This Jamoan afterwards became very dear to him being a Man very gallant and of excellent Graces and fine Parts so that he never put him amongst the Rank of Captives as they us'd to do without distinction for the common Sale or Market but kept him in his own Court where he retain'd nothing of the Prisoner but the Name and return'd no more into his own Countrey so great an Affection he took for Oroonoko and by a thousand Tales and Adventures of Love and Gallantry flatter'd his Disease of Melancholy and Languishment which I have often heard him say had certainly kill'd him but for the Conversation of this Prince and Aboan the French Governor he had from his Childhood of whom I have spoken before and who was a Man of admirable Wit great Ingenuity and Learning all which he had infus'd into his young Pupil This French-man was banisht out of his own Countrey for some Heretical Notions he held and though he was a Man of very little Religion he had admirable Morals and a brave Soul After the total Defeat of Jamoan's Army which all fled or were left dead upon the Place they spent some time in the Camp Oroonoko chusing rather to remain a while there in his Tents than to enter into a Palace or live in a Court where he had so lately suffer'd so great a Loss The Officers therefore who saw and knew his cause of Discontent invented all sorts of Diversions and Sports to entertain their Prince So that what with those Amuzements abroad and others at home that is within their Tents with the Persuasions Arguments and Care of his Friends and Servants that he more peculiarly priz'd he wore off in time a great part of that Shagrien and Torture of Despair which the first Efforts of Imoinda's Death had given him insomuch as having receiv'd a thousand kind Embassies from the King and Invitations to return to Court he obey'd though with no little reluctancy and when he did so there was a visible change in him and for a long time he was much more melancholy than before But Time lessens all Extremes and reduces 'em to Medium's and Unconcern but no Motives or Beauties though all endeavour'd it cou'd engage him in any sort of Amour though he had all the Invitations to it both from his own Youth and others Ambitions and Designs Oroonoko was no sooner return'd from this last Conquest and receiv'd at Court with all the Joy and Magnificence that cou'd be express'd to a young Victor who was not only return'd triumphant but belov'd like a Deity when there arriv'd in the Port an English Ship This Person had often before been in these Countries and was very well known to Oroonoko with whom he had traffick'd for Slaves and had us'd to do the same with his Predecessors This Commander was a Man of a finer sort of Address and Conversation better bred and more engaging than most of that sort of Men are so that he seem'd rather never to have been bred out of a Court than almost all his life at Sea This Captain therefore was always better receiv'd at Court than most of the Traders to those Countries were and especially by Oroonoko who was more civiliz'd according to the Europaean Mode than any other had been and took more delight in the White Nations and above all Men of Parts and Wit To this Captain he sold abundance of his Slaves and for the Favour and Esteem he had for him made him many Presents and oblig'd him to stay at Court as long as possibly he cou'd Which the Captain seem'd to take as a very great Honour done him entertaining the Prince every day with Globes and Maps and Mathematical Discourses and Instruments eating drinking hunting and living with him with so much familiarity that it was not to be doubted but he had gain'd very greatly upon the Heart of this gallant young Man And the Captain in Return of all these mighty Favours besought the Prince to honour his Vessel with his Presence some day or other to Dinner before he shou'd set sail which he condescended to accept and appointed his day The Captain â—on his part fail'd not to have all things in a readiness in the most magnificent order he cou'd possibly And the day being come the Captain in his Boat richly adorn'd with Carpets and Velvet-Cushions row'd to the shore to receive the Prince with another Long-Boat where was plac'd all his Musick and Trumpets with which Oroonoko was extremely delighted who met him on the shore attended by his French Governor Jamoan Aboan and about an hundred of the noblest of the Youths of the Court And after they had first carry'd the Prince on board the Boats fetch'd the rest off where they found a very splendid Treat with all sorts of fine Wines and were as well entertain'd as 't was possible in such a place to be The Prince having drank hard of Punch and several sorts of Wine as did all the rest for great care was taken they shou'd want nothing of that part of the Entertainment was very merry and in great admiration of the Ship for he had never been in one before so that he was curious of beholding every place where he decently might descend The rest no less curious who were not quite overcome with Drinking rambl'd at their pleasure Fore and Aft as their Fancies guided 'em So that the Captain who had well laid his Design before gave the Word and seiz'd on all his Guests they clapping great Irons suddenly on the Prince when he was leap'd down into the Hold to view that part of the Vessel and locking him fast down secur'd him The same Treachery was us'd to all the rest and all in one instant in several places of the Ship were lash'd fast in Irons and betray'd to Slavery That great Design over they set all Hands to work to hoise Sail and with as treacherous and fair a Wind they made from the Shore with this innocent and glorious Prize who thought of nothing less than such an Entertainment Some have commended this Act as brave in the Captain but I will spare my sense of it and leave it to my Reader to judge as he pleases It may be easily guess'd in what manner the Prince resented this Indignity who may be best resembl'd to a Lion taken in a Toil so he rag'd so he struggl'd for Liberty but all in vain and they had so wisely manag'd his Fetters that he cou'd not use a Hand in his defence to quit himself of a Life that wou'd by no means endure Slavery nor cou'd he move from the place where he was ty'd to any solid part of the Ship against which he might have beat his Head and have finish'd his Disgrace that way So that being deprived of all other means he resolv'd to perish for want of Food and pleas'd at last with that Thought and toil'd and tir'd by Rage and Indignation he laid himself down and sullenly resolv'd
