Soul was immaculate and pure though her Reputation was stain'd and that the preserving of her Fame and the Honour of so illustrious a Family was more dear to him than any private Interest or Respect to himself Seignior Conto was infinitely pleas'd to hear the Dr. express himself in those Terms and after his most particular Thanks told him he would endeavour in few days to dispose Cleandra to the Match which he did and ten dayes after they were privately married not long after Seignior Conto and his Lady both dyed and left their whole Estate to Dr. Parmel and his Children by Cleandra who now lived at Marli in great esteem and Reputation It happened one day after Dinner the Doctor being in a most pleasant Humour and the Discourse of the Company leading to it he told them by what Trick he had married a Person of that Quality and Estate Cleandra was at which they seem'd very much surpriz'd but in Compliment commended his Design which had now crown'd him with so bountiful a Success Cleandra bit her Lip and by change of Colour discovered the inward perplexity of her Thoughts nor could she altogether refrain from some passionate expressions of her Resentment that she should lye under the great Scandal of a Whore and lose her Lover Makenti whom she loved dearer than her Life and be so basely betray'd into a Marriage with so mean and perfidious a Wretch as the Doctor was Some time after she writ a Letter to Makenti and acquainted him with all the Circumstances of this Relation who was extreamly troubled at it and upon the first Discourse of her being with Child had utterly forsaken her and never since seen her The Discovery of this Intrigue created a more particular Love and Respect between Makenti and Cleandra who readily agreed to revenge the Injury they had both receiv'd from the faithless Doctor by abusing his Bed in their Adulterous Enjoyments and charging his Forehead with the shameful Emblem of a Cuckold which they thought the heinousness of the provocation would warrant them in Thus did they continue in their Adulterous Pleasures till the Doctor grew sensible of it and by frequent Observations of their private Meetings was sufficiently confirm'd in the Truth of their lustful Embraces whereupon he resolv'd to meet them with a proportionate Revenge which he thus effected Having a young Gentlewoman under Cure who was very much afflicted with the Venerial Distemper he designedly infected himself with it which he communicated to his Wife and she to Makenti who neither of them suspecting the present Cause of their Illness were so surpriz'd by the Venom of the Disease that Makenti in a short time lost his Nose and both his Eyes and hardly escap'd with Life spending the rest of his days in Shame and Repentance Cleandra languish'd a long time in great Misery which her Husband saw with Pleasure and Satisfaction and growing weary at last to see her Distemper so tedious in the Punishment he design'd prepar'd a Cordial for her in which he infus'd a large Dose of Poyson and recommending it to her as a great Restorative to take at three in the afternoon went abroad expecting at his Return to find her in the Agonies of Death Dr. Parmel coming back very hot and faint it being the midst of August went directly to her Chamber and sitting down by the Beds-side took a Glass of Cordial Drink which stood by amongst the rest and hastily drank it 〈…〉 kindly askiing her how she did and what good 〈◊〉 â—â—und by that Cordial he had order'd her I have 〈◊〉 taken it said Cleandra and don't design it till to 〈…〉 for I find my self much better than I was at which 〈…〉 started and call'd for it when the Maid 〈…〉 that was iâ— you drank Sir at which he cry'd 〈…〉 poyson'd I am poyson'd and sent for his Confeâ—â—or to whom he related his intended Design of poysoning his Wife which he was now heartily sorry for and in two hours fell into Violent Convulsions and dyed in great Torment Cleandra continued in a most sad and deplorable Condition and was afterwards remov'd to the Lazaretto where she dyed in Misery and Ignominy Thus we see vitious Lives end in infamous Deaths and the subtle Dr. Parmel at last deceiv'd himself and was overtaken by a Punishment as just as unexpected The lustful Makenti and the fair but unchast Cleandra receive their Torment by the poysonous Sting of those Pleasures they so Lasciviously and Adulterously delighted in HIST. V. Bertolin and Aurella Monsieur Bertolin commits Adultery with Aurella Monsieur Chapee's Wife his intimate Friend upon the Discovery whereof she stabs her self Monsieur Chapee in Revenge cheats Orinta in the disguise of Bertolin her Husband and lyes with her Bertolin surprizes them in Bed mortally Wounds Orinta and is then kill'd by Chapee who is apprehended and Executed for the Murther and Adultery IN the Reign of that August and noble Prince Henry the 4th King of France the Marquess of Conti was made Governour of Orleans in whose Family Monsieur Bertolin and Monsieur Chapee two young Gentlemen of Noble Birth and related to the Marquess and his Lady receiv'd their Education and first Instructions in Arms and Military Discipline the equality of their Age and Fortunes with their constant Society rendered them by degrees most intimate and familiar Friends and if their outward Shape and Features could add any thing to the inward Harmony of their Affections never were two Persons more alike they appear'd the same distinguish'd only by the different Appellations of Bertolin and Chapee But as the figure of their Bodies so nearly resembled each other so their Temper of Mind was as much unlike Bertolin was proud and â—aughty of a Courage that rather fear'd no Evil than lov'd what 's Good Chapee was modest and humble lov'd Goodness for it's own native Beauty and thought nothing so base and degenerous in a Gentleman as Sin and Wickedness At this time dyed Monsieur le Farin great