view'd a well-done Landskip and wanted something which these Scenes suggested to his fancy yet could harldly consult his Judgment to find what 't was he sigh'd for At last they resolv'd to take a turn in the Garden where the Earl meeting with some Friends that had come to see him that Evening was oblig'd to beg the Duke's Pardon and promis'd to wait upon him in a very few Minutes Entheon now left alone and about to pursue his walk was suddenly arrested by a Song that charm'd his Soul and ty'd up all his thoughts He wonder'd that he had not heard this Godlike Musick but fancy'd the Charm was just begun or not heard to perfection because of his past discourse with the Earl He stood sometime immoveable yet impatient to see her that sung so like an Angel he resolv'd to lose one part of his present happiness for the purchase of a greater and guided by the Heavenly Voice with eager steps he reach'd at last the Grove His Curiosity tho' great did not too far extend it self his passion ne're o're-rul'd his Judgment and this juncture he manag'd with the discretion of old Age For tho he could have enter'd as if chance not design had led him yet he chose rather to keep himself undiscover'd and to be blest unknown But â—hen he advanc'd and softly had prest down those small boughs that obstructed his sight how much was he surpris'd to paint his thoughts were a labour fit for a Muse at her full Strength let this suffice he saw Eriphile and grew divinely mad Mortality was forgot and he remain'd in that extasie which if exprest would seem wholly irreligious to any Man but a transported Lover The Fair One lay in a careless Posture extended on the yielding Grass Her Foot and half the Leg were obvious to his sight and the scanty Bliss prompted his lingering Soul to Paint the Beauties yet unseen even beyond the Original or what Nature when she us'd her utmost Art could form He curst his Fortune that shew'd no more or else expos'd too much and fear'd that a shape so far beyond what his eager thoughts had created should be attended with the alloy of a homely Face still waiting with the impatiency of a Man half blest till some kind accident should encrease the pleasure She who dreamt not of a prying Lover proves kind without design and taking her favourite Maid by the Hand with an accent that gave a perfect harmony to all her words suddenly cry'd my Dear Daria for that was her Name I 've unluckily lost one of my Garters The Duke had no time to weigh his coming Fortune and consequently lost part of the blessing for the charming Eriphile had no sooner said so than he could see the Pettycoat gently remov'd The pleasure of a longing stranger when the furling Curtain shews a guilded Scene and warlike Musick Charms the unsteady thoughts sickens the Mind and thrills the kindl'd blood but ne're yet gave a Joy confus'd like his His transports were such which some will think next door to impossibility that even Nature was husht the Soul alone imploy'd and Plato's way of loving was here practis'd to Perfection Yet 't is probable that had the old Philosopher himself seen so much he had quit the Argument and given the Body a conquest o're the Soul The amorous Duke blest too much was unable to contain himself and after he had at once survey'd the tempting Object and her more bewitching Face suddenly cry'd Oh Heavens Can so much Beauty ever give her self up to the embraces of a Mortal Sure 't is anticipating Heaven to lye panting in her Arms. 'T was well the Fair One started from the Ground the Lover else had prejudg'd the Duke and his raptures had spoke his Judgment not the same he possest the preceeding minute But a violent Love seldom knows any bounds and when powerful Beauty suddenly assaults the Heart Reason is often dislodg'd or at least gives way and then 't is pardonable if a Man rave However he begg'd a thousand Pardons for his Sin of ignorance and told her that tho' he thought himself infinitely blest by this Encounter yet he could have wish'd it had hapned at a time when she was less dispos'd to Solitude And offer'd to retire that by his speedy absence she might retrieve a part of that silent pleasure she had lost tho' not before he had assur'd her that if his Curiosity had led him to the Grove he paid the Forfeiture of his Liberty as a punishment for his offence The bewitching Maid not knowing he had seen so much was pleas'd with the accident their mutual surprise added to the Beauties of both and she found by her forc'd silence that the Duke was already more than indifferent to her Yet asham'd of this new weakness she strove suddenly to recollect her self and confusedly told him she presum'd he was the Duke of Entheon that her Father and the whole World spoke advantagiously of him and she could not think her self unfortunate in the Conversation of a Man so universally esteem'd But that if he paid too great a price for that which enrich'd her she would be so generous as not to urge him to so much bounty notwithstanding of those advantages she might reap by it This was indeed an obliging Compliment but the fair Eriphile already lov'd him and already knew it She had too much wit therefore to lose so favourable an opportunity of engaging a Man for whom the greatest Beauty in the Island would have dispenc'd with the out-gaurds of Modesty or rather the superfluous niceties impos'd by Custom not Reason upon those of her Sex On the other hand the Duke thought himself in Heaven His excess of Joy almost deny'd him the use of his Reason and if ever he was non-plus'd let me suppose this the time However from what she said he guest his stay could not be altogether unseasonable And after he had wittily acknowledg'd the Honour she did him was about to begin Encomiums on her Beauty when the Earl arriv'd and made the Number four He told the young Lover he was glad to find his absence supply'd by the Conversation of a young Lady in whom if he found any thing agreeable he was doubly Fortunate This too was a handsome beginning and the Duke who had too noble a Soul not to be amorous that moment renounc'd his Liberty which was repaid with hers To have seen this lovely Pair would have kindl'd flames in others when icy Age had banish'd native Heat The Earl himself curst grey Hairs griev'd he was born so soon and to be again capable of loving and fit to be belov'd would have renounc'd the World's Empire and that experience which his Years had brought him Entheon's looks spoke the agreeable disorders of his Mind and the charming Mistress of his Heart had so much of a languishing softness and new born Love in her Eyes they reach'd his very Soul and hurry'd him into extasie
saw the godlike Entheon At last they betook themselves to Cards where at Pickquet Erinthus won fifty Pieces from the Dutchess she readily paid him and this confirm'd him in what he almost before believ'd that she was of Quality This put him upon his guard inspir'd him with care to please he assum'd a new Air and shew'd so much it seems of Gallantry that the yielding Eriphile was perfectly charm'd The Clock at last having struck twelve sounded a Retreat and they began to think of their respective concerns The Lovers begg'd they 'd allow them the Honour of waiting upon them to their Lodgings 't was readily granted and the Coach being call'd 't was as readily put in Execution The Dutchess had given the Coach-man private Orders to drive to her House and the Duke whose mind was much imploy'd ne're examin'd the place till he found himself in his own Bed chamber As he was about to express his surprise Eriphile and Fidelia unmaskt Erinthus first begg'd Pardon for his rude mistake and Entheon after he had rouz'd his disorder'd Judgment smil'd and askt the Dutchess if what he had done gave her any cause to suspect his Faith and hop'd Fidelia's Wit excus'd him for spending so much time in her Company when he had thought his Wife at home Eriphile smil'd too and faintly answer'd if Fidelia please she can easily Charm for Wit and Beauty joyn'd can ne're assault a generous Heart in vain The Duke was surpris'd with this cold return and 't is certain the lovely Dutchess ne're had us'd him so before she was not now Jealous nor had she any Reason to fear the loss But Erinthus already appear'd too Charming and truth is it seems he had something about him very taking and singularly agreeable for he had before that time atack'd a Lady of the same Rank and had not fail'd of the success desir'd You may wonder perhaps Albisinda why I am not more particular in my Character of this Man but to satisfie some part of your Curiosity know he owes his Birth to Burgoa a Common-Wealth rais'd by Trade their industry and the easiness of their prouder Neighbours to a height unlookt for surmounting in Wealth those very States or Kingdoms from whom some Years ago they kneeling begg'd Protection Love and Gallantry are Strangers to the Nation many of their Souls are as Phlegmatick as their Bodies and most of them look like Machines or rather walking Tuns His Parents were forc'd to pursue a mean imployment to purchase a livelihood and the now fortunate Lover when young left his Country in a Post suitable to his Quality and Education But having learnt in Armenis what was by no means to be found at home something of a better Air and the easie smooth way of speaking peculiar to the Language of that more Polite Nation he quickly found Preferment They are naturally kind enough to Strangers and the advantages of his Person which Nature it seems design'd not for a Burgoan conduc'd not a little to his good Fortune That he was a lucky Gamester may appear from this that in a very short time he purchas'd an Estate and became a Companion to those of the best Quality in Sindalon Entheon us'd gaming as a wise Man ought to do that is for his Pleasure he always play'd without Heat lost Cheerfully and rarely laid down too much to be dispos'd of by Fortune remembring always how much of madness it shew'd to put that to a hazard which before was his own This accidental meeting already mention'd gain'd him the Honour of the Duke's acquaintance you may believe then Albisinda that for the future he was no stranger to his House they spent whole Days together and Night her self could sometimes hardly part them Eriphile was always pleas'd when he was present and languish'd for his absence 'T is true her Virtue was yet strong and she struggl'd with the growing Passion hid her griefs with Art and in her Eyes exprest an easier Soul When she play'd her thoughts even then were hardly fix'd on Game nor could she truely grudge the fortunate Erinthus a double Victory The Youth already observ'd his coming happiness and by his industry to please advanc'd that Heaven he wish'd for 'T is impossible when alone to express her pains she saw how much she lov'd and from her yielding Heart could judge her Honour lost Entheon still was kind she knew his Merit and fain would yet be just but powerful Love with double force assails and scatters virtue's Charms that stop his way Nor can he walk with Judgment who was always Blind Oh Albisinda that this charming Fair at last betray'd her Marriage Vows is not be disputed But to say she fell without a noble Contest were too much No Woman e're knew more or was Mistress of better Inclinations she was sensible of her Errour even when she drew the Guilt upon her and in his Arms although she lov'd could have wish'd her Soul fled to save her sinking Honour The World has more than common Charity for the fair Eriphile and some People scruple not to affirm she yielded e're she knew she had done so The Story Albisinda is in this place known to all and even by those who pretend to an exact knowledge in the state of Affairs relating relating to this amour for a truth believ'd And it runs thus The Duke it seems had long profest a more than common tenderness for the lovely Daria a Maid generously educated and of a noble Spirit to her Mistress just nor to her self unkind No allurements could prevail no present found acceptance and the weakness of her Nature was always supported by the strength of her Virtue But the Duke growing at last importunate and obstinately kind she found it too hard to preserve Honour and his Friendship too In this pressing juncture she resolv'd to abandon the Family and after she had with Tears in her Eyes told the Dutchess that an affair of Consequence required her absence humbly begg'd she 'd make her happy in her Consent Her Mistress was too sensible of her Merit to lose her without Reluctancy and said to her that if she was any way disoblig'd she should have immediate satisfaction nor would she give her Consent unless she were first acquainted with those Reasons that mov'd her departure Daria wept and on her Knees conjur'd her not to urge what if betray'd would give her Pains unknown This instead of satisfying encreas'd the Dutchess Curiosity and she was at last oblig'd to disclose the whole Poor Eriphile was Thunder-struck with the unwelcome Relation Her Heart 't is true already was unfix'd and she had those thoughts for Erinthus which spoke him too much Master of her Soul Yet she lov'd the nobler Entheon or at least esteem'd him so much that she could not even in thought consent to lose him In this afflicting affair her Wit or Invention at last offer'd this relief which she propos'd as the only means to confirm the Duke her
own and preserve her Daria too The Maid was seemingly to yield to make an assignation and that done she was to leave what follow'd to Eriphele's Care and Management This was as soon perform'd as projected for the faithful Maid whose Beauties were better'd by her new Griefs was that Day more strongly assaulted than ever and she could do no less than make an Appointment Two in the Morning was the hour agreed upon and you may easily believe Entheon thought it an Age till Night In the Afternoon Erinthus came to see him of whose Company he was at that time more than ever desirous To Cards they went where the pleasures of Love were for a while forgot and Game and Wine the business of both In the mean time the Dutchess willing to enjoy what was for her Maid design'd took possession of Daria's Bed and with much impatiency waited the Duke's coming The hour at last appear'd but Entheon whither indispos'd by drinking sudden conscientious qualms or sitting up beyond his usual hour I know not felt no great inclination to the Combat This freak Albisinda is indeed unanswerable especially if you weigh the Conduct of this great Man but 't is confidently affirm'd that he acquainted Erinthus with the Intrigue Told him he found himself at that time unfit for the Field and that if he pleas'd he might supply his Place The forunate Youth was ravish'd with the kind offer and told the Duke that since he was only to fight for the first Blood he was proud of the service enjoyn'd him In short Entheon conducted him to the Chamber door which stood open on purpose for himself and there left him The Youth found the Bed in the dark and I suppose without the help of a Candle found the Dutchess too She receiv'd him as she 'd have done her Husband and if she found him richer in his Love she attributed the Cause to liberal Fancy that form'd her new and of a stale Wife made a tender young Mistress How e're it was they remain'd not long in the state of Ignorance and each of them wonder'd why the other was silent for tho' Erinthus would pass for Entheon and Eriphile would for a time be Daria yet the first Joys and transports fled she began to distinguish the Lover from the Husband and trembling said My dear Entheon why have you us'd me thus I have been Daria and under that Name much happier than my own Ev'n when she spoke she doubted the truth and us'd these words only to be confirm'd in her Opinion The Lover was ravish'd the place on a sudden was converted into a new Heaven and he only griev'd that much of his past Happiness was lost by being so long ignorant of the value of that treasure he had possess'd New Love new Wishes rouze him up to Life and e're he spoke he would be blest again Eriphile 'twixt fear and hope again receiv'd him and even in his Arms could hardly know whether she wish'd him Entheon or not At last the fortunate Youth confess'd himself told her that Chance and the Duke's kindness had made him happy but she alone could keep him in that state That he had long ador'd her and bountiful love had now repay'd his pains that his happiness should be conceal'd from all the World and her Honour was now as secure as if in Entheon's Arms she fainting lay A Crime when first committed is of greatest weight and frequent repetitions render those things familiar and seemingly innocent which we at first view'd with reluctancy and horror for a small sin past without grief speaks us in a fair way towards a greater The Dutchess 't is true lov'd and by his Voice knew the happy Man But then she remembred the loss of her honour saw how far she had fall'n and trembled when she look'd back upon the frightful Precipice She call'd to mind the Duke's past Love those thoughts she had for him when first he sound her lying in the Grove and knew his merit nothing yet diminish'd This my dear Albisinda gave the Fair One some pains for tho' her Nature had given consent her Soul was yet Virtuous and had Erinthus seen those Tears she shed all thoughts of Joy had vanish'd from his Breast grief had disarm'd his eager wishes and impotency by pity brought had supply'd the place of vigorous Love But Albisinda 't was in the dark the Curtains drawn they were alone both lov'd and both forgot their Cares you may easily believe he had his share for tho' he was a Burgoan that is a Man whose Conscience would never baulk his business if attended with pleasure or profit yet he had some faint remembrance of that injustice he did to a Man who had forgot his mean Birth made him a Companion and sharer in his pleasures and had or at least thought so bestow'd that Prize upon him in the seeeming possession of Daria which he himself had sought for many Months In a word all complaints were hush'd the Dutchess forgot what once she was what yet she ought to have been and own'd her Love was stronger than her Virtue When the Youth retir'd her Cares again encreas'd she griev'd a loss she could not then retrieve and wept and wish'd the business still undone These indeed were the first motions of her primitive Soul but Love again brought it to a modern Constitution she consider'd how securely she had enjoy'd the Man she lov'd and flatter'd her self with the thoughts of being really innocent because the World yet thought her so and believ'd the manner in which it happened extenuated the Crime In the mean time the Duke had waited the return of his Friend if now I may call him so and smiling ask'd how happy he had been Erinthus gave him a thousand thanks for that Testimony he had receiv'd of his Friendship but told the Adventure with so much indifferency that Entheon could hardly grudge that favour he had bestow'd upon him When he went to Bed he was yet insensible of his loss Eriphile was all lovely and that Crime against his Love he had almost committed endear'd the Object of his wishes more than all her wonted Charms or native goodness He found her melancholy greater than usual and griev'd that she was not so kind as she used to be earnestly ask'd the cause and to comfort her swore that he had that Noble Love for her which our first Father bore to his lovely Eve e're Hell debauch'd her She gave him feign'd returns alledg'd she was indispos'd begg'd his Pardon for her seeming indifferency and faintly said she did belive he Lov'd her The kind Duke was satisfied and in a few Minutes the Cares of both were swallowed up in sleep This account Albisinda is by some rejected and your busie Medlers or News-pimps who pretend to know every thing confidently affirm that Erinthus had won so much from her at Cards she was necessarily oblig'd to pay the Sum with a favour that might have been the price
can utter I staid there all Night and tho' in the dark and alone void of my wonted fears and only wept my own folly and the young Man's unkind absence In the Morning I found a Paper lying upon the Bed I knew it to be Odmar's and wonder'd that my Father had not seen it the other Day You must know Madam for so I understood afterwards 't was written by a Friend of his to whom I have since that time been much indebted Having opened it with impatiency I found these words Accurs'd be those who Marriage vows began 'T was a meer trick to bubble easie Man An holy Cheat a promis'd Heaven ne're found Cozens the Traveller like enchanted Ground Which when he seeks to tread he ne're can find Flies quick away and leaves no marks behind Some doating Coxcomb may with pleasure Wed And with some lovely Female share his Bed who 'll sigh and clasp him in her treacherous Arms And feed his Letchery with a thousand Charms Weep when he 's sick and feign a real Grief Offer her Blood nay Soul for his relief The blind old Ass believes and mourning lyes Views the dear Jilt with sorrow in his Eyes Gives her a Joynture and a Cully dies While she poor thing to ease her anxious Breast E're he 's half cold admits an abler Guest His brawny Foot-man's Master of the Spoil And swims in Gold he gains with midnight Toil. The Roman Knight by all was prais'd when he Despis'd a Gulph to let his Country see He 'd plunge himself to set his Neighbours free To me no Love like that shall e're be known I 'll know no other Interest but my own Fond Maids may think I 'll Wed but I 'll enjoy Promise and ne're perform since for a Toy None but a Fool would's Liberty destroy When Heav'n would punish Sins and anger show It joyns two Beggars and it leaves them so Each crys for help which neither can afford This blames his Wife and that her needy Lord While Sir Loyn shunning noise forsakes the board Some yielding Nymph You see by this broken line Madam the piece was not perfected however there was enough to move my grief and wonder I was now fully perswaded Odmar was unjust and even when I believ'd him so wonder'd that a Man who look'd so like a god could in his Nature be the worst of Villains I knew he was a Poet for his own pleasure and found by what I had read he had spoke his Sentiments not half his Art or Wit I saw my Fortune painted in each line and now tho' ne're before I wish'd I had not seen him I found my ruine ineyitable for since Odmar was unkind I had no more to lose I had too convincing a proof of my ill Fortune when I consider'd he had written to me in the Morning when he was to see me that Night and could not reasonably have expected a Letter from him and that now when he had giv'n me the disapointment he had not been at the pains to excuse himself or say that yet he lov'd me This Madam is a tedious way of telling the story of my Love But I can do no less than acquaint you with my Griefs because the remembrance of these things fill my Soul and yet deny a room to any other thought To be short then as possibly I can I resolv'd speedily to abandon the World and retire to a Nunnery a few Miles distant from Odmar's House I had two young Cousins there whom Love had made Religious and I resolv'd to spend my Days like them I went privately to my Chamber and took from thence every thing of Value and of little Bulk read my Lover's kind Letters and afterwards burnt them with my Eyes took a long farewel of every thing in the House and drown'd in Tears I left it I had not walk'd far when my Grief and Trouble made me know I was too weak for a Journey of five long Miles on Foot Half faint beneath a shady Tree I lay and view'd the watchful Shepherds driving out their Flocks and wantoning ev'n in Rags I compar'd their happiness with mine and often wish'd I had been born like them to moderate Wants or to an humbler Fortune bless'd with Peace and Innocence I mourn'd all my Misfortunes at once but most of all I griev'd the loss of Odmar's Letters for I found even then when I suffer'd so much for him 't was not in my Power to hate him While thus I lay I could see at some distance two Men on Horse back 't was yet so very early in the Morning I could hardly think them less than Robbers My fears suggested a thousand things to me I remembred I was a Woman helpless and alone and yet Madam by that great Power I swear that gave me first a Being I wish'd them Murderers Ravishers or any thing that was Cruel Life was become a perfect burden to me and I was resolv'd some way or other to be reliev'd from the weight As they approach'd I step'd into the Road and expos'd as if I had done it by Chance any thing of value about me to tempt the vicious Wretches then by resistance prompt them on to fury This conduct I confess was a greater Crime than any I had yet committed but your Grace will consider that Despair has no acquaintance with Reason and I did it with a setled design to advance my ruin When they came close up to me Oh Heavens what art can express my surprise for I had almost fainted with excess of Joy In the depth of my misery and sunk beneath my self my kind just Odmar came to raise me up Oh Daria cry'd he alighting from his Horse Whither art thou going Why do I read in thy Face so many signs of past grief Did you suspect me Oh! by Heavens I 'm mad with Joy For whate're has brought thy Tears I find thy Sorrows to thy Beauties add When I could speak Oh Odmar said I do I owe this happiness to Chance or You No reply'd he suddenly to your self only if you had been less Fair or less Kind I had been less Constant and now I know you Love me we shall both be happy But I have nothing my Dear continued he to repay that Joy you give me a heart excepted which Heaven design'd but for it self and you for I have acquainted Dion with my Love but he tho' otherwise kind is inexorable and swears if I persist he ne're shall see me more The hopes nevertheless of obtaining his consent kept me from my Daria yesterday but could not do so to day Ah! Odmar cry'd I The gods were passive and you might have come But I am ruin'd my Father has banish'd me from his House and our stoln happiness is No said he interrupting me and with all the tenderness imaginable if my Love can repay the loss of Aristeon's smiles my Daria is not ruin'd Here continued he and turning to his Friend this is my Wife You can
vritue how to please He still continues all Ice restless in his thoughts divided from himself forgetting all his former Vows and me He went every day to Rucana's return'd more cold and all the World at last took notice of it I knew my self Young and Handsom fitted by Nature to inflame desire and was all madness at the thoughts of losing an Heart I had begun to value in earnest but that which most sensibly displeas'd me was to find my self abandon'd for one that had been my Servant and whom by my own folly I had advanc'd to all Happiness she then possess'd Things were thus when my Melancholy and the calm Evening the Duke being then at Rucana's invited me to a walk in the Garden There it was I began to remember my joys past the Cypress Trees brought the fugitive Adrastus to my view with all his Charms about him and represented the Duke the most ingrateful of men Revenge spoke Peace to my Soul and a thousand different resolutions the effects of my restless mind possess'd me and next moment were destroy'd by that same power which gave them first a Being Thus my Heart at last beat it self to rest and while I lay upon a Mossy Bank and all my sorrows chain'd in peaceful slumbers I dream't nay methought it was no dream such strong impressions the blest Vision made my absent Lover sighing by me lay all drown'd in sorrow for his loss wept then wish'd me false so I but lov'd him now I wak'd but 't was to see what my Eyes had often long'd for The lovely Youth threw himself at my feet gaz'd and sigh'd and labour'd with his pain My sorrow equal'd his and tho' I oft had wish'd the wand'rer back the cruel thought of being his no more dasht all my Joys and turn'd them into Tears Thus on each other for a while we gaz'd breath'd short and trembled while we strove to speak At last his Courage bore away his grief and loosened by degrees that soft bewitching Tongue whose Eloquence so often had undone me and said Can you be mine no more Can you be cruel to a repenting Sinner who for pardon sues and damn me to a new Hell of absence more lasting than the first Is Adrastus quite forgot And must the Duke possess a Heav'n alone Ah! cry'd I when my Tears wou'd give me leave to speak I Love and fear my own weakness but as you tender my future Happiness ask no more than a Virtuous Wife shou'd give Has the Dutchess of Minoya nothing of Timandra in her reply'd he interrupting me and can you resolve to see me dye I beg'd with Tears he 'd urge his Love no more and at last promising to meet him there next Evening we parted When the Duke came home I found his humour the same it had been for some Months preceeding However I did not lay his indifferency in that ballance it formerly held my Love grew lighter and that esteem I had for him became hourly less Next Evening Adrastus came and I fail'd not to meet him his Soul seem'd more at rest but his Love the same After some serious discourse I ask'd him how he had spent the time of his absence and if no new Beauty had raz'd me from his memory The lovely Penitent cou'd deny me nothing and began the Relation immediately Which Madam you may take as followeth because 't is occasion'd by the story of my Love AFter I had Written that Letter where Passion rul'd and my Judgment or Gratitude were not consulted I took Horse that Evening and began my journey to Chira the Metropolis of Naitrant where I have staid ever since my departure I was a stranger to the City and the first Bill I read there I took up my Lodgings I liv'd sometime in the House unknown and went very seldom abroad my grief for so great a loss hourly imploying my thoughts But one day going to take the Air upon the River at the back of the City I encountred some Young Ladies that walk'd upon the Banks and ask'd if they design'd to trust themselves to the water Women there tho' Virtuous and Honest yet are not shie and being well bred know how to oblige strangers and preserve their Honour They accepted the Complement and having got Musick on board we spent the day and some part of the Evening very pleasantly and at last began the stories of our Loves where I related mine but conceal'd your Name and Quality with as much pain as if we had but newly parted this mov'd the pity of all the Ladies and she who was the fairest of them and whom we could not perswade to a relation of her Adventures wept and sighing said I deserv'd better fortune Thus we consum'd the time and I proffer'd to see them to their Lodgings but was deny'd the Honour tho' not before they had assur'd me that I might frequently see them where we had met that Forenoon I found something that night at my Heart more than usual and tho' my own misfortunes lay heavy upon me I was afflicted for those Tears I had forc'd the fair one to shed and cou'd have almost wish'd my self in Love with her Her tenderness spoke good Nature and her gen'rous pity show'd a noble Soul Your seeming infidelity urg'd me to forget my Vows and my griefs bid me seek relief from some kinder she Then after a tedious contest I was all Love all Repentance and every corner of my Soul was full of thee Timandra was the Object of my waking thoughts and the last guide that led me to my rest all Night I 'd dream of her and in the Morning mourn because I cou'd dream no more Next day however I went to renew my acquaintance with my last days walk I mov'd without design yet wanted to see them I fear'd and wish'd and wanted I knew not what I fled from my self I ask'd not whither and when I most resolv'd to shake off my sorrows and seek for Happiness in a new Love I 've found a pleasure in my present pain and doated on my griefs for the sake of her who brought them But the fair ones no sooner arriv'd than all my cares were husht sorrow slept and no Melancholy thought disturb'd my dawning Heaven I cou'd look on my new acquaintance with an' air wholly chang'd and observ'd that the fairest often fixed her Eyes on mine and when she spoke Love and Modesty shar'd all her words between them But time which to unthinking Lovers still seems short flew quick away and Night with all her gloomy shades approaching the Ladies retir'd to their respective Lodgings The tender-hearted fair one after some small refusals at last permits me to wait upon her to hers My thoughts were so pleasantly imploy'd I ne're examin'd the way she chose and was surpris'd to see her stop at mine I beg'd she 'd allow me the Happiness of waiting upon her to hers and she told me I had already done so Thus we parted and I
