longer in his Denials Cruelty does ill become a Man and after all since it was only fear that detain'd him it was in some manner shameful for him that a Woman should have more Courage than he I know not whether it was for these Reasons or others that he chang'd his Mind for in short he saw Sultana Zelinda and she took so much pleasure in his Converse that she would have been very glad if the Grand Signior would have conceiv'd a Fancy to have detain'd him at Court. Nevertheless as this was a thing rather to be desired than hoped for she fell to contriving some other expedient for the giving her self content and found none better than this As she knew not the Secrets of State she innocently thought that Ibrahim and the other Bassa's had been sent for only with a Design of making War and imagining that there would be a thousand Occasions for her to see her Lover if she could oblige the Grand Signior to go himself at the Head of his Armies She us'd all manner of means to perswade him that it concern'd his Honour not to leave any other than himself to make the Conquest of Hungary The Sultan who to speak frankly loves a Camp less than the Serraglio and Hunting having not answer'd her upon this Point as she desired him she address'd her self to the Grand Vizier who in Quality of Prime Minister might do much for her satisfaction She was very loath to do it however For this Minister had been in Love with her for some Years but he far from seeming to her amiable enough to create the like Sentiments in her he was disagreeable to her to a Degree beyond sufferance But being capable of doing all things for the Love of Ibrahim she sent to tell the Grand Vizier that she had a longing desire to speak with him and entreated him that it might be the same Day Almonac was the Bearer of this good News which afforded the Vizier so much Joy that he made him a Present of a Diamond of great Value You may be sure he did not fail the Rendezvouze He threw himself at the Sultana's Feet he ask'd her what he could do for her Service entreating her that she would employ him Zelinda receiv'd him with a Countenance which she knew how to compose as Occasion serv'd Thus having appear'd all Sweetness contrary to her Custom the Vizier was so enflam'd that he vow'd to her that what she demanded of him must not be in his power or that he would instantly grant it her We shall see that the Sultana made Answer and what I desire of you is that in the War we are going to make in Hungary you would induce the Grand Signior to go thither in Person The Grand Vizier was surpriz'd at this Request and seeing that the Sultana had suffered her self to be abused by the Rumours that ran about of an approaching Rupture between the Two Empires he thought it convenient to undeceive her that so she might convert her Demand into an other wherein there might be means of doing her Service Whereupon he inform'd her how the Reports that run about of the War were only to oblige the Emperor still to augment the Offers he had made to the Grand Signior That there were not the least thoughts of proceeding to a Rupture with him and how far from that the State stood in need of Peace Though such an Answer ought to have stopp'd the Sultana's Mouth she did not rest satisfy'd therewithal She told the Vizier That it was very true that she had thought as well as others that the War was just breaking out but that by being mistaken she did not see why he refus'd her her Request That Peace and War being equally in his Hands he might chuse either That if he did it not it was for that he had no Design to oblige her That she was very glad she knew it that so she might accordingly regulate her Sence upon his Conduct These Reproaches were sensible to the Grand Vizier proportionably to the Love he had for her and as it proceeded even to Excess I shall not undertake to express his Grief Nevertheless being very willing to mollifie her Spirit Ah! Madam he said to her would you that for my own sake I should plunge the Empire into the Disorder that is an inevitable Consequence of War. Should not I remain responsable towards the Sultan and towards his People And for having confided his Authority in me must I be the Author of so many Mischiefs Tell me he added what can oblige you to make such a Request and perhaps I may find some other Expedient for your satisfaction The Sultana was not so mad as to do it
nothing that was more insupportable to him That he might not doubt of this Truth several Circumstances were related to him which he himself might remember However nothing perswaded him more than that invincible desire the Sultana had to cause the Grand Signior to undertake this Voyage and Ibrahim's Request to hinder him from so doing Without this Circumstance he would a thousand times have dy'd of grief to see that before him she preferr'd a Rival whom he esteem'd so much below him But being in some manner comforted by making reflection that the Sultana was made to endure the same Treatment he endured he went to the Grand Signior whom he told That he had maturely weigh'd the Reasons that were Pro and Con his Journey and that all well considered he ought to think of it no more at least without exposing himself to Perils to which whatever Precaution he might use there was no Remedy There needed no more to make him break it a second time But the Grand Vizier not content with what he had newly done he sent Ibrahim away Post without giving him one moments delay under colour that in the