shall be my care that she who gave it shall cure thy wound be comforted therefore my friend restoring thee to thy self keep us with you for your usual comfort the soul of Gernando being vanish'd at his words was in great danger to be drown'd in love which rose up from the bottom of his heart swelling and changing the languishing mans countenance He blushes grows pale trembles freezeth but at last having recover'd his spirits he with a trembling voice answers Out of respect that I would not violate not even in my thoughts the Religious bonds of our friendship I have thus silenc'd my self even to death Why alas were you so scrupulous replyed Anselmo Resalba is a servant not a wife and do you beleeve that I should take to heart a vain opinion of her honor more then you who are a part of my self who perhaps with an imaginary fancy inwardly laughs at it At a call Resalba comes in again with the Ladies when he goes out purposely to bind the practice of his undertakings with Dorilla the stronger and descending in short to desire of her a proportionable help to the needs of Gernando he had Dorilla's answer that if another should languish for him whether by anothers perswasion would you your self gratifie her well then replies he I now understand thee Dorilla find my self so oblig'd by the dear pawn of thy love to love thee that I wish thy desire so as Rosalba by thy means may but relieve Gernando Thee Dorilla resplendantly for the reward of her suffer'd love every moment seem'd to her an age to ciment the undertaking to gain Rasalba's consent that rock wherein she knew she should finde the living life of her heart So that having taking the first opportunity she afar off of her self begins to detest the miserable condition of their servitude which destinated them to deny their own for to follow the will of others which not onely the indiscreet commands of their Mistrisses witnessed to them but of others also who would have precedence over them and indeed ought rather to be their companions then servants whereupon with disdain she said Anselmo Anselmo thy Master O Rosalba rebelling yesterday against the obligations of due modesty grew to that boldness as to desire me And what weighs as much with me he hath prest me to pass civility with thee forasmuch as forgetting thy honor that thou thy self should give thy self to Gernando who truly dies languishing for thee God forbid that I should ever do it I would rather for ever part from this house Thou growest angry Dorilla replyes Rosalba and art not aware that our Masters do it to try our constancies they do it to make sport with us and thus they treacherously pitch their nets to catch the foolishest when they brag they suffer most and die for love when they intend to tyrannize it over another they point the line another way they countersigne with Characters of gold the first expression of their loves with griefs O Dorilla not with words they give us an assured testimony of the gift which they say they have made of their hearts trust me sister who gives not presents certainly he loves not Upon this scandal Dorilla seem'd for the time satisfied as having steer'd to that port where was the principal traffick of her hopes And suddenly with Anselmo who was at the catch not far off glowing with desire she communicates the avaritious sense of Rosalba with solid pretences that she would be gotten with three hundred peeces of gold for the first pawn of Gernando's amorous affection and the sooner to gain her by example she tels her from the beginning the carriage of her loves with Anselmo Rosalba seeing that she had already sold that at a great rate which in her heart she very willingly would have given begins by degrees to decline from her faigned rigor and more freely to contract with Dorilla the business of her love proposition and covering with a cloke of charity the impurity of her affections she protested she would come as a victim to the Altar to expiate the crime and implore his favour whom she had so much offended for his loving of her And having expresly made the agreement there was no more to do By this promis'd comfort Gernando being recover'd they were so to order the business that their amorous theft might be hid Neither could Anselmo any waies fail to afford Dorilla her promised reward that he might not lose his own satisfaction who even also long'd to be in the lists of his hoped for delights He at once was a lover and a procurer So that if by his means Gernando enjoy'd the love of Rosalba his Gentlewoman he by way of exchange was to enjoy Dorilla Gentlewoman to Gernando whereupon with their beloved taking advice they consulted on the best meanes what way they might the most secretly injoy one another several councels interven'd but amongst others it was beleeved to be the best that Anselmo and Gernando faigning business or sport should go out of Town and at night secretly return and changing the keys of their garden doors should thereby get access into one the others house going up the back stairs to their loves they every one might hapily enjoy till morning the fruits of their amorous conspiracy At this only remedy O the great miracle of love Gernando grew quickly well and went about this practice with so much wariness that neither Leonora nor Celinda although at the return of the day they stole and took turns yet they were not at all awares At last their husbands new delights encreas'd in prejudice of their abandon'd wives and whether it be a defect of our humanity that it prizeth not long what it possesseth in abundance or whether it be the vice of sense which findes a greater pleasure where love hath more of the impudent Their wives at last grew so disgustful to them that when out of cunning they visited their marriage beds yet they brought with them such a coldness and inofficious conversation which forc'd them to reflect on their great losses they could not but at least be induc'd to beleeve that som impudent wenches fascinating their husbands had with their impure lasciviousness turn'd their hearts in their brests so much were they chang'd from their first loves whereupon Leonora who was of a more resenting and wary genius then Celinda looking on it with a neerer application first in all Gernando's actions it seem'd as if a certain treating or cypher a kinde of speaking by signs which he daily held under cover of a youthful familiarity with Dorilla might if it were well understood take away the Curtain from the Tragedy of all her contentment whence one day observing tha according to his wonted presence he was with Anselmo to go out of Town Gernando practis'd more then usually with Dorilla their misterious language whence presently entring into a high suspition she therupon resolves to watch her all that night