sensible of that esteem her Aunt had for me but that it had never met with any Encouragement that since her Charms had been able to drive Amazonta for so I had always call'd you from my Heart they were sufficient guards against the fond assaults of an old Woman whom I esteem'd only because of that Relation she had to her I lov'd The fair one sighing answer'd all I said with so much modesty she look'd like innocence her self and told me her past misfortunes yielded to her present Happiness that all her losses doubly were repay'd and she no more complain'd of cruel fortune Her Face and Breeding spoke her Quality beyond her present Circumstances and seeing she was able to speak without prejudice to her health I gently press'd she 'd let me know who it was had taken the happy Conquerour Captive and if my Love was able to repay the least part of her by past Sufferings She all goodness and full of love after a few Tears began Here Adrastus stopt and waited my consent to the Relation of Olmechine's story which Madam for your divertisement I likewise send you and if my Letter be of too great length impute it to my Obedience and the desire I have to serve you MY Father was a Man well known in Naitrant by the Title of Manco an Earldom which was long possess'd by a noble series of his famous Ancestors handed down to him with additional Honours which their Kings according to their Merits had bestow'd In his Youth he discover'd a thousand signs of that extravagancy which possess'd him in his Elder Year's At Masks he still appear'd with all the gallantry of Youth dress'd profusely but danc'd well had â— pleasant Countenance but a large stock of Ill-nature a refin'd Wit imploy'd to ignoble uses quarrel'd with all men and seem'd a bubble to each Rook he knew His Father whom Heaven had bless'd with no more Children griev'd to see that Son from whom his Age had hop'd so many Blessings the cause of endless fears And to reclaim him from his wildness thought Marriage the best expedient Almado his Friend and Neighbour a Man equal to himself in Birth and Fortune the Father of two Daughters had often propos'd an Alliance with his Family and of this he now resolves to accept The Match is immediately agreed upon between them and my Father Accompanies the old Earl to Almado's House where he saw the Charming Arathea for that was my Mother's name and seeing Lov'd She whom Fame had acquainted with his Nature and her Father with his business had that grief upon her Soul the accident might justly give This languishment adds to her Beauty and to his Flame Almado who was of a gen'rous temper was sorry to see his Daughter averse to what he thought conduc'd so much to her welfare and tells her all the Advantages that attend so great a match that the Love my Father had for her wou'd settle his roving thoughts and stay his Soul at home Her Beauty wou'd doubtless reclaim him That Marriage wrought such changes was evident from every day's experience and that Youth in that state were oblig'd to reckon themselves amongst the number of men and as such to live that a lovely Woman had more Eloquence than a grave Philosopher and Love to Virâ—â—â— join'd more power than Vice with all her Maâ— about her The Daughter naturally Pioâ—â— knew what she ow'd to her Parents and show'â— Obedience by a quick consent The old Eaâ—â— was overjoy'd at his good success bless'd hâ—â— Friend and the happy hour which gave hiâ— Daughter Birth Their hopes were equal anâ— their thoughts flew high and every hour of added life was look'd upon as Cyphers joyn'd to the numbers of their Blessings But this pleasant Scene was not of long duration for the Brave Almado had the misfortune to be accus'd by Villains Enemies to Virtue of some designs against his Prince and was forc'd to seek for safety in another Nation where he shortly after dy'd Old Manco griev'd for the misfortune of his Friend but more to see his Eldest Daughter ill us'd by his own Son and the other expos'd a prey to Contempt and Poverty because her Father's Fortune answer'd for his seeming guilt and pay'd for Crimes not his But as if Heaven had design'd my Mother for the longest sufferer the Earl after he had settled a small part of his Estate upon her Sister Attabalippa dy'd and left the disconsolate Arathea to mourn a loss which Fortune ne're attempted to repay Manco soon forgot the loss of a Father whom he had always look'd upon as an allay to all his Pleasures and now being entirely Master of himself and Fortune he aims at Vice in all her pomp keeps an Army of Footmen plays incessantly at Cards with every Sharper and pays a double price for every pleasure While thus he liv'd I came into the World and tho' he look'd upon my Mothers Charms and Virtue as things not worthy of his serious thoughts yet upon this occasion there was nothing wanting that Money master'd by a lavish mind could bring and the poor Countess mourn'd in state to see her Infant born to cruel wants Sometime after it he sold one half of his Fortune to appease the rageing hunger of some gaping Creditors the remaining part cou'd not long supply his Disbursements and he at last reduc'd it all to nothing My Mother wearied out with this long Scene of misery in a short time sunk beneath the burden of her misfortunes and smiling plung'd into the other World while I whom Heav'n preserv'd to sport it self withal was taken care of by her Sister upon whom the Earl as I have already told you had settled a small part of his Estate She was not of Arathea's temper Gallantry seem'd the business of her life and tho' she was always Virtuous yet her Conduct seldom made her thought such for innocence it self is not sufficient for a Woman unless she also study to appear so because the World which only views the outside of affairs seldom offers to give its Judgment of things as they really are but as they seem to be I had reach'd the twelfth Year of my Age when Manco asham'd of what was past and terrified with the prospect of future disgrace and contempt the Companions of Poverty by madness brought abandon'd his House and Relations and threw himself naked upon the World in the quality of one of her beggar'd Sons possess'd of nothing but what in time she might bestow upon him for tedious Years of toyls and hated labour What few friends his poverty had left him were sorry for the accident but none strove to give relief and upon second thoughts inwardly rejoyc'd to see the poor spendthrift gone tho' they knew not whither My few Years did not protect me from a due feeling of these Misfortunes and that Beauty which already began to display it self in my Face now droopt and languish'd e're its day had dawn'd and darkness
him Winds had for ever been in Chains ty'd up and mutter'd for new vent within their Cells While she above in contemplation wrap'd had seen the Waves plow'd up by Trojan Ships and kept his men from danger for his sake Jove's Bed for ever now had nauseous grown and she 'd have left the joys and sweets of Heav'n for the Embraces of the God-like mortal she 'd envy'd Dido and her place supply'd and had by flames extinguish'd rageing fires Virtue and Marriage Vows had fled before the happy Conquerour and Cynthia her self with all her coldness and indifferency about her had smil'd if this young Man had seen her in the Water naked she 'd stood and gaz'd upon his Eyes and caught by Love forgot to seek Revenge then in the heat of wild desire expos'd to view what happy streams had hid to tempt the Youth into an equal flame Wonder not then Madam if I confess my weakness and tell you that I yelided that he possess'd what was anothers right and weigh'd the Blessing in the Scaâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Love That night he went to the Earl's who yet knew nothing of his being in Capac 't was there he found the Duke and was by both receiv'd with that joy natural to a kind Brother and a constant friend I had complain'd of Minoya's unkindness and he forgot not that Night to observe his behaviour and found the Countess shew'd no compliance to his Passion but what good Manners and his Quality commandâ— from her When he came to see me next morning my Husband fond of his Company wouâ—â— not live without him and he accepted of an Apâ—partment in our House You may condemn me Madam perhaps because I did not oppose this and shun'd 〈◊〉 Man that made me betray my Honour and 〈◊〉 Marriage Vows But I must plead the force 〈◊〉 his Love and my weakness for an excuse 〈◊〉 I hope you are no stranger to the force of tâ—â— Young Deity for had Apollo with all his cuâ—â—â—â— locks that wanton'd in the Wind and all 〈◊〉 Charms his Musick e're had wrought been hâ—â—â— so taking half so gay the lovely Virgin ne're had fled before him the Gods had laugh'd when she for pity cry'd and all the Goddesses had envy'd her Happiness her Heart so long cou'd not have flinty prov'd she 'd turn'd and look'd then lov'd and yielded Adrastus thus happily posted enjoy'd his Mistress and the friendship of her Husband and beneath that shade the Serpent lodg'd that stung his Honour when he seem'd secure in the mean time he goes often to Rucana's and assaults his Wife with all the Arts of Love but she too modest and fortified with a stronger Virtue than I was ever Mistress of withstood this growing Malady and hop'd to cure him e're her Husband took notice on 't In the Evening Adrastus came into my Room and there spent some hours our security made us careless and our repeated Joys had lull'd our wearied Souls almost into a Lethargy I was sitting in a Chair hard by him and my Head rested in his Bosom the young Lover wou'd sigh and eagerly press my hand look languishing upon me and tell how much he lov'd then wonder how the Duke became so blind and aw not Charms of force enough to move a frozen Hermit drag him from his Religious Cell into the World again make him lose what forty Years of cruel pennance gain'd â—â—d pull him back from Heav'n when almost â—â—ter'd As he pronounc'd the last words the Duke came into the Room he look'd furiously upon me his Eyes plainly speaking his thoughts and going to the other end of the Chamber seated himself in a Chair opposite to me Adrastus was confounded at the Accident and only griev'd for me Then rising up he embrac'd his friend ask'd the cause of his sudden melancholy from whence his frowns and swore his Wife was Virtuous even in thought Minoya gave him small encouragement to plead for me or himself and wou'd have forc'd himself from his Arms when Adrastus after he had given me a sign to retire threw himself upon his knees and to save my Reputation or at least my griefs swore by that friendship which he had always profess'd towards him Timandra was innocent that 't was true she had laid open her sufferings to him in hopes he might prevail with her Husband to abandon that passion he had for the Countess of Rucana and that he cou'd do no less than speak passionately and with tenderness to ease her present griefs The Duke whether it was because he saw his Love to his Sister-in-Law taken notice of or if he really believ'd what was said I won't determine but after a short pause he seem'd on a sudden pleas'd and begg'd a thousand pardons for that unjust opinion he had conceiv'd of his Friendship and my Virtue Then taking Adrastus by the hand after they had embrac'd he led him into the Room where I was I had thrown my self upon the Bed all drown'd in Tears in this condition he found me and falling down by me he claspt me in his Arms kiss'd me and smil'd Ah my dear Timandra cry'd he Pardon the first Crime oâ— this Nature I e're committed and accept of an unfeign'd Repentance By all the pow'rs in Heav'n I love thee to distraction and wou'd not again be doubtful of thy Virtue to be Monarch of the Universe curs'd be the thought and may Love and Peace be ever strangers to my House when e're I think the Just Timandra false Adrastus who saw with what tenderness he spoke how good his Nature and how great his Love almost repented what he had done in prejudice to his Honour and abhorr'd his own Treachery But then looking on me these Virtuous qualms forsook him Sorrow mixt with Jealousie took place he saw the Woman whom he first had lov'd now kiss'd and ruffled in anothers Arms and she by Vows to base compliance ty'd This shook his Nature made his Soul unfix'd and almost turn'd his passion into madness So mighty Jove from distant Heaven look'd down and saw Alcmena whom helong had lov'd now prest and folded in a Mortal's Arms a while with Love and Jealousie he burns and to himself he mutters sweet Revenge swears by his God head when Amphitrion's fled he 'l lay his Thunder and his Scepter by descend and in the dull Phlegmatick Husband's place lay both a burning Lover and a God For some days after the Duke forbore his visits to Rucana or rather to his Wife and Adrastus and I cou'd both of us have wish'd him oftner abroad we began to fear that absence might lessen that flame he had for the Countess and that which before the return of my Lover was my greatest torment now became my blessing and nothing possess'd my Mind more than the doubts I had of being eternally deny'd the Happiness of entertaining the fond young Man These fears did not last long but gave the way to new ones built upon better grounds for the Duke
which the Company of her we love and a moderate fortune never fails to bestow My Uncle now saw 't was too late to raise Objections and unwillingly consented to the Match on these Conditions that I should show no signs of aversion for his Person for he had the goodness to pretend to a Love of my welfare and that upon the first Day of the second Year after his Marriage he should add fifty thousand to the number of Malcors already given Thus Aratus secur'd himself for by the continued Poverty of my Husband he weakened the power of Revenge For Madam the form of Government in Marintha differs from that of Fabria and there Men often do themselves Justice without having recourse to Law while the Prince whose Authority is limited by the People or a chosen number invested with the power of the whole winks at these Outrages and sees the strong o'rethrow the injur'd weak without offering to disturb the course of either In the mean time I was kept wholly ignorant of these Transactions and was strangely surpris'd when after a consinement of two long Years where I was seen by none but my old Governess the Gay the Joyful blest Valentio enter'd I thought he too had forgot me and those sparkles of Love he had kindl'd in my Breast e're my Imprisonment were now almost extinguish'd or at least burnt so faintly I scarce perceiv'd the flame The amorous Youth fell upon his Knees darted his Eyes on mine sigh'd and with a voice that would have charm'd a departing Soul back to Life said does the Divine Delia remember her slave Valentio Can she believe I love her That my long absence was an effect of necessity not the will of my Heart And that now she has liberty if she can but Love My surprise at the unexpected accident made me uneasie I felt a new Pleasure and had a perfect remembrance of my past troubles knew not what to answer and wish'd he 'd consult my Eyes for the resolves of my yet wavering Soul In this confusion of the mind he graspt my Hand forc'd it to his Mouth and kist it with the Feaver of a violent Lover conjur'd me to remember how I had been us'd to consult my reason before I spoke and to make use of that opportunity which kind Heaven lent me lest my Uncle's humour alter'd to the worse made him for ever Miserable and gave me no hopes of better Fortune than I now enjoy'd As he spoke Aratus enter'd and with a sowre Countenance told me he had always shown himself a kind Parent and he came now to give me in his consent to my Marriage with Valentio a sensible mark of that affection he ever had for me This pleasant turn of sporting Fate elevated my Heart joy sparkl'd in my Face and tho' my reason could not find the Cause of this quick change yet I was eas'd because I had no ground to doubt the validity of that Proof which fell within the Cognizance of my senses Then looking on him I lov'd I blushing answer'd his Choice was to me a Guide and I should not be wanting in my endeavours to esteem the Man he design'd my Husband The surly old Man seem'd pleas'd with what I said and calling my Gouvernantée aside they both withdrew When he was gone the wonderful Valentio fail'd not to thank me for my compliance and spoke all that a Man who lov'd to excess could utter to the Mistress of his Soul and I forgot not to weigh his Merit You may wonder dear Madam at the easie conquest and that not having mention'd this God-like Youth during my Confinement I should now so suddenly resign my Heart and doat upon his Charms But to remove that consider my Years at parting that from my infancy I had more tenderness and esteem for him than for the rest of Mankind and that he being then very young his person and the beauties of his Soul were better'd in the space of two Years of this last I modestly inform'd him and he who never spoke otherwise than he believ'd swore mine surpris'd him that I was ever the wonder of my Sex and that Nature had spent the time of my long imprisonment in perfecting that noble Work she had begun with so much Art In a few days we were marry'd and my Uncle who could dissemble handsomely seem'd well satisfied with all that past while I who was wholly ignorant of what my Valentio had done for me promis'd to my self an age of Joys and eternity of Peace and Happiness to come My young Husband's Love encreas'd with the number of his Days and time that wastes all things serv'd to augment the force of his flame for me he seem'd to live and if at any time my nature was disorder'd it wrought that effect upon his Soul which Minds united for each other know His humour spoke his heart susceptible of Love and capable of any tender impressions subject to anger to revenge a stranger and form'd by bounteous Nature for a Lover In the day time he was ever nigh me sigh'd and swore he ne're could Love too well that I deserv'd the esteem of all Mankind and had Eyes of force to melt a savage Heart teach those inclin'd to War practis'd in deeds of horrour and conversant in blood to long and languish after softer Pleasures In the Night he seem'd uneasie for nothing but the privation of Light and when the Sun appear'd he 'd gaze upon my Charms and bless the day that brought us first together Then surrounding my panting Body with his trembling Arms he 'd smile upon me and swear by all the Powers above and by my self that no time or accident should e're deface my lovely form which the young god had rooted in his Heart if withering Age came on and Nature fail'd or laid waste the field of Beauty he 'd call to mind the present happy minute fetch it back from the boundless heap of Years long fled and place it before his Eyes renew his weaken'd Love and doat upon his charming Delia with all the longings of a hot young Lover who can ne're be blest enough my Eyes should kindle dying flames we should embrace like Youth and burn with equal Fires Thus have we lain and blest our mutual Fortunes heard the cold North Winds battering against the Windows and shivering Oxen lowing in the Plains the Birds chirping on the Battlements and bleeting Lambs proclaiming double wants the Trees crackling against each other and tender Blossoms wafted throw the Air. Then have we shrinkt lockt our selves together breath'd quick and low and laught at distant Storms forgot the chilling Airs that rag'd abroad and play'd and wanton'd on the yielding Downs But ah this charming Scene how soon it fled How quick time flew to finish so much Bliss He show'd his hoary Head and mov'd like Age to make us think he would have longer staid but while we lookt about and dreamt no loss he mounted streight and left us in
to a real one And to delight in those things which have a certain Air or Passion well represented in them shews that the fancy of the Reader is little or nothing inferiour to that of the Writer for we can take no more pleasure in that which we understand not than in those things which we understand too well To remove the weight of a few lazy Minutes I send you the fam'd amour of a Lady whom a long Scene of Gallantry has at last render'd obnoxious to the Laws of her Country Her misfortunes make her too well known and tho' she is at present the Theme of her own Nation I am confident the story has not yet reach'd yours I 'm no such Stranger to your Modesty as not to foresee that an exact account of some Circumstances would seem culpable and therefore shall not give you just grounds for anger where my aim is to divert Yet that I may not omit those things without which the Story would be too imperfect I beg a greater liberty than is perhaps truly adequate to the narrow rules of a precise modesty I 'm too unfortunate if you think my Nature loads me beyond those bounds and I hope if any thing of that kind escape unpolish'd or without a necessary Cover you will attribute it to some other cause or at least suspend your Judgment till you see the Author and permit him to answer for himself To excuse all other faults remember I love too much to Write well and that when I 'd fix my thoughts upon this Subject I 'm surpris'd to find my Soul rides Post to you and leaves me robb'd of Fancy or Design IN Clusa the Metropolis of the wealthy Kingdom of Armenis which is compos'd of the greatest half of the Island Sindaton there liv'd a Beauty whom Fortune and Nature had joyntly bless'd with all those Graces that procure Adorers yet render the possessor not altogether happy No Man could see her and preserve his liberty and therefore no Man could think himself secure in the possession yet all the Youth of the Nation sigh'd for her and those whom Fortune had not blest with Wealth gaz'd on the happy exalted Fair and had those thoughts for her which we bear to distant Heaven when yet we cannot paint the glorious Fabrick or hope to reach the Blessing Her Father the Earl of Cisala lov'd her more than Honour he blest the Gods for this mighty gift and with pride saw himself the Master of a thousand Hearts by being the envied disposer of the Lovely Eriphile The travelling God in all his race ne're saw a form like hers beneath him Love threw his Arrows through the yielding Air or shot at random to consume the trifles her Eyes too fast supply the wilful loss and strike even those who ne're before had bow'd She seem'd the unknown Agent of the all-conquering Jove for tho' she had the softness of a pitying Goddess and the languishing looks of a yielding Virgin yet her frowns out-stretch'd thunder and shook the very State of powerful Love Believe me Albisinda the only way to express her Charms and Wit were to to say she copied you and had she prov'd as nicely Virtuous she had been indeed another Miracle But Beauty too often proves fatal to the owner and a handsome Face an Enemy to Honour All men admire the truly Charming and continued Assaults must needs shake the besieg'd or force them at least to Articles Amongst the numerous Youth of Armenis none could yet pretend to merit the happiness of her esteem and the Young Lovers had no relief from pains but when they remember'd that time must advance one to the Heaven they aim at and knew not but indulgent Providence had design'd the Bliss for them While thus she reign'd absolute in the Hearts of a thousand noble Subjects the Great Duke of Entheon arriv'd from his Travels Him too she Conquer'd but pay'd her Liberty as a price for the glorious Victory He is the first Subject of his Country yet Master of a Soul that infinitely surmounts his Birth or Quality He has the Courage of a Man in despair yet attended with the Caution and diffidency of a Coward or one who values Life Like Heaven slow to Anger but if it concerns his Fame sudden in the Execution and quicker than Lightning The liberality of a mighty Prince and the careful management of a private Subject are equally his He has the Religion of the good and wise without the Biggotry of the superstitious and ignorant Looks like a Crown'd Head yet more affable than the meanest Courtier and values the honour of his Native Country beyond his private interest or his dearer Life Admir'd by all men but himself and envied by none but Villains who damn those Virtues in others to which themselves can ne're attain He speaks most Languages and is conversant in the History of most Nations In short Madam 't is generally said of him that his Birth and breeding make him truly the first Gentleman in the World Sindalon thought her self enrich'd beyond her Neighbouring Countries and the happy Inhabitants of Armenis look'd on this miraculous Youth as their Genius or Guardian Angel Every Man became his Votary and those who had spent most of their Years abroad felt yet those little qualms and disturbances of Mind when they approach'd him which bashful Strangers know in shining Courts when ey'd by Godlike Monarchs The fairest Ladies in Clusa sigh'd for him the King doated upon him and all the World blest him Cisala amongst the rest fail'd not to shew that esteem he had for him and the Duke who greedily had heard his Daughter's Beauty universally proclaim'd forgot not to embrace his Friendship he long'd to see the Original which his Fancy at second hand began to form even beyond what it was or Nature e're cou'd make and already believ'd that in all his Travels he had seen nothing comparable to the Fair Eriphile The Earl's Country House was situated on the fertile Banks of that famous River which supsupplies Clusa with daily Necessaries and as it peaceably glides along washes the Walls of its Monarch's Garden Thither the noble Youth went to confirm the loss of his Liberty which already he had half resign'd Cisala receiv'd him with that respect his merit every where exacted without regard to Quality and now thought he had found a Husband worthy of his Daughter yet doubtful of his wish'd success he acquainted the Fair One with the arrival of his Noble Guest 'T was impossible to live in Armenis and not to have heard of him she understood the meaning of this Advertisement â—nd carefully drest her self to the best advantage an Art very commendable in Ladies and in which those of her Nation are particularly skill'd The Earl diverted him some time with the Rarities of his House and shew'd him several pieces of exquisite painting done by the greatest Masters of the Age. Entheon felt a certain unexpressible disquiet when he
of Empire Next day he came to wait upon the injur'd Duke or rather the kind Dutchess and forgot not to improve every opportunity to the Advanvantage of his Love In a little time he became too happy or at least too often so and if the generous Entheon had in the least suspected the Fair Eriphile's weakness or his Friendship their guilt had been too obvious His Noble Confidence made him too secure till an Adventure that hapened some time after taught them more caution and him more of Jealousie The Duke it seems was oblig'd to attend the King who then kept his Court twenty Miles from Clusa The Dutchess knew of it the preceeding Night and had therefore order'd every thing necessary for the reception of her Lover Her Husband took Coach about Eight next Morning and Erinthus was to wait upon her Grace at three in the Afternoon She thought every hour had borrow'd from Eternity and griev'd she had delay'd her happiness so long She sighing lay upon the yielding Bed and under the Modish covert of a sudden indisposition occasion'd by a Cold she ne're had felt avoided the unseasonable Visits of her troublesome Friends Daria was alone privy to the intrigue and tho' she had all that respect for the Dutchess which her Duty in the strictest sense could exact from her yet she griev'd to find her Virtue so much weakned and wish'd her innocent as when first she knew her Eriphile had the goodness to excuse her self as handsomely as she could Painted her Lover drest with all his graces about him and show'd the power of subtle Love in words that spoke her knowing in the Mystery Poor Daria sigh'd as if she had felt those pains of which her Mistress spoke and by her looks confess'd her inward griefs The Dutchess carefully observ'd her frequent change of colour and the flushing of her disorder'd Blood and ask'd if Love had ever led her Captive The tender Maid blush'd and by her silence confest the truth of what her Mistress had often much suspected She charg'd her upon her allegiance as she would preserve her esteem and make her think she lov'd her she would relate the whole and by the story of her Love divert her melancholy till the arrival of the fortunate Erinthus Daria excus'd her self from the performance as well as she could but seeing 't was not acceepted she sigh'd was some minutes silent and addressing her self to the Dutchess began as followeth YOU know Madam I was born in Scarronida your sister Nation and of the same Religion with your selves a hardy Warlike People yet no Strangers to Love and tho' we lye North from Armenis and by our bounds make up the half of the Island yet we seem nearer the Torrid Zone than you My Father was a Gentleman very much esteem'd and tho' his Fortune did not prefer him to that height his Soul always aim'd at yet his humour and agreeable Conversation made him the darling of his greater Neighbours and he match'd with an ancient Family rich in Friends and every way truly preferable to his own I was the first and last pledge of their Loves and was ever doated upon by those who saw me for that resemblance I had of the Fair Julietta for that was my Mother's name and Aristeon my kind Father esteem'd his Young Daughter even beyond Life or Empire He sought Wealth only to bless me in a Noble Marriage and with secret Pride already ey'd my growing Beaury Our Neighbour in the Country the great Dion who tho' a private Gentleman can for the service of his Prince muster an Army of his own Vassals and Dependants to the number of some thousands had a Son whom all the World esteem'd whom many Beauties sigh'd for and none attackt with success I was then in the sixteenth Year of my Age and tho' I had often seen him and heard him prais'd yet my Heart had ne're submitted to his Charms That Friendship which was between my Father and his drew them often together and the generous Dion has sometimes spent whole Weeks at our House It hapened once that while he rode a Hunting and eager in the Chase his Horse fell down a sloping Bank and bruis'd his hardy Rider Aristeon was much concern'd for this Misfortune and immediately sent for his Son The handsom Youth came to our House with Tears in his Eyes and mourn'd over his Aged Father with the tenderness of a weeping Mother that griev'd the loss of her darling infant There was so much of the Man mixt with a Woman's softness in his pains that I could not chuse but observe it I was insensibly pleas'd with every word he spoke and sighing wish'd I had had a Brother like him His Cares for the old Man brought mine and I could have wept for Dion more earnestly than when first he got his Wounds The Young Odmar for so he was call'd took notice of my Cares and from my Tenderness and Compassion argu'd the easiness of my Soul I shall not Madam praise my own Beauty but he has afterwards told me that the softness I then show'd reach'd his Heart and from small griefs wound him to Pity and tho' he had no cause much to sorrow for me yet my pains to him show'd double and from Compassion drew him up to Love I was one evening walking in the Garden disorder'd in my thoughts and examining my self to find if that uneasiness I knew proceeded from my Love to Odmar But as I began the scrutiny he enter'd who alone could confirm the truth of what I fear'd I trembl'd as he approach'd wish'd him gone yet lov'd to see him stay and scarce could tell what thoughts possest my Heart The Lovely Youth soon apologiz'd for intruding upon my Retirement and you may easily imagine how readily I forgave him There was a pleasant River at the back of the Garden-wall and beyond that a spacious Green where feeding Flocks attend the Shepherd s call forget their present wants and listen to the lov'd Musick of his tuneful Pipe There labouring Swains when toils out-strip the Day Dance with the Maids they Love and cheat those pains by cruel labour brought The Gard'ner it seems had by chance left the Back-door open and there being a Tarrass walk upon the top of the Bank we resolv'd from thence to view the open Fields The Water murmur'd beneath us and the little Fishes wanton'd in the Streams The seting Sun lookt back on that vast trackt he had left behind him griev'd to lose that prospect once he had and as he stoop'd beneath the veil of Night rouz'd up himself with eagerness and by a flash of new born Light would gild the distant Mountains Just so a Lover when he quits the Shoar with trouble views the Mistress of his Vows longs to be nigh yet still he slides away and when he 's almost banish'd from her sight he stands aloft and glads her from afar and by his gestures shows he fain would stay In a
word Madam the place and the Company very much charm'd me and I felt that painful joy at my Heart which speaks us sick with Love Amongst other things I askt Odmar if his Father's pains were yet abated if he hop'd a speedy recovery and told him that tho' I was proud of his Company yet I could not chuse but grieve the occasion that brought us so often together Madam reply'd he I cannot be so happy in this World as when I am in Aristeon 's House and yet I think it fatal to me for as the Father's pains decrease the Sons are still augmented and those torments that opprest the old Man's body are doubly charg'd upon the young Man's Soul I blush'd as he spoke and so many crowding thoughts fill'd my Breast I was unable from the confus'd heap to produce one to serve the present exigency My unseasonable silence shew'd I understood his Language too well and had before thought of nay it may be wish'd for what I heard Odmar read his good Fortune in my Eyes and willing to make use of the lucky Minute threw himself at my Feet conjur'd me to remember that his Life and Fortune depended on what I was about to say that one kind word gave him Heaven and my anger made him the unhappiest of Men. That 't was impossible for him to live without me and he 'd forfeit every thing he held dear on Earth for the greater blessing of my Love His fears Madam were vain I esteem'd him too much to give him more of Pain and reply'd in Terms that spoke him not indifferent to my Soul Had your Grace seen his looks when he found me so calm in spite of all your Modesty you would have doated on him and I dare say 't was impossible for Woman to have us'd him otherwise than I did Dion at last recover'd and I must say tho' I wish'd him well I griev'd his Health restor'd ' cause by his absence I was robb'd of Odmar Our parting yet presents it self to my view and I see the lovely Youth drown'd in Melancholy asham'd of his weakness yet weeping as he spoke His House was but three Miles from ours I bid him remember that Conveniency and propos'd an Enterview at least once a Week The Youth who was o rejoy'd to find me so kind and indulgent to his flame was almost dumb with extasie and swore he ne're could Merit any part of that Goodness I had shown and that his Life was not of worth enough to repay my stock of Love When he was gone methought I yet saw him heard him felt his soft kisses and gaz'd upon the Phantom My tender Heart could hardly bear the burden of a long Weeks absence A thousand times I trac'd the Tarrass walk and if from afar I espy'd ought that resembl'd Humane Kind I long'd and wish'd it him Odmar shar'd in ev'ry thought and my Father's House lookt runious dead and decay'd since the departure of the sprightly Youth I remembred every word he spoke when first he swore he Lov'd and cur'st the hour that took him from my Sight I blush not Madam to say no Woman ever lov'd like Daria and no Man e're merited more than Odmar To avoid Discovery I was to meet him a Mile from our House the River already mention'd which run by the Garden chalk'd out my way and I went along upon the dewy Banks and shaded from the Sun by spreading Oaks When we met ' was impossible for either of us to express our Joys We gaz'd sigh'd and embrac'd as if our Souls had joyn'd griev'd that time flew too fast and wish'd the Minutes Years What e're he said was welcome to my mind and tho' I listned to his Voice with all the pleasure of a ravish'd Maid yet I often broke the thread of his Discourse by asking a thousand little kind yet insignificant Questions because like him I 'd show how much I lov'd Thus have we spent a few short hours then griev'd and parted tho' never before we had fix'd the Day for our next Enterview At this time we rail'd at Fortune and our Stars and mourn'd we could not meet to stay for ever But had we known the coming ill we 'd then have judg'd our selves truly happy My Father it seems had often miss'd me and found by constant Observation that I was absent twice every Week and always at the same hours He knew not at first what to think of this adventure he dreamt not of Odmar and wonder'd much that I should walk abroad alone 'T is true he had taken notice of my Melancholy tho' ignorant of the Cause and was now afraid that I began to humour that weakness of the mind which so often proves fatal to the Beauty and the Judgment of its Slave knowing that while we humble the mind too far we sink the body quite But then again considering my Years my few Cares unless I lov'd his and my Mother's kindness to me he could hardly Credit that thought to rid himself therefore of his doubts he resolv'd to watch me narrowly for the future and in person make a true and wish'd discovery of the hidden secret The early Day drove on the yielding Night and as the latter fled the first in view appear'd proud of the Conquest and growing in his strength The happier gods lay stretcht upon their Beds and loath to rise rais'd up their aweful Heads look'd down and shuffl'd by the thicker Clouds to see if busie mortals yet were stirring but viewing the dark and solitary Globe they shrinkt again beneath the covert of the Night half fled and clos'd up the Gape of Heaven to wait the arrival of the marching Day In a word Madam 't was very early in the morning when I arose and took that road which led me to my Love My Father follow'd me so close that unseen he posted himself behind a Bush hard by that shade where gentle Odmar lay When I appear'd the Youth arose and caught me in his Arms. Oh welcome to my Breast he cry'd my beauteous generous Daria What Love can repay this favour or what words express my boundless Joy When all the World sleeps we two are awake and kind Daria robs her self of rest to ease her Odmar from the pains of absence Aristeon who saw how familiarly he embrac'd me and distinctly heard every word he spoke was strangely surpris'd and wish'd himself in the other World that he might be insensible of that affront he already thought done him in this and doubted not but I was born for his ruine and the disgrace of his Family He was a Man Madam rigorously good and lov'd me very tenderly from this you may easily imagine the troubles of his Mind and with what difficulty he contain'd himself While Odmar spoke I had felt a sudden trembling at my Heart new-born fears oppress'd my easie Soul and I was sick with the apprehension of some coming danger yet could not foresee how or from whence the dreaded