Unkle to the Marquess and left his Estate to Aurella a young Lady and his Neece the Care of whose Person and Fortune he committed to the Marquess of Conti and his Lady under whose prudent Government she receiv'd all the accomplishments of a Religious and Vertuous Lady The constant Conversation of Bertolin and Chapee with Aurella and the consideration of her Fortune which was very great soon fired their Hearts with the Flames of Love and Affection towards her The modesty of Aurella her excellent Beauty and sweetness of Temper were Charms able to warm the most frozen Breast with zeal to her Person and admiration of her Vertue These two Rivals made their Courtship to Aurella in Smiles and Glances and all those little Services which might render them grateful to her in which Bertolin and Chapee endeavoured to outdoe each other but still with that Respect and Friendship that no Clouds of Jealousie appear'd by any outward expressions of Disrespect They us'd
stairs and breaks his neck Pharamond first debauches Lucia and then hires Mariot a Miller to strangle her which he does and throws her body into the Mill-pond for which he is broke on the Wheel and Pharamond beheaded and burnt AT Roan in Normandy of late years there dwelt a rich and noble Gentleman called Monsieur De Bertue who had two Sons his eldest was Monsieur Pharamond and the younger Monsieur De Bushie both hopeful Gentlemen De Bushie being at Christmas-time at a friends house at Curant 10 Leagues from Roan saw a young Gentlewoman infinitely fair and beautiful called Madamoyselle La Valere whom he lik'd and lov'd so dearly that he resolv'd to make all his courtship to her which he so handsomly and discreetly manag'd that at last she consented to love him but withal intreated him to conceal her affection till he had made his application to her Father and gain'd his good will De Bushie in few days after made a visit to Monsieur De Moulin her Father who liv'd at Curant acquaints him with his Sute and begs his consent But he not relishing the motion reâ—urned De Bushie a very cold answer upon which he civilly took his leave and the next week went home to Roan and acquainted his Father and Mother with his affection to La Valere which they approving of he pray'd his Father to ride over to Curant to confer with Monsieur De Moulin about this affair but De Bertue being seiz'd with a sudden fit of the Gout order'd his elder Brother Pharamond to bear him company and in his name to treat with De Moulin Pharamond and De Bushie nobly attended with a Letter from their Father to De Moulin took horse and rid to Curant where being arriv'd Pharamond delivered his Fathers Letter and after a short conference with De Moulin in which he discovered his Brothers affection to Valere he addressed himself to her whil'st De Moulin and De Bushie took a walk in the Garden Having this opportunity of a private discourse after he had oblig'd her to secrecy told her That tho' he came over to Curant his Brothers Advocate yet her powerful Charms had already captivated his heart and his passion for her now obliged him to make use of all his Oratory in his own behalf and tho' his Brother had the honour to see her first yet his love he hoped deserved not least regard or the last place in her affections La Valere incens'd with this unexpected discourse with a frown told him That this was not only an ignoble Ingratitude but a base Treachery and therefore know says she that I undervalue you as much as I highly prize your Brother and so with a countenance which shew'd both anger and disdain left him alone who presently went to her Father and in fair terms informed him of his love to his Daughter aâ—â—uring him of the sincerity of his affection to her and that he covered nothing in the world more than to be happy in the enjoyment of her Old De Moulin approves Pharamond's motion but was unwilling to displease De Bushie yet over-sway'd with ambition calls his Daughter into his Closet and bids her leave De Bushie to love Pharamond but she positively refus'd it telling him that she had already made her choice which she would not alter for any worldly advantage Pharamond contriving how to deceive his Brother told him that tho' he found La Valere inclinable De Moulin was altogether averse nor could he ever hope to gain his consent and therefore says he let us go home to morrow which was agreed to But La Valere who had well considered the base treachery of Pharamond resolves to give her De Bushie a private meeting and at night sent for him to her Chamber bid him be chearful and that in life and death she will be his and only his and that she would send him a Letter to Roan which should acquaint him with a business her tongue was obliged to conceal So after all the promises of constancy and fidelity they parted and as a pledge of their mutual kindness he presented her with a Diamond-Ring and she gave him a pair of Pearl Bracelets The next morning De Moulin took De Bushie aside and in short terms pray'd him to forbear his house and refrain his Daughters company for he had provided another Husband for her After a solemn leave the Brothers took horse and return'd home La Valere remembring her promise to De Bushie two days after his departure sent him this Letter La Valere to De Bushie MY promise owes you this Letter wherein I must acquaint you that I know not whether you have greater cause to love Me or hate your Brother in regard he vows he loves me dearer than your self and hath attempted to rob you of your Wife which if I mistake not is base Treachery in him I have heard his Courtship but for your sake hate both It and Himself He hath won my Father but be assured that he neither can nor shall prevail with me and tho' my Father hath banished you his house yet his Daughter is resolved to retain you in her heart and you alone La Valere De Bushie having received this Letter