presently goes for Millan arriving just at the Emperatrix's coming she made so pompous a shew of her own beauty that the Emperatrice thought her much self honor'd by those people who had sent a Sun to meet her The envy of the Ladies was chang'd into admiration and it seem'd as if Nature had robb'd beauty from all other persons prodigally to bestow it onely on her The Emperatrice parts from Millan having presented her with a very fair Neck-lace and she presently returns into Alexandria where Oliverio expected her with those impatiences which are furies which continually agitate the Minde of Lovers The Marquess would not appear in Millan at this occasion that he might cause no suspition to the observation of so many eyes or to shun the obligation of serving the Emperatrice He no sooner knew of her return but he sent to congratulate her arrival and to beg her favour She gave him to understand that that very evening after midnight she would be at a grate which look'd on a little unfrequented street Oliverio obeys and at the hour appointed hears himself call'd by the Countess At this first meeting I cannot express the passions of Oliverio he sweat and freez'd in an instant he in a manner confounded praises with thanksgivings with so much change that he was hardly to be understood The Countess corresponded to all with such affectionate and discreet language that at the same time she no less witnessed her discretion then her affection All their thanks terminated in this Conclusion that the next night he should enter by the Garden Gate with an express condition that he should be brought in without light whereto the Marquess prettily return'd that there needed no light where his Sun did shine Being gone he spent the rest of the night with a thousand amorous passions he no sooner sees the springing of the day but he desires the night he a thousand times accuseth the Sun of slowness for that it accelerated not its course according to his wishes He even blam'd the shaddows disputing command that they were so long before they occupy'd the dominion of the Air. At last the long sigh'd for hour came when he softly comes to the Garden finding the door open he goes directly to the Countesses lodgings She who expected him taking him by the hand tells him Friend if you love my reputation and my life it will become you to sacrifice this night to silence My women are so neer my Chamber that the least word would cause a high suspition neither is my love so unworthy that I dare trust it to a servile maid and the rather because the greater enjoyments admit of no words she permitted him no answer but led him into a Chamber and then having told him he might pull off his clothes and go to bed whilst she would see whether her women slept He was no sooner dispoyl'd of his clothes but he findes himself in the armes of a beauty so much the more singular as she was the less subject to the censure of the eyes My pen dares not describe what they did least it should profane the secrets of the night It s sufficient to say that he being ravish'd with the sweetness of those embraces blest all the labours all the sights and all the torments which he had till then suffer'd since his past pains serv'd for no other use but to highten his present contentment Fearful least the light should discover their amorous theft Oliverio departs before the comming of Aurora and being forbid to use words he takes his leave with a multitude of kisses Being retired to his own habitation with rest and sleep he procures the release of his past labours which yet had succeeded so sweetly that he thought onely how he might repeat them Being risen about dinner time one of his servants brings him a thousand Pistols with a letter which having open'd with a strange trouble he sees these words Marquess OLIVERIO I Send back the mony which out of your great civility you were pleas'd to lend me having made use of it so long as I had need I do not this to disoblige my self from your affection but that I may not be wanting to my self assure your self therefore that the obligation shall never terminate but with my heart till the end of the last period of my life it s for your glory that you have introduc'd subjection into that spirit which never before knew any be pleased therefore with Your most affectionate and most oblig'd Servant AMASIA This letter did so distract the Marquess his Minde that beleeving it a deception of his sight he would often read it he knew not what to think forasmuch as the vivacity of kisses and the embraces of the precedent night ought not to beget such universal conceptions nor such cold words After a Chaos of agitations and thoughts he writes this Letter Fair IT is with reason said that money takes a way our rest Your Pistols having reduc'd me to a mortal disquiet you should not Madam have sent me what was yours under pretence that it had been mine and if either my demerit or the slenderness of my Fortune requir'd it why do you not likewise send me back my heart which I have sacrificed to your beauty It a cruel liberality to send Gold a vile excrement of the Earth and retain the Soul which is the first Essence of Man That I may lighten my grief be pleas'd to take the pains that I may finde you at the grate at the same hour as formerly To conclude forget not Your most humble and most oblig'd Servant OLIVERIO Having sent the letter and with a thousand imprecations having expected the night he comes to the appointed place where having found the Countess after salutations past the Marquess hegins to reprove her for sending the money which he did with such a lively sense that tears interrupted him which permitted him not to evaporate his grief by his mouth eyes The Countess answers with a sweet smile And why would you not hav me restore what was yours Because saies Oliverio after I had received the honor of your good graces I have nothing which is not absolutely yours Pray therefore bitter not our past sweets And pray what sweets were those replies the Countess Is it possible says Oliverio that the interposition of a day onely should have so eclips'd your memory that you have forgotten those delights which were both given and receiv'd Is it possible that those kisses which were altogether animated carrying continually love on the lips should instil the water of Lethe in your heart I should sooner lose the remembrance of my self then the delight I have from the memory of such sweets as those The Countess interrupted him telling him My Lord I shall undeceive you it being unreasonable that your opinion should stain my honesty which is hitherto no otherwaies guilty but by what it may receive from your desires or belief I thought to please you
demands the cause of her imprisonment in vain she witnessed her own innocency since where its necessary to obey the violence of so many 't is bootless to produce excuses for her deliverance The fame was soon spred abroad that Euridea was imprisoned for poysoning this Lady at her table the publick voice added that she was already condemned to death as that lyer when it cannot offend truth in the substance of the fact yet at least it will prejudice it with false additions Niarpe heard of this accident more confus'dly then others so that in repeating it he even confounded it in himself by reason of the dangers wherein his beloved enemy was This says he to himself is the time to terminate thy pains here is the opportunity of a certain death together with a most indearing deceit to make my faith and affection appear let me but encounter this capital sentence insteed of my Mistris and I shall make it appear that the intention was always impossible in me of killing her when we lov'd when even now when I ought to hate her by my own life I shall free her from losing of hers Arise O my heart run boldly in this occasion to witness thy fidelity to live is no waies desirable since a fallacious dream alone is able to disturb thy contentment even to dispair Hast thou suffered so many torments not to yeeld to be thought an unhappy Traytor unloose thy self from these bonds that thy soul may be at liberty and happily fly away without the weight of such grievous passions which clog it He consulted in this manner with his own thoughts without being aware to what end these counsels directed his resolutions He confounded himself in the vehemency of his desire which aspired to repacifie him with his beloved which inconsiderately precipitated him in the arms of every occasion which his hopes represented favorable He goes to Euridea's house with these revolv'd thoughts in his stupified minde to gain a perfect notice of the fact the servants were astonish'd no less in seeing then in hearing him so perplex'd for their Mistrisses deliverance they knowing of his former passages esteem'd him as a perfideous enemy They which serv'd her said in confirmation of the relation which he had already heard adding with multiplyed oathes that she was innocent of the imputed crime that they had season'd all the meat without the