to last a Year and a Day This Opportunity together with the News he received out of Spain of his Elder Brother's Death oblig'd him to desire leave to make a Journey into his Country where two Children his Brother had left and his own Sister stood in need of his presence the former to be protected by him the latter to be dispos'd of in Marriage Don Philip arriv'd at Ville-franche fifteen days after his Sisters departure to Villadolid where the Court was then with an Aunt of his a Widow his Father's Sister who would needs have her along with her this old Lady who had a great kindness for her having resolv'd to leave her all she had at her Death in hopes she might with those Advantages meet with a better Match As soon as Don Philip was come into his Country he took order about his Brother's Estate and the Tuition of his Nephews whom he left in the Custody of an Ancient Kinsman of his whom having entrusted with the care of their Education and Maintenance he resolv'd to go and Visit his Sister at Villadolid As he was setting things in order for his Journey passing through the broad place of Ville-franche he saw abundance of people going towards an Inn which was at the end of it accompanying two Litters in one whereof there was an Old Gentleman and in that which follow'd a Young Lady whose Transcendent Beauty heightned by the sumptuousness of her Attire ravish'd the Eyes and Hearts of all that beheld her but above all those of Don Philip he was so enflam'd by that Transient Sight of her that covering with his Cloak the order he was of he follow'd the Litter so transported out of himself that he reflected not on what those who observ'd him might say of his Demeanour He saw her lighting at the Inn-Gate and if he was before rais'd into a kind of Astonishment at the Beauty of her Face he was now no less at the handsomeness of her Body the Magnificence of her Apparel and the Sweetness of her Complexion In a word he was reduc'd to such an Extremity by the Passion he immediately felt in himself for her that he made enquiry and set himself to find out who that Miracle of Perfections might be which had so of a sudden surpriz'd his Heart and attain'd so absolute a disposal of his Liberty He was soon satisfi'd as to that Particular for meeting with one of her Servants going from the Inn towards the Market-place he with much Civility ask'd him who that Old Gentleman was and whither he was then going The other who understood Civility well enough return'd him this Answer The Gentleman whose Name you are so desirous to know and who is my Master is called the Marquess Grimani a Person of the highest Rank next to Soveraign Princes who comes into Spain an ordinary Embassadour from the Emperour of Germany to his most Catholick Majesty He brings along with him his Beautiful Daughter the Lady Eleanora to be Married to Henricus his Excellency's Nephew who is at the present at Villadolid a Gentleman of extraordinary worth who in the Flower of his Youth left Germany to go and see Foreign Countries He has travell'd all over Europe and is now resolv'd to make his Abode in Spain having already continued some time at Court with a very great Train and is very highly in Favour with his Catholick Majesty and well respected by all the Nobility about the Court nay his Generosity and excellent Conversation have acquir'd him the Esteem of all the greatest Persons in this Country This Marriage of Signior Henrick had been treated of in Germany with this Lady Eleanora the only Daughter of my Master who leaving his Country upon the being Honoured by the Emperor with the present Embassy hath sollicited the Business with greater earnestness So that his Imperial Majesty seems Desirous that this Match should go forward We came by Sea but had such distress of Weather that we were like to be cast away several times While we were in that danger my Master a Gentleman much inclin'd to Devotion made a vow that if he escaped through the Intercession of the Glorious Patron of Spain he would visit the place where his sacred Body lies buryed so well known all over the World for the great Miracles dayly done there Being come to Villadolid my Master continued there fifteen days during which time all things were agreed upon in order to the Marriage That great Affair being concluded he would needs perform his Vow and go to Saint Iames's His Nephew Henrick is not come along with him but stays at Villadolid to send to Rome for the Dispensation for the Lady Eleanora and Signior Henrick are Cousin Germans thus Sir I think I have satisfied your Desire as to the Question you put to me Don Philip gave the Servant very great thanks for the accompt he had given him of his Master and assur'd him he would requite his Kindness if it lay in his Power and so took leave This Discourse happen'd after Night as they walked over the Market-place it being so dark as that the Marquess's Servant could not take any particular notice of Don Philip who did all he could to avoid being discovered The account he had receiv'd that the Beauty which had stollen away his Heart at the first sight was already engaged and within a short time to be Married caused him to return home a much sadder Man than he had left it This Affliction with the Love which he already had for her bereav'd him of all rest That very Night he would needs go and see the Marquess and his Daughter at Supper yet so as he might not be perceived by them The Master of the House plac'd him so as that he might see all at his ease yet not be seen himself and this was to leap out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire The next day the Marquess went thence so as that Don Philip saw not the Lady Eleanorae any more that time Nor was he much troubled at it for having in the Night advis'd with his Pillow to find out some Remedy for his disquiet he found it necessary that he should not be seen either by the Marquess or his Daughter or any one belonging to them that he might the better compass a Design which only Love could inspire him withal The Kingdom of Galicia is very full of Mountains and consequently the way to St. Iames's must be troublesome to Travel so that the Marquess could make but short Journeys whence Don Philip infer'd that he could not be back in less than twenty days presuming he would make some abode at Compostella to do his Devotions and refresh himself ere he set out for his return Accordingly he dispos'd of his Affairs in order to the Design he had bethought himself of and taking leave of all his Acquaintance he went to Pont-Ferrada a Town which lay four Leagues further from the Court than Ville-Franche He took up his
