I have not yet been such a fool as to have been a bad Poet nor so happy as to deserve the Name of a good one Another Student ask'd him in what esteem he held Poets In great replied he I hold the Art but the Poets in none and he added the reason of his saying so amongst the infinite number of Poets or at least those that call themselves so there are so few good that they scarce make a Number being next to none and therefore he had no esteem for Poets as if there were none But he esteem'd and reverenc'd the divine Art because it comprehends all other Sciences making use and adorning it self with all of them to polish and illuminate their marvellous Works with which they fill'd the World with utility delight and admiration he added I know well in what great esteem a good Poet ought to be and I remember those Verses of Ovid Cura ducum fuerant olim Regumque Poetae Praemiaque antiqui magna tulere viri Sanctaque Majestas erat venerabile nomen Vatibus largae saepe dabuntur opes i. e. Poets in times past were favour'd by Kings and great Men and richly rewarded their Names were venerable and they were inrich'd Plato calls them the Interpreters of the Gods and the same Ovid says of them Est Deus in nobis agitante calescimus illo i. e. There is a God in us by whom we are warm'd and inspir'd and in another place At sacri vates Divum cura vocamur i. e. We Poets are holy and the care and delight of the Gods This must be understood of good Poets but what can be said of ill ones but that they are Buffoons Chiarlatans the ignorance the arrogance the scorn of the World He added you may easily know a Poet of this stamp by his Preambles and his Invitations when he has a mind to recite a Sonnet Will your worships vouchsafe says he to hear a bit of a Sonnet which I made last Night upon a certain subject and tho 't is worth but little yet I cannot but believe there are some good stroaks in it then he mumbles something to himself only moving his lips and bending his eye-brows putting in his hand and searching his Pockets he pulls out a hundred bits of dirty Paper turns them over at last pitches upon that belov'd one with which he designs to regale his Auditors and having commanded silence begins with a sweet and melifluous voice and in an affected ridiculous tone and if those that hear it either out of malice or ignorance don't praise it then he says I believe Gentlemen you did not hear it possibly I did not pronounce it well giving every word its true Accent therefore it will not be amiss that I recite it again and that you if you please be more attentive for in truth if I have any judgment the Song deserves it Then he begins again with new shruggs and pauses And then What pleasure is there to hear the censure of the Auditors What shall I say of the yelping and barking of the modern Whelps against the great and grave Mastives of Antiquity What shall I say of those who blame and carp at the illustrious and excellent Subjects in which the true light of Poetry is refulgent in which when Men truly great for their entertainment or to recreate theirselves after the weight of business shew the divinity of their Wit and the heighth of their Conceptions in spight of the ignorant vulgar who love to judge what they understand not and hate every thing which is beyond their Capacity To another who ask'd him what was the reason that for the most part Poets were poor He answer'd because they would be so for it was in their power to be rich if they would lay hold of the opportunity their Mistresses proffer'd them who were all very rich having their Hairs of Gold Wire their Foreheads of polish'd Silver their Eyes of Emerald their Teeth of Ivory their Lips of Coral their Necks of transparant Christal their Tears liquid Pearls and besides they made the Earth they trod upon tho never so rocky and barren to produce at the same instant Jessamins and Roses that they breath'd Amber and Musc and Civet than which there could be no greater evidence of riches These and several other things he said of bad Poets but of good ones he always spoke well exalting them above the horns of the Moon He saw one Day in the Church of St. Francis some Pictures done by an ill hand and thereupon said that good Painters imitated Nature but bad ones spew'd upon her Once he came to a Booksellers Stall and gingerly lean'd upon it for fear of breaking his Glass Vessel and said to him I should like your Trade well enouf were it not that you have one Fault The Bookseller pray'd him to tell what it was 'T is only replied he that you are Cheats and when you buy a priviledge to print any Book at the Authors charge instead of printing fifteen hundred according to your promise if it be a good Book and vendible you print three thousand and when the Author believes that the Books which are sold are his they are supernumerary ones the price