was passionately incens'd against his Brother Pharamond but discretion at last took place and he resolv'd to hide his resentments and dissemble his anger and immediately returned her many thanks for her courtesie and constancy Pharamond three days after privately went over to Curant where he renews his sute to her with all the earnestness and vigour of a passionate Lover but La Valere seemed absolutely averse and without hopes to prevail return'd sorrowfully to Roan But tho' Pharamond endeavoured De Bushie should know nothing of his journey to Curant La Valere next day gave him word thereof by a second Letter La Valere to De Bushie I Hold my self oblig'd in duty and affection to acquaint you that these two days I have been importunately solicited by your unkind Brother for Marriage but he hath found my first to be my last answer I hope I have blasted all his endeavours by giving him and my Father this infallible resolution either to wed You or my Grave and I believe they will be satisfied without giving me further trouble But if your Brother shall still pursue his fruitless addresses I will beg on my knees to my Father to hasten our marriage And this is my positive resolution La Valere De Bushie kiss'd this last testimony of his dear Ladies most tender affection but frets inwardly at his Brothers malice whereof he is resolv'd to tax him but first returns her ten thousand thanks for her inviolable affection and went to find out his Brother whom he finds feignedly sick when Pharamond as it were rejoycing at his presence told him That his tender love to La Valere had reduc'd him to that extremity and therefore conjur'd him for the saving of his life to quit his
Children which produced different effects La Frange highly approved and passionately lov'd De Salez whil'st he on the contrary could entertain no thoughts but what show'd his slight and disesteem of her At the same time there was a Nobleman called the Baron of Vaumartin who to repair the Debaucheries of his youth courted La Frange in marriage but more out of respect to her Fortune than affection to her Person and being put off with only verbal complements by De Clugny the Father and La Frange the Daughter was at last acquainted that his sute would be but vain and fruitless for De Salez was that happy person she lov'd and admir'd De Salez was in this interim grown acquainted with Monsieur de Soulange a Gentleman of ' small Estate but blest with three Daughters fam'd for their Beauties thro' the whole City of which the Phaenix was La Hay the youngest De Salez who had contracted a friendship with Monsieur de Soulange that he might have the better colour to visit his Daughters as other young Sparks of the Town did grew passionately in love with La Hay who as she was exceeding beautiful so did she in her mien and behaviour appear with all the graces of modesty and goodness But though in publick she seem'd an unspotted Virgin yet was she in private a professed Courtezan nor was she so secret in her lascivious delights however she obliged her Gallants to conceal her favours but she was suspected of dishonesty by all chast and virtuous persons Amongst others of her Enamorato's De Salez was one who doting on her delicate Complexion and counterfeit Modesty spent all his hours in visits to La Hay and with his best art and policy laid siege to her chastity but such was her subtilty that knowing he lov'd her and was the only Son of a rich Councellor she resolved to decoy him in for her Husband and would not by all his costly Treats and constant sollicitations be won to his embraces and consent to his lustful desires This folly of De Salez and subtilty of La Hay was not manag'd with that privacy but Argentier his Father took notice of it and considering De Soulange's mean Extraction and Poverty and his own Nobility and Wealth was high incensed with De Salez for his courtship to La Hay told him she was a Strumpet and swore if he did not leave her and marry La Frange he would disinherit him and never repute him for his Son But De Salez is resolute in his folly and contemning his Fathers advice privately contracts himself to La Hay and promises as soon as providence shall be so kind to him to call his Father into another World he would consummate the Espousals In the mean time the Baron of Vaumartin seeing all his addresses to La Frange was unsuccesful and his Debts and Creditors growing clamorous upon him resolves with himself that so long as De Salez lives to whom La Frange had entirely devoted her self he must never expect to be happy in her arms and therefore to remove this obstacle concludes to send him a Challenge since it would appear more noble and generous to kill him in the field than privately murder him by Poyson or Ponyard The next day by his Page he sent him this Letter Vaumartin to De Salez IF you seek the cause of my malice you may find it in the Lady La Frange's affection to you and hatred to my self wherefore think it not strange that I command my Pen to invite you and your Sword to meet me at five in the morning to morrow on horse-back without Seconds behind the Jacobins Garden Could that sweet Lady have affected Me more or You less we might have proved as true Friends as now our Reputations conjure us to live or die honourable Enemies Vaumartin De Salez having received and read this Challenge wondred at it considering he neither regarded La Frange nor valued her affection But lest Vaumartin should think by his declining the Combate it was for want of courage to meet him he called the Page and bid him tell his Master he would not fail to breakfast with him at the time and place appointed The morning being come our Champions met bravely mounted with each his Chyrurgeon at the place assigned where they no sooner saw each other but setting Spurs to their Horses they closed furiously and at the third encounter De