his Death Then Weeping she said And is it possible for me to behold those sparkling Diamonds here and to behold my self thus clouded without thee immur'd up in a Chamber under the Power of Strangers Dear Madam said Don Francisco torment not your self the Owner of this Hat is not dead neither are you in such hands that you will receive the least prejudice by for our Lives and Fortunes are ready to protect you when ever any occasion shall require our Service and be assured Madam that all the Respect shall be paid to you which is due to your Birth and Quality Then she desired him to give her an Account of what Passages happened in the Enterprize for said she that Hat belongs to Cosmo de Medicis Duke of Millain Don Francisco not willing to hold her longer in Suspence recounted to her the whole Relation Madam said he the Person who presented this Hat to me I suppose is the Duke of Millain I left him in very good health and in the Company of some Friends that came to his assistance This Madam that I have related to you is a certain Truth Evadne returned him many Thanks and told him her Mind was much eased for the present By this time Dorila had dressed the Child and going to carry it out as she pass'd by the Lady's Chamber the Child cry'd so strongly that it gave an Alarm to the Lady who enquiring of both the Gentlemen desired to know what Child that was which to her thiâ—…king was newly Born Madam reply'd Don Francisco it is a Present was â—…aid at our Doors this Night and Dorila our Woman is going to get a Nurse for it 〈◊〉 Pray Sir let her bring it to me said the Lady and I 'll exercise that Charitable Act for others since Fortune is not so kind to permit me to do it for my own Then Don Francisco called Dorila to bring the Child which he presented to the Lady saying Madam you may behold the Gift which this Night has produced and it is no surprize to us for we often meet with such Accidents The Lady Evadne having the Child in her Arms look'd as earnestly on the Face as she did on the meanness of the Cloths it had on and could not refrain from weeping so covering her Breast that she might with more Modesty give the Infant Suck she apply'd it to her Nipple and laid her Face to the Childs bathing it with her Tears The Lady considering the Child received little or no Sustenance she return'd it to Don Francisco saying In vain have I exercised my Charity I find I am not experienced in these Cases Then she desired him to give order that the Child might not be carried out into the Air at that time of Night but be kept till the next day and before it went she desired it might be brought to her for she took great delight in viewing it Don Francisco returning the Child to Dorila gave her order to take care of it till the next day and then dress it up as handsomly as she could in those Rich Mantles it was brought in but not bring it till he call'd for it Then returning to the Lady's Chamber where there was only Don Bernardo with the Lady Evadne who through grief being ready to faint desired something to eat whereby she might support her Spirits that she might be able to utter her intended Relation Then Don Bernardo went immediately to his Closet and fetch'd thence some Conserves and Sweet-Meats wherewith she being refresh'd she began her Account in these Words I am one of this City whom I doubt not but you have heard very often nominated the Unfortunate Evadne Barbarino and by those which us'd to flatter me was fam'd for Beauty but such as it is Gentlemen you may perceive that those which did applaud it wanted Skill Being a young Orphan I was left under the Guardianship of Marcellus my Brother who was indeed very Vigilant over me Thus being confined to Solitude only accompanied by my Woman which Waited on me growing up in Years and Stature Fame's Trumpet blew aloud by the Breath of those Persons who had privately visited me and by a Picture which my Brother's Curiosity would have done by a Famous Painter of Italy But all this would have been the least part of hastening my Misfortunes had not the Duke of Millain done a Kinswoman of mine the honour to give her in Marriage My Brother to add more Guests to it desired my Company there it was the Duke beheld me and wrong'd his Judgement in making me the Object of his Love who now has brought me to endless Misery Gentlemen I will not relate to you the Devices Plots and Means how the Duke at the end of two Years came to obtain his Desires which had their Birth at this Wedding For neither Guardings Watchings Brotherly Admonitions nor any other Humane Industry were sufficient to hinder our private Assignations but before I would surrender up my self into his close Embraces he gave his faithful Promise upon his Honour to Marry me I begg'd of him very often to inform my Brother of his Intentions but to what I desired he pleaded those Excuses which he intreated me to approve of to be requisite and necessary In Obedience to his Commands I did as many other Lovers do believe the best within a few days I found an Alteration in my Self and not willing to discover my Condition I feigned my self Sick and Melancholy desiring my Brother to remove me to that Kinswoman's House where was the beginning of my Affliction There did I ease my Mind and make known the present danger which seem'd to threaten me for small Felicity did I take when Jealousies and Fears were always tormenting me thinking that my Brother had suspected my Imprudence But it being fully agreed upon between the Duke and my self that when I was in my last Month I should give him notice of it and that he with some other Friends would make Provision for me to go to Millain where those Matrimonial Rites should be solemnized This was the Night that was concluded on for his coming and this very Night waiting and expecting of him I heard my Brother pass by with many other Persons which seemed to be ready to engage by the noise of their Armour this suddain Fear made Passion so prevalent that instantly I was delivered of a Son and this waiting Woman of mine who was the Duke's Sollicitress and privy to all my Actions she seeing this suddain Alteration wrapt the Child in other Clothes than this Infant has on which was laid at your Lodging and going to the Street Door she gave it as she inform'd me to a Servant of the Duke's In a little while after accommodating my self the best I could answerable to my present Necessity I left the House thinking the Duke had been near at hand which indeed I did contrary to his Orders but the fear of my Brother's severity hindred room for better