whereof gets into the Booksellers Pocket and the rest are left upon the Authors hands It happen'd that six Men were to be whip'd throw the Street by the common Hangman and when the Crier began to publish their Crimes and count them the Doctor spoke to the Company saying Get you gone least the Executioner begin with one of you and when the Crier said this is the last the Doctor cried now Boys you are secure A Boy said to him dear Brother Doctor to morrow a Baud is to be whip'd If you had said a Pimp replied the Doctor I should have thought they would have whip'd a Coach One of those who carry People in Chairs said to him Signor Doctor have you nothing to say to us Nothing said he but that every one of your profession know more sins than a Confessor but with this difference he knows them to keep them secret and you to publish them in Taverns A Vetturin hearing this for there was a ring of all sorts of people perpetually about him listning to what he said Doctor Glass said he you have nothing to say concerning us for we are honest Men and necessary in a Common wealth To whom the Doctor replied The honour of the Master shews the honour of a Servant therefore take notice whom you serve and you will perceive of what honour you are worthy You Vetturins are the worst race of Men upon the Earth I remember that once before I was a Man of Glass I rid one days Journey upon a hir'd Mule which had for I counted them no less than a hundred twenty and one Faults and all destructive to the Rider all Vetturins have a Spice of the Pimp the Theif and the Buffoon if their Patrons for so they
present wants he told him besides that the Quarrel which he went to pacify was over and that those who were concern'd in it by what he could judge were Men of Quality and much Valour They both marvelled at each others Success and went home to see whether the imprison'd Lady had need of any thing Don Antonio told Don John that he had promised to let no body see her However you may find out some Invention that I may have a sight of her answer'd Don John since you Signor Don Antonio have kindled that desire in me by crying her up for such an admirable Beauty Thus discoursing they arriv'd at their House and by the light of a Torch of one of their Pages Don Antonio saw something sparkling in Don Johns Hat and taking it into his Hand perceiv'd that the glistring came from the Hatband richly garnish'd with Diamonds they look'd upon it again and again and concluded that if those Stones were all true the value of them would exceed Twelve Thousand Crowns whence it appear'd that the Persons concern'd in that Quarrel were of the highest Quality especially he whom Don John had succour'd calling to mind what he said when he gave it him that he should take that Hat and keep it because it was known Antonio commanded the three Pages to retire afterwards he open'd the Chamber Door and found the Lady upon the Bed resting her Cheek upon her Hand and shedding Tears Don John came to the Door which was so much open that he might put his Head betwixt the Wall and it and the light of the Diamonds darted upon the Eyes of the weeping Lady who perceiving it said Enter my Lord Duke why do you peep in and not allow me the full sight of you in which I so much delight Don Antonio then answer'd here is no Duke Madam who refuses to see you How is there not replied she I saw him look in at the Door and knew him by that rich Hatband Upon my Faith Madam answer'd Don Antonio he that wears that Hatband is no Duke and if you will see the Truth of this and him that wears it give him leave to come in Let him enter said she but if it is not the Duke my disgraces are the greater All these words were heard by Don John with this leave and his Hat in his Hand he enter'd when he was come in and she perceiv'd 't was not the Duke with a troubled voice she said Wretch that I am pray Sir hold me not in suspence but tell me do you know him to whom that Hat belongs is he alive and where did you leave him and how came you by that Hat Is that the token he sends me of his Death ah What Successes are these Here I see thy Pledges without thee I find my self shut up and in the Power of those I know not Did not I find them Gentlemen the fear of loosing my Honour would take away my Life Possess your Soul in quiet answer'd Don John for neither the Master of this Hat is dead neither are you in a place where any hurt shall come to you but we will repair your Injuries if it should cost us our Lives It shall never be that the hope you have in Spaniards and Gentlemen as we are shall be vain therefore assure your self that we will behave ourselves to you with such respect as a Person of your Quality and Presence deserves That I believe said she but tell me Sir how you came by that Hat and where now its Master is Then Don John to hold her no longer in