great sorrow she was assur'd that the Baron of Betanford without respect to the sacred rules of Honour Friendship and Hospitality had too frequently abus'd him in his familiarity with Mermanda Grand Pre fir'd with this discourse resolves a revenge upon both without considering the truth of circumstances so far does Jealousie infatuate that the next day riding home in the evening he desired Mermanda to walk into the Garden where in express terms he charged her with disloyalty to him and dishonesty with the Baron all which with floods of tears she utterly deny'd and so far prevailed upon him that he declared himself satisfied with those assurances of her fidelity and was perfectly reconciled Mermanda fearing that if the Baron should still continue his visits as formerly they might awaken the sleeping Jealousie of her Husband and to take off all grounds of a future suspicion writ this following Letter to him Mermanda to the Baron of Betanford My Lord IT is not with blushes but tears that I presume to write unto you nor can any thing more deeply affect me than that I am now forc'd to publish my Husband's Folly to vindicate my own Innocence I must confess his ingratitude to you and wrong to me whil'st his jealous humour charges us with those clandestine Crimes which both your Honour and my Virtue abhor to think of And that we may both endeavour rather to quench than enflame this irregular passion I beseech you to refrain our house and neither to visit me nor be familiar with him and I hope time will conquer all those evil thoughts which truth and reason must always condemn Your Virtue and Generosity assure me of this favour which I will repay with thanks and requite with prayers that your Days may be as infinite as your Perfections and your Fame as glorious as your Merits Mermanda Upon the receipt of this Letter the Baron was highly incensed against Grand Pre for entertaining such unjust and dishonourable thoughts of him But to remove all jealousies he immediately left his house and took Coach for Paris Grand Pre understanding the Barons sudden departure grew more suspicious imagining it to be a plot between him and his Wife which so enraged him that he refused her bed and resolved that a quick and severe revenge upon them both should only attone for those injuries he had received Accordingly the next day under pretence of other business with a Page and two Lacqueys he went to Briecount Robert and retiring to a private Inn writ this Challenge which he sent by his Page with directions to deliver it secretly to the Baron and bring him his speedy Answer Grand Pre to the Baron c. COuld I have dissembled my malice as you have done your friendship you might have expected my revenge had been as private as the injury you did me You need no other witness to inform you of my dishonour than your own false self who have wronged me which is a Crime of so high a nature that your blood can only expiate the offence I expect this honourable satisfaction from you on Thursday at Carency where I will meet you at five in the morning with Sword or Rapier on horse-back or afoot The bearer hereof shall attend to conduct you to a fair Meadow where without Seconds I expect you when your life or mine shall end the difference Grand Pre. The Baron having received this Letter caused the Page to dine with him and after dinner sent him away with this answer Tell thy Master that I will not fail to meet him on horse-back without a Second at the hour and place appointed On Thursday morning they met accordingly having only their Surgeons with them and after a sharp and resolute fight on horse-back and the exchange of several wounds Grand Pre receiv'd a desperate thrust in the belly upon which he fell from his Horse and Betanford remain'd Victor who like a Noble Cavalier assisted him to a neighbouring Village where his Surgeons took care of his wounds The next morning having something recover'd his senses the Baron satisfied him of the odiousness of the scandal raised against his own Honour and Mermanda's Virtue These solemn protestations prevail'd upon Grand Pre who now repented his groundless Jealousie promis'd to renew his love to his Wife and live and die his honourable Friend Some few days after they took leave of one another and Grand Pre returning home related to his Wife the occasion and event of the Combat begg'd her pardon for his jealous and credulous humour and promised for the future that nothing should ever divide his heart from his virtuous and faithful Mermanda Thus were all discontents buried in Oblivion and their kind endearments sealed a perfect reconciliation But now must I return to Hautefelia who seeing her wicked design thus disappointed resolved rather to sell her Soul to the Devil than not purchase her revenge on Mermanda and accordingly struck a bargain with le Fresnay an Apothecary for the reward of 200 Crowns to poyson her which he promised and effected in less than two months time Hautefelia who had been thus succesful in her first Villainy instantly begins to teem with a second and as she hated