Salez ran Vaumartin through the body when dropping his Sword his body fell from his Horse stark dead to the ground De Salez galloped to the next Village to dress his wounds and then provided for his safety by flight All persons rejoyced at the good success of De Salez whose Father and Friends with much difficulty at last obtain'd his Pardon But no sooner was De Salez return'd but he renewed his visits to La Hay to the great grief of his Father and dissatisfaction of all his Relations Sometime after Argentier being oblig'd upon some considerable business to go to Paris both advis'd and charg'd De Salez during his absence to forbear his visits to La Hay and for fear he should forget his commands as he was on the way to Paris he writ this Letter and sent it to him Argentier to De Salez IT is out of a religious and fatherly tenderness that I now send thee these lines for thy Youth cannot see what my Age knows how many miseries attend Vice and how many blessings wait on Virtue If La Frange be not fair yet she is not contemptible If therefore thou wilt leave a Saint to marry a Strumpet then take La Hay and forsake La Frange but if thou wilt forsake a Strumpet to marry a Saint then take La Frange and leave La Hay In the First thou shalt find content and honour but in the Second shame and repentance This Letter shall be a witness betwixt God my self and thee that if thou perform not my commands I will deny thee my Blessing and deprive thee of my Lands Argentier De Salez was infinitely troubled at this Letter to see his Mistress disgrac'd and himself oblig'd to so difficult a task that he was not able to hide his discontent from the observance of La Hay who desirous to know the reason of it as he was one day asleep on the Couch she div'd into his pockets where she found his Fathers Letter and having perused the contents with choler awak'd De Salez and with the Letter in her hand called Heaven and Earth to witness her Innocence and the wrong his Father had done her and that whatever he might out of malice or prejudice say or think she hop'd the world entertain'd a more honourable opinion of her whose Virtue was as chast and Reputation as unspotted as the envious and deformed la Frange De Salez at last with the most powerful expressions of the sincerity of his affections to her appeas'd her raging passion and solemnly swore that he would never be prevail'd upon
the better to favour their Devilish design word is unexpectedly brought that Lauretta's Father who liv'd four leagues off was dangerously sick and like to die whereupon Briant with all hast dispatch'd away his Wife to him and her Maid Ioanna De Ferio was much troubled at his Hostesses departure in whom he reposed all his trust and confidence and finding himself every day worse than other began to suspect his safety as well as recovery for he often observed his Landlord and the Priest whispering together and saw some fatal apparitions in their faces which told him all was not well This afflicted him day and night with new cause of despair However he still conceal'd his Gold and Jewels from his Host and the Priest but fear'd their jealousie and hopes of it would hasten his end But so cunning was Constantine that he would not murder him till he knew what would be the reward of his villainy and what Wealth he had about him wherefore he advised him to send for his Son to Tours and proffer'd himself in person to carry a Letter and deliver it with his own hand De Ferio thank'd him and told him he had rather trouble his Host with it if he would bear him company in the mean time which was agreed The next morning De Ferio gave Briant this Letter and four double Pistols to defâ—ay his charges to his Son Du Mâ—nt at Tours praying him to bring his Son back with him with all possible speed De Ferio to Du Mont. SEven weeks since coming from Venice I fell sick at Dieren where I lie very weak in the house of my Host Briant the bearer hereof whom I purposely send to command you to come over to me with all hast I have here with me 2000 Checchines and some Iewels of value for the Dutchess of Orleance and I fear that neither it nor my life is safe here Come away with intent to find me either dead or dying Conceal this Letter from all the world Love this Messenger but trust him not God prosper my health and ever bless you with prosperity De Ferio Briant having this Letter pretends to take leave and Father Constantine in civility goes to see him take Horse but instead thereof they went into the Parlor and bolting the door open'd the Letter and satisfied with the discovery by the contents resolved to make that ensuing night his last so they burnt the Letter and Briant privately hush'd himself up in his own house from the sight of all the world Father Constantine went back to De Ferio who was infinitely troubl'd in mind fearing that his death was already plotted and blaming his indiscretion in mentioning in the Letter what sum he had which if they should come to the knowledge of might tempt them to commit some violence upon him And now was the fatal hour come for about midnight De Ferio waking out of a troubled slumber pray'd Constantine to give him a little warm Wine in a small earthen Pot he used to drink in Constantine glad of this opportunity mix'd the Poyson with it and gave it him to drink which he innocently did and dy'd therewith two hours after But for fear he should make any noise in the last agonies of death these two Devils with Bedstaves ramm'd a great holland Towel down his throat This was no sooner done but they cut open his Cloak-bag where they found a great quantity of Gold and Silver and searching further they discovered the leathern Girdle about his wast in which were quilted the Jewels and several pieces of Gold which they presently divided and in a great fire burnt his Cloaths and every thing that belong'd to him and turn'd his