I have of you Madam reply'd he that 's a Complement I know not how to answer for I 'm afraid you 'd think me faulty if I said your Honour were secure and you were safe because to mention that were to call my nobler Love in question No Odmar said I I would be very unhappy if I could in thought dispute the innocence of your Love or Mine but I 'm sorry that when I see you I must be guilty of a breach of Promise Ha cry'd he is Aristeon then so much an Enemy to my Love It seems he doubts not your Virtue but my Treachery But Daria he 's unjust to me for rather than wrong thee I 'd forfeit Life Estate or any thing yet dearer nay by Heav'n I 'd rather banish all my hopes of being Belov'd never see thee more and be for ever damn'd to absence from my greatest Blessing Yet Daria for thou art all goodness think of a way to redress this mighty ill secure thy self and ease thy Father of his fears and if you Love tye your self for ever mine Oh my Daria refuse me not that Heav'n I ask our Parents soon will be reconcil'd I shall yet if possible encrease my stock of Love thou shalt be more fond and all that see us shall confess us truly happy Madam I hope you will own 't was hard for a young Maid that lov'd well to keep a Medium 'twixt her Fears and Joys His Fortune was infinitely beyond mine he knew his Father would be incens'd and might perhaps from a kind Parent become a cruel Enemy all the World was sensible of his Merit nor could he himself be ignorant that 't was in his power to wed a greater Beauty and a larger fortune When these thoughts fled my sudden Cares took place and I already saw him unfortunate and forsaken by his Friends ' cause he was just to me I saw his frowns in poverty and an hourly decay in his Love and methought I already heard the poor chang'd Odmar whispering in my Ear I had been great had I but lov'd thee less This last thought stopt the hasty flight of my fond new fledg'd Soul and it was not in my power to give an answer to what the Youth had said My unusual silence equally mov'd his wonder and his fear when throwing himself at my feet Daria said he why do you use me thus Oh remember 't is Odmar speaks 't is the Man that Loves you one that can ne're be happy without you and thinks the Gods have not a gift to bestow upon their first Fav'rite amongst Mortals like that I ask of you Who can resist a kneeling Lover Madam I rais'd him in my Arms and fondly yet confus'dly told him His Love and Honour made me wholly his and I would be eternally rul'd by him For now I gave my all into his hands To tell you his Joy and the kind words he utter'd were to renew the sense of my misfortunes No man e're said more no Woman e're believ'd more or gave kinder yet more innocent returns and no two Lovers e're confided more in one another or were happier than we When we had said all we could we unwillingly were silent and gaz'd upon one another then began afresh prais'd lov'd doated sigh'd and languish'd This happy Scene had banish'd all my Cares I found my Odmar Just and sought no other Blessing At last my discreet Lover kindly told me 't was past twelve conjur'd me to forgive him because slipery Time had run away when he had seen his thoughts imploy'd I was heartily vex'd that I had manag'd so ill I saw how inconvenient 't was for Odmar to travel at an hour so unseasonable and yet knew my self necessarily oblig'd to leave him In this disorder of thoughts I heard a noise in the Garden and stealing softly to the Window I could discern my Father with one or two Servants enquiring earnestly of one another if they had yet seen me I trembl'd when I heard my name pronounc'd and my Lover was almost mad with grief because he saw me so At last they came to the Door where they knock'd aloud and receiving no answer concluded I was in some other place either dangerously ill with a sudden fit of sickness or by some other accident unknown My Father to be better satisfied commanded them to break open the Door because he said I might be there yet fast asleep But the Servants assuring him that 't was impossible considering the noise they had made he was at last diverted from his resolution My Lover while this was acting stood with his Sword in his hand ready to receive him swore he had been once tamely robb'd of me but wou'd be so no more that he wou'd not attempt Aristeon's Life but would secure my Peace and carry me off in spite of all his followers and I verily believe had my Father enter'd I would have trusted to Odmar's generosity and fled with him As they went off I heard Aristeon cry Oh Heavens Restore my Daughter or take back that wretched Life you gave me These words wounded my very Soul and I had almost cry'd Your Daria is not lost However seeing his search was to no purpose he retir'd to his House and there with my weeping Mother waited the arrival of a new day In the mean time 't was so dark and being naturally tim'rous I durst not go thorrow the Garden alone nor could I take Odmar with me lest I had met Aristeon or some of the Servants by the way My Lover saw my troubles knew they were upon his account and bore an equal share I stifled my grief as well as I could that I might lessen his and with a calm brow ask'd him what was my best course I bid him at once consult my Honour and my safety And he who never entertain'd a thought against either said he would be advis'd by me But if I rely'd upon his Opinion or Judgment I should stay in the Lodge all night he 'd stay by me and guard me while I slept In the morning he would retire as early as I pleas'd And that I could hardly satisfie Aristeon concerning my Conduct if I should go home at that hour of the Night Odmar's Voice was to me Madam no less than an Oracle and I knew him so good and just I scrupl'd not to grant him any thing he ask'd My silence shew'd I was resolv'd to stay and the glad Youth scarce knew how to thank me for my goodness and that opinion I had of his and swore he would not betray so much innocence to gain the first Beauty under Heaven and the greatest Empire on Earth Having thus spent an hour or two Odmar begg'd I 'd go to Bed for there was always one in the Room in which my Father often lay that sleep was necessary for the preservation of my Health which was dearer to him than his own Life and assur'd me he would awake me e're the Sun arose I was much
Resolutions found she lov'd him more than ever When she retir'd to her Closet to consult her Judgment what to do e're she was aware she writ him this Answer Erinthus DAnger adds to Pleasure and Fears endear the Blessing when enjoy'd Meet me in your Coach to morrow's Night precisely at eight in the King's walk beyond the Garden E e. The happy young Man receiv'd it and fail'd not to obey When the hour came he appear'd upon the place with all the longings of a Lover as yet he saw not one Woman there and was almost assur'd of a disappointment when a lovely Youth approach'd his Chariot Erinthus believ'd him sent from the Dutchess and bid the Coach-man stop and you may think him happily surpris'd when he found the handsom Youth was no other than the Dutchess of Entheon The Duke shortly after by chance drove the same way and as he past Eriphile gave him a low Bow as other strangers did You may assure your self they stay'd not long in the Walk there were greater sweets to be found in a Bed-Chamber than in the open Fields and they forgot all those hazards they had lately past At ten they parted and the Dutchess got home with all that ease and security she desir'd Her two faithful Maids stood at the Gate to receive her and as she enter'd inform'd her that Entheon was at home that he had enquir'd after her but that they had told him she was indispos'd and begg'd his Grace's pardon Had Fortune continued this kindness all had been well but Albisinda you 'll confess 't was hard that e're she had fairly enter'd the Room and ready to undress the impatient Duke knock'd at the Door Eriphile with a Voice seemingly faint askt who it was and knowing too soon that 't was the Duke you may easily think she was startl'd with the sudden apprehension of her danger But not so confus'd as to neglect her own safety she told his Grace she was so very ill she could not yet come to the Door without difficulty Entheon who lov'd her to distraction fear'd that her indisposition might indeed be dangerous and unable to live one minute from her sight gently forc'd it open and found her in the same dress in which she had bless'd her Lover her Wig and Sword lay obvious on the Table and not one sign of indisposition appear'd The great Entheon became dumb with sorrow and the charming Eriphile knew not what to say for her self At last the Duke broke silence and calmly but with trouble told her That if she was not really sick she ought to have been so seeing his Honour had again been stab'd and hers was truly dead This generous Man Albisinda said no more he lov'd her even yet and griev'd her weakness He ey'd her a while and in spite of all his Courage his Heart melted But willing to hide his softness he feign'd another Passion show'd anger in his looks and yet in Tears withdrew When he was gone Eriphile threw her self upon the Bed wept her own Misfortune and wish'd she could yet be sensible of Entheon's merit and when with pain she view'd him noble as when first he saw her Erinthus leapt between her and the lovely form and she could think of nothing else but him In the mean time the Duke sent for the Earl of Cisala and acquainted him with all that past since that Night she and Fidelia went to the Play-house The old Man was infinitely surpris'd with what he heard and thankt him for that moderation he had shown in an affair where so many provoking causes were given and told him that Eriphile's Education had ne're taught her to dishonour his House and again bless'd him for not exposing to the World the disgrace of his seduc'd Daughter Eriphile yet lay upon the Bed and was perfectly mad with grief when she saw her Husband and her Father enter She was too in that dress which betray'd the Secret and weeping as she rose to receive them Ah my Lord said she to Cisala I own my guilt load me not with reproaches but rob me of my Life for I deserve not to live since I 've dishonour'd you and wrong'd so good a Husband Oh Entheon continued she I cannot ask forgivness you have been too kind and I too ingrateful yet e're I dye let me receive your Pardon Whether she truly repented or not Albisinda is not to be doubted for she ne're saw Entheon but she lov'd him But when he and Erinthus were both absent her Heart inclin'd to the latter and own'd him much the happier Man But Madam why should I detain you longer upon this Adventure since I 've already promis'd a speedy Conclusion In a word then the Duke lov'd too well and she was too charming Her new dress gave her a thousand Graces expos'd the tenderness and delicacy of her shape and show'd so much of softness in her Air 't was enough to have charm'd the most insensible of Human Kind for even when in the Grove she lay and show'd by chance what else had been conceal'd her Limbs appear'd not to the vanquish'd Youth with half those Beauties which he now discover'd Cisala too interceded for her and 't was morally impossible for the Duke not to be reconcil'd to so fair an offender Things being thus setled they liv'd for some time in a seeming Union How far their Hearts were engag'd in this peace I shall not offer to determine but by what has follow'd it appears the Dutchess kept not to Articles on her side Erinthus it seems had too many Charms to be with ease forgot and even in Entheon's Arms she sigh'd and wish'd for him The Duke some Months after was oblig'd to go into the Country where he stay'd a considerable time He trusted much to Eriphile's Promises and confident of her future conduct left her with that ease and peace of mind which happy Husbands know of virtuous Wives possess'd In his absence 't was impossible for Eriphile to be constant to her Vows Erinthus attacqu'd her with Letters and all the Arts of a cunning Lover knowing that where a Woman once has yielded 't is rarely found she can deny again In a word the Lover was again happy and the witty fair Eriphile again was faulty The continued absence of Entheon gave them all that security they could desire and frequent meetings made the Crime at last so obvious that all the World took notice on 't Every Servant in the House knew it and tho' they lov'd the Dutchess yet hated the happy Lover He often stay'd all Night and 't is known that two of the Maids at a certain time peeping throw the Key-hole saw them in Bed together the Curtain at foot being open and next morning could perceive the marks of impious Love and signs of Honour lost Nay the Intrigue grew so notorious that Erinthus's Friends enquir'd for him no where but at the Duke of Entheon's and Fidelia one day before many witnesses by way of
observ'd that change in your Humour you mention No Madam cry'd he interrupting me and with a brisker Air had it been my Happiness to be taken notice of by you amongst the common Herd of men you had e're now seen that change which all the World takes notice of The truth is he had grown something more reserv'd of late and carry'd in his Countenance the Marks of a violent Flame this I acknowledg'd in part to him but willing to Convert it to raillery Adrastus said I smiling I hope your Melancholy proceeds not from the absence of your elder Brother whom all men conclude long since in the other World if it does methinks you are too tender to mourn a loss that brings so great a profit Madam said he with a look that pierc'd my Heart my sullen Humour has another Original had you been less fair I still had been happy half of those Beauties you possess are sufficient to impose Chains on a Heart more stubborn than mine In a word Madam I 'm your Lover I must for ever be so I die for you and nothing but a return can create my Happiness Here he ended with a look so am'rous and submissive 't was enough to have Charm'd even Niobe Nevertheless I feign'd a mighty displeasure at the freedom he had assum'd he saw me frown and was just ready to speak in his own behalf when the old Earl and my Mother enter'd the Room he presently withdrew a considerable distance from me with that confusion in his Face which his Father easily observ'd however the old Man seem'd to take no notice on 't yet he soon engag'd me to take a walk in the Garden and taking my Mother by the Hand left me for his Son Adrastus had so much of Love in his Eyes that for my soul I cou'd not be angry with him yet gave him my Hand without any signs of my being appeas'd while we walk't I cou'd observe the disorder in which he was a sudden Paleness overspread his Face next moment a Ruddy Blush betray'd his quick surprise unusual beating seiz'd his trembling Heart and methought I felt that eager melting tenderness in every touch as if his trembling Hand had reach'd my fireing Soul he fear'd I might lay hold of the least opportunity to reproach him and therefore kep't as nigh the old Earl as possibly he cou'd he was not so much in Love with my Mother but that he cou'd easily perceive his Son's Behaviour be gave him a look that show'd his sentiments and then chusing another Walk left us Adrastus much repented his Temerity in the discovery of his Flame because he fear'd I should never more admit his Visits but seeing what was past cou'd not be recall'd he resolv'd to make the best on 't Madam said he as soon as they were gone I doubt not but that you are incens'd at the Declaration I have made you but if that can attone for the Sin I have committed believe that nothing but invincible Necessity cou'd force me to transgress those Bounds I have so long prescrib'd my self I have ador'd you since I first saw you even to Idolatry and the Suppression of my Flame so long has only serv'd to make it burn with more violence Having thus said he consulted my Eyes for his future Destiny and I was willing to arm them with more Fury than my Inclination cou'd well permit 'T is impossible to hold out against those we love I had long admir'd him in secret and often wish'd for what I was then about to destroy I read Passion in his looks I 'm straight disarm'd then all my Counterfeit anger in a moment leaves me and 't was with difficulty I cou'd hide my real Sentiments As soon as my Soul was settled Sir said I I can't chuse but wonder at what you have told me for if you had lov'd more you had not presum'd so much but I 'm willing to forget what 's past if for the future you avoid the like Error How these words drop't from me I know not I Lov'd 't is true but at the same time I swear I was asham'd of my own weakness I cast down my Eyes and was just ready to lessen those hopes I had given by words of a harsher Nature when he o're-joy'd at his unlock'd for success threw himself at my feet he grasp'd my knees with the eagerness of departing Souls thank't me a thousand times for that new Life I had given him and said so much that 't was impossible to doubt him I was nor much displeas'd at what I saw or heard I had scarce the Power of speaking left me and with a faint Voice bid him moderate his Joy he knew not how soon it might be at an end he presently râ—se with that Satisfaction in his Eyes which none but Lovers can enjoy and taking a cross Alley which led to that where the Earl was we soon reach'd 'em and so continued together till the Night Air Commanded us to withdraw and then we parted both pleas'd with what had happen'd THE next Day he came to see me I cou'd see a new-born Joy in all his looks and I fancy he read very little of anger in mine I repented heartily of that silence I half enjoyn'd him often imagining with my self what moving words he 'd utter were the liberty of speaking granted he easily perceiv'd part of that esteem I bore him and therefore ventur'd to whisper in my Ears a thousand moving things natural to a passionate Lover young and eloquent I hearkned to all those Vows he made with an inward Satisfaction that sometimes display'd it self in my Eyes he came often to see me protested a violent Love for me and seldom left me without some new Addition to his hopes THINGS stood in this posture when Huascar his elder Brother came home The old Earl was beyond expression o're joy'd at the sight of a Son he had so long mourn'd as Dead and I 'm perswaded Adrastus was not so much discontented for the loss of that Estate he was rob'd of as at the thoughts of my esteeming him the less he instantly acquainted me with it by a Note he privately convey'd to my Hands and tho' it was the first he ever sent me I cannot say I was angry at the freedom If I remember well 't was to this purpose Madam I Have presum'd without liberty to give you this Billerdeux my Brother is come home and a thousand feare possess me I put on your Chains without any thoughts of your Fortune and I hope you won't lessen that esteem you have hitherto had of me for the loss of mine I die with Impatiency to wait on you pity me for till then I think of nothing but of you or of a dang'rous Rival newly arriv'd Adrastus I was not sorry to see him afraid of losing that which I was willing no other shou'd possess I lov'd and found nothing about him in all my search that told me he did not deserve it
spent part of the morning in reflecting upon the Accident and that ended the charming Youth began to enquire into the cause of his Banishment I wou'd not tell him why I had used him so and he departed very melancholy When he was gone I began to grieve for him remembring the pains this harsh usage wou'd bring him I straight cou'd feel them all my own and consulting my love not Reason I sent for him back again he soon return'd and found my humour much alter'd to his advantage He was infinitely o'rejoy'd and protested that when he went out of my Chamber he thought to have dy'd with the thoughts of my Indifferency He went home he knew not how and that when my message came to him he turn'd Sceptick and doubted much if he was awake This he spoke with an Air so passionate he perfectly charm'd me I lov'd and was belov'd we were alone and I cou'd not forbear to testifie my Joy Love wanton'd in my eyes and eager wishes o'rerul'd my nodding Virtue He well knew what 't was to be inflam'd He told me a thousand endearing things and printed kisses at each word he spoke We were sitting upon the Beds side it was yet early in the morning and I had nothing upon me but a loose Night-Gown and one Petticoat of a thin Silk The amorous young Man commended every thing about me my Limbs I must confess shone through the transparent Cloth and fed his fancy with a thousand Charms He claspt me gently in his trembling Arms faulter'd in his Speech and swore he dy'd for me that it was impossible to endure the violent separation from a Heav'n in view and that now he must be bless'd or for ever wretched that he fear'd his Brother's pretences and nothing cou'd secure him but a flame equal to that of his own 'T is needless Madam to tell you more I lov'd him and cou'd deny him nothing Desire grew wild fears the curs'd allays of Love fled I dream't of Joys and pleasures yet unknown my loosned Soul seem'd just upon the wing and I at last lay yielding melting trembling in his Arms his Soul sat hovering o're his Balmy Lips Love darted from his Eyes and all the Charms of that young God were in him Oh! kind Heav'n let me ever remember all those tender Vows he made while he lay panting and breathless by my side and blush'd at what was past then strove to bring the hasty Joy again Thus he obtain'd that favour which ne're bestow'd in Youth is frozen up by Icy Age and lyes unregarded till we are render'd incapable of those Blessings men wou'd give and Women can receive We gave mutual assurances of perpetual fidelity and parted both of us satisfied of others Love Some Trees seem pleasant when they first set out We give them Stays lest Winds shou'd shake the Root But in few days they shoot their boughs so far That all the Herbs beneath them wither'd are That ground which gave them Life they now destroy Stand proudly up and in the conquest joy So Love at first all gay all soft appears And next day chang'd to jealousies and fears 'T is like wild fires afar shows happiness But if approach'd grows in a moment less A Pleasure 't is before 't is fully known And that once o're it is insipid grown It cheats the distant eye and seems a Bliss But if 't is catch'd we hate the by past wish Then wonder why with so much pain we sought A thing which more allay than joy has brought For that which shin'd unto the Love-sick eye Now shows all Rust all homely when 't is nigh These thoughts did not then possess me tho' I found the truth of them too late and 't was when my misfortunes gave me melancholy hours that my Muse sung so gravely The Earl came privately and paid his Respects to the suppos'd Timandra he concluded himself happy from what the Duke told him and courted with a brisker Air than was natural to him I had order'd Casmia still to deceive him He was of a close temper trusted no Man with what was by himself reputed worthy of Secresie and when he saw his Mistress he came without Attendants About this time Adrastus who lov'd not the Earl's melancholy humour left his house and chose Lodgings for himself which chanc'd to be very nigh those of the Duke of Minoya's and therefore often paid him a visit during his sickness Adrastus was of an obliging temper and so far gain'd the Duke's esteem that he cou'd never be easie when without him While he to repay this kindness was seldom absent but when his Love to me requir'd it We liv'd very happy and Adrastus had nothing to fear or complain of He possess'd all that Love and Beauty could bestow without the prospect of a coming ill Sometimes he would tell me he heard of his Brother's visits to me but I assur'd him I had never seen him and soon calm'd those storms his growing Jealousies had rais'd One day when he came to wait upon the Duke he found him worse than he had been for some days and judging it the effect of something more than his wounds beg'd he wou'd impart the cause Minoya after he had Commanded his Servants to quit the Room my Dear Adrastus said he those wounds you see are nothing if compar'd with the Torments of my Soul I Love the Young Marchioness of Huyana I saw her that night I came to Capac and have wore her Chains ever since whose weight is nothing yet diminish'd tho I 've seen others happy even then when she strove to persuade me she ne're had nor could love any Man Adrastus was surpiz'd at what he heard and if the Duke had in the least suspected him he wou'd have read in his face-how much he was interested in the Story He durst scarce desire him to finish what he had begun so much he fear'd to be acquainted with the Infidelity of her he lov'd But the other to save him that labour proceeded and in few words told him all that concern'd the Encounter he had that Evening he receiv'd his Wounds Adrastus soon believ'd 't was his Brother he remember'd 't was the same day in which he had lost my Letter calls to mind the absence I enjoyn'd him and at last concludes me guilty When men once become Masters by Enjoyment Mole-Hills appear Mountains and that which before cou'd render them happy now they look upon as a thing useless and injurious to their repose they think Women shou'd from that moment abandon all Appetites but those they entertain for them And like wretched Misers grasp at all then sigh when they can hold no more and murmur because another may enjoy what they alone wou'd possess The Jealous Adrastus hides his pain as much as possible from the Duke and tells him that she whom he ador'd was truly the handsomest Woman in Capac and one who wou'd in time regard the Services of a Prince who merited the
And thereupon giving way to her passion pulls the poor Countess by the Hair from the Bed where she had lain silent and half dead with fear The Earl tho' o'rewhelm'd with Jealousie cou'd not see his Wife so ill us'd and therefore reliev'd her from the paw of the Lyoness In the mean time Zibelline had awak'd me and dissembling her knowledge of the cause told me the House was all in an uproar I soon got up and enter'd the Room just as Rucana had reliev'd the distress'd fair one My Mother as soon as she saw me ask'd if I was a stranger to the cause of all this confusion and if I held a Correspondence with the Earl equal to that I did with Adrastus I told her I had never seen Rucana but was inform'd he had endeavour'd to debauch one of my Maids I hop'd she did not doubt my Virtue and that my Conduct had been such as became hers and the Marquess of Huyana's Daughter The Earl who had hearkned with wonder and amazement soon found how he had been impos'd upon and was at first confounded and oppress'd with shame and anger But then growing calm and eying his Wife who lay drown'd in tears with all her Beautys open to his view his fury fled Love pleads in her behalf and a thousand tender thoughts possess'd his Soul He beheld a Woman whom he long had lov'd half naked weeping prostrate at his feet and all her Sexes best bewitching Charms about her Tears dropt from his Eyes and all the pains of love and sorrow jointly prest his Heart Then raising gently the afflicted fair one he beg'd a thousand pardons for his indiscreet management swore he shou'd ne're repent the happy mistake kiss'd away her Tears and sigh'd at every word After some minutes thus spent he made an Apology to my Mother for that disturbances he had occasioned in the Family then taking the Countess by the hand led her down stairs calls a Coach for 't was now day-light and drives home pleas'd because he lov'd My Mother was glad to find me innocent and her self doubly deceiv'd and by her Joy in some measure atton'd for the harsh usage I had receiv'd from her the foregoing Night Zibelline was pleas'd with her own good success and I thought my self fortunate in seeing a business I dreaded brought to a happy exit Thus we all went to Bed again well satisfied with what had hapen'd and each of us big with the hopes of Fortune's continu'd smiles Next Day I was inform'd the Duke had quit his Room and was able to take a turn in the Garden The Earl's Marriage was soon known and as it happens in such cases he was laugh'd at by the Wits pity'd by the Honest-hearted and commended by the Judicious for that Moderation he had shown in so provoking a juncture and I was by all concluded privy to the intrigue Minoya show'd his Sentiments in his Eyes where the inward Satisfaction this accident gave him visibly appear'd His flame is augmented with his hopes and the removal of a Rival he thinks a step to his Happiness These pleasant thoughts Contribute much to his speedy Recovery he imagin'd I was not prepossess'd to his prejudice and easily believ'd he had fought for my Maid In a few days he came to see me and I having in some measure laid aside the thoughts of my ingrateful Lover receiv'd him more kindly than I had done before his long absence This inflam'd him more my Mother seconded every word he spoke and 't was impossible to hold out against two such powerful Assailants Yet Young Adrastus took his place by turns and tho' the passion I had for him seem'd sometimes dead yet from what thought I know not it like Lamps just extinguish'd greedily catch'd hold of light and in a moment turn'd into a flame Thus divided after I had seen the Duke languishing for me three whole Months I at last consented to Marry him He was ravish'd at the wish'd-for grant and tasted all those Joys successful Love imparts to Youth impatient of delays On the other hand I saw the fatal hour approach with pain and cou'd not think of being for ever his while Adstrastus was in Being tho' absent and unkind but not knowing how to recal that promise I had given and the Town already too busie with my Name I was forc'd to confirm it by a Marriage Vow The Duke now happy in the possession of her he ador'd went seldom abroad he was uneasie but when in my Company and all his actions center'd in his Love One Evening he told me Laughing with what concern he had seen the Earl of Rucana's happiness that Night he fought him and wonder'd much how that Marriage came to pass ask'd if the Countess was handsome and applauded her mamagement I gave her those praises her Beauty deserv'd and wish'd him reconcil'd to Rucana because his constant Love after so great a disappointment spoke him a Man truly noble of a great Soul fix'd and steady in his resolutions generous good natur'd and of honest Principles And the truth is so great a change was never known as that which Love and Marriage had wrought on this Man his Soul seem'd new-moulded and imprinted with all the marks of Virtue Honour and Nobility Whate're I spoke was a Law and if I had but the least inclination to any thing 't was immediately perform'd so that my Husband next day waited for nothing more than an opportunity of speaking with the Earl but finding none at last went to his House Rucana receiv'd him and embrac'd his friendship with all the Sincerity which Man can be Master of when he pays his Devotions to Heaven They discours'd long of things indifferent and at last came to the Subject of their quarrel where the kind Huband spoke so advantagiously of his Wife that he charm'd the Duke into an extasie She who had not forgot what once she was kept a modest humility in all her actions look'd sweet and langushing and made it her only study how to please the Lord of all her wishes With this bewitching state she enter'd the Room where Minoya pay'd her those respects due to the Countess of Rucana and the Wife of his Friend from the Earl's discourse he had form'd a lovely Idea of this hppy fair one and was pleasantly surpris'd to see how far the sweet Original out-did that Picture he had newly drawn He intended at first no more than a short visit but the Earl's kindness and the Charms of his Wife made him forget that Resolution When he came home his wonted joys flag'd his appetite seem'd pal'd he look'd uneasie as if some sudden illness had seiz'd him thought much spoke little and the torments of his Soul after many endeavours to hide them were at last conspicuous I was sensibly griev'd at this new misfortune tho' I yet knew not what it was I us'd all the moving Arts of Honest Love to Charm him into mirth and wrestled even with