vent his Groans where he fell down on a Carpet and lay struggling a long time and only breathing now and then Oh Imoinda When Onahal had finisht her necessary Affair within shutting the Door she came forth to wait till the King call'd and hearing some one sighing in the other Room she past on and found the Prince in that deplorable Condition which she thought needed her Aid She gave him Cordials but all in vain till finding the nature of his Disease by his Sighs and naming Imoinda she told him he had not so much cause as he imagin'd to afflict himself for if he knew the King so well as she did he wou'd not lose a moment in Jealousie and that she was confident that Imoinda bore at this minute part in his Affliction Aboan was of the same opinion and both together persuaded him to re-assume his Courage and all sitting down on the Carpet the Prince said so many obliging things to Onahal that he half-persuaded her to be of his Party And she promis'd him she wou'd thus far comply with his just Desires that she wou'd let Imoinda know how faithful he was what he suffer'd and what he said This Discourse lasted till the King call'd which gave Oroonoko a certain Satisfaction and with the Hope Onahal had made him conceive he assum'd a Look as gay as 't was possible a Man in his circumstances cou'd do and presently after he was call'd in with the rest who waited without The King commanded Musick to be brought and several of his young Wives and Mistresses came all together by his Command to dance before him where Imoinda perform'd her part with an Air and Grace so passing all the rest as her Beauty was above 'em and receiv'd the Present ordain'd as a Prize The Prince was every moment more charm'd with the new Beauties and Graces he beheld in this Fair One And while he gaz'd and she danc'd Onahal was retir'd to a Window with Aboan This Onahal as I said was one of the Cast-Mistresses of the old King and 't was these now past their Beauty that were made Guardians or Governantee's to the new and the young ones and whose Business it was to teach them all those wanton Arts of Love with which they prevail'd and charm'd heretofore in their Turn and who now treated the triumphing happy Ones with all the Severity as to Liberty and Freedom that was possible in revenge of their Honours they rob them of envying them those Satisfactions those Gallantries and Presents that were once made to themselves while Youth and Beauty lasted and which they now saw pass as it were regardless by and paid only to the Bloomings And certainly nothing is more afflicting to a decay'd Beauty than to behold in it self declining Charms that were once ador'd and to find those Caresses paid to new Beauties to which once she laid a claim to hear 'em whisper as she passes by That once was a delicate Woman These abandon'd Ladies therefore endeavour to revenge all the Despights and Decays of Time on these flourishing happy Ones And 't was this Severity that gave Oroonoko a thousand fears he should never prevail with Onahal to see Imoinda But as I said she was now retir'd to a Window with Aboan This Young Man was not only one of the best Quality but a Man extremely well made and beautiful and coming often to attend the King to the Otan he had subdu'd the Heart of the antiquated Onahal which had not forgot how pleasant it was to be in Love And though she had some Decays in her Face she had none in her Sence and Wit she was there agreeable still even to Aboan's Youth so that he took pleasure in entertaining her with Discourses of Love He knew also that to make his Court to these She-Favourites was the way to be great these being the Persons that do all Affairs and Business at Court He had also observ'd that she had given him Glances more tender and inviting than she had done to others of his Quality And now when he saw that her Favour cou'd so absolutely oblige the Prince he fail'd not to sigh in her Ear and to look with Eyes all soft upon her and give her Hope that she had made some Impressions on his Heart He found her pleas'd at this and making a thousand advances to him but the Ceremony ending and the King departing broke up the Company for that Day and his Conversation Aboan fail'd not that night to tell the Prince of his Success and how advantageous the Service of Onahal might be to his Amour with Imoinda The Prince was over-joy'd with this good News and besought him if it were possible to caress her so as to engage her entirely which he cou'd not fail to do if he comply'd with her Desires For then said the Prince her Life lying at your Mercy she must grant you the Request you make in my behalf Aboan understood him and assur'd him he would make love so effectually that he would defie the most expert Mistress of the Art to find out whether he dissembl'd it or had it really And 't was with impatience they waited the next Opportunity of going to the