truth I did not know whether Alonso mocked me or no. In fine after a long suspension of minde the apprehensions of hate gave place to those of love and as I went to demand her pardon for my errour there came into the chamber the servant that came to seeke me from her â—ccompanied with Feliciane her first confident who â—ame running at the clamour of Teodore thinking that I would take away the life of her that had ravished from me my liberty and seeing me yet have the ponyard in my hand which glissened by the light of the candle they fled crying murder and for help I went after them to stay them and upon the staires I met lascivious Eufemie coming up with a torch in her hand to know from whence proceeded this great disorder For me I confesse that when I knew her my whole body begun to tremble being ready to discharge it self of the heavy burden of my affront but as soone as she saw me with the ponyard in my hand feare of death so violently transported her that she cast her selfe out of a window of the staires which looked into the Court I was very glad to see her resolution thinking that in saving her selfe from my rigour she would chastise her selfe but it happened otherwise I put my head out of the window thinking to have seen her broken to pieces upon the pavement and I saw her in the armes of Don Pedro he who had debauched her who happened to be directly under the window at the instant of her fall he saved her in receiving her into his armes for he was strong and the window not very high I ran hastily to take the occasion that was offered me to be revenged of them both in the same time and ponyard them both together but the two servants had shut the doore of the stairs which entred into the court Seeing then so many obstacles to the execution of my design choler so violently surmounted me that I went up the staires to cast my selfe out of the same window I did it as soone as thought it but my fall was not so happy as that of Eufemie I hurt so extreamely one of my legges that when J would have gone to have ruined my enemies it was impossible for me to goe which gave them leisure to save themselves Teodore altogether confused with this prodigious rumour got quickly to her lodging wherein she entered without wakening her father J doubt not Gentlemen but that you desire to know by what accident Teoddre came into this place but J will tell you the reason thereof Eufemy was lodged neare her house and Teodore knowing the life which she led determined to be acquainted with her by the intermission of Feliciane who went to make complements to her from her in the quality of a neighbour At the end of some few dayes she demanded permission of her Father for her Mother was deceased to goe see one of her cosens that was sick The good man seeing his daughter excited with so charitable a desire gave her leave upon condition that Feliciane should accompany her for he confided in her and thought the Chastity of Teodore in great safeguard with her They went abroad together made some turnes in the streets and stayed under a doore where they disguised themselves as well as they could for feare of being known and so entered into the house of Eufemie She seeing Teodore at her house was ravished with that honour as they are ordinarily who meddle with the trade she did when other women come to visite them Eufemy imbraced her a thousand times transported with joy and admiration and after many faire words given and received of one and the other Eufemie prayed Teodore to tell her wherefore she had taken the pains to visit her Then without suffering her selfe to be much entreated she â—ngeniously declared to her that she had made choice of her lodging to satisfie an extreame passion that she loved a Cavalier which shee was a going to send for and for that purpose she prayed her to lend her a chamber for a little time that passing for a Courtizan she might without being known content her amorous desires Consider a little how this Gentlewoman prostituted her honour to adhere to her sensual fantasies but what is it that a woman animated with love wil not prove to make easie the things that seem to her impossible let us now return to the house of Eufemie to see what happened there after the hurt which I had received in leaping out of the window Her servant which fled away seeing mee with the Ponyard in my hand went in a fright to fetch a Justice who being arrived made me be carryed to prison without any formalitie in a chaire Before that this officer was entered into the house the Pregnotory had received the depositions of two witnesses who said that I had given to a woman three great stabs with a Ponyard and that they had seen the wounds The vulgar are such lyars that they affirme to have seen that they onely dream'd of and hold for truth what they have heard say as if they had seen it They would then know in what estate the hurt person was but they found nothing but witnesses of my justification neverthelesse I remained three weekes a prisoner Doe but see a little how rigorously the innocents are handled by those people they call Justices In the mean while Eufemie her protector changed either the country or quarter but if they were in Madrid they were well hid for in six moneths that I stayed there it was impossible for me to hear news of them what diligence soever I could use As long as my captivity lasted Teodore sent often Feliciane to see me and to offer me assistance and mony but not having need neither of the one nor other both because of my justification and not being in want I thanked her remaining alwaies extreamly obliged to her good will and indebted to her affection whereof she rendered me sufficient proofes during my imprisonment If my body was set at libertv my soule was enchained the beauty of Teodore captivated all my powers my understanding understood nothing but of her my memory had no other image my will walked not but by the shadow of hers She simpathized to all my feelings I failed not to be every night at the foote of her walls and she never wanted to be at her window I lived not but by her presence nor her heart was ever at ease but when she saw me One night when I went to prattle with her and give nourishment to my flames her father surprised her which was the cause that the window was walled up and that this Sun was long time eclipsed from me After having suffered much for her absence I had a Packet brought to me from the Poste wherein was a Letter directed to the Father of Teodore I presently imagined that this was not done without mystery in this thought
with choller approached her and gave her two boxes upon the eare and at the same instant withered the roses and lilies of her cheeks I being offended with this barbarous insolence and rashness that he had to use her so unworthily in my presence I went to him with my sword in my hand rebuking his brutality with offensive words He who knew me not drew also his sword and fighting one with another I warded his blowes and gave him two upon the body which he could not avoid then in despight of what they could all doe to stay me I saved my selfe and went out of the house without being known to any one yet having a great desire to know the day following the names of these persons and the occasion of these strange aecidents Don Louis whom we call Poleron was upon the passage of his history when Clitor and the Judge of the Towne entred into the prison the first to see if the unknowne prisoner was of those that did hurt Fenise and the other protesting that he knew very well what belonged to his Office They were all in suspence to see what would be the issue of these words but their attention was turned into affliction knowing that his designe was to send them to Toledo Fenise had an apprehension thereof the unknown prisoner trembled for feare and Don Louis doubted the execution thereof Seeing the danger wherein Fenise would be returning into the hands of his enemies he endeavoured by prayers and fair words to divert the intention of the Judge and although that Clitor affirmed that the unknowne prisoner was none of those that had hurt Fenise he changed not the resolution which he had made all the grace that they could obtaine was that the prisoners should be removed from the dark place where they were into a chamber but bound to â—wo posts When they were come into the light Fenise â—aced his companion and saw in him the origiâ—all of his disgraces he saw himselfe neare to Laure when he thought himselfe to be far from â—er He was almost without motion and sense so much had joy transported him but without â—estifying the excesse of his joy he contented himselfe to speak to her with the mute language of his eyes which often expresse the feelings of the heart more intelligibly then the tongue can doe Laure of her side made such signes with her eyes as rendred faithfull proofs of the constancy of her love Don Louis who perceived all these amorous actions seeing that they were alone in this chamber having had licence of the Judge to visit his friend prayed them to explicate the Aenigmas of of their gestures Fenise spoke and told him Deare friend only in telling you the name of this person shewing Laure I answer to all the demands you can now make me you having heard me so often speak it This is Laure that incomparable beauty which hath charmed my soule her presence hath surprized me with so excessive a joy that if it was not moderated with the sorrow that I have to see her suffer so many evils for my sake it would take away my life Then turning himselfe towards Laure Ah deare object of my happinesse is it possible that my destiny may be appeased Is it true that it is you my imagination perpetually occupied with your image doth she not deceive me What amongst so many torments can I enjoy so extream a felicity Without lying I have good cause to complain of your rigour that hath hindred me so long time the enjoying thereof in disguising this night the delicious organ of your voice Speak to me dear Mistresse let me see that my glory is not a dream tell me what marvellous adventure hath reduced you to this misery which produced me so great good fortune Laure who might rather be called Aurora letting fall liquid pearls upon the vermillion roses of her cheeks answered him My dear Fenise I have striven much with my self to use the dissimulation whereof you complain and hinder my self from letting you know what company you had in your prison I wanted but a little of declaring my selfe when I saw you brought thither but honour which you know is so delicate a thing obliged me to this severe retention so that your love being guided by respect and civility you have rather cause to be satisfied with me then blame me You cannot doubt of my passion since that for to give you most particular assurances thereof I have violated paternall respect and also that which I owe to my person in giving occasion to speak to the prejudice of my vertue But if our destiny have made us miraculously to meet againe it seems it is but to run the same fortune and make us hope for a more free conveniency to entertaine our selves with the fortunes that have arrived us since our separation the which obligeth me to pray you to give me leave to remit untill another time the satisfaction of your just curiositie Don Louis who heard these discourses was so lively touched with compassion besides the inclination which he had to serve Fenise that he vowed from this moment to hazard all that he esteemed as well of his goods as person to deliver them from the tyranny of this barbarous Judge And in the opinion which he had to come to the end of his design he endeavoured to comfort Laure giving her hope that she should see her self presently at liberty with her Lover This comfortable friend having left them in this expectation and being gone to put his project in execution the impertinent Judge came to tell them he had changed his resolution and that it was not necessary to carry them both to Toledo that for the love of Poleron he would leave Fenise and only take the other At this advertisement Laure felt her heart gnawed cruelly and revenging her misfortunes upon her selfe let fall teares from her eyes which were able to have softned Marble Fenise on his side repented himselfe for having so easily believed Don Louis and for suffering himselfe to be taken prisoner he could not resist the apprehensions of his passion nor Laure overcome the vehemency of her love so that when she saw her selfe untied from this post she approached her Lover and without being seene of those who were to carry her she fell vpon his neck for to embrace him By good fortune a swoond seized her at the instant which stayed the effect of the Judges proposition Having perceived this swoond they took all care possible to remedy it but not with so much diligence but that the rest of the day passed which forced them to attend untill the morrow for to carry her to Toledo judging that it was better to deferre it then to hazard in the night the losse of a prisoner which might be taken from them in the dark Fenise beheld this image of death whose sorrowes he felt in his heart neverthelesse he was presently glad seeing that the Officers of the Judge
friends promised the Cavalier what he desired without demanding the consent of her that had the most interest therein thinking it unnecessary to a daughter humble and obedient as Hipolite was for he did believe that her consent would always depend upon his Oh the great errors of Fathers to think that a vertuous daughter ought to be deprived of her choise and will In fine Leoncio told her no more of this affaire but that he had married her She was greatly surprised with so short an oration and obliging her Father to expresse himselfe a little more amply he told her the person admonished her to dispose her selfe to this new change of condition as also to put on her best ornaments and to look cheerfully for said he contentment is the most excellent paint wherewith a woman can beautifie her selfe Having thus perswaded her he left her but in stead of preparing her selfe for joy she abandoned her selfe to sighs and teares At that time I went often to her house as well for to seek some favourable moment to speake to her as for to learne if Octave was returned from his voyage The last time that I was there I saw at the doore many Lacquees in the same Livery this expence testified that they appertained to a Master of great condition I was astonished with this novelty and entring for to know the cause thereof I found Octave who was newly arrived who in stead of approaching me with joy looked so sadly upon me that he gave me cause to suspect that there was something to be done to my prejudice I saluted him in embracing him and asked him the explication of what I had seen but without daring to regard me he answered that being my most affectionate servant he desired to be excused from interpreting things so troublesome The longer he deferred to satisfie me the more I pressed him in the end my importunity drew from him these words goe above into the Hall said he and you shall see the subject of my affliction The generall joy of those who were invited wherewith the place was almost filled gave me occasion to enter without being noted I saw Hipolite in the middle of a circle of Ladies shining like a Sun on another side Don Vincence my competitor with a countenance that testified his contentment Finding things in this order I was confirmed in the opinion which I had conceived I put my selfe in a place where I might be seen of Hipolie to the end she might make an end to destroy me which had arrived without doubt if I had not been so infortunate that when I search torments they flye me She lifted up her eyes and seeing me it was impossible for her to retaine her teares which she hid the most discreetly she could thereupon he arrived who was to administer to them the Sacrament and joyne their hands and wills but when as they came to entreat Hipolite to approach she begun to talk so extravagantly that all the company was affrighted She blamed her Father offended her Kindred spoke injurious against Vincence O extreame puissance of an amorous passion capable to alienate the spirit of the wisest In a word shee became sencelesse to the great confusion of all the company and principally of the Gentleman that pretended to marry her she named and called me every moment sayd that I was he for whom heaven had ordained her and that I ought onely to possesse her I found my selfe much troubled amongst these strange confusions and fearing some danger slipt behinde a