least poysonous ingredient or their being any wayes offended by the tast thereof were the accusation true they doubted onely of the dish which was sent for a present yet that excluded the fault from those of the house as being a recevi'd deceit They the more provok'd him lamenting the sudden and eminent danger of their Lady since without defence she was to maintain all what her incens'd Accuser did instance they thought they might move Niarpe out of pitty to afford her some assistance although they durst not intreat it beleeving his disdain against Euridea to have been equal with what she did beleeve of his cruelty observing besides that her safety was urgent they sollicited him further telling him that all remedy would be fruitless unless suddenly undertaken And according to the property of women easie of beleef when mov'd by fear they thought even that their Lady was already brought to the Scaffold and her head was cuting off by the Executioner The distemper'd minde of the young man could no longer hold at that impression taking the danger far greater then in truth it was and so ravisht away he runs to the Tribunal where his love was to be condemn'd and according to his belief unquestionably to be executed Presenting himself to the Judge I am come says he to deliver the innocent from death the poyson which criminates Euridea as that she had prepared it for her friend was sent by me in the meat which as I perceive was brought to her table at dinner I sent it to intoxicate Euridea her self but baffled by Fortune I see my self betray'd by my own designs repenting to have machinated her death I correct my error neither will I double the crime unjustly suffering that which now lies on her by vertue of a false accusation What sayest thou O foolish Niarpe Thou hazardest thy self to regain the affection of thy dear and to abolish the thought of being a Traytor thou accusest thy self that thou wouldst have poysoned her Doest thou think to discriminate thy self by a sinister belief with this fraud of thine thou castest down thy hopes and rather confirmest her belief by confessing to have endeavour'd to poyson her The more envenom'd against thee at this thy redoubled attempt insteed of a lover thou wilt render her a fury thou shalt die infamous hated by her detested with perpetual ignominy which will follow the assurance of thy twice repeated treachery a wise resolution a prudent counsel What thou didst design to shun thou estrangest thy self from the end which thou didst prescribe to thy amorous resolution But 't is no wonder that he should do thus who trusted a blinde guide spurr'd on by love to this action he went on without thinking what would become of the business weaving a black mantle of guiltiness for his own innocency wherein in speaking he made his tongue the nurse of his love as he had before followed his steps The Judge admits of his voluntary accusation exchanging the Accuser for the Lady whom he declares innocent and taking her out of prison satisfied her curiosity by relating the success which was the occasion of her unlook'd for deliverance She at first wondred at the guilty persons true heart but afterwards understanding that it was Niarpe who had confess'd that that poyson had been design'd for her death those affections then preceding it which will suffer no bridle to wit disdain she exclaimes against his perfidiousness who the second time discover'd his designes of treachery against her life Assuredly said she remorse of conscience hath forc'd thee for such treacheries to condemn thy self O God how can a soul although perverse conceive a hatred against me which seems insatiable even to my death I who lov'd him with so sincere a heart answered him with such a ready compliance and so curteously that I dare swear I never had but amorous desires for him Let Ladies learn to be free to their young Lovers that they may gain so grateful a reward even for the testimonies of tollerable cruelty Beleeve not now that if there were a man more faithful then he that even I could procure my self to overcome the inconstancy of my sex to parralel him in affection Exaggerating after this manner her passion she comes to the presence of the Judge and doubly makes Niarpe guilty discovering his former attempt to kill her in her sweetest rest in her quiet sleep One fault confirms another Euridea having aggravated his fault departs assured that he should be severely punish'd by a mortal sentence she gladly returns home no less for her own liberty then for
their lives were in sometimes excusing his own error promising repentance sometimes protesting his body had sinned without the consent of his heart Deadora being deaf to his entreaties and humiliation continued to injure them both in word and deed When with a face which carried horror and terror in his eyes Gelasio appeared who without sleeping had long heard Aleria and rising to seek her he comes to a place where he hears although indistinctly Deadora's rage Aleria's tears and Lovanio's requests Gelasio having taken a Dagger furiously runs to the noise Scarce sees he Lovanio embracing his wives knees but he knew him guilty of having ravish'd the honesty and reputation of his house whereupon he runs to him and strikes him such a blow on the head that he being disabled to sustain himself falls to the ground with the pangs of death which were more terrible then ordinary seeing that his sensuality had prepar'd a sepulcher as well for Deadora as for himself Gelasio observing Lovanio in a dying condition unable to defend himself turning to his wife with a tone of voice which would have begot horror in a breast of Marble tells her Woman thy crime is so great that to pass by it without punishment would rather be an effect of weakness then of mercy yet since I preserve in my minde the characters of my first affection I shall pardon thee but on this condition that this Adulterer having thy heart thou shalt herewith stab him in the breast Deadora having taken the Dagger with a greater undauntedness then is to be found in a feminine heart says Sir The sins of love deserve some pardon because they oftner come from destiny then from eslection Yet I confess my self unworthy of it for that I could not regulate my dissoluteness Saying these words and faigning to strike Lovanio she sheathes the Dagger in her husbands bosom who scarce could say Cursed woman thus at once to rob me of my life and honor but he lost his speech with a many lowings as if he would rather threaten death then dye so he unhappily ended his daies Deadora having executed that endeavour with but too much courage and but too little justice runs to fetch the last breath from the soul of Lovanio who having violenc'd himself said My dear Deadora I dye content since I dye not unreveng'd Pardon me and suffer that the chastisment of a humane error may terminate with him who committed it I beg of you that with your disdain you make not my ashes unhappy But alas this is the last period of my life Consolate O my dear the miseries of its passage with the last of thy kisses At the end of these words he ceased to live Deadora stupified with grief was rendred immoveable like a Statue after she had said crying out with a deluge of tears Stay O the Soul of my Dearest beloved Lovanio It s not fit that thou shouldst go to the Shades alone Which having said she strikes the Dagger through her own Heart whence her Soul soon issues with her blood Aleria who in the representation of this Tragedy had suffered the torments of a thousand deaths flying from the sight and enquiry of those who in great numbers came to the noise hating at the same time the light and her self retired into the uppermost parts of the House and there having fastened a Halter she miserably throwes away her life giving a just reward to her own dishonesty Hence may be comprehended That all the Pleasures of unlawfull Loves finally