vain you put out the Light for Heaven still has Eyes and will look down upon my broken Vows I own your Power I own I have all the Sense in the World of your charming Touches I am frail Flesh and Blood but yet yet yet I can resist and I prefer my Vows to all your powerful Temptations I will be deaf and blind and guard my Heart with Walls of Ice and make you know that when the Flames of true Devotion are kindled in a Heart it puts out all other Fires which are as ineffectual as Candles lighted in the Face of the Sun. Go vain Wanton and repent and mortifie that Blood which has so shamefully betray'd thee and which will one Day ruin both thy Soul and Body At these Words Miranda more enrag'd the nearer she imagin'd her self to Happiness made no Reply but throwing her self in that instant into the Confessing-Chair and violently pulling the young Friar into her Lap she elevated her Voice to such a degree in crying out Help help A Rape Help help that she was heard all over the Church which was full of People at the Evening's Devotion who flock'd about the Door of the Sacristy which was shut with a Spring-lock on the in-side but they durst not open the Door 'T is easily to be imagin'd in what Condition our young Friar was at this last devilish Stratagem of his wicked Mistress He strove to break from those Arms that held him so fast and his bustling to get away and hers to retain him disorder'd her Hair and her Habit to such a degree as gave the more Credit to her false Accusation The Fathers had a Door on the other side by which they usually enter'd to dress in this little Room and at the Report that was in an instant made 'em they hasted thither and found Miranda and the good Father very indecently struggling which they mis-interpreted as Miranda desir'd whc all in Tears immediately threw her self at the Feet of the Provincial who was one of those that enter'd and cry'd O holy Father revenge an innocent Maid undone and lost to Fame and Honour by that vile Monster born of Goats nurs'd by Tygers and bred up on savage Mountains where Humanity and Religion are Strangers For O holy Father cou'd it have enter'd into the Heart of Man to have done so barbarous and horrid a Deed as to attempt the Virgin-Honour of an unspotted Maid and one of my Degree even in the Moment of my Confession in that holy time when I was prostrate before him and Heaven confessing those Sins that press'd my tender Conscience even then to load my Soul with the blackest of Infamies to add to my Number a Weight that must sink me to Hell Alas under the Security of his innocent Looks his holy Habit and his awful Function I was lead into this Room to make my Confession where he locking the Door I had no sooner began but he gazing on me took Fire at my fatal Beauty and starting up put out the Candles and caught me in his Arms and raising me from the Pavement set me in the Confession-Chair and then Oh spare me the rest With that a Shower of Tears burst from her fair dissembling Eyes and Sobs so naturally acted and so well manag'd as left no Doubt upon the good Men but all she had spoken was Truth At first proceeded she I was unwilling to bring so great a Scandal on his Order as to cry out but struggl'd as long as I had Breath pleaded the heinousness of the Crime urging my Quality and the danger of the Attempt But he deaf as the Winds and ruffling as a Storm pursu'd his wild Design with so much Force and Insolence as I at last unable to resist was wholly vanquish'd robb'd of my native Purity With what Life and Breath I had I call'd for Assistance both from Men and Heaven but Oh alass your Succours come too late You find me here a wretched undone and ravish'd Maid Revenge me Fathers revenge me on the perfidious Hypocrite or else give me a Death that may secure your Cruelty and Injustice from ever being proclaim'd o'er the World or my Tongue will be eternally reproaching you and cursing the wicked Author of my Infamy She ended as she began with a thousand Sighs and Tears and receiv'd from the Provincial all Assurances of Revenge The innocent betray'd Victim all this while she was speaking heard her with an Astonishment that may easily be imagin'd yet shew'd no extravagant Signs of it as those wou'd do who feign it to be thought innocent but being really so he bore with an humble modest and blushing Countenance all her Accusations Which silent Shame they mistoook for evident Signs of his Guilt When the Provincial demanded with an unwonted Severity in his Eyes and Voice what he cou'd answer for himself calling him Prophaner of his sacred Vows and Infamy to the holy Order the Injur'd but the innocently Accus'd only reply'd May Heaven forgive that bad Woman and bring her to Repentance For his part he was not so much in love with Life as to use many Arguments to justifie his Innocence unless it were to free that Order from a Scandal of which he had the Honour to be profess'd 〈◊〉 