Mermanda the Sister so did she never love de Mallery the Brother though her own Husband and therefore resolves by a safe and speedy death to dispatch him to another world To this end she set de Mallery at variance with Grand Pre by telling him that her Brother had been jealous of Mermanda call'd her the Baron of Betanford's Strumpet upon which they fought and that since by her sudden death it was shrewdly suspected he had poyson'd her De Mallery infinitely grieved at this News acquaints his Father de Cressonville therewith expecting that by order of Law he would question him for it but de Cressonville thought it more prudence to forgive those injuries than publish his Daughters Infamy by an unseasonable and uncertain Vindication But de Mallery's fiery temper could not admit those sober considerations but hastily resolves a revenge for his Sisters death and understanding that Grand Pre was lately come to Dijon sent him by a Confident of his own this following Challenge De Mallery to Grand Pre. I Should think my self of baser blood than the Honour of my Family entitles me to should I suffer those wrongs and injuries you have offered your Wife and my Sister to go unpunished I know not whether her Innocence deserves more pity or your Iealousie contempt and revenge Her unspotted Virtue which you have so unworthily question'd and sudden death you have not yet accounted for command me to a juster Challenge than that you sent the Baron of Betanford The equity of my cause and the unjustness of yours makes me confident that as you lost your blood at Briecount Robert you shall leave your life in sight of Dijon To morrow at five in the evening by the row of Walnut-Trees near the foot of Talon-Fort
have urg'd them to a present Quarrel had noâ—â—ome Friends interpos'd In the mean time Potosti possessed the Parents of Hilaria as much as Rabatski did the Heart of the Maid and caused them to forbid her his Company and by an Acquaintance of Potosti's sent Rabatski word that they desir'd he would forbear his Courtship to their Daughter which was very displeasing to them and for the future he would avoid their House to prevent any farther incivility that might be offer'd to him This so incens'd Hilaria against Potosti that as she shunn'd his Company and all Converse with him so she diligently sought all Opportunities to see or write to her belov'd Rabatski Potosti daily saw by what secret Practices his Rival advanced himself in the Affections of Hilaria and not being longer able to bear her rigorous Contempts resolv'd to rid himself of his Competitor by a private and bloody Revenge whereupon he caus'd him to be watch'd Night and Day and at length understood his usual walk was by Night up and down before Hilaria's House Potosti like to a Jealous Person who seeks nothing more eagerly than that which he is least willing to find went in the Evening and hid himself near the House with his Friend Leoline and one of his Men a lusty tall Fellow whose Courage and Fidelity he much trusted Loâ—g had they not lain in Ambuscade before Rabatski came accompanied with his Friend Farnel to walk their accustom'd Round when at certain signs which he made Hilaria appear'd at her Window with whom he entred into Discourse whilst Farnel being a little wide from them gave 'em time and liberty to talk What Furies of Jealousie did then invade the Breast of Impatient Potosti then was the time the Appetite of Vengeance seiz'd him and that he intended to Cut his Rival in pieces who to his disadvantage was thus favour'd by his Mistress upon which he commanded his Man to set upon Farnel whilst Leoline and he wou'd Chastise the Insolence of Rabatski At this they all three started out at once and parting ran to Assayl their Adversaries Farnel soon laid the Servant at his Feet for dead and then ran to help Rabatski who having set his Back to a Wall by the advantage of a Shop warded the Blows and Thrusts which his Enemies made at him Farnel came furiously up and the first he met with at his Swords-point was Potosti whom surprizing behind as he was eagerly passing at Rabatski he ran his Sword into his Back up to the Hilt whereupon he fell dead to the ground Leoline receiv'd some slight wounds but secur'd his Life by a speedy Flight Farnel scap'd without any hurt but Rabatski was in danger of his Life by the great effusion of Blood from his several Wounds The People came out at the Noise of this Combat and found Potosti stark dead on the stones and his man some few steps from him yielding up the Ghost Rabatski was conducted to a Neighbour's House and a Surgeon sent for to dress his wounds but he swounded in such a manner that for a while they thought him dead but by the force of Remedies they brought him to himself again and after he was dress'd laid him into Bed In the mean while Leoline acquainted Potosti's Parents with the untimely Death of their Son and related the matter to his own Advantage telling them they were both treacherously assaulted by Rabatski and Farnel which took such impression that they believ'd all he said and