suspence told her how he found it out whilst he was assisting a Cavaleer who as she said ought to be the Duke his own Hat fell and he took up that thinking it was his and that the Cavaleer whose it was bid him keep it because it was known That the Quarrel ended without any of their Party being wounded and that suddainly after there arriv'd some Gentlemen which were either Friends or Servants of the Duke who pray'd him to leave them with him after having thank'd him and testified with very efficatious words the Obligations he had to him for his so opportune Succour behold Madam this Hat came into my possession after this manner and if it is the Dukes as you say 't is not yet an hour since I left him safe and sound And let this Truth comfort you if you have any Interest in his preservation That you may understand said she that I had reason to ask you that question I desire your attention to the sad Story of my misfortune Whilst they were in this Discourse the Servant Maid had chang'd the Childs rich Cloaths for ordinary ones and was carrying it to a Nurse passing by the Chamber Door just as she was going to begin her Story she heard the Babe cry and standing up she listen'd and hearing it plainer she ask'd whose Child that was which seem'd to be few hours old 'T is a Child replied Don John which this Night was laid at the Church Gate and the Maid is going to carry it to a Nurse Pray Gentlemen do me the Favour replied she to let the Maid bring it hither and I will do that Charity for the Children of others since the Heavens will not permit me to do it for my own Don John call'd the Servant and taking the Child put it into the Arms of the Lady saying behold Madam the Present which was made to us this Night and this is not the first for few Months pass without such Adventures she took it into her Arms and look'd wishfully upon it and upon its poor Cloaths she cover'd her Breast with a Veil and joyning hers to the Childs Face put herself in a posture to suckle it weeping and not lifting up her Eyes All that while they four were very silent while the Child endeavour'd to suck but could not get one drop for those who are newly deliver'd cannot give suck which when she consider'd she gave back the Babe to Don John saying I would have shew'd my Charity but it is in vain but this shews that I am not vers'd in these Affairs Command Sir that they rub the Palate of this Child with a little Honey and let them not at such an unseasonable hour carry it thro the Streets but let it be Day first and before you remove it let me have another sight of it for I take much Pleasure in looking upon it Don John return'd the Child to the Maid ordering her to take care of it till the Morning and then to dress it in the rich Cloaths but not carry it to the Nurse till she had farther Orders Then entring the Chamber and there being only they three then the disconsolate Lady thus began If you would that I should entertain you with the sad Narration of my Affliction it is necessary that you first give me something to eat for I am in so great need of it that I am ready to faint Don
Madam replied the Maid How comes it to pass then said Cornelia that you have chang'd his Cloaths these are not the same Cloaths or this is not the same Child That may be said the Maid Jesu What say you That may be answer'd Cornelia tell me dear Sister how can that be my Heart will burst if I am not saddainly inform'd how comes this change tell me whence and by what means you got those Swadling-Cloaths they are mine I am sure they are mine if I have not wholly lost my Sight and my Memory Don John and Don Antonio having heard these words would not permit her to proceed nor continue any longer in suspence wherefore Don John said These Cloaths Madam and this Child are yours and then he told her from point to point how he was the Person to whom the Woman gave it mistaking him for Fabio how he had brought it home and why he had chang'd its Garments And altho that they knew 't was her Child after that she had told them that she had been deliver'd they had not discover'd this before to make her joy the greater in knowing him after a suspension of knowing him not Infinite were the Tears of Cornelia infinite were the Thanks to her Protectors calling them her Guardian-Angels in the shape of Men and giving them many other Titles which made appear the Obligation she had for having by their means receiv'd so great a Benefaction Then they left her with the Maid commanding her to take great Care of the Lady and went to Bed to sleep the rest of the Night with intention to visit Cornelia no more unless she sent for them or upon some urgent occasion When 't was Day the Servant-Maid brought a Nurse secretly into the Chamber who suckl'd the Child in the dark the Windows being shut The Gentlemen ask'd how the Mother did and being answer'd