as for himself Life or Death were things indifferent to him who heartily despis'd the World. He said no more and suffer'd himself to be led before the Magistrate who committed him to Prison upon the Accusation of this implacable Beauty who with so much feign'd Sorrow prosecuted the Matter even to his Trial and Condemnation where he refus'd to make any great Defence for himself But being daily visited by all the Religious both of his own and other Orders they oblig'd him some of 'em knowing the Austerity of his Life others his Cause of Griefs that first brought him into Orders and others pretending a nearer Knowledge even of his Soul it self to stand upon his Justification and discover what he knew of that wicked Woman whose Life had not been so exemplary for Vertue not to have given the World a thousand Suspicions of her Lewdness and Prostitution The daily Importunities of these Fathers made him produce her Letters But as he had all the Gown-Men on his side she had all the Hatts and Feathers on hers all the Men of Quality taking her Part and all the Church-men his They heard his daily Protestations and Vows but not a Word of what passed at Confession was yet discover'd He held that as a Secret sacred on his part and what was said in nature of a Confession was not to be reveal'd though his Life depended on the Discovery But as to the Letters they were forc'd from him and expos'd however Matters were carry'd with so high a Hand against him that they serv'd for no Proof at all of his Innocence and he was at last condemn'd to be burned at the Market-place After his Sentence was pass'd the whole Body of Priests made their Addresses to
the most endearing manner that Love and flattery cou'd invent and she kiss'd him to an Oath a solemn Oath to perform what he had promis'd and he vow'd liberally And she assum'd in an Instant her good Humour and suffer'd a Supper to be prepar'd and did eat which in many Days before she had not done so obstinate and powerful was she in dissembling well The next thing to be consider'd was which Way this Deed was to be done for they doubted not but when 't was done all the World wou'd lay it upon the Princess as done by her Command But she urg'd Suspicion was no Proof and that they never put to death any one but when they had great and certain Evidences who were the Offenders She was sure of her own Constancy that Racks and Tortures shou'd never get the Secret from her Breast and if he were as confident on his part there was no Danger Yet this Preparation she made towards the laying the Fact on others that she caus'd several Letters to be written from Germany as from the Relations of Van Brune who threaten'd Alcidiana with Death for depriving their Kins-man who was a Gentleman of his Life though he had not taken away hers And it was the Report of the Town how this young Maid was threaten'd And indeed the Death of the Page had so afflicted a great many that Alcidiana had procur'd her self abundance of Enemies upon that Account because she might have sav'd him if she had pleas'd but on the contrary she was a Spectator and in full Health and Vigour at his Execution And People were not so much concern'd for her at this Report as they wou'd have been The Prince who now had by reasoning the Matter soberly with Miranda found it absolutely necessary to dispatch Alcidiana he resolv'd himself and with his own Hand to execute it not daring to trust to any of his most Favourite-Servants though he had many who possibly wou'd have obey'd him for they lov'd him as he deserv'd and so wou'd all the World had he not been so poorly deluded by this fair Enchantress He therefore as I said resolv'd to keep this great Secret to himself and taking a Pistol charg'd well with two Bullets he watch'd an Opportunity to shoot her as she shou'd go out or into her House or Coach some Evening To this End he waited several Nights near her Lodgings but still either she went not out or when she return'd she was so guarded with Friends or her Lover and Flambeau's that he cou'd not aim at her without endangering the Life of some other But one Night above the rest upon a Sunday when he knew she wou'd be at the Theatre for she never miss'd that Day seeing the Play he waited at the Corner of the Statt-house near the Theatre with his Cloak cast over his Face and a black Periwigg all alone with his Pistol ready cock'd and remain'd not very long but he saw her Kinsman's Coach come along 'T was almost dark Day was just shutting up her Beauties and left such a Light to govern the World as serv'd only just to distinguish one Object from another and a convenient help to Mischief He saw a-light out of the Coach only one young Lady the Lover and then the destin'd Victim which he drawing near knew rather by her Tongue than Shape The Lady ran into the Play-house and left Alcidiana to be conducted by her Lover into it who led her to the Door and went