Sword besprinkled both with Blood taught me to fear the worst and I cou'd hardly say speak on is the Duke my Husband well He all sorrow started up stared wildly upon me and cry'd Minoya was no more at this I fainted and when I came to my self again I found the lovely Murd'rer at my feet weeping and begging hard for Mercy he show'd me his innocence swore he wou'd love me to death tho' extended on the Rack and all his joynts dissever'd that if I remembred him as the Author of my Husband's death he 'd own it to the World a base treacherous Murder and throw away a Life that was not worth his keeping since undervalu'd by me Then ask'd me if I cou'd see that Neck stretch'd out under the hands of a common Executioner that I had so often embrac'd in my longing Arms or his Body hung in Chains like the loath'd Carcase of some wild Ruffian or base Malefactor expos'd to contempt and be the Object of each raskals mirth conjur'd me to remember all our Joys past his present Grief and constant Love Then raising himself up again he laid hold of his Sword curs'd his Stars his Fortune and Himself Swore he 'd end his Life that moment pointed it to his Bosom then â—ook'd again on me threw it from him fell at my feet groan'd and melted into a Woman's weakness and faintly murmur'd can I leave Timandra No! No! I cannot that were to lose Heaven and Life too In the mean time the Officers came with a Warrant to apprehend him I heard the noise upon the Stairs and desir'd him but in vain to provide for his safety When they enter'd he arose and told them if they wanted the Man had kill'd Minoya he was ready to answer for him Then looking back on me he ask'd me if he shou'd preserve his Life or if he was indifferent to me if the last he knew what to do for he cou'd ne're resolve to Live unless Timandra Lov'd him and seeing I did not answer come said he to the Officers let us go where Justice calls for us 'twixt grief and Love I faintly look'd after him and bid him remember that I ne're was cruel When he was gone I began to know some respite of my sorrows and in that state cou'd consider the nature of the Accident and my own Circumstances I remembred the Duke's Love when I marry'd him his good Nature and fond Compliance with every thing I desir'd Then call'd to view Adrastus saw him my first Lover Constant to a wonder that had conceal'd those favours from the World which I had bestow'd upon him had kill'd his Friend in his own defence full of Repentance but more of Love despising his Life for my Love and setting that value upon things just as he found I esteemed them Then I was all fear for him I saw the Duke's Friends already his Enemies and knew how Justice might be wrested But still my cares give place to flattering Hope I remembred we were now both single that Heaven seem'd to have ordain'd us for one another because of that Sympathy between our Hearts and Natures and dreamt already of a Heav'n to come for fear is but the prospect of a future ill which pain'd we view and yet might shun with ease cause when our thoughts on Phantoms are employ'd Giants are made which the next moment annihilates While thus I strove to delude and cozen my self it was told me the Earl of Rucana was found dead in his own Garden that some People had seen the Murderer make his escape over the Wall and had pursu'd him so close they saw him assault the Gentleman by whom he was kill'd and punish'd for that Blood he had so lately shed I was heartily sorry for the Accident and equally griev'd the loss of that good unfortunate Man and his fair Countess who felt double torments because she knew tho' innocent her self the cause of this great mischief But then to allay my sorrow I look'd on Adrastus as Earl of Rucana and imagin'd Heav'n had wrought that unlook'd for Happiness because it design'd to give me joy in full scorn'd a scanty Bliss weigh'd out by Drams and Scruples and threw upon me what my ambition scarce durst hope for The Duke's Relations came frequently to see me and to condole with me that loss which upon second thoughts I scarce esteem'd one I cou'd have wish'd them less kind or at least less formal and 't was a hard task for me to dissemble my real thoughts and feign a sorrow equal to my loss But harder when they prest me to inform them if any words or actions proceeded the Duke's death from which they could infer premeditated Murder and construed all Adrastus e're had done to serve their purpose and I had it by some of my best Friends privately told me that they suspected me conscious to the design because I had always shown a more than common esteem for the Murd'rer This most of all afflicted me not that I fear'd any present danger from their Malice but because I look'd upon it as an impediment to that Marriage I had already promis'd my self with Adrastus and considered how evidently I ruin'd my Honour and Reputation if I took to my Bed the Man who had kill'd my Husband and whom too many judg'd the wilful Author of his death to promote and secure his own Happiness While I was thus distracted between the distant prospect of future Happiness and present Cares Zibelline told me that Curacas had something of Consequence to impart to me I long'd to know what was become of his Master if he bore his confinement patiently and if he still lov'd me The faithful Servant answered me with sighs and delivered me that Letter which confirm'd all my fears The words were these if I remember THis day I come to my Tryal and am already assur'd that Banishment is my doom 'T is impossible to find me guilty of Minoya 's death but to satisfie that number of Enemies this accident has brought me I am charg'd with Crimes of another Nature I live for Timandra and in whatever corner of the world I spend my days there I shall find happiness if she prove constant Let me find her alone to night for I have no doubt of obtaining immediate liberty in order to a longer and worse Imprisonment made so by its distance from the Obect of all my wishes Adrastus This Letter gave me all the sorrow imaginable I had lost my Husband and was then convinc'd I shou'd lose my Lover too I knew part of what the World thought of me and found I shou'd be left to mourn my Misfortunes by my self My Mother was dead several Months before that time and whether she suspected the frailty of my Virtue or not I am not positive but there wanted not those who said she did and that it made too deep an impression upon her Heart and conduc'd to her speedier Journey into the other World At Night the
could yield and after they had discours'd some time about the injustice of his Sentence they came to see me I was amaz'd at the unlook'd for Accident and had almost fainted with the sudden Apprehension of my Husband's danger When Assapan who saw my fears approach'd and begg'd a thousand Pardons for being the Author of my griefs Swore he was glad to see his Friend happy commended my choice and added he wou'd not disturb my happiness tho' he lov'd much to be Master of the World I return'd him those thanks his kindness merited excus'd my self for not having sooner acquainted him with my Circumstances that it did not suit with my modesty and that I was not sorry for his knowledge because 't was what my heart wou'd willingly have inform'd him of before He answer'd that my Honour and his Friends safety should be his greatest Care that it was not convenient for my interest that he shou'd leave off his Suit so suddenly because the World had already seen him my Lover that while he continued his addresses none could suspect him conscious of my real Fortunes and he would for the future proclaim to all my virtue as hitherto he had done his Love I was o'rejoy'd at this Resolution the more because I did not think he would have born the Misfortune so patiently or the Affront I put upon him with so much Moderation When he was gone Adrastus who had dissembled his real Thoughts began to let me know his Fears that he doubted Assapan's virtue would not be proof against so many Charms that Love and Beauty had often destroy'd the most setled Resolutions and trampled Honour under Foot that he was a dangerous Friend and knew the Arts of Love and all the weakness of a Woman's nature I found the aim of all this Discourse and cou'd almost have reprov'd him for his fears But then considering his Jealousie as the Child of Love I smil'd and embrac'd him gave him all the Blessings mighty Love bestows and lull'd his fears asleep Assapan came frequently to see me and I could observe nothing in his Words and Actions that was not quadrant to those Promises he had lately made me But at last prevail'd upon either by the heat of his Love or the hopes of my weakness he made those Addresses which did not at all please me and swore Adrastus was too happy that he could no longer be my Friend or his but a Lover to the one and a constant Rival to the other This cruel and sudden change gave me inexpressible sorrow and taught me to fear a thousand Mischiefs then as an addition to my Affliction I saw it was what I cou'd not safely communicate to the lovely Partner of all my Cares for when mighty pains are in one Bosom found 't is over-charg'd and may in time be rent but having got a breast that shares the load they straight take Wing and leave the oppressed Heart the o'reburden'd Soul mounts upwards joys in its new Liberty and finds its Weights remov'd In the mean time the Earl continued his Visits and fail'd not to urge the violence of his flame in words that never express'd a modest Love and one Day the most unfortunate I er'e had seen or now can know told me if I was not marry'd to Adrastus I was not virtuous and if I was it spoke me regardless of my Honour if I consider'd him as the Author of Minoya's death and remembred what the World thought of me in that Husband's time You see Madam how Men are converted by Love into as many different Resolutions and Humours as Proteus e're knew shapes he who a few Days ago was all Love all Friendship and Tenderness now became ill-natur'd indiscreet and unkind I was about to let him know how much I resented what he had said but then I remembred the weight of that secret with which my ill Fortune had intrusted him and with grief and anger painted in my Face told him he spoke not like the gen'rous Assapan for he was my Friend nor could I believe the words meant to the Dutchess of Minoya because I was assur'd he once lov'd her and had a better opinion of her Virtue When he saw me so modest and calm in my Answer I fancy he was at first sorry for his indiscretion but when men once doubt a Woman's virtue 't is impossible they should Love and where there was Love in the beginning Lust supplys its absence though her faults have make her too deform'd for a Wife yet her Beauty serves to make her good enough for a Mistress besides those who are known to have yielded to one Man are often if not always by the uncharitable World suspected of the same weakness towards another Thus it was with the unkind Earl for after he had paus'd some Minutes he told me I must consent to his Happiness or begin my own Misery This sentence flash'd like lightning to my Heart I remain'd silent anger and sorrow shar'd my Thoughts and all my Courage was scarce able to support me He saw my Countenance but mistook my Passion and from my silence drew Consent caught me in his Arms kiss'd me and ask'd if I was yet resolv'd to bless him with Enjoyment All his words were wounds each of them reach'd my Soul and I still continued dumb This he concludes a faint denial embrac'd me in his Arms again and when I offer'd to resist or call for help he swore Adrastus should answer for my unkindness with his Life Fear made me weak and the sudden assault bore my Virtue head-long before it Weeping I lay beneath the treacherous Mass and wish'd each moment he consum'd in Joy might bring whole Years of cruel deadly Pains The gods look'd on and saw Lucretia ravish'd no wonder then they had no Thunder bolts in store to relieve one who so often had offended While thus in height of Pleasure he lay drown'd remembred what had pass'd to move a new desire rov'd wildly and immodestly o're each part to kindle expiring Flames and surfeited with Joy still sought for more The unlucky Adrastus led by wild Chance or by unerring Fate enter'd the Room to find his lov'd Timandra I saw him first but gods you only know what torments seiz'd my Mind and rack'd my guilty Soul A while he stood immovable and gaz'd then fury enter'd and his judgment fled all thoughts of mercy from his nature were excluded revenge the darling of his Soul grew high and in that frenzy drawing nigh the Bed with one dire stroak as swift and sudden as if from Heav'n it had come he stab'd the guilty Ravisher to the Heart Curs'd be the hour he cry'd when first I lov'd but doubly that in which I first betray'd Minoya Heav'n just Heav'n has now repay'd that injury I did him The Earl groan'd grasp'd at his Sword and in that Action dy'd Besmear'd with Blood all mixt with briny Tears trembling and fainting from the Bed I rose then threw my self half
prevail with a Woman of my Years Then seeing me still silent come said he and taking Bonzeda by the hand we must not expect too much from a Young maid Silence is a Woman's best Rhetorick and their eyes ought to express the Sentiments of their Hearts especially in affairs of Love My Daughter no doubt knows what value to set upon your merit and has sufficiently weigh'd my Commands a few days shall compleat your Happiness and in the mean time leave the Burden of the management to my Strength This said he left me and I cou'd observe the Count well pleas'd with my seeming modesty Artaxus enter'd as soon as they were gone and I drown'd in Tears told him my liberty wou'd shortly be no more and I was doom'd a Victim to my Father's Ambition or mistaken judgment He sigh'd and faintly said Oh unkind Martius Oh my Divine Indoretta Wou'd to Heaven I cou'd love thee less yet thou deserv'st greater services than I am able to pay thee tho' for thy sake I parted with my life We complain'd of Fortune of our Stars and spoke every thing grief love and anger could inspire I wish'd for the happiness of seeing Martius once more languish at my feet that I might have the power of Revenging that injury he had done me And Artaxus swore he 'd ride Post to Coloa that with his Sword he might teach him to remember him While thus in pain we consum'd the tedious hours my Mother enter'd She discover'd in our Faces too many signs of our inward thoughts and after she had kindly chid us for concealing our Cares from her offer'd all she thought might give us some relief Artaxus threw himself at her feet and conjur'd her to have pity on his weakness and to remember that Love he had for the Fair Indoretta before he left Coloa that it was what he could not o'recome to lose her was to be eternally miserable and that to prevent all that mischief which threatned destruction to his Love nothing was more expedient than to put a stop to my Marriage with Count Bonzeda The tender Mother was sensibly griev'd for the pains of her Children she knew the Duke's humor and how little power she had over him but willing to contribute all she cou'd to our happiness she bid us rely upon her Conduct and in the mean time not to be distracted with a confus'd prospect of what was to come for that was to weave a long and tedious Web of Cares which one thought or kind word was able to unravel and we wou'd afterwards laugh at those Bug-bears our fears had made Her words obtain'd that end for which they were design'd and we enjoy'd that peace of Mind which much hope in midst of danger can bestow Night had her Curtains half asunder drawn and that faint light appear'd which speaks the coming of the welcome day The longing Birds were flutt'ring from their Nests and labourers weary with their former toyls began to think of others now at hand When Artaxus whom Love had robb'd of sleep sent to me and acquainted me that he design'd for Zenitha a small Village three Miles from our House and therefore desir'd me not to expect his Company till Night He often went to this pleasant little Town and the Duke though bred a Courtier had that regard to Religion which men wise and honest without Biggotry ought to have and told him he shou'd be glad to see him often pursue the same road because in the morning I might hear a Mass or two and in the Afternoon spend some hours in Conversation with the Abbess who was his particular Acquaintance and a Woman that deserv'd that imployment or Post in the Church to which his friendship had advanc'd her Madam that I may give you the story in that Order in which 't was acted permit me to tell you what happen'd to Artaxus before he return'd When he had drove about half way he enter'd into a pleasant Wood upon a River's side it was yet early day and the Dew lay shining on the mossy Banks No noise was to be heard but that of a gentle Wind which ruffled ' mongst the Leaves and play'd with every tender yielding Bough the place you 'd thought for happy Lovers made and so much sweetness Charm'd each sense 't was of force enough to inspire those with a certain desire who had ne're been sensible of a flame and made them wish for something which they wou'd possess even when they scarce knew what it was they wanted My Brother having seated himself after he had forbidden his Servants to enter the Wood began the faint remembrance of his past Happiness and then form'd a lively Idea of his present miseries He complain'd of Young Mangroa and sigh'd for the Charming Indoretta That Silence which reign'd in the place contributed to his melancholy and every Shade which was within his view serv'd for so many Charms to inflame and heighten Love While thus he sat and mourn'd his cruel destiny begging of Heaven a quick relief and making Vows unto the Gods as if on Love all happiness depended He heard a faint groan which seem'd but a few paces from him This accident surpriz'd him but more when he perceiv'd at the Root of a rugged old Oak which extended its Arms to welcome the noble guest a Man nobly drest and asleep His Curiosity tempted him to stay and having posted himself behind an opposite Tree he had not waited long before the stranger awak'd who after a few deep sighs with a Voice that Charm'd the very Heavens and set the Gods a list'ning sung to himself the following Lines 1. Ah! too fond Youth Why dost thou mourn For one that loves not thee Her Heart does for another burn Ah! happy happy He Oh! lovely Maid couldst thou but know How much for thee I undergo 2. Could'st thou but see how Martius lies Beneath this lonesome Tree No other Covert but the Skies And all for love of thee Sirena sure shou'd kinder prove And give me pity if not love 'T is impossible Madam to express my Brother's thoughts upon this occasion but having considered them since from that account he gave me I find joy was the o'reruling Passion for a sudden faintness seiz'd him and he could have remain'd immoveable upon the place if he had not perceiv'd his long-wish'd-for Friend who yet had not seen him about to depart This awak'd him from his extasie and having caught my Lover in his Arms Ah! Martius cry'd he are not my Eyes deceived And do I really Embrace the Brother of my Lovely Indoretta The handsome Youth surpriz'd with the unexpected happiness was at first unable to reply he hugg'd his Friend gaz'd upon him embrac'd again and said Oh! Artaxus Can you pardon my long absence and seeming infidelity is Indoretta's Brother welcome to Sirena's Is the Lovely Maid well And can Count Bonzeda be preferr'd to the Constant Martius Young Xenxa after he had again embrac'd him in few words
me some Letters to my Rival Bonzeda whom I am resolv'd not to acquaint with my arrival 'till I have seen the Mistress of my Vows the Charming Sirena a happiness I must expect from your Friendship not Fortune or my Merit Here Martius stopt and Artaxus who lov'd no less than he took him again in his Arms Swore he 'd serve him with his Life and Fortune and that very Night bless him with Sirena's Company Thus having spent part of the day they at last chose different Roads Martius back 〈◊〉 Zenitha and Artaxus home In the mean time I knew nothing of my Brother's happiness and when he came home tho' he strove to hide it because the Duke was present I cou'd read in his Eyes some signs of those hopes and motions of Joy which had wing'd his Soul Xensa was no sooner gone than he embrac'd me Ah! My Dear Sister cry'd he I am still happy Martius proves a just Friend and Indoretta waits for the Fortunate Artaxus These words pleasantly surpris'd me I lov'd too much to be disinterested in the Story and begg'd with impatiency he would let me know where he had this account of his and my good Fortune Then it was Madam he related the Story of my Lover's absence the same as I have already Writ it adding he had given him the Key of the Garden-Door and we might meet with all the privacy imaginable Love not he perswaded and I thought time mov'd backwards till the hour arriv'd It was when every Creature seem'd a-sleep the heavy Waters murmur'd as they went and mov'd as if they shortly meant to rest the adjoyning Shoar no raging Billows knew and every Fish dreamt in his Ousie Bed The Earth seem'd all one Cave the Heav'ns one shade and dying Stars did the new light invite All happy Lovers lay in slumbers chain'd and Cynthia to her Damon seems forgot The waking Joys of mighty Love were fled and Morpheus reign'd when that Young God gave way Sometimes a Bird half waking took the Wing and with slow motion reach'd some neighb'ring bough then faintly murmuring hush'd it self to rest and sleeping bill'd as if its Mate were nigh 'T was then I say Madam Artaxus and I stole gently forth to meet the wish'd for welcome gen'rous passionate Martius As we enter'd the Garden the Lovely Youth rush'd in Fancy that erring guide where Judgment 's gone paints him with all his Charms and perfect thoughts suppli'd the want of day I saw him kneeling begging at my Feet grasping my hands and sighing as he spoke his Eyes at least I thought so darted Love and all his trembling touches reach'd my Heart Faultring he cry'd Sirena Lovely Fair Now all the pains of absence are repay'd and present Blessings banish rooted cares Artaxus thou best of Friends to thee I owe this mighty happiness and if the Charming Mistress of my Vows had any favourable thoughts for the constant Martius of which her Brother's Love is not the Cause even that Joy which those thoughts wou'd impart to me I 'd own the effect of his Friendship or her Mercy without respect to Merit on my part My Heart was seiz'd with tenderness and joy I long had lov'd him and had mourn'd his absence and all his words like Arrows shot from Love dart to my Soul and kindle dying flames Night made him bold and Passion spurr'd him on and in this rapture rising from the ground he clasp'd me in his Arms sigh'd deep and kiss'd me with an eager action and almost banish'd Virtue from my Breast After we had seated our selves in an Arbour we discours'd of Love of the pains that Passion brings and day arriv'd e're we had thought it nigh In the morning he waited upon the Count and was by his Sister the Fair Manderina receiv'd with that Modesty which Young Women generally profess especially before those whom they see design'd their Husbands Xensa was soon acquainted with the arrival as he judg'd him of his Young Enemy and waited impatiently for Bonzeda's visit who no sooner came than he inform'd him of his fears and to prevent future danger resolv'd to see me speedily married The hated Lover was o'rejoy'd at the proposal and the third day following was prefix'd for that on which this Gordian Knot was to be ty'd My Mother acquainted me with the unwelcome news and I fail'd not to beg that assistance she had often promised and with Tears in my Eyes let her know how much I hated Bonzeda and what thoughts I had for the Young Mangroa She sighing told me That things were now come to the last extremity that I had been married some weeks ago if her Friendship had been wanting or diligence asleep That the Young Duke's Arrival gave the Count and my Father so many fears that Arguments were become useless and my Marriage alone was able to secure them But that one Remedy or at least a Reprieve offer'd it self which was to be purchas'd thus I should immediately feign my self indispos'd confine my self to my Chamber for some days and if the Duke still continued resolute at last to my Bed But withal that I should not attribute my Distemper to that Storm which threatned me and if 't was ask'd 〈…〉 him know that nothing impeded his 〈…〉 happiness my Sickness excepted that my 〈…〉 gave consent and my 〈…〉 time â—â—ey I comply'd so readily with this relishing Counsel that when the Duke enter'd my Chamber I immediately fainted He call'd for help and the Dutchess who knew my Distemper came running drown'd in feign'd Tears to my Assistance telling him I had been under this indisposition for some days that she wonder'd at the cause and fear'd some dangerous consequence Xensa was surpris'd with what he heard and the Count who was with him had only this Satisfaction that he saw me incapable of holding any Correspondence with his Rival However they both departed without acquainting me with what they had design'd the preceeding day Artaxus was perfectly vers'd in the Plot and told me Martius would wait upon me at Night that I must not deny him that happiness that none could be conscious to the interview and every thing conduc'd to promote the design I lov'd and a few Arguments serv'd to perswade the Youth possess'd my Heart and all my thoughts center'd in forming lovely Ideas of the bewitching Conquerour He had free access to Bonzeda's Garden and by a small Ladder of Ropes made for the purpose he easily got into ours His Servant as soon as he had ascended the Wall was order'd to Withdraw the Pliant Stairs and retire to his Master's Room least his continued stay had occasion'd a discovery for Bonzeda had many Windows opposite to that place My Brother waited at the Window to which a second Ladder was fastned and receiv'd him The Duke lay in the next Room and you may believe we forgot not to tread softly The happy Youth caught me in his Arms gaz'd and sigh'd as if this had been our first meeting since
my departure from Coloa He swore no time or accident shou'd weaken his Love that he wou'd show the Constancy of a Martyr who suffer'd for Eternal Joys Nature shou'd start and all things suffer change the Frame of Beings inverted the Earth turn'd into its primitive Chaos e're he forgot my Charms That if the Globe shook beneath him or gap'd so wide it show'd the infernal Powers howling and grinning ratling in their Chains and all the Souls of damn'd departed men or if the Skies shou'd sink by slow degrees until the Crystal Arch press'd down his Head he 'd not fear or dream of coming death his thoughts shou'd then pay homage to his Love and in this vast and terrible Confusion he 'd clasp the Fair the lovely blest Sirena lay her all trembling to his faithful Breast and then possess'd of all Heav'n could bestow he 'd smile and sinking kiss the precious treasure laugh at the angry gods and bless his glorious fall Thus we spent the few hours he still swore he lov'd and my Eyes inform'd him how readily believ'd But the Servant returning gave the usual sign and we parted tho' not before we had made a new Appointment The following day appear'd to both an Age and Time seem'd drowsie by his tardy flight at last the hour much wish'd for took its place and brought the Welcome Lover to my Soul My Brother if by design or chance I know not was absent and we enjoy'd a Heaven without disturbance For tho' he was much esteem'd by Martius and belov'd by me yet we were both glad of his absence We spoke a thousand extravagant things and Love to us appear'd the darling Virtue of the World the end for which we were made and the very Cause of our Creation He sigh'd and gaz'd upon me spoke sometimes faintly and in a Minute would grow silent grasp my hand kiss it and almost breath out his Soul in raptures I felt a sick'ning pleasure at my Heart a longing joy distracted my Soul and I wanted something to compleat the Bliss yet knew not what it was my Blood flush'd to and fro seem'd all in every part and in no part to stay but spoke my Nature toss'd 'twixt fear and gladness While thus we sat blest with our present fortune yet uneasie in the anxious wishes of a better losing the present sweets in thoughts of more a sudden noise surpris'd us in this Lethargy and wak'd us from an extasie of Love My fears on this occasion were inexpressible and knowing it too late to make use of our hempen Stairs I caught my blushing Lover by the hand conjur'd him to save my Reputation and my quiet which were now evidently in danger made so only by my Love to him He who knew how to Obey smil'd and plac'd himself behind my Bed where he remain'd unseen The Duke soon knock'd at the Door and I as expeditiously opened it Ha! Daughter cry'd he I 'm glad 't is no worse I heard some small noise in your Chamber and was concern'd for your health This I took for my Cue and with a faint voice answered that I had been ill most of that day but that I was now grown better Ah! reply'd the Duke who stood shaking in his Night-Gown you 've been too long from your Bed 't is there you must expect rest for sleep to the Sick is a reprieve from pain This allarm'd my Soul and I made use of all the Arguments I could invent to show the inconveniency of that Method he propos'd to perfect my recovery but 't was in vain he call'd for the Dutchess and she not knowing the Circumstance of affairs confirm'd him in his Resolution He withdrew into the next Room and she staid by me as if I had stood in need of her Assistance e're I could be undrest Thus I was oblig'd to obey and the Duke returning took my Mother by the hand and so left me having first wish'd me good health commended Bonzeda and order'd one of the Maids to remove the Candles My Charming Martius thus reliev'd threw himself upon his knees clasp'd my hand and sigh'd as if his winged slippery Soul had sought an opportunity to escape its Prison his continued silence and eager grasps spoke him languishing for a Joy unknown and I divided between Love Fear and Honour found my self unable to speak my thoughts Sudden motions of alternate Passions stopt my faultering Tongue and my bosom ecchoed moving sighs to his While thus our Souls and Nature seem'd at War he gently mov'd and caught me in his Arms laid his Head to my panting Breast trembl'd breath'd quick and kiss'd me with the eagerness of departing Lovers Then giving way to a flash of Love inflam'd he â—eâ—ch'd too soon that pleasure which he sought and in â—he â—eâ—rch of the unbounded Joy he lost the present transports of the mind 'T was then Madam he spoke and begg'd a thousand Pardons for the indiscretion he had committed swore he lov'd me yet even to madness and would not for a thousand Empires quit the Room I begg'd but 't was faintly he 'd leave me I told him his Servant no doubt waited for his return because the time appointed was elaps'd and if he walkt too long in the Garden it might discover what our mutual interest oblig'd us to conceal He made no reply but stopt the sound of Arguments with kisses Love reasum'd his Throne and set his Soul on Fire He claspt me again in his Arms finish'd our imperfect Joys and I could say no more than Ah my Honour Will you Love Oh kind Heavens The Night was spent with all the pleasure Love could give he swore eternal Constancy I believ'd all lov'd all and dreamt my self in Paradise Sleep was to both a stranger and coming Day prov'd hateful to the sight we shrinkt and smil'd and wish'd a Night like that in which great Jove his dear Alemena blest inverting order to promote his Joys At last we parted but with those pleasant desires which Men enjoy when dreaming of a Heaven they ne're possest or know but faintly in a tempting trance they grieve their judgment was no longer husht and wish and long to see the Scene again In the morning the Duke came to see me the Count was with him and both of them alledg'd I had not slept last Night that my eyes verifi'd this truth and I was unjust to my self in not having a greater regard for my Health The fresh remembrance of what had past made Bonzeda's visit more unwelcome than ever and my aversion for him almost cast me into a Feaver Xensa who observ'd my disorder but not the Cause presently left me after he had told me that he hop'd a few Days would bring me perfect ease and give him that happiness he had so often wish'd of seeing me married to his Friend a Man who well deserv'd my esteem and lov'd me passionately A few minutes thereafter Artaxus enter'd and told me he had been at Bonzeda's had seen