Otan The Wars came on the Time of taking the Field approach'd and 't was impossible for the Prince to delay his going at the Head of his Army to encounter the Enemy so that every Day seem'd a tedious Year till he saw his Imoinda for he believ'd he cou'd not live if he were forc'd away without being so happy 'T was with impatience therefore that he expected the next Visit the King wou'd make and according to his wish it was not long The Parley of the Eyes of these two Lovers had not pass'd so secretly but an old jealous Lover could spy it or rather he wanted not Flatterers who told him they observ'd it so that the Prince was hasten'd to the Camp and this was the last Visit he found he shou'd make to the Otan he therefore urg'd Aboan to make the best of this last Effort and to explain himself so to Onahal that she deferring her Enjoyment of her young Lover no longer might make way for the Prince to speak to Imoinda The whole Affair being agreed on between the Prince and Aboan they attended the King as the custom was to the Otan where while the whole Company was taken up in beholding the Dancing and Antick Postures the Women-Royal made to divert the King Onahal singl'd out Aboan whom she found most plyable to her wish When she had him where she believ'd she cou'd not be heard she sigh'd to him and softly cry'd Ah Aboan when will you be sensible of my Passion I confess it with my Mouth because I wou'd not give my Eyes the Lye and you have too much already perceiv'd they have confess'd my Flame Nor wou'd I have you believe that because I am the abandon'd Mistress of a King I esteem my self altogether divested of Charms No
for the future he would be less able to injure him so that abating the Scandal of the Veil which was no otherwise so than that she was Wife to another He believ'd her safe even in the Arms of the King and innocent yet wou'd he have ventur'd at the Conquest of the World and have given it all to have had her avoided that Honour of receiving the Royal Veil 'T was thus between a thousand Caresses that both bemoan'd the hard fate of Youth and Beauty so liable to that cruel Promotion 'T was a Glory that cou'd well have been spar'd here though desir'd and aim'd at by all the young Females of that Kingdom But while they were thus fondly employ'd forgetting how Time ran on and that the Dawn must conduct him far away from his only Happiness they heard a great Noise in the Otan and unusual Voices of Men at which the Prince starting from the Arms of the frighted Imoinda ran to a little Battle-Axe he us'd to wear by his Side and having not so much leisure as to put on his Habit he oppos'd himself against some who were already opening the Door which they did with so much Violence that Oroonoko was not able to defend it but was forc'd to cry out with a commanding Voice Whoever ye are that have the Boldness to attempt to approach this Apartment thus rudely know that I the Prince Oroonoko will revenge it with the certain Death of him that first enters Therefore stand back and know this Place is sacred to Love and Me this Night to Morrow 't is the King's This he spoke with a Voice so resolv'd and assur'd that they soon retir'â— from the Door but cry'd 'T is by the King's Command we are come and being satisfy'd by thy Voice O Prince as much as if we had enter'd we can report to the King the Truth of all his Fears and leave thee to provide for thy own Safety as thou art advis'd by thy Friends At these words they departed and left the Prince to take a short and sad leave of his Imoinda who trusting in the strength of her Charms believ'd she shou'd appease the Fury of a jealous King by saying She was surpriz'd and that it was by force of Arms he got into her Apartment All her Concern now was for his Life and therefore she hasten'd him to the Camp and with much a-doe prevail'd on him to go Nor was it she alone that prevail'd Aboan and Onahal both pleaded and both assur'd him of a Lye that shou'd be well enough contriv'd to secure Imoinda So that at last with a Heart sad as Death dying Eyes and sighing Soul Oroonoko departed and took his way to the Camp It was not long after the King in Person came to the Otan where beholding Imoinda with Rage in his Eyes he upbraided her Wickedness and Perfidy and threatning her Royal Lover she fell on her Face at his Feet bedewing the Floor with her Tears and imploring his Pardon for a Fault which she had not with her Will committed as Onahal who was also prostrate with her cou'd testifie That unknown to her he had broke into her Apartment and ravish'd her She spoke this much against her Conscience but to save her own Life 't was absolutely necessary she shou'd feign this Falsity She knew it cou'd not injure the Prince he being fled to an Army that wou'd stand by him against any Injuries that shou'd assault him However this last Thought of Imoinda's being Ravish'd chang'd the measures of his Revenge and whereas before he design'd to be himself her Executioner he now resolv'd she shou'd not die But as it is the greatest Crime in nature amongst 'em to touch a Woman after having been possess'd by a Son a Father or a Brother so now he look'd on Imoinda as a polluted thing wholly unfit for his Embrace nor wou'd he resign her to his Grand-son because she had receiv'd the Royal Veil He therefore removes her from the Otan with Onahal whom he put into safe Hands with order they shou'd be both sold off as Slaves to another Country either Christian or Heathen 't was no matter where This cruel Sentence worse than Death they implor'd might be revers'd but their Prayers were vain and it was put in execution accordingly and that with so much Secrecy that none either without or within the Otan knew any thing of their