Horse loose into the Fields to seek a new Master so cautious they were in their villainy By this time the Corps was grown cold which digging a Grave in Briant's Garden they buried and covered the place with green Turfs so artificially that no mortal eye could discover it Three weeks after Briant sent for his Wife home who wondering to see her Husband so gallant in new Cloaths enquired after De Ferio he told her that about ten days before he went from thence safe and well and gave him 50 Crowns for his Lodging and Entertainment and as a token of his love for his care and kindness to him 20 pieces of Gold more to himself and as much to Father Constantine but Lauretta fearing the worst would not touch any part thereof And now with wonder and admiration may we see the Justice of Heaven in the discovery of this cruel Murther for the same day month De Ferio was buried a huge Wolf seeking for his prey came into Briant's Orchard and smelling dead Carrion with his paws fiercely tore up the earth and dragg'd up the dead body and there continued till an hour after day-light eating the flesh of his Arms Thighs and Buttocks but never touched any part of his face Some Gentlemen being hunting in the field their Dogs took the scent of the Wolf and followed it into Briant's Orchard But the Wolf terrified with the shouts of the Hunters and crie of the Dogs left his Prey and fled when the Hunters coming in to see what the Wolf prey'd upon with great horror and amazement they saw the body of a man miserably mangl'd which the Wolf had digg'd up from his untimely Grave They presently suspected him to have been murder'd by Briant his Wife and Servants and setting a Guard upon the house they sent and acquainted the Criminal Judges with it In the mean time Lauretta hearing so early and unusual a noise in the Yard her Husband lying abroad that night with his Strumpets began to doubt the worst By this time the Criminal Judges were come and with them a multitude of people amongst whom was the Physician Monsieur Morel who knowing the dead body by the face cry'd out it was De Ferio the Merchant who lay long sick in Briant's house and he verily believed was murder'd by him and buried there The Judges believing the report of this honest Physician broke open the house and seiz'd Lauretta and her Maid Ioanna and the Ostler who were brought to the body and flatly charg'd with the Murther which they as resolutely deny'd Lauretta and her Maid both declar'd they believ'd it was the body of De Ferio but called Heaven and Earth to witness they were innocent and knew not who were the bloody authors of it however they were all kept close Prisoners while search was made after Briant who lying that night at Father Constantine's house with two Courtezans hearing the news of it they fled together upon which they were both adjudg'd guilty and close pursuit made after them The three Prisoners were all threatned with the Rack the tortures of which the Ostler and Ioanna endured with wonderful constancy and patience so great a comfort is it to be innocent but Lauretta upon the good report of her Neighbours was dispenced withal for
Chamber he sate down upon the Couch and laid his Pistol upon the Table Cordelia took it up and ask'd him if it was charg'd Yes Madam says he with a brace of Bullets Do you think Sir says Cordelia I have courage enough to shoot it off Pray let me try and look out at that window for a mark Whil'st he stoop'd to see for one she shot him into the Reins of the back at which he stagger'd and Sabrina with a Ponyard gave him six wounds upon the back and breast which she with that hast and fury redoubled upon him that he immediately fell down dead at her feet which done they dragg'd him down into a Cellar where they buried him in his Cloaths and laid a pile of Billets over him The next day his Lacqueys came to enquire for him but were answer'd that he parted from them within an hour after and said he would take a walk in the fields and that he had not been there since Three days after there being yet no account of him several Gentlemen his Friends and Relations came to demand him of Cordelia who return'd the same answer as before but they being for some reasons suspicious of her acquaint the Criminal Judges with it who after examination of several parties commit her to Prison where about ten days after the virtuous Madamoyselle de Sinclere came to visit her to whom in discourse Cordeliae said she was as innocent of Leonardo 's death as he was of Durel's Murther which being over-heard was told to the Judges This gave them more cause of suspicion but she still justified her Innocence and positively deny'd that she ever knew any thing of either of the Murthers and tho' she was guilty of such a simple expression it was purely through ignorance and inadvertency Upon this she was adjudg'd to the Rack which she endur'd with admirable patience insomuch as the Judges now began to favour her and conclude her Innocence from the constancy and courage of her resolution About this time News was brought that Sabrina who was fled was taken up on the banks of the River Diren dead This News revives Cordelia who now began to think her self secure since there was no person to accuse her and that she was safe beyond the reach of punishment from Heaven or Earth But here mark the wonderful Providence and Judgment of God! Cordelia was indebted to her Landlord a whole years Rent and 300 Livres in money which now giving for lost he lett out her part of the House to Monsieur Chatillon who came thither for his healths sake and sold all her Goods even to the Billets in the Cellar to make himself satisfaction when upon the removal of the last they found the earth had been lately opened to the proportion of a Grave The Landlord hearing this suspects the truth and acquaints the Judges with it who presently order'd it to be search'd