my favourite Lover and was resolv'd to go to Coloa that he could live no longer without his Indoretta and he 'd rather chuse to forfeit his Father's kindness and fortune than endure the loss of her he lov'd adding withal that Martius had perswaded him to 't These last words gave me a vast deal of Pleasure 't was an argument of his Love and spoke the last nights Joy's had rather fann'd than extinguish'd his Flame This made me besides the help of my natural inclinations that pleaded powerfully for him easily resolve to see him again at the usual hour In the mean time my Brother ply'd the Duke for his consent He weigh'd not at first the Cause of his Journey and Artaxus promising to return in a few Days easily obtain'd the favour desir'd But as he was ready to take Horse he receiv'd new Orders for Xensa upon second Thoughts began to suspect the business and therefore charg'd him not to think of going to Court 'till my Marriage with the Count should be accomplish'd Artaxus storm'd and rav'd at this sudden change of his humour and remembring Love more than Interest took Post immediately for Coloa The Duke was then confirm'd in his suspicions and swore this manifest token of his disobedience should never be forgot that he 'd remember him no more as his Son and damn the hour that brought him first to light The Dutchess forgot nothing that might excuse his fault she insisted on the force of Almighty Love on the number of his Years and how insupportable 't was for Youth to be mew'd up in a Castle or confin'd to the narrow bounds of a Garden But her Arguments were of no strength and Bonzeda's Agents in the Family added matter to the Fire of the Duke's wrath At night my Lover beat his usual Road and enter'd my Chamber with that joy in his Face which spoke his Soul at ease I receiv'd him with that sondness which my Love inspir'd and we consum'd the hours in amorous Sighs languishing looks firing Touches melting Glances and eager Wishes He long'd to renew those joys which rowsing moving Nature taught to both and I who doated too much yet willing to preserve his Love in health deny'd him the opportunity of a surfeit made the Heaven almost inaccessible yet allow'd him those priviledges which serv'd to kindle his Soul and make it burn for more Thus Madam we liv'd happy by starving our selves in midst of Plenty and heightning the appetite by scanty Joys to a mad hunger for a waste of Pleasure My Marriage was still deferr'd and Artaxus sent me a perfect Journal of his proceedings by every Post But wearied with my continued Confinement I sometimes and at the Duke's desire too walk'd abroad The Sea-shoar was the place I commonly chose which at last produc'd this adventure All silent were no Beast was seen to roam his panting Flocks each Shepherd homewards drove the Labourer left his Plow and wisely sought for shelter from that heat which scorch'd the Earth I sate beneath a mossy Rock on each side Clifts and frightful Precipices dark Recesses and solitary Caves not made by art but ow'd their form to Nature The bubling Streams with noise came tumbling down dashing from Point to Point their scatter'd Parts then meeting roar'd and rush'd into the Main who all receiv'd next minute tost 'em back and kept them in perpetual motion till the Sun 's attractive rays exhal'd the foam from much concussion wrought and suck'd the stranger body from the rest This melancholly retreat gave me inexpressible Satisfaction I view'd the irksome Shades with greediness and languish'd with the pleasure My Maid was silent and nothing offer'd it self to disturb my contemplative Soul While thus I sate and gaz'd upon the Waves who now appear'd like Ice or Crystal Fields not one breath of wind dividing the united Element the Skies quick as thought grew black the sluces of the burden'd Clouds flew open and you 'd thought the Heavens had melted into Rain The Birds who sought their Prey upon the Waves found a new fresh Sea above them and sunk beneath the smarting weight into the briny old Thunder soon follow'd the amazing change and bursting Clouds shook the tottering Globe Fire flash'd through the thickned Air and show'd the gaping Heavens the Skies in labour and the jarring Elements at a dreadful War The scaley Monsters show'd their aweful Heads and rouz'd from the bottom of the boundless deep howl'd and threw up floods of gorging Waves to quench the distant heat then grinning plung'd to hide themselves from Heaven The distant plains seem'd all a heap of Rubbish forsaken by every Beast and cover'd with the Wreck which rowling floods from neighbouring Mountains brought To encrease the frightful Scene the winds grew high tore up the stubborn Oaks and yielding Pines ransack'd the plains and swept off the budding Corns levelling the superb Palace with the humble Cottage The wondering trembling Swains dejected stood and saw their Huts transported from their Seats and plac'd on Rocks or on some rising Grounds whose height secur'd them from aspiring Streams In a word Nature seem'd mad the Elements in a freak and the Earth grumbl'd as if a fatal Collick had rent her peaceful Bowels You may believe Madam my Soul was surpris'd with the amazing sight and I dreamt of nothing more than present ruin My Maid fell upon her Knees begg'd the protection of the angry gods and swore eternal constancy to Heaven if once reliev'd from these distracting Fears While thus she was imploy'd I could perceive a large Vessel tost by raging Billows labouring to reach the open Seas yet forc'd on shoar by Winds Pity on a sudden fill'd my Breast and I had so many anxious Thoughts for the safety of those in a more imminent danger than my self that my past fears vanish'd and all my cares and wishes were for them Just now you 'd thought the floating Castle stood on a high Mountain making War with Heaven and proudly threatning to assail the Clouds Then in a moment all its height was lost and sinking Seas would plunge it deep as Hell At last the crowding Waves rush'd doubly on and forc'd the moving Palace against a Rock The Seamen shriek'd aloud struggl'd for parting Life and the next moment vanish'd The sad Object mov'd my Tears and I could have fainted under the weight of other People's Misfortunes if a certain joy at that time not known for such but arising from a sense of my own safety had not supported me The greatest part of Mankind loves to see his fellow Creature in evident danger and tho' he views him with trouble yet if he examin'd himself narrowly he 'd find the remembrance of his own Condition when compar'd to that of the other gives a certain pleasure that counterballances the Pain else why should we at any time flock to see Executions Combats Shipwracks raging Fires and such horrour-giving Objects for Nature is averse to its Enemy and grief no doubt is
Several LETTERS Containing the AMOURS OF 1. TheVnfortunate Dutchess Or The Lucky Gamester 2. Love after Enjoyment Or Fatal Constancy 3. The unhappy Mistake Or The Fate of cross'd Loves Written by Mr. D. Cr rd Gent. Quod si tantus amor menti si tanta Cupido est Accipe quae peragenda prius latet arbore opaca Virg. Aenei Lib. 6. LONDON Printed for Job Austin in Fleet-Street and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster 1700. THE PREFACE NOvels of late have been so ill writ and Consequently so little esteem'd that 't is reasonably to be suppos'd a Bookseller has not such another drug in his Shop I was too weak to attempt the recovery of their lost honour and therefore chose a new method of my own This may appear something odd to the Reader because it insinuates as much as if I had said I writ Novels in Substance but alter'd the Form I confess I design to leave him in the dark and he may suppose the stories so many real truths or so many little Romances as his fancy or judgment shall guide him If it be objected that I feign'd Nations which is a thing rarely or never practis'd I answer if I make people bring them to good or bad ends and keep their Lives and Honours in my own hands by the same Authority I can easily create a Country to settle them in If the Amours be real I ought in good manners to lay the Scenes in a new World because 't is to be suppos'd I design'd them not for Monumenta Veneris Nefandae And to be particular as to the Kingdoms were the true way to discover those concern'd The Adventures of the Unfortunate Dutchess are but few not that the Subject could afford no more but because I had not much time to imploy that way Besides my Printer o're-took me e're 't was well begun and hurry'd me to a speedy close Daria's are indeed too long but I hope the Reader will not think it so I 've shown Entheon good Natur'd and upon all emergencies truly Generous and if I have made him too easie attribute the cause to his excess of Love and Eriphile's irresistless Charms The first confin'd his resentment and the latter disarm'd his fury The Dutchess's Conduct is not to be justified but you will find I scarce design'd any of my Lovers for exact patterns of Chastity and Honour These romantick ways of Writing and Loving are equally tedious and very rarely credited If sometimes I mention every Circumstance of an Action or the Joys of an happy Night 't is only to make the story appear more probable and to Cozen the Reader into a firmer belief of what may in it self be fiction Love after Enjoyment c. can hardly be thought a Misnomer since Adrastus in all his words and Actions speaks an excessive tenderness and passion for Timandra nor did she ever show less for him That in his absence she married the Duke of Minoya can hardly be reputed a breach of Love since for her excuse she reasonably alledges the World was too busie with her Name and 't was high time to salve her reputation lest the remedy had afterwards come too late or it may be not at all The story of Olmechine is in my opinion very Natural she Lov'd him yet was Virtuous and forgot that passion she had for him when Avilon who first had sought her Heart return'd What concerns the Earl of Rucana may at first sight seem too nice to gain the Reputation of a Truth but the Reader will hardly find any thing in it that is not very probable and in all points practicable In the Unhappy Mistake it may perhaps be thought that I have been guilty of one my self in crowding so many People into so short a story Xensa and Mangroa might have both been Widowers and Bonzeda had lost nothing had I robb'd him of a sister But I 'm confident 't will appear otherwise to any Man that deliberately weighs the Plott nor will he find it any difficulty to remember every Man's business Pretentions and Interest throughout the whole Delia's Adventures may indeed be too long But you will find by the end of her own and Sirena's story that I was sensible of my errour e're 't was fully committed I had wasted too much Paper and was forc'd to kill more People in one Leaf than I design'd at first in two Yet after all Martius and Artaxus fell not without Circumstances that largely entituled their deaths to probability and truth As for Ericis I was forc'd to use her ill lest Treachery had escap'd unpunish'd And Manderina's end might very well be occasion'd by her griefs if you consider her loss Thus much I thought no less than necessary in defence of particulars and as for general faults I presume they may all be comprehended under this one The passions are not painted with the height of Modesty If there is any thing that appears smutty I 'm confident a Lady can hardly own she knows it to be so unless at the same time she confess her own guilt and lewd inclinations For to the truly Virtuous 't is so well cover'd it will hardly show it self Besides to express any thing of that Nature nicely methinks requires more of Art and neat choice of words than a passion truly modest and if well done is in some measure pardonable but that is what I would not be thought to defend even tho' I were truly guilty I 've nothing to say in relation to my style or way of expressing my self I writ them for my own pleasure and improvement in the English Language and by consequence strove not to be too nice or elaborate yet to shun that trouble you will find I 've borrow'd nothing from others to indulge my wants The Reader will find an excess of grief or joy express'd with measure the better to move the passion and as for what 's purely narrative I have us'd a natural way free from force or Affectation The worst of Criticks pretend to some Generosity and spare dead Authors In reason they ought to show the same goodness to a stranger especially when he is absent if they do then I shall be safe and this little Posthumus may stay behind and live without its Father to protect and defend it D. Cr rd THE Unfortunate Dutchess OR THE LUCKY GAMESTER Written by Mr. D. Cr rd Gent. LONDON Printed for Job Austin in Fleet-Street and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster 1700. THE Unfortunate Dutchess c. To the Divine Albisinda Madam WHEN I first had the honour of your acquaintance amongst those numberless Qualities that render'd you so amiable and your Conversation so charming and easie I found that esteem you had for Plays and Novels to be none of the least considerable It speaks a tender Soul and a large Portion of wit To pity a feign'd Hero is commendable because 't is a sure Argument that Compassion would not be wanting
The calm Evening added infinitely to their Pleasure nor did they think of parting till the falling Dew oblig'd them to 't The Duke was already divided from himself his thoughts were wholly imploy'd on the Adventures of that Day and he was surpris'd to find himself in Clusa when he had hardly dreamt of his being on the Road. To inform you how he spent the Night were a needless labour if you have been in Love you can easily form his Pains his Hopes his Fears and the strange emotions of his Soul and if you have not you would hardly credit the Recital as for the beauteous Eriphile Albisinda I leave her to your unerring Judgment doubtless you can Divine her Thoughts and if you never was a Prisoner to resistless Love yet your fancy can easily paint her faint Joys distant Cares frequent Doubts and disorder'd Thoughts Next Morning the Duke was at Court e're the King had quit his Bed and waited the Earl's arrival with the impatiency of a young Lover When he came Entheon upon the first occasion told him how happy he was in being a Father and smiling said he Cisala sure you need no more to make you Master of all your fellow Creatures than to shew them what a Treasure you can dispose of The Earl who could ne're enough esteem a Man of his Merit was much pleas'd with this piece of Raillery for so he would term it and told him the World was indeed pleas'd to commend his Daughter's Beauty and that he was heartily sensible of the Honour he did him in heightning her Character For his good Opinion must needs be much to the advantage of a young Lady since no Man refus'd to pay homage to his Judgment and Choice in every thing else From this minute let me date their Friendship The Earl was no where to be found but with the Duke and Entheon must be sued to by Cisala The Lover thought Clusa no other than a Desart or if a Ball at Court sometimes oblig'd his Mistress to wait upon the Queen he judg'd himself in another World He found a livelier Air in every Man's Face and the transports of his elevated Soul were such that with difficulty he abstain'd from giving publick Testimonies of his inward satisfaction The happy Eriphile ey'd him with concern thankt the gods for the blessing of his Love and knew no real Cares but when she dreamt she did not please enough The Duke became the Object of her serious Wishes and he ne're petition'd Heaven without a Clause for her Thus some Months were consum'd Love was an equal Friend to both and mutual hopes encreas'd their growing flames Each of them fear'd the loss of the other and the Duke having obtain'd the Earl's consent Hymen could not be wanting in his In a word they were marry'd I hope Albisinda you 'll excuse me if for the first Night I draw the Curtain and hide her Maiden blushes when the hasty Youth took her in his Arms trembl'd with the apprehension of his coming Joy spoke in soft whispers yet scarce knew what he said and the beating of his Heart exprest the eagerness of his Soul When breathless on her panting Breasts he lay strove to be again blest and again sunk beneath the weight of the excessive Pleasure or better to express it when Love too prodigally kind gave him Heaven by the bulk without a strength of Mind adapted to the Blessing To paint the Joys of both were too much let this suffice They lov'd and were marry'd with consent of Friends The Days now seem'd Hours or rather lesser Scenes of happiness than the more welcome Night and in the morning tho' divided each of them thought they yet felt the fast embraces of the other and could hardly think themselves unlockt so vigorously had the remembrance of the Soul 's past Joys imprinted it self upon the consenting active Body But this fair Weather was not of perpetual Duration a Cloud hover'd in the Air thickned on a sudden and in time eclips'd the shining happiness of both Fidelia a Lady whose Wit and Humour had made her from a mean Station the exalted Mistress of a kind Monarch had come as usually she did once a Day to see the young Dutchess They were both addicted to gaming a Diversion Albisinda rarely known to the Ladies of your Country and having plaid some time at Cards they resolv'd to visit the Centura with us call'd a Play-house where desiring to pass Incognito they drest for the purpose and a little after the Play was begun they appear'd in the side Boxes Their Cloaths and Air drew the Eyes of a full Audience and the Actors themselves were so much surpris'd they scarce remember'd one Cue of twenty and were oblig'd to the care of the Prompter for every Sentence they spoke who himself had been incapable of rendering that timely Service if his Seat had fronted either the Stage or Pit The most daring of the Beaus advanc'd and tho' they judg'd them of Quality yet since they were Maskt they thought that without being guilty of ill manners they might attacque them Amongst those the Duke shew'd himself none of the least forward and Fidelia who was freer than the more modest Eriphile was the one he assaulted she fail'd not to entertain him kindly and the Dutchess who would not baulk the Adventure so oddly begun took up with the first that offer'd himself He was a handsom Youth and knew how to address a Lady as well as any Man in the World The Dutchess was very well pleas'd with his Wit and Conversation she already lov'd this invisible way of intriguing and thought it within a degree of goddessship to be pray'd to unseen The Duke who was young and naturally amorous spent the hours very agreeably and form'd a Beauty to himself like that of his fam'd Eriphile yet propos'd only this satisfaction to himself that to see her robb'd of modesty would serve to endear that which himself possest with constant Virtue joyn'd When the Curtain was dropt the Dutchess ey'd Fidelia as if wholly ignorant what to do she had rely'd on her and she who was all Gaiety and Mirth and knew well enough how to come off gave the Duke her Hand and having seated themselves in the Coach drove to some noted Tavern not far off When they enter'd the Room the Duke humbly begg'd the Lady would unmask Erinthus for that was his Name who waited upon the Dutchess did the same and both their unknown Mistresses were almost forc'd to cry out in their own defence or chuse to undergo a quick discovery but our Gallants perceiving they were obstinate were at last fatisfied with their Fortunes 'T was an odd freak on both sides and enough to move any Man's smiles had he seen how earnestly they talkt swore prais'd and lov'd what yet they had not seen The Duke was charm'd with the wit of his unknown Mistress and Eriphile felt those emotions which she ne're had known but when she first
form'd to encrease my own pain in half a minute vanish'd I thank'd Julietta for her tenderness and that good opinion she had of me and just as I spoke Aristeon enter'd He had left me in Tears and the fondness of his Nature made him impatient till in some measure he had restor'd my peace of mind Daria said he you see I 'm a kind Father and tho' you have offended I come to sue for Pardon and am pleas'd to confess I wrong'd you Come my Dear for the future let us have no cause for just complaints from either side and let mâ— hope that you truly deserve that good opinion â— have of you My Mother said she 'd answer in my behalf for tho' I had been weak yet she waâ— perswaded Odmar had a greater respect for him than to attempt the dishonouring of his Daughter Ha! cry'd Aristeon then my Julietta you have found the occasion of our quarrel Yeâ— reply'd she and am sorry you made a Secret oâ— what all the World may know without prejudiceâ— to her Honour or that of our House Aristeon said that at first his fears were it may be too great but now his mind was at rest and I could only keep him so by my solemn promise before Julietta never to see Odmar or to Love him more This Madam was a hard proof of my Obedience and at first I was very much surpris'd with the proposal But suddenly remembring that 't was no mortal sin if I should see my Lover afterwards I gave the proof of allegiance desir'd and engag'd never to converse with him again unless one or both of them were present Thus Madam the storm I so much fear'd blew over my sin of Love was forgot and I absolv'd for a performance of the penance enjoyn'd me How far I play'd the Penitent you may easily judge by what follow'd in a very few days Dion came to our House as he us'd to do attended by two or three Servants Methought I had a more than common interest in them and could hardly forbear testifying so much to his very Slaves I ey'd them with a passion that is not easily to be exprest for I cannot positively say that I hop'd for any thing from them and yet my mind gave me that Odmar had it might be spoke to some of them and if he had not written to me at least commanded them to observe my Eyes and afterwards inform him if there they saw any signs of Languishment or Sorrow for his absence In each of their Faces for from my Window I could see them playing in the Court methought I read my own misfortune remembred that next night they would be with Odmar yet were insensible of he happiness and almost dy'd with grief when I thought the Dear Youth had not sent me any Mark of his continued Love In this dejected humour I retir'd left the old People together and in the Garden sought for ease where first I lost it Rigd for that was the Name of one of the Servants follow'd at a distance and taking an Alley which cross'd that in which I walk'd he met me as if chance had led him You may believe Madam I was pleasantly enough surpris'd when he gave me a Letter and smiling told me his Young Master had been Post to himself if Dion had not prevented him When I received it I scarce knew what to say and I must confess I had not Art enough to hide my inward Joy Having opened it I found these words My Daria WOu'd to Heaven you knew the troubles of my anxious Breast and all those pains that rack my burden'd Soul Oh Daria If Aristeon's frowns have banish'd Odmar from your Heart I 'm the most wretched of Human Kind Think Think my Dear of some means to procure me that happiness I once possest To see thee and to hear thee speak gives those Joys that even a Lover cannot half express I 'm mad 'twixt grief and Love I would write more but Oh remember that during this absence I am thy unhappy Odmar How much I lov'd and how this Letter was receiv'd may appear from my Answer Which was to this purpose if my memory serves me My Odmar IF you Love like me I can easily paint your troubles and all those pains that rack you and to convince you that no power can banish Odmar from his Daria 's thoughts I 'll see you and speak to you tho' oblig'd to the contrary by a solemn Promise To morrow's Night then at Nine of the Clock come to the Back-door of the Garden on that side next the Fields and in the new Lodge you 'll find your longing Daria The Lodge much resembl'd a Pavilion 't was stor'd with Books and Pictures and from the Window one might see three Rivers joyn into one Body and falling from a mighty precipice in view you 'd thought they shak'd the very Floor on which you stood The bubling and hollow noise of the greater stream provok'd your Melancholy and fed the Lamp of Love I had of late much frequented that place I kept the Key my self and could not think of one more convenient for this stol'n enterview 'T was there I writ my Letter undiscover'd and there resolv'd to meet my welcome Lover my Father alone us'd to possess it 't is true but on the other hand I remembred that I had not seen him there for twelve long Months past In a word Madam I thought the place very secure and already wish'd the Night gone that stood like a heavy Age between me and my happiness Methought I already saw the transported Youth begging at my Feet melting my Heart and conquering as he spoke I dreamt of nothing but Odmar or if I awak'd I scarce knew that I did so for the lovely Image was so strongly imprinted I knew not if my Judgment or my active Fancy form'd him When Day appear'd the morning mov'd so faintly you 'd thought the lingring Night had dar'd him to the Combat and vow'd the sole possession of the Skies I quit my Bed so early that from my Chamber Window I could not descry any thing awake but my self a dead silence reign'd in every part and not one watchful Bird yet welcom'd in the light the yielding Grass lay cover'd o're with Dew and the nodding Trees spoke Nature in a Slumber To any but a Love-sick Maid this had been no other than a melancholy Scene and I must own that even to my self it appear'd no less But from that melancholy my pleasure grew Love in absence is naturally dejected and languishing and I firmly believe at least I think I felt it so that when we are alone and sad the Fancy is stronger than when our Reason drives our Passions from our Breasts and hardens the Soul which Love or Grief before had melted down and made pliant for any impressions While thus I stood and thought of Odmar and the coming Night I could see tho' with some difficulty a Man on Horse-back I
concern'd at the Proposition and with some passion ask'd him if he thought my Love had banish'd native modesty or if he had advis'd me to stay with a design to attempt my Honour The kind Youth fell upon his Knees and clasping mine Swore by all the Gods he never meant me ill Daria's welfare and that of his Soul were equally his care and if I deny'd him that assurance of my Love he begg'd he would believe himself yet unhappy after all I had done for him Why Daria said he is Odmar a Common Lover Is he not thy Husband Let me hope our Hearts are Joyn'd and sure a few trifling Ceremonies serve not to confirm the tye before Heaven but our fellow Creatures whose unbounded Passions must be limited and restrain'd by Laws To the Virtuous and good no force is needful and I shall be just to thee as I would expect mercy from the powers in Heaven when my last hour approaches O! Madam 't is needless to say any more I Lov'd even to distraction nor did he merit less I yielded and hid my blushes in his Breast he was blest nor could I think my self unhappy That sleep he had at first propos'd was to both deny'd nay was not wish'd or look'd for we consum'd the hours in each others Arms and Jove sat wishing when he view'd our Joys When the unfortunate Sun appear'd and lovely Odmar rose what agonies did my poor Soul know He embrac'd me tenderly but without one kind word leapt from the disorder'd Bed I already fear'd I had shown too much of fondness and that the Joys of that Night had cloy'd the appetite of his easie Soul When he was dress'd he came again to the Bed's side took me in his Arms sigh'd and ask'd me when he should be bless'd again With Tears in my eyes I told him I was his and that now my happiness depended upon his pleasure To morrow's night then said he let me find my Daria here doubt not my Love or honour kiss'd me again and so quit the Room Oh! Madam if you knew those cares oppress'd me when he was gone I remembred how eloquent he had been before I yielded and now saw he had not one kind word to spare His sighs encreas'd my fears and I had nothing to comfort me in this new affliction but that last kiss he gave me which notwithstanding of his silence methought did yet express a constant tender flame When I opened the Door I trac'd his footsteps on the Dew and almost sunk with the fresh remembrance of what had past Go said I Odmar go and if thou art not so Honourable as I have judg'd thee I know how to be reveng'd my Death shall attone for my guilt and thou shalt mourn the loss of her that lov'd thee As I spoke I cast my Eyes that way the Youth had gone and saw my Father coming I trembl'd so much as he approach'd that my fears indeed were enough to betray the secret Ha! Daria cry'd he is this the reward of a Father's care Have I lov'd you to be the more easily betray'd by you and is your Virtue and Honour fled beyond Redemption my passion is not master of my Judgment and I forbear to use you as I ought to do tho' I 've trac'd Odmar and saw him on the other side of the River But take this for my positive resolution never see me more since you obey'd not the instruction of a kind Father I shall nay I have forgot that ever I had a Daughter I had spent the night in pleasure and the morning in Tears so that I had not time to feign a story to divert his Anger I threw my self therefore at his feet and sunk with grief could hardly bid him think I yet was Virtuous Yes yes Daria reply'd he you are Virtuous I can read in your Eyes no signs of last nights Revels But come continued he and taking me by the hand let 's see the Scene where the dishonour of my House was acted When he came to the Bed Oh Madam I blush to tell that the marks of Virgin Loves confess'd that weakness which I strove to hide My Father was Thunder-struck with what he saw and running out of the Room I could hear him at some distance cry Oh my lost Daria I 'm sure Madam you will confess 't is impossible to paint that grief I then felt I fell into a swoon upon the Bed and there lay some hours e're I recover'd my senses When my Judgment return'd I felt a new return of all my pains too I was ready to end all my griefs by one dire Blow and I 'm firmly perswaded if any instrument of Death had been nigh I had not now liv'd to mourn the loss of Odmar However amidst all my sorrows I remembred that Appointment he had made the succeeding night and tho' I doubted much his Constancy I resolv'd to wait the event Till that time should come I knew not whither to betake my self I could not fly to a Friend's House because then my shame would be notorious and durst not venture to show my self at home when Aristeon had sworn he ne're would own me e're I could come to a resolution my afflicted Mother enter'd the Lodge Well Daria said she I come not to reproach you with a Crime that cannot now be mended but to tell you that no Arguments can yet reconcile you to your Father He denies your admittance to his House This indiscreet way of Loving has sown that reproach upon our Family for can you think Odmar will wed a Fortune so mean as yours which no time shall be able to Root out In a word Aristeon is mad with Grief and you may guess at mine However come along with me and stay in your Chamber without his knowledge for my Tears may yet perswade him to forgive this fault of Love and Youth I was not able to give any answer to this tenderness of Julietta's my grief was visible in my Face and sufficiently pleaded my excuse I obey'd then and when I was left alone in my Room in a few minutes my condition was the same it had been a little before my Mother had come to me and when the troubles of my mind again allow'd me the use of my senses I read my Odmar's Letters a thousand times but found not half that pleasure in 'em I had known before At Night Julietta came again to see me told me my Father's sorrow was nothing yet abated and that he was resolv'd not lose Dion's Friendship bid me make use of my Reason and shun immoderate Grief and so left me to my self I spent the Night without sleep and the next Morning yet encreas'd my fears for now the hour approach'd in which I was again to see my Odmar from whom alone I hop'd and wish'd relief To be short Madam Night at last arriv'd but not my Lover How I long'd and waited for him in that Lodge where I had been once so happy no Tongue
confirm our Vows already made and as you tender my Life obey To be brief Madam Odmar was singular in his Love and Virtues We were that day marry'd for his Friend was a Priest whom the kind Youth had brought on purpose bless'd with safe possession and both Exiles cause we lov'd too well We retir'd to a Gentleman's House who was Odmar's Relation and mine too He writ often to his Father but the old Man was deaf to all entreaties Mine would not lose Dion's Friendship tho' he pardon'd me in his Heart and my Mother alone was kind to us both and sent me frequent Letters in return of mine We went seldom abroad we were welcome to our kind Friend we lov'd more passionately than ever and scarce one Night past without a recital of our first night's Joys our mutual Fears that follow'd his longings my Pains and those thoughts we entertain'd for one another when first old Dion languish'd in our House Thus Madam we liv'd two Years and I can confidently affirm that to the last hour we had those little Cares to please true Love and constant fondness for each other we knew that Night I yielded in the Lodge At last this happy Scene vanish'd and tho' the story grates my Soul and awakes my slumbering Griefs yet Madam for your satisfaction take it thus Our King the good Othredus unfortunate in his Councils tho' of himself Just and Merciful even to a fault was at last by Knaves betray'd and by his Friends abandon'd In this extremity he fled and seeking protection from his neighbouring Monarch left the Government to the management of others Scarronida was so fond of their new Government that he was judg'd a Traytor to his Country who enterrain'd but favourable thoughts for his native injur'd Lord. The Eastern part of the Nation nevertheless betook themselves to Arms and tho' they were but a handful of Men the number of their Enemies consider'd boldly kept the Field and bid Defiance to the new crown'd Head Dion was one in this Loyal Army and finding he was incapable of enduring those fatigues inherent to his Post he sent at last for Odmar My Father fought as he did and whether or not he perswaded the old Man to reassume his good Nature upon this occasion I cannot positively affirm My kind Husband show'd me the Letter he had receiv'd and ask'd my advice concerning that Answer he design'd when at the same time he knew I had that respect for his Judgment which fond little Children bear to that of a tender Mother In a word tho' the old Man had freely pardon'd him yet he would not obey till first he had secur'd his Daria and therefore let him know that tho' he was kind yet his Son was still unfortunate unless he were doubly so to me and as a mark of his unfeign'd Reconciliation settl'd one half of his Estate upon me if 't were my Fortune to survive so good a Husband Dion readily agreed to this and assur'd him he deserv'd more than he had to bestow upon him since his constancy to me sufficiently excus'd his primitive disobedience upon the score of Love I firmly believe our hospitable Friend Tameran for that was his Name alone griev'd our better Fortune He was an old Batchelor and an hater of Women and the Author of those lines which Odmar had Copied and by chance drop'd in the Lodge yet he confess'd that in spite of his humour he found a certain pleasure when he saw our mutual fondness and happy way of living and often swore if he could find a Woman like me and himself could Love like Odmar he 'd be no more an Enemy to Marriage When we came to Dion's House we were receiv'd with all that respect and assurances of his affection we could desire and Aristeon wept for Joy to see his Daughter bless'd 'T was ne're my chance to be every way Happy and Odmar's absence lessen'd or quite remov'd the sense of my present Fortune The Loyal Army lay but a few Miles from Dion's House so that I heard from him every Day and by the gods I swear Madam I read the Letters with the same Joy I knew when faithful Riga gave me that one I mention'd under a pretence of seeking Papers which he ne're had lost Heaven ne're saw two such Lovers and when the new King's Army came into the bosom of our Country I felt a thousand deadly Fears for the constant sharer of my Joys In a few Days they came to a pitch'd Battle where the General of the old King's Forces lost his Life tho' he gain'd the Victory He conquer'd and Death o'recame the Conquerour Odmar flew to my Arms the danger once I fear'd was now past and security made us doubly bless'd He stay'd a Month which as an hour appear'd and the new King having muster'd new Troops he left me to seek new Hazards The Armies again met but Fortune had fled with the General and we if I may properly say I was on Odmar's side lost the Day and all that Honour we had gain'd before My Husband however was safe and I askt no more our remaining Troops were by degrees cut off and in a short time no Man appear'd in Arms but Dion and his Followers Unable to keep the Field he retir'd to a little Town which yet own'd no power superior to his own This he fortified and stor'd with Provisions such as the harrass'd Country could afford In the mean time the successful Monarch wearied with the Civil War and willing to secure with seeming mercy what with Blood he had purchas'd offer'd to every Man that would lay down his Arms the benefit of a Kariph with you call an Act of Indempnity Dion who wisely saw he could be no longer serviceable to his Prince by an obstinate resistance laid hold of this opportunity and made his Peace with Honour In short our Gates were open'd we rely'd upon the Conquerour's Promise admitted his Troops and made 'em bosom Friends Now it was I thought my self beyond the reach of Fortune's frowns and almost elevated above the power of Fate Dion and Aristeon found themselves bless'd beyond what e're they hop'd and never saw us without Joy and Wonder Oh Heav'ns how innocently we liv'd and lov'd as when first we swore we did so Poor Odmar thought of nothing but his Daria and I never dreamt of any thing but him We descry'd new Beauties in one another every Day long'd and wish'd like Bride and Bridgroom gaz'd embrac'd and knew no pains but when in each others Arms we sigh'd and fear'd we had not lov'd alike Now Madam pardon my Tears for when I have told you all you 'll own my griefs are just One Night as awake I lay I heard my Odmar groaning in his Sleep 'T was the first time he ever had done so and I was much amaz'd but more when suddenly raising himself up he cry'd Oh spare my Daria 's and I 'll give you mine Ha my Dear cry'd I Whither
