action which might incite the King to give him his liberty as a reward of it and by his order I prevailed with my kind Patron Mahomad that he should be allowed Arms when he came to the Battel assuring him they would not be imployed to the Kings disadvantage We began after a months slow march to approach so near the enemy that our Outguards had often Skirmishes and we found their Army very strongly encampt having a great River on one side and a large Wood covering the other the King setting down about a League from them after a Nights refreshment of his men drew up his whole Army in Battalia and so marcht till we faced the Enemy believing they would lye close within their Intrenchments but Albazin the famous Rebel who commanded them was as forward and earnest to decide all by a Battel as the King could be and before half the Morning was spent both Armys began to draw so near in a large Plain before Albazins Camp that the Archers could no longer be hindred from beginning the fight but receiving that word of command they were impatient for a most bloody and obstinate fight commenced which was not decided without the loss of many thousand lives Albazins Army consisted of much an equal number with the Kings but he had the advantage of at least eight thousand Horse though fewer in Foot The King behaved himself like a wise General and bold Souldier charging where his men were most prest upon but not being seconded by them with a like courage his success not only grew doubtful but the Enemy making a fresh charge with a strong body of Horse he kept in reserve from the beginning of the Battel his Right Wing was forced to give ground having the misfortune to behold his Left in a greater disorder the Main Body only standing obstinately to it being engaged in a close fight where all other Arms but their Swords were grown useless Mahomad fighting near the King I kept as close to my Master who by my Patrons procurement was allowed a Horse and to enter the Battel where his great Actions were for some time obscured in the Croud he fought amongst but upon Albazins fresh Charge when our Horse began to give ground he prest forward to the Front and was got close up to the King when he perceived him surrounded by the Enemies Horse which Albazin led in Person the Kings party made so weak a resistance that he already feared himself a Prisoner to his rebellious Vassal and my Master believing then was his time to dye gloriously or merit his freedom turning about to me said Now Julian believe I fight to cut my self a passage into Italy I fight in hopes of seeing Diana again and am assured of Victory in her Name Ending those words he clapt Spurs to his Horse having a strong Javelin in his Hand and pressing close to the King Sir said he you must still Conquer Heaven cannot be propitious long to a Rebel against a lawful Prince As he uttered these words a Horseman of the Enemy whose Garb made him remarkable had forced a way so near the King with a party which followed him that he was just seizing his Bridle having called to him to yield when my Master clapt in between them and thrust his Launce quite through his body the King having the satisfaction of seeing his Enemy tumble from his Horse dead at his Feet which action struck such a terror to his Foes and gave such new life to our fainting men seeing that blow seconded by two or three more which proved as fatal to those came in his reach that as the one began to take up from their eagerness of Victory and the other rallied again not only making good their ground but prest after their Prince who with my Master by his side began to recover fresh hopes of retrieving the Battel on that part But if the face of Victory seemed to change where we were it was much otherwise in other places for one acquainted the King that his Left Wing was almost totally routed and the main body shrinking under the Enemies force was likely soon to follow the example of their Companions This sad intelligence drove him quite into despair making him cry out what what can we do more but save our selves by flight Conquer Conquer said my Master hast where your presence may reanimate your men and be assured of Victory here The King took his counsel only saying as he drew off Heaven preserve the life of my valiant Slave and I shall not doubt of Victory The King had scarce left us when Albazin angry to find such a stop put to his proceedings as my Master had given them advanced before the rest of his men and coming near my Master Slave said he since thy Courage is so great be honoured in receiving thy death from Albazins hand my Master replied not a word to him but receiving the strong charge of his Launce upon a little Target he had on his left Arm returned him such a thrust with his as had almost thrown him quite out of his Saddle and turning his Horse short upon his Enemies Crupper made him feel the weight of his Scimitar before he had well recovered the shock of his Spear Albazin was a man of extraordinary courage and being quite Transported to meet such opposition from a Slave flew at him with his Scimitar designing his next blow should decide the controversie but being intercepted by my Masters Shield he only received a slight wound in his Arm and requited it with a larger in Albazins Shoulder while the Warriâ—rs were engaged in a single combate all the Souldiers on both sides forbore Fighting to be Spectators of what the Event of it would be each side conjecturing their Fortune to depend on the Success of their Champion and after a sharp Dispute both covered with Blood and raised to the highest transports of Fury by the resistance they met with weary of further delay they closed and grappled one another on Hors-back each striving to pull his Adversary from his Saddle and at once spurring their Horses both came to the Ground together but my Master happily falling uppermost before Albazin could recover himself from the disorder of a Fall with such a weight upon him my Master drawing a short Puniard from his Side stabb'd him to the Heart and Leaping upon his Feet as a Trophy of his Victory he pulled Albazins Green Turbat from his Head and clapped it on his own that Colour being worn by the Rebel as a Note of the Sanctity he pretended to having at first by a Religious Cheat reduced all those who were of his Party from their Loyalty The death of their Leader struck such a damp in the Hearts of our Enemies that those who a little before thought themselves Conquerors after a weak Opposition betook them to their Heels being pursued and slaughtered at Pleasure by our Men who followed the renowned Frederick with a full