terminate Tragedies and that impudent Affections can have no other but an unhappy end EMILIO NOVEL IX The ARGUMENT Emilio a Genuoess retires to Lucca where using to hunt together he contracts a friendship with Hippolito and afterwards with his wife Hippolito grows jealous and becomes his enemy but being assured that Emilio declared himself servant to Silvia and repenting himself of his jealousie he causeth his wife to lead him into a Chamber to reconcile them His wife obeys and enjoys Emilio Hippolito knows it and being discovered and threatned is pacified GENUOA was the place where Emilio was born whose unprosperous successes confirm the opinion That a mans natural Climat is commonly most unhappy He observ'd how the treacheries of hidden enemies plotted his death in conformity with his malignant destiny whereupon he retires to Lucca where his passions had no other release from his estrangment from that heaven where that star shone which was the very Sun of his felicity but the pleasure of hunting spending the greatest part of his time amongst those Hills which surrounded the City he rendred himself as formidable to the wild beasts as he was pleasing and grateful to the Ladies and Cavaliers who in those Villa's enjoy the delights of the Autumn According to the custom of Hunters he often frequented a Coppice which extended it self over a little Hill which the thicker it was appear'd the more delightful He never entred it without bringing away store of game In those parts there was one who being invited by the delights of the scituation and civility of the Inhabitants whose name was Hippolito being a lover of the sport profest a singular friendship to Emilio So that Cleria Hippolito's wife contracted also so great a familiarity with him that upon all occasions of invitation he discoursed and past the time with her with such sports as the diversity of the season and place afforded so that Cleria and Emilio were the promoters of all pastimes The modesty and civility of Emilio although a stranger made way for him to any kinde of familiar conversation He so serv'd the Ladies that there appeared no partiality in him more towards the one then the other Cleria above all was endued by Nature with all those good Graces which are desirable in a Lady besides she was singularly courted by Emilio and differently from the rest acknowledg'd with a particular affections not onely for her qualities but also for the obligations he profest in consequence of the favours he had receiv'd and for the strict friendship he had with her husband Emilio amongst these delights enjoy'd a calm life which was afterwards troubled by Love the occasion of all ill which was rais'd in Cleria towards him Emilio being given to hunting and other honest sports thought those demonstrations which upon many occasions Cleria us'd in her discourse which her flames sent forth sprightly jests from the familiarity of their conversation Now it happened that a day being appointed when the Cavaliers and Ladies were to meet at a Feast in a place somewhat distant whereby the Lovers had leave modestly to make the resentments of their mindes appear On that day's morning the youth appeared in extravagant habits and various desires to witness by those colours the secrets of their hearts Emilio on the other side dispoyld himself of all which might seem to shew any partiality in his thoughts The Company having met at Hippolito's house Cleria being full of caresses began to
discourse now with one and then with another turning to Emilio she favours him with a smile and says It displeaseth me to see that your Lady suffers you to appear so poor in favours Emilio answer'd That he wanted one but the following day he hop'd to make prize of one and shewing the manner how he intended to pursue his design he shews her the gun he had one his shoulder Then says Cleria you would have a dead Lady To whom Emilio replies That he followed his deer but to cast her down Cleria adds That since he had such thoughts there was no Lady but would be proud of his service I know very well replies Emilio That a Lady hath no greater pleasure then to fall before those who desire her and though she flees she desires to be taken and overcome I says Cleria but by other means For me replies Emilio at this time I know no other more proportionable means then this for to compass my ends At this answer Hippolito jestingly says Signor Emili I shall resign you my wife for your Lady assuring me that you will willingly quit me of the trouble Cleria turning to her husband with a disdainful smile says I thank you with so good a heart that perhaps you may repent it They fell upon other discourse till they all took their way towards the appointed place Emilio walk'd along with Cleria and led her by the hand introducing by this oportunity several discourses whereto Cleria alwayes concluded That she indeed was his Mistris Hippolito hath given me to you now it belongs to you to cast me down but beleeve me I will not dye alone and at last she said she resolv'd to live hereafter but only in and for him These discourses assur'd Emilio of Cleria's heart to his great displeasure forasmuch as her husbands friendship permitted him not so maliciously to offend him in his reputation He answered her with ceremony seeming not to understand the end she aim'd at The day past with infinite solace Emilio was onely troubled that he could not correspond with the Love of Cleria whose beauty forc'd all hearts to adore her After a few daies winter drawing neer Hippolito retreats to the Town to the great grief of Cleria who thereby was deprived of the opportunity so frequently and familiarly to commerce with her Dear Before her departure she importunately exacted from him promises with oathes whereby she oblig'd him every day to let her see him in that street where she liv'd that at least she might be consolated with the sight of him Emilio inviolably observes his promise and thence forward about the shutting up of the evening his ordinary walk was by Cleria's window who constantly expected him giving him multiplied signs of Love which being observ'd by many neither can it happen otherwise in what publick place soever rais'd the general opinion That although very secretly yet Emilio and Cleria were contented Lovers There liv'd in Lucca banish'd from his Country Millan one call'd Diego a Gentleman of Spanish blood who having observ'd the mutual looks which past betwixt Cleria and Emilio and concluding that they secretly enjoy'd the fruits of Love he resolv'd to tempt his fortune with the Lady And giving way to such thoughts flyes out in words saying that he even also would enjoy her since she felicitated Emilio with an amorous correspondence A Cavalier hears these words and answers him You have a very base esteem of Emilio I know that he is not of such a humor that he will either suffer a rival in love or abandon the Lady If he forsakes not his beloved answers Diego he must abandon his life This his arrogancy displeas'd the Gentleman so that he could not at least but discover it to his friend who burning with disdain was resolv'd to make tryal of his pride He prays his friend that he might do it alone and presently going towards Cleria's street He went not far but Diego comes thither Emilio orders it so that he meets him under the window where Cleria was and with a loud voice says Signor Diego this is the place where one of us must leave his life or his Lady and his hand accompanying his tongue he at the same time draws his sword Diego does the like who although he behaved himself gallantly yet he remains mortally wounded and his death had suddenly followed had not Cleria with her crying out oblig'd Emilio to retire Diego was carried home and knowing that himself had been the cause of his mischance was easily reconciled so that their peace was soon made The success was divulâ—'d in Lucca The love