Absence or their Destiny The old King nevertheless executed this with a great deal of Reluctancy but he believ'd he had made a very great Conquest over himself when he had once resolv'd and had perform'd what he resolv'd He believ'd now that his Love had been unjust and that he cou'd not expect the Gods or Captain of the Clouds as â—hey call the unknown Power wou'd suffer a better Consequence from so ill a Cause He now begins to hold Oroonoko excus'd and to say he had Reason for what he did And now every Body cou'd assure the King how passionately Imoinda was belov'd by the Prince even those confess'd it now who said the contrary before his Flame was abated So that the King being old and not able to defend himself in War and having no Sons of all his Race remaining alive but only this to maintain him on his Throne and looking on this as a Man disoblig'd first by the Rape of his Mistress or rather Wife and now by depriving of him wholly of her he fear'd might make him desperate and do some cruel thing either to himself or his old Grand-father the Offender he began to repent him extremely of the Contempt he had in his Rage put on Imoinda Besides he consider'd he ought in Honour to have kill'd her for this Offence if it had been one He ought to have had so much Value and Consideration for a Maid of her Quality as to have nobly put her to Death and not to have sold her like a common Slave the greatest Revenge and the most disgraceful of any and to which they a thousand times preferr Death and implore it as Imoinda did but cou'd not obtain that Honour Seeing therefore it was certain that Oroonoko wou'd highly resent this Affront he thought good to make some Excuse for his Rashness to him and to that end he sent a Messenger to the Camp with Orders to treat with him about the Matter to gain his Pardon and to endeavour to mitigate his Grief but that by no means he shou'd tell him she was sold but secretly put to death for he knew he shou'd never obtain his Pardon for the other When the Messenger came he found the Prince upon the point of Engaging with the Enemy but as soon as he heard of the arrival of the Messenger he commanded him to his Tent where he embrac'd him and receiv'd him with Joy which was soon abated by the Down-cast Looks of the Messenger who was instantly demanded the cause by Oroonoko who impatient of Delay ask'd a thousand Questions in a breath and
into the World the first Year after her Marriage a Son who was call'd Don Louis but it scarce saw the Light and dy'd almost as soon as born The Loss of this little Prince sensibly touch'd her but the Coldness she observ'd in the Prince her Husband went yet more near her Heart for she had given herself absolutely up to her Duty and had made her Tenderness for him her only Concern But puissant Glory which ty'd her so entirely to the Interest of the Prince of Portugal open'd her Eyes upon his Actions where she observ'd nothing in his Caresses and Civilities that was natural or could satisfie her delicate Heart At first she fancy'd herself deceiv'd but time having confirm'd her in what she feared she sighed in secret yet had that Consideration for the Prince as not to let him see her Disorder and which nevertheless she could not conceal from Agnes de Castro who liv'd with her rather as a Companion than a Maid of Honour and whom her Friendship made her infinitely distinguish from the rest This maid so dear to the Princess very well merited the Preference her Mistress gave her she was beautiful to excess wise discreet witty and had more Tenderness for Constantia than she had for herself having quitted her Family which was illustrious to give herself wholly to the Service of the Princess and to follow her into Portugal It was into the Bosom of this Maid that the Princess unladed her first Moans and the charming Agnes forgot nothing that might give ease to her afflicted Heart Nor was Constantia the only Person who complain'd on Don Pedro before his Divorce from Bianca he had expressed some Care and Tenderness for Elvira Gonzales Sister to Don Alvaro Gonzales Favourite to the King of Portugal and this Amusement in the young Years of the Prince had made a deep Impression on Elvira who flatter'd her Ambition with the Infirmities of Bianca She saw with a secret Rage Constantia take her place who was possest with such Charms that quite divested her of all Hopes Her Jealousie left her not idle she examin'd all the Actions of the Prince and easily discover'd the little Regard he had for the Princess but this brought him not back to her And it was upon very good Grounds that she suspected him to be in Love with some other Person and possessed with a new Passion and which she promis'd herself she would destroy as soon as she could find it out She had a Spirit altogether proper for bold and hazardous Enterprizes and the Credit of her Brother gave her so much Vanity as all the Indifference of the Prince was not capable of humbling The Prince languish'd and conceal'd the Cause with so much Care that 't was impossible for any to find it out No publick Pleasures were agreeable to him and all Conversations were tedious and it was Solitude alone that was able to give him any ease This Change surprized all the World The King who lov'd his Son very tenderly earnestly press'd him to know the Reason of his Melancholy but the Prince made no answer but only this That it was the Effects of his Temper But Time ran on and the Princess was brought to Bed of a second Son who liv'd and was call'd Fernando Don Pedro forc'd himself a little to take part in the publick Joy so that they believ'd his Humour was changing but this appearance of a Calm endured not long and he fell back again into his black Melancholy The