assurance of an intire Victory for the Confirmation of which meeting none in that part of the Field but such as offered their Throats to our Swords He called to those who were nearest him telling them they had done nothing till the day was as much secured in other places as where they had then fought and being answered That lead where he would they were ready to dye by his Side or Vanquish with him having by this time drove the scattered Wing of the Enemy quite out of the Field he wheeled about and fell in upon the Rear of the main Body finding them so much work where they least expected it that they soon desisted from further pressing upon the King to defend themselves against the impetuosity of a fresh Charge but the Shouts of our Men crying out The Rebel Albazin is dead and an Officer of ours having after my Master left the Place where he fell cut off his Head and fixt it on the point of a Launce brought it in sight of those were still Fighting which Spectacle was so amazing to them that now desperate either of success or safety they were quickly reduced to the same condition their Left-wing was in and those of their Right which had gained advantage enough before endeavoured to save themselves by a hasty flight There fell on the Kings Side above eight thousand Men and most of the Officers who fought near the King had lost their Lives to secure his which occasioned my Masters having the sole leading of those with whom he recovered a lost Battel the Enemy left dead on the place near thirty thousand Men the King putting all to the Sword after they had thrown down their Arms. As soon as my Master came where the King was alighting from his Horse as he would have knelt down he took him in his Arms calling him his deliverer and preserver both of his Crown and Life nor was there a Souldier in the Army but attributed their Victory to my Masters Courage It will not be to my purpose to trouble your Highness with any other circumstances past there more than that all was reduced again to the Kings obedience and after four months absence we arrived safe again at Tunis my Master being recovered of his wounds and grown in such esteem with the King that he was by all termed the favourite-Slave One thing I had like to have omited that my friend Mahomad who held a considerable Charge in the Army was at the beginning of the Fight dangerously wounded and carried out of the Field but afterwards he recovered having been during his illness so carefully attended by me that at our coming back to Tunis he used me with much greater kindness than before But a few days after a sad misfortune which befell my Master turned all our tranquility into grief The King having seen the happy effects of his Valour and keeping him continually near him was grown so delighted with his Conversation that desirous to add Favours to those he had bestowed and for the future to deter my Master from ever urging him again to restore him to his Liberty set very earnestly upon him to perswade the alteration of his Religion thereby putting himself into a condition to be the Kings Son-in-Law he having assured him he desired no other Husband for his only Daughter You may judg Madam how much he was surprized at so strange a Proposal finding that as his own resolutions were sufficiently fixt so the denial would much disturb the King And his absolute refusal though with modesty and acknowledgment enough was so far from inducing the King to desist that he not only prest it more and more every day but set the Mufti upon him to endeavour the bringing him to their Belief promising a vast reward to him that should prove succesfull in it and when all their Arguments and promises could avail nothing one of them found a way which had near ruined my Master for the King growing at last almost angry to be refused that by a Slave which he thought deserved the Prayers of Princes to obtain was satisfied with what one of the Priests told him that Frederick when he had slain Albazin put on his green Turbat which colour being sacred to their Prophet the Christian who is bold to prophane it by the wearing ought by their Laws either to change his Religion or expiate with his Blood the offence The King by their means though with some reluctance was perswaded to attempt him in that matter assured he would rather live the Son of a King and Husband to a beautifull Lady than expose his Life for the sake of Religion So that one morning as he entred the Seraglio a Guard seized him and carried him away Prisoner to a private part of it where the Mufti made him the Proposal either of Life or Death which last he firmly demanding rather than his Belief should be so much as questioned they so incensed the King against him by those reproaches he gave their Prophet that at last his Life became in a great deal of danger and although the Execution was deferred in hopes he might recant yet he was made a close Prisoner with the threat of never being releast