of Cleria was found guilty who by her husband who threatned to kill her was sent away to his Country house This opinion was noised about the Town struck Emilio to the heart since it covered her with shame who was the soul of his soul and that himself was accused as having broken his faith with his friend Hippolito He was afflicted so that he gave all up to dispair and thought on nothing but to finde out a way to undeceive the people and recover the Lady her honor and restore his own reputation Being thus agitated in a Sea of trouble he continued his accustomed walk through Cleria's street to shew that he had not yeilded to Diego Fortune had oblig'd Leonello a Neapolitan Gentleman to love Silvia by way of marriage who liv'd just over against Cleria's house He began to frequent that street which suggested to Emilio's minde that he might take this occasion to abolish the suspition of those who perswaded themselves that he for love of Cleria had fought with Diego He hereupon resolves to quarrel with Leonello and brings his intention to pass at such a time when Hippolito was looking out of the Window and stopping him there Emilio says to the other with a lofty voice That if he valued his own life he should voluntarily banish himseelf from that street nor any longer pretend to Silvia Leonello although a youth encouraged by the presence of his Lady who then lookt on him made ready to answer him with his sword and boldly defends himself against Emilio Yet he remains wounded the other being a perfect good sword man and at that time seconded with his own natural fury reduc'd Leonello to beg his life of him who as he was retiring wraps himself in his own cloak and falls Emilio gets him up and leads him to his house where by the intercession of friends they were soon pacified Hippolito who had seen all was confus'd and divulging the sequel about the City firmly concluding that both disputes had been for the love of Silvia neither was there any who now doubted otherwise forasmuch as in both the written agreements which were already published in Lucca Emilio had alwaies declared how he drew his sword out of his jealousie for Silvia Hippolito had no sooner thought himself an Acteon but he had shun'd the company of the Hunter and fled from Emilio
The discreet widow shew'd some tokens of joy in her countenance women can faign at pleasure and a fresh commands Fosca that she should go into one of the lower Rooms and prepare a convenient bed for that she was confident her Lover would that very night come to finde her alone and there she intended their amorous enjoyments All was executed Gelindo having open'd the letter reads it and findes these words GELINDO BECAVSE it often happens that those women who easily give themselves in prey to young Lovers finde themselves quickly deceiv'd and penitent I that I might not fall into the like error would from length of time have experience of your faith and affection whereof being assur'd I cannot deny you the reward ef the excesse of the love which I know you bear me If it please you therefore about midnight to come to my house where my Maid shall expect you to let you in to the place where you may be happy we will either contract marriage or otherwise as you shall think fit Since I desire nothing more then to be for ever Your Servant LIMISINDA He was astonish'd at the reading of this Letter and gave Love and Fortune thanks that they had shew'd themselvs so favourable towards him Retiring himself full of thoughts to the others dwelling expecting with impatience grievously sighing after that midnight which was to be the last of his life The hour came and he departs and alone goes to Limisinda's house behinde the door which was half open he findes Fosca who with a small light in a little Lantern stood there expecting him He enters and is presently led into the Chamber which he fancied should be the Theater of his Pleasures but prov'd afterwards that of his Tragedy O how ill doth a man oppose himself to what must happen Alas with what blinde steps Love guides us to precipices The Maid leaves him in the Chamber with some Candles lighted and goes up Stairs to give notice to her Mistris She having taken some Comfits and some costly Wines though sleepy sends back the Maid telling her Bid Gelindo from me refresh himself with these Junkets the better to prepare himself for those delights and then come back and I will presently come to him Fosca goes and returns The lovesick Gelindo forc'd himself although against his will to tast a part of them and having taken a cup of Wine he sends it down his brest sending to his heart the advertisement of his own death He had scarce drunk but he findes his eyes out of measure possest with a heavy sleep He sits himself down on a Chair and scarce was setled but he falls profoundly asleep When Limisinda imagin'd that the Poyson began to work she comes down Stairs and enters the Room where Gelindo was asleep The young Lady was in a confusion and almost repented that she had before taken such a resolution Nevertheless taking up her Heart with a Courage and although she had hid a Dagger in a Corner of the Chamber yet would she not take it but takes from the young man that which he wore by his side and striking it often through his throat he not stirring at all otherwise then streching out his last with his Legs and his Arms. Thus dyed this unhappy man and thus she sacrificed his Soul to the Soul of her dead Husband Having executed this she goes up and brings Fosca with her to terrifie her with the horror of this miserable Spectacle The Maid sayes twice or thrice with a loud voice and with actions as of a desperate person Alas O God! Alas And had follwed it with other words had not Limisinda cryed out and threatned to call out for the Neighbourhood reversing all the crime on her Poor Fosca was thus forc'd to be quiet to fly her own shame and the danger of punishment which the Justice might have inflicted And being help'd by her Mistris they silently carried the body to a place where they buried it that none ever knew any thing of the Fact till many years after it was known from Limisinda her self a while before the hour of her death Let the unwary Youth learn by this History to Regulate his Immoderate Affections Nor so much trust Women as to beleeve they may not at last be deceived IRLANDO and ARMANDO NOVEL XI The ARGUMENT Irlando and Armando love Rosalia and Rosalia and Emilia love Irlando and after many various deceits and turns of Fortune finding fidelity in their Lovers the Ladies fix a constant and sincere affection IN Padua a City the more noble by how much the more ancient the compendium of beauty was to be seen in the likeness of a most graceful Lady who might have boasted to have debauched the graces from Venus to get a glorious train for her self Whensoever she made shew of her self to the eies of others 't was necessary to beleeve that heaven keeping open Court did abundantly disperse its splendors Who with a chance look could steal away pledges of Love she had a perpetual light in her minde which rallied up in the thoughts of all the hight of the greatest beauties which possibly could be admired in a created object Glances need not be repeated in that face which lightning with Majesty oblig'd the errors of a timerous boldness to correct themselves with modesty Sitting sometimes at a window she sent abroad Love her son to hunt after hearts born from her eyes and bred in the cradle of her lips and raigning in the throne of her countenance There were bound with the chains of her looks the souls of a thousand Lovers With an extraordinary violence being so neer the sun every one was constrained either to have the tenderness of his heart melted or burnt with the bait of affections In fine the rayes of Divinity could finde no fitter sphere then that most beautiful face when it would make it self visible to mortal eyes It was once gaz'd on by two Cavaliers born in France but following their studies inhabitants of that City The conjunction of their minds had unanimously led them out of their Native Kingdom and indissolvably link'd them together with the tye of a singular friendship inviolably observing the laws thereof they never suffered their alwaies regulated affections to disturb their mutual contentment They were unanimous in their apparel and diet inseperable in conversation and indivisable in love so that they it seem'd agreeâ— together to lose their liberties the soul willingly following the looks fled away to imprison it self if we may call Heaven a prison in the bosom of so eminent a beauty They unanimously Courted the Idol who on the Altar of her Window receiv'd the victims of their hearts they sometimes fix'd their eyes on one another I know not whether to move a mutual pitty towards eithers ardors and to testifie the excess of that beauty which silencing the tongue rendred the eyes talkative yet was it superfluous for the eyes to speake the language of