piece of hangings by which meanes I got out of the house without being perceived When she had lost the sight of me she begun to run about the Hall to seek me but not finding me so violent a griefe seised her that she fell in a trance They carryed her to a bed where after a little time she came to her self again but with a burning feaver Al the company departed very Melancolique and also Don-Vincence full of despite and despaire and Don-Leoncio suffered himselfe to bee surprised with so great vexation that hee dyed within foure dayes leaving to her Brother the care of Hipolite and the Administration of his Goods See the unfortunate successes of my Loves whose image will be perpetually engraven in my heart see how my hopes were converted into smoake which may serve for an example to consider the inconstancy of humane felicity After this I retired my selfe into that country place where I had the honour to beginne my acquaintance with you thinking that I might there live quietly the rest of my life since I have been established in that course of life Octave writ to me that Hipolite continued in the same estate that I had left her in but I am not in the same condition I was then my Flames are doubly encreased they augment every moment seeing how much I owe to her faith and constancy so that I now love more madly than ever neither absence nor time can deface it from my memory During the time of my abode in that village I courted a Shepheardesse honoured amongst all the mountaines of Toledo but it was but for to entertain my spirit although she be perfect I did but imagine that I treated with Hipolite So I passed my time when you arrived there deare Fenise and when I was so happy to finde an occasion to serve you which I shall take pleasure in all my life Don Lovis thus ending the History of his Loves they were within a League of the towne of Valence but it was very late which obliged them to make haste for feare of being benighted But they had scarcely begunne this last League when they heard amongst the Orange trees which grew by the way side whereof that passage was full a plaintife voice the which with violent sighing seemed to desire to render the aire sensible of his sorrow they stayed to heare the words which he spoke afterwards they came neare him and saw a man stretched upon the the earth in appearance near the end of his life at this object generous and charitable Fenise lighted tyed his horse to a tree and demanded of this miserable one the cause of his plaints Don Levis and Laure did the like and accompanied Fenise when this infortunate spoke these words Cavalier whatsoever you are I am so neare mine end that what diligence soever you can take to succour me will but little profit me it must be a force more than â—umane which must reduce me from the pain I am in yet neverthelesse I will take courage Saying so he endeavoured to rise and Lovis and Fenise assisted him When he saw himself up and supported by these two Cavaliers he cryed out louder than before and thereupon came two men who fell upon Fenise and Don Lovis who being assisted with him who counterfeited the dying man bound and tyed them to two truncks of trees at the same time they went to Laure who was half dead with feare seised upon
and another of his friends disguised and put themselves in ambush in the way and with more treason and industry than valour had surprised these Lovers and stolne away the Lady whom hee keeps at this houre in his house In fine by force of flatteries services and by diverting her by all the recreations he could devise he had not onely made her forget her lispleasures but had rendered her sensible of his passion After this discourse I remained in the condition of a jealous person who hath found the cause of his disease protesting to search all meanes to revenge my selfe It is long since I have been troubled for this purpose for although this passion be violent amongst women and in me more than any other yet I would not make my infirmity publiquely knowne I desire to redresse it And communicating my feelings yesterday to Madam Celie mine aliant if amitie contracts aliance she told me of the merits of your person and amongst others your courage and discretion so that considering all these circumstances and also that you are a stranger in this towne and of the countrey of Don Jovan I determined with the counsel of Celie to to discover to you the evill which persecutes me to trust to you with my secrets and to demand your assistance to put my spirit to repose I doe not hope it from any merit of mine own but from your proper valour which will not suffer you to refuse a curtesie to a Lady which never will be ingratefull It was not necessary to give so many markes to Fenise to let him know that the authour of this affront had been before trusted with the secreets of his Loves But in dissembling his anger and jealousie he busied himselfe in thinking what art hee should use to revenge himselfe of this perfidious being thereunto engaged more by his proper feelings than by the interests or prayers of Rufine Madam answered he you have shewne so much wit and judgement in the discourse you have now told me that in trusting me with your secrets you have ravished from me my liberty I can no longer dispose of my will I am ready to obey all you please to command assuring you that I will be the instrument of your vengeance and the executer of your desires I finde so much cowardlinesse and infamy in the soul of Don Iovan that although he bee of noble extraction I esteeme him no more than an infamous person It is not the same thing to be born noble and to be so for there are many that are noble without being borne so and also many that degenerate from their noblenesse by the unworthy actions which they commit Sir replyed Rufine I esteeme my selfe no longer unhappy since that Heaven hath now given me so generous a defendor as you are But to beginne our enterprise t desire that you should this night know the house and person I have already made one of my Cosens become acquainted with Laure she shall anone goe to visit her and you with her if you please disguised and in the quality of her servant to waite upon her The evill that I desire to doe to this ingrate by your meanes is no other then what he hath already done to the Cavalier from whom he hath ravished Laure his honour and joy all together Fenise was then in humour to undertake any thing nothing seemed difficult unto him And remembering himselfe of the recitall which Rufine had made him he judged that he was one of the three with his face covered that had left him for dead in the mountaines of Toledo as we have told you in the beginning of this booke He was confirmed in this opinion by that which Laure had told him he had done the night he had slain Felix which was to goe to her chamber under pretext to warrant her from the danger of Justice and all this was but adding oyle to the fire of his choler In fine the time that Rufine and he desired with impatience arrived Narcisse which was her Cosen came at the houre she was sent for and going out with Fenise came incontinently to the house of Don Iovan Fenise let Narcisse goe in and attended at the doore disguised with a false beard faigning to bee servant to this Gentlewoman who was courteously received by Laure and welcomed by Don Iovan if not as the cosen of Rufine at the least in the quality of the intimate friend of Laure. Fenise was not so farre from the roome where they conversed but that he heard all that they did and sayd in walking for the doore was open He knew his perfidious friend and ingratefull Lover whose repose of spirit he admired whilst his suffered so great inquietudes He represented to himselfe a thousand things whose conclusions were alwaies augmentations to his displeasures Many times he was upon the very point to execute his vengeance so farre did his anger transport him then he deferred it expecting a better occasion He forgot himselfe to remarke their disbourses familiaritie and love he almost lost his wits in considering the strange change of Laure. At every moment he saw gestures or heard such discourses as made him die with despite and yet he beheld and hearkened carefully So the greatest evill of jealous persons and what hinders them from finding remedie is to desire things which kill them Every minute seemed to him an age but as ages have their beginnings they have their ends Narcisse at the end of a little time took leave went out of the room Laure went out with her to accompany her where Fenise had accasion to consider her as well with extreame sorrow to see her so ingratefull as to see her so dishonesty abandoned to the possession of another he could not speake and had it not beene for feare of giving advantage to his enemies he had at that time committed some excesse Don Jouan would waite upon Narcisse to her house although she prayed him not to take that paines she having a man with her for that purpose but the courtesie of the Cavalier prevailed with her When Fenise saw so neer to him the author of his troubles he had attempted upon his life had it not beene for the respect he bore to Narcisse But Don Jouan having left her at one of her friends houses where she fained to have businesse Fenise followed him and not far from thence overtooke him with his false beard which disguised his voice as well as his face for he held it in his teeth by a little stringe of wyer Sir said he faining not to know him is it not you who is called Don Jouan yes answered the traytor what would you have with me there is answered Fenise a Lady without the gate of the towne in a Coach who desires to communicate to you a secret of importance if you will see her Who is she said Don Jouan I dare not tell you her name answered Fenise not being assured that you will take the
in which he made appeare that he perfectly understood politique things to the great contentment of the honorable men of the towne and glory of him that had installed him in this Government He was accustomed to goe out almost every night accompanied onely with two men of whose valour and fidelitie he was assured to the end to observe and chastice the lurkers to whom the obscuritie seemed to give licence one night entring into a street making his ordinary round he heard a doore shut a far off and advancing that way he perceived by a house side a representation of some thing which he could not discerne by reason of the night he approched with his company and saw that it was a woman almost all covered with a great and rich loose garment which hid her face they would have discovered it but me resisted and for to oblige her thereunto without violence they told her that it was the governour of the towne that commanded her then this unknowne person drew out a pistoll and presented it to the head of Fenise in drawing the tricker but by good fortune for the Governour it went not off at the same instant this woman let fall her pistoll and trading up her garment turned her legs into wings and fled almost as fast as a bird could doe one of these two men that accompanied Fenise ran after her and the other conducted this too vigilant governour to his house from thence he went to seeke the officers of Justice to breake open this house and know who was therein lodged to discover from whence came this attempt They found there two women the one faire and young the other hideous and old whom they tooke prisoners this being done they followed him that was gone after her that would have killed the governour wherein they used such diligence that they led her with the others as they beheld her more curiously With a candle they knew that it was a man disguised like a woman they left him there putting irons upon him untill the next day The day being come Fenise was advertised of what had been done by his commandement and knowing that the person that would have killed him was a man he was extreamely astonished He went into the prison and made him be brought before him It was a man of a good countenance and habited after the Spanish fashion Fenise having beheld him remembred himselse that he had before seene him but it was a confused knowledg before he had asked him any question the prisoner prayed him to be pleased that the company might withdraw that he would tell him a businesse of importance and which merited to be kept secret The assistants being retired Fenise asked him what subject he had to attempt against his life what he was and if that he bad heretofore seene him in Spaine For your first demand answered the prisoner you may already be informed that I had noe designe against your person besides upon another occasion I have served you as a defendor in a dangerous incounter I am called Marcell that friend to Leonard which you found neere to Valence and with whom you fought to the great hazard of your life But to informe you the better of what you ought to know and what will serve to justifie me I am obliged to make you a relation if you please to give me audience Fenise having let him know that he would willingly heare him he thus continued THE HISTORY OF THE TRAGIQVE LOVES OF MARCEL IT this day just a yeare since I left my country and five since I knew the cause of my travels in a woman more faire then rich and more noble then wise It was upon the sea shore neere Valence where I first saw this beauty and where I became her slave You shall dispence with me for telling you the meanes I used to win her for feare of troubling you also because there is nothing rare therein because I found no great difficulty At the first she affected me because I gave her presents for it is long agoe since liberalitie hath beene the mother of love she also would have given me all that she had but I would never receive any thing but the recompence which my love merited During the space of foure yeares wee had two children but as all things in this world tyre us in the end yea vices themselves I grew weary of her company which distast had more power over me then the pricks of my conscience I resolved to separate my self from her impure and lascivious conversation and for reasons seemed to me very just I attempted to perswade her to consent to this designe but she thereupon grew in choler and answered me that I should take heed what I did and never hereafter hold her such discourse for if I passed further she would use such extremities as should extremely scandalize all that should be spectators thereof yea and those that should but heare them recounted Oh if all the World could but heare the successe of this History they would finde by experience in my person how dangerous it is to persevere in unlawfull affections and know to what excesses a woman corrupted doth abandon her self I made no great matter of her threatnings believing that in time she would be appeased and agree to my propositions so that I quit her from that time but as I fled her she followed me yet she lost her paines The ablest woman finds her self a foole when she is once hated and reduced to sue to a man the more she travails the lesse she profits the more she loves the lesse she is beloved the more she testifies her passion the lesse she obligeth and it may be renders her self more odious Seeing then my neglects or rather my disdaines and the little power her love had over me she invented the most horrible cruelty that is possible for a humane heart to commit She intreated me by a Letter to come see her at the least once that she might resolve with more patience upon our divorce I thought that I should have been too rigorous to have denied her this contentment so that to satisfie her I went one night to her accompanied with two of my friends who stayed for me at the door I found her all alone in her chamber with a look very desolate she commanded her servant to retire then she made me a studied discourse where Art and Eloquence were so ingeniously joyned that it would have shaken a constancy weaker then mine In the end feeing that her endeavours were too weak she arose up and bad me good night at the same time I took leave of her and went down from her chamber I was scarcely in the Court when she appeared at the window of another chamber and calling to me set a torch in the window holding a ponyard in one hand and in the other one of the children I had by her to the which she gave two stabs in the breast and