does your fancy wander Why thus afear'd when there 's no danger nigh The kind Youth rouz'd from his Sleep caught me in his Arms kiss'd me with transport sigh'd and would have slept again had not I press'd his hand in mine and conjur'd him to tell me why he had pronounc'd my Name Ah! Daria said he I can yet hardly think I have thee in my Arms so much I fear'd thee lost I dreamt and oh methinks 't was a very lively dream that Tameran our kind Friend who entertain'd us when unfortunate pull'd aside the Curtain and with looks that spoke him fill'd with dire revenge threatned thy life and mine for Crimes he fear'd that I had done but meant not to reveal You take me for a Friend said he but you shall find a Foe where least you dreamt of one I trust not the Man who once offends for tho' he begs my pardon afterwards yet I consider that as the effect of my power and his necessity not Love or real Friendship This said methought he struck his Dagger to my Heart and swore you too should bleed 'T was that my Dear continued he which broke the Chain of Sleep and set my Tongue at liberty When Odmar spoke I felt the same pain as if it had not been a dream but that which sunk me most was that this same Night I had seen old Dion expiring on his Bed and ghastly in his Wounds To encrease my fears my Windows stood all open and between me and the Skies I saw the Heads and Limbs of murder'd Friends heard the shrieks of tortur'd Souls that wander'd in the Air and howling Ghosts to snowy shrowds confin'd I shrunk and graspt my Odmar in my Arms and e're I spoke I 'd view the Scene again but as I was about to tell my fears to my Dear kind Youth I heard a dreadful noise upon the Stairs The Chamber-door was immediately forc'd open and Ruffians mask'd in Armour straight rush'd in My fears would not let me cry But the more daring Odmar leapt from the Bed and with his Sword receiv'd them Oh Heavens this god-like Man did all a mortal could but cover'd o're with Wounds at last he fell Oh base Villains Oh Daria Daria he cry'd and in that moment dy'd The senseless Clay their utmost sury felt and they stab'd Odmar after Odmar fled I saw 't Madam and oh that I liv'd to see so much yet found that 't was not in my power to speak for my Soul affrighted with the horrid sight retir'd and left me destitute of sense This alone sav'd my Life for the cruel murderers when they saw me motionless on the Floor and drench'd in my Husband's Blood believ'd me dead e're they forsook the Room When I recover'd my Soul half fled I knew not what to think I was in a perfect frenzy and would have thought all a Dream still if I had not found the wounded Body by me nay even then I scarce could think my self awake for when I examin'd my life past in all my search I saw not one massy Sin that could have pull'd this cruel stroak from Heaven nor could I think that the just gods had us'd me so when I had studied never to offend The bloody Executioners had carry'd their dark Lanthorns with them and I to be convinc'd of my own unhappiness undrest as I was run into the other Room to tell old Dion that his Son was lost and Daria just grown Mad for Madam I must confess I really was so Oh! what words or art can paint my pains and the horrours of that Night The Father was murder'd e're the Son was cold and Aristeon shar'd in Odmar's fate he and my Mother were both butcher'd and if so Heav'n had pleas'd would Daria too had dy'd for not one of Dion's Relations escap'd but my self You may wonder Madam that e're a Man was found to Execute so barbarous a Commission for you must know tho' 't is very strange the new Statesmen fearing that if the exil'd Prince should at any time attempt the recovery of his own Dion would prove a dangerous Subject they thought it sitting by this cruel method to prevent that ill they fear'd My just griefs robb'd me of the use of my Reason and 't was my Fortune not to feel the weight of my own unhappy Fate for oh Madam I had lost the best of Men but during the time of my short intervals A neighbouring old Gentlewoman of Julietta's acquaintance took a particular care of me and after fifteen long Months I was again my self But tho' bless'd with my Reason I was still oppress'd with Grief and therefore without acquainting any body nay my benefactor her self was kept a stranger to it I quit the Scene where all my ills were acted and came in Tears to Armenis My Fortune preferr'd me to your Graces esteem to whom I confess I am more indebted than all my coming services can e're repay I 've told you a story I have long conceal'd and Madam you may believe the Widdow of Odmar would not so far betray her Honour as to conceal any part of the truth or add any thing that was not so Here my Albisinda the lovely unfortunate Daria ended her Story and the tender hearted Dutchess wept for Odmar's death begg'd her pardon if she had not us'd her conform to her Quality and Merit and assur'd her that for the future she would make it her Study to teach her to forget her Misfortunes Eriphile was always good and she was at this time so much concern'd for the death of so kind a Man that she told Daria she could dwell eternally upon the Story and there settle her thoughts if the sad remembrance and frequent repetition did not renew the Tears of one who had so just cause to Mourn As she spoke Erinthus enter'd The Dutchess receiv'd the fortunate Youth with all the tenderness of a conquer'd Beauty told him the Duke was gone to Court and kind Love had allotted the few minutes of his absence for the happiness of both Poor Daria blush'd and withdrew and the Lovers now left to themselves let loose their wishes and surfeited in pleasure But as they lay in each others Arms their Souls upon the Wing and fear'd by coveting too fast desire should be lost the injur'd Duke arriv'd pardon me Albisinda if I omit not the particulars of this Adventure Their mutual Joys had banish'd usual Fears and he knock'd at the Chamber-door e're they had thought him nigh Erinthus nimbly started from the Bed and sensible of his own danger and the Crime he had committed half drest leapt from the Chamber-Window into the Garden and with the hazard of his Neck made his escape Entheon saw him and in a height of sudden passion fir'd a Pistol after him but without the wish'd success 'T is easie to guess in what a posture he found the lovely Dutchess half dead with fear and unable to hide what even to Entheon she should have ne're
expos'd tho' in her state of Innocence Besides to evince her guilt and that she had been actually happy in anothers Arms the lucky Youth when from the Bed he leapt had left the usual Marks of Love behind him This indeed the Duke had not the misfortune to see for one of the Maids who was privy to the Amour enter'd the Chamber with him and hid the base remains of interrupted Love Eriphile at once blush'd and wept she saw 't was impossible to deny what had past between her and Erinthus and did not so much as offer to extenuate the Crime Entheon knew his Honour betray'd his constant Love repay'd with Treachery and griev'd that e're he went to Cisala's House Then again remembring her Blushes when first he saw her in the Garden her Love which at that time was real and all those tender words she utter'd in his Arms since she became a Wife he grew almost mad and the thoughts of losing so much sweetness rack'd his very Soul Again he ey'd the weeping Fair and again storm'd and griev'd He curst the hour brought Erinthus to his House and saw that if he reveng'd this great affront he could gain no honour by it the Quality of the offender consider'd Besides Eriphile was always dear to him and now tho' false to the last degree as lovely as ever she had been The powerful Charms of a weeping Beauty can ne're be truly painted To have seen the Dutchess at this time was to be eternally hers and when she look'd upon her injur'd Lord she show'd a certain softness of force enough to enslave at once the Judgment and the Soul You may believe then Albisinda the generous Entheon was not insensible when he beheld her He sate sometime speechless and thinking on his loss then suddenly starting up he threw himself upon the Bed took her in his Arms and kiss'd away her fears Ah Eriphile cry'd he how I lov'd you Heaven and you can tell How my constancy has been rewarded I 'm asham'd to speak But oh why Erinthus is preferr'd to Entheon you alone can say Was your Honour now inseparably ty'd to mine a Triffle and Marriage Vows a whim of Priesthood No no Eriphile the World will take notice of the first and Heaven I fear can scarce neglect the latter But I by all that 's good forgive you Let not my disgrace and your weakness be the Table discourse of a whole Nation Let all that 's past be hush'd up in eternal Silence and for the future to Entheon and to your self be just Sure Albisinda you 'll confess 't was a double Sin to offend so good a Husband The tender Eriphile for that time was truly sensible of this and drown'd in Tears tho' yet in Bed threw her self upon her Knees graspt Entheon's Hand and weeping swore by all the Powers above and by that just Heaven she had too much offended she griev'd what she had done and for the future would prove her self the most obedient humble Wife that ever yet was known adding his excess of Goodness and Generosity encreas'd the weight of her Guilt she saw with sorrow how far she had err'd and assur'd him that no temptation should e're again perswade her to forget how much she ow'd to Entheon or her self The kind Duke forgave her all rais'd her up took her again to his Arms and told her he griev'd nothing more than that Erinthus proud of so great a Conquest might betray the Secret to prevent which 't was fitting he should bleed for the security of hers and his own Honour The lovely Eriphile tho' she truly repented the wrong she had done her Husband yet found too soon she had not wholly banish'd her Lover from her Breast She ey'd the Duke with concern and reading in his Face the signs of close revenge she fell a second time upon her Knees conjur'd him to believe that she was heartily sensible of that fault she had committed but could not think the death of Erinthus the most proper method to secure his Honour begg'd as he tender'd her Life he 'd lay aside that thought and as he had already promis'd pardon all that was done The Duke could deny her nothing and sure Albisinda his easiness that way was very pardonable for had she stood before that surly old Cynicks Diogenes he 'd not have us'd her with that freedom he express'd to the World 's great Conquerour he 'd willingly have quit his Book and gaz'd upon her or at least have sought no other light but what her eyes could give Oh Albisinda some People may blame him for an excess of good Nature upon this and other Emergencies that concern'd Eriphile But then believe me their Hearts are of a different Mould from that of this Noble Man and they ne're saw Eriphile or were capable of any tenderness that think they could have resented the ill she had done especially when she kneel'd and begg'd forgiveness In a word my Albisinda Entheon granted every thing she promis'd any thing he believ'd all she seem'd sensible of all and both were happy in a new Agreement I 'm afraid Albisinda for I frankly confess my want of Art or Power to move the Passions that by this time you wish my Letter finish'd But the story affords no great number of Adventures and that of Daria having wasted more than half my time you will find me generous in spite of my self because necessarily oblig'd to relieve you from the trouble I shall then Madam like our famous Teachers only beg one minutes patience and venture to take two The Duke tho' he had lov'd much and believ'd much yet could not chuse but fear more He remembred that Eriphile was a Woman that Erinthus was young and handsom that he was new and already in possession of her Favours These considerations taught him to observe her Conduct narrowly he consulted her very looks and tho' his Judgment always master'd his Passions yet sometimes he could not chuse but think he read his own dishonour painted in her Eyes On the other hand the Dutchess fear'd to offend because she could not reasonably expect to find him always merciful Erinthus griev'd the loss of his happiness but more Eriphile's cares and knew not that the Duke had sign'd her pardon and seal'd it with his Love Unwilling nevertheless to lose that happiness he had enjoy'd by the help of powerful Guinea he convey'd the following Billet-deux to the longing Dutchess Madam I know not how to write or how to express my thoughs I am ignorant upon what terms you stand with the Duke and oppress'd with sorrow for what happened I am safe but if Eriphile Loves not more unfortunate than if that Bullet design'd for my ruin had lodg'd within my Heart From all my pains I rely upon you for ease and till I see you Madam believe me your unhappy Erinthus The Dutchess tho' once half resolv'd to forget him was o're-joy'd to know him safe and in spite of all her
Conquest to those who wou'd apprehend it real These and a thousand such thoughts possess'd me when as Day began to break I cou'd hear some body knock gently at my Door I soon quitted my Bed and having open'd it for melancholy had so seiz'd me I ne're examin'd who it was nor did I remember the want of my Night-gown A Gentleman caught me in his Arms my Charming Fair cry'd he in a transport and forcing a kiss from me how oft have I wish'd for this happy minute He said no more his sighs short breathings and eager embraces serv'd to convince me how much he wanted that happiness he now thought himself almost Master of However I was just ready to cry out when my fears on a suddain interpos'd and opportunely told me that by so doing I shou'd confirm my Mother in her suspicions in this thought I forc'd my self from his Arms and leap'd into the Bed He follow'd with the trembling steps of a burning Lover and was beginning to undress when I with more moderation than the accident cou'd well allow told him that the calmness with which I receiv'd him proceeded more from a tenderness of my own Reputation than Compliance to his passion otherwise he might soon have felt the effects of that rudeness of which no discreet Person wou'd be guilty He soon knew by my voice that it was not his belov'd Timandra for 't was the Earl and so without the least Apology withdrew This Accident augmented my grief a thousand times did I wish I had ne're been guilty of that fatal interview at the Lake it lost me the Man I lov'd and who notwithstanding of his ingratitude was still dear to me as Life it self it had brought the Duke's Wounds and the Earl's addresses to my Maid which now I found more dang'rous than if they had been to my self In the Morning I told Zibelline what had hapned who immediately found out that Relief I so much wish'd She presently sent for Casmia and after we had deliberately weigh'd the business there was a Billet-deux privately convey'd to the Earl in which he was bid come at Night and at the usual hour He fail'd not in his Obedience and the time was no sooner come than I cou'd hear him upon the Stairs His Mistress presently gave him admittance and play'd that part I had enjoyn'd her to the Life Madam I 'm so much yours that I won't offer to conceal the least of my thoughts however faulty you may find them I must confess I then wish'd he had lov'd the real Timandra His Words were very tender Love bask'd and wanton'd in his Eyes and I cou'd hear him say all those things we take for indubitable signs of a violent and tender flame But no longer to detain you on this Subject know that next Morning they were Marry'd I had so order'd it lest a quick discovery might be inconvenient that they shou'd for some time Lodge in my own Appartment which in a little time produc'd a very odd Adventure And 't was thus My Maid Zibelline lay next door to my Chamber which the Earl then possess'd tho' privately and had a Lover unknown to me who it seems ador'd his Goddess in the dark is the Ancients did Bacchus in the night The unknown happy-Lover that night after the Marriage came to perform his ordinary Devotions and being a stranger to the House without the help of Lights stumbl'd into that of the Earl's Casmia or rather the Countess of Rucana you may be sure was kept awake with the hopes of a coming Bliss but dream't of nothing more than her Husband While he who was accustom'd to silence leap'd into the Bed without many words In the mean time the Earl who laid never been in his new Room that morning in which he catch'd me naked excepted fairly dropt into that of Zibelline's and so to Bed Thus posted the four Lovers spent the Night happy in their ignorance The Earl had upon him all the fervour and heat of a young Bridegroom and the other all the Pleasures of a stol'n Bliss But Day approaching Zibelline desir'd her Lover or rather Rucana to quit the Bed He who was now marry'd and consequently secure of his Mistress's favours began already to play the Husband that is lose all respect and good manners swore he wou'd not nor cou'd he then leave so many Joys unfinish'd of that number he had promis'd to himself without a torment equal to that of Death And that no Circumstances whatsoever were of force enough to rob a Husband of his Wife that Formalities were now of no use and she might frankly own her Marriage to all the World The Maid was beyond expression surpris'd at what she heard and presently understood who it was that spoke and whom he meant but being of a prompt and ready Wit counterfeited the voice of the Countess and after some few Embraces and kind Arguments at last prevail'd Zibelline's Lover who remember'd with what hazard he stole his favours made no delays and came out of the Chamber just as the Earl was passing by the Door and stumbling upon him concludes himself betray'd and the Reputation of his Mistress in evident danger But endeavouring to make his escape he was forc'd to tumble Rucana down stairs to clear his passage The Earl no sooner came to himself than he as soon ascended but by degrees not as he went down and perswading himself that he who had thus serv'd him was some favourite of his Wife 's enters her Room in a fury much akin to a real madness She who was surpris'd to see him return so soon very kindly ask'd what was the matter adding that just now he had left her without the happiness of a word at parting and that the whole Night was spent in silence at which she could not chuse but wonder since it argu'd that his Lordship's Love did not suit with his past Protestations Ha cry'd he did I leave you without words No Madam you urg'd my departure frequently And now it is I understand why you did so Your Lover came too soon and I staid too long either for his Happiness or my own My Mother whom the Earl's fall had awak'd with a Candle in her hand just as he pronounced the last words enter'd crying out Heav'ns where was her Daughter The Earl raving answer'd here And I 'm sorry Madam you look'd no better to her Education since I am destin'd to be the unhappy Man that must undergo that punishment your neglect deserv'd She view'd him seriously and knowing who it was ask'd him what he meant and if he was awake if so what had brought him to her House at an hour so unseasonable He bids her enquire of her Daughter and points to the Bed She told him he still dream't and that she cou'd easily distinguish her Daughter from one of her Maids But withal ask'd the trembling and affrighted Casmia how she came there and if she remember'd what had past the preceeding Night
enter'd some time after without acquainting her that I lodg'd in the same House A few minutes after my Heart seem'd entirely hers and when it had for a while enjoy'd it self with the thoughts of a new Beauty and judg'd the Conquest past its first Mistress wou'd return recall the wand'rer and force him to obedience and the fair Timandra still possess'd a Heart in spight of its owner We often met and the Charming Olmechine for that was the name of this kind fair one at last let me know she lov'd But did it with all the modesty of her Sex show'd a strong and nice Virtue with a powerful Love paleness o'respread her Face trembling dwelt upon her Lips her Eyes were fix'd upon the ground and her Words were moving but her Beauty more 'T was then that Love show'd himself a capricious Deity for the Maid no sooner had attack'd my Heart than 't was entirely yours I had Eyes no more for her and my inclinations being wholly chang'd I receiv'd the tender address with more indifferency than good breeding or gratitude cou'd well allow However when I had recollected my self I gave her all that Satisfaction she cou'd justly expect from a heart she knew wholly prepossest and now firmly fortified against a change I see her home at Night and inform her that I lodg'd in the same House she blush'd at the unexpected adventure and tho' she lov'd was sorry to know a Man under the same Roof with her self that was conscious to her weakness Next day I din'd with her where I made my acquaintance with her Aunt and whom I found to be the Mistress of the Family The old Gentlewoman entertain'd me very kindly and commended my shape mien and garb with all the gallantry of which one at twenty is capable and I return'd her Complements with that careless gravity to which my griefs permitted me not to be a stranger At night she came to my Room and under the notion of asking if things were in that order I wish'd them spent some hours in my Company I cou'd observe while she stay'd that nothing pleas'd her so much as when the Subject was Love The Blood sparkled through her buff Cheeks and Love lay burning in her deadned Eyes Next day I found her painted and dress'd with that gallantry that only fitted Brides of fifteen and I was a second time oblig'd to accept of a splendid Entertainment from her Thus she continu'd kind and every day gave me new grounds of suspecting the old Letcher inflam'd While the Aunt made daily advances the lovely Niece saw me but seldom and when she did 't was with all the bashfulness of a guilty young sinner whose Virtue had newly been seduc'd I paid her all those respects she deserv'd and gave my Pity when I had no more She 'd sigh look pale and gently hang her head then leave me sad because I cou'd not love Attabalippa for that was the Aunt 's name in time became a perfect plague she haunts me like a Ghost my Will and Actions seem the guide of hers and she does nothing in which her hopes to please me has not a share This made me look out for new Lodgings and I was ready to depart when my Servant Curacas came and told me the fair Olmechine lay dangerously ill of a Feaver at this a sudden tenderness seiz'd me Pity and fears lodg'd in my Breast and a thousand Torments rack'd me till I saw her I soon got admittance and having seated my self by her upon the Bed enquir'd passionately after her health the Charming Innocent wept and sigh'd then looking upon me with Eyes all Languishing answer'd I am At this a new flood of Tears broke forth and all the Charms of Beauty in distress assault my Heart and mov'd a pity equal even to Love Then taking hold of her fair hand that lay above the Cloaths I kiss'd it with all the Transports new-born flames cou'd give conjur'd her to speak I long'd to share her griefs and almost wish'd my self the Cause to have the Power of giving some relief Thus while I mourn'd over her possess'd with all the tenderness of dying Mothers for their weeping infants I cou'd see her Lips like Roses pluckt grow pale her Heart beat thick and night o'respread her Eyes her Soul half fled and she at last lay fainting in my Arms. This adds to my sorrow and lab'ring 'twixt grief and Love I gently rais'd her drooping Head and strove to kiss her back again to Life my sighs ecchoed in her ears and my groans awak'd her from this little death She look'd upon me with all the Symptoms of a Love-sick Maid and blush'd to find her self lying in my Bosom with half her Beauties open then faintly strugling threw her self down upon the Bed Ah! Sir said she for Heav'ns sake think me Virtuous tho' you 've found me weak tenderness for your loss first begot my Love then use it as the darling Child of that generous passion and not the effect of a mind unfix'd pardon the excess of a flame so pure and give me pity if you cannot Love I answer'd these obliging words with all the sweetness which her Charms inspir'd and if a flame equal to that of hers did not then possess me I told her my Gratitude and her Beauty would assist me and my Heart shou'd quickly bid adieu to its old Mistress to entertain one whose merit justly claim'd a better This eas'd the Maid and I left her more sound in mind and better than I found her Attabalippa met me just as I came out and forc'd me with her back into the Room Olmechine blush'd at the unexpected Happiness and was scarce able to look upon her Aunt because her Lover look'd and was so nigh She was glad to see her Niece alter'd to the better and going to the other end of the Room view'd her self in a large Glass opposite to the Bed and ask'd me smiling how I lik'd her dress Then told me how such a one had lov'd her that a Lord had dy'd for her and that most of the Youth in Chira still sigh'd for her and wondered where that Beauty lay which charm'd them I answered her dotage very modestly and Olmechine whose Feaver was now abated took particular notice of all that past was asham'd of her weakness and sensibly touched to find a Rival where she least look'd for one In the mean time the old Gentlewoman who had forgot something below Stairs quitted the Room after she had desir'd me to wait upon her Niece and divert her melancholy thoughts till she return'd I look'd upon the fair one with an Air that spoke me pleas'd with the opportunity and imployment and she with a Charming Voice told me she was not the only Conquest I had made and tho' she fear'd some ill Consequences from her Aunt 's passion yet she had the satisfaction of seeing Age inflam'd and lookt upon it as some excuse for hers I confess'd I had been long
tell her so the mighty Canador appear'd of whom Fame speaks so many wonders He discours'd familiarly with any Man that approach'd him look'd all Majesty and Courage yet had Mercy painted in his Face We stood sometime to see what Courtiers were with him when to the wonder of all a young Man with his Hair cut above his Ears imprison'd you 'd thought so at least in his Coat his shoes and every thing about him bespeaking his Imployment and his Gloves thrown beneath his Arm-pit approach'd He ask'd some Persons of Quality which was the King and having found him bluntly demanded if he was Canador the Soveraign of Naitrant who smiling answered he was The Seaman immediately pulls a Letter out of his Pocket and presents it with that grace inherent to men of his profession The King ask'd from whom it came And he confidently reply'd from my Companion honest Villacus a Man who has done your Majesty great service at Sea these Seven Years past He came on shoar some Months ago and after he had spent his Money with pleasure as with toyl he gain'd it was forc'd by Necessity to reimburse with the first opportunity and so had the misfortune in a Civil way to borrow some pounds upon the Road from a Gentleman for which he is now detain'd Prisoner in the Caroula and may shortly pay too much interest for the Mony if your Majesty does not discharge the Sum and relieve him speedily The King was pleas'd to open the Letter which we afterwards understood to be to this purpose Kind Sir MY Friend Pallamos the bearer hereof can tell you who I am and what I have done for you these seven Years If you will not believe him you may ask the question of Benizor our Admiral and your good Friend I I had the misfortune to be taken up for a small business which I don't desire to hear of again because I have heard too much on 't already I was try'd and Condem'd and unless you look out very sharp you may come to lose a very good Subject for I am to be hang'd to morrow or next day at farthest And d' ye see Sir I wou'd have you Remember this in time for the hours stay for no man and the Gallows is ready for any man and look ye I cannot endure the thoughts of hanging Sir Your Friend to serve you Villacus Canador taken with the Adventure laught heartily and turning to Benizor who then walk'd with him ask'd if he knew any such who reply'd he did that they were two merry Fellows had serv'd in his own Ship and were extraordinary Seamen While the King discours'd the Admiral I cou'd see the Young Tarr fix his Eyes upon Olmechine she blusht and trembl'd and he show'd no fewer marks of surprise in his Countenance when approaching Madam said he may I ask where the fair Olmechine lives and what place of this City is bless'd with so sweet a Guest This he spoke with an Air that bely'd his habit and she unable to answer only sigh'd In the mean time the King ask'd for him and bid him acquaint his Comrade with his success adding his Pardon shou'd be sent him in the Evening He who again appear'd a Seaman bow'd to his Prince after avery odd manner and tossing up his Hat after a few Pray'rs for the King and a languishing look to the fair Olmechine run off and left the Company beyond thought pleas'd with the Novelty of the address The fair confus'd one soon quit the place and as we walk'd homewards I cou'd observe her drown'd in melancholy that her Soul was o'reburden'd and she was ready to sink between two very different passions Grief and Love I ask'd the cause with all the tenderness of which a Man can be capable and she answered me in the same Language she had done the lovely Seaman Next Morning I paid a visit to the old Woman she was glad to see me but the lovely Niece no more what she had been Sickned as I enter'd The Aunt observ'd it and Remembring how she had been indispos'd that Night attributed the cause to Love and playd upon the Subject In the mean time one of the Servants enter'd and whispering something to Attabalippa the dejected Olmechine told me in a moving accent that the misfortunes of others now press'd her Heart and new pains had seiz'd her easie Soul that time wou'd shew me how weak she was and I wou'd scorn her for her past kindness This discouse amaz'd me and I was about to tell her so when her Aunt cry'd bring them in the Door was immediately open'd and I cou'd see two handsom Gentlemen enter Olmechine trembl'd look'd pale sigh'd and in a moment fainted The Aunt ran with open Arms not knowing which of them to embrace first and cry'd Oh Manco Oh Avilon The Father and the Lover equally strove to assist the Fainting fair and each regardless of Attabalippa's kindness flew like lightning to embrace the Lovely Niece Both raise her up both weep and joyntly press her Lips The Charming innocent lifted up her Eyes bless'd Heav'n then sigh'd and fainted o're again At this the Lover floods of Tears let fall curs'd his own folly rav'd because he had shewn too much oâ— Happiness at once and had not brought hâ—â— Heav'n by just degrees The Father was possest with all the tenderness of an afflicted Parent He gaz'd upon her stood motionless and in groans spoke all his griefs The Aunt was divided between hopes and fears and my endeavours for her recovery gave way to those of her first Lover At last she spoke and Charm'd them into extasie Not smiles of new-born Infants ever were so welcome to tender Mothers after all their pains as the first word she utter'd After some minutes thus spent they at last seated themselves and ask'd a thousand questions of each others Fortunes Olmechine press'd Avilon to tell her if he was the Man who had address'd the King the preceeding day for a Pardon to his Friend Manco smil'd and desir'd the Lover to satisfie her Curiosity At this I offer'd to retire but 't was beg'd I 'd stay In the mean time the Young Lord began and told her how he had met with her Father at Sea that they had both serv'd together in one Ship that a few weeks after they came to Chira they went into the Country to enquire after her where by the way the Earl was apprehended for a Robbery because he had some resemblance of the Author and being Condemn'd they had made use of that Stratagem to obtain a Pardon without discovering his Quality That when he had left the King he waited at the end of the Avenue and dog'd her home and that as soon as her Father was at liberty and they had provided themselves in handsome Cloaths they came to wait upon her The fair one wept at the story of their hardships thank'd the Gods that had restor'd her Parent to her and kneeling ask'd his Blessing The