with her who flattring him with the others refufal which had necessitated her to apply her affections in such a change to so worthy a Cavalier Taking leave he returns home commencing to prove those impatient longings which oblig'd him to expect the evening of the following day when he was to continue his amorous conversation He runs quickly to his friend to whom he imparts the excess of his joy relating the fortunate success of his loves He a great while holds him doubtful jeastingly relating him how kinde and curteous the Lady was till at last he discovers her to be Rosalia courted and admir'd mutually by them but a few dayes before He shews the Letter wherein he receiv'd the invitation conformable to which he swore the effects of her civility were It s easier to fancy then to describe what conceits this relation produc'd in Irlando's minde It s to be beleev'd that the grief of his heart corroded his bowels aswel as it desperately tore his heart in peeces Knowing that the occasion of all this was onely the miscarriage of the Letter cursing him that had been the cause of his torment The certainty which on the otherside his beloved enjoy'd was not an ordinary vexation for one who excessively lov'd He protested he was troubled with an inward grief of heart that he might take himself off from the necessity of an affectionate congratulation for the contentment of so good a friend No less could faigning form effects of joy where the heart was over whelm'd with the abundance of intollerable grief His bed was all that night a hell his soul being distracted in the confusion of his turbulent thoughts shipwrack'd his quiet even in the depths of dispair The next day he resolves to send a Letter the contents whereof were to signifie the injustice of those chastisements which the cruelty of his beloved inflicted when he had never the least way undeserv'd her good graces He was glad to make the sincerity of his soul appear in hope that upon the knowledge of the truth her affections would change So it hapned because that by the mistaken countersignes Rosalia was assured that there was no fault in Irlando deserving her disdain she soon changeth her hatred into love priding of it to have reacquir'd that happiness which she thought she had lost by his discurteous rigour This change was nothing difficult besides being necessitated by the proper volubility of her sex she took occasion not to be buryed but onely asleep towards him in affection To have lov'd Armando as they say for a divertisement which yet hindred not the inclination of her heart to him who first was possest of the Center Whereupon she thus writes YOV and I being equally deceived we can convert our reproofs and complaints against none but Fortune I perceiving my self scorn'd was oblig'd to vindicate my self with rigour Now being undeceiv'd I restore you to the place even to the throne of my affections where your desert rules and comands I shall be so much the more affectionate in rewarding your faith as I was rigid in cashiering you out of my brest Come therefore this night to my house to reap the fruits of your sufferings and of my repentance to your ROSALIA He who carried this Letter had withal order to give into Armando's hands a note in which the same Lady had thus written FOR what hapned happily for you yesterday you are oblig'd to Fortune and not to love Now being to obey him I am oblig'd to please others I forbid you therefore to pretend to me any more retracting all promises whereon you might build your hopes Remember no more what 's past and think no more of me for the future I am no more yours 'T is sufficient to let you understand that you may live content with what Fortune hath already given you without seeking any longer what you cannot obtain ROSALIA These Characters chang'd the Scene both in the minde and countenance of the two Gentlemen Armando who gloried to have surmounted such a felicity seeing himself at once cast down from that hight whence he thought he could not have been remov'd never thrown down chang'd his mirth into an equal grief of heart and vexation Irlando on the other side who being afflicted tormented himself for having been too severely us'd from her who had authority to condemn his heart by a mortal sentence seeing himself invited to enjoyments clears up with the splendor of so much contentment the heaven of his offuscated minde from the clouds of his grievous torments A man might read in both their faces this change unexpectedly cast about not known by what accident Armando could not conceal his complaints which proceeded from a minde full of grief there came to light from his tongue which feeding with a friendly confidence with a long discourse in dispraise of the inconstancy of women he begins to publish the arms which had wounded him till at last he discovers the wound which was the original of his grief He shews those Charracters the unhappy messengers of his infelicity and the foundation of his grief He vehemently exaggerates against the treacheries of women who faigning high excesses of love at last discovered frauds and snares Being at last carried away with the current of a grievous heart breaking he flew into words which came from the predominancy of his passion till at last he concluded that he would go to her house and reprove her for her treacheries if by the justice of his complaints he could not obtain the turn of her affection These last words the fortunate Gentleman particularly observ'd whereupon that he might have no disturbance in his enjoyment he advised his beloved of his rivals intention ordring her to expect his coming in Emilia's house Rosalia at last relates to that friend of hers the entertainment she had the night before with Armando adding singular encomiums of his grateful behaviour which invited even hearts of stone to love him Emilia whose memory represented to her the proofs of a rigorous severity in Irlando was quickly taken with such like informations Her desires approv'd those effects to felicitate themselves with a most civil correspondence which supposing out of her former experience of the other would surely be in Armando The buds of such a desire could not but disclose themselves in her words whereupon Rosalia making use of the occasion yeilded him for her satisfaction for that night The terms of ceremony wherewith she refus'd that too curteous offer could not stop the way of executing the others thoughts who faigning to satisfie her gust serv'd also her own interest She brought her to the change again of houses as where she might enjoy him who was by her commands oblig'd to com thither about two of the clock at night She finally fits every thing in hope to make way to the despight of Irlando by the favour of the other Gentleman from whose civility she pretended her heart-burning love would be asswaged With