generous and brave Knights of Malta seeing that they were Turkish vessels prepared themselves to give them a brave reception although they knew their force to be far inferiour as well because of their three vessels as of the great number of Barbarians which exceeded theirs but their courages and valour supplyed this inequality As soon as they saw them approach within Cannon shot the Maltans gave them a salute with two of their greatest pieces which incontinently sunk their first vessell Then Fenise tooke away their Turkish colours where the Crescents and Halfe-Moones were and put in their places Christian colours as the Turks do sometimes to deceive the christians when they meet them upon their coasts and adding to this signe the Castalian tongue wherein the implored the grace assistance of these knights they made the effect of their artillery to cease So that when Roustan knew the fault which he had committed in not believing Nazouf it was impossible for him to fly or for to defend himselfe Seeing himself in this extreamity and to take away the glory from the Knights of triumphing in his taking and to exempt himselfe from the paine which he might receive in their hands he commanded the bottom of his vessell to be pierced and by little and little it made a hole into the sea in the presence of the Maltans rather chusing to lose his goods and life than to see himselfe a slave to those who had been at his mercy if he would have believed Nazouf The Knights were very sorry for the losse of this Conquest but this sadnesse was lost in the joy which he received who commanded the Galley when he knew Don Iame his Nephew This was that Uncle that he thought to have found in Sicily as it hath been already sayd who being newly honoured with the Knights of Saint Iohn went from Malta to Cartagene for an affaire of great importance Don Iame extreamly glad of this good fortune after having embraced the knees of his Uncle named those to him in whose company he was Fenise and Frederick saluted him and after a thousand actions of Grace and as many testimonyes of a generous rejoycing they all entred into the Galley and went to Cartagene as well because it was the Port whither this Gally tended as also not to be separated from the Knights that had delivered them from so notable a perill because they feared to meet other dangers from which they could not escape being alone The End of the Third Booke THE FOURTH BOOK OF FENISE THE Galley of the Knights of Malta took Port most happily at Cartagene to the great pleasure of all that were therein and particularly of Frederick because he expected to there to see againe a person with whom he hoped to finde consolation the rest of his dayes he also rejoyced that he had brought againe his dear Daughter to the place of her birth and to see her served by Fenise whom he esteemed to bee one of the most accomplished Cavaliers of his Nation and for that cause agreed with all his heart to the honest designes which he had for her Leonor was also most contented to finde her self out of slavery and near Don Iame as passionately in love with her as in the beginning of their affections Mahomet on his side thought himselfe most happy to see himselfe in a country where he might easily performe the intention he had to become Christian and also to satisfie his desires in marrying Eufemie She also thought her self much bound unto him for his honest proceedings towards her whilest she was under his power In briefe every one of them was perfectly glad to be so miraculously escaped from the tyranny of the Barbarians even Charles the slave of Mahomet felt his part of this felicitie seeing himselfe honoured and esteemed by all as well for his generous actions as for the advantages which nature had put upon his countenance which made him suspected to be of other birth then what he had reported They were all so strongly bound together in affection that they sound their separation extreamely troublesome The generous Frederick considering that his house was spacious enough to receive them invited them thereunto to repose themselves as long as they pleased All those that could habited themselves after the Spanish fashion doing it before they came out of the vessell for feare of being overthrowne by the curiositie of the vulgar The liberalitie of the knights was showne in this action in giving clothes to those who had need thereof Every one of them as they descended kissed the earth of their deare country they imbraced one another all acknowledging themselves to owe their liberty to the wit and courage of Fenise who with courteous complements thanked Frederick for the favour which he offered them but was of advice that since that it was night that they might lodge together in an Inne as strangers that they might accomodate themselves the next day with all things necessary to be civilly cloathed before they made themselves knowne besides it was expedient to informe themselves secretly of their proper affaires after so long absence This proposition was approved by all the company who tooke their leaves of the Uncle of Don Jame assuring the other knights that they would send them the next day the cloathes which they had lent them they left them their vessell to dispose of as they should think good and having taken out their coffers and boxes wherein were the Jewels and other things the most precious which were brought by Magdelene Leonor Eufemie Mahomet they went to that Inne which was nearest the port The next day every one accomodated himselfe with what he had neede of and the night being come Frederick prayed Fenise to doe him the honour to accompany him to his house and under pretext of demanding newes of a Cavalier his kinsman see if they could know him In entering into the streete he perceived some people who were before his house he approached and saw great light in the roomes which appeared through the windowes and also many persons which went in and out moved vvith joy Then Frederick regarded Fenise without speaking a word being extreamely astonished from whence these testimonies of rejoycing should proceed and desiring to be cleared therein he informed himselfe by a man which came out of the house without a cloake and who had the fashion to be one of the domestiques You know very little answered he if you bee ignorant that the Widow of Seigneur Frederick is marryed again to day since she is a Lady of great renown Saying so he briskly passed by leaving Don Frederick in greater confusion than before Then turning himselfe towards Fenise Deare Friend said he what doe you think of this answer Is it possible that he speaketh truth I doubt not of it replyed Fenise nor you ought not to thinke it strange for after an absence of fifteene years which are passed since you were heard of it is
my hopes and affections Octave being willing to shew me the testimonies of the passion which this Lady had for me let me see the walls of the chamber where she was all scored with our Characters and my name which she had graven thereupon with her hand from thence he carried me neer her bed and as soon as she perceived me one might see joy called again into her countenance where melancholy had reigned before and from thence with a few visits her wits came againe into the best estate they had been ever seen in so that as I had been the cause of their alienation I was also the cause of her curing After the decease of her father the administration of his goods was given to one of her Uncles called Roderigue which is the Cavalier which you see seâ— by our friend Leonard and then Vincence seeing Hipolite in perfect health begun again the pursuit of his pretensions you know of whom I speak having given you knowledge enough thereof when I told you of the beginning of my flames He addressed himself to Roderigue and demanded his Neece in marriage for the second time she who had then more liberty then in the life time of her Father understanding that he went about to have her whether she would or no answered very resolutely that no man should ever attain therunto but my self This answer being reported to Vincence wakened his indignation and caused him to conspire against my life Having advise thereof I had a designe to prevent him but my friends coming to the knowledg of it knew so well how to perswade me that following their counsels I should absent my self for some time saying that it was not for her honour and since that I was assured of Hipolite they would order the time for our Marriage whereby I should have much more glory over mine enemy then if I had the contentment of my revenge since that I must be forced to leave the Kingdome and so lose the hope of en joying my desires I asked Hipolites opinion who approved the counsell that was given me and following her consentment I retired my self into a Village neer Valence from whence I went disguised to visit her during the obscurity of the night Don Roderigue durst not content the affections of his Neece for fear of falling at ods not only with Vincence but also with all his kindred Yet after a little time he determined to come into this town where he hath a cosen marryed and to bring Hipolite with him to give us both the recompence due to our pains The execution of thiâ— project was long time prolonged since that therâ— is two years and a half that I have languished in expectation thereof I know not whether or no hâ— did it expresly to give leasure to time to make dyâ— the passions of Vincence or mine but being upon the point of despair I heard news which comforted me wonderfully It is not much above fifteenâ— daies that I was told that his cosen had made a match betwixt him and a widow her friend called Persinde a woman of most vertuous reputation that is she which you see there in the midst of thâ— other Ladies and having knowne me so perseverant in the service of his Neece he defired that hiâ— marriage and mine might be celebrated upon thâ— same day And to let you judg whether the object of my love bee worthy of so great constancy look upon that Lady which you see to have thâ— Posie of Diamonds upon her head that is my Mistresse See what hath brought me into this town and made me desire the Seigneur Leonard to participate of my contentments and assist me to celebrate them I hope we shall be married this night you being present as for the rest I cannot expresse the joy that environes my heart for that Heaven hath conduced you hither to honour me with your assistance Now it is your part to interpret the aenigma which you gave me to divine at our meeting God be praised answered Fenise you have delivered me from a great disquietnesse I was told in coming into this house that you was about to marry the widow a thing which I found little convenient by reason of the inequalitie ofyour age and hers And very strange by a history I will tell you at the recall whereof this Cavalier which pretends to marry her this night will understand that he cannot doe it she being no widow as it is thought since that I will make you presently see her lawfull husband living as well as you or I and by the same meanes you shall see your father and mother of whom you never had yet knowledge Oh God my dear Fenise what doe you tell me â—yed out Don Lovis ah what doe you make me languish in expecting your explication Saying so he spoke so loud that the greatest part of the assembly turned to cast their eyes upon them feaâ—ing that they had quarrelled Leonard came to them againe to know from whence proceeded this exclamation Come come said Fenise to him you have interest in the discourse which I have made to Don Lovis and having obliged them both to a cutions attention he continued to make the recitall of his fortunes from the day that he embarqued himself at Livorne untill that of his arrivall at Cartagene As he ended his discourse he perceived Frederick which lead the Ladies with the Gentlemen strangers he faigned to have occasion to speak to one of his men which attended him at the door and came to them leaving Don Lovis and Leonard looking one upon another without motion or words with the excesse of the astonishment which he had put them in Don Rodrigue came to waken them from this extasie and seeing their countenances a little altered believed that this Gentleman stranger had told them something which troubled them he asked them whither hee was gone and why they seemed to bee so melancholique and then they briefly told him a part of that which Fenise had sayd and so made him partake of their astonishment and prepared him to see a strange change of the successe which he hope for Thereupon Fenise advanced leading the three Graces with him in the persons of Magdelene Leonor and Eufemie followed by Frederick Don Iame Geronime and Charles all the company were mute considering for what cause this troope oâ— unknown people were come into this assembly Some thought that they were some Mascarads buâ— Fenise in lifting up the Mantles of the Ladies presented Magdelene and Frederick to Persinde the onâ— for Daughter the other for Husband Eufemiâ— to Leonard in qualitie of sister After that he took Doâ— Louis by the hand put him in the middle amongsâ— Frederick Persinde and Magdelene giving him at this instant a father mother and sister this happy meeting filled the whole company with this astonishment and gladnesse together there was nothing but acclamations of gladnesse embracements transports and ravishments of joy
deferred their departure untill the next morning because he hoped some succour from Don Louis that night Laure being returned from her swoond they put on her irons and chained her as before and Fenise seeing himselfe aâ—one with her prayed her to acquit her self of â—he promise which she had made him if sleep or her indisposition did not hinder her and to tell him by what happy and strange accident she was come into this prison She who could not close â—er eyes and who felt no incommodity neer the object of her contentment served her selfe of his favourable occasion and made him this disâ—ourse THE CONTINVANCE OF THE HISTORY OF LAVRE SInce that you left me in the house of your friend Don Iovan de Velasquez hurt with your sword but more with your love and that this Cavalier obâ—ged by your prayers had taken care for the curing â—â—e exteriour wounds of my breast I imagined â—ith my selfe that you had abandoned mee to â—ake your vengeance more rigorous in offenâ—ng my line as well in honour as in blood having â—â—ven this foundation to my wrath I againe incouâ—ged my hopes represented to my selfe that you â—ould never be so barbarous as to leave me in so â—iserable a condition but my imagination proâ—unded alwayes to her selfe rather evill then good and I was disquieted with a thousand troublesome thoughts making me incontinently change my opinion sometimes I uttered injurious words against the subject I adored I accused you of ingratitude perfidiousnesse inconstancy then upon the suddaine I tooke your part and sought reasons to excuse you because I wished you innocent as well for your honour as my proper interest And for asmuch as the outrages which I spoke against you proceeded from the excesse of my passion when my imagination had rendered you some ill office and obliged mee to mingle some cold with my flames I perceived immediately that this was with designe to render them afterwards much more violent These were the ordinary entertaines wherewith divertised my selfe during mine abode with this Cavalier except when Leonor his sister kept me company for her wit was so excellent that she gave me no time to thinke of any other thing but of her sweete discourse But exactly to instruct you of all that passed in this house whilest I was there I must tell you a tragique history whereof it was the Theatre A young man called Felix a Merchants sonne of Toledo but of very good fashion possessing many of those qualities which are requisite to a gentleman became inflamed with the love of Leonor Neverthelesse the inequalitie of their conditions the recluse life which shee led the splender of her beauty the gravitie of her presence hindered Felix from daring to discover his passion He suffered long time inquietudes very violent in the end not being able to resist his torments he resolved to have recourse to the intermission of a third person to interpret his thoughts not having courage enough to explicate them to her that had made him conceive them He used a very ordinary way which was to apply himselfe to the Chambermaide of this Lady because those kinde of people are enemies that fight close they strike almost alwaies where they please and render the victory lesse doubtfull They evermore finde occasions to praise the pretendant and to present him to the person sought after Leonor had with her a witty wench called Amarante which Felix knew to be able enough to render him good offices