she was asleep they went to the Schools passing by the Street wherein the Night before the Scuffle was and before Cornelias Door to learn what was said of her absence but they could not inform theirselves Being return'd Cornelia sent to call them they answer'd that they had thoughts not to enter any more into her Chamber to keep the decorum due to her But she answer'd with Prayers and Tears desiring them to continue their Visits as before that 't would if not remedy yet at least be a consolation in her misfortune They came and she receiv'd them with a chearful Countenance and desired them to take a turn about the City to try what they could hear concerning her They replied they had done so already with all diligence and punctually but they could not discover any thing In this interim behold one of their Pages comes crying out At the Gate below stays a Gentleman who says his Name is and desires to speak with Don John of Gamboa Hearing this Cornelia trembled and wrung her Hands and putting her Finger to her Mouth she said with a low and frighted voice my Brother Gentlemen it is my Brother without doubt he knows that I am here and now he is come to kill me Help me Gentlemen help me for Gods sake Trouble not your self Madam fear nothing said Don Antonio you are in such Hands who will not suffer that the least Affront shall be offer'd to you Go Signor Don John and see what the Gentlemans Business is I 'll stay here to defend the Lady if there should be occasion In the mean while he charg'd a brace of Pistols commanding his Servants to take their Swords and be in a readiness The Maid seeing these Preparations fell a trembling as also did Cornelia But Don Antonio and Don John stood firm having resolv'd how to manage the Affair Don John went down the Stairs sedately and found the Gentleman at the Door who when he saw him spoke thus I desire you would do me the Favour to walk to the next Church hard by where I will declare to you the affair wherein my Life and Honour is deeply concern'd That I will do replied Don John le ts go Sir They went and setting upon a Bench at some distance from the People that they might not be over-heard the Gentleman thus began I am Sir if not of the richest Family yet of one of the Noblest of this City let Truth speak for me without my having any need to praise my self For some Years I have been an Orfan and have had under my Government a Sister whom if she was not so nearly related to me I might praise so much that I should be put to it to find words to do it according to her deserts my Honour and her being young and extreamly handsome obliged me to look after her with all possible Care but all the Diligence which I employed was not sufficient to preserve her she was too cunning for me and frustrated my Care and gave herself over to her unruly Desires But not to tire you with a tedious Story I 'll only tell you that the Duke of with the Eyes of Linceus was too hard for those of Argus and triumfed over my Industry conquering my Sister whom he has taken from her Lodging this Night and I am told she has been deliver'd of a Child As soon as I knew this I went in search of him all about the City I found him and assaulted him but some Angel assisted him and would not permit that with his Blood he should wash away the Stain which he has put upon my Honour My Cousin who told me this told me also That the Duke had drawn my Sister in with the promise of Marriage but I believe it not considering the inequality betwixt them as to the goods of Fortune For as to Blood all the World knows that the Family of is inferiour to none in Bolognia But I believe he like other Grandees when they would deceive any retir'd Maid they lay before their Eyes as a Bait the sweet Name of Husband And tell them for certain weighty Considerations they cannot Marry them yet and these are Lies which carry appearance of Truth and Falsities which cover a bad intent But be it as it will I find my self without a Sister and without Honour but I 'll not make a public Business of it till I have tried to remedy it some other way for 't is a lesser Evil that one should be presum'd infamous than publicly known to be so In fine I am resolv'd to go to the Duke and demand Satisfaction for the injury he has done me and if he denies it I 'll instantly defie him not to fight with Troops but Body to Body In which I shall need your Assistance if you are willing to accompany me I promise my self that you will favour me in this Occasion being a Spaniard and a Gentleman as I am inform'd I have not consulted my Kindred and Friends from whom I can expect nothing but Counsels and Diswasions to turn me from what I am resolv'd upon From you Sir I