Artful Elvira was incessantly agitated in searching out the Knowledge of this Secret Chance wrought for her And as she was walking full of Indignation and Anger in the Garden of the Palace of Coimbra she found the Prince of Portugal sleeping in an obscure Grotto Her Fury could not contain itself at the Sight of this lov'd Object she roul'd her Eyes upon him and perceiv'd in spight of Sleep that some Tears escap'd his Eyes the Flame which burnt yet in her Heart soon grew soft and tender there But oh she heard him sigh and after that utter these Words Yes Divine Agnes I will sooner die than let you know it Constantia shall have nothing to reproach me with Elvira was enrag'd at this Discourse which represented to her immediately the same Moment Agnes de Castro with all her Charms and not at all doubting but it was she who possest the Heart of Don Pedro she found in her Soul more Hatred for this fair Rival than Tenderness for him The Grotto was not a Place sit to make Reflections in or to form Designs Perhaps her first Transports would have made her waken'd him if she had not perceiv'd a Paper lying under his Hand which she softly seiz'd on and that she might not be surpriz'd in the reading it she went out of the Garden with as much Haste as Confusion When she was retir'd to her Apartment she open'd the Paper trembling and found in it these Verses writ by the Hand of Don Pedro and which in appearance he had newly then composed In vain oh Sacred Honour you debate The mighty Business in my Heart Love Charming Love rules all my Fate Interest and Glory claim no part The God sure of his Victory Triumphs there And will have nothing in his Empire share In vain oh Sacred Duty you oppose In vain your Nuptial Tye you plead Those forc'd Devoirs LOVE overthrows And breaks the Vows he never made Fixing his fatal Arrows every where I burn and languish in a soft Despair Fair Princess you to whom my Faith is due Pardon the Destiny that drags me on 'T is not my Fault my Heart 's untrue I am compell'd to be undone My Life is yours I gave it with my Hand But my Fidelity I can't command Elvira did not only know the Writing of Don Pedro but she knew also that he could write Verses And seeing the sad Part which Constantia had in these which were now fallen into her Hands she made no scruple of resolving to let the Princess see 'em But that she might not be suspected she took care not to appear in the Business herself and since it was not enough for Constantia to know that the Prince did not love her but that she must know also he was a Slave to Agnes de Castro Elvira caused these few Verses to be written in an unknown Hand under those writ by the Prince Sleep betray'd the unhappy Lover While Tears were streaming from his Eyes His heedless Tongue without disguise The Secret did discover The Language of his Heart declare That Agnes Image Triumphs there Elvira regarded neither Exactness nor Grace in these Lines and if they had but the Effect she design'd she wish'd no more Her Impatience could not wait till the next Day to expose 'em she therefore went immediately to the Lodgings of the Princess who was then walking in the Garden of the Palace and passing without resistance even to her Cabinet she put the Paper into a Book in
all means to do it The Gallantry which Coimbra seem'd to have forgotten began now to be awaken'd The King to please Don Alvaro under pretence of diverting Constantia order'd some Publick Sports and commanded that every thing should be magnificent Since the Adventure of the Verses Don Pedro endeavour'd to lay a Constraint on himself and to appear less troubled But in his Heart he suffer'd always alike and it was not but with great Uneasiness he prepar'd himself for the Turnament And since he could not appear with the Colours of Agnes he took those of his Wife without Device or any great Magnificence Don Alvaro adorn'd himself with the Liv'ries of Agnes de Castro and this fair Maid who had yet found no Consolation from what the Princess had told her had this new Cause of being displeas'd Don Pedro appear'd in the List with an admirable Grace and Don Alvaro who look'd on this Day as his own appear'd there all shining with Gold mix'd with Stones of Blew which were the Colours of Agnes and there was embroider'd all over his Equipage flaming Hearts of Gold on blew Velvet and Nets for the Snares of Love with abundance of double A's his Device was a Love coming out of a Cloud with these Verses written underneath Love from a Cloud breaks like the God of Day And to the World his Glories does display To gaze on charming Eyes and make 'em know What to soft Hearts and to his Power they owe. The Pride of Don Alvaro was soon humbled at the Feet of the Prince of Portugal who threw him against the Ground with twenty others and carry'd alone the Glory of the Day There was in the Evening a Noble Assembly at Constantia's where Agnes would not have been unless expresly commanded by the Princess She appear'd there all negligent and careless in her Dress but yet she appear'd all beautiful and charming She saw with disdain her Name and her Colours worn by Don Alvaro at a Publick Triumph and if her Heart were capable of any tender Motions it was not for such a Man as he for whom her Delicacy destin'd them She lookd on him with a Contempt which did not hinder him from pressing so near that there was a necessity for her to hear and what he had to declare to her She treated him not uncivily but her Coldness would have rebated the Courage of any but Alvaro Madam said he when he could be heard of none but herself I have hitherto concealed the Passion you have inspir'd me with fearing it should displease you but it has committed a Violence on my Respect and I could