but on the tearms were made him He continued a Prisoner for several months without my being able to see or send to him having learn'd from Mahomad the condition he was in who very much blamed the King's ingratitude having nothing to alledg for his excuse but that great influence the Mufti had over him whom he knew to be violent in what concerns any matter of their Sect. While my dear Master remained in Prison I was grown so melancholy that Mahomad who exprest much trouble for it took me along with him to his Country-house to give me some diversion telling me he had an Italian Slave whose conversation he believed I should be much delighted with and as the highest token of his favour promised me a sight of his fair but coy Mistriss on the way he entertained me with his love of her letting me know that a Ship he sent out at his own charge took her among several other Captives on the Coast of Florence and with her his Italian who was brought to him desperately wounded having resisted while he had strength to do it those who assaulted him that he kept his fair Slave there least the noise of her Beauty might by the Mariners discourse of it come to the Kings Ear and he should demand her purposing by having her concealed where no body knew of her to tell the King if he should ever inquire after her that she had been ransomed resolving rather to part with his Life than Love although her obstinacy was such that he had never been able to overcome it not having power to use force if she were possibly any other way to be won As soon as we were allighted at his House where his Servants were ready to receive him I could scarce credit my
place so suitable to her disposition and leaving the rest of her train in the Walks she returned with Nise to the Grotto from whence Alexanders adventure had lately called her where making the young Confident sit down by her she resolv'd to endeavour the unloading her breast of those afflictions she laboured with by letting Nise pertake the knowledge of her most secret Concerns in relating those circumstances of her life which till then she had been ignorant of The History of Diana Dutchess of Mantua I Do believe dear Nise said the melancholick Princess 't is not only thy admiration but that of all people To see me yield to a Grief must appear very unaccountable since the occasion of it is altogether unknown even to those who think themselves best acquainted with all passages of my life especially at a time when in all appearance fortune has nothing to add whereby my condition might be more happy But the assurance of thy affection and fidelity removes those scruples I might apprehend against the revealing what I must needs allow a weakness and incourages me with the less reluctance to make thee acquainted with the affliction I struggle with occasion'd by an unfortunate passion The very mention of that word oblig'd the Dutchess to turn her head aside to conceal the Blushes and dry those Tears that Remembrance and the Confession of it had forced from her but quickly recollecting her self she gratified her beloved Nise with a short Narration of the most remarkable passages of her life Although my Fathers Indulgence proceeded the incomparable Lady was much inferiour to his Severity I am confident the whole world will grant my Sorrow for the loss of him was never exceeded by those who bewailed the death of a most tender Parent Yet two compleat years being expired since Heaven was pleased I should be deprived of him the whole Province may have reason to believe 't is some other cause prevents my receiving a full Satisfaction in the state Heaven has been pleased to allow me so much above others And I must confess did Ambition or Interest rule my mind it were unreasonable to wish for more than I am already Mistress of My Father left me not only to the possession of this flourishing Dukedom of Mantua but as great a Treasure to maintain my Royalty as any Prince in Italy can boast him self Master of Were the enjoyment of liberty delightful to me so generally sought after and wished by those of our sex above all other Blessings how happy might I esteem my self in the difference there is between a recluse life such as an awful Father confined me to and that uncontroul'd disposal of my self I now enjoy But alas how little is the benefit I reap from these advantages while I lament the loss of what was justly much dearer to me than all the Glories of establisht Sovereignty I suppose you are not ignorant of that disaster made such a noise in the Court about half a year before the death of my Father and much about the time yours placed you here with me I mean the murder of that most accomplisht young Lord Frederick of Bolonna who was most barbarously assassinated and thrown into the River as he returned one Evening late from the Palace to his House That unhappy Gentlemans destiny said the agreeable Nise finding the Princess with no small disturbance pause of the mention of so bloody a deed filled all the Court not only with Pity but Astonishment that a person admired and beloved by all who knew him should fall under so cruel a fate in a place where his obliging carriage and unequal vertues had procured him many friends but thought to have no enemy Most certain continued the afflicted Lady having recovered her self a little none more deserved an universal admiration or lived freer from being hated by the most envious but alas had his Merits been less his Life had never been sacrificed to the cruel resentment of an unjustly offended Prince 'T is now Dear Nise I must discover to you a Secret the whole world is to this moment ignorant of This unfortunate man by birth inferiour to none as descended from a Branch of that Family was once adorn'd with the Crown of Naples and now enjoys the