He gave her presents to incite her to favour his intentions Liberalitie is the first vertue wherewith a Lover ought to be qualified He declared unto her his passion and the time when he begunne to feele it the torment which be suffered the qualities wherewith Nature had adorned him the advantages of the hopes of his fortune being the onely Sonne of a very rich Father because these things are more freely spoken to those who are imployed in such businesses then to the persons sought after who without doubt might have cause to esteeme them impertinencies and presumptions Amarante being very often entertained by this Gallant had designes upon him and determined to keep for her selfe that which hee desired by her organs to offer to Leonor shee received his messages and gave him answers according to her minde She entertained the unfortunate Felix with words and hopes false as from her Mistresse but true of her owne part Making him beleeve that if Leonor did not render him more certaine proofes of her affection hee ought to attribute it either to her feare of her Brother or to her proper modesty Whilst Felix thus persevered in his pretensions and Leonor was ignorant thereof Amarante invented wayes to enjoy her lascivious affections Felix spoke to her at a window almost every night attributing the care and vigilance she tooke to content him to proceed from the presents he daily gave her Alasse deare Fenise I dare not blame the love of Amarante for feare that by others I shew myselfe culpable I know one ought not accuse the faults of Love because this passion blindes the judgement and leaves but little place for reason to consider the inconveniences it breedeth and to foresee how to avoyd them but I doe not approve of the unjust dealing of this damosell Don Jovan was much troubled to have a man walke nightly about his house but hee spoke not of it from whence I presume his paine was but moderate for in such displeasures it is almost impossible for the most excellent prudence in the world and the most stayed spirit to keepe it secret One night desiring to cleare his doubts it befell him as to those who are commonly too curious to know what they would be ignorant of Hee hid himselfe in his neighbours porch and saw a signe given by the unknowne man and at the same instant Amarante appeared at the window who told him that her Mistresse could not come forth that night but that the night following he should speake to her and see her in her chamber Felix having received these sweet assurances went his way very content with the hopes that he had to receive a recompence in so short a time which he could not hope for in many yeares Don Jouan having heard what his confident had told him seeing that the term of the returne of this Lover was not long since that he was to come againe the night following would not trouble himselfe to follow him He resolved to be patient and dissemble what he thought neverthelesse in the morning he took Amarante aside questioned her concerning the discourse which she had with the unknowne who without enduring many threatnings made an invention as extravagant as one blinded with love and ignorance could produce She told him that Leonor loved a Cavalier called Don Antonio who you may well know said she by his high birth and that the night following he was to come into the chamber of his Sister by her intermission and
Cigarales the same farmers house whither we have already told you Fenise had before retired himselfe this was accordingly executed and the day following Don Louis went to visit Fenise his father on the behalfe of the sonne and to receive his commands but not to acquaint him that he was with Laure as they had agreed together For the hatred which Feronte so was the name of this cavalier bore to her Familie was so violent that he would have abandoned abandoned his sonne if he should have known thereof He received this Embassador with great joy and without making him stay too long he made one of his servants take a horse and gave him good store of money and commanded him to follow Don Louis and to give the money and the horse to his sonne with a letter whereby he ordayned him to goe to Valence and to stay there untill he heard further commands from him Fenise was well satisfied with the returne of his friende having received by his meanes news of his Fathers health and witnesses of his affection Hee tooke the horse and treasure and for many considerations hee sent back presently his Fathers servant because when a secret is known to many it is hard to keepe it immediately after they all three tooke horse and went towards Valence Don Lovis was then habited like a Cavalier having clothed himselfe at Toledo before hee went to Feronte They went so merrily that some mischiefe was to bee feared for it succeeds ordinarily after great contentment Without doubt the Philosopher had experienced this who desired sorrow and feared joy Because said hee after Melancholy a man may hope for Mirth but after Mirth hee can have nothing but vexation The affection of Fenise and Leure increased every minute by the mutuall pleasure which they received in their conversation whereby they grew more acquainted the one with the other Don Lovis tooke an incomparable pleasure in hearing their discourses and seeing their pretty behaviours wherein Fenise inviolably kept all the respect that could bee desired he acted nothing but with honour and respect They had not above one dayes journey to Valence when Laure prayed Don Lovis to finish his History which he had begunne and he being extreamely obliging begun where he was interrupted by the rustique Judge and thus continued THE CONTINVANCE OF THE HISTORY OF DON LOUIS YOu may remember the pitifull estate of this noble Family amongst so many disasters Therfore without repeating that discourse I will onely tell you that being happily gotten out of the house without being known my Love made me stay six whole dayes in Barcelone where I learnt that the old hurt man was father of the beauty which had so lively touched me a Gentleman of a great extraction and very rich that hee recovered by little and little but he who I chastised for his insolence was dead and that he was brother to this Lady called Hipolite most wise and vertuous All these considerations and high qualities made me judge that I set upon a place too hard to bee taken but my love was come to such a point that it was impossible for me not to adore that divine object I would not informe my selfe more exactly for feare of giving suspition to my prejudice I must be contented to goe and come before her lodging to endeavour to get a view of her although I knew her sight would but augment my pain All my diligence and care was inutile she led so recluse a life that I could not see her otherwise but with the eyes of mine imagination there was no other remedy for my torments but to wish death or to banish this celestiall Image from my memory but all these desires and propositions had no effect I could neither dye nor forget her In the end as love findes out inventions as well as necessity it came into my fancy to make acquaintance with one of the domestiques and to oblige him by liberalitie to procure me some aleagement There was in the house a young man who was Steward and sometimes served for Usher whose name was Octave I prevailed so much with my promises and gifts that I got his acquaintance and affection and by this meanes an accesse free enough into the house without fearing the murmur of the neighbours who hold their peace at good things though they know them to be so but publish that which is ill though they but doubt thereof I saw often the faire cause of my inquietudes but could not finde an occasion favourable to speake to her Seeing me often frequent Octave and perceiving I negarded her too attentively to be without designe shee tooke notice of my behaviour and actions and since gave me some signes of hope From thence I took the boldnesse to declare unto her my passion by the secreet language of a Letter which I made her receive At the first she shewed her self very angry with my audaciousnesse neverthelesse I did not forbear to send her a second which was more happy than the first since that shee had the curiosity to see it and boldnesse to make mee an answer The discourse thereof was very succinct but yet ample enough to make me hope a glorious successe I seeing my selfe thus favoured was incouraged to goe on perswading my selfe that a Lady that acknowledgeth her selfe engaged would not be long in acquitting her selfe thereof Octave being interessed in my contentments tooke often occasion to speake well of me in the presence of Hipolite and at such houres when she could best give eare thereunto so that by little and little she became more sensible of the power of Love One day she faigned her selfe extreamely melancholique which obliged her Father who loved her dearly to take her into the country to recreate her spirits by the change of aire Octave gave mee notice of this designe and told me the day when and place whither they went which was to a village that belonged to them I disposed my selfe to follow the light of mine eies and the felicitie of my life which had a happy issue for the libertie which they take in that country to walke sometimes neare a Fountaine sometimes near a Meadow Wood or Garden gave me opportunity often to come neare her and endeavour to make her accept my services Not long after her arrivall the Townsmen made certaine games after their manner where I appeared â—ike a stranger and gave occasion to Hipolite to judg of my dexteritie in those exercises so that since â—hat time she hath shewne her selfe not so indifferent â—s before and upon a convenient and favourable ocâ—asion she permitted me to speake to her I cannot represent unto you the ravishment of this charming conversation for there is nothing in the world so sweet as beginning of Love But as after pleasures discontentments succeed this felicitie lasted not long The day following they must return to Barcelone About a League from the Towne Leoncio Father of Hipolite her selfe and the whole Family
signe to know me In ending the reading of this letter I begun to be ignorant of the author and the confusion wherein I was made me wish that the terme which shee had given me was expired to be delivered therfrom I passed the night in this impatience and the houre being come I rendered my selfe at the place assigned where I presently saw arrive too women who had their faces covered with cipresse which I did not thinke strange because it was the fashion put I was astonished with the brightnes of the beauty of one of these women which she permitted me to see in letting fall her vaile upon her shoulder as not thinking thereof and lifting it up againe at the same time I remained as immoveable at the splendour of this object and as this had vailed againe her face the other discovered hers thereby to let me know that it was she that had brought me the Letter Then I thought it convenient to premeditate some little discourse wherewith to approach this Beauty for he doth much that is able to passe the first incounter of a faire Lady with respect and without committing some impertinency Then animating my resolution and using all all the courtesie I could possible I said to her Madam if I be too bold thus to accost you the confusion which this paper hath given me and this messenger which brought it me may serve me for excuse I have learned by the discourse thereof that Heaven is willing to render mee worthy to serve you and that you desired that I might come hither to receive the honour of your commands And since that I am come and have seen there rests nothing but to overcome the obstacles which would oppose themselves to your contentment as I shall doe without doubt when you ordaine mee Then this Lady againe discovered her admirable countenance and looking upon me with gracious eyes Cavalier said she I esteem my self much indebted to your courtesie which merits more praise then excuse but I blame her who hath caused you to come hither and whose imbecility hath at this time so greatly prejudiced mine honour Saying so she turned towards Feliciane so was she called that accompanied her and severely chid her Shee who was prepared of what she ought to say made a thousand excuses to Teodore this was the name of that Lady who coming againe to me spoke this language I must confesse I writ what this woman gave you and that I am very happy that it light in the hands of a person of merit as you are although I doe not know you to be of the quality of him to whom I had intention my letter should have been given who is a brave Gentleman Thereupon I tooke occasion to tell her what I was but feigned to be come to the Court for better occasions then those that kept me there She answered me that the courteous actions I had shewn her would serve for warrant to my words but that her affaire was a secret praying me to pardon her if she told me nothing thereof for although she judged I might be confided in for things of much greater importance so it was continued she that the little knowledge which she had of me hindred her ftom taking the boldnes of communicaâ—ing her secrets unto me She said all this to the â—nd to oblige me to promise her to see her afterwards But being at Madrid rather to execute the effects of hate and vengeance then seek the pastimes of love I neglected this occasion and civilly took â—eave of her Teodore stayed there very ill satisfied with her â—ndustry and the little power which the darts of â—er eyes had had over my heart she had good cause â—o be astonished therewith for they had so many â—llurements and charmes that it had been imposâ—ble for another lesse afflicted then me to have reâ—sted their force So that considering my coldnes â—â—e knew not whether she ought to attribute it to â—ontempt or accuse me of want of judgment haâ—ing not conceived her intentions She finding her selfe pressed with her passion resolved to hazard what she had the most deare to satisfie it and what is it which a woman animated with love will not prove to content her desires and render those things easie which seemes impossible unto her But for to render this discourse lesse troublesome unto you I must here make a digression You must know then that during this time I met Don Alonso whom I believed to have been far from Madrid after embracements and ordinary complements which passe amongst friends he told me that besides his passed sorrowes he had a new displeasure at his heart this inquietude made me curious to know the cause thereof then in renewing unto mee his ancient protestations of amity he told me that the day before he was amongst young men such as seek their pastime every where and who give to their senses all they can wish for who having discovered where Eufemie was and knowing that he had heretofore had design for her had let him see her unknown to her he being disguised for that cause that he had like to have died at the instant of this Vision and in this cruell displeasure it was some ease to him to advertise me thereof to seek meanâ— to remedy it the most discreetly that could be possible These newes stirred up so violently my vengeance that nothing seemed hard to me to execute hee named to me the street and house and then left me Almost at the same time a servant that was unknown to me came to tell me that there was a Lady in such a house that desired to see me in the evening and communicate unto me something of importance and presently went her way the house which she directed me unto was the very same that Alonso had told me of where resided the originall of my opprobry I considered the great impudence of her that desired to see me in stead of flying from me which made me suspect some treason but amongst these confusions passing beyond all apprehensions I went to the lodging with a ponyard hidden This new Messenger stayed for me at the doore and conducted me into a chamber where I found a candle upon a cup-board a â—ittle removed and betwixt the wall and bed a woman in petticoat and wastcoat I had scarcely perceived her and begun to draw my ponyard liftâ—p mine arme to strike her when she cryed Ah Sir what will you doe I stayed my selfe hearing by the sound of her voice that it was not â—he I imagined in the same time I ran to the candlestick and in approaching her I knew that it was Teodore whose feare had so increased her beauty besides the art which she had joyned to nature that 〈◊〉 had taken her for a Goddesse if I had not rememâ—red my self to have spoken with her in the meadow of St. Hierosme I was so extreamly surprised with â—his accident that I doubted whether it was fond â—magination or