no longer conceal it from you I never reflected on your Actions answer'd Agnes with all the Indifference of which she was capable and if you think you offend me you are in the wrong to make me perceive it This Coldness is but an ill Omen for me reply'd Don Alvaro and if you have not found me out to be your Lover to Day I fear you will never approve my Passion Oh! what a time you have chosen to make it appear to me pursu'd Agnes is it so great an Honour for me that you must take such Care to shew it to the World And do you think that I am so desirous of Glory that I must aspire to it by your Actions If I must you have very ill maintain'd it in the Turnament and if it be that Vanity that you depend upon you 'll make no great Progress on a Soul that is not fond of Shame If you were possest of all the Advantages which the Prince has this Day carried away you yet ought to consider what you are going about and it is not a Maid like me who is touch'd with Enterprizes without respect or permission The Favourite of the King was too proud to hear Agnes without Indignation But as he was willing to conceal it and not offend her he made not his Resentment appear and considering the Observation she made on the Triumphs of Don Pedro which encreased his Jealousies If I have not overcome at the Turnament reply'd he I am not the less in Love for being vanquish'd nor less capable of success on occasions They were interrupted here but from that Day Don Alvaro who had open'd the first Difficulties kept no more his wonted Distance but perpetually persecuted Agnes yet tho' he were protected by the King that inspir'd in her never the more Consideration for him Don Pedro was always ignorant by what Means the Verses he had lost in the Garden fell into the Hands of Constantia As the Princess appeared to him Indulgent he was only concerned for Agnes and the Love of Don Alvaro which was then so well known increas'd the Pain and had he been possest of the Authority he would not have suffer'd her to have been expos'd to the Persecutions of so unworthy a Rival He was also afraid of the King 's being advertised of his Passion but he thought not at all of Elvira's nor apprehended any Malice from her Resentment While she burnt with a Desire of destroying Agnes against whom she vented all her Venom and she was never weary of making new Reports to her Brother assuring him that tho' they could not prove that Agnes made any returns to the Tenderness of the Prince yet that was the Cause of Constantia's Grief And that if this Princess should die of it Don Pedro might marry Agnes In fine she so incens'd the jealous Alvaro's Jealousie that he could not hinder himself from running immediately to the King with the Discovery of all he knew and all he guest and whom he had the Pleasure to find was infinitely inrag'd at the News My dear Alvaro said the King you shall instantly marry this dangerous Beauty And let Possession assure your Repose and mine If I have protected you in other Occasions judge what a Service of so great an Importance for me would make me undertake and without any reserve the Forces of this State are in your Power and almost any thing that I can give shall be assured you so you render your self Master of the Destiny of Agnes Don Alvaro pleas'd and vain with his Master's Bounty made use of all the Authority he gave him He passionately lov'd Agnes and would not on the sudden make use of Violence but resolv'd with himself to employ all possible Means to win her fairly but if that fail'd to have recourse to force if she continued always insensible While Agnes de Castro importun'd by his Assiduities despairing at the Grief of Constantia and perhaps made tender by those she had caus'd in the Prince of Portugal took a Resolution worthy of her Vertue yet amiable as Don Pedro was she found nothing in him but his being Husband to Constantia that was dear to her And far from encouraging the Power she had got over his Heart she thought of nothing but removing from Coimbra the Passion of Don Alvaro which she had no inclination to favour serv'd her
as a Pretext and press'd with the fear of causing in the End a cruel Divorce between the Prince and his Princess she went to find Constantia with a Trouble which all her Care was not able to hide from her The Princess easily found it out and their common Misfortune having not chang'd their Friendship What ails you Agnes said the Princess to her in a soft Tone and her ordinary Sweetness And what new Misfortune causes that Sadness in thy Looks Madam reply'd Agnes shedding a Rivulet of Tears the Obligations and Tyes I have to you put me upon a cruel Tryal I had bounded the Felicity of my Life in hope of passing it near your Highness yet I must carry to some other part of the World this unlucky Face of mine which renders me nothing but ill Offices And itis to obtain that Liberty that I am come to throw myself at your Feet looking upon you as my Sovereign Constantia was so surpriz'd and touch'd with the Proposition of Agnes that she lost her Speech for some Moments Tears which were sincere express'd her first Sentiments And after having shed abundance to give a new Mark of her Tenderness to the Fair afflicted Agnes she with a sad and melancholy Look fix'd her Eyes upon her and holding out her Hand to her in a most obliging manner sighing cry'd You will then my dear Agnes leave me and expose me to the Griefs of seeing you no more Alas Madam interrupted this lovely Maid hide from the unhappy Agnes a Bounty which does but increase her Misfortunes It is not I Madam that would leave you it is my Duty and my Reason that orders my Fate And those Days which I shall pass far from you promise me nothing to oblige me to this Design if I did