Throne of Sicily Possessor of no inconsiderable Estate and Title and one whose worth transcended all the advantages could be deduced from either finding he was the free master of himself and fortune resolved for some years by travel from his native Countrey to improve those accomplishments he thought he had only learnt the Theory of from his careful Tutors After some months spent in seeing the most celebrated parts of Europe he came into Italy and visiting after a short abode at Rome the principal Cities of this Country he came hither with intent to reside a while at my Fathers Court. His excellent society and generous behaviour soon made him to be taken notice of as the most considerable stranger had been seen at Mantua for many years and if his great endowments of mind with an unaffected gracefulness of carriage in all his actions attended with a most complaisant humility procured him the Esteem and Respect of all vertuous men His youth adorned with a beauty more than natural to his sex and his winning Conversation purchased him if not the Affection at least the favourable Opinion of all our Mantuan Ladies and there were as I have been informed very few if any whose affections were not preingaged but would willingly have been content to make him the disposer of their liberty He was very assiduous in attending at the Court from the first night of his appearance there which chanc'd to be when my Father by a publick celebration of his birth-day allowed a more than usual freedom in his Palace He was permitted to daunce with me being lookt upon as a stranger of quality and then as he since told me he embraced those chains were relinquisht with his life after some weeks stay with us the high Character every one gave of him and those Remarkes my Father himself had taken of his extraordinary parts made him desirous to retain so eminent a person alwayes near him by heaping continual honours daily on him insomuch that he was quickly beheld not only one of the greatest Officers of the Court but the Dukes peculiar Favourite and to oblige him from any thoughts of returning to Sicily the place of his Birth and Fortunes my Father designed a match for him with Roselinda the only Daughter of Count Theophilus the most eminent man within his territories But his humility as was then believed made him though with great acknowledgements excuse the acceptance of what he declared himself too unworthy of deserving But his modesty served only to incite my Father with greater earnestness to bring him to the acceptance of what he judged so advantagious for him and having acquainted the Old Count with his Desires it was not only accepted of by him
from a sight of her in her return with her Brother not long before to Mantua Alexander would willingly have obliged Alfredo for his Couzens sake but knowing well the reserved temper of Carlos he could not promise him any hopes of Success for although the Friendship between them was very great Carlos had never given him a sight of his Sister or so much as mention'd her being in the House however he satisfied the Lover of Cynthia at present by assuring him to employ all his Interest with her Brother to make him happy But Alexander himself in the mean time had resign'd all his Tranquillity to the imagined Beauty of Laura not only owning it to his Friend but with Protestations that if their Friendship did not with-hold him he would immediately visit Rome in search of this Lovely Creature begging Carlos with the greatest earnestness possible to give him an historical account of his Love and the progression he had made with her Carlos found himself at a loss what to say but at last a little to gratifie his perseverance to know something he told him in general that he had not been hated by her that he had often found opportunities of seeing and Discoursing with her but before he could perswade her to a Resolution of making him happy the death of his Father had called him from Rome and the Person he loved withal perswading Alexander to mention her no more to him lest it should incite those Thoughts he would unwillingly harbour against a Friend Alexander promised he would not striving to put it off with a jeast that what he had said was only to try the Constancy of his Friends Love and Carlos smiling seemed to believe he had no other design in it So falling from that to other Discourse Alexander spoke to him in behalf of Alfredo for his Sister but Carlos answered to that Demand that although he was well satisfied both of the Quality and Fortune of Alfredo yet he would Impose no Husband upon his Sister but one she should her self approve first and that hearing Alfredo was then going a journey to Loretto by the time of his return he would know his Sisters sense and accordingly answer his Demand This Journey of Alfredo's was to accompany his Unkle Octavio and Porcia who went thither in performance of a Vow Octavio had made while Languishing under a Violent Distemper he had some time been recovered of The Night before their Departure Alexander took his leave of Porcia at the Window they used to meet at with a real sorrow on her part to be absented from him and a well expressed one on his if the remembrance of Laura's Picture would allow it to be sincere But when she had been a few days absent neither the consideration of displeasing Carlos nor the unaccountableness of this new Passion could deter him from resigning all his Fredom to the well-drawn Charms of Laura's Picture watching all Opportunities of being in the Gallery to meditate on the Perfections appeared in that excellent Piece One day as he was retired to his Contemplation a Servant brought him word that a Woman close Veiled desired to speak with him who by his Command being brought up delivered a note into his hand and