to walk about the Town she came out of her chamber and went to seek the Castillian 〈◊〉 who saw her goe without being my self perceived â—earkened curiously at the door to know what she went to doe and I heard her hold him this discourse Sir having seen you arrive at this place and presently considering your fashion and actions I believed that so many advantages of nature could not willingly meet in a common man and thereupon imagining that you are a Gentleman I have taken the boldnesse to have recourse to you to endeavour to save my self from the extream perill that threatens me Time which presseth me will not permit me here to recount the strange misfortunes of my life nor of what Country I am it shall suffice me now to tell you that I am called Eufemie and that a Cavalier who is here lodged with me and now gone abroad stole me from my house under promise of Marriage After having stayed some time with him the ardour of his passion died since which time he hath used me unworthily and a thousand times witnessed an evill and unthankfull nature contrary to the faith he had sworne to me I know not whither he carrieth me at this present but the great love he bore me at the beginning is changed into so cruell a hatred that I doe but expect the houre when he shall take away my life when he shall finde a place commodious for that purpose as I may conjecture by his fearfull threatnings and his speeches which have been reported to me so that fearing that his hatred and fury may transport him I cast my self at your feet humbly beseeching you to take me into your protection since that it seems that Heaven hath miraculously brought you hither for this action of piety This Lady spoke these words after so sweet a manner that they were able to move compassion in the most barbarous soule for my part I was sensibly touched therewith As soon as she had made known her intentions to this Cavalier he promised to serve her in all things she should think him worthy then they spoke softly together I believing it was because I had stirred the latch of the doore in approaching to hearken I retired my self for feare of being surprised in so ill an action as to pry after the secrets of others and she came out presently after to attend the returne of her dangerous conductor As soon as he came in I took notice of his behaviour and saw that with a fierce look he told this young Lady that he would be gone before Sun-set as he was Scarcely were they out of my house when the Gentleman to whom the Lady had spoken and who had promised her assistance followed them And I fearing some unhappy accident sent one of my servants after them to know which way they went to the end to give you notice thereof to follow their steps and prevent the evill that threatned so many people This boy did as I had appointed him but when he saw appearances so conformable to what I had heard as he came to tell me what he had done he met an Archer to whom he told it He going to seek his companions to take them along with him came too late the murder was committed so that they have brought to you this unhappy prisoner which I hold for innocent for he was none of the company of those that lodged at my house I durst not speak of what I have now told you for feare I might thereby get some displeasure but seeing the danger that threatneth a man whom I presume not culpable I had rather hazard my repose then see him suffer without deserving it The Judge his Sonne came in upon this discourse who confirmed what the Inne-keeper had said assuring that he had newly met upon the way of tortosa a man and a woman mounted upon Mules with all the tokens and markes the Inne-keeper had spoken of The Judge informed of these circumstances went to see the prisoner whom he found lesse sorrowfull then he left him for delay made him hope the verity of his innocency would be discovered he spoke to him with a countenance lesse severe then before exhorting him not as Superiour but friend to declare to him how he came neare the dead corps in the wood to the end he might help him to justifie himself Fenise who then saw the Judge more reasonable then when he was brought before him satisfied him with reasons so accompanied with truth and likelyhood that the Judge found them conformable to the relation of his Sonne and the Inne-keeper he determined to set him at liberty but how innocent soever he was found he could not get out without leaving the bloud of his purse The talents of Pregnotories Serjeants and Gaolers are too sharp not to scratch a man and it is a great grace when he escapes without being torn in pieces Our Cavalier seeing himself at liberty resolved to goe into Italy and quit his Country Spaine since that she used him as a Step-mother to try if in changing the Land he should not also change his fortune For this purpose he took the way to Barclone where he arrived without any other disgrace but to suffer much by necessity upon the way because of the great charges he had been at to purchase his innocence He could well have found friends in this great Town who would have supplyed his necessities but he feared to be knowne so that he chose rather to suffer amongst strangers then to be beholding to his Country-men Then a Ship made saile towards that Country he put himself in the service of an Italian Lord near whom his good behaviour and wit had got him an accesse free enough He imbarqued himself and arrived happily at the Port of Gennes and from thence to Naples where was the abode and family of this Italian This Cavalier had found so great merit in Fenise that he loved passionately his conversation one should never see him but with this Spaniard by his side so that he did not treat him as a servant but as a friend Ricard so was this Lord called had an urgent affaire which obliged him to goe by night to seek the Vice-Roy of Naples to conferre thereof with him because it was a businesse of State He took Fenise with him to serve him for companion and safeguard He entered into the lodgings of the Vice-Roy and in the interim Fenise walked in the great and spatious roomes of the pallace in expecting his Master And as curiositie is the daughter of idlenesse Fenise not knowing how to passe the time was descended into the Court of the Castle and approaching to a little doore where he heard a noyse of mens voices hee listened and knew incontinent that this was the lodging of the slaves of the Vice-Roy Turkes and Barbarians which spoke their naturall Language believing that no body heard them because they judged that all was in bed or that they knew
Frederick the slave he demanded to buy was father to one of his intimate friends he gave him to him to doe with him what he pleased then he invited him to lodge in his house but Fenise excused himselfe therefrom judging that that might hinder the effect of his intentions yet he could not defend himself from staying dinner with him They begun to spread upon the ground a great piece of Tapistry upon which they dined Then he was obliged to receive the visit of a Turk of quality who came to speak to him about an affair of importance which caused Fenise to retire himself into an Anti-chamber to let them devise more freely together He walked there and thanked God that Mahomet had treated him so humanely and as he was upon these thoughts he saw a little doore open into the Anti-chamber where he was out of which came a faire Moore richly habited who seemed to be melancholique Our Cavalier saluted her with an action full of respect and humility The Moore made him a reverence after the mode of Spaine whereat Fenise was astonished but yet more when she approached him saying in the Spanish tongue THE CONTINVANCE OF THE HISTORY OF EUFEMIE CAvalier said she with a deep sigh I have heard all the recitall of the history you told to Mahomet wherein by having named Leonard a high Cavalier of the town of Valence you have moved my memory to discourse upon the misfortunes of my life and obliged my reason to acknowledge the faults which my impudence hath made me commit from whence I suffer a most rigorous unquietnesse of spirit I am the unfortunate Eufemie I am that unhappy cause of the troubles of Leonard my brother having preferred my sensuall pleasures before the duties of my birth and qualitie I will not cloake my miscarriages though love might render them excusable on the contrary I desire to make you a naked description thereof yet as short as I can possible whilst the absence of Mahomet giveth me leisure that by mine own shame I may in your person render some satisfaction to my brother since you say you are his friend I loved passionately a Cavalier which you have known from the mouth of my brother as your discourses have given me cause to presume but so passionately that I left my house to follow him he carried me to Madrid I ought to hide my face in telling you the infamous commerce that that man made me doe where he rendered mee a publique Courtizan not so much to satisfie his necessity as the vengeance he would take of my brother in my person and honour From Madrid for to save our selves from my brother who had discovered us wee went to Saragoce where wee stayed some moneths and there I had the reputation of the most faire and famous Courtezan of that age and as such a one was visited by the greatest Gallants of the towne During our stay there Don Pedro which you know to be the name of the cruell enemy of my brother and my renowne made friendship with a young Gentleman whose merits were were cherished and esteemed by a most noble Lady of an excellent wit and beauty and the better to expresse her perfections I pray you consider that they must needs be rare since that being of my sex and the originall of my misfortunes I am yet constrained to praise her Alexander so was this Cavalier called which she loved discovered part of the secrets of his soule and amongst others that of his flame to Don Pedro his new friend I may well say he gave him part of his fire since that he rendered him taken with the love of Cerinthe she was called so neverthelesse durst not enterprise to declare unto her his feeling for feare Alexander should be offended therewith and to avoide this inconvenience he betooke himselfe to art in all occasion wherein I was spoke of in the presence of Alexander Don Pedro spoke marvells of me as if I had beene the most accomplished with beauty wit and merit to the end to move him to love me and oblige him to breake that mutuall band of amity that was vowed betwixt them and thereby to imitate him and make Cerinthe his mistresse also to change In a word he conducted his designe so cunningly that it tooke as he imagined Alexander courted me Don Pedro seemed discontent therewith and to revenge himselfe got accesse neere Cerinthe which he found easy enough at the beginning there is no woman that is offended with being beloved and she that doth not disapprove of the service of a lover beginneth already to love Alexander taken with this new affection scarcely stirred from my lodging neglecting by this meanes to visit Cerinthe and she knowing his inconstancy rendered him the like making love with Don Pedro. By succession of time Alexanders father was advertised of his debauches he was told that his sonne entertained a courtezan a stranger which cost him much And forasmuch as old people are covetous and forget the follies of their youthes he could not excuse this of his sonnes He employed his credit so well that the Justice commanded me to quit the towne in a certaine time I seeing my selfe constrained to obey gave notice thereof to Don Pedro but instead of being sorry for it he seemed to be very well pleased with this newes because my absence gave him more libertie to passe his time with Cerinthe so that one day he told me that I might goe whither I would and that he could not then leave Sarragose I seeing my selfe so unworthily used by this perfidious and considering the resolution which he tooke to abandon me being distasted with my person I imagined he loved else where in this opinion I used such exact diligence that I discovered the cause of his disdaine as I have now told you I did not leave to require his assistance in this necessitie adding imbracements to words and representing unto him the obligations which he had to me yea imploying some times threats for my jelousie and his contempt carryed me to furious extreamities In the end either by reasons or fear I made him resolve to quit Sarragoce and leave Cerinthe but with designe to revenge himselfe cruelly of my persecutions as I have since learned He deferred our departure as long as he could possible and stayed untill the very last day the Justice had given me for that effect In the end wee tooke together the way to Valence he did nothing but curse by the way there came nothing out of his mouth but insolencies injuries and threatenings he drew his poynard and presented it unto me then he put it againe into the scabbard in briefe he so affrighted me that every moment I believed he was about to open my breast and pull out my heart he seemed to be so full of fury rage being arrived at our first Inne it was impossible for me to take any foode I went to bed weeping bitterly for my faults and endeavouring to
certain quarrel and that seeing he would not turn Christian had given him his liberty with money and a good horse for to returne into his countrie having before disguised him like a Spaniard to the end he might passe more securely and not be knowne what hee was And this was the cause that I demanded his assistance believing him by his habits to be a Gentleman of our nation Having much lamented my misfortunes I must resolve to have patience and referre all to divine mercy in comforting my selfe that I am falne into the hands of a man of excellent behaviour which he learned in Castile We arrived in this town where being received by his father with open armes and cherished by the King he is now his onely favourite I hold the same place towards him he loveth me with passion as being as he saith the onely pleasure of his life he hath never spoken to me to change my religion for hee beleeveth that ought to come voluntarily without any force or restraint The contentments which hee giveth mee and the care he hath to see me served are so great that there are but two things which trouble me the profession of my faith and my dear Country without that there is no felicity in the world that can be entire The reception he hath made of you accompanied with so many honours testifie that he esteemeth you much I have often heard him speake of you before your arrivall as of a Gentleman most accomplished therefore you may assure your selfe of his amitie and believe that he will employ himselfe in all occasions where you shall have need of his credit and also for your returne into Spaine when you shall desire it If I could but follow you and that you would but carry me thither with you I assure my selfe you would have cause to commend the acknowledgment my brother and I should make you for it Fenise was about to answer her but upon the instant a servant came to advertise them that the Bacha their Lord was coming thither which obliged him to attend another occasion Eusemie retired into her chamber by the same door shee came which shee shut as before and leaving Fenise in great admiration made him know in the end that Mahomet and she had been the cause of the pains which hee had suffered having been like to have lost his life shamefully being accused for killing Don Pedro and kept prisoner for that subject Mahomet excused himself to Fenise for having left him so long alone Fenise replyed by those civilities which are ordinarily used in such complements then they continued to speake of times passed wherein they both tooke great pleasure Thereupon they came to tell them that dinner was ready where the stranger was magnificently treated after the fashion of the country In the interim Mahomet made a lodging to be prepared for him in the towne sending all things necessary for a houshold The evening being come he was carried to take possession of his house whereof he remained absolute master Here one may finde occasion to marvell at the inconstancy of things and the strange mutation of fortune It is not Long since Fenise was tossed by the fury of contrary windes and at the present he hath the winde of favour in poape not long since he was tumbled and tormented in a ship and now he is courteously received in a Palace