not to trust either my Words or Actions yet I doubt not but to carry my self in such manner that you shall be convinc'd that you had no reason to harbour any such distrust And tho' you will not admit of my help either by Counsels or Actions yet I will not fail to do what is convenient for me and what I shall believe conducible for your good There is no Person in all this Countrey who has more Interest than my Master the Cady your Patron tho' he is Bassa of Cyprus can never have so much This being granted for Truth as it is I may say without vanity that I am the Man of the greatest Power in this City because I can do what I please with the Cady I tell you this that if we can find any opportunity to make you his Slave and so we both being in one House time will instruct us what we ought to do as well to comfort you if you will accept of it as also that I may turn to a better Life or at least in some part that when I loose it my Soul may be secure I heartily thank you replied Ricardo for the Favour you offer me yet I believe all that you can do will be to no purpose Nevertheless for the present let 's leave off this Discourse and go to the Tents for I perceive a great number of People coming out of the City without doubt the Bassa is coming into the Field to leave the entry free for my Patron to take possession of the place of his Residency You are in the right said Mahomet Let 's go for I doubt not but you will be pleas'd to see the Ceremonies which the Bassas use on that Occasion withal my heart replied Ricardo perhaps I may have need of your Interest with the Guardian of the Slaves of my Patron who is a Renegado and an unmerciful Corsican who may treat me ill finding me discoursing with you Thus their Converse ended and they arriv'd at the Tents in the same time when the Bassa was come thither and his Patron went to the entrance of the Padiglion to receive him Ali Bassa for that was the Name of him who quitted the Government of the City accompanied with all the Janisaries who made up the Garrison of Nicosia to the number of Five Hundred who had been there ever since the Turks took it march'd in two Bodies one with Harquebusses and the other with naked Scymitars in their Hands to the Tent where Assan the New Bassa was and made a Guard round about him then Ali Bassa bowing low made a great Reverence to Assan and he with a lesser bow re-saluted him then presently Ali enter'd into Assans Padiglion who immediatly mounted a stately Horse richly equipp'd and after having waited upon him round his Tent and a good part of the way towards the City with Acclamations and Applause crying out in their Language God save Sultan Solyman and Bassa Assan They repeated these words many times crying louder and louder till he arrived at his Tent where Ali Bassa waited for him within that Tent the Two Bassas and the Cadi staid above an hour Mahomet told Ricardo that they were lock'd in there to treat concerning what was to be done in the Reparations of the City which were began by Ali Bassa Then the Cady came to the entrance of the Padiglion and cried with a loud voice in the Turkish Arabic and Greek Language That all those who had any Complaint against Ali Bassa might have free access because Assan Bassa whom the Grand Signior had constituted Bassa of Cyprus was there ready to hear them and do them all Justice This leave being granted the Janisaries left the Passage free that whosoever pleas'd might enter Mahomet took with him Ricardo for he might go in being Assans Slave Some Christian Greeks and some Turks demanded Justice but their Complaints were of so little Importance that they were soon dispatch'd by the Cady without the trouble of making Acts or writing the Interrogatories and Answers for amongst the Turks all Causes except those which concern Matrimony are determined upon the spot according to the Judgment and Conscience of the Cady rather than by any Law For amongst those Barbarians the Cadi or if you please you may call him the Bishop is Supream Judge of all Causes and Differences which he summarily decides and without delays as he thinks fit and from his Decree there is no appealing to any other Tribunal Then there enter'd a Chiaus which is with us a Commander and after him an ancient Jew leading a young Maid richly dress'd after the Moorish Fashion the richest Lady of Fess or Morocco who much exceed the rest of the Africans even the Algerines who are adorn'd with so many Pearls could not appear in a better Garb her Face was cover'd with a crimson Velvet Veil she wore upon her Legs and Insteps which were a little discover'd Bracelets of Gold and on her Arms two such enamell'd and set with Pearls which she wore under a fine transparent Smock easily to be seen in fine her Garments were rich fashionable and becoming The Bassa and the Cady were astonish'd at the first appearance of her but before they ask'd any questions they commanded the Jew to lift up the Veil that they might see the Christians Face he did so and