then Conjuncture the Frontier stood in need of such a Man as he This was to his great Regret that he saw himself oblig'd to go thus away Post and he could have wish'd he might have bid Adieu to the Grand Vizier's Wife with whom he had been so happy as to come to a right understanding Nevertheless his Vexation was much less than that of the Sultana when that she knew he was gone She knew not whether she ought to impute the Fault to him or to the Grand Vizier whom she had heard had only given him a Quarter of an Hours time to take his leave of which being very willing to be inform'd she sent to require a private Conversation with him which he was far from refusing her out of the desire he had to reproach her Coming both with such Sentiments it was impossible their Interview should pass without some noise and indeed the Sultana having farther learnt that the Vizier had disswaded the Grand Signior from going into Hungary which she knew not before She was no sooner in his Presence but that without making him any Complement she ask'd him why after having promis'd her that the Journey should be undertaken he had broken it to the prejudice of his Word The Reason is Madam the Grand Vizier said without being startled that I knew not you was in Love with Ibrahim and as I have a Care of my Master's Honour I am very glad that a pitiful Slave should not share what is destined for him The Sultana was very much surprized at these Words but not thinking fit to agree to what he said I excuse this want of Respect she answer'd because I know very well that it proceeds from your Jealousie but know you that you must not relapse otherwise I shall not ever be of an humour to take things so mildly Thus it is to your Love she added that you are now indebted that I do not punish you as you deserve and it is further in its Favour that I consent that there be not any Journey to let you see whether I love Ibrahim or no. It was an extraordinary thing to hear the Sultana talk in this manner who naturally was violent and who besides according to all appearances ought not to have taken the Vizier's Complement so mildly But you must know that she had the knack of dissembling when she pleas'd and that when her Heart was seiz'd with a strong Anger that was the time when she affected the greatest Mildness And indeed far from doing what she said for the Love of him her whole Contrivance was how to know who had revealed her Secret to him that she might afterwards accordingly make her Resentment fall upon them both The Grand Vizier not knowing her to be so great a Mistress of Dissimulation having taken in good part so sudden a Resignation instead of persisting in jealous Motions fell into an Excess of Tenderness He ask'd her Pardon for having unjustly suspected her and the Sultana seeing him at the Point she desired press'd him to tell her the Author of such an Allarum The Grand Vizier imparted all things to her and having not omitted to tell her that Ibrahim had himself entreated him to break off the Sultan's Journey she chang'd Colour and call'd him a Thousand times Ungrateful and Perfidious in the bottom of her Soul. But this plung'd her into a greater Despondency the Vizier assuring her that either he was mistaken or that the Intimation came from the same Hand They parted pretty good Friends in appearance which must needs cast a diffidence in the Mind of a suspicious Man. But as much as Lovers are suspicious in Points of their Misfortunes they are on the other hand as full of Confidence in Point of their good Fortune Thus the Grand Vizier having fallen into the Trap went to the Army the most satisfy'd Man living and was no sooner come thither but that the Sultana who was very glad that he appeared in these Sentiments for fear that out of Jealousie he should reveal her Concerns to the Grand Signior had it buzz'd in his Ears that what had been said to him of Ibrahim was not only true but also that he lov'd her beyond expression He had much a do to believe this News but they promis'd him to give him such convincing Proofs of it that he should no longer doubt of it He had nothing to say after this till such time as that it was made clear out to him as was promis'd he fasten'd upon the Siege of Vienna after having laid waste the open Countrey by Robbery Slaughter and Conflagration If this Famous Siege related to my Subject I should have fine things to insert in this place but as it is not seasonable I shall only say that the Vizier was so jealous of Ibrahim that he did all he could to have him cut off It was a Miracle how he escap'd at which the Vizier being strangely amaz'd himself he contriv'd to ruine him after an other manner charging him with the length of the Siege The Sultan setting a Value upon Ibrahim wonder'd to see that the Vizier complain'd of him and having communicated his Letters to one of his Principal Officers This Person being a Friend of Ibrahim's told him that he needed not to wonder and that the Vizier had Cause to hate him The Sultan ask'd him why Because Sir he said to him that Ibrahim loves his Wife At these words he took out of his Pocket a Letter that was written from the Camp in which several Circumstances of this Amour were signify'd to him The Sultan who delighted in diverting himself at an other's expence retain'd this Letter and half an Hour after imparted it to the Sultana who had taken a strange course to revenge her self on Ibrahim She had caus'd a Letter to be put into the Vizier's Hands which