immediately acquainted the Officers of Justice with the Murther who order'd that Rabatski and Farnel should be Apprehended and cast into Prison whereupon Rabatski was seiz'd and dragg'd to Prison without any respect to his weak Condition Farnel made his Escape in hopes to prove his own Innocency and his Friends by showing what they did was in their own Defence But the Case went quite otherways than he expected Potosti's Friends and Relations had that Power and Authority in the City of Vilna that in few days Rabatski was Arraign'd and Condemn'd to lose his Head The time of his Execution being come he was brought to the Scaffold and though he publickly protested his Innocence that he was not the Author of this Murther but Assaulted by the Treachery of Potosti and Leoline yet the Executioner was ready to give the fatal stroke when 〈◊〉 Farnel came thrusting into the Crowd and with an admirable Courage cry'd out Rabatski is Innocent and I only am Guilty of the Murther â—f Potosti and his Man and then with a clear and distinct Voice and a Countenance which ouâ—â—ray'd 〈◊〉 declar'd to the Magistratâ— who was present to see the Execution how all had pass'd Concluding That if â— Man must dye for defending his own Life he was there ready to offer his own Hâ—aâ— to Iustice to preserve his Friend All the Company were struck with Admiration to see this Generous Act and the People began to Mutiny Crying out Pardon Pardon resolving to kill all that oppos'd them rather than suffer the Execution to proceed any farther This Tumult grew very great But with difficulty was appeas'd by the Magistrate who promis'd the Cause should be heard over again and Judg'd according to Equity upon which they grew quiet and the two Friends were led to Prison The Palatine of Vilna heating of this Incomparable Generosity of Farnel went himself in Person to the Prison to visit these two Friends who both contested before him who should dye for his Fellow He heard the History of the two Lovers Rabatski and Hilaria and a particular Relation of all the Circumstances of the late Accident Leoliâ—e was then Examin'd and Confronted with them who by the Death of the Man and the Master and by the force of Truth was constrain'd to Acknowledge the Ambuscade and that they were Three against Two and that Farnel alone kill'd Potosti and his Servant Upon this Farnel pleaded the Cause for his own Death and the Safety of Rabatski with all the powerful Arguments a less Generous Friend could have us'd for the preservation of his Life urging That if to save his Friend from Violence was a Crime so hainous he alone deserv'd the Punishment Nay rather Glory Honour and Recâ—mpence replyed the Palatine and thereupon discharg'd them both from Prison and gave them their Pardons Leoline like a base and treacherous man was put into the same place and had been a Spectacle to the People on the same Scaffold had not his Friends by their Prayers and Intreaties obtain'd the Favour to have his doom chang'd into a Banishment for Seven Years The Palatine was not pleased only with saving the Lives of these two Friends but caus'd Rabatski to marry with Hilaria and procur'd a Wife for Farnel a Gentlewoman who was nearly Allyed to himself intreating these two Friends to receive him as a Third into their Incomparable Friendship This afterwards coming to the Ears of the King in favour of the Palatine they were both advanced to Honourable Employments
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
save his Fathers life but it would not be accepted so the next day he was hang'd having first freely forgiven his Son and ask'd forgiveness of him for his Mothers murder As for Augustino after this infamous death of his Father he remov'd from Rome and return'd to his Grandfather Spondy who received him with many demonstrations of joy and affection and at his death made him sole Heir of all his Goods and Estate Tho' the Vengeance of Heaven may seem to sleep for a time it still keeps a watchful eye over the impenitent offender The perverseness of Spondy causes disobedience in Servia which is punish'd by the bloody cruelty of her Husband whose barbarous Murther Heaven at last revenges by the hand of his unknown Son Augustino HIST. XVI Morosino and Imperia Imperia in Love with Morosino causes him and his Companions Astonicus and Donato to stifle her Husband Palmerius in his Bed The Murther is discovered by Morosino's Gloves for which they are all apprehended and executed IN the famous City of Venice lived a young Gentleman called Seignior Angelo Morosino who in Company of Seignior Astonicus and Seignior Donato Embarqu'd for the Islands of Corfu and Zant and after a short stay there were bound for Constantinople but by the way forc'd by a Storm they put into the Harbour of Ancona which belongs to the Pope In which place being oblig'd to stay by contrary Winds the three Merchants out of Devotion went up to Loretto where having spent two dayes in visiting the Holy Chappel on the third early in the morning Morosino leaving his â—riends in Bed went to Mass where at her Devotion he