told him she must wait his Answer to it breaking off the Seal he found it contain'd a summons from an unknown Lady to be directed by the Servant brought it to him to a Window at eight at Night where she desired a short Discourse with him He obliged the Maid to stay where she was untill the hour appointed at which time going out his concealed Guide before after having passed several Streets she brought him to an Ally whose narrowness added to the obscurity of the Night and leaving him under a little Window opened into it from a large House she took her Leave of him telling him she would let her Lady know that he attended her pleasure He had waited a short while after the Maids departure when he perceived the Window open and heard one call softly to him After his first Complements were over the person from the Window said Had I not been convinced that the Generosity of Alexander would not suffer him to disobey the assignation 〈…〉 I should scarce have made this Trial of your obliging Disposition but since the repetition of many words â—s needless to one must beg of you what she hopes you will not deny the only inducement I can use to assure my self oâ— your compliance is to let you know that your coming hither is to lay another Obligation on Laura besides that of having a respect more than ordinary for her Picture neither is it I alone am engaged to a favourable esteem for the Gallant Alexander but my Fair Friend and Companion Cynthia has set so great a value on your Merits that I doubt she is not far from an Inclination to the worthy Master of them and to acquaint you with the design of your being sent for hither it is both from her and my self if our Intreaties can prevail that you would be less Assiduous with Carlos in favour of your Friend Alfredo for be confident Cynthia's thoughts are so far from approving his pretentions that if it be persisted in 't will occasion that Difference between her and her Brother which she would most willingly avoid and be troubled your Intercession should occasion it wherefore it lies upon you to deter Carlos from allowing it any further progress and reduce Alfredo to a resolution of persisting no longer in a design will never prove successful Alexander was so surprized to hear the name of Laura and transported with the imagination of being so near her that the pleasing disturbance it had put him in would not suffer a passage to his Words whereby he might form an Answer to what she had required of him more than with broken expressions to assure her he should rejoyce in that Obedience she required of him So that giving her leisure to recollect what she intended to aâ—quaint him with she continued her Discourse saying Now Generous Alexander that I have obeyed the injunâ—â—â—oâ— Cynthia laid on me believing you will admire to find me in her Company and her Brothers power I must beg your patience to hear the occasion of it Carlos has already told you my Inclination had preferred him above all others my Quality and the place of my Birth you have learnt from him but since his reservedness has kept you ignorant of the occasion brought me to Mantua and into his House relying on your secresie you shall be informed of the cause of it from Laura her self During the time of Carlos's abode in Rome our Loves were grown reciprocal when he took that Journey with you soon after your first acquaintance to visit the most remarkable Places in Italy leaving his Sister in a Convent she had been bred in until he should return I heard afterward by him that being called home by the death of your Father
Host consuming it in the consideration of what course I should take to know what was become of him whom I could not but hope to be still alive since he had escaped so miraculously from the River I resolved to visit Tunis although I exposed my self to a certain slavery which in a few days I performed having met with an English Ship was bound thither to Trade I embarqued my self and in less than a month after my Masters being carried away I was landed in that considerable City of Affrick It had been my Fathers mischance when young to be taken and kept six years a slave in Tripoli during which time he had perfectly learnt the Arabick Language and for a diversion had taught me so much of it that I could discourse indifferently well in it and it stood me so much in stead that cloathing my self in the Moorish Garb I was credited to be what I pretended my self a Moor of Tetuan taken a slave by the Christians so young that I had almost forgot my own Language and that having by my hard labour got enough to procure my ransom I was landed there in order to return to my own Country So that being lookt on as an absolute Moor I had as much opportunity as I could wish to inquire after my dear Master though a great while without any effect till one day hearing some Slaves talk of their Captivity and inquiring from what part they had been taken one of them told me he was a Mantuan brought over much about the time I knew my Master was lost and examining him more particularly of what other Slaves were taken with him I learnt not without a transport of joy that he came thither in the same Vessel with my Master that by the Moors care of his wounds both during their Voyage and a-shore he had been perfectly recovered and since was bought by the King of Tunis for a vast price Upon this intelligence I was so continually about the Seraglio that at last I discovered my dear Master in a Dress much different to what I was wont to behold him he was pleased to tell me my presence was not a little welcome to him though he lookt shyly on me fearing by my wearing a Turkish Habit I had been turned Renegado till giving him an account of all I had done his goodness but too much acknowledged my love to him For the