yesterday he was naked and to day clothed with rich ornaments yesterday in a storme at sea and to day honoured upon earth yesterday fearing to be made a slave and to day possessing the graces and favours of a prince He had an extreame passion to see the daughter of Frederick which we call Magdalene as well because it was her proper name as also being more pleasant to the eare then that of Catife which they had given her at Algier Fenise was become amorous of her without seeing her but by the simple relation of her beauties which he had heard her Father make He dyed with impatience to attaine to this pleasant vision But forasmuch as the passions of love are wounds that reach to the very bottome of the breast they must have a long time to be cured so that to think to arrive at the end without passing by the middle is either a thing impossible or very dangerous so that his discretion was willing to give leasure to time to work with her without using violence Whilst Fenise renewed his acquaintance with the Bacha Mahomet and received his favours Frederick ravished with joy for the happy encounter he had made and the faire hopes which were given him would carry newes thereof to his daughter that she might partake in his contentment but he found the breach of the wall made up and his passage stopped the owner of this Garden had repaired this breach it may bee for his proper commodity or it may be because he had seen him passe that way Seeing himselfe thus deprived of this little good that rested to him he begunne againe to lament his misfortunes and with teares in his eyes came to seeke his consolation in the wits of generous Fenise His dwelling was not now where he had lodged he passessed the house which Mahomet had made to be accommodated for him He received him there with the most courteous welcome that was possible and told him that he had obtained his libertie having let Mahomet know that he was father to one of his most intimate friends and from that hour he retained him to dwell with him in expecting some meanes for the deliverance of his daughter Magdelene Frederick embraced him anew with a thousand thankes for the affection which he had testified to him But Fenise observed the sadnesse which he had in his countenance and asked him the cause thereof Then Frederick declared unto him that his last consolation was taken from him the place being stopped by which he passed to see his daughter Fenise having known the cause of his displeasure led him into a Gallery which was on the back side of his lodging from whence one might see the Kings house on that side the tower was which was over against it and in shewing it to him he sayd If that be the tovver vvhereof you have spoken to me you need not so much despaire as you doe Alas it is the same answered Frederick but the distance from hence thither is too great to speak to her if we had occasion to give her advice of any thing yet we are happy replyed Fenise that we are no further from it but that from the one place to the other we may easily know and distinguish the features of the face let us then content our selves with what it pleaseth heaven to give us perhaps it will furnish us with some invention from whence we may draw more benefit then we can imagine Frederick suffered himselfe to be perswaded by this consolation and determined to keep watch in this Gallery looking every moment if
free but for my part I shall alwaies much esteeme these Cyphers as most necessary to my good fortune All these words are equivocall and written by him with designe to explicate unto you his feelings Magdelene easily believed what Leonor perswaded her because her discourse sympathized with her desires she prayed her to make an answer for her to Fenise and to use the propounded cypher as well to disguise her thoughts to her father as to let her lover see the esteeme she made of his counsell Leonor was not much prayed to render her this service die was interessed therein by the desire she had to leave her captivitie for she knew Fenise to be so hardy and able a man that he would not spare his life to attempt their deliverance She writ to him discreetly the thoughts of her friend leting him understand that she was the secretary that she would serve him in all honest things he could desire and in the end conjured him that in case there was any hopes of liberty to remember her in the quality of the sister of Don Jouan This letter was sent him hy the ayre as the former Fenise received it with joy and read it with ravishment his love and courage augmented to the double love is the sonne of Mars as well as of Venus What gladnesse felt he when he knew that Leonor was companion to his mistresse he promised himselfe better successe in all his designes as well for that which regarded his passion as for the project he had to ravish Magdelene from the possession of the king of Algier He knew Leonor to have an excellent wit and to be very capable to helpe in a great enterprise adding also that in procuring her liberty he should deserve pardon for the death of her brother The next day after the receipt of this letter Fese went to visit the Bacha Mahomet to entertaine his amitie and not to be unthankfull for the favours which he continually received from him and because Mahomet loved much his conversation he kept him to sup with him so that he was long before he returned to his owne house In the interim Frederick stayed there to watch if there was any newes from Magdelene as he walked in the Gallery regarding from to time this amiable window about a leaven of the clock at night he there perceived a light this made him thinke that the messenger might well have some dispatch to bring to him and thereupon he went to fetch a light placed it in the gallery as a countersigne it was scarcely seene when that of the window appeared no more and immediately the faithfull bird arrived with this writing which was directed to Fenise yet Frederick opened it for they were in so good intelligence that there was no secret betwixt them THE LETTER OF MAGDELENE TO DON FENISE I Doe not know whether or no my father hath told you that for a long time the King of Algier hath prosecuted and solicited me to consent to the proposition which he daily maketh me to marry me If yon doe not already know it I now tell you of it At the present his passion presseth him so violently that since yesterday he hath threatened me to convert his love into anger and instead of respects and favours which I may hope from him I shall receive cruell rigours if I doe not resolve to content him within a moneth He hath represented unto me that for the love of me he hath used my father with lesse severitie then all the other slaves that he goeth and cometh where and when he will but if I doe not adhere to his desires within the time limited he hath protested unto me to make him feele what a power angered can doe and to finish upon me the vengeance of the contempt which he sayeth I have made of the honour he would raise me to and the good he procureth me Judg then in what alarme I am consider what apprehensions I have to arrive at the limits of the time he hath prescribed to me for feare of being abandoned to the greatest misfortunes that can arrive seeing my father suffer upon my occasion But if heaven inspire you with some industry to deliver me from the extreame torment which my soule suffereth in the name of God execute it betwixt this and the prefixed terme which is given me And if we can Leonor and I contribute any thing to this diligence advertise us and believe that we will be most hardy and couragious to enterprise it and to dye generously for want of good successe Make haft then if you loue me and if you esteeme the irrevocable gift I make you of my heart Fenise being returned to his house Frederick shewed him the letter he had received the which caused great disquietnesse in them both the rest of the night They laboured with their spirits to invent some stratagem to deliver this beauty from the pain wherein she was but as many designes as they plotted so many difficulties they found in the execution thereof In the end after divers propositions they could not foresee any good successe by reason of the recluse life which Selin made them lead yet they were resolved to undermine the tower where Magdelene lodged and steale her away with Leonor when there should any vessell arrive wherein they might carry them into Spaine The house of Fenise was in a scituation very favourable to their enterprise near to the Palace and without any obstacle betwixt them the space was nothing but a garden which appertained to Fenise besides the earth was sandy and easie to digge All the difficultie was to finde an invention to sustain the earth for being sandy it was subject to fall in and capable to overthrow them and choak them in their work But Frederick was of opinion to break up a boarded floor in Fenise his house to take the boards and joists to serve for that businesse Having ripely consulted the execution of this project and seeing that this was the onely meanes for their safety they resolved to try their fortune they gave advice thereof to the prisoners counselling Magdelene to change her lodging and to pray the King to give her the lowest room of the tower where she was and also to take the extent of her lodging with a thread and to send it by their ordinary post to the end they might not open the mouth of the mine in any other place but her chamber All this was executed as it was devised the King agreed with a good heart that Magdelene should lodge where shee thought good so that she and Leonor tooke justly the measure and sent it to them In the meane time Frederick and Fenise were provided of instruments proper for their designe they set their levell to the which the knowledge of the Mathematiques serves perfectly which comprehends Geometry which Fenise understood excellently and during the silence of the night whilst men slept they wrought with an incomparable courage
with joy and admiration figuring to her self that although it tended towards the center of the earth yet it was the way to Paradise and a favourable issue to escape out of the hands of these Infidels and come again into the exercise of the soveraign and only Religion She was a little troubled that Leonor had enjoyed alone the presence of her Father and Lover reproaching her for not calling her but Leonor satisfied her letting her understand as it was true that they did but only enter into the chamber and vvent out again for the day approached vvhich vvould not suffer them to stay longer there and that she should see them vvith more conveniency the night follovving This hope contented and disquieted her at the same time for vvhen one approacheth the possession of a benefit they desire it vvith more violence forasmuch as they better knovv the value thereof and also presume that there is no more trouble to attain it This night so impatiently expected being come in the greatest silence therof Frederick and Fenise entred into their Cave with a staff they knocked softly under the table that covered the mouth of the Mine to let them know that they were there and to know if they might enter at the same instant they saw appear Magdelene and Leonor with a light who stretched out their arms to them crying for joy and pittying the pains that this Father and Lover had taken for their sakes necessity which is the mother of invention taught Femose to knock nails into the planks they had brought to serve for a ladder to mount to the center of his affections he made Fredrick passe the first he climbing to assist him because his age took away his agility It is impossible to expresse here the joy of these four persons and particularly of Magdelene and Fenise she did not know whom she should imbrace first her Father or her over bloud counselled her to go to the one and love to the other but after having suffered this little combate in spirit as most wife and discreet she cast her self upon her knees before her Father and held his knees imbraced long time and in the interim courteously cast her eyes upon glorious Fenise who commended the action of his mistresse as testifying an acknowledgment of the obligations she had to this venerable old man who had suffered himselfe to be a slave so many yeares for the love of her Frederick had enjoyed longer time the ravishing imbracements of his daughter if Fenise had not beene present but desiring he should partake of his contentment he made Magdelene rise and presented her to our Cavalier He wanted not much at that time of prostrating himselfe upon the earth to adore her for she was so shining with attractions of beauty and joy which is the most excellent paint and which had given her complexion so lively a luster that he believed he saw a goddesse before him She came towards him with a grave modestie and Fenise saluted her withal the respect reverence she merited having rendered her this homage he ran to imbrace Leonor to whom Frederick had made his complement they held no superfluous discourse for feare of losing time which was so deere to them Fenise would willingly have exaggerated his passion and testified his Eloquence in this action but it behoved him to leave amorous devises and to discourse upon the meanes to finish that which they had so happily begun their resolution was to dispose their flight for the third night after and that Magdelene and Leonor should disguise themselves in Turkish habits which Fenise should bring them who charged himselfe with that diligence and all others that should be necessary for the stealing of them away Vpon this determination they begun their embracements and teares and tooke leave one of another to dispose of themselves to finish the work they had so well begun whosoever had diligently held the countenances of Magdelene Leonor might well have observed the secret joy of their hearts The King seeing the time approach that he had given Magdelene to resolve to consent to his will visited her more often then ordinary thinking to learne by her carriage her determination He came the next day after this deere meeting into her chamber to see her new lodging and seeing him arrive she met him with such cherefullnesse that the King was astonished at this pleasant change for he never saw her before but with teares in her eyes and sighes in her mouth He knew not to what to attribute these gracious actions whether to the feare she had to see her father suffer as he had threatened or her sensiblenesse of the honour he intended to doe her in taking her for his wife But without examining more curiously the originall of this alteration he was infinitly satisfied as well with her good reception as charming entertainement for there is no creature in the world so proper to make a deception as a woman The King being retired believing that he had won her heart and affections and that she was disposed to accomplish his desires would testifie unto her the good and profit she should in time receive from his liberalitie He sent her a box of gold inamelled wherein there was two bracelets and a garâ—and of Diamonds of very great value She received them with all her heart in making a thousand humble complements saying this magnificence was prodigious seeing that a Lord and master made presents to his slave Leonor felt also the good humour of the King she had for her part a chaine of pearle which was not of much lesse value then the gift he had made to Magdelene All things hapened as happily as they could wish for Fortune who had bin so contrary to them and who had proved their courages upon a thousand occasions then treated them most couteously and shewed her selfe favourable upon all occasions At that time she conducted to the port of Algier two vessells of Pirats who used no other exercise but rob upon the sea all the vessells they could render themselves masters of sharing their booty with the King Selin The one of these pirats was called Roustan and the other Nazouf Fenise being informed of their arrivall made a designe to serve himselfe of the ship of Nazouf to steale away the captives for this purpose he suborned with silver two Moores which came with this Pirate and made them declare upon oath that Nazouf defrauded daily the King of the tribute which was due to him concealing and hiding the better halfe of the booty which he made at sea without giving him partas he was bound Upon this deposition they seized upon the Pirate and made him prisoner and thereby his voyage was stayed Roustan which was the head of the other ship departed immediately to exercise his ordinary trade Fenise visited the ship of Nazouf informed himselfe what armes was therein of the men that kept it and of all other things that he judged