where they found the body of Leonardo in his Cloaths which they carried to the Prison and exposed to her sight roughly charging her with the murther of it which she undauntedly deny'd The Judges then commanded her Paps to be torn off with hot burning Pincers to make her discover the truth whereat amaz'd and seeing the torment ready to be inflicted she fell on her knees and confessed that she and Sabrina murder'd Leonardo the manner how and the reasons why for which she was condemn'd to be hang'd in the same street over-against her Lodging and her body burnt and Sabrina's dead body to be burnt with her And for that Leonardo had been guilty of the Murther of Durel so basely and cowardly as Cordelia reported his body was hung up by the heels upon the common Gibbet for three days and then thrown into the Lake Ricon all which was executed according to the sentence Thus we see that one sin is the Parent of another Nor is Vice less fruitful in its Off-spring than the most glorious Virtue Whoredom propagates Murther and Uncleanness is often the Daughter of Intemperance HIST XIII Orlindo and Paulina Orlindo upon promise of Marriage gets Paulina with Child and leaves her and marries Lucretia Paulina sensible of her disgrace and his treachery in the habit of a Fryar pistols him in the Fields for which she is hang'd IN the Famous City of Florence liv'd of late years two rich and beautiful young Gentlewomen the one named Donna Paulina Daughter of Seignior Miranto and the other Donna Lucretia the only Child of Seignior Sterlin Both these young Ladies had several Suters yet none of them so dearly and passionately lov'd Paulina as the Baron of Orlindo a rich young Nobleman of Venice and Lucretia as passionately lov'd him but not he her Lucretia had in vain attempted by her friends to prevail with him to forsake Paulina to love her for so great was Orlindo's affection to Paulina that by the strictest promise and most sacred protestations he was privately contracted to her though he had not yet gain'd her Fathers consent which after many intreaties he obtain'd though for some reasons he thought convenient to defer the solemnity of the Espousals Orlindo continuing thus in Florence at a vast expence grew in want of money which he knew not how to relieve at present but to make sure work of his Lady Paulina with many Sighs and Prayers Oaths and promises of fidelity and constancy he drew her to his lustful desires in which unlawful familiarity they continued several weeks But then like a base Nobleman having surfeited himself with those amorous pleasures visited her but seldom and when she desired him to marry her he was either deaf or so doubtful in his Answers that she had now great reason to suspect his treachery But three months after he utterly forsook her sight and company which tormented her to the heart nor did she know how to remedy it Orlindo now made all his court to Lucretia at which she was extremely pleased and being of a great wit and inform'd some great distast was fallen out between him and the Lady Paulina and that being far from home he wanted moneys to bear out his port in Florence imagin'd that might be the cause of it To oblige him therefore to her self and knowing her Father had a great respect for him she one day told him That of late she observed Orlindo was was grown melancholly and that she fancied his great expences at Florence and his long absence from Venice might have exhausted his moneys and that probably the reason of it Her Father meeting Orlindo the next day invites him home and taking him aside into his Study after several complements told him Venice was a great distance from Florence and the return of money uncertain but if at any time he should have occasion desired him to make use of his friendship and that he should freely command whatever he could call his own and there laid him down 500 double Pistols Adding withal That if he needed more at present he
compleat Pattern of Vertue and Learning and the only Phaenix of her Age and Sex The Care and Industry of Dribellus was soon discovered by the great Improvement of his Pupil which Patricius was no less sensible of and constantly encouraged with his bountiful Hand Twelve Months were now passed in which Dribellus by his obliging behaviour had equally charm'd the tender Affections of Petronella and won the good Opinion of her Father and Mother both highly commended his modest Carriage and sweetness of Temper from whose indefatigable pains they hoped to reap those great advantages his studious Labours so fairly promised The constant society of Dribellus with Petronella had now endear'd them to each other and the unhappy Flames of Love warm'd their Breasts with mutual Kindness and Respect which Dribellus no sooner discovered by the languishing Looks of Petronella but he resolved if possible to raise a future Fortune there where at first he only expected a present Support and Maintainance To this end he courted all Opportunities to enjoy her Company and frequently exchanged his Lectures of Rhetorick for the more pleasing discourses of Love which he soon found were no less acceptable to his Mistress than the other had been grateful to his Pupill Thus they continued for some time courting each other with Amorous Glances and melancholly Sighs the dumb but powerful Rhetorick of bashful Lovers till at last Dribellus in express Terms discovered his Passion to her at which she seemed very much surprized but having recovered her self told him she had been always very sensible of his great Respects to her in those diligent Instructions she received from him which though she was in no capacity to retaliate she would never forget and hoped the Bounty and Generosity of her Parents would in some measure answer his Merits whilst she could only reward him with a Thankful acknowledgement Dribellus who well knew the great Wit of