merrily disposed I could present to your Eyes one of the delightfullest Objects in the whole Universe which is left to my Care and Conduct That Man reply'd the Duke would be very much void of Reason who could have a Remedy apply'd to his Malady and should refuse the taking of it Therefore Father 'pray shew me this piece of Curiosity you so much applaud for I believe it must be some extraordinary Rarety The Curate presently went to the Lady Evadne's Chamber to fetch the Child who was just made an end of dressing very finely adorn'd indeed with her Jewels and looked very sweetly so taking the Child in his Arms he went to the Duke beseeching him to look upon it The Duke viewing of it said indeed it was a fine Child and took it out of the Curates Arms and kissed it then looking stedfastly on the Jewels he knew they were the same he gave to Evadne being full of Admiration he ask'd the Curate whose pretty Child it was and told him it was as fine as a young Prince My Lord replyed the Curate indeed I don 't very well know but some Months since a Gentleman of Bolognia brought it to me and charged me to be very careful of him and breed him up according to his Quality for he was a Noble Man's Child there came likewise a Nurse to attend him of whom I have enquired several times if she knew the Parents but she told me she could not satisfie me in that particular but if the Mother be as Fair and as Beautiful as the Nurse she must needs be the flower of all Italy now I have seen the Child reply'd the Duke I hope Father I may have that Liberty of seeing the Nurse Yes reply'd the Curate your Highness may command it I will immediately attend you to the Chamber where she is for if the Child hath thus transported you which is but a Copy what will the Mother not do which is the Original The Curate would have eased the Duke's Arms and have taken the Child from him but he would not part with it till he had given it many Kisses In the mean while the Curate stept a little before to inform Evadne the Duke was coming to visit her and desired she would be ready to receive him Evadne being surpriz'd with a suddain Passion that there arose such fresh Colours in her Face which were mighty becoming and rather prov'd a Friend then an Enemy to her Beauty The Duke was intent and astonish'd at the sight of her and Evadne throwing her self immediately at his Feet would have kiss'd them but the Duke without saying one Word gave the Child to the Curate and went with great hast out of the House which Evadne seeing she turned about to the Curate and being much amazed at this suddain Motion Alass Sir said she has the sight of me so scar'd the Duke that he cannot endure me in his presence Am I grown so Odious and deform'd in his Eyes that he Loaths and Abhors me Hath he forgot those Obligations wherein he stands bound to me Would he not vouchsafe to speak so much as one Word to me Was his Son so Burthensom to him Was he so weary with holding him that he so quickly rather threw than put him out of his Arms To all which complaint the Curate reply'd not a word but wondring at the suddain flight of the Duke for it seem'd to him to be rather a flight than any thing else But all this hast was made to no other end save only to call Giacomo whom he commanded to make all the hast he could to Bolognia and bid Marcellus and the two Spanish Gentlemen Don Francisco and Don â—…do with all speed and laying all Exâ—…s aside to meet him at the Curate's House Giacomo was not slothful but pâ—…ly put his Lord's Command in Execution who being thus dispatch'd the Dâ—…ke presently return'd back again where Evadne was but found her weeping upon which the Duke took her in his Arms and adâ—…ng Tears to Tears exchang'd a Thousand Kisses on her Rosie Lips but their Tongues were locked up in an Amorous silence The Nurse and Dorila observing these Amorous Passages leapt for Joy and were transported with the Pleasure of seeing it The Curate also bestowed a Thousand Kisses on the pretty Infant which he had in his Arms. By this time the Curate's Dinner disturb'd their close Imbracements but being at Dinner Evadne gave thâ—… Duke an account of all that had happened to her since she left her Kinswoman's House and that Dorila a Servant of Doâ—… Francisco's perswaded her to come hither â–ª and that she had serv'd her very faithfully and with a great deal of Respect The Duke likewise recounted to her all that which had befaln him to this present Some three days after came Marcellus Don Francisco and Don Bernardo who were in great hopes the Duke had heard of the Lady Evadne But Giacomo who was purposely sent for them could not any ways acquaint them with the Business the Duke went forth to receive them in a large Room adjoining near to that where Evadne was he did not shew a Countenance of any Satisfaction at all which made these new Guests to remain still sad and pensive looking dejectedly upon one another however he desâ—…'d them to sit down So â—…eating himself by them he directed his Discourse to Marcellus You know well Seignior Marcellus that 〈◊〉 never did delude your Sister the fair Evadne you are not unacquainted of the â—…illigence I have used for the finding of 〈◊〉 out in order to the happy Union of 〈◊〉 â—…oth according to those Vows I have â—…ten made to her neither are you a Stranâ—… that she appears not and my word â—…ught not to be Eternal I am in my â—…thful Years and not so well grounded â—…d experienced in the World as to avoid â—…ose Delights and Pleasures which offer â—…selves very often to me the self same â—…ction which made me promise to be Evadne's Husband led me likewise before 〈◊〉 pâ—…st my Word unto her to promise Marâ—…ge to a Country Girl a Farmers Daughâ—… in this Village whom I thought to 〈◊〉 put off that I might have applyed my 〈◊〉 to Evadne's Worth though not to 〈◊〉 which my Conscience dictated to me â—…ch was no small Manifestation of my 〈◊〉 Love but since no Man Marries a 〈◊〉 which is Invinsible and that it does 〈◊〉 stand with reason that a Man should 〈◊〉 seek after a Wife that forsakes him there is no reason I should stay for Evadne that flies me I say this Sir that you may see how willing and ready I am to give you satisfaction And thus I have demonstrated to you that I never did oâ—… had any intention of doing you the leasâ—… Injustice or Injury And therefore 〈◊〉 would crave that leave of you that 〈◊〉 may comply with my first Promise to Marry this Country Maid which is here in thâ—… House Whilst the Duke was making this Speech Marcellus's Countenance