Earl with all that gravity in his Face which Age and misfortunes commonly imprint told her that Heav'n had now repay'd all his sufferings that he saw the Errors of his Youth and was sorry he had been the Cause of all her past miseries Then taking Avilon by the hand here my dear Olmechine cry'd he receive the Companion of my toyls and absence my good and bad Fortunes look upon him as the preserver of your Father's Life Honour and Estate and the Man whom kind Heaven designs you for your Husband At this she blush'd and the happy young Lover throwing himself at her feet conjur'd her to remember his past sufferings his continued Constancy and all his Vows The fair one fix'd her Eyes upon mine and with Tears answer'd all he said In the Morning she sent for me and after a thousand blushes and faint sighs ask'd me if I cou'd see her Marry'd to another I lov'd her when present and was scarce able to answer but upon second thoughts told her I cou'd see her possess'd by Avilon because his services best deserv'd her and that to purchase happiness for her I cou'd forego my own I shew'd the handsome Young Lover in his best shapes and forgot not to put her in mind of those obligations she lay under to him She confess'd his worth but doubtcd still the truth of what I said and ask'd me blushing if I spoke my thoughts I swore I did that as Compassion first begot her Love so it had done mine and the cause once remov'd the Effect naturally ceas'd that I cou'd mourn her misfortunes no longer when I saw her happily Marry'd to a Man who lov'd so well that she should ever have the greatest share in my esteem and in my Heart take place next to Amazonta and that for my self I hop'd time shou'd procure me that happiness which the thoughts of seeing her honourably match'd had already begun I cou'd read contentment in her Eyes and she might easily have found as much in mine When I left her I began more seriously to reflect on what had past and by my hopes of future Happiness I swear in all my search I found not one thought that was not for this Marriage and was confirm'd in my opinien when inform'd that Avilon had bostow'd upon the repenting Manco the profits of his Estate which he had not enjoy'd since his Father's Decease it amounted to a considerable Sum and wiâ—h iâ— he was able to relieve that half of his 〈…〉 which he had not sold and that which â—â—â—â—balippa possess'd became likewise his by her Death This Madam I say confirm'd me much in my Resolution of seeing her Married to another But your fair Idea which still haunted me confirm'd me more and finish'd what was begun my imperfect thoughts settled there and all my wishes center'd in Timandra The day following they were Marry'd Avilon 〈…〉 Mistress of all his Vows for whom he had endur'd Seven Years of tedious Exile she a Lover who had restor'd her Father to his Fortune and Honour Manco saw his Daughter Marry'd to the best of men and her self the most Charming and Obedient Nature e're had fram'd looks on his inclinations past compares them with the present and finds how far he had mistaken the Road to Happiness thanks Heaven for all those hardships he had known because they serv'd to show the value of his present Fortunes Attabalippa was o'rejoy'd at the return of her Brother-in-Law and the loss of a Rival in the Marriage of her Niece and I had all at that pleasure love and absence wou'd permit Thus we were all happy and a few days after began our Journey to the Country At Olmechine's desire I made one in this happy Company and I cou'd observe how blest the fair one was contentment and Love sat smiling on her Brow and Venus when she for the Apple strove exposing all her graces to the Youth was a homely Beauty rugged and deform'd match'd with this lovely Nymph Joys sparkled in her Eyes and the calmness of her Soul and Mind display'd it self in all her words But if by chance she fix'd her Eyes on mine thoughts of that weakness she had lately shown disturb'd her Peace and fann'd expiring Fires or if at any time they spoke of constant Loves she 'd sigh and blush then faintly look on me When we had rid two days Journey I met upon the Road an Inhabitant of Capac of whom asking several questions and at last concerning you I was surpriz'd to hear him say you 'l laugh when I 've told you how the Earl of Rucana Marry'd her The words like Lightning struck me to the Heart my Blood was chill'd and froze within my Veins and I had scarce the Courage to bid him tell me all At last he did it But good Gods you only know what passions swell'd my loaded Breast Grief Shame and Repentance first took place then Joys follow'd not to be chang'd for those the Gods possess Eternal springs and sweets seem now in view the thoughts of former pleasures are no more all past and present vanish'd like Birds of Night at the approaching Sun at the coming of a new Heav'n Timandra was innocent all Lovely all Virtue and tho' I found too late how faulty I had been yet to my comfort I still remembred the Nature of the offended Fair knew her all Mercy and blest kind Heav'n and her Olmechine no more appear'd the same her Eyes look'd dead her Beauties fled and all the footing which her Charm's had gain'd for Years of sighs within my faithful Breast was in one moment by Timandra won I acquainted the happy Fair with my good fortune and told her my Amazonta still was just that her Maid had borrow'd her name and was already Married The kind she shar'd in my Joys bid me post to Happiness which I oft had wish'd and had so well deserv'd Mounted on Wings of Love I hither came stole into Capac with all the privacy and inward Joy of Misers who at dead of Night go to view their hoarded Treasure and found Zibelline at the Garden Door when asking for the Object of my desires I was inform'd the Duke was possest of all and I for ever damn'd and excluded that Heav'n your Mercy had tempted me to hope I enter'd found you sleeping sigh'd over you till my trembling Soul prompted by the Heav'n-like outside strove to abandon my Body and possess it self of yours and while thus I labour'd you awak'd and by your griefs you taught me what to hope Here Adrastus ended and Madam I cou'd wish you 'd spare me the shame and trouble of Writing what follow'd Yet had the Trojan look'd but half so fair the Tyrian Queen was happy even in flames for to live without him had brought new pains each moment of her life and all her Years had been consum'd in sorrow or had he when at Sea so lovely been the Queen of Heav'n had laid her Anger by and smil'd upon
went as frequently abroad as ever he had done but then he stay'd not long or if he did 't was when my Lover was with him who griev'd for this violent separation and had no comfort but what stol'n looks bestow'd One Evening while the Duke sat by me he dext'rously convey'd a short Billet-deux into my Pocket some minutes after I read it and found it to this purpose Madam TO morrow the Duke designs to hunt the Stag in the Park at Assapan whither I design seemingly to wait upon him but with the first opportunity to lose him and return to Capac doubt not the success for I shall be happy if Timandra Loves Adrastus Minoya according to his Resolution went and I doubted not but that the Earl of Assapan wou'd detain him till Night if not longer He was a Man of a great Estate but of mean Extraction possess'd every thing that makes an accomplish'd Gentleman was a Batchelour seldom given to extravagancy lov'd Hunting and fitted the Duke's humour exactly I had waited but a few hours when Adrastus came the danger added to the wish'd for Bliss and I like the constant Hero took the bold Leander in my Arms wip'd his cares from him laugh'd at Honour and possess'd my Love While thus we lay in fast embraces twin'd dreamt of no Danger but of present Joys my faithful Zibelline came running in half dead with fear and almost out of breath Madam she cry'd the Duke The Duke Prepare now save your Lover and your ruin'd Honour Adrastus careless of himself starts up unsheaths his Sword and points it to his Breast This This said he shall find an entrance here and pierce my panting loving tender Heart when I abandon the too kind Timandra the Duke shall bleed and she shall still be safe if now he come this Steel shall give him welcom Trembling I caught my Lover in my Arms bid him remember all his former Vows when sighing at my feet inflam'd he lay by all our hopes of Happiness I swore Minoya's death shou'd bring Timandra's too The Lover now no more of Courage knew his Love for me a thousand fears begets and plung'd in grief all motionless he lies thinking on me but not my present danger Then on a sudden leaping from this Trance he cry'd Speak Speak I 'm yours command me where you please Zibelline half recover'd from her fright within my Closet hid the hot young Man my Husband ent'ring just as he was gone My careless posture as in bed I lay deludes his fancy with the hopes of Bliss and my Maid who saw a fire in his Blood and how he sigh'd and faintly spoke my name retir'd and left me in his loathsome Arms. Adrastus heard with sorrow all that past yet pleas'd to know how faintly I embrac'd each sigh I gave he thought it meant for him and all my actions spoke the joy unwelcome So Proserpina when by Pluto caught receiv'd the Person of the ravishing God with all those fears which tender Virgins know and all the loathings of a lovely Maid who had been blest with better sweeter loves but at the last comforts her self with this that as she was to Hell and Pluto ty'd for half the Year to share unequal pleasures the other half was to be spent in Heaven When the Duke was gone the Lover straight appear'd grief press'd his Brow and anger glow'd in his Cheeks So Mars when taken in another's Bed storm'd when he saw the Gods look laughing on but more when Vulcan stood before his Eyes and Venus blushing for her Lover lay My dalliances with the Duke had added to my Beauty Blood sparkled in my Face and the marks of past loves shin'd in my Eyes So in the Morning wat'ry Suns appear and speak that rains were either past or coming Adrastus smil'd to see the Danger fled thank'd me and swore he never shou'd forget those fears and hazards I had lately known to give him Heaven and Happiness in love Then falling on his knees he kiss'd my Hand and stole from that low step of Bliss unto the last we renew'd those Joys we had not finish'd and which my Husband had almost lost us by his sudden arrival nor did we part till we had sufficiently repay'd the injury he had done Some days hereafter Adrastus told me he had newly come from the Earl of Rucana that he was Jealous of the Duke because of some words he had accidentally let fall and of his frequent visits that he swore revenge and rag'd like Hercules in his Poyson'd Shirt or the unfortunate Bajazet in his Iron Cage This gave me a thousand fears I knew Rucana brave lov'd much a Man that wou'd not always be impos'd upon and had taught the Duke once already what to expect from him I must confess I lov'd Adrastus much but withal cou'd not chuse but fear for a man who was my Husband and who still doated on me when in my Company maugre all those Charms his new Mistress possess'd I charg'd Adrastus to run and seek him and prevent if possible his visit to the Countess that Night The Lover flew to obey me and I rested impatient of his stay longing to know the success of our project In the mean time my Husband had gone to Rucana's where after some words had past between them of which few were Witness they went into the Garden to begin that Tragedy which I so much fear'd for Minoya after he had receiv'd three Wounds run the Earl thorow the Body and left him dead upon the place that done he leapt over the Garden wall and coming hastily thorow the Streets with his Cloak muffled about him in the dark and without Attendants he was met by Adrastus who seeing he came from his Brother 's stept close up to him and suddenly cry'd Your Grace has been last with Rucana The Duke terrified with his guilt dreamt of nothing less than his friend and judging him who ask'd the question privy to what had past drew his Sword and at the first thrust run him into the Arm. Adrastus surpris'd with this return concluded the Duke had a design upon his Life and in his own defence us'd all the Arts of a good Swordsman and left my Husband's Soul taking its flight from that passage he had given it in his left Breast The noise of Swords had drawn a considerable number of People together and several had seen the Duke the first aggressor so that none offer'd to seize him He came straight to me with his all bloody in his hand and throwing himself at my feet he fix'd his Eyes upon me set the point to his Breast and cry'd Here I must receive my doom for that Crime I have unwillingly committed if Timandra acquit me I am able to defend my innocence before the Gods themselves but if she do not then Adrastus falls to appease the angry Ghost of his Friend I knew not what to think the Duke the Earl run equally in my Mind his Cloaths and
mourning Lover came I receiv'd him with that sorrow which our mutual Misfortunes had taught me and he unable to speak embrac'd my knees wept and look'd upon me Thus for a while we continued dumb and experienc'd the Truth of that Maxim that Wounds are deepest and most dangerous that Bleed inwards But at last this Lethargy which often attends immoderate grief was by degrees weakned and the lovely Youth could faintly pronounce these words Can the merciful Timandra be my Enemy Can she consent to my Banishment from Capac And shall I be blest with her presence but three short days for no more have my Judges allow'd me And must the remainder of my Life be spent in absence a Hell sufficient for the Punishment of Parricide Nay broken Vows or inconstant Love a Crime yet greater and known only amongst Infidels I shar'd all his pains and after I had ask'd him if he had stol'n with privacy enough to my House I caught him in my Arms kiss'd him and spoke all that my tender Heart could dictate to give him ease He still urg'd his Constancy and Love his present misery and prospect of a greater conjur'd me to be yet more kind and since he could not permit me to go along with him into a strange Country beg'd I 'd consent to Marry him and tye my self for ever his Time his innocence and his Friends might have his Sentence repeal'd and he doubted not if I lov'd him now of being more happy in his own Country than ever he had yet been He set before me a full Enjoyment of that Heaven in Love which hitherto we had only tasted that his Innocence was evident to every Man whose opinion was not prejudicated that none wou'd condemn me but those who envy'd my Charms and Happiness that Honour at best was but a Chimera invented to please giddy fools and perswade them into a belief of their own worth merit and judgment e're the pleasures of Love were fully known and preach'd up by Women in Years to keep younger ones from sharing the Blessing That nothing was more Honourable if I worship'd that shadow than a constant passion It spoke us fix'd in our Choice and by consequence of a good Judgment that enabled us at first to make that Choice of which we had never repented That we were born to love that without it we were meer pieces of moving Earth dull Phlegmatick lumps fit only for the Conversation or at least the Company of Brute Beasts that it could ne're be known meaning my Marriage that he knew how to value my Beauty and that even when old Age seiz'd me I would be still the same to him he 'd call my first Embraces back to view remember what I then was and again think me the same for tho' he graspt me cold and wither'd in his Arms he 'd delude himself with the fancy or Idea of my Youth imagination shou'd supply what Years had lost and I shou'd be still the Charming Gay the Young belov'd Timandra In short Madam I was again o'recome by this invincible Lover and tho' Minoya had been buried not above eight weeks I gave my hand and with it my Heart to this Young graceful Man tho' not before we had brib'd a jolly Priest with a handful of Pistols to a silence equal with that of the Grave and I had obtain'd my Husband's promise not to depart the Kingdom but to live privately with me till Fortune shou'd be as much his friend as Love had been We spent the Night with that pleasure known only to happy Lovers some fears and cares we had which serv'd to give it taste but none sufficient to destroy the Blessing In the Morning he waited upon his Friends who all sincerely griev'd his Misfortune and he seemingly prepar'd every thing for his sudden departure Three days thus spent he took a solemn farewel of them all without sorrow because in me he found all that made him happy for the possession of those belov'd is at any time a double recompence for the loss of Liberty It is not Madam the custom of our Country to mourn the loss of a Husband above a week and the gravest Matrons are satisfied with the long penance of Fourteen days in Tears So that I was already Courted by several who had envy'd the Duke's Happiness and that Beauty which prov'd always fatal to my self and others in a short time got me a new crowd of Adorers and tho' I was not look'd upon as a Woman nicely Virtuous yet still my Eyes atton'd for that defect and the more solid part of Mankind judg'd because I was Young that a Grave Husband and good advice might reclaim me and work wonderful changes and effects upon my easie Nature Amongst the first that claim'd my Love Assapan appear'd I have already Madam given you the Character of that Man but shall now add that Love had transform'd him for tho' he was every way a Man truly taking and one that well deserv'd a Lady's good opinion yet this passion to which he had been mostly a stranger wrought great alterations For whereas he was formerly addicted to Hunting Riding and such Manlike Exercises he became now tender in his Nature gentle and Complaisant spoke passionately lov'd dancing Poetry Romances and had all the softness and inclinations of a Lover He griev'd the loss of his Friend Minoya but had too great an esteem of me to believe what some People spoke of my betraying his Honour or my own Adrastus who mov'd no farther from me than into the Garden or another Room knew all that past and was the more happy in his Confinement when he saw others labour to obtain what he unknown and with ease possest For if the Addresses of a Gallant serve often to reclaim the Heart of an indifferent Husband much more must the real passion of another inflame a Man that lov'd so violently But Fortune that was never my Friend at last betray'd the secret Lover For Assapan one day as he came to my House met the happy Man at the Garden Door They were equally surpriz'd and equally griev'd the unluckly encounter Adrastus however embrac'd him and told him he had not yet departed Capac because Love had been his Friend and had till that time protected him That his Life and Honour were now in his hands and he dreamt no danger from a Man of Assapan's merit The Earl answered with that Discretion or Judgment which was natural to him but withal let him know he had been unkind in not trusting to his Friendship before Necessity not Choice had taught him so to do Adrastus alledg'd for an excuse how much I was concern'd in his Concealment and that it was not Honourable to betray a Lady's secrets especially those of love without her positive command for it and hop'd he wou'd Pardon a Crime of which love not want of Friendship was the Author Assapan smil'd and gave him all those assurances of his safety which Oaths or words
related what I have already Written and begg'd he 'd repay the Complement with one of the same nature the Youth told him that his present happiness so Charm'd his Soul he cou'd not admit the remembrance of past ills without a palpable abuse of that present favour his relenting Fortune had bestow'd upon him But that the Brother of Sirena shou'd not command any thing which he would not obey he thereupon began as followeth Where by the way Madam you may observe in his haste that impatiency which possess'd him till he reach'd the end WHen you left Coloa all that was pleasant in it fled Sirena was no more to be seen and consequently nothing to which I had not an aversion The Duke observ'd my melancholy and often ask'd the Cause but seeing no hopes of discovering on 't that way he complain'd to a Young Lady who was always with my Sister She was a Woman of a piercing Wit violent in her Inclinations given to Jealousie and would stick at nothing how dangerous soever if it conduc'd to her pleasure or in the least serv'd her ambition But to attone for these faults she was Beautiful to a wonder could dissemble to a miracle and had all those Arts the most subtle of her Sex e're knew add to these seeming Advantages Quality and a vast Fortune for she was the Earl of Sirama's only Daughter who dying in her infancy had left her an Estate sufficient to support her Rank in the World e're she was oblig'd to 't Ericis for that was the Lady's Name was glad of this opportunity and fail'd not to let my Father know for Indoretta's confidence in her seeming Friendship had made her Mistress of the secret what otherwise I had eternally kept from him This sensibly displeas'd him and having found me in the Garden after he had by his looks taught me what to fear Martius said he must my Enemy still Triumph over me Have I no other to betray me but my own Son And must the Author of Turrusco's death ruin the Honour of his Brother No Young Man Yours nor your Sister's madness has not yet infected the Father and the Event of a few days shall let you know how far your Love is inconsistent with your Reason and Interest This said he left me in that amazement the unlook'd-for discovery justly gave I suspected the weakness of Indoretta's tender Nature and judg'd he had by threatnings drawn this confession from her But as I was about to conclude her guilty she enter'd the Arbour where the Duke had left me Tears trickled from her Eyes her Beauties languish'd and the lovely kind Calisto felt not half her pains nor blush'd so much tho' when in Streams amongst the happier Nymphs she bath'd and wanton'd 'till her fault was known I soon guest the cause and told her how far I had shar'd in all her Misfortunes and was not wanting in my part of this Ah! Brother cry'd she can you forgive me 'T was I betray'd the secret in trusting to the perfidious Ericis she alone knew it and 't is she only that has ruin'd us My grief for the accident had not banish'd my pity from an affectionate Sister to ease her therefore I conceal'd a great part of my pain and perswaded her to have the same esteem in appearance for the Young Countess of Sirama she had formerly shown in earnest Some days after the Duke told me he had consider'd my weakness and was now resolv'd to provide for me a Wife that tho' Young was acquainted with the World and would study to preserve the Honour of his Family which I had so evidently endanger'd by a passion of which none but Madmen would be guilty This discourse almost o'return'd my Obedience and I was ready to return him an answer that had spoke the lessening of my Duty when he who already perceiv'd the effect it had wrought deny'd me the liberty and on a sudden cry'd Son remember who lays this Command upon you that in the Afternoon you wait upon the Countess of Sirama look upon her as the Woman I have design'd for my Daughter her Fortune exceeds your Merit and consider I have mine at my disposal This most sensibly afflicted me she was the Woman who had begun my misery and whom I now saw destin'd to prolong the Scene The Dutchess remain'd passive in the affair and griev'd nothing more than the affliction of her Daughter who yet believ'd her Artaxus innocent and lov'd as much as Virtue could allow In the Evening I waited upon my new Mistress who tho' she was perfectly skill'd in the Art of dissimulation receiv'd me with that satisfaction which discover'd it self in most of her Actions After some discourse in which Love had the least share she with a seeming and feign'd tenderness told me she had seen the Duke very much out of humour for some days past that she was sorry for his mistake because she was perswaded I had never entertain'd any thoughts for Xensa's Daughter who besides her Father's hatred to our Family had departed from Coloa too Young to be sensible of any such flame that she hear'd some days ago that she was Marry to Count Bonzeda and the Young Duke was passionately in Love with his Sister the fair Manderina Tho' I suspected the Author of Malice yet the story carry'd so much of a seeming truth and probability in it I was unable for some time to answer But at last recollecting my self Madam said I you hold a Correspondence it seems with Mangroa's Daughter for Bonzeda tho' my Relation has not yet acquainted me with as much However I 'm glad to hear of his prudent Choice and that Artaxus weighs his own interest and his Father's Commands for I must confess I harbour not one thought for that Family which is not exactly correspondent to the height of Friendship The dissembling Fair seem'd satisfied with the Truth of what I said and we parted for that time I full of grief and she of hopes At night I felt all those pains unhappy Lovers know I griev'd my Fathers ill nature but more the loss of Sirena I look'd on Artaxus as a Man unjust and no more my Friend and tho' I did not firmly believe all that Ericis had told me yet it gave sufficient ground for doubts and fears to grow upon and to doubt the loss of what we Love brings more of Torment than a real privation of all we possess besides To this I added that Bonzeda had conceal'd his happiness from me by Mangroa's order In the Morning I saw Indoretta but as yet conceal'd from her my new griefs and resolv'd to compleat my ruine or begin my better Fortune by a sure knowledge of what had past I Writ to you my dear Friend a Letter the words of which I still remember THis unkind silence favours the report now current in Coloa of your Addresses to the fair Manderina Bonzeda 's Sister and your happy Neighbour I live for the Lovely Sirena and
if she is now possess'd by another confirm the truth by your answer that I may be certain of my doom I shall no longer complain of Mangroa or Xensa and especially of the first whose aversion to your Family seems justly grounded since Artaxus is become guilty and shares in his Father's Nature Indoretta if you regard the news I know not still remembers you Martius Just as I had Writ it Furinus enter'd I need not tell you my dear Artaxus the esteem I had for this Young Man let it suffice that he possess'd that place in my Friendship which was next to that I always kept for the Brother of Sirena and tho' he was something related to Ericis and high in her favour I had nevertheless all that confidence in him which I then Judg'd his merit claim'd as due He soon perceiv'd that Grief under which I labour'd and offer'd all those Remedies I could expect from the best of Friends 'T is natural to all men opprest with grief and sorrow to communicate their pains to others either because the burden seems divided when another feels a part or else because we are ready like sinking Mariners to hope for some relief and grasp at any thing that first presents it self without examining if it can contribute any thing to our ease or safety Thus I deluded my self and the Young Man when I had told him all with a seeming kindness offer'd to convey my Letter to a trusty Friend of his at Zenitha who would undoubtedly put it into your hands with that secresie and conduct which the affair requir'd I was heartily pleas'd with the opportunity not knowing whom to trust and after I had conjur'd him to remember how much my Happiness depended upon what he had undertaken for me we parted A few hours after the Duke sent his Page to acquaint me that the Young Countess was with my Sister I knew the weight of that Message saw it impossible to shun her Company without a manifest token of disobedience and went into the Room with all those pains which Dedalus e're knew when through the Air he boldly took his way and saw the Object of his hopes behind unwing'd and sinking and all the pleasures of a dear bought Liberty dash'd by the absence of his better part Indoretta who knew how much my Nature was averse to this dissembling Fair strove to give me all that ease which was within her Power and forgot not to entertain my unwelcome Mistress with a thousand little indifferent Stories to divert that necessity which had otherwise fal'n upon me of entertaining her with another Subject to which I had no inclination Ericis fretted much at my Sister 's seeming kindness and could have been satisfied with half that care she show'd to please her She often fix'd her Eyes on mine and wou'd with a smile mixt with Jealousie and Anger frequently tell me I was a constant Lover or a Man altogether insensible of a tender flame and that perhaps I mourn'd a loss which might with ease be repay'd I answer'd coldly to what she said and often let her know by my looks that all she spoke was unwelcome This vex'd her to the Heart she knew her self handsom of a sufficient Fortune and was Distracted when she saw her Charms neglected by a Man for whom she had us'd so many Arts to please and I found by the Duke's frowns next day how far she had resented my indifferency Thus I liv'd for some time felt a present pain and had but a very confus'd prospect of a kinder Fortune When Furinus for whom I oft had wish'd came to see me and gave me that Letter from which I long had hop'd for some relief THat story which has reach'd your Ears at Coloa is a part of that truth which is acting at Xensa and errs in nothing but that Sirena is not yet possess'd by Count Bonzeda As for that aversion which Mangroa entertains for our Family 't is no more than what Artaxus ought to have for yours if he be sensible of his own Merit and your Treachery Artaxus 'T is impossible my Friend to express all those different Passions which possest me when I read this counterfeited Mark of your sudden Change I thankt Furinus who was seemingly sorrowful for me and own'd my self his Debtor for that care he had shown swore Sirena should possess my Heart no more that it had been too long a Slave to that false Fair One who had so soon forgot my Services and whole Years of Love and that Artaxus should bleed and with his Life attone for his fault I acquainted Indoretta with the Misfortune and she bore it with that patience which becomes a Virgin Love However I had not fail'd to acquaint you how sensible I was of the injury you had done me and had at least been satisfied how I became treacherous to a Man I had esteem'd so much if a sudden Feaver had not put a stop to my Resolution and prevented my intended Journey Mangroa tho' fix'd in the pursuit of any thing he had once begun was nevertheless affrighted with my Danger and almost repented the unkindness done me But my distemper at last encreasing he now full of Fears seated himself upon my Bed's side and like a tender Mistress weeping o're her wounded Lover confess'd his Cruelty and begg'd my Pardon with a thousand Assurances that if kind Heav'n restor'd me to my health Sirena shou'd be mine He 'd humble himself even beyond his Nature and beg for Friendship from the Man he hated that former quarrels now shou'd be no more and all his interest shou'd yield to my future happiness than which he knew not a greater The Brother 's unkind Letter had rais'd my Anger and mov'd my sleeping Griefs but had not weakned or destroyed my Love and the fair Sister still possest my heart for when most I strove to raze her from my Soul the all-conquering Maid with double force return'd wonder not then if this restor'd my health for hope from Love can never be divided and Indoretta's Tears kept back my Soul when on the Wing and eager for its Flight When I was recover'd a new Misfortune befel me for Mangroa suddenly lost the best of Wives and I the kindest Mother Nature e're had made my Sister had all that sorrow e're possest a tender loving Daughter who griev'd the death of a kind Parent and the Countess of Sirama was the only Person that rejoyc'd for in her she lost an Enemy and one who had favour'd my Passion for the lovely Daughter of cruel Xensa her Rival in all her Virtues and one who notwithstanding of her absence and seeming Cruelty was dearer to me than health to those who suffer deadly Pains a calm to Seamen wearied with the Winds to Travellers rest or Men condemn'd Reprieves Had Paris lov'd his Helena so well or had she been but half so sweet so good as blest Sirena to my view appear'd a thousand Years of Famine
and of War Ripes Butcheries continued Scenes of Blood with the Destruction of his House and Country had prov'd a price too low for so much Beauty The gods themselves had fought for happy Troy and the young Man successful prov'd in Arms old Priam's Seat immoveable had been his Houshold gods and Children had been safe and Agamemnon had return'd with loss Those hopes the Duke had given me were as so many Arrows from the God of Love and Grief a mighty passion in it self serv'd now to raise a greater in my Breast Ericis came frequently to see my Sister and tho' Mangroa seem'd inclinable to favour that Passion I had for the Daughter of his Enemy yet he had not fully laid aside his first Resolution and judging that a present Beauty and long absence wou'd work my Cure he made use of gentle Remedies and told me it was not honourable so soon to abandon a Lady's service after I had confess'd her my Mistress that it was convenient I shou'd often wait upon her lest Xensa or his Friends might apprehend the cause of this sudden alteration in his humour and think his friendship the effect of Necessity not Choice Where the power of being Active or Passive is left to our selves how far so ever the thing be opposite to our Inclinations we perform it with ease and some pleasure and this proceeds from that aversion we have to restraint and our Love of liberty for we are all born Free and have a right to all things and not to continue in this State is a privation of our own Strength and argues our weakness in not being able to surmount or remove that difficulty or impediment which denies or bars us from Enlargement Besides we naturally have some respect for those who contribute to the success of our Love tho' they did it without design or with an intention wholly to destroy it Think it not strange then that I could now look upon Ericis with an air much differing from that she had formerly seen The false Fair seem'd pleas'd with this change and concludes the answer of my Letter had wrought it and fail'd not to acquaint the Duke how much I obey'd who every Day by his looks confess'd his Satisfaction These I took for so many natural Signs of his kindness and failed not to flatter my self so far as to believe he wou'd forget nothing that might advance that friendship he design'd with Xensa and as 't is impossible to Love where there is no hope it followeth that to hope much is to feed the Flame and make it rage to more unruly Fires Things were thus when a Happiness I ne're had hop'd befel me for one Night as I came from a Ball at Court where my Friends had detain'd me too long I saw at a small distance by the help of his Flambeaux's the rambling Fernanthus Duke of Meroa I knew his humour and not resolv'd to turn Scowrer that Night endeavour'd to avoid him and therefore softly plac'd my self at the first door which offer'd but as I began to rest upon it I found it fled and gave me access to the House unlook'd for I was at first surpris'd but more when I heard a Woman in a low Voice cry Sir Sir are you come I presently recollected my self and answer'd Yes e're she had fully pronounc'd her last Words She took me by the Hand and without any Lights led into a Room where another leaping from the Bed caught me in her Arms and cry'd Ah my dear Youth Why have you staid so long Know you not how much these unkind delays shorten the Scenes of Love and Day appears e're you have trod the Stage I made no reply but seem'd impatient of the coming Heav'n half naked on the downy Bed she lay her Arms expanded ready to receive me breath'd short and sigh'd then ask'd me why I staid and by a rapture known to burning Youth anticipated what shou'd be jointly shar'd and give to both an equal part of Heav'n I soon undress'd and kiss'd the longing She ran o're the Field of Love with eager transports melted with sudden Pleasures and too much of Bliss and languish'd e're my Joys were half begun The kind one smil'd and sigh'd at what was past and us'd those ways which kindle or excite to a new Love the drowsie fainting Soul She caught my trembling Body in her Arms kiss'd me and said Can you be kind no more has too much Love destroy'd our mutual Bliss and has Furinus no more Joys in store Thus wou'd young Martius with Sirena done the sudden leap to happiness had drown'd his Soul in Extasie and made desire weak But those to whom long practice gives the art of taming by degrees unruly Flames should know the way to better longer Loves Yet stay my Dear added she in another tone what effects will that counterfeited answer produce does he forget Sirena now And does the Countess of Sirama triumph o're that successful Beauty Her immodesty had mov'd my wonder but these last words surpris'd beyond belief and 't was no longer in my choice to doubt whom it was I had embrac'd and to prevent that discovery which a longer Discourse had certainly produc'd I renew'd those Joys for which she long'd and by my Love supply'd the want of Words While thus we dallied and height of Pleasure fill'd the Fair Ones Soul I stole a Ring and for it left my own Then leaping from the Bed with a Voice much differing from that of Martius I bid the Maid farewel and tho' she knew not whom she then had blest I left her nevertheless satisfied that she had bestow'd her Favours upon a Man for whom she had not meant them Her Woman who waited upon the Stairs knew nothing of the matter and with soft steps taught me the way whispering in my Ear that I had not staid my usual hour yet hop'd I I was in health as she open'd the Street Door a Man muffled in his Cloak rush'd in caught Pandora in his Arms for that was the Maid's name and cry'd Is thy Mistress well Why was the Door no sooner open'd to an impatient Lover The Wench without any surprise ask'd him what he meant and assur'd him he had mistaken the House adding her Mistress was a Person of Quality knew him not nor would she be disturb'd at an hour so unseasonable Ha reply'd he with a louder Voice is Furinus already forgot and is it for this I have betray'd young Mangroa At this I suddenly leapt forwards and drawing my Sword Know Sir said I Martius has a Friend shall punish this Treachery He without any reply retir'd into the Streets I follow'd and after a few thursts had past between us his perfidious Soul at last ow'd its passage to my Sword and left his body motionless behind When I came home the Duke was gone to Bed and none were witnesses of my long stay but those of my own Servants who waited for me 'T is impossible to