Petronella could not mistake the true sence and meaning of his discourse though her Prudence and Modesty diverted it to another Subject presently reply'd Dribellus has no such haughty Thoughts of his past Service to think he ever could oblige the fair Petronella or in the least deserve a return of that sincere Affection he professes to her I love my fairest Petronella I leve and no reward is valuable with me but what gives me your Heart or robs me of my Life if your Kindness bids me live I live your Servant or your frown at the same minute commands me to dye your Martyr Petronella blush'd and what Modesty would not suffer her to utter in words she spoke in her languishing eyes and abrupt sighs live Dribellus live and let that cruel Maid be for ever forsaken who bids her lover dye At this Dribellus took Heart and pursued his Amours with so vigorous an Attaque that the Lady made a willing Surrender and promised that the Heart he had so bravely conquered should ever be the Trophy of his Victory Dribellus having thus gain'd an assurance of Petronella's Affections endeavoured by all means to fix it beyond the Power or Cause of ill Fortune and accordingly some few days after finding Petronella in the Garden began an Assault upon her Vertue with all the specious pretensions of Affection that Love could inspire him with Petronella who had already yielded up her heart to Dribellus thought the sacred trust of her Honours might be reposed in the same Breast with equal security Thus with kind Caresses and wanton Dalliances did this subtil Thief rob her of the Flower of her Virginity and with the sighs and denials of a languishing Maid she at last exchanged the native Innocence of her Soul and Vertue of her Mind for Shame Folly and Dishonour This was the first step they made in those crooked Paths of Wickedness which they afterwards so much delighted in who by the frequent Repetition of their unlawful Pleasures were now grown so careless and secure as if they gloried in their sins and were neither sensible of their shame nor apprehensive of the punishment which with a silent pace constantly pursues the lustful Criminal Before this was discovered by any of her Relations a young Gentleman who lived at Larissa the Birth-place of Achilles not far from Oeta whose Name is Polissus the eldest Son of Abridatus a Gentleman of very considerable Estate and Family was recommended to her Father as a Person who would be a very suitable Match for his Daughter who with a very handsome Equipage was now come over to Hypata to court her Fame had spoke loud of the Perfections of Petronella both in Body and Mind and after some days Converse found himself absolutely conquered by the Charms of her Witand Conversation which were more irresistible than those of her Face and Beauty in both which she appeared so illustrious that Polissus was straight made a Prisoner by her and fast fettered in the golden Chains of Love This gave the Lovers an unexpected disturbance who with Sighs and Tears express the present Trouble and Anguish of their Minds they curse the coming of Polissus and charge him as the sole Author of their Unhappiness and Misery Dribellus looks on him with Envy and Petronella with Disdain she could not willingly afford him one amorous glance all her smiles were counterfeit and the best Entertainment she could give him was upon force and constraint whil'st he sighs and throws himself at her Feet without moving her to the least Pity or Compassion but Polissus grew daily into the favour of her Parents though he found little progress in the heart of the Daughter and although Patricius himself interposed his Paternal Authority to recommend him to her Affections told her of his Riches and fair Possessions the Nobility of his Family and his Personal Endowments yet she slighted and contemned him and one day told her Mother that though she did allow Polissus to be a compleat Gentleman yet it was impossible for her to act so great a violence upon her self as to force her Affections to love that Person she ever had an aversion to and should think her self more happy in the cold Arms of Death than the Embraces of that Husband that she could not affect The Mother moved with the Tears of her Daughter took pity on her but her Father being of a more stern and austere Nature grew enraged at her denial and was so far from admitting her impertinent Reasonings that he resolved to force her to compliance and not suffer her longer to resist his Will and Pleasure and to that end dispatched a Messenger to Abridatus Polissus his Father in order to seâ—tle all things for the intended Marriage Patricius finding all his Endeavours fruitless and his Daughter so perverse and obstinate that neither his Threats could force her or his Endearments win her began to consider with himself what could be the true cause of her Contumacy and Dislike he saw nothing in the Person or Behaviour of Polissus
privately convey'd the Opiate Powder into her Mess without any Suspition About an hour after the Powder began to operate so effectually that though she endeavour'd to divert the Drowsiness which had so strangely crept upon her by walking in the Garden and other violent Agitation yet at last it prevail'd and she was forc't to retire to her Chamber where she repos'd herself upon the Bed charm'd into a deep Sleep by the powerful Medicine Dr. Parmel narrowly watch'd her and seeing her go into the Chamber followed after and there found her upon the Bed fast asleep whereupon observing the rest of the Family were otherwise busied thought he might now securely prosecute his wicked Design and locking the Chamber Door treacherously robb'd sleeping Cleandra of her Honour and Virginity which her waking Vertue had constantly defended against all the Temptations of Lust and Charms of Love The Doctor having thus far accomplish'd his Ends opened the Door