upon the Queen to ask her Majesties Consent as well for the matching of his Son to Livia as for the sending of Aurelia with her Father and Mother into Spain The Queen was well pleased at both his Requests and approved of Prospero's Determination and the same day without calling Endymion's Mother in Question she dismiss'd her from her place in her Bed-Chamber and Fin'd her ten Thousand Crowns to be paid to Aurelia As for Endymion she banished him for six years Four days were scarce past and gone but that Endymion began to take Order for his Banishment having already given Directions for the returning of his Money The Queen then sent and commanded a Rich Merchant that dwelt at Mundolin to come to her who had a very good Correspondency in France Italy and Spain to whom she delivered ten thousand Crowns and requir'd of him Bills of Exchange for the returning of 'em to Aurelia's Father in Sevil or any other part of Spain The Merchant discounting his Interest and Profit told the Queen that he would make certain and sure Payment of them in Sevil by Bills of Exchange upon another French Merchant his Correspondent in this manner and form viz. That he would write to Paris to the end that the Bills might be made there by another Correspondent of his because they would accept and allow of those that came from France but not from this Island by reason of the Prohibition betwixt those two Kingdoms and that a Letter of Advice from him should serve turn by a private mark that passed between them two and that without any more ado the Merchant of Sevil should pay him the Money by the Letter of Advice he would receive from Paris In fine the Queen took such good security of the Merchant that she made no doubt of the true payment of it And not contenting her self with this she sent for the Master of a Flemish Ship that lay in the River and was to put forth the day following for France only to take Testimony thereof in some Port that he might be the better able to pass into Spain under the Title of coming from France and not from the Island whom she earnestly entreated to carry with him in his Vessel Aurelia and her Parents and that he should use them well and kindly and Land them in Spain at the very first place he should come at on that Coast. The Master who desired to give the Queen Content told her Majestv that he would do it and that he would Land them either in Lisbon Cadiz or Sevil having taken sufficient security of the Merchant and assurance from the Master the Queen by way of Message sent unto Prospero to forbid him the taking any thing away from Aurelia either of Jewels or Cloths which she had given her The next day Aurelia with her Father and Mother went to Court to take their leaves of the Queen who received them with a great deal of Love and Favour the Queen gave them the Merchants Letter and many other Gifts as well in Money as other Curious things for their Voyage Aurelia with so much Elegancy express'd her thankfulness to her Majesty for all Honours and Favours received from her that she Created in the Queen fresh Obligations from her to continue her Favours still towards her She took her leave likewise of the Ladies who now that she was grown disfigured was very sorry she should leave them seeing themselves free from that envy they had against her Beauty and would have been very well contented to have enjoyed her Gifts of Wit and Discretion the Queen embraced all three of them and recommending them to their good Fortune and to the Master of the Ship and laid her commands upon Aurelia to Advertise her of her safe arrival in Spain and from time to time of her welfare by the way of the French Merchant she took her leave of Aurelia and her Parents who that very Evening imbarqued themselves Prospero and his Wife with the whole Family shed many Tears extreamly troubled at her unfortunateness and departure At this their taking their leaves Philocles was not present but procured some Friends to go abroad with him that day a Hunting the better to divert him from expressing his Grief and giving demonstrations of his Sorrow the Gifts which the Lady Sabina gave Aurelia at her Voyage were many her Embraces infinite and her Tears plenty her earnest entreaties that she would often write to her were numerous and the thanks render'd by Aurelia and her Parents where answerable thereunto so that though weeping they left each other very well satisfied That night the Ship hoisted Sail and having with a prosperous Gale of Wind touched upon the Coast of France and there taking in such frâ—…sh provisions as were necessary for their Voyage into Spain within thirty days after they entred into the Bâ—…rr of Cadiz where Aurelia and her Parents disimbarqued themselves and being known by all those of the City they received them with Expressions of much joy likewise they received a thousand praises and thanksgivings which was invocated to Heaven for the finding out of their Daughter Aurelia and of their Liberty which they had obtain'd being first Captivated by the Moors and afterwards by the Northern Islanders having been made acquainted with all the Transactions of their Affairs by those Captives whom the liberality of Philocles had set free And now Aurelia in the mean time began to give great hopes of returning to a speedy recovery of her former Beauty however they remained but a little more than a Month in Cadiz to refresh themselves of their weariness after their long and tedious Voyage but went from thence to Sevil for to see whether the payment would prove good of the ten thousand Crowns which were to be placed to the Accompt of the French-Merchant who had undertaken for to see it disbursed Two days after their arrival at Sevil they enquired after him and found him out and gave him the French Merchants Letter upon which he excepted of the Bill but told them that until he had received Letters from Paris and a Letter of Advice he could not pay them the Money but withal he expected every moment to receive Advertisement of it Aurelia's Parents had hired a very fair House over against Santa Paula for the Conveniency of being near a Kinswoman of theirs which was a Nun in that Monastery and by reason Aurelia had inform'd Philocles that if he made any enquiry after her he should find her in Sevil and that her Kinswoman a Nun of Sancta Paula would direct him to her House and that for his better Information and Knowledge he needed give himself no farther trouble than to enquire for that Nun which had the best voice in the Monastery this being a very good token and not easily to be forgotten for indeed she had the rarest and sweetest Voice in all Spain It was forty days before Letters of Advice came from Paris and