discover'd a Countenance which dazled the Eyes and rejoyced the Hearts of the by-standers as when the Sun after having been obscur'd with a black Cloud shews himself to the Eyes of those that desire to see his Splendor so exquisite was the Beauty and the Grace and the Behaviour of that Christian Slave But Ricardo penetrated furthest into that marvellous Light as one that knew it better than the rest for it was his Dear and Cruel Leonisa for whom so many times he had shed Rivers of Tears believing her dead Ali was struck through the Heart and quite overcome at the sight of the singular Beauty of that Christian neither was the Cady exempted from the Wounds of those Eyes whereupon fixing his he appear'd as if he was without motion and more to express the Power of Love you must know that all at one time the three equal Rivals nourish'd a firm hope to obtain and enjoy her and without further enquiry when and how she came to be in the Jews possession they demanded what he would take for her The covetous Jew answer'd he would take no less than four Thousand Dubloons in Gold He had scarce set his Price but Ali told him he would give it and that he should come to his Tent and receive it But Assan who was resolv'd Ali should not have her tho' it cost him his Life replied that he would give for her the summe which the Jew demanded adding that he would not have profer'd this nor opposed Ali but that the Slave was too good for any but the Grand Signior and that he would therefore purchase her for his Highness Let me
Ridolfo arriv'd and whilst Supper was making ready Signora Stefana desired the two Gentlemen to speak a few words in private with them which they readily consented to she making no doubt but that they were two of the three that assisted Ridolfo in the Rape she conjured them with earnest Prayers to tell her if they remembered that her Son had such a night and in such a place Ravish'd a young Lady for upon the knowledge of the truth of it depended the honour and quiet of all her Relations that therefore they should not be shy of freely declaring the truth In fine with good words and assuring them that it should not be in the least prejudicial to them she prevailed upon them to confess They said that one Night of that Summer and in the place she named they two and one more walking with Ridolfo seized upon a young Lady that Ridolfo carried her away whilst they staid to stop the rest of her Company and that the day after he told them he had carried her to his House and that this was all they knew of that matter The confession of these two was a Key which opened all her doubts Then did Signora Stefana resolve to prosecute and bring to an end her good intentions This was the manner she used A little before they were to go to Supper she called her Son apart and put into his hand a Picture saying Ridolfo I give you something to whet your stomach and procure you a better appetite to your Supper behold here is your Wife we have a design to make you happy with this is her true resemblance but you must consider that the Beauty which is wanting is abundantly made amends for by her Virtues she is nobly Born very Discreet and indifferently Rich and since your Father and I have made choice of her you may be secure she will make a convenient Wife Ridolfo attentively consider'd the Picture and thus reply'd If Painters who usually are prodigal in making their draughts handsomer than the Originals have done the same here without doubt she whom this Picture represents must be ugliness itself Upon my Faith Madam altho it is just and reasonable that Sons should be obedient to their Parents in all that they command yet it is also as just and reasonable that Fathers and Mothers should provide for their Sons something which should be more pleasing to their Senses And since Matrimony is a knot that when it is once tied nothing but death can undo it it is necessary to make it tolerable that the Bonds should be equal and weav'd with the same thread Virtue Nobility Prudence and the Goods of Fortune may rejoyce his mind who has a Wife endow'd with them But that the ugliness of a Wife should content the Eyes of an Husband seems to me altogether impossible Tho I am young yet I am not ignorant that the chast pleasure which Marryed Men enjoy by the Sacrament of Matrimony is not incompatible with the Duty of an Husband but if that is wanting Matrimony is lame and answers not its end To have an ugly Face always before our Eyes in the Hall at Table and in Bed who can think it pleasant I say again that I conclude it is impossible I desire you Madam to give me a Companion in whom I may delight and not one whose sight I shall not be able to endure so that without one drawing one way and the other an other we may both support in the right way the yoke laid upon our necks If this Lady is noble wise and rich