to give some Order to the Coach-man so that the Lover was about twenty Yards from Alcidiana when she stood the fairest Mark in the World on the Threshold of the Entrance of the Theatre there being many Coaches about the Door so that hers cou'd not come so near Tarquin was resolv'd not to lose so fair an Opportunity and advanc'd but went behind the Coaches and when he came over against the Door through a great Booted Velvet Coach that stood between him and her he shot and she having her Train of her Gown and Petty-coat on her Arm in great quantity he miss'd her Body and shot through her Cloaths between her Arm and her Body She frighten'd to find something hit her and to see the Smoak and hear the Report of the Pistol running in cry'd I am shot I am dead This Noise quickly alarm'd her Lover and all the Coach-men and Foot-men immediately ran some one Way and some another One of 'em seeing a Man haste away in a Cloak he being a lusty bold German stopp'd him and drawing upon him bad him stand and deliver his Pistol or he wou'd run him through Tarquin being surpriz'd at the Boldness of this Fellow to demand his Pistol as if he positively knew him to be the Murtherer for so he thought himself since he believ'd Alcidiana dead had so much Presence of Mind as to consider if he suffer'd himself to be taken he shou'd poorly die a publick Death and therefore resolv'd upon one Mischief more to secure himself from the first And in the Moment that the German bad him deliver his Pistol he cry'd Though I have no Pistol to deliver I have a Sword to chastise thy Insolence And throwing off his Cloak and flinging his Pistol from him he drew and wounded and dis-arm'd the Fellow This Noise of Swords brought every Body to the place and immediately the Bruit ran The Murtherer was taken the Murtherer was taken though none knew which was he nor the Cause of the Quarrel between the two fighting Men which none yet knew for it now was darker than before But at the Noise of the Murderer being taken the Lover of Alcidiana who by this time found his Lady unhurt all but the Trains of her Gown and Petty-coat came running to the place just as Tarquin had dis-arm'd the German and was ready to have kill'd him when laying hold of his Arm they arrested the Stroak and redeem'd the Foot-man They then demanded who this Stranger was at whose Mercy the Fellow lay but the Prince who now found himself venturing for his last Stake made no Reply but with two Swords in his Hands went to fight his Way through the Rabble And though there were above a hundred Persons some with Swords others with long Whips as Coach-men so invincible was the Courage of this poor unfortunate Gentleman at that time that all these were not able to sieze him but he made his Way through the Ring that encompass'd him and ran away but was however so closely pursu'd the Company still gathering as they ran that toil'd with fighting oppress'd with Guilt and Fear of being taken he grew fainter and fainter and suffer'd himself at last to yield to his Pursuers who soon found him to be Prince Tarquin in Disguise And they carry'd him directly to Prison being Sunday to wait the coming Day to go before a Magistrate In an Hour's time the whole fatal Adventure was carry'd all over the City and every one knew that Prince Tarquin was
Invention is capable of But when she had above four Months languish'd thus in vain not missing one Day wherein she went not to see him without discovering her self to him she resolv'd as her last Effort to shew her Person and see what that assisted by her Tears and soft Words from her Mouth cou'd do to prevail upon him It happen'd to be on the Eve of that Day when she was to receive the Sacrament that she covering her self with her Veil came to Vespers purposing to make choice of the conquering Friar for her Confessor She approach'd him and as she did so she trembl'd with Love At last she cry'd Father my Confessor is gone for some time from the Town and I am oblig'd to morrow to receive and beg you will be pleas'd to take my Confession He cou'd not refuse her and led her into the Sacriste where there is a Confession-Chair in which he seated himself and on one side of him she kneel'd down over against a little Altar where the Priests Robes lie on which was plac'd some lighted Wax-Candles that made the little place very light and splendid which shone full upon Miranda After the little Preparation usual in Confession she turn'd up her Veil and discover'd to his View the most wond'rous Object of Beauty he had ever seen dress'd in all the Glory of a young Bride her Hair and Stomacher full of Diamonds that gave a Lustre all dazling to her brighter Face and Eyes He was surpriz'd at her amazing Beauty and question'd whether he saw a Woman or an Angel at his Feet Her Hands which were elevated as if in Prayer seem'd to be form'd of polish'd Alabaster and he confess'd he had never seen any thing