at last enforc'd to pull the Living almost Dead from him who was already Dead whom they did honourably interr but the greatest Triumph of his Obsequies were the Tears the Sighs and the Complaints of this poor young Lady who declared her self as much after his Death as she concealed her self in his Life and now as it were satisfied for the Injury she had done him And since as I have heard it reported the Husband she was married to to take off from himself thoughts of Melancholy could never be entertained with any true Joy or Comfort of Heart Brisac having ended his Story Supper came in and several sorts of Instruments played the while several Healths went round especially the Northern Queen's Philocles and Aurelia's they earnestly besought the Assistant that he would honour their Wedding which some eight Days hence they did purpose to Celebrate The Assistant was very well pleased with the Motion and within eight days after accompanied with all the Highest and Principal Persons of the City he waited on them to the Church By these turnings and windings and by these Circumstances Aurelia's Parents recovered their Daughter and were restored to their former Wealth and she assisted by her many Vertues in despight of so many Inconveniences lighted on a Husband of such especial Rank and Quality as Philocles in whose Company she lived many years in great Amity and Splendour leaving behind them Heirs to uphold the Names of Philocles and Aurelia THE Perfidious Mistress A NOVEL VAlentia one of the most Eminent Cities of Spain the Nurse of so many Families the Centre of Ingenious Spirits and the sacred Receptacle of the Bodies of divers Saints gave Birth unto Don Principio a Person of Noble Extraction Young and Master of all those Excellent Qualities for which Men are either lov'd or admired Having left his Country about twelve years before in the Company of an Uncle of his who had the Command of a Troop of Horse in Flanders he behav'd himself with so much Gallantry in those Parts that he was in a short time advanc'd to be Cornet under his Uncle who dying he supply'd his place and so continued twelve years in the Service of his Catholick Majesty Phillip the Third against the revolted Provinces of the Low-Countries He was at last in Compensation of his Services Honoured with the Order of St. Iames with the ordinary Allowances belonging thereto During that part of the year which makes a kind of Cessation of Arms in those colder Countries his aboad was in the City of Antwerp where by certain Letters from Valentia he receiv'd the News of his Father's Death which made him being the Eldest Heir of a very considerable Estate He might indeed now have lived plentifully on his own and pursued his Pleasures as many other young Cavaliers did who place all the Felicity of this Life in the Infamous Enjoyments thereof But he a Dutiful Son of Honour chose rather to continue the Exercises of War and serve his Country than by a suddain Exchange of Enjoyments blast his Reputation and incur the Reproach of a Person impatient of hardship and guilty of effeminacy This Consideration discovers him to be much more stay'd than those young Gentlemen who prefer whole Skins the shameful Blandishments of ease and the warmth of their own Fires before the Honour which a Person truly deserving that Name should endeavour to purchase in the Service of his Prince But Don Principio considering withal that he could not upon this News of his Father's Death avoid taking a Journey to Valentia to order the Disposal of his Estate he desired leave to do it of his most serene Highness the Arch-Duke Albert who finding the just Occasion he had to go easily condescended proffering him at his return what Advancement he could reasonably expect which obliged him to make the more earnest Promises to come back into Flanders contrary to the Presumptions of many who immagin'd that he had made an exit from the Military Stage thence-forward to follow the more pleasant Divertisements of a Civil Life Being come to Valentia where his Relations and Friends kindly entertain'd him he began to order the Management of his Affairs not trifling away his time in unprofitable Diversions whereto young Men are but too much addicted For though he were a Soldier yet was he no Lover of gaming a Disposition for which he was much to be commended considering his Age and Quality inasmuch as gaming Occasions a thousand Misfortunes and unhappy Accidents whereof there had happen'd not a few at Valentia Nor was Don Principio as yet any way inclin'd to Love though he could not want Occasions to express his Courtship and how far he had studied the Mysteries of Love and Eloquence since what added much to the Lustre of that City was the great number of fair Ladies shining in it like so many Stars but his most ordinary Employment was the Exercising of his Horses Of these he had four Excellent ones extreamly well manag'd which he had bought in Andaluzia and one which he rode a hunting the Bulls according to the Custom of the Country shewing himself at that sport more dextrous than all those who were accounted the Bravo's of the City 'T is a Custom in Valentia that in the beginning of the Spring for the space of about fifteen days together most of the Families of the City go about the Silk Husbandry which they have in the adjacent Villages One day Don Principio rid abroad into the Country through that Delightful plain which is near a Garden not far from Valentia known by the Name of the Monastery of our Lady of Hope and having spent the whole Afternoon about those pleasant Gardens refreshing himself with the sweet scent of the Flowers of the Orange-Trees whereof there is good store there abouts the Sun being so far declin'd that it seem'd to be equally divided between us and our Antipodes he passed by a Country House not far from the pleasant River of Turia where he heard at a small distance one playing on a Lute so well that he thought he had not heard any Musick comparable to it before He stopp'd his Horse imagining the Person playing on that Instrument so excellently might also sing to it He expected a-while with much Impatience but the Musicianess putting the Instrument into several different Tunes did not what he so much desir'd which was to hear her Voice In the mean time Night came on and Don Principio extreamly delighted with the place he was in gave his Horse to his Lacquey and commanding him a little distance off he staid alone under the green Balcony whence the Musick came to find out who made it But he had not waited long ere he could perceive by the light of the Moon that it was a Lady who being got into that Balcony to take the Advantage of a gentle Wind then blowing began a-fresh her delightful Musick on the Lute whereto she joined that of an admirable Voice