saw a young Lady incomparably fair at whose sight he was so enflam'd with Affection to her that he could willingly resign all the Powers and Faculties of Soul and Body to her Service Mass being ended he followed her out of the Chappel and seeing her only attended with a Waiting Woman and a Lacquey with great Respect and Civility offer'd his Service to wait upon her home and after several Complements which passed between them obtain'd the favour to take her by the Hand and gracefully conducted her to her Fathers House whose name was Seignior Hiâ—râ—nimo Bondino and she his only Daughter Dona Imperia Morosino at the door took his leave though she courâ—â—ously invited him in and beg'd the Honour to wait upon her in the Afternoon whispering in her Ear that so great was the present Violence of his Passion to her that he fear'd he should not be able to acquit himself with that decency as became a Cavalier to a Person of her Merits and Quality In the Afternoon he made his visit to her acquainted her with his Name and Quality his intended Voyage to Constantinople but chiefly with his constant Resolution to seek her in Marriage both of her self and her Father and so expert was he in the Art of Love that in three weeks time the Winds continuing contrary he made her many Visits and amorous Courtships and at last obtain'd her Consent to be his Wife at his return from Constantinople He then address'd himself to her Father Bondino who was so averse to it that neither his Intreaties and Perswasions or her Tears and Prayers could melt his heart into a better Temper Morosino now acquaints his two Friends Astonicus and Donato with his Affection to Imperia and brings them next Morning to see her they highly commend his Choice and use all their Endeavours to gain Bondino's Consent but he is so resolutely obstinate that no Arguments can in the least affect him This grieves the two Lovers to the Heart to see they must now be parted for the Master of the Ship had sent word that the Wind now blowing fair he should with all Expedition weigh Anchor and set Sail for Corfu Morosino seeing the necessity of his departure again moves Bondino for his Consent but he proves inexorable when going to bid Imperia Adieu he sacredly Vows to live unmarried till his Return which shall be within a year and then to marry her and as a Pledge of his Fidelity and Constancy presents her with a rich Diamond Ring from his Finger and she him with a fair Bracelet of Orient Pearl as a sign of their mutual Contract to which Astonicus and Donato are both Witnesses This done they took Horse for Ancona and presently Embarqu'd for Corfu and Constantinople Bondino three months after provides her another Husband old Seignior Palmerius a rich Merchant of Ancona at least sixty years of Age and withal of a deform'd Personage and morose and sullen Temper but this old Dotard is so taken with Imperia's Youth and Beauty and the encouragement he received from Bondino that he comes to his House and makes down-right Love to her In the Interim her Father had charg'd her to receive him with all Respect and accept his Affections which with Tears in her Eyes she flatly told him she could not Obey she was fixt already and would marry no Person but Morosino Bondino with Fury in his Face told her he expected no other answer but her dutiful Complyance with his Commands and in a Passion left her to the Company of old Palmerius who enter'd at the same time and with all the kind Expressions he was Master of offer'd her the intire command of himself and his Fortunes in Exchange for her Love and Affection She told him If this was all his Errand she did assure him she neither would nor could dispose of that which was already in the possession of another and so left him to his own Meditations Palmerius returned to Ancona but two months after to the great Joy of Bondino made a second Visit and now both day and night they importune Imperia to consummate the Marriage and to that purpose her Father gives her good Words and Palmerius rich Gifts and Presents but she will neither hear the one nor accept the other however Palmerius grows obstinate in his Suit and her Father resolute in his Commands to avoid which she locks her self up in her Chamber and concludes that her only preservation can be in the Company of Morosino whose Return she earnestly desires and accordingly furnishes Seignior Mercario her faithful Friend with Gold for his Journey and this Letter to her beloved Morosino Imperia to Morosino COuld you measure my Affections by my Sorrow for your Absence you could hardly tell whether I love or grieve more for I am assur'd that all the Seas between Ancona and Constantinople are not able to wash away your Memory from my Heart and Soul Nor can the Sands of the Shore compare in Number with those Sighs and Tears I daily offer to you If then I am as dear to you I heartily beg you will leave Constantinople and come to Loretto for my Father Bondino is ready to force me to leave my young Morosino for old and wither'd Palmerius Iudge now how unkind you will be to send an Excuse and not bring your self Farewell my Dear