first time we durst not be too long together lest my Disguise should grow suspected and afterwards when we met our Consultation was how possibly to procure his enlargement from a Master never admitted a ransom for his Slaves so that all our hopes must depend on the Kings being procured to give him to some Courtier who would be willing to see him exchanged for a considerable sum of money During the time we were taken up with these Considerations there happen'd an occasion which I was willing to lay hold of as what might much conduce to my Lords enlargement A Noble man of Tunis called Mahomad Alli having a young Son whom he desired to have instructed in Musick and hearing I had learnt a proficiency in that used in Italy during my Captivity sent for mâ—â— making great offers of requital if I would take upon me the teaching of his Son which I willingly offered and in a few weeks gained the Fathers heart by the improvement his Son had made in the Science I was thought a Master of And being of himself a man more desirous of knowledge than the generality of his Country men are he took a great delight in hearing me relate the Manners and Customs of Christendom so that at last I was grown so much in his favour as to be intrusted with the management of his Affairs and ordering his House in the City when he went to divertise himself at a Seat he had some miles out of Town where he used often to be as I learnt drawn thither by the love of a fair Christian Slave had been presented him and finding his good opinion of me so great that he exprest a willingness to do me any considerable kindness I could beg of him One day when he was much delighted to hear me play on the Harp I told him among the Kings Slaves I had met with a young man whom I knew in Italy and whose Friends had been so particularly kind in conducing to my deliverance from a long Captivity that the only thing I would beseech of him was if possible to get that Slave out of the Kings hands which he might beg for not without hopes of success and give me leave as a grateful requital to him and his Friends to set him at liberty as soon as he heard what I desired of him he blamed my modesty in asking so small a Boon and promised that very day to procure what I sought not doubting to speed in it At the time he went to the Seraglio to procure my Lords liberty I went to acquaint him the good news of a freedom he might soon expect but all our joy was dissipated at Mahomads return who told me that although my request was small yet at that time impossible to be granted for the King having news of a Rebellion in the farthest part of his Dominions which being slighted at first had given the Rebels time to carry all before them so that the King resolving to go in person with an Army against them all his Slaves were appointed for the journey and that he himself being commanded to attend the King in the expedition resolved to intrust the Government and Ordering of his Family to my care until his return If I was grieved at the certain prolongation of my Masters captivity that concern was doubly aggravated at the consideration of being separated from him so long a time as that was like to be if he should ever return I used all the arguments I could to perswade Mahomad I might accompany him but in conclusion it was almost by a forced licence that I went having declared that if he thought me unworthy to be near him where he might be exposed to continual dangers as soon as ever he was departed to the Army I would return to my Native Country and Friends in Tetuan A few days after the King began his journey finding at the Randezvous he had appointed a compleat Army of thirty five thousand men all well appointed besides the usual attendants on a Camp he proceeded with short journeys n t to harrase his men before they came up with the enemy having heard by those he had sent out that they seemed to expect him and it was believed would stand a Battel I should pass over what concerns the Wars of Tunis without troubling your Highness to hear any thing of them but that my dear Master made a considerable character in that War during our march I had all the opportunity I could desire of seeing and discoursing with him his resolutions were to attempt the doing some remarkable
Christian Although the difficulty of having a City Gate opened was not easily to be removed believing so fair an opportunity would scarce offer again I was resolved to further it all I could Alstolfo having told me that both my Master and himself were resolved to expose their Lives to the utmost Peril and rather kill Hamet in his House than let Roselinda be Ravished by him The City of Antiquera was at that time in the Power of the Spaniards being but seven Leagues from the Place where we were so that if we could get forth untaken notice of having once entred the Mountains the discovery of us if pursued would be difficult but how to find the way created us most trouble all being Strangers in that Country to which Astolfo answered that Hamet having bought a Spanish Slave since his Arrival they might easily take him with them who would doubtless serve as a Guide I sent Astolfo back desiring him to provide all things ready against the next Night and in the mean time I enquired out who had the Charge of that Gate we purposed to pass and finding him a young Man in whose Company I had been where most People used to resort and Converse together as soon as I had found him falling into Discourse of the difference between Spain and Africk he seemed to like the former chiefly for the Recreation he had in pursuing such Game as the Neighbouring Mountains were stored with and hearing me declare my self a great lover of Hunting he presently invited me to go along with him the next Morning and that in order to it we