Demonstrations of Love and Tenderness Thus she flatter'd her self till the very day that she was clearly convinc'd of the contrary by seeing his Marriage concluded and her self absolutely forsaken but reflecting on the other side what an unworthy breach of trust she was Guilty of towards him to whom she had devoted her Honour how could she imagine he should not leave her in the lurch How could she expect if they Inter-married he should be able to live with her in perpetual Disturbances and Alarms The very day that certain News was brought her of this Gentleman 's being Married she fell into such extravagance that she would be reveng'd of her beautiful Face she gave her self several blows tore her Hair and did all the Actions which could only proceed from Madness and Dispair her fair Eyes became two Fountains perpetually running and when her Sighs and Grief gave her a little freedom of speech Wretched Woman that I am would she say of whom all good Fortune hath taken its last leave how deserv'dly is thy ingratitude required with ingratitude How justly art thou punish'd for having kept thy Faith to a base treacherous and perfidious Person after thou hadst entrusted him with the disposal of the dearest thing thou hadst in the World Thou seest he denies the debt thou see'st he pays it with inconstancy and oblivion let all easie-natur'd and inconsiderate Women take example by me let those who deluded by Flatteries and fair Caresses are drawn in to lose what they shall never recover again cast their eyes on my Misery and then consider whether there be any other in the World whose Affliction may be compar'd to mine I wish for what all others abhor Death but it is deaf and inexorable nay slights me and will not come and put a Period to my Trouble Having thus bemoan'd her self into some Remission of her Grief she went to see her Friend through whose House Frederick came into her's who though she endeavour'd all that lay in her power to comfort her yet was her trouble so great the cause of it so pressing and so little hope of any Remedy that all her Remonstrances prevail'd nothing the only Expedient that seem'd then to offer it self was to forbid the Banes since there was some ground to do it but what proof could be made of so secret a Love without any promise of Marriage in Writing or any Testimony but that of a Servant-maid who belonging to her would not have been so easily credited The last and surest expedient this unfortunate Woman could pitch upon was to become a Nun upon which Account she was receiv'd into the Royal Monastery of Zâ—…ida three days after the Marriage of Frederick had been fully concluded This sudden change occasion'd a great deal of noise and discourse in Valentia all wondred at it especially those who knew her to be one of the handsomest and the most desirous to be Courted of any Lady in Valentia It was indeed a kind of Miracle to see a young Lady who spent her time so passionately at Balls Plays and other publick Meetings exchange all those nobler enjoyments of Life for the imaginary felicity of Mortification and Retir'dness this sudden resolution was attributed at first not to the true cause thereof for things were carried so closely that very few knew it but to the secret inspirations of that Wind which bloweth where it listeth and is pleas'd to amuse mankind with the strange ways it takes to transplant the affections of such as are ordain'd to Eternal bliss from the transient Vanities of this World to the Constant pursuance of the perpetual joys of a better Thus this Lady met with a kinder Spouse than she could have expected elsewhere and spent the rest of her time with great Content Blessing her former Afflictions and the crosses of her Love which had brought her to the tranquillity she now enjoyed she frequently us'd this Expression that in that House wherein there are many mansions she hoped there was one for such penitent Magdalens aâ—… she who by timely Repentance expiate the follies of their greener years Nor was this Acknowledgment of hers unrewarded even in this Life for she became the Oracle and Spiritual Directress of all those whose Love-Misfortunes reduced them to any Extremity especially those of her own Sex of whom she so effectually convinc'd many that disgusting the World they embrac'd a Religious Life At Valentia the Sanctity of her Life and her Charitable Directions to such as had Occasion to Address themselves to her were the Admiration of all insomuch that she was reputed a Saint even while she liv'd Frederick had a Wife but Heaven was pleased to punish his Perfidiousness with her Barrenness for she bore him no Children and instead of the great Fortunes he expected with her he had many Baggs full of Law-Sutes Troubles and Differences with other People and not a few Discontents with his Wife He wished but too late that he had chose rather to have entred into a Monastery than into Matrimony the Inconveniences whereof sufficiently convinced him that Iulietta had made the better choice He visited her often and was obliged to her for her Prudent and Pious Admonitions On the contrary Principio was the happiest Man in the World in his disposal of himself his Lucretia brought him many fine Children and by the Death of some Friends a far greater Fortune than he could have expected They also visited their old Acquaintance Iulietta who receiv'd them kindly and gave them Occasion to admire the strange Attractions of Divine Love in that Person and the Esteem they had before for the Excellency of her Endowments was now converted into a Reverence of her Sanctity and an Admiration of her Conduct THE Metamorphos'd Lover A NOVEL DON Philip a Gentleman of very high Quality was Born at Villefranche an Ancient City upon the Confines of Galicia he was descended from a very Noble Family and was brought up in his own Country with his Elder Brother Don Lodwick and a Sister called Donna Cornelia But his Father and Mother leaving this World ere he was full fifteen Years of Age he was forc'd into that Course of Life which is commonly taken by the younger Brothers of Noble Houses who have not much left them and with the little Money he could get together he went to Trail a Pike in Flanders He behav'd himself so gallantly there upon several occasions that he got the Colours of a Company of Foot and after other successful Encounters against the Dutch he was advanc'd to the Command of the same Company Having afterwards in that Charge made yet greater Demonstrations of his Conduct and Valour he Atchieved at length the Order of the Knights of Alcantara with an assurance of the first Commandry that should be void belonging to that Order Having obtain'd that he still continu'd his Military Employments till such time as there was a Cessation of Arms made between the King and his Enemies of the Low-Countries
