that it was 〈◊〉 a jesting story or that at least the Queen fitted it to her own humour I swear unto you adâ—â—â— she that he is jealous of Tarnaw and that he will not have me to see him But Madam said the King in way of Admonition Do not you your self give way unto such Insolences You have such sorts of kind wayes and manners continued this Prince which in Italy would be nothing but that in such a Country as this cause divers things to be thought and said more than there is A little more Moderation in all those Outward things continued he would not ill become you What must I then reform my self replyed the Queen for my Lord Bishop's sake No Madam replyed the King but for your Own sake I must have some time â—â—ow'd me Sir said the Queen 〈…〉 my self unto the Customes of the Country and I cannot warrant you that I can ever beâ—ome â—o Barbarous and to take no longer any delight in Life or in 〈◊〉 Society as I see divers do here The King â—o whom this disâ—â—â—se did not please changed the â—â—ine and after some Turnes 〈◊〉 in the Gallery they retiâ—â— â—â—is Adventure which was 〈◊〉 Tarnaw a Scene in which he did see a Picture of the Queens â—â—â—ural humour drawn to the 〈◊〉 who would easily sacrifice 〈◊〉 that she had favoured did 〈◊〉 him much cause of â—â—â—â—â—izing on her Person all the 〈◊〉 of that Night The Incomâ—â—â—â—e Bishop with his Declaraâ—â—on was not forgot but above all 〈…〉 admit the Kings Patience who had so much Indulgency for the Queens little Sallies It is true 〈…〉 Prince had already deâ—â—â—red on this account unto some unreasonable givers of Advice â—hat if he was to have punished oâ— other all those of whom the 〈◊〉 had given him cause of 〈◊〉 plaint his Court would be in a short time quite deferted This Impunity however not the Kings Clemency did not give the Count any desire to engage any farther with the Queen on the contrary the more this Prince was Indulgent the more Horror had he of his Crime Besides that this night he was very much out of humour with Love through all those Accidents which had happen'd unto him and of which he was not yet quite rid Never had any night seemed so long and tedious to him At last Day came and one of the Kings Bed-chamber having some business that way came luckily to open the door while he was behind that Picture Never Man that was condemn'd 〈…〉 perpetual Prison could go with more joy out of his Bonds then he did out of that Place So soon as he was returned home he enquired after the Lacquay which he had left at the Dutchesse's door he was answered than heaâ— as still in Gentery on which his â—â—â—plexity did redouble He could 〈◊〉 believe that Count Topor had 〈◊〉 the night so fortunately 〈◊〉 Duchess was a woman of great Circumspection And this â—oâ—ng Count could at most serve 〈◊〉 but for Divertisement His â—â—ming to the Dutchesses was to learn Manners for it was a 〈◊〉 School for that she did call him her Son not but that she was too Young to have any of the age but through a Kindness which could not go far Yet beauteous and well-made as he was there had been some Talk about it with any other Person than the Duchess who had had the good â—â—â—une of being a Gallant without the least suspicion of Gallanâ—â—sing The Count of Tarnaw impatient to know the Truth of this sent to his Man to learn some news Word was brought him 〈…〉 all that night no Person of Note had stirred forth of the Dutchesse's This put him into greater perplexities then ever He changes his Cloathes and followed but with one single Servant he designed to surprise the Dâ—â—â—cheâ—â— When that he saw come iâ—â—â— his Chamber the Bishop of â—â—â—avia The Reception he made him with very cold I see dear Cousin said the Prelate that I came at 〈◊〉 time and that you are not 〈◊〉 early in the Morning but upon some great designâ— but you know to what Persons of now profession are obliged and 〈◊〉 that we are to obey ouâ— Mâ—flâ—â—â— Orders I bring yo◠〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 continued he which will not be very agreable 〈◊〉 What Interrupted the Câ—â—â—t first 〈◊〉 not being desirous to hâ—â—â— any thing discourse with him 〈…〉 the Qâ—â—◠〈…〉 from seeing 〈◊〉 the Bishop surprised to hear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what he had to say could 〈…〉 now he should th◠〈…〉 by some 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 her self had â—â—eady informed him of it He â—old him that of truth it was that which had brought him â—hiâ—◠〈…〉 Queen having doubt 〈…〉 that there was some 〈◊〉 of that Conversation which â—he had had with him in his â—ountry House she had thought 〈…〉 Hoâ—â—ours â—â—e rest and the Counts good not to see him for some time but as shee did 〈◊〉 indifferently all the rest of the Court and that this Advice was 〈◊〉 sufficient Consequence to have him profit by it That she had employed him to declare it to 〈◊〉 as a near â—insman and