adores you as a Divinity I wish that with last nights garments you may have depos'd some of your coyness which rendred you so adverse to my love Know besides that cruelty is an improper attribute to the Divinity of your beauty and beauty which is not communicable to all opposeth it self directly to the will of Heaven Should Heaven replies the Masker command me to love you perhaps the laws of honesty the danger of my life and the inconstancy of men would not be bridle sufficient to the debility of my affections The beauty of your looks answers Epidoro is a record of Heaven which admonisheth you not to be avaritious of its favours when enriching you with beauty it hath impoverish'd of praise the Fairest conceptions Le ts forbear hiperbolies replys the Masker I as I know I am not fair so I could wish my self so that I might be the more grateful to those that love me but your craft and my simplicity have made me deposite my secrets in the heart of a person who laughing at my folly perhaps meditates how to deceive the felicity of my thoughts I ought not to hazard my reputation to so evident a danger I have spoken too much were my face discover'd my blood should bear witness by my grief and repentance the blushing my heart hath sent thether are the reproofs of my soul which threaten the seerity of those chastisements the thought alone of which terrifies me Saying so she retires amongst the Maskers leaving Epidoro in the hight of his thoughts where a long while he would not have been removed if Love who commonly is not wanting to the necessities of Lovers had not relieved him so that having again taken the Masker by the hand he so much entreated her so much promis'd that at last he gets leave to speak with her the following night which was the beginning of Lent at a little window which lookt on an unfrequented street With this hope he pleasantly passeth the rest of the night expecting the other with a thousand imprecations against the stars for staying so long from celebrating the obsequies of the day Scarce had the light given place to the dark but he comes to the appointed window although he thought he had anticipated the hour he findes himself prevented his beloved expecting him accusing him in her self for want of love that he had not prevented her The complements which past amongst them were many and the amorous conceits numberless They discours'd of constancy fidelity and severity with so great an insatiety that the darkness seem'd weary to hear them which even for the cause invited the light The day comming they part with promise to meet every time when Epidoro should see a cloth hang at the grate which succeeded twice or thrice a week with so great a contentment to Epidoro that in respect of that all other entertainment seem'd but his anoyance and then thinking that felicity full without participating the rest he grew to that impudency to trust the mouth of many with the secret of his loves he bragg'd that he possest Leena's heart who had made the patience and love of a thousand Lovers despair He vaunted himself a possessor of that fair one who had oblig'd to adoration even those minds which were incapable of love unless it were that of themselves This rumor past from the ears of one who fill'd with incredulity and envy would spy Epidoro He hearkens to him one night when he had appointed to get the possession of the fruits of love Having no patience to suffer the felicities of one who was no waies his superiour by the favour of Fortune carried by envy which conspires alwaies against the satisfaction of men he vomits forth in a paper the effects of his madness conveying it afterwards to Leena's husbands hands Opening the Note he saw this written CORDELIO NOT to discover to you treachery is to be a complice in the guilt I who by the excess of your favours and by the obligations of my heart am call'd to the protection of your honour cannot filence it in the hands of dishonesty The night when the infamy of your reputation is to be practised hath not darkness to hide your shame My zeal implores the testimony of your eyes which confess Leena unchast and my self a loyal friend I remit to you the discovery of the truth It troubles me to disquiet the repose of your minde with so unthought of an advise But he deserves praise onely who discovering it leaves you the means to think on the remedy Your faithful Friend This rais'd an infinite many thoughts in the minde of Cordelio and all cruel nothing was in his heart but blood slaughters and murthers yet being perswaded by the love he bore Leena and like a wise man knowing the fruits of malice he condemn'd all other testimony but that of his own eyes He faigns that he was hastily call'd away by his business into the Country and parts not without Leena's tears who regreeted for every moment of his absence Cordelio lay hid all the remainder of the day and at night he goes to observe who it was that betray'd his honour Leena in the mean time had given her self in prey to a most sweet sleep not without being disturb'd by her Nurses voice who told her that Cordelio was to return in a short time to the embraces of Cinissa her Chamber-maid and that she her self had told her so that she would not be her hinderance Leena's minde soon gave credit thereto knowing her husbands genius and her servants little honesty and the sooner having been before jealous not without some affliction She quickly clothes her self and would not be followed by the Nurse that with the more liberty she might blame Cordelio's inconstancy She goes neer her servants Chamber and there she meets her husband who with naked sword in hand came against her to kill her He did it not either that she might first see her Lovers death or the pitty of Heaven permitted not that her innocency although suspected guilty should suffer Leena though full of disdain yet thought intreaties fitter then reproofs for her own safety Casting her self at his feet mixing her words with her tears she thus bespake him Sir If the dishonest embraces of a servant please you more then those of your wife I oppose not my self against your pleasure I would offer my self to procure your pleasures would you but do me the honour but to command it me but when with the loss of my own due I see my self in danger of my life I cannot but complain at the rigour of my destiny which hath caused me to be born unhappy The unbeseeming dishonesty of a wench can then do more then the chast delights of a wife who hath no other desires but those which are subject to your beck Alas how hath Cordelio forgot himfelf Alas how hath Heaven to torment me chang'd the temper of the man Cordelio interrupting her telling her The falseness of thy lips and tears O thou impudent woman would have introduc'd some perswasion in my heart had not these eyes been witnesses of thy dishonesty Prepare therfore to dy for 't is unreasonable that she should live who hath prepared the funerals of my reputation But first of all tell me Where hast thou hid that wicked wretch who had the boldness to defile my bed Leena being unable to suffer such words as those which wounded the most sensible part of her soul Sir To excuse your amorous thefts make not my honesty guilty with faign'd pretences 't is unbecoming your prudence and my love I am yours and I am chast Malignity and Envy can finde no colour to criminate my thoughts so far are my actions from wronging your honour I appeal to your self whether the treacherous desire of enjoying a servant or the displeasure of having been interrupted have not now the possession of your minde Cordelio grew the more disturb'd and with violence askes her of what maid or of what love she talk'd Whereto Leena answer'd all what her Nurse had told her and having understood as much from her mouth also he runs without delay to seek the Chamber-maid and findes her in the wrastlings of love fast clasp'd with Epidoro He was going to sacrifice them to his fury but his wives perswasions diverted him So that at last he was content that Epidoro should marry Cinissa who was a servant rather by the injury of Fortune then by the condition of her birth Whereto Epidoro without more to do consents the fear of death making him yield to any agreement Cordelio then embraces Leena excusing himself of what he had done out of zeal to his own honor having heard Epidoro call'd with a whistle from the grate and seeing him afterwards introduc'd his hous Leena's discretion was satisfied with these justifications glad to have escaped the danger which was the greater being hid which at the same time threatned both her life and reputation This may serve to warn husbands not to run precipitously to suspect their wives of unchastity And to teach wives not to allow a treacherous liberty to their maids And finally its an example to all those who voluntarily seek to betray the honesty of other mens wives FINIS