Marriage was in too great forwardness to be easily crossed by after Applications In fine it was Heaven's Pleasure that a strange Conjunction of my Sister's Misfortune and your own just Jealousies should give you a discovery of what perhaps I should yet a while have kept from your Knowledge My true Name is Don Philip de Gamboa and Toledo and consequently I may affirm my self to be of the most eminent Families of Spain since I am descended from the Seigniors of Ville-Franche and Astorga I have the Honour to be Knight of the Order of Alcantara and I have acquired it by some years Services done his Majesty in Flanders with hopes ere long to be gratified with an Advantageous Commandry I have given you an Account of my Quality and have not concealed from you my Presumption All I have now to Apologize for is my Love and I am the more confident of your pardon as to that if you but ever so little consider the unavoidable Influence of your own Attractions Nay I cannot but account it a happy Offence since it hath prov'd the occasion of your being undeceiv'd and when I make a joynt reflection on my own happiness and my Sister's Credulity I cannot repent me of a disguise whereof the satisfaction infinitly exceeds the Shame for it is in your power to restore me the Honour I have depriv'd my self of only for your sake and I shall force him who hath cajoll'd my Sister out of her Honour to perform the promise he hath made her or it shall cost him his Life The Fair Lady was Ravish'd to hear these words from her disguised Lover and thought her self oblig'd to make an extraordinary return to so extraordinà ry a demonstration of Affection and being now fully undeceiv'd as to the Sycophancy of her Cousin Don Henrick she made him this answer Seignior Don Philip that you have upon so slight a gound as the little Beauty I can pretend to engag'd your self in an enterprize so prejudicial to your reputation and descent I cannot but look on as a transcendent Expression of your Love though I do not excuse you as to this that the Noble Accomplishments you are Master of might no doubt have more happily and more worthily been otherwise employ'd I have resented as I ought the little respect my Cousin express'd towards me and therefore it is but just he should not enjoy me since it may be inferr'd from the forwardness of his matching with another that he never truly intended it It must needs be an extraordinary joy to me that I am undeceiv'd before we were joyn'd by that tye which only death can dissolve I am satisfied as to the little affection he had for me and I do yours but justice when I assure you that I shall be so far from forgetting it that I shall endeavour all lies in my power to requite it This was deliver'd with so obliging an accent that the Amourous Cavalier would have cast himself at her Feet would she have permitted it he returned her his thanks with a thousand submissions for so extraordinary a Favour and the sweet encouragement she was pleas'd to give his Love it was not now a seasonable time to expatiate into Complements Donna Cornelia was left in the Lady Eleanora's Lodgings whose return she expected and Don Philip look'd for Don Henrick to enquire after the Lady he had recommended to his Custody the Lady Eleanora went to comfort her whom she had left among her Women and to put in Excecution what had been resolv'd between her and Don Philip. About half an hour after her departure thence comes Don Henrick to his Chamber to look after the Lady he had left there Don Philip told him that he could stay her no longer that she was gone thinking he would not have come to her again Nay then I am glad I staid so long says Henrick since my stay hath occasion'd her to do as I would have had her which was that she might be gone out of the House This Woman Plagues me extreamly and it was no small happiness to me that she met not with my Uncle for I should have been much troubled had she had any discourse with him Don Philip ask'd him some odd questions as he was wont to do to sift something further out of him but Don Henrick would discover no more the other easily apprehended by the little had fallen from him what course he intended to take and the indignation he conceiv'd at his slighting of his Sister was so great that it was not without much violence done himself he forbore calling him to account for it In the mean time the Lady Eleanora had visited Donna Cornelia of whom she had receiv'd a punctual Relation of her Amours which were but too much confirm'd to her by the promise of Marriage she had brought with her and after she had entred into a second admiration at the double perfidiousness of her Cousin Don Henrick she sent to desire her Father to come to her who being alone with her she entertain'd him with this following Discourse Sir it hath ever been a laudable Custom that Fathers should dispose of their Daughters in Marriage as they either pleased themselves or found most convenient for their Affairs but with this Caution That it should not be absolutely done contrary to their Wills and Inclinations many are yet willing to do so out of a presumption that Matrimony will change Men's Humours but it is seldom found to work that effect Those therefore may be said to do well who refering the Success to the higher Powers by an implicite obedience comply with the disposal of their Parents but those in my Judgment do better who use some precaution and endeavour to prevent the inconveniencies which they must otherwise fall into I have ever been ready Sir to do whatever you commanded me especially in the business now in agitation though I have found my Cousin Don Henrick to be of a disposition so contrary to mine that I promis'd my self little satisfaction from our being joyned together in the inseparable Estate you intended I have endeavoured to obey you tho' with some violence to my own inclinations which directed my Affection to other persons not inferiour to him either in Quality or Estate I consented to this Marriage because you seem'd so much to desire it When it was fully concluded there was a person sent to Rome for the dispensation and even during that time when I expected my Cousin should have express'd most Love to me I have found he hath done quite contrary for he hath given a promise of Marriage to another Lady whom you shall presently see She thereupon call'd for Donna Cornelia whom she had left in her own Chamber and who immediatly came before the Ambassadour having dispos'd her into a Chair the Lady Eleanora continu'd her discourse This Sir is the Lady I spoke of to whom my Cousin hath given a promise of Marriage under his hand which she now