might go and lye the same Night at a House he had half a League out of Town I accepted the offer for the Night following saying I would bring a Friend or two with me so we parted till the next day in the mean time having given notice to the rest to be ready two hours within Night I would not be seen by the young Moor till toward the Evening when I believed he would expect me ready to go and then finding him at his Gate waiting only my coming to be gone I told him an unlookt-for business would forcibly detain me till some time within Night but if he would order the Gate to be opened for me and my Friends we would certainly be with him long before Morning he was very desirous of staying for me but I pretending to accept no such Compliment perswaded him to set forward first commanding the Guard to let me and who ever came with me through at any time of the Night After he was gone I waited at my Lodging till the time drew near for my Master and his Companies coming forth and then finding the Back-door of the Garden to Hamets House at the time I had appointed came forth my Master Astolfo Roselinda the Eunuch and the Slave who had with Joy undertaken to be our Guide As soon as I came to the Gate according to the Order had been given they let us all forth without asking any Question and taking the Way our Guide directed a little after Midnight we reached the Mountains as we were on the way the Eunuch told us that Hamet coming early home and visiting Roselinda stayed no longer than to tell her that the following Night she must either by force or freely yield and so leaving her went to Bed whom he lockt in and then brought forth all his Companions to me whose Design of flying to the Christians he much wondred at till acquainted with my disguise All that night we travelled without meeting any Body having reached about three Leagues the ways being so Rocky that Roselinda could scarce climb the Hills with all the Assistance we afforded her and though we had got the advantage of the Suns Light yet our Journey all day was as tedious being perswaded by our Guide to leave the Road for fear of a pursuit so that what with our going about and making a way thorow the Sedge of the Mountains it was within an hour of Sun-set when we came to the utmost of the Hills from whence we could discern a spacious Plain and a League from the Foot of the Mountain on a rising Ground that Christian City grown famous by holding out so long against the Moors that the Grandchildren of those who first shut up the Gates at that time maintained the Walls against their Enemies having been besieged and blocked up near seventy years We made what possible hast we could down into the Plain hoping before Night to enter our City of Refuge but the difficulty of descending the craggy Cliffs where there was no Path took us up so much time that it was quite dark when we recovered the bottome of those asperous Mountains and though we were got into a High-way which our Guide told us Lead to the City yet fearing to encounter any Party of Moors who used to be abroad in the Night we left the Tract and by the direction of our Spanish Captive going almost half a mile within the Plain we came to the Foot of a large and steep Rock which rose in the middle of the Valley being to be got up but on one side the other making a very high Precipice At the bottom of this fatal Rock we thought it convenient to Repose our selves as in a place of security till the days approach when our Spaniard told us there would be no hazard of meeting any Enemies the Christians using to be abroad every Morning to scour the Coast of those Parties of Moors who many times by the Nights shelter have adventured under their very Walls either to Alarm them or take up any they could find stragling without their Lines Fredericks loyal servant coming to this part of his Relation was interrupted by a crowd of Sighs forced a passage from his Breast but a little suppressing them and drying the Tears from his Eyes I wish Madam continued he I might here conclude my Story since what remains to acquaint you with I am confident will occasion no less trouble to you than pitty for those unfortunate people whose Adventures you have heard The fair Dutchess could not suppress her foreboding sorrow to find how unwilling he was to let her know any more but striving with her self and in a manner expecting the worst She desired he would leave nothing untold which concerned any of that miserable Company and leaning on Nise with a Handkerchief wet with Tears before her Eyes she listened to the conclusion of his History Since you must not be disobeyed said the sorrowful Roman I am to acquaint your Highness that we spent most part of the Night with satisfaction enough in repeating our past Adventures joyful that in a few hours we hoped to find our selves in a place of safety and the first dawn of the Morning was welcomed by us all at which time in a Road not far from the Rock we heard the trampling of Horses and soon after discovered a Party as we guessed