to the great Trouble and Discontent of his Daughters Alcasero is now returned from Naples to Otranto and his two Sisters acquaint him with the severity of their Father's Humour towards them and desire him to intercede for them who dealt so effectually with his Father that he told him he had provided the Baron of Carpi for Fidelia and the Knight Montâ—leon for Celestina and that in fifteen days they would come over to see them at which the young Ladies were extreamly pleased Within the time appointed these two Noblemen come and are assoon misliked Carpi being Crookbackt and Monteleon lame of a Leg Benevente receives and entertains them nobly whilst his Daughters treat them with Frowns and Disdain he tells them plainly they shall marry these and no other the Father presses them and the Noblemen importune them to confirm the Contracts but they plainly answer they neither can nor will force their Affections to comply with all his unreasonable Commands The young Ladies are very much dissatisfied with their Father's Perverseness who they think usurps too much upon the freedom of their choice by his positive and rigorous Orders This at length bred ill bloud and they begin to hate him which Fidelia first discovers to her Sister in her Complaints That for her part since her Father is so resolute she had rather see him laid in his Grave than be forced by him to marry that Man she cannot affect Celestina declared her self of the same Opinion adding withal that the sooner he was dispatched the better Thus they conclude his death and as to the manner of it after many Consultations they think it most safe to engage Carpi and Monteleon to effect it To this end they now change the Scene and pretend to love those they mortally hated which so pleases the two Noblemen that with much urgency they importune them to Marriage but they told them it was impossible so long as their Father lived for though he seemed to countenance and encourage them in their Suit yet he had given them express Commands not to love them which was the true reason of that Slight and Disrespect they had all along received them with The Noblemen were taken in the trap and never considered the Treachery of those deceitful and bloudy minded Ladies but joyntly engage themselves in a short time to remove him who was the mistaken Subject of their Hate and his Daughters Disobedience Capt. Benevente used often after Dinner to ride to his Vineyard and now and then to a neighbouring Village Carpi and Monteleon took their â—acquies Lorenzo and Anselmo and disguising themselves set upon him at the corner of a Wood with their Swords and Pistols attended only with his Servant Fiamenti whom after they had murdered they carried their Bodies to the top of an adjacent Hill and threw them down into a deep Quarry full of thick Bushes and Brambles Then they consulted of their Flight Carpi took Post to Naples and Monteleon with his Lacquey rode to Brundusium but on the way Monteleon's Horse fell down dead under him and he was forced to dismount his Lacquey and ride his horse leaving him to follow after a-Foot At length near the Village Blanquettelle he met with a swift Ford passable only with Horses which constrained him to take up his Lacquey Anselmo behind him but in the midst of the Water his Horse stumbled and so violent was the Torrent of the River that before they could recover themselves they were both drowned By this time Benevente and his Man were both missing and not to be heard of Alcasero who was now at Naples was acquainted with it by his Sisters and grievously laments for fear any mischief should have befallen him promising great rewards to any person who could give intelligence of him After five dayes search and no news of him his Daughters with all the counterfeit Passions of Sorrow begin to suspect he is murthered by his Servant Fiamenti who alone went out with him and had not since been heard of Alcasero's Grief was as real as theirs was feigned and left nothing unattempted that might lead to a discovery but all had hitherto been in Vain when it happened one day that some Gentlemen who were hunting the Stag near Alpiata he being now tyred with a long pursuit ran for Shelter in to the Quarry among the Bushes whither the Hunters following him they discovered two dead Bodies which the Crows had pitifully mangled and approaching nearer they knew them by their Cloaths to be Benevente and his Man Fiamenti which they gave Alcasero and his Sisters notice of the Bodies were brought to Otranto that night in a Coach where they were the same Evening interred with as much decency as the short time would allow but with Floods of Tears from Alcasero whilst his two Sisters wept like Crocodiles Next day News came that Monteleon and his Lacquey were both drowned which added yet more to the satisfaction of these bloody Sisters who heartily wished that Carpi and his Lacquey might meet with the same Fate Six weeks were now past since the Funeral of Benevente when Alcasero began to think it strange that Carpi