with a deceit in some manner to correspond with my obligations and your love The love practises of the other night were with my Chamber-maid Aleria I being forbid both by the advantage of my birth and my husbands honor She is here present to give testimony of this truth Oliverio expected not that she should proceed in her discourse but full of malice returned home machinating in his minde a thousand precipices against the reputation and life of the Countess At last reason having gain'd the field admiring the prudence of the Lady who without prejudice of her own honor had so prettily deceiv'd her lover he chang'd his sensuality into friendship and respect Hence may Ladies of honor learn to shield themselves from the dangers of necessity without hazarding their reputations And Cavaliers may learn not to tempt the chastity of a prudent Lady since they may gain onely cheats or reproches It being not blamable sometimes to use deceit to shun the Tyranny of necessity LEONORA NOVEL IV. The ARGUMENT Gernando and Anselmo love two Gentlewomen whom after several accidents they enjoy which their wives having discover'd occasion by their jealousie an unhapy Tragedy NAPLES is a City delightful in all seasons the flattring accents of the inhabiting Sirens turns with the reeling lubricity of Fortune if the truth prevail their mindes are to be preferr'd to all others like those of Paradice Many years since in that place as in a Theater amongst others the chance of two most noble Cavaliers was presented who qualified with that air fruitful in titles were call'd most excellent Princes The one Gernando the other Anselmo the vicinity of their Palaces the likeness of their years the sympathy of their mindes had in a manner so united their wills that having inseparably ingrafted their hearts they possest nothing amongst them imcommunicable but their wives Gernando was married with the Princess Leonora who mixing in her most beautiful countenance sweetness withseverity majesty represented only a lively transmutation taken from the most exquisit excellencies of Venus Bellona Anselmo was wedded to Celinda a Lady who with her sweet behaviour and with her winning fashion was thought worthy to be preferr'd to the Graces to suckle and nourish most tender loves Both the one and the other liv'd a whole age deliciating themselves with the legitimate sweets of exquisit pleasures their world would have been beleev'd a Heaven had their happiness but constantly wheel'd about they often left the City to disport themselves amongst the delightful Groves of their pleasant Villa's where fully enjoying the prerogatives of a Golden age each did enjoy in their own amorous possessions the redoubled contentment of the others legitimate enjoyments jealousie did not sowre their sweet the least cloud of grief did not disturb the tranquillity of their contentment They usually went out to enjoy the fresh air of the cleer morning and what beyond measure was Leonora's sport which had a bizar capricio to shoot birds incredibly bragging at every shot she made of her prey whilst Celinda intended more tender pastimes gathering the Flowers of the field she weav'd Garlands to crown the triumphs of her conquering companion neither did they with less pleasure pass the remainder of the day for Rosalba Celinda's Gentlewoman did harmoniously sing whilst Doâ—illa Leonora's sweetly plaid on her Lute with their singing and playing making so ravishing a melody that from the loving brest of their hearers by the treachery of pleasure their souls had fled away could they but one moment have been releas'd from their adored beauties Amongst the rest one day Rosalba having let loose her voice to the singing of a wanton song she lighted on such affectionate notes upon the lasciviousness of some amorous accident that she awaken'd the soul of Gernando to admire her good grace and facility he began like those who dote accusing himself of sacriledge for that till then he had not contemplated in that most beautiful singer the excellency of the noblest Seraphin in Heaven whereupon his heart being incourag'd by the reverberation of murthering accents he the more lively imprinted that likeness which condemned him to the sufferance of such a grievous martyrdom where the wretch at once being bloodless and liveless his motion and speech being taken away he lifts up a languishing look with a dying sigh you would swear that he retain'd not the least spirit of life the Lass observ'd it and joggs Dorilla perceiving that her finging had wounded his minde and colouring her cheeks with rosy blushes with which she had bereft the miserable dying man of accusing the murtherous wound yet she thereby forbore not the more spitefully to pursue it so that with the tone of her voice lifting up the lamp of a smile she lightned so sweet a look that fascinating him with a wonderful Magick she took him quite away from living any longer to Leonora and brought him to live a fresh but a painful life in her own bosom from that time the unhapy man felt so unmesurable a fire to run about his heart which inwardly burning him sends up the ashes into his face to accuse the burning as inextinguishable Thus did this miserable man burn and silence it three whole moneths Being brought to Town he was visited by the Phisitians and afterwards forsaken whose opinion was that he was opprest with an unknown disease and that his ill was incurable Leonora aflicted her self at the sickness of her beloved consort and no less amongst themselves suffering the like did Anselmo and Celinda lament so that daily frequenting visits and Anselme with much familiarity did somtimes stay by the by to jest with Dorlla with cunning slights who being taken I know not how with him suffer'd not one to pass without giving him an answer yet she one day resented a peece of pungent treachery when Anselmo told her I perceive very well now Dorilla why you are so coy towards me why do you not love me why do I not love you said she for my part I could wish to see you languishing as Gernando is whereupon with a wink her cheeks blushing she added then should you not finde me so cruel as Rosalba is these last words seem'd to Anselmo as the words of an Oracle revealing the secret of Gernando's hidden infirmity whereupon without any more to do running quickly to his bed he findes him ravished in Rosalba's eyes who stood by Leonora and Celinda who were to no purpose on either side of him comforting him to take away that strange melancholy from his heart which for his unknown passion occasioned in them so manifest a grief and attentively observing him he clearly verified Dorilla's enigma whereupon having made the motion that all should go out of the Chamber he begins Is the love then of Anselmo so little known to thee that out of idle respects thou doubtest to discover it to me at last I have found it out thy heart is wounded the shaft comes from Resalba and it