leave her and to forget I ever saw her begg'd my Pardon again for those Tears her misfortune had brought me and swore that no temptation should fool her into a love of Life I set before her with more affection than Art the inconveniency of immoderate grief taught her to hope a better fortune and rely on Heaven But she dumb with excess of sorrow made no reply prest my hand between hers sigh'd and cry'd Valentio Unwilling to be gone I seated my self upon her Beds side and with Tears besought her to remember the present state of her health the impossibility of retrieving what was past and that her Stars though cruel in other things had been kind in bringing her to a House where she might freely command as at home She who was no stranger to good breeding and in the depth of affliction show'd a ready mind when able to speak gave me an obliging return adding that my cares augmented the weight of hers and serv'd to hasten the o'reburden'd Soul to an end of all its Labours But that to repay part of those kindnesses I had shown she 'd acquaint me with her life on whom they were bestow'd that the recital of her past adventures or emergencies of Love was now the only pleasure of which she was capable For the remembrance of Joys long fled brought back the happier State of Life and match'd it with the present then show'd how far we fell how low we sunk and Charm'd the melancholy Hypocondriack Soul with a full taste of misery the sweets of the one encreasing the sense of the other's bitterness I endeavour'd to divert her resolution and defer that account she offer'd till her Health could consent to the labour but 't was in vain for the harrass'd Fair after a few deep sighs and dying looks began as followeth THE Kingdom of Marintha to which I owe my Birth was long distracted with the fury of a Civil War the two pretenders to the Crown Othar and Decius divided the Nation and he who signalized himself for neither of the Parties was liable to the outrages of both and judg'd a common Enemy or at least one that had no regard to the welfare of his Country but to his own interest and waited with a semblance of quiet till Fate should decide the difference and Crown the Conquerour to whom he might safely pay homage and secure his Fortune In the mean time my Father who was naturally Loyal sided with Decius whose Party then was weakest while his Younger Brother to whom Mony was a God fled to Othar's Camp and there was receiv'd as a Man who brings supplies of Gold to a Prince in wants The two Young Kings for both were Crown'd and maintain'd an equal Title to the Throne impatient of delays and fond to reach a Diadem in view at last encamp'd in a large Plain where each of them waited for the nearer advances of the other In a few days the eager Armies met Victory hover'd o're their Heads view'd the terrible Combat with a secret Joy then clapt her bloody Wings and perch'd at last on cruel Othar's Standard Here poor Decius fell in search of Power and my Father whose Quality and Post in the Army advanc'd him to his Princes Person lost his Life in his defence Thus Othar Conquer'd Fame flew before his Arms and brought the sad news to that part of the Country which had own'd the deceas'd for their King and my Mother who soon became acquainted with her loss fled into the other World to secure her self from an Addition to her misfortunes in this My Uncle the unkind unjust Arates now Master of the new Monarch's favour forgot that respect he ow'd to the memory of his Elder Brother and having purchas'd with a bribe the gift of his Estate which the King had now taken into his own hands as a forfeiture upon the score of Rebellion he possest himself of the House discharg'd the old Servants and kept not one in his Family but my self that e're had seen or known the kinder Master I was yet too Young to be sensible of my own misery and smil'd and play'd about this Author of all my following ills But reaching too soon the Fourteenth Year of my Age and my Face promising a larger stock of coming Beauties and good Nature the Neighbouring Youth began to take notice of me to speak kindly to me pay me much respect covet to be nigh me and sighing often inform'd me of my Circumstances and that my Eyes would purchase more than cruel fortune had robb'd me of Arates observ'd my budding power and wisely foresaw that if I should marry to a Man of a good Estate I might assisted by the help of Wealth lay a claim to what he possess'd of mine and to prevent that Misfortune which his guilt taught him to fear he confin'd me to my Chamber appointed me a stern Governess and propos'd to my Lovers the advancement of two hundred thousand Malors a Sum that exceeded in that Country the value of any Estate possest by a Subject Thus he inverted the common Custom and instead of giving a Portion he set his Niece to Sale yet half assur'd that none would buy her at a price so large My Lovers in shoals withdrew at Night no musick reach'd my longing Ear no sighs but those the old Matron vented for her decay'd Beauty and chill'd Blood In the Morning the decrepid old Hag awak'd me and with eyes distilling scalding Rheum taught me how to imploy mine on Books of dull Morality and duller Rules for Life and Conversation then mumbl'd Praises to the Almighty Power on my behalf that sent me such a Friend as old Arates for now he had past his great Clymacterick Year yet still a Batchelour Thus the ignorant with the height of Devotion bless Heaven for a Mischief and when infernal Powers send a Plague they thank that greater Power whose Anger for committed Crimes only permitted the ill to be to punish stiff offenders Thus we spent the tedious day and my long imprisonment had almost taught my Soul to forget the thoughts of Liberty when the dear the loving but the lost Valentio who still had shown a Love beyond what mine or the noblest Beauty could claim as due at last offer'd the payment of the Sum propos'd The old Miser was startled with the News and told him since his all was spent in the pursuit of a Woman he must expect to live a marry'd beggar The young Lover laught at coming Poverty and swore Hell it self should not fright him or shake his Soul resolv'd he lov'd to madness and he 'd rather beg with Delia trace the open Fields for Bread and seek shelter in a Clift beneath some hanging Rock where bleak Winds grumbl'd round his careful Head and Waters murmur'd in the hollow Chasms than live in Courts without her where Wealth Pomp Pride Luxury and Ease with the gaudy shows of Honour tempted the Mercenary Soul to abandon that settl'd peace of Mind
distress For six Months had scarce elaps'd when my Husband began to droop sigh when he lookt upon me frequent the solitary Walks and languish under a Disease unknown This gave me a thousand Fears I lov'd as when first the Priest saluted me a Wife and wish'd me happy in a marry'd State and that melancholy which possest my dear Valentio became Epidemick the Servants lookt like Ghosts of Men and I seem'd the reverse of Woman or something on this side or beyond Humanity my curl'd Locks hang'd loosely in the Air no smiles adorn'd my brow my Beauties fled and Love seem'd just a dying A thousand times I askt the Cause and with Tears in my Eyes conjur'd him to lay open his Heart to hide none of his thoughts from Delia whose very Soul he knew devoted his that if he lov'd me not why would he not tell me so and make me happy when he meant me ill for the killing sound would reach my fore-boding Heart and like sudden Thunder fright and strike me dead He still swore he lov'd me that his melancholy proceeded from some indisposition of his Body and begg'd I 'd inquire no further into the Cause with Tears in my Eyes I left him and all my looks spoke my Soul uneasie In the mean time my poor Valentio became a shadow his Heart was in perpetual agitation and heav'd his anxious Breast as if the mighty secret had struggl'd for a Vent I observ'd this with incredible Pain and us'd all the arts which Love inspir'd to extract the hidden Mystery At last when even Nature you 'd thought nodded as if the Globe would have slipt through her Fingers and crush'd our sleeping Antipodes as in Bed we lay I urg'd my griefs again bid him remember how I still had lov'd the joys of that Night when smiling Hymen gave his wish'd consent how I lay fainting in his Arms sick with pleasure yet willing to advance his and wellcoming the new Joy whose fierceness almost drown'd me how eagerly he graspt me how he prest my Lips and set my Soul on fire when past flames had half consum'd its strength He who now consider'd how constantly I shar'd in all his wishes melted into Love laid aside the Heart of stubborn Man took me in his Arms sigh'd and cry'd Ah Delia I am ruin'd Thou undone And curst Valentio is the cause of all 'T is needless Madam to repeat what follow'd besides my strength at present tells me I must be concise He inform'd me of what had past between him and Arates before the Marriage that his Creditors were become uneasie that his Friends had abandon'd him because he had acted in that affair without consent or advice and nothing could secure him but a speedy flight I believ'd my self miserable fall'n low from the height of happiness and spent the tedious Night in Tears while he whose cares were equal to my own conjur'd me by that Love I bore him to undergo patiently that load of Poverty to which his indiscretion had brought me to forget the scenes of past Loves and to rely upon Arates who could not chuse but relent for a return of Fortune Love was the cause and the Crime was easily pardon'd the weight of his griefs lessned the sense of my own and the throbbings of his opprest Heart stunn'd my Soul almost into a Lethargy I embrac'd him a thousand times swore the possession of his Heart repay'd the loss of Wealth and I 'd show the Courage of an Amazon under my new Misfortune begg'd he 'd tender his own safety and remember that when Valentio dy'd his Delia too was lost At last the unwelcome Day appear'd and the afflicted youth seem'd plung'd in an abyss of Despair O gods How often he did clasp me in his Arms gaze upon me and sigh as if he would have sunk into Eternity his rack'd Soul shook his tender frame and in the labour forc'd Tears from his eyes which the manly Youth strove to hide and tost in a Sea of o'rewhelming cares remov'd the signs of weakness from my sight Then starting from my embraces he 'd cry must I leave my Delia Must I be damn'd to the boundless pains of an eternal Banishment Oh can I abandon Heaven in view And shut my self for ever from the joys of Paradise Oh my Guardian Angel take me once more into thy Bosom give a new life to my fainting Heart and teach me to forget my past happiness or at least to be insensible of my coming torment hush my warring Soul to rest and let me dream no more of what I 'm doom'd to suffer But ah my Delia My all Thou better part of divided Valentio I must leave thee the curse of Poverty drives me from thy Arms and the jealous gods have envy'd my past happiness I must wander from my self for if I retain my strength of judgment I carry Hell about me But sure my kind Memory won't in this exigency forsake me she 'll stand the first shock of Fortune's Malice and prompt me on to madness awake me from a Lethargy of sorrow and by presenting thee to my view give a new edge to my Afflictions divide Valentio from the Husband and oppress me with a double load send me raving into the other World cursing my Stars my Fortune nay the gods but most of all my self yet blessing thee In this afflicting juncture my Courage fail'd me I saw misery before me and thought my self already contemn'd and trampl'd upon by every Fool whose Fortune not Merit had bestow'd upon him a larger stock of Wealth than mine for Virtue when o'reclouded with Poverty gains no esteem and he that 's poor may speak like an Oracle yet unregarded while the rich whose wit will hardly allow him the title of a Man speaks weighty Sentences is aplauded by cringing fawning Knaves and bubl'd into a Love of his own ignorance Poor Valentio read my thoughts in my Eyes and after a deep sigh that exprest sorrow to the life he fell into a new Delirium exclaim'd against just Heaven and wish'd for Thunder from the gods incens'd to drive his tortur'd Soul unto the shades that the Centre would open and swallow down his Body or falling Mountains hide his guilty Head Then reflecting on what he had said he begg'd Heaven's pardon for himself and protection for his weeping Delia took me into his Arms laid my Head to his beating Heart and conjur'd me in the name of all the gods to forgive him to Love him much or else forget him soon Now divine Sirena let me drop the Curtain and hide a Scene so moving that my frighted Soul starts at the view We lov'd and parted and let that express the whole When he was gone my cares for him increas'd I had forgot a thousand things I had to say to him nor could I tell to what Country he design'd to commit himself My Uncle by Nature cruel smil'd at my misery and I had no comfort but the Tears of my Servants of that
waited impatiently till he approach'd for those who Love much hope ease from ev'ry thing and at last knew him to be Dion and Odmar's Servant After I had askt concerning his Master's health and told him that I 'd awake some of the Servants to let him in I stole gently down Stairs my self and changing my Voice to a sharper Key desir'd to know if he had business with my Master meaning my Father Riga for 't was he and knew me not answer'd no. He begg'd pardon for that disturbance he gave the Family and said he had lost yesterday some Papers of consequence and was sure he had dropt them in our House and to his best knowledge the last time he had them was in Daria's Chamber when he waited upon his Master This encreas'd my hopes and I firmly believ'd 't was a Plot of Odmar's and willing to be speedily resolv'd I ask'd him by way of a whisper if he had not a Letter for my young Mistress No said he in a seeming Passion from whom should it come Why reply'd I she writ to Odmar yesterday and from him expected an Answer Did she cry'd he I know nothing of the matter I came out early in search of my Paper and am oblig'd by seven of the Clock to attend Dion because this Day he goes a Hunting with some of his Neighbours But pray added he in another tone Sweet heart if 't is possible let me into Daria's Chamber for there I 'm perswaded I shall find my Papers I was vex'd and knew not what to make of this Adventure If my Father had seen me I had been undone The fellow told me he had no Letter for me yet wanted to be in my Room and spoke the story of his Papers with so much gravity and earnestness that I could hardly doubt the truth of what he said Unwilling nevertheless to betray my own weakness I still personated the Maid and faintly told him that he might come softly up Stairs and stay at the Door till I had receiv'd her Orders He follow'd and when I enter'd my Chamber I was even sick with grief I wonder'd much that Odmar had not written to me and thought if he eagerly had long'd to see me he had slipt no opportunity of telling me so and of returning those thanks my too obliging Letter well deserv'd However I was yet unwilling to condemn him and to divert that pain the thoughts of his unkindness brought me I run immediately to the Door where I had almost forgot the poor Servant and Night being wholly fled he could perceive by my morning Gown who it was then admitted him and after a low Bow presented me with a Letter from Odmar I 've lost no Papers Madam said he but you see I 've presum'd to bring one and from a Man who would renounce a year of that term of life allotted him by Destiny to see you as securely now as I do Riga's good conduct and obliging Complement so prevail'd upon my fluttering gladed Heart that I could not for my life delay that Reward he deserv'd till I opened the Letter The faithful Servant thankt me for my bounty desir'd me speedily to read what he had brought me and assur'd me I should ever find him constant to his young Master's interest tho' I had not ty'd him to it by my Liberality The words Madam If I remember well were these My Generous Daria I am Blest beyond my hopes or what the most ambitious e're could wish Oh! every minute shows a painful hour till that markt out for my happiness arrive I 'll see thee by Heaven tho' all the Elements at once oppos'd me let the gods be passive and nothing shall stop my way I 'll for ever remember Nine for that hour my Daria chose to bless her Odmar shall for the future be set apart for Love and Wine Oppress me with heavy Cares all Day I 'll shake off the burden when that lucky minute comes remember the Happiness it now brings me and even while the Clock strikes I 'll doat upon the very sound Odmar I consider'd this Letter as the effect of his Love and the very product of his real Thoughts and knew by his stile and freedom he had remembred 't was in safe Hands and would be with secresie enough convey'd to mine However lest the Servant's stay should have render'd his Errand liable to suspicion I durst not write and only bid him tell his Master I was pleas'd with what he had sent me but could give no immediate return unless he hazarded a disapointment at Night as undoubtedly 't would come to pass if I should be suspected in the morning of holding any correspondence with my kind Odmar The Servant withdrew and I could see him mount his Horse er'e any in the Family were awake You may wonder Madam when you consider my reserv'd way of living and coldness of Temper how I was then so kind and perhaps you may quarrel my fondness too and that expression my kind Odmar But if your Grace consider my Years and that my inclinations were Virtuous methinks 't will not appear strange or faulty for in honest exalted Love there can be no Crime and what e're we say of obliging and tender is certainly pardonable if we do it as we ought which in the first place is to consider if we are truly belov'd the merit and conduct of our Lovers and most of all to do it privately and with caution for even Crimes themselves when we confess the truth if done in secret give not half that trouble to the mind which publick Trifles bring I read the Letter a thousand times and in that imployment consum'd the tedious Day When the hour approach'd I felt those little pains to which I had been a stranger or at least had not before that time thought of I fear'd that if the Youth came too soon my Father or some of the Servants might see him in the Fields and if I should go to the Lodge before the hour prefix'd I should be mist and search'd for These thoughts made me very uneasie However the danger I fear'd from the last Accident was the least and I ventur'd down into the Garden I had no sooner opened the Door than I found my hasty Lover muffled in his Cloak The kind Youth caught me in his Arms. Oh my Daria cry'd he I 'm lost in extasie Pardon me if I cannot express my thoughts to Heav'n and you I owe so much that I must still confess my self a Bankrupt O thou dear darling of my Soul forgive me if I have no more this goodness to repay but life and constant Love He was so welcome to my Breast Madam that I could say no more than Oh my Odmar What I wanted in words I supply'd in looks and I dare say the happy young Man was pleas'd with all he saw When we went into the Lodge I lockt the Door behind me you see Odmar said I how much I Love and the good opinion
raillery askt Eriphile if Erinthus was not in her Closet We shall see him said she laughing appear by and by like a fatigu'd Traveller There was one thing too which evidently demonstrated that familiarity between the Fair One and this fortunate Youth One of her Maids coming accidentally into the Room found the charming Dutchess in a Posture that visibly betray'd past or intended Crimes for she was sitting upon the Bed where the happy Lover was allow'd those freedoms which fire the weary Soul and give new flames that when encreas'd expire 'T is impossible to find me an Anchorite so frozen or devout that could have seen the half of all those Charms without a passion not to be exprest his Hands graspther naked Limbs she wanton'd wish'd and sigh'd and show'd so much of pleasure in her Eyes his very Soul grew giddy with the Joy The Dutchess and not without just cause was heartily displeas'd with that discovery the Maid had made and in a passion to which she was much a stranger desir'd Erinthus would for this impudence kick her down Stairs but 't is to be presum'd she say'd him that labour by her speedy absence At last the unwelcome Duke came from the Country and having those in the Family who watch'd the behaviour of his Wife he was soon inform'd how faulty she had been However he conceal'd his resentment as much as possible took her as kindly to his Arms as ever and only waited for an ocular proof of her infidelity e're he should attempt to right himself Eriphile believ'd him ignorant of all and without a blush receiv'd him This added to his inward Fury and I may almost believe so much he hated dissimulation and treachery that had she again confess'd the truth and again begg'd pardon he had lóv'd again But Fortune was never her Friend and she never yet was guilty of any thing but what was by some â—ccident or other unluckily betray'd Doubtless Albisinda there are Ladies in Clusa who have done â—s much as ever she did who yet pass for Virtuâ—us and would faint at least be thought to do so when they heard but the name of dishonest Love mention'd before a Witness The Duke one evening returning from Court â—nd almost entring Clusa he found his Coach suddenly stop'd by the over turning of an Hackâ—ey which cross'd that Road in which he was The voice of a Lady frighted with her fall requir'd Entheon's assistance and leaping from his Chariot you will not find it easie to paint his surprise when he saw Eriphile and her Lover ariâ—ing from the Ground The surpris'd Youth unwilling to run the hazard of the Duke's Fury whom he had too visibly injur'd abandon'd the place and between running and walking soon vanish'd from his sight The wise Husband was pleas'd he fled knowing 't was beneath himself to resent the Villany He weighed his Birth and Eriphile's repeated guilt and now resolv'd upon a way of revenge proper to her Crimes he stept again into his Chariot and without speaking one word to the mortified Dutchess order'd the Coach-man to drive immediately home Poor Eriphile was almost mad with grief she could not expect kinder usage from the Duke nor could she blame Erinthus for what he did tho' if she had not lov'd too much she had not forgot that he went off and left her in the hands of an incens'd Husband In the mean time the Coach was again fitted up and she came to Clusa with more sorrow than e're she had known before she durst not trust her self with the Duke after what had past nor could she think of being truly welcome to her Father To relieve her from these anxieties as she enter'd the Port Erinthus who had waited with impatiency show'd himself she was glad to see him and the Coach door boing opened she received him with all that tenderness of which a Woman is capable To be short Albisinda they went off together and Eriphile now secure in her Lover's House forgot her fears her Honour and her Husband She remembred not now how much she was esteemed when Virtuous and scarce could think her broken Vows a Crime Entheon in the mean time sought to redress his Honour and before the Regala with us called a Spiritual Court sued for a Divorce The Dutchess tho' unfortunate in her amour had nevertheless managed it so well that he found it impossible to cast her and tho' 't was known that she was guilty of the Crime laid to her Charge yet it could not at that time be proved and she enjoy'd her Lover and her Fortune The Duke's and her dishonour was now the publick Theme of every discourse in Clusa all Men were sorry for her and no Man condemn'd his discreet Conduct But Albisinda her confidence of her own safety advanc'd her Misfortune Entheon was too great a Man to be always abus'd and having at last remov'd his Suit the powerful Segdarin or Senate did him Justice and she is at this time the Divorc'd Eriphile once the happy Dutchess of Entheon Some People may alledge that the Duke was too formal in his Resentment and that he ought to have punish'd Erinthus as the Crime deserv'd that is to say Albisinda shot him when he found him in his way to Clusa or at least after his disappointment in the first Tryal But 't is certain Entheon chose the better way 't was known to every Man that he wanted not Courage and in in his Youth he has even run beyond Seas on purpose nobly to resent affronts to others done who were not truly capable of doing Justice to themselves or him whose Honour suffer'd in their Persons You see Albisinda because I would not rob you of all patience l 've come to a conclusion so speedily that I have almost cramp'd the Story But you are the Woman whom by no means I would offend and tho' I writ with pleasure yet I deny my self a continuation of that happiness rather than be too troublesome Oh Albisinda if you knew my thoughts or inclinations you 〈…〉 pardon whatever has escap'd me in my Letter If you have found any thing in iâ— too Natural that is Albisinda not truly nice enough believe 't was a force upon me to please others But if I have offended you I buy their Friendship at a price too dear How cruel you have been Madam I cease to mention now but I presume this way of writing was not prohibited that fatal Night in which you told me I was ever to expect your Friendship and the happiness of being the first Man in your Esteem but could not hope for Love Albisinda I could trace the Story even to that place where first we met and where two Fools who alone it seems are fortunate were happy and had that Heaven they sought by jugling Quacks allow'd I could show my innocence or at least excuse whate're I did by putting you in mind of my Years But by my hopes of better Fortune I know not yet what 't
and in this thought I return'd him an answer to this effect Sir THE fears that possess you are groundless Interest has no share in my Love see me as soon as possible and till then be uneasie for nothing but my absence Timandra After I had writ it I was a thousand times resolv'd to commit it to the Flames the words were the real Sentiments of my Heart and I was asham'd to own 'em so tender But when I remember'd him for whom 't was mean't I cou'd not chuse but think it well â— lov'd him and was willing to oblige him I fancy'd to my self the young Lover with all his Charms about him in that extasie so obliging a Letter wou'd undoubtedly give He fail'd not to come that Night tho' at an hour almost unseasonable I was glad to see so many signs of a real Love as his fears then discover'd and we parted not till he had given me all the assurances imaginable of a tender and constant Passion and I in Exchange had promis'd the entire possession of my Heart Never were Days spent with greater Pleasure and in this state of Happiness and Innocence we contiu'd for a considerable time each Day producing new Joys and a continu'd Scene of Love But Fortune had betray'd her Nature had she been longer our Friend I had gone out one Evening in my Chariot with a couple of Horses to take the Air in a pleasant Field about half a Mile from the Town I had no Footmen with me and was attended only by my Maid Zibelline the Sun was almost set when I cou'd perceive some Gentlemen coming into that Road in which I was but unwilling to be seen I order'd the Coachman to chuse another this instead of answering my design led me to them several of them past by me paying only those respects they thought due to a Woman of my Rank but he who came last and that by his Presence and Furniture seem'd to exceed the others in Quality stop't within twenty Paces of my Coach I soon perceiv'd it and at first judg'd he might be of my Acquaintance when I came up to him he turn'd his Horse the same way I drove and looking earnestly upon me Madam said he what strange accidents attend us Mortals I went out free in the Morning persu'd the Chase all Day and in the Evening am become a Prisoner to an unknown Conqueror I was about to have return'd a speedy answer that wou'd have suited nothing with his Quality when I cou'd perceive by the Star on his Cloak 't was the Duke of Minoya he 's a very handsom young Man Fair and of a middle Stature but one that Loves every where the greatest Prince in our Country and of no small Authority I only smil'd at what he said but he insisted on the Subject swore he lov'd and that till now he ne're had seen a Woman truly Charming The Coach still drove on and he still rode by it with his Eyes fix'd on mine When I arriv'd at the City Gates I beg'd be'd leave me but in vain I fretted much at the unlucky accident I desir'd not to be known to him and prudently remember'd how much it endanger'd my Reputation to entertain for a Lover a Man who had deceiv'd the greatest Ladies of our Country often obtaining the last Favours from them without any returns But he wou'd not be perswaded and I was at last forc'd to tell him who I was This knowledge added a little to that respect he pay'd me but was much the same as if he had accompany'd me home for there were few in Capac who cou'd not inform him where the Marquess of Hayana's Daughter liv'd He came next Day and pay'd me a visit presuming either upon his Birth or his young acquaintance and perhaps upon both I was but indifferent Campany for a Man of his business my stock of Love was already spent and the Handsomest Youth in Capac wou'd have found me Bankrupt in all things but my Pity He was not a whit daunted at this Reception how-e're unlook't for his former successes encouraging him to hope the like in this About this time the Earl of Rucana dy'd of an Apoplexy leaving his eldest Son to rejoyce in the Possession of a great Estate and my Mother to mourn the loss of one she look'd upon as her Husband This for some time kept away the young Adrastus but cou'd not hinder the Duke from his daily visits My Mother knew very well of it and easily believes my Beauty and Fortune sufficient to advance me to so honourable a Match and having lost all hopes of Possessing the Father she remembers the Son no more and imploys her Interest for this new and potent Lover only In the mean time I thought of nothing but Adrastus he always writ to me and decency no sooner permitted than he came to see me I told him nothing of the Duke's visits I lov'd him too well to give him the knowledge of that which wou'd have made him the most uneasie Man alive and he parted from me with his usual Satisfaction our affairs did not long continue in this State Adrastus having drop't a Letter of mine which he had receiv'd privately while in the Room with his Brother laid the Scene for most of my misfortunes that follow'd as soon as he could lay hold of opportunity he went into the Garden there to read what he had newly receiv'd but after a tedious search he at last concludes it lost The Earl had taken it up but Adrastus who was very well acquainted with his Humour knew 't was impossible to make him own the Fact and therefore came instantly to inform me of the accident tho' I was sorry my Letter had reach'd Rucana's Hands yet I cou'd not chuse but smile at that concern Adrastus show'd for the loss the more he was vex'd methought he spoke the more of Love Adrastus said I to ease him of his Fears let not what has happened trouble you your Brother has never yet seen me nor when he does will he find me in a Humour to his Advantage My Lover thereupon went away satisfied tho' not before I had charg'd him not to acquaint the Earl with his loss nor to see me that Day or the next I commanded and he search'd no further into the Cause of his Banishment Rucana who in the mean time had read my Letter found it to this purpose I Design this Night to take the Air accompany'd only by my Maid Zibelline at the back of the Lake Cacique you may come attended by your Page Timandra He had no sooner read my Name than he knew from whom it came he had heard me often commended for my Beauty and found by my Style that his Brother was as happy as a Lover cou'd be made by a kind Mistress and thereupon resolves to supply his place and personate the happy Man I suspected what use he might make of my Letter and had therefore dress'd one of my Maids in