in Nature so perfect and so admirable He had some pain to compose himself to hear her Confession and was oblig'd to turn away his Eyes that his Mind might not be perplex'd with an Object fo diverting when Miranda opening the finest Mouth in the World and discovering new Charms began her Confession Holy Father said she amongst the number of my vile Offences that which afflicts me to the greatest Degree is that I am in Love Not continu'd she that I believe simple and vertuous Love a Sin when 't is plac'd on an Object proper and suitable but my dear Father said she and wept I love with a Violence which cannot be contain'd within the Bounds of Reason Moderation or Vertue I love a Man whom I cannot possess without a Crime and a Man who cannot make me happy without becoming perjur'd Is he marry'd reply'd the Father No answer'd Miranda Are you so contiu'd he Neither said she Is he too near ally'd to you said Francisco a Brother or Relation Neither of these said she He is unenjoy'd unpromis'd and so am I Nothing opposes our Happiness or makes my Love a Vice but you 'T is you deny me Life 'T is you that forbids my Flame 'T is you will have me die and seek my Remedy in my Grave when I complain of Tortures Wounds and Flames O cruel Charmer 't is for you I languish and here at your Feet implore that Pity which all my Addresses have fail'd of procuring me With that perceiving he was about to rise from his Seat she held him by his Habit and vow'd she wou'd in that posture follow him where-ever he flew from her She elevated her Voice so loud he was afraid she might be heard and therefore suffer'd her to force him into his Chair again where being seated he began in the most passionate Terms imaginable to disswade her but finding she but the more persisted in Eagerness of Passion he us'd all the tender Assurance that he cou'd force from himself that he wou'd have for her all the Respect Esteem and Friendship that he was capable of paying that he had a real Compassion for her and at last she prevail'd so far with him by her Sighs and Tears as to own he had a Tenderness for her and that he cou'd not behold so many Charms without being sensibly touch'd by 'em and finding all those Effects that a Maid so young and fair causes in the Souls of Men of Youth and Sense But that as he was assur'd he cou'd never be so happy to marry her and as certain he cou'd not grant any thing but honourable Passion he humbly besought her not to expect more from him than such and then began to tell her how short Life was and transitory its Joys how soon she wou'd grow weary of Vice and how often change to find real Repose in it but never arrive to it He made an End by new Assurance of his eternal Friendship but utterly forbad her to hope Behold her now deny'd refus'd and defeated with all her pleading Youth Beauty Tears and Knees imploring as she lay holding fast his Scapular and embracing his Feet What shall she do She swells with Pride Love Indignation and Desire her burning Heart is bursting with Despair her Eyes grow fierce and from Grief she rises to a Storm and in her Agony of Passion which looks all disdainful haughty and full of Rage she began to revile him as the poorest of Animals Tells him his Soul was dwindl'd to the Meanness of his Habit and his Vows of Poverty were suited to his degenerate Mind And said she since all my nobler Ways have fail'd me and that for a little hypocritical Devotion you resolve to lose the greatest Blessings of Life and to sacrifice me to your religious Pride and Vanity I will either force you to abandon that dull Dissimulation or you shall die to prove your Sanctity real Therefore answer me immediately answer my Flame my raging Fire which your Eyes have kindl'd or here in this very Moment I will ruin thee and make no Scruple of revenging the Pains I suffer by that which shall take away your Lise and Honour The trembling young Man who all this while with extream Anguish of Mind and Fear of the dire Result had listen'd to her Ravings full of Dread demanded what she wou'd have him do When she reply'd Do that which thy Youth and Beauty were ordain'd to do This place is private a sacred Silence reigns here and no one dares to pry into the Secrets of this holy place We are as secure from Fears of Interruption as in Desarts uninhabited or Caves forsaken by wild Beasts The Tapers too shall veil their Lights and only that glimmering Lamp shall be Witness of our dear Stealths of Love. Come to my Arms my trembling longing Arms and curse the Folly of thy Bigottry that has made thee so long lose a Blessing for which so many Princes sigh in vain At these Words she rose from his Fcet and snatching him in her Arms he cou'd not defend himself from receiving a thousand Kisses from the lovely Mouth of the charming Wanton after which she ran her self and in an instant put out the Candles But he cry'd to her In vain O too indiscreet fair One in