one of 〈…〉 The Count not 〈◊〉 moved at all that the Bishop said replyed in such a serious manner as would confound any man That he knew well of what nature the Obligation he owed him in this rencounter was and that he might tell the Queen that he would obey her Orders as she desired You speak with such an Ayr replyed the Bishop it seems as if I disobliged you Once more I am perfectly instructed replied the Count of all your Bounties and in time and place I shall thank you for them Can you suspect me interruptâ—d the Prelates Not at all replyed Tarnaw but I think that I should not have over much cause of confiding in a man that should accuse me falsly to the Queen Who could accuse you replied the Bishop blushing Have you some â—ivals that can be so much concerned at your good Fortune The Count who began to be 〈◊〉 of hâ—uing his false Reasoning 〈◊〉 I hâ—vâ— some sayd he to 〈◊〉 fiercely and that should medâ—â— with any thing else than Gallanâ—â—ng That does not concern 〈◊〉 said the good Prelate in great 〈◊〉 order I know not whether 〈◊〉 concernes you or not replyed the Count But I know well that the King is informed that â—â—â—â—in man of your Character 〈◊〉 â—ound out the way of making 〈◊〉 Dâ—â—larâ—tion of Love unto the 〈◊〉 in his Mass Book The Lâ—rd Bishop not being able to 〈…〉 clearing of a thing which 〈◊〉 him with Confusion arose and 〈…〉 king an hasty leave of the 〈◊〉 Farewell said he you may 〈◊〉 profit of my Advices if you 〈◊〉 but whencesoever they 〈…〉 will let you know that 〈…〉 in need of them as much others The Count who thought 〈…〉 told him enough did let 〈…〉 â—o go himself about other â—â—siâ—ess and to execute the design which he had in his Heart as well as in his mind He went forth with that Servant and
divers ages and to consolate my self of my affliction I have but too many examples before my Eyes I aym not at Count Tarnaws life all his Blood would not make the Dutchess the honester Woman and should my Honour depend on that only I well see that there would be no Return of it All that I can do is to wait till he be Married to render him the Change The business being thus turn'd into Rallery the King was over-joy'd to see him take that Course which he did second with divers solid reasons giving a great deal of Praise unto the Dukes Conduct That Action was after that as an happy Plank for all those that found themselves in the number of the betrayed Husbands there being nothing indeed more ridiculous in the World than to cast ones self away for being dishonoured by a Woman Give me those Wise and Prudent Persons as was the Duke who on all other accounts was an Example of Vallour as well as of Cuckoldship here He going from the King a Gentleman brought him the order from the Queen He presently thought of the promise which he had made the Dutchess but he was to obey or rather he was to yield unto that Byass which carried him that way He did appear so constrained and so perplexed at the fight of that Princess that she could not restrain from Laughing and letting her self go unto her usual Humour which was free and full of Gayety Well my Lord Duke said she have you not a very honest Wife and is not Tarnaw an undoubted Friend Friendship Madam said he is Subject unto such Treacheries but the Count is yet more guilty in point of Love he will be sooner pardoned for having betrayed a Friend continu'd he then the fairest Princess in the World The Queen answered him Coldly That she did take no further care of that business than so much as would make her Sport If I was concern'd in it continu'd she I should think the Persons sufficiently punished with the Confusion it hath brought upon them But how have you resented the business And how do you carry your self towards Tarnaw The Duke gave her to understand that he was not a man that would take so much to heart a business of which he was not the Master that which way so ever it had come to pass he thought that it fell to his Wifes share to take upon her all the Blame of the adventure seeing that it was she that had committed the Fault That as to the Count he expected from Time and Opportunity some means to revenge himself like a man of Honour but not as a declared Enemy The Queen having said some pleasant things on his Maximes which she well approv'd of the Duke replyed That he had Copyed them out of the Practice of the greatest men in Antiquity and that he did not use in things of Consequence to regulate himself by the common Opinion The Queen who was desirous to fall upon that which did concern her self the most reply'd That all that was very well but that howsoever it was probable he would not permit Tarnaw to continue having the same Assiduities with the Dutchess Why not Madam replyed the Duke who presently perceived that this was that thing the Queen did wish for The mischeif is already done continu'd he and it would be a great Folly in me to be