as you say she cannot want a Husband which shall be of another humour than I am Some seek Nobility of Blood others Prudence and Discretion others Money others Beauty and I am of the humour of the last for as to Nobility my Ancestors my Father and my Mother thanks be to Heaven have given it me by Inheritance for Prudence and Discretion as long as a Woman is not a changling and does not render herself ridiculous by her folly it is sufficient as to riches those that you and my Father will leave will put me in a Condition never to fear Poverty I am for Beauty I set my Mind upon that I desire no other Portion always provided it be accompanied with Honesty and good Humour If the Wife you design me has those qualifications I will serve God with all my Heart and be a comfortable Stay to my Parents in their Old Age. Signora Stefana was very well pleas'd with this Discourse finding by it that she should succeed in her Design She answer'd she would marry him according to his Desires and bid him be of good Heart and contented for 't was an easy thing to break the accord they had design'd with the Gentlewoman for whom that Picture was drawn Ridolfo return'd her thanks 't was now Supper time and they were set down at the Table when Ridolfos Father and Mother and he and his two Companions had taken their Seats Signora Stefana as if she had forgot her self cries out where 's my Breeding in truth I carry my self very handsomely towards my Guest go says she to one of her Servants and tell Signora Leocadia that I intreat her without making any scruple to be pleas'd to come and Honour this Table for there is no body but my Family and Friends This was her Invention and done upon design and Leocadia was instructed what she was to do She presently came in and appear'd so unexpectedly that they were all amaz'd to see so much natural Beauty so well adorn'd she wore for it was Winter a black Velvet Gown embroider'd with Gold and Pearls a Girdle and Necklace of Diamonds her own Hair which was very long and of a pale yellow Colour and she had nothing else upon her Head the pleasantness of the Curles and the glittering of the Diamonds which sparkled in every part of her Hair dazled the Eyes of all that saw her Leocadia was beautiful and slender and of a good deportment she led in her Hand her little Son before her went two Maids bearing Wax Candles in Silver Candlesticks All rose to do her Reverence as if she had been sent from Heaven and by a Miracle appear'd there None in the whole Company had the Courage to speak the least word they were so much astonish'd in beholding her Leocadia with much Grace and Humility made her Reverences to them all Signora Stefana taking her by the Hand plac'd her next to herself just over against Ridolfo and the little Boy sat next to his Grandfather Ridolfo ey'd her most attentively admiring her incomparable Beauty and said within himself If the Lady my Mother would have me marry had half so much Beauty I should think my self the happiest of Men O God! what do I see is not this an Angel Whilst he thus discours'd within himself the Image of Leocadia penetratred through his Eyes and possess'd it self of his conquer'd Heart Leocadia seeing herself so near him
Host went to take care of the Horse and to give order for a Supper least any other Guest should come that Night Presently after they beheld coming another Gentleman a little older than the first but not less handsome Upon which sight the Hostess began to cry out Jesu What do I see Do Angels come to Lodg this Night at my House Why say you so demanded the Gentleman I say it not without cause replied the Hostess but I say to you put not your self to the trouble of lighting for I have no Bed for you A Gentleman in that Chamber altho he is alone hath taken both and paid me for them that no body besides should enter the Chamber it seems he delights in solitude but I know not why for upon my Soul he has a not a Face or a Garb which ought to be hid but rather be seen and bless'd and admir'd by all the World Is he so very handsome replied the Gentleman Handsome says the Hostess yes handsomeness it self Ho Boy said the Gentleman here take my Horse I will see this Person you praise so much tho I lie upon the bare Ground all this Night Then bidding his Servant hold his Stirrup he lighted and enter'd and call'd for Supper A Sbirro enter'd and sitting down fell into discourse with him while he was at Supper and being unwilling to loose time drunk off three Bottles of Wine and eat the Breast and Body of a Partridge which the Gentleman gave him In recompence whereof the Sbirro ask'd the Court News and what was done in Flanders of the Motion and Descent of the Turks not forgetting the Affairs of Transilvania The Gentleman eat on in silence for he had no inclination to answer such Questions coming from such a Person