making it his whole Business to heap up Wealth whereof he had abundance Corrina so was this Designess call'd hearing this account of him began to consider and weigh all the Circumstances and after she had a little reflected thereon she concluded that he might be made an excellent Cully whom if she could smite as she expected her Condition would be better than ever it had been Mercator liv'd without the City in a little Tenement he had purchased of one who owed him some Money which he knew not well how to get in otherwise for he was naturally so perfect a Slave to his Profit that he little minded his Pleasures So that he got that Tenement with a neat House on it very cheap and in Satisfaction for his dept it stood near St. Bernard's Monastery in the midst of a pleasant Valley He liv'd there to spare the Rent of a House in the City he had so fortified it that no Thieves either by Day or Night could make any breach into it all the Doors were of extraordinary thickness the Windows had Bars and Grates the Walls very high and very strong He had secured the place within with many Fire-Arms which he always kept Charged and many Halbards and Partisans which were disposed of near the Gate He was forc'd to take one Person more into his Retinue to wit a Fellow to order his Garden and to make the best Advantage he could of it a married Man who should carry the Fruits and other things to the Market to make the best of them so vigilant was his Avarice His Treasure was disposed into a secret place behind his Bed where he lay himself in strong Iron-Chests and every Night before he went to Bed he like an over-doing Constable searched all the Rooms in the House Thus did this wretch'd Fellow live though he had no Children to succeed him for he had never been married nor intended to be though very Advantageous Matches were dayly proffered him Corrina had laid her Design to bring in this Covetous Merchant into the Noose and to effect it she communicated it to a Person who was excellent at such things this Man had played some pranks at Madrid which had occasioned his Removal thence to Cadiz and his Atchievements there his departure thence to Sevil where he went lurking up and down and spending some Money which it cost him more hazard than pains to get He was one of the most Accomplished Men in point of Thievery of his time but very fearful of falling into the hands of Justice lest there might rise up in Judgment against him some of his former Offences which were such as had preferred him to the Galleys This Person whose Name was Vasquez Corrina took to assist her in the compassing her Design Having given him Instructions what he was to do and told him that Mercator return'd not to his House till about Sun-set as he was wont to do they both passed by Mercator's Garden he on a Mule and she on a good Horse She had put off her Mourning and put on another Dress with a Hat and Feather as the Sevil Ladies are wont to go when they are in the Country They passed by the Garden just as the Gardener was opening the Door Vasquez coming up to him Friend said he here is a Lady would not willingly go into the City to day If you will afford her entertainment this Night I will satisfie you to your own Desires besides that you will do us an extraordinary Kindness for you will thereby prevent a great Misfortune which she cannot otherwise avoid The Gardener who was afraid of his Masters Displeasure told him that he durst not be so bold as to receive any Person into his House without his Knowledge though he had not expresly forbid him the doing of any such thing But Vasquez who knew the Vertue and Power of many took a considerable Summ out of his Pocket and giving it to the Gardener here Friend said he take this in earnest of more The Gardener's Wife longing to know what Business they might have with her Husband comes up to them and seeing the proffers were made him undertook to lodge the Gentlewoman in her own Room making it appear to her Husband that their Master should never come to the Knowledge of it in regard their Houses were at a good distance one from the other and that they should not be so unhappy being certain that that Night he would not search the whole House as many times a toy took him in the Head to do In short the Wifes Arguments prevailed so that the Gardener was content the Gentlewoman should Lodge secretly that Night at his House upon the receipt of six Royals which Vasquez gave him as an earnest of a greater Summ promised him He thereupon took Corrina off the Horse and brought her into the Garden where she took leave of Vasquez who had already received the Orders whereof we shall give an account hereafter Being come into the Gardener's Room she took off what cover'd her Face and astonished the Gardener and his Wife at the sight of her Beauty though she seemed to be very Melancholy as if some great Misfortune had happened to her to wit that which she had ready to relate to Mercator in Case she might come to Discourse with him The Sun was hardly set but he came into the Garden The Negro entring a little before to have the Door opened which he himself locked on the inside and carried the Key along with him He chanced to be that Night a little more weary than ordinary which occasioned his going to Bed very betimes after he had eaten a piece of Bread and some of his own Garden-Fruits and washed them down with a Glass of Spring-Water He only visited that part of the House where he lodged himself and came not down to the Gardeners which never escaped his privy-search when he thought of His Family who kept more fasting-Fasting-days in the Year than the Church her self had appointed Supp'd that Night in Imitation of the Master very soberly Mercator gets up the next Morning betimes and gives the Slave Money to go to the Market while he went about his Affairs in the City with order to have Dinner ready against his return Corrina was at a loss how to compass her Design finding things fell not out according to her Expectation But still waiting the opportunity she told her Entertainers that she was extreamly troubled at her Uncle's stay so she call'd Vasquez and that all her sadness proceeded thence The Gardener's Wife who was a good hearty Woman found her all the Diversion she could Mercator comes home at Noon with an Intention to Dine in his Garden and before he sate down he would needs take a turn about it to see if any thing were wanting and he observed that there wanted some pieces of Wood for the more convenient watering of the several knots As he was going to the Gardeners to see if he had