so cautious where there is no Remedy That should have been done in time and season What would you endure said the Queen with some trouble I shall not only endure said he interrupting her that he should do as he has formerly done but I will go instantly from hence to seek him and intreat him so to do That is to be very Complaisant replied she and this may very well be called to be a Commodious Man But to let you see continued she the little Concern I take in it Know that I am pleased at your going to see the Count and I do Order you at the same time to bring him here to me You may think it may be that I have a mind he should ask me Pardon continued she and that we should be reconciled Your example might be followed and peradventure that I should not find it difficult to imitate you if I had no other cause of Complaint against him but know that he has offended me by a more sensible way than that the of Dutchess and that it is three dayes since I have given Order unto the Bishop of Cracovia to tell him from me that he should never more appear before my presence The Duke both surprised and rejoyced at this news asked the Queen if it were possible that the Count should give her any cause of treating him so ill Yes replyed she and were it not for the Noise that it might make in the World I had spoken of it to the King But I cannot better punish him continued she than in confounding of him before you and in reproaching his Unworthiness my self in person At this proposition the Duke was in his Dumps and could have wished that the Queen had persisted in her first Resolution or at least that she had charged some other with that Commission But there was no way to avoyd it she would absolutely have it that it should be him that should bring to her the Count and that he should be Witness after what manner she would treat him The Duke was too clear-sighted and did know the Queen too well to fall into that Trap. But that Princesses Charmes did so dazle him that if his life had been at stake he could not refuse what she required of him This is cruel Madam said he thus to exact from my obedience so hard a Task I shall do it however continued he seeing that you command it But the Repentance of it may cost me my Life Upon this he took leave of the Queen who promised him to set this Constraint which he did to himself for her sake upon account Count Topor very proud of the Honour that this noise had done him of being in love with the Dutchess had a mind to become so in good earnest He undertook to visit her more frequently then before But knowing that a Passion according to Form ought to begin by a Declaration he was divers dayes in meditating one which might please his Mistress They were fine words which he composed afterwards writ but which he did blot out as often as he writ them and when he was resolved and had agreed upon those which he would use he had forgot all again so soon as he came before the Dutchess so that he was forced to stand to those which the Publick had made for him The Dutchess could easily perceive a change both in the Humour and Manners of the Count. She might have guessed at his design and at some other time she might have diverted her self with it But at that time she was not capable of any Pleasure and her mind wholly taken up
night at her own House It was easy to perceive that there was some Mystery in the business and that was the Mystery which gave occasion for all those discourses in which the Bishop had his share Tarnaw having rendered himself at the Castle the first that he found there was Count Topor who coming up to him with a smiling Countenance said That more honour had been done him that day than he merited in being thought capable of giving any Jealousy to such a man as he and bold enough to measure his Sword with him Count Tarnaw embracing him answered with the like Ayr That he had no desire to have a Love-quarrel with a Toung Cavalier so well made as he but if that by ill fortune there should ever be any such thing on the Dutchesses account He intreated him that she might decide the Difference Ending these words he left him and passed into the Queens Apartment where she who was wont to convey him into her Chamber came to tell him that he could not see her for divers Reasons The Count who was going to render this visit as a Criminal would appear before his Judges without inquiring into the Reasons nor making any further Instances to be admitted in that he came upon the Queens immediate Order He only bowed to the Lady and returned home whence he stirred not all the rest of the day having need of some little Rest after the night that he had passed Mean time the Noise of this business that had passed from the Court to the City was gone from thence to the Country also and at last unto the Duke of Ostrogs Ears The News surprised him he became upon it very melancholick and fretful