not see myself absolutely forc'd to it I am not ignorant of what passes at Coimbra and I shall be an Accomplice of the Injustice there committed if I should stay there any longer Ah I I know your Vertue cry'd Constantia and you may remain here in all safety while I am your Protectress and let what will happen I will accuse you of nothing There 's no answering for what 's to come reply'd Agnes sadly and I shall be sufficiently Guilty if my Presence cause Sentiments which cannot be innocent Beside Madam the Importunities of Don Alvaro are insupportable to me and though I find nothing but Aversion for him since the King protects his Insolence and he 's in a Condition of undertaking any thing my Flight is absolutely necessary But Madam though he has nothing but what seems odious to me I caâ— Heaven to witness that if I could cure the Prince by marrying Don Alvaro I would not consider of it a Moment and finding in my Punishment the Consolation of sacrificing my self to my Princess I would support it without murmuring But if I were the Wife of Don Alvaro Don Pedro would always look upon me with the same Eyes So that I find nothing more reasonable for me than to hide myself in some Corner of the World where though I shall most certainly live without Pleasure yet I shall preserve the Repose of my dearest Mistress All the Reason you find in this Design answered the Princess cannot oblige me to approve of your Absence Will it restore me the Heart of Don Pedro And will he not fly away with you his Grief is mine and my Life is ty'd to his do not make him despair then if you love me I know ye I tell you so once more and let your Power be never so great over the Heart of the Prince I will not suffer you to abandon us Though Agnes thought she had perfectly known Constantia yet she did not expect to find so intire a Vertue in her which made her think herself more happy and the Prince more criminal Oh Wisdom Oh Bounty without Example cry'd she Why is it that the cruel Destinies do not give you all you deserve You are the Disposer of my Actions continu'd she in kissing the Hand of Constantia I 'll do nothing but what you 'll have me But consider weigh well the Reasons that ought to counsel you in the Measures you oblige me to take Don Pedro who had not seen the Princess all that Day came in then and finding 'em both extreamly troubled with a fierce Impatience demanded the Cause Sir answered Constantia Agnes too wise and too scrupulous fears the Effects of her Beauty and will live no longer at Coimbra and it was on this Subject which cannot be agreeable to me that she ask'd my Advice The Prince grew pale at this Discourse and snatching the Words from her Mouth with more concern than possest either of them cry'd with a Voice very feeble Agnes cannot fail if she follow your Councel Madam and I leave you full liberty to give it her He then immediately went out and the Princess whose Heart he perfectly possest not being able to hide her Displeasure said My dear Agnes if my Satisfaction did not only depend on your Conversation I should desire it of you for Pedro's sake it is the only Advantage that his unfortunate Love can hope And would not the World have reason to call me Barbarous if I contributed to deprive him of that But the sight of me will prove a Poyson to him reply'd Agnes And what should I do my Princess if after the Reserve he has hitherto kept his Mouth should add any thing to the Torments I have already felt by speaking to me of his Flame You would hear him sure without causing him to despair reply'd Constantia and I should put this Obligation to the Account of the rest you have done Would you then have me expect those Events which I fear Madam reply'd Agnes Well I will obey but just Heavens pursued she if they prove fatal do not punish an innocent Heart for it Thus this Conversation ended Agnes withdrew into her Chamber but it was not to be more at ease What Don Pedro had learn'd of the Design of Agnes caus'd a cruel Agitation in his Soul he wish'd he had never lov'd her and desir'd a thousand times to die But it was not for him to make Vows against a thing which Fate had design'd him and whatever Resolutions he made to bear the Absence of Agnes his Tenderness had not force enough to consent to it After having for a long time combated with himself he determin'd to do what was impossible for him to let Agnes do His Courage reproach'd him with the Idleness in which he past the most Youthful and Vigorous of his Days and making it appear to the King that his Allies and even the Prince Don John Emanuel his Father-in-Law had Concerns in the World which demanded his Presence on the Frontiers he easily obtain'd Liberty to make this Journey to which the Princess would put no Obstacle Agnes saw him part without any Concern but it was not upon the Account of any Aversion she had for
same Destiny and was astonish'd at an Order which ought to have excepted him The next day Constantia appear'd but so alter'd that 't was not difficult to imagine what she had suffer'd Agnes was the most impatient to approach her and the Princess could not forbear weeping They were both silent for some time and Constantia attributed this Silence of Agnes to some Remorse which she felt and this unhappy Maid being able to hold no longer Is it possible Madam said she that two Days should have taken from me all the Goodness you had for me What have I done And for what do you punish me The Princess regarded her with a languishing look and return'd her no Answer but Sighs Agnes offended at this Reserve went out with very great Dissatisfaction and Anger which contributed to her being thought criminal The Prince came in immediately after and found Constantia more disorder'd than