Hands on the Rock and guessed by their moving about that it was a fight they were ingaged in whereupon mending his pace he came to the bottom of the Hill just as a Man and Woman arm in arm had thrown themselves from the top and were dashed in pieces almost hard by where he stood and that while he was surveying the dead bodies his men had perceived some Moors holding a good number of Horses on the other side of the Rock and riding round they saw those we had left alive coming down who finding themselves discovered would have retreated up the Hill again but were overtaken by his men and incouraged by one who seemed their Master suffered themselves all to be cut in pieces rather than he should be taken himself ending his life in the same place amongst his men He added to me that having dispatched the Moors he climbed up to the top of the Rock to take a view of what had been done there where he found a great many dead Moors whom he commanded to be thrown into an adjacent Pit but that upon search of the bodies finding about two or three of us Medals which declared our profession to be Enemies of Mahomets Sect he ordered our bodies to be removed to the City that we might receive the rites of Burial but being laid on a Table I had been perceived to stir so that they carried me to a Bed and after several applications brought me out of the swound the want of blood had thrown me into but that the rest had been interred together in the principal Church This certainty of my dear Masters death reduced me into as ill a condition as I had been found in on the Rock so that it was the next Morning before I could be brought to my senses again when I would have torn the Plaisters from my Wounds to follow my lost Lord but the good Governour being in the Room used so many perswasions to me that at last I was satisfied to wait the pleasure of Heaven either in my death or recovery which in a month after proved the latter so that I was become able to walk abroad And would have taken my leave of my Noble Host in order to return hither resolving afterwards to retire into my own Country that I might spend the rest of my days in bewailing without interruption the loss of my unfortunate Master but the Generous Governour not only refused to let me stir till I had recovered some more strength but withal after he had heard from me the quality and misfortunes of those he had interred would have me stay to see their Obsequies celebrated in a more splendid manner than what before had been done so that the week following I was conducted to the great Church where a very fair Monument was set up with an Inscription relating the manner of their deaths were to lye in a Vault under it and towards the bottom was engraven on a fair Marble these words Let the White Rock in theâ—â—â—st of the Tale of Antiquera for ever after be called the Lovers Rock After the Ceremonies ended having burnt several Perfumes to hinder the ill smell of those had been so long dead the bodys were taken up and brought through the Church to be deposited in the New Vault As soon as I saw them bringing towards me I went forward desiring their faces might be uncovered that I might once more behold that of my Master but a fresh disturbance seized me when I beheld those of Roselinda Astolfo and the Spanish Slave which were all that had been brought from the Rock as the Governour assured me but my Dear Master was mising so that concluding he had been left among the Moors in the Pit on the top of the Rock I not only procured a Guard from the Governour to go thither in search of him but he would accompany me himself to that fatal place As soon as we came there he commanded the bodies to be dragged out but could find none but such as we knew to be Moors both by their Cloaths and having no Hair on their Heads among the rest I found the wretched Eunuchs body but not the least appearance of any thing like my Masters we searched every Corner both of the Rock and adjacent Fields but not being able to make any discovery I returned back with the Governour though full of perplexity yet not without some faint hopes that Heaven might by some Miracle have preserved so considerable a Life The fair Dutchess who had listned to his Story more dead than alive began a little to recover herself at this part of his Relation which he continued telling her that after some few days longer abode at Antiquera acquainting the Governour with his design he betook himself to his former disguise of a Moors Habit resolving to search all the Country under their jurisdiction if possible to learn something of what was become of his Master but continued he after I had spent much time in a fruitless inquiry concluding that Great Man certainly lost and that he might either be overlookt among the dead or have received a charitable Interment from some unknown hand I withdrew my self into the confines of Spain and being come among the Christians again I passed for a Captive newly escaped from Bondage but wanting money to alter my Guarb and serve me for so long a journey I was forced to remain in this Dress in which I have appeared before your Highness to give an account of the death of the best of men The sorrowful Julian made this sad end of his Relation which the Dutchess had not been able to hear concluded without an aggravated affliction and wringing her Hands while a River of Tears flowed from her Eyes Oh my Dear Nise said she could Heaven preserve the Life of that Worthy Man to bring him to so disasterous an end Ye Gods where was your justice where was your care of distressed Vertue when he was suffered to fall by the violence of a Barbarous Multitude O Heaven why did you not send the charitable Governour time enough to prevent the ruine of so many Innocents Her afflicted Favourite endeavoured all she could to divert that violent Grief she tormented her self with but at last wanting strength to complain longer she wrung her by the Hand and saying with a faint Voice I must follow my unhappy Lover to the other World since I am denied him in this she sunk down in her Arms. Nise immediately called in the rest of her Women and desiring Julian to retire they removed her into her Bed-Chamber and undrest her to give more freedom to her breath but a great part of the day was spent before she came to her self and several others before she would be seen by any one but her Women and Julian whom she sometimes sent for to hear that repeated which as often renewed her sorrow The faithful Roman after some Weeks abode in her Court where by her Order he