He did perceive that the Dutchess had not carryed her Revenge very long and if this was the first Folly that she had committed her temper had had need of her Vertue to be wise Nevertheless having his mind wholly taken up with the Queens cruelties towards him the Joy which he had at her share in this business did comfort him as to all the rest and I believe that he would not have been no Cuckold considering the Satisfaction he received from that blinded Princess being deceiv by a man who so little deserved to be preferred before him He came to Town again at least to triumph on the Queens Account though he was a Looser on that of his Wifes He appeared very angry at first against the Dutchess with biting Ralleries harsh Usage and severe Rebukes The Dutchess took it patiently and did endeavour to justifie the Righteousness of her Intentions but finding that the Duke continued treating of her ill she flew out as well as he and began to reproach him As if it became him whose manifest Treachery was not to be regarded to insult over a Woman whom meer Chance and bare Appearances could render guilty before men So that things being almost equal on both sides there was mention made of an Accomodation and the Principal Article was That for the mutual Union the Duke should renounce all the Queens Gallantry and should no more see her in private And that the Dutchess should do the same with Count Tarnaw I believe that at that present their Intentions might be good But in matters of Love there is no forswearing of any thing Swear not to see any more that which one Loves is an Oath which even gives a mind to do it and but too many of those Perjured Persons are daily seen The Queen was startled at the Counts Indifferency She thouht that the Refusal which he had met with at the Chamber door would have whetted the more his desires of seeing her that he would return to the Charge again that he would employ some of his Friends towards her or at least that he would write to her to justify himself or to beg her pardon but she saw none of all this and the whole day past away without hearing any thing from him Her Soul was more moved at this Indifferency than at all that had passed besides and she did call this the height of Perfidiousness She could not forbear the next day from sending to him but he was gone out very Early on hunting It was an Exercise that the Count lov'd very much but he had not taken that pretence but to be some days out of Town on a Letter which the Dutchess had writ to to him as follows THE War has not Lasted long at last Peace is concluded But on such conditions as are difficult to keep on both sides as we both have been ready to promise them Which is That we absolutely renounce all that which had caus'd our Dis-union That is to say in my sense all that is most Charming in the World which is the pleasure of seeing that which one Loves I require but three dayes absence from you to bring some to Composition who will be oblig'd at last to agree to all that shall be required I would only have the satisfaction of not being the first in Breaking of the Treaty Let me know where you will bee and let me hear from you at least twice a day The Queen could not digest her Anger for the Counts proceedings so contrary to her desires She fell into an extreem Trouble of mind upon it But her Resenment was still more bent on the Dutchess than on that Lover She considered her as the only Cause of all the Crosses that she had met with since her coming into that Kingdom and she was resolved to be revenged at what rate soever She knew that the Duke was returned from the Country and that the King had sent for him so that she gave order that when he should come to Court he should be told that she would speak with him Sigismond who knew as well as the rest of the Kingdom that the Duke of Ostrog was a man of Courage and of Capacity to let fly his Resentments far and near in respect of what had passed betwixt Count Tarnaw and his Wife he thought that in Prudence he ought to prevent the Consequences not doubting but that all his Court would take partyes with those two Lords whereby great disorders might follow He learn'd that the Duke was return'd to the City he easily imagin'd that it was to that purpose He sent him word that he would speak with him But the whole Court was very busy how this matter should be made up and in truth those of this nature are very difficult to be reconciled The Duke went to the Castle and finding that persons were very much concern'd especially the King in finding out of Terms and Reasons wherewith to make him bear the better the new Title with which his Wife had honoured him He anticipated all that could be said to him What need is there of disguising to me the matter I know that if I am not a Cuckold before Heaven I am so before men but I know also that we must fit our selves to the Custom of