usual and conjur'd her in a most obliging manner to take care of her Health The greatest good for me said she is not the Continuation of my Life I should have more Care of it if I lov'd you less but She could not proceed and the Prince excessively afflicted at her trouble sigh'd sadly without making her any Answer which redoubled her Grief Spight then began to mix itself and all things perswading the Princess that they made a Sacrafice of her she would enter into no Explanation with her Husband but suffer'd him to go away without saying any thing to him Nothing is more capable of troubling our Reason and consuming our Health then secret Notions of Jealousie in Solitude Constantia who us'd to open her Heart freely to Agnes now believing she had deceiv'd her abandon'd herself so absolutely to Grief that she was ready to sink under it she immediately fell sick with the violence of it and all the Court was concern'd at this Misfortune Don Pedro was truly afflicted at it but Agnes more than all the World beside Constantia's Coldness towards her made her continually sigh and her Distemper created meerly by Fancy caus'd her to reflect on every thing that offer'd itself to her Memory so that at last she began even to fear herself and to reproach herself for what the Princess suffer'd But the Distemper began to be such that they fear'd Constantia's Death and she herself began to feel the Approaches of it This Thought did not at all disquiet her she look'd on Death as the only Relief from all her Torments and regarded the Despair of all that approach'd her without the least concern The King who lov'd her tenderly and who knew her Vertue was infinitely mov'd at the Extremity she was in And Don Alvaro who lost not the least Occasion of making him understand that it was Jealousie which was the Cause of Constantia 's Distemper did but too much incense him against Criminals worthy of Compassion The King was not of a Temper to conceal his Anger long You give fine Examples said he to the Prince and such as will render your Memory illustrious and the Death of Constantia of which you are only to be accus'd of is the unhappy Fruit of your guilty Passion Fear Heaven after this and behold yourself as a Monster that does not deserve to see the Light If the Interest you have in my Blood did not plead for you what ought you not to fear from my just Resentment But what must not Imprudent Agnes to whom nothing ties me expect from my hands If Constantia dyes she who has the Boldness in my Court to cherish a foolish Flame by vain Hopes and make us lose the most Amiable Princess whom thou art not worthy to possess shall feel the Effects of her Indiscretion Don Pedro knew very well that Constantia was not ignorant of his Sentiments for Agnes but he knew also with what Moderation she receiv'd it He was very sensible of the King's Reproaches but as his Fault was not voluntary and that a commanding Power a fatal Star had forc'd him to love in spight of himself he appear'd afflicted and confus'd You condemn me Sir answered he without having well examin'd me and if my Intentions were known to you perhaps you would not find me so criminal I would take the Princess for my Judge whom you say I sacrifice if she were in a condition to be consulted If I am guilty of any Weakness her Justice never reproach'd me for it and my Tongue never inform'd Agnes of it But suppose I have committed any Fault why wou'd you punish an Innocent Lady who perhaps condemns me for it as much as you Ah Villain interrupted the King she has but too much favour'd you You would not have lov'd thus long had she not made you some Returns Sir reply'd the Prince pierced with Grief for the Outrage that was committed against Agnes you offend a Vertue than which nothing can be purer and those Expressions which break from your Choler are not worthy of you Agnes never granted me any Favours I never asked any of her and I protest to Heaven I never thought of any thing contrary to the Duty I owe Constantia As they thus argued one of the Princess's Women came all in Tears to acquaint Don Pedro That the Princess was in the last Extremities of Life Go see thy fatal Work said the King and expect from a too-long-patient Father the Vsage thou deserv'st The Prince ran to Constantia whom he found dying and Agnes in a swoon in the Arms of some of the Ladies What caus'd this double Calamity was that Agnes who could suffer no longer the Indifferency of the Princess had conjur'd her to tell her what was her Crime and either to take her Life from her or restore her Friendship Constantia who found she must die could no longer keep her secret Affliction from Agnes and after some Words which were a Preparative to the sad Explanation she shew'd her that fatal Billet which Elvira had caus'd to be written Ah! Madam cry'd out the fair Agnes after having read it Ah Madam How many cruel Inquietudes had you spar'd me had you open'd your Heart to me with your wonted Bounty 'T is easy to see that this Letter is counterfeit and that I have Enemies without compassion Cou'd you believe the Prince so Impudent to make use of any other hand but his own on an occasion like this And do you believe me so Simple to keep about me this Testimony of my Shame with so little Precaution You are neither betray'd by your Husband nor me I attest Heaven and those Efforts I have made to leave Coimbra Alas my dear Princess how little have you known her whom you have so much honour'd Do not believe that when I have justify'd myself I will have any more Communication with the World No no there will be no Retreat far enough from hence for me I will take care to hide this unlucky Face where it shall be sure to do no more Harm The Princess touch'd at this