most perfidious and infamous person he had no other exercise then to ruin the honours of those he could meet with for whether their simplicities suffered him to surprize them or that they resisted his dishonest desires he did not forbear to slander them his tongue was so dangerous that he spake ill indifferently of all women publishing as soon lies as truths and vaunting of that which he did not as well as of that which he did The disorders of his life mounted to such an excesse that he had a design to enterprise upon the honour of his owne Sister the sacred limits of bloud her proper vertue nor my vigilant care could not retain him I was advertised of his pernicious project by a servant whom he thought to have rendred adherent to his abominable intentions because she had suffered him to communicate them unto her but this was a discreet Maid who had given him this audience but only that he might confide in her and hinder him from seeking to another who it might be would not have carried her self so discreetly therein She did but hear him to learn his resolutions and give me notice thereof that I might prudently prevent them When this Maid had told me what she knew thereof I could scarcely believe her the thing was so prodigious but considering the manners of the person and comparing them with the discourse of this Maid I found he was capable to commit actions yet more monstrous I would be wise in this affair and inform my self of the truth to the end that the vengeance I hoped to take might be esteemed just and not rash From that hour mine eyes were Sentinels over the words and actions of Lucian he made no step nor ever approached near the place where Olinde was so mine innocent Sister was called that I did not discreetly watch him from whence I found more confirmation of the truth of the report which was made me then I would have done yet I dissembled the trouble of my mind with intention to govern my self with such industry that at the same time his designes should be broken my Sister delivered from his persecutions his impudence chastised my vengeance accomplished and my self without feare of being known for the Author of his death I disguised my self in the night and followed him when he went about the streets to attrap him all alone and let him feele the violence of my choler in killing him One time amongst others when I went to search him with this designe after having long time walked about the Town and the places of debauches where I knew he ordinarily frequented without meeting with him in entring into the street where the house of Don Ignigo Orozco is situate one of the principall Cavaliers of the City I heard a confused noyse of voices I went towards this house and knew that it was there where the rumour was but yet I knew not what was the cause thereof at the same time I saw two men unknown which approached as I did with like curiosity I came to the doore and perceived the house all within to be on fire which did not only threaten to consume the Edifice but also the goods and persons which were therein and all this misfortune came by the negligence of a Lacquey who had fastned a candle against a woodden seeling From moment to moment the flames augmented with so much fury that some of the men were constrained to leap out of the windowes seeing the stairs on fire the women being lesse couragious stayed besieged in their chambers crying for mercy and causing great pitty to those who heard them Amongst the rest which suffered these fears I perceived through the flames and smoak a Lady whose beauty and cloaths testified her to be a person of esteeme and seeing the extreame necessity which pressed them I cast my self into the house and taking a great hammer from a man that I met which was come to give succour I broke a thin wall and entered into the chamber where the poore desolates were amongst the which I saw saw the originall of my first admiration which was in a swound I tooke her in mine armes and carryed her cut of this fearefull danger which threatened her making all the rest which were prisoners with her to come out As this accident hapned during the first sleepe of the whole family this lady was wakened in a fright and being presently cast into the floore was not clothed but onely with a petticoate and wast coate the one of sattin richly embroydered with flowers of gold and silver and the other pinked through the which appeared a breast of snow capable to inflame ice it selfe Seeing her so little covered I cast my cloake over her body I doe not know whether it was to keepe her warme or for feare she should inflame the heart of some other as she had done mine for what marble could have beene insensible of so many attractions As I carried her away being yet in her swound those two men which I met in coming to the dore came to me with their swords in their hands and one of them who had his face covered with cipres because he would not be known put himself in action to ravish from me the conquest which I had made with so much courage and to take from me the worthy object of my loue In this violence seeing my selfe without my sword which I had quitted having no use thereof against the fire I knew not what to doe but to use words and represent to them that their enterprise was not onely incivill but very cowardly and infamous to set upon a man without armes and in saving a lady of her condition from the fire The other woman which accompanied her alarmed with this insolence begun to cry for helpe then the companion of him that had set upon me in the cypres maske gave me a great thrust in the right side which passed quite through my body then turning his face he fled with the other I would have run after them but the blood which issued in abundance out of the wound rendered me so feeble that I fell downe at the second step In the interim this lady returned from her swound much more vigorous then before having two soules for one for I had given her mine Yet she was like to dye for feare opening her eyes and seeing a man at her feete all covered with blood and whose habits testified that he was not of base condition Whilst she was in this new astonishment the master and servants of a neighbouring house came out some to helpe this lady and others to assist to quench the fire which whilst they did the others carryed away this beauty to their house with one of her cosens which accompanied her At the same instant Don Jgnigo was told of the disaster which was arrived me in saving from the fire the most preticus goods of his house And without knowing who I was he ran
wound upon the opinion that the Chyrurgeons closed it up too soon Consider how much this secreet imports me for having declared to thee if thou deferrest the execution thereof and that I doe not see the effect of the powder which I put into thy hands in the time that it ought to operate thy life shall suffer for it and thou shalt pay for the fault of having disobeyed my will The impatience I had to get out of the hands of this divell incarnate obliged me to take the powder which he presented to me and to assure him of my fidelity praising God that he had declared unto me these abhominable intentions Behold this diabolicall powder and I discover nakedly unto you the damnable enterprises of this wicked man assuring my self that your wit and prudence will so ingeniously carry the businesse that neither you nor my self run any danger You ought to be the protector of my life since that I shew my selfe infidell to this Traytor for the conservation of yours At the end of this discourse I remained so confused and so moved against this monster of abominations that if I had been in case to have risen out of my bed I had then attempted to doe it to go find this cursed man and satisfie my self by his blood But having passed this first motion of choler I said to Glicere that since that the effect of this venomous powder was so slow that she must make him believe that I had taken it and for my part I would seem to be indisposed complaining to feele my self fall away every day and that in the interim I would search means and occasion to catch this piper in the snares which he had layd for me Glicere retired upon this assurance and I had a desire to give this empoysoner the same venome which had prepared for me but because the effect thereof was so slow I feared that he should perceive the double intelligence of Glicere and so his rage might cause him to serve her as he had done Fabrice for not having executed his will and again that in taking the preservative against the powder knowing the composition thereof he might escape my hands and finde some other more ready invention to make me perish under his I determined then to seek some other way to revenge my self imagining with my selfe that since that the term was thirty daies I should finde one wherein no one but himself should bee in danger During this long time which I had been deprived of the sight of Leonor my health and love encreased every moment She who acknowledged her selfe my obliged for the great service I had done her wished also to know me and to testifie her thankfulnesse she would willingly have sent mee some message but she was fearfull to be esteemed light not knowing what judgement I might make of this liberty After having contended with these irresolutions she layd all her fears on one side and her love on another but the last carried her beyond all considerations She made me a complement by a maide that served her excusing her selfe for having been so negligent in sending to enquire of my health Lucian saw her enter into my chamber and envious of the honour which I received remembered himself of his first design to ravish Leonor in the house of Don Ignigo which made him observe the behaviour and words of the Maide she afterwards told me that her Mistresse was extreamly troubled in her very soule for the evill that was befalne me upon her occasion and that she would esteeme her selfe extreamely happy to know the person to whom she was ingaged for so great a benefit as that was to have saved her from the fire and from those that would have ravished her person in fine that when I should be permitted to goe abroad if I would take the paines to visit her I should be very welcome These pleasant words ravished my soule by mine eares mine eyes testified what joy I received thereby and my tongue answered with courteous words that the first time I should goe abroade I would not faile to come kisse her hands and receive her commands Two dayes after I executed this promise went to salute this ravishing beauty which heaven hath let me see againe this day either to verify my narration or to give me an incomparable joy after three yeares absence I saw her then at her lodging I discoursed with her where I found the excellency of her wit and gave up my soule to her which she shall possesse as long as it shall be lawfull for me to dispose thereof In acknowledging my submissions she was content that I should call her my mistresse keeping alwaies the same respect towards her which I have done in your presence Yet in time the accesse which I had to her grew so familiar that one time I was so charmed with her conversation and stayed so late with her that the night surprised us before we thought therof for being together houres seemed but moments unto us her Uncle at that time came out of the towne he had a custome to shut the doore of his house in entring and to keep the keyes untill the next morning he did the same then so that it was impossible for me to get out to the great displeasure of Leonor fearing that I might be so rash as to attempt upon her honour though she might have beene well assured of the reverence I bore her yet seeing her selfe forced by necessity she was constrained to suffer me to stay in her chamber untill the time was come I might descend by a cord from a Balcony window which was over the streete the time came of my departing from her lodging by this way Leonor looked out of a window to see if there no body appeared that might discover me she perceived two men to stand still in a corner and told me that I might stay yet a little She was in perpetuall disquietnesse to get me out doing nothing but goe and come from the window to the place where I was and putting her head a new into the street she saw a third man with the two others one of them having a lanterne they approached together the house of Don Ignigo stayed at the sellar window then one of the three begun with a croe of iron to force and breake the barres of iron wherewith it was shut whilest the other two kept the watch looking all about if any one saw them or if there passed any body that might hinder their enterprise Leonor came presently to advertise me thereof I came softly to the window and saw that the grate was broken that they put down a ladder into the window Leonor was upon the point of wakening all the household servants but she was fearefull I should be discovered if peradventure the lodging should be searched and also that finding her in her clothes at this houre something might be suspected to her disadvantage Whilst we consulted
of what was to be done weâ— saw one of these men to descend by the ladder into the cellar carrying in his hand a dark lanthorn shut and the other stayed in the street to attend him then we perswaded our selves that they were noâ— theeves and atributed this action to love thinking that it was some servant to one of the Maids of the house upon this imagination Leonor was a little more at quiet esteeming that provided that heâ— honour was safe she ought not to torment her selfe with what others did so vve took patience vvithout making noise but presently after vve heard one approach to our chamber and put a key into the lock thereupon I put out a candle vvhich vvas vvithin the chimney to the end I might not be seen by the person vvhich vvas entring and prayed Leonor to take courage and not to cry out for if she did she vvould undoe her self and me also Thereupon the door vvas opened and vve savv the same man to enter that had before gone dovvn into the cellar vvith his lanthorn I vvas then hidden under the Tapistry neare the bed of Leonor vvhere she vvas laid dovvn vvho seemed to vvaken in starting and to be ready to cry out At the instant this unknovvn came to her vvith his face masked bidding her make no noise nor avvake any one saying it vvas a robbery of honour vvhich he vvould make and that his love had engaged him to this enterprise Leonor sate up and laid her hands upon his stomack to put him back no no said he in embracing her your resistance will serve to no purpose you must either willingly or unwillingly adhere to my passion or lose your life The mask which covered his infamous face could not so disguise his voice but that I knew it was Lucian and withall I remembrâ—d what Glicere had told me so that full of wrath and indignation I cast my self upon him before he could put himself in defence or know with whom he had to doe I plunged the blade of a great ponyard into his breast wherewith he was so surprised and frightned that without staying for a second blow he left his hold and fled to the Balcony window by the which I was to have gone out and cast himself down into the street upon the pavement almost dead with his hurt and fall and all soyled with his bloud His two companions which attended him seeing that there was a man fallen from that window came to see who it was and as they returned in the obscurity they touched the tricker of a pistoll which Lucian had hanging at his girdle and which was so well directed that it blew two bullets into the head of one of his confederates which fell downe dead by him so paying for the charity which he had in being his Scout The other seeing his companion so ill treated believed that he which had leaped from the window had used this stratagem for to kill them both by foul play so that fearing to have the like misfortune with his Comrade he fled hastily away Seeing things in this estate and the perill which we ran both of us Leonor if it should be discovered that the murder was done in her house and I being known for the homicide I resolved to warrant my self from all inconveniences by absenting my self from Leride and taking Leonor with me for after the first fault a hundred others are committed For this effect I went down from her chamber into the cellar by which Lucian was got in I went up the ladder into the