came not to condole with him for his Fathers Death and renew his Suit to his Sister which made him entertain some jealous thoughts though at the same time he had no probable ground of Suspicion But about a Month after Carpi having heard nothing of the Premises sends a Lacquey over to Fidelia at Otranto with this Letter Carpi to Fidelia THere are some reasons for which I have not lately seen Otranto what they are none can better imagine than your self when thy Sorrows are overblown I will come to thee having now given thee so true and real a proof of my Affection that thou canst not in Iustice ever doubt thereof I pray signifie to me how thy Brother stands affected towards me Thy Answer shall have many kisses and I will ever both honour and bless the hand that writ it Carpi The Lacquey comes to Otranto delivers the Letter to Fidelia and requests her Answer But she was now wholly altered from her former Resolutions a deep Melancholly seiz'd her even to despair she hated all Company was afraid of her own Shadow and thinks every House will fall upon her Head this makes her forsake her Devotion look pale and gastly in which condition at the Importunity of Carpi's Lacquey she returned this Answer Fidelia to Carpi MY Fathers Death hath altered my Disposition for I am wholly addicted to Mourning and not to Marriage I pray trouble not your self to come to Otranto for the best Comfort I can receive is that it is impossible for me to receive any I never doubted thy affection nor will give thee cause to fear mine for I am resolved either to marry thee or my Grave How my Brother stands affected I cannot tell but I think he neither loves thee for my sake nor my self for Thine Live thou as happy as I fear I
shall dye miserable Fidelia Having sent away this Letter she is now again distracted in her Thoughts which her Brother and Friends endeavour to remove by good Counsel but all in vain since they are ignorant of the true cause thereof In a word she grows weary both of the World and her Life and would kiss that hand would kill her having her Father's Murther always in her mind which was so terrible to her that she resolved to lay violent hands on her self rather than endure the tormenting pains of an evil Conscience To this end she took Poyson but that would not work she sought her Knife and Penknife but finding neither she bolted fast her Chamber door and tying one of her Silk Garters to the Tester of the Bed there hanged her self Dinner being served in Alcasero and Celestina call for their Sister Fidelia when one of the Servants going to her Chamber brought word that the Key was on the outside and the door bolted within yet she answered not Whereupon Alcasero ordered the door to be broke open where entring he saw his Sister Fidelia hanging to the Bedâ—tead dead and her Body coal black and horribly stinking at which sight they were all affrighted The Officers of Justice being first acquainted with his dreadfull Accident gave leave that the Body should be taken down and privately buried in the Garden Return we now to Carpi who having received Fidelia's Letter wonders at the Contents but resolves to second his first with this ensuing Letter Carpi to Fidelia HAd not thy last forbid me to pay those Respects due to thy Merit and my Affection I had seen Otranto on purpose to comfort my Fidelia though were matters rightly weighed I have more reason to sorrow than thy self yet I hope I am far from Despairing Endeavour to love thy self and not hate me so shalt thou draw Felicity out of Affliction and I Security out of Danger Let thy second Letter give me half so much Ioy as thy first did Grief and then shall I rejoyce more than I now lament Carpi This Letter was brought by Fiesco one of Carpi's Lacquies who coming to Otranto as he walked in the Court before the House was spyed by Alcasero who sent to know whose Servant he was but he refused to give any account Alcasero ordered him to be carried down into the Cellar where he was plentifully entertained with Wine and invited to Dinner but would neither by intreaties nor threats be prevailed upon to discover himself Alcasero told him he saw him there fifteen days ago but Fiesco is silent Alcasero then offered him twenty Ducats to disclose himself and his business This took and the Lacquey told him he belonged to Carpi and had a Letter from him to Fidelia which he delivers to Alcasero and thereby his suspicion of Carpi for his Father's death revives but knowing silence is one main point to make out such a Discovery he bid the Lacquey stay that night and he would give him his Answer next morning which was this Tell the Baron of Carpi thy Master that my Sister Fidelia is in another World and that I shortly resolve to see him at Naples and in the interim will keep his Letter Fiesco knowing his fault never returns to his Master and Alcasero minding his Promise speeds to Naples to the Criminal Judges there accuses Carpi for Benevente's Murther for which he is apprehended and adjudged to the Rack which torments he endured and still denied all so that the Court