and went out undiscover'd leaving Cleandra fast asleep who continued so for several hours till the soporific Vertue of the Powder was extinguished and then wak'd without being in the least sensible of the Injury she had received from those villanious Practices of the Doctor but as pleasing Dreams or the sportive Frolicks of Fancy and Imagination presented her with Dr. Parmel two days after took his leave and return'd to Venice expecting with Impatience the Issue of this odd Experiment Five Months after Seignior Makenti whose Recovery had been retarded by frequent Relapses return'd to Marli in perfect Health and earnestly desired that his Espousals with the fair Cleandra might now be no longer deferred which his own Misfortune had been the unhappy cause of but being acquainted that his Mistress had for some time been very much indispos'd and now kept her Chamber desired to see her whom he found so strangely alter'd he scarce knew her to be the same but by the faint Remains of that flourishing Beauty which had once reign'd in her Face and made a Conquest of his Heart Seignior Makenti was equally surpriz'd and griev'd to see her in this Condition she was grown pale and lean her Eyes were livid and hollow and all the expressions of her Tongue spoke an inward and setled discontent of Mind Seignior Conto and his Lady were no less afflicted and advised with several of the most eminent Physitians what should be the Cause of her Distemper and what the most proper and speedy Cure they all agreed she was with Child and her Disease no other than the natural Infirmities of Women in such Cases which her Parents heard with Horrour and Amazement The Doctors being gone her Father and Mother with Tears in their Eyes conjur'd her to tell the Truth and discover who was that lustful Paramour that had despoyl'd her of her Honour and brought that stain and infamy upon their Family which all their Tears were not able to wash away Cleandra with no less trouble and astonishment deny'd the Guilt of such lewd Debaucheries and by all the Sacred Powers of Heaven protested her Innocence and unspotted Chastity The Sighs Tears and passionate Imprecations of Cleandra perswaded her Parents at last to think the Doctors mistaken in their Judgments and that the swelling of her Belly which they considered as an Argument of her Pregnancy was occasioned by a Tympany or some other Praeter-natural Tumour which was the real Cause of her present Distemper Some time after Dr. Parmel came over to Marli and excus'd himself that the multitude of Business had made him so great a Stranger and wanting in those respectful Visits their great Civilties obliged him to and missing Cleandra at Dinner particularly Inquir'd how she did and if she was yet marrried Her Mother answer'd with a Sigh that she was very ill and had been so for two months past in which time she had not stirr'd out of her Chamber Dr. Parmel seem'd very much concern'd at the young Ladies illness and desired he might be admitted to see her and that he should think himself extreamly happy if the best of his Art and Skill could contribute any thing to her Recovery Her Mother told him she was afraid she already too well understood her Distemper which in due time Nature would discharge of it self and that indeed she was asham'd any Friend should see her in that Condition which would end in Shame to her self and Disgrace to all her Relations The Dr. seem'd wholly ignorant of what she meant though extreamly pleas'd at the success of his Design and still more earnestly prest to see her which at last she consented to and conducted him to Cleandra's Chamber whom he found alone extreem Pensive and Melancholy The Doctor after he had exprest his Respects and Sorrow for her present illness desired to feel her Pulse and after several other critical Observations more for form than any thing else told her Mother her Distemper now would not be of long Continuance that she was certainly with Child and all that he could direct was as a Friend and not a Physitian that they would prevail with her to confess who was the Father and by a speedy Marriage prevent that Disgrace which otherwise was unavoidable whereupon the Mother desired him to use his Endeavours with her to discover the Person and that she would withdraw that Cleandra might with more Freedom discourse him and accordingly did so After the Dr. had said what he thought convenient in pursuit of that Question which he himself was only able to answer he took his leave and told her Mother that was he not assur'd by all those infallible Symptoms he had observ'd that she was with Child her solemn Protestations to the contrary would almost perswade him to credit what she had said in her own Vindication upon which her Mother ask'd him if it was possible for a Woman to Conceive in her Sleep without being sensible of those Pleasures of Fruition and the Person she enjoy'd to which the Dr. answered it was possible and that we might observe it in several Persons who walk in their Sleep and do those several Acts of which they have no remembrance when they wake This one Argument prevail'd with Seignior Conto and his Lady to believe Cleandra was with Child and at the same time innocent of the Guilt and ignorant of the Person for she had oftentimes walked about her Chamber and sometimes down into the Dairy and so to Bed again without remembring one tittle of it next morning After several Considerations what was to be done in a matter of so much difficulty and that did they know the real Father he might possibly prove to be the Groom or Footman where the discredit and reproach of such a Match would be equal to the infamous Name of Courtezan the Dr. told them that if they thought him a worthy Husband for Cleandra he would marry her immediately nor did he value her being with Child nor who was the Father since he was so well satisfied her