street drew it from the window and fastned it to a cord which Leonor threw me from her window then she fastned it to the crosse bar of the window which being done she couragiously descended but we had not taken heed enough of the length and fastning of the ladder it wanted six or seven steps of touching the earth so that Leonor fell this distance and if I had not half received her in mine arms I believe that the tomb of her youth and life would have been at the foot of this ladder yet for all my catching her she hurt one of her feet against the pavement so much that it was impossible for her to goe one step I leave you to think in what pain I was then on the one side I had a spectacle of two dead men on another a house broken with these I found my self engaged to defend and assist a person which was so dear to me and to whom I had so many obligations and yet constrained to warrant my selfe from so many accusations that threatned me I assure my self that the best wit would have been much confused amongst so many disgraces for my part I doe avow that I found my self extreamly amazed and knew not what to resolve upon one while I thought that the most convenient remedy for me was to leave Leride but considering that I was unprovided of necessaries for a voyage I changed my opinion After a thousand various thoughts I determined not to stir yet untill I saw what brute would be published of this strange successe and also we thought it expedient that Leonor should return into her chamber the resolution was easie but the execution very difficile because of the hurt the had got in falling I got the ladder again into the window to the end she might passe by the same way that Lucian had made for us But the poor Lady was extreamly afflicted when she saw that she must goe down a place so foule and slimy yet seeing that there was a necessity she took courage I passed the first and taking her upon my shoulders went downe the ladder and carried her into her chamber I represented unto her that she ought not to apprehend any thing although she should be accused of the death of these two men on the contrary this action would be esteemed most glorious when the occasion should be knowne nothing more lawfull then to defend life and honour against those that would set upon them Having thus resolved her I took leave and retired my self by the same way I descended Before I went from this house I came to the two dead men I took the pistoll from the girdle of Lucian and put it into his hand and did the same with the poyniard to the other to give cause of belief that they had killed one another the invention succeeded happily enough since that all that saw them were of that opinion The Justices having imployed above fifteen dayes to inform themselves of the fact believed that the dead men had been their own proper murderers During this time Don Ignigo Leonors Uncke was taken with an apoplexy which took him away in lesse then twenty foure houres and as one misfortune never commeth without company two dayes after his death a Burgois one of my friends came to advertise me that a certain neighbour of Don Ignigos was extreamly glad as well of his decease as of the occasion
It seemed that amongst all these felicities there was none but Don Rodrigue which ought not to be contented but being in an age wherein the greatest flames of love were dead his prudence made him finde contentment in the pleasures of others that of Don Louis was without measure for besides the good fortune which heaven had favoured him withall in letting him know those who had given him birth he also enjoyed his loves in the possession of faire Hipolite They were married that night and the wedding accomplished with astonishment and rejoycings incomparable it was followed with a new joy in the conquest of a soule which they tooke from the empire of the Devill to put it into the hands of God by the meanes of holy baptisme which Geronime the Turk heretofore called Mahomet solemnely received from the hands of the Bishop of Cartagene having chosen for Godfather the venerable Don Rodrique who was intreated to give him the name of Geronime which he had taken before The next day he marryed the infortunate Eufemie she being the cause of the health of his soule not being willing to consent to his desires but in making him christian and he of the reestablishment of her honour which seemed to have been torne in pieces in the courtezans life vvhereunto she had been abandoned and engaged by the basenesse and infamy of her ravisher This was a particular contentment for Leonor to see his sister so advantagiously provided for after so many disgraces Incontinently after was the wedding of Don Iame and the vertuous and generous Leonor who in acknowledgment of the obligations wich she had to Fenise pardoned him the death of her brother More then fifteene dayes were imployed in these joyous magnificences where the most remarkeable persons of the province were and the best wits exercised themselves to write upon the admirable encounters of these persons and of their affections But as there is no pleasure eternal in this world this loving troope must be divided some stayed at Cartagene others went to Valence their country and Don Jame tooke the way to Leride whereof he was native Fenise was onely he of this company who made a more troublesome experience of the instabilitie of worldly felicitie After the sports and playes whereof he had but a simple part he must undergoe alone the sadnesse and sorrow of the death of his father deceased long agone Don Louis was much troubled to take a time to advertise him therof since that besides the losse which he had made in his person he was yet in danger to lose his estate or at the least to see much of it diminished because his kindred believing him to be dead were possessed thereof and had distributed it amongst them Don Louis used much discretion to dispose his spirit to receive sweetely these bitter newes but he had scarcely begun his premeditated discourse when Fenise who was extreamely foreseeing well knew to what end it tended and to avoid prolixitie of words he prevented him with these I see well said he that you would suger the edge of the cup to make me swallow some bitter poison but you know me too well to use me with this ceremony and hold me in suspence for to declare to me what imports me Then Don Louis discovered nakedly unto him all he knew and although that Fenise had much experience and constancy yet his eyes must testifie the feeling of his heart the losse of a father is a griefe too sensible he ought to have a breast of a rock that will not be mollified therewith or at the least to have desired his death Don Louis comforted him in taking part of his sorrow after that he had suffered the first motions of sadnesse his friend pressed him to remedy the disorders of of his house This sollicitation afflicted him almost as much as the newes of the death of his father he could scarcely resolve to doe it nor believe the counsells of Don Louis because he must necessarily absent himselfe from himselfe in going from Magdelene So that he deferred his departure from day to day untill that his friend was constrained to tell him that he knew well from whence proceeded his delays for Frederick his father had recounted to him the honest sute which he made to his sister and how much they were all obliged to his wit and courage he prayed him not to lose time in recovering his estate and to assure himselfe to obtaine all he could desire not onely from him his sister but also from their whole familie who reputed it a great honour in the designe which he had to convert his amitie into kindred that he knew well that Magdelene made great esteeme of his merits besides the obligation which she had for her libertie that she would alwaies prefer him before all the men in the world and that he should never have cause to reproach him of the vice of ingratitude these promises were confirmed to him by the complements and civilities of Frederick and Persinde and by the solemne oathes which Magdelene made him in particular in conjuring him with teares in her eyes to return as soon as he could possible that he should finde her alwaies constant and alwaies loving these actions were so charming that Fenise wanted not much of breaking his designe of going to Toledo but the satisfaction which he was willing to give his friends forced him to execute it The day before his departure Frederick let him see a country house of pleasure which he had neere Cartagene where treating him magnifically he begun to qualifie him with the name of sonne in law to the great contentment of the whole familie He tooke leave of them in this place with a thousand imbracements and towards the evening Don Louis returned with him into the towne at the entry of the port they saw Charles the slave that Geronime had brought with him walking with a Cavalier very well covered and followed by six Lacquies clothed in the same livery the two future brothers in law approached them and Fenise knew that it was Don Antonio de Velazques a cavalier of the court who had beene his familiar friend he also having faced him and knowne him they ran one to the other and locked themselves together for some time with streight embracings Charles admiring this great testimony of affection and seeing they were parted Brother said he to Antonio if you have imbraced this illustrious Cavalier as your friend I beseech you begin againe as my benefactor and him of whom I hold my libertie it is the person I have but now praysed unto you and to whom I shall be alwayes obliged for my life I could scarcely believe said Don Antonio to Fenise the marvells which he hath told me but at the present since that I see it was of you that he spoke I am in lesse admiration knowing that you can produce none but high actions Fenise made many humble complements to answer these high prayses and
like to have swounded with this suddaine apparition Ah God! said she then remaining as if she had beene charmed she begun to contemplate him and felt upon the instant a motion at her heart which confirmed the veritie of what she heard On the other side Fernand was in so strange a confusion that he knew not how to interpret these words and actions In fine after she had remained a good space in this enchantment she broke silence and said that she knew him to have a perfect resemblance of his father but to make her the more certaine of the truth she remembred that at the houre of the birth of Fernand and Charitie they being twins they were fastened together by the heele and having disjoyned them there then rested to either of them a marke in that place then Don Fernand begun to understand all his history being overjoyed to know that he was issued of so noble a linage fell upon his knees before Eugenie Madame said he if there neede no other testimony but that to make me to be acknowledged your â—onne permit me to kisse your feete in that qualitie have the signe you speake of Eugenie transported to â—ee so many marvels upon the sudden had like to have given up her soule in kissing and embracing Don Fernand having a little given over their embracing they went into another chamber and in the presence of Don Ariel he let them see the marke which gave the last clearing to their doubts and made Don Fernand to be acknowledged lawfull heire of the estate which his uncle had possessed so many yeares After this Charitie was brought into the chamber to augment this great joy and to take part thereof Eugenie made her to imbrace Don Fernand as her brother whom she had heard her mother so often lament In briefe they were all so full of felicitie in this prodigious encounter that they scarcely knew themselves They made amongst themselues some short recitalls of their adventures for their proper satisfaction untill they should come into a more convenient place to declare them at large as I have done Don Ariel brought them all three againe into the hall publishing to all the company the miracle which God had done in their favour so that all their friends participated of their contentment and I more then their kindred themselves After this Don Fernand came to me sir said he very modestly I did not thinke I had beene so much interessed in the discourse I held you but even now I made it being urged thereunto by aâ— instinct whose cause I knew not but at the present since the affaire toucheth me so neerely and that see that it was blood which excited me to solicit you I begin it againe and with much more affection I cannot think that a generous soule as I have alwaies knowne yours to be would disguise a treachery under honest promises where heauen was called to witnesse the designe you had to accomplish them Words tye men before they are spoken they are voluntary but being given they are necessary If you be of another opinion you wrong the noblenesse of your courage and much prejudice your honour and being your friend so much as I am iâ— would extreamely trouble me that you should doe any action whereby your reputation might be stained You know the discourse you have held to my sister and the scandall that is thereupon arrived you are now obliged to effect it as well for her proper satisfaction as the generall reputation and honour of our familie And for my part I am perswaded that you had already done it if you had knowne whereto have found Charitie She is of condition equall to yours her vertue was in a high degree of perfection before the fault you made her commit her beauty cometh not short of the most considerable and if I say not that she is incomparable it is because I would not offend the respect which I beare to Cleonte Besides all these considerations you will adde to the qualitie of friend which you honour me with that of brother and most humble servant If you have any scruple for her absence although you are the cause thereof I will oblige my selfe to render you satisfaction All these reasons seemed to me so honest and just and my conscience was so moved therewith that â—estifying unto him my consentment by my silence I went to embrace Charitie and in the presence of the whole company renewed my vowes to her wherewith her mother and uncle were greatly rejoyced Don Ariel made a voluntary resignation to Don Fernand of all the estate which by right appertained to him and moreover he made him his heire fâ—er his death the more to oblige me to esteeme t is neece and to take away the trouble I might haue for being excluded from the riches which I might have possessed in marrying Cleonte he augmented the portion of Charitie with eight thousand pounds part of the profits which he had received in enjoying Fernands estate who approved this liberality I went to make complements to Don Baptiste and Cleonte excusing my selfe upon the beliefe which I had that Charitie was dead when I sought for their alliance but she being living my conscience obliged me to maintaine to her the promises which I had made her That if they would receive Don Fernand in my place they would gaine much by the change and thereupon I exaggerated the prayses of his good countenance and merit Don Baptiste liked well this proposition he communicated it to Don Ariel who testified that he esteemed himselfe most happy if Cleonte would permit that friendship and kindred might be united and that for his nephew he did not doubt but to finde him wholly disposed thereunto it being the greatest honour and fortune he could aspire unto Cleonte formed easily her obedience unto the will of her father and Fernand praising my invention consented to the desires of his uncle so that wee weere married at the same time by the approbation of all our friends and kindred Behold deere Fenise the successe of my loves if the recitall thereof hath beene too long pardon me I did it but to divert you from thinking of what you have lest at Cartagene It is now my brothers part to tell us the occasion which made him absent himselfe from Madrid and not participate of all these marvellous felicities Fenise found this history extreamly pretty and well entermixed saying that for its raritie it merited to be consecrated to posteritie which gave subject to Charles to endeavour to merit like praise in recounting his fortunes which he thus begun THE HISTORY OF DON CHARLES AND VIOLANTE BEing gone out after my brother upon the opinion that we had that Don Fernand had called him out to fight with him as he hath already told you I made many turnes in the towne without meeting with him In the end I met a servant of a gentleman a friend of mine that was in the assembly at Don