by publick Sentence clear him but Alcasero will not for after six months time when Carpi was sound in his Limbs again by Plantinus he sent him this challenge Alcasero to Carpi ALthough the Law hath cleared thee for my Father's Murther yet my Conscience cannot and I should be a Monster of Nature not to seek Revenge for his Death who gave me Life and Being Wherefore I request thee to meet me at Eight to morrow after Supper at the West end of the Common Vineyard where I will attend thee with a couple of Rapiers the choice whereof shall be thine If thou wilt make use of a Second he shall not depart without meeting one to exchange a Thrust or two with him Alcasero Upon Receipt hereof Carpi was in doubt with himself what to do but at last bid Plantinus tell him That though he had not deserved his Malice yet he accepted his Challenge but would fight single being unprovided of a Second The morning is now come and both Carpi and Alcasero met in the field where it was Carpi's fortune to have the day by leaving Alcasero speechless and as he supposed dead in the field but by the great Care and Skill of his Chirurgion he was at last cured of his Wounds and lived to see his Father's Murther discovered and the Assassins punished Assoon as Alcasero was recovered of his Wounds he returned to Otranto where Celestina did now more triumph for Carpi's freedom than before she trembled at his Imprisonment So that now being out of fear she marries a noble young Gentleman with whom she had lived above six Weeks but Lorenzo Carpi's Page who had his Masters Pocket at pleasure to keep secret Benevente's Murther grows debauched lewd and dissolute and being one day sent on an Errand by his Master he observed a Gentlewoman to pull out a Purse of Gold wherein were five and twenty Ducatoons in Gold which he stole from her and being taken in the fact was the next day convicted and adjudged to be hang'd Carpi was strangely surprized to hear this News went to Prison to him and promised if he would not reveal the business he was concerned in he would be a faithful and constant Friend to his Mother and Brothers Lorenzo promised secrecy but being brought to the Gallows upon the Ladder confesses that he and the Baron of Carpi his Master together with Monteleon and Anselmo had murthered Benevente and his Man Fiamenti and threw them into the Quarry the which he took upon his Death was true and so was turn'd off Lorenzo being thus hanged Carpi is apprehended who being put to the Rack discovers the Murther in every particular as Lorenzo had done adding withal that Celestina and her dead Sister Fidelia drew them into it protesting they had never done it but at their Requests Upon which he was condemned to have his right hand cut off first and then his Head Which done Celestina was seized at a Wedding making merry with her Friends and committed to Prison who understanding the former Confessions and Executions confessed the whole and so was judged to have her Head cut off her Body burnt and her Ashes thrown into the Air which the next day was performed accordingly Oh wicked and bloody Daughters of unhapy Benevente If Murther is a Scarlet Sin Parricide is a Crime so much of a deeper Die as the indispensable Duty to our Parents is above our common Respect to our Neighbours HIST. XIX Dario and Cleandra Coligni seeks Cleandra in
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
Innocence and Vertue you have basely betrayed obliges me to demand satisfaction of you as I am a Gentleman and a Soldier I am engaged by the honour of both to relieve the distressed for which and no other Reason I expect you alone at five to morrow morning on Horseback with Sword and Pistol in the Field next the North-gate without the Wall where the Courage of my Heart and Iustice of my Cause shall make you as infamous in your Death as you have been vitious in your Life Polyntus The Captain receiv'd this Challenge with Wonder and Surprize inquir'd of the Footman who his Master was but he being instructed to the contrary told him he had no Orders to resolve any Questions but return with his Answer which the Captain with some trouble and disorder told him he should have and bid him acquaint his Master he would not fail to meet him upon the Word of a Gentleman and Reputation of a Soldier at the time and place appointed These Champions met accordingly and the Female Warriour without any Compliment discharg'd a Pistol which wounded the Captain in the left Shoulder upon which he immediately desir'd a Parley and promis'd the present payment of a hundred Pistols to compose the Quarrel which Olivia accepted of and an hour after received them at his Quarters and then discovered her self For the bravery of this Action Olivia was highly commended of all and the Captain so scorn'd and flouted that he immediately quitted his Command and retir'd into the Country to a private Life The Count made very good advantage of Captain Cassels Disgrace and so well improv'd it that the Governour reflecting on the Debauchery of the Captain which was so notoriously apparent began to