the Host added himself a third to their Company and tasted his Wine with such Draughts as the Sbirro had done before and at the end of every Glass he distorted his Body and turn'd his Head to his left Shoulder praising the Wine and giving to it so many attributes and epithets that he exalted it to the Clouds In the circle of his discourse he return'd to the praises of his Guest who was lock'd in telling how he fainted and that he lock'd himself in his Chamber without any Supper he told that his Portmantue was well furnish'd as he guess'd by the weight of it he prais'd the goodness of his Horse and the fashion and richness of his Cloaths which were too good to be worn by one who was not attended by a Servant for he came only with the Vetturin All these exaggerations doubled the Gentlemans desires to get a sight of him and to that end he pray'd the Host to find some means to let him lie in the other Bed for which he would give him a Crown The greediness of Money inclin'd the Host to comply with him but it seem'd impossible because the Door was lock'd in the inside and that he durst not disturb him But to all this the Sbirro undertook to find a remedy in this manner I will go said he and knock at the Door saying 't is the Constable who by order of a Justice of Peace commands that they Lodge this Gentleman To which the Host should answer That they would do him injury because that Chamber and both the Beds were taken and paid for by him who was in it by this the Host shall be disoblig'd from his promise and you Sir will obtain you desire This Invention was approv'd and put presently in effect and the Sbirro receiv'd from the Gentleman half a Crown with which he was well contented The first Guest was much troubled hearing he must open to the Constable the second ask'd him pardon for interrupting his repose and went immediately into the void Bed The other replied not one word nor would not permit him to see his Face for as soon as he had open'd the Door he went to Bed turning his Face towards the Wall and pretended to fall asleep Now the second Guest was got into his Bed but with this hope that the next Morning he should have a view of his Chamber-Fellow at his rising It was December wherein the long tedious dark and cold Nights adds to weariness usually invites Sleep But the first Guest could not get that benefit a little after mid-night he began to sigh so bitterly as if with every one of them he was breathing out his Soul so that he waken'd the other who admiring the Sobs which accompanied his dolorous Sighs hearken'd to understand the Lamentations which this afflicted Person murmur'd to himself The Beds were at some distance nevertheless he heard amongst others these words pronounc'd with a weak and mournful Voice Ah wretch that I am Whether does the invincible force of my Destiny hurry me What Path do I take What Thred will guide me out of the Labyrinth in which I am Ah few Years and small Experience incapable of Consideration and Counsel At what end will this my vagabond wandring arrive Ah despised Honour Ah sincere Love ill recompenc'd Ah respect of my Kindred laid aside and trod under foot wo is me that have thus let loose the Reins and suffer'd my self to be carried away by my desires Oh false and flattering words which have oblig'd me to answer in Deeds But of whom do I complain Am not I she that would cheat my self Am not I she who took the Knife to assassinate with my own Hands my Honour my Reputation and the good Opinion which my Parents had of my Vertue Oh perjur'd Marc Antonio How is it possible that the gall of Ingratitude should be mingled with the sweetness of those Words which thou spokest to me Where art ungrateful Whether art thou fled answer for I speak to thee stay for I follow thee hold me up for thou hast made me fall pay what thou owest me succour me because I have obliged then After these Words she was silent expressing her Sorrow only with Sighs and Tears The second Guest listned to all this with great silence and concluded that 't was a Woman that thus lamented which increas'd his desire to know her and often resolv'd to rise and go to her Bed-side and would have done so had he not perceiv'd she was got up and had open'd the Chamber Door calling the Host to saddle her Pad for she would be going The Host let her call a good while and then answer'd That 't was scarce Midnight and so dark 't would be madness to set out This answer satisfi'd her and she lock'd the Door and return'd to Bed bitterly sighing It appear'd then to the Gentleman who heard her that 't would not be amiss to speak to her and offer her all Service and Aid and to oblige her to discover her Misfortune therefore he spoke thus to her In truth Sir if your Sighs and the Words which you have spoke had not mov'd me to Compassion I should think I had a Soul of Stone in a Body