think the Count innocent of his Aspersions and Cloissa truly Vertuous upon which he soon after took off her restraint but still watch'd her Behaviour with an observing Eye This the Count was sensible of which made them both so cautious to prevent new Fears and Jealousies in the Husband that they never durst exchange a Smile or one Amorous Glance but by stealth and all their present Delights were but the empty effects of exalted imagination A Month after the Governour appointed a Mask and invited the Count his principal Officers and several Gentlemen of the Town who all came in Masquerading Habits The Count had notice of it a Week before and withal from Cloissa that her Husband had strictly charg'd her to keep her Chamber that night for he did not think it proper she should appear since he had only design'd the Entertainment for Gentlemen nor was there any of her Sex to be admitted This was a great affliction to Cloissa who had some hopes by the advantage of her Disguise to have had a more private Converse with the Count which she saw her self now wholly debarr'd from The Count having considered the Circumstances of time and place communicated his design to an intimate Acquaintance and desir'd him to be there drest in the same Habit exactly with himself but to stand in a Corner where he might not be taken notice of with a Cloak on and not to appear till he gave him his Q. to enter After two hours Diversion they were all conducted into the Dining-Room where they had a noble and splendid Entertainment and pulling off their Masks paid their mutual Respects to one another The collation being over they return'd to the Hall and the Count withdrew to his Friend where he put on his Cloak and sent him into the Hall to Masquerade his Person who was so like him in the Proportion of his Body Stature and Habit that the most critical Eye could not distinguish him The Count was immediately conducted to Cloissa's Apartment by Lydia her Woman where the Lovers feasted their longing desires in the unbounded Joys of their Adulterous and Lascivious Passions In the midst of their Pleasures above the Footmen and Servants were Revelling in Drunkenness below whereby their Carelesness and Neglect of their Flambeaux the Room was fir'd which burnt so furiously that in an instant Cloissa's Chamber which was over-head was in a bright Flame before they were sensible of it The Gentlemen in the Hall were strangely surprized with the lowd Outcryes of Fire and as little able to assist in the extinguishing the Flames as their drunken Servants but each made hast away to preserve him self The Count and Cloissa by the Care and Diligence of Lydia had more early notice of the Danger and almost choak'd with the Smoak with great difficulty got down the back Stairs and thus they all three sav'd-themselves from the rage of the devouring Flames No sooner were they got safe into the Court but the Roof fell down and the Count spreading his Cloak over Cloissa who was in her Night Gown carried her to his Coach and with her and Lydia went to his Friends Lodgings who had personated him in the Hall who presently came in in great Horror and Affright believing the Count who he knew was in Cloissa's Chamber had been burnt with her for the Report at the House was that Cloissa and her Maid had both suffer'd in the Flames The next day the Count disposed Cloissa and Lydia to a private Lodging three miles off in the Country where he made his constant Visits to her and without controul indulg'd himself in her lustful Arms and the dissolute Pleasures of her Adulterous Bed The Governour her Husband sadly lamented her Loss and continued in close Mourning for her a Twelvemonth after which she often had the pleasure to see and smile at as often as she met him in the Streets where she never appear'd in her Coach but with her Mask on Thus they continued for two years riotous in their Pleasures only then most happy when in their close Embraces they were most luxuriously wicked till at last the Countess was privately acquainted with the Amours of her Husband which he had so secretly manag'd that the Lady was yet undiscover'd It happened one day that the Count being ready to go abroad to make his customary Visits to his Mistress the Countess earnestly intreated him to stay within adding she was not ignorant of his secret Pleasures which she with more Passion than Prudence charg'd him withal The Count highly inrag'd told her he should not forget her Insolence nor should her Prayers or Tears prevail with him though all the Devils in Hell oppos'd him in the way at which he clapt Spurs to his Horse and rid on with full speed But had not gone above two miles before his Horse threw him and his Foot hanging in the Stirrup dragg'd him along the Road till he had beat out his Brains and coming to Cloissa's Lodgings stopt at the door who soon saw the wretched and deplorable end of her Unhappy and Adulterous Lover The Countess had presently notice of the miserable Death of her Husband and in her Coach went directly to Cloissa's Lodgings where his mangled Body lay and