Christian Lady to assist me with your counsell and generous effects Fenise having heard this discourse setting aside complements told him that he must put Eufemie into mans apparell Mahomet did it incontinently then seising upon many stones and a good quantity of sequines with the aide and assistance of his faithfull slave which he tooke with them he abandoned himself to the faith and conduct of Fenise They went together to get the gate open where they stood in need of no small credit for there is a marvellous care observed in keeping the gates of this Town but the Officers and Porters knowing the Bacha and Subbacha believed that they were going to execute some command of the Kings as they told them they were going to seise upon a great booty which Nazouf had concealed with design to frustrate the King of his right and for this cause they took with them these men which accompanied them and particularly this slave which knew where the riches were hidden in saying so they shewed him that fell into the Mine This dissimulation agreed very well with the imprisonment of Nazouf which every one already knew so that the gate was freely opened unto them besides Mahomet being the Kings favourite they durst not doubt of what he said The Bacba being out of the Town whereof the gate was incontinently shut after them took notice of the company which were with Fenise fearing that so great a number might cause some confusion in their enterprise he prayed our Cavalier to rid himself of these people and send them back againe but Fenise assured him of them and prayed him to take care for nothing but to follow him and confide in him and in those that accompanyed him Thereupon they came near the vessell Fenise called to those that guarded it for he had informed himself of their names when he visited it presently Fenise and his unknown troope entered which were courteously received by the Mariners if there can be any courtesie amongst those people They were scarcely entred when by the ayd and intelligence of some of those of the ship which Fenise had gained or rather suborned with money and fair promises they seised upon all the Moores which were in the ship and disarmed them they loosed the captives which were at the oares and put the Moores in their places making them also to prove the strange changes of fortune This being done without provision of victuals or arms but what they found in the ship Fenise cut the cord that held the vessell to the port and by force of arms they got out of the shallow roade into the main sea The women were put into the best room of the vessell where they entertained themselves with their prodigious adventures their long captivity and the hopes they had shortly to see again their dear country Spaine and there to enjoy the sweet repose of life In the interim Fenise Frederick and Mahomet with the two slaves that is to say he they found in the Mine he belonging to Mahomet which he had brought with him being guilty of the death of the King of Algiers cosen were all upon the watch as well to see if they were followed as to make the Moores whom they had chained to row with all their force that they might get away the sooner The day being come Fenise regarding all those in the vessell considered the fashion and carriage of the slave of the Mine admiring that his fortune had served her self of so strange a means to give him his liberty by considering of him he judged him to be of some noble birth and in this imagination he came to him praying him to content his curiosity and let him know how he had been taken by these Barbarians and made slave and by what happy accident he was falne into the mine there to finde his liberty Then this unknown with a modest smile testifying his willingnesse to satisfie the desire of Fenise begunne his history with this honest Complement speaking in the Castilian tongue Generous Cavalier I would willingly beseech you to dispence with me for this obedience the recitall you command me to make requireth so much patience and time to hear it and there are so many sad and tragique accidents therein that I am affraid you will be much troubled before I shall be at the middle thereof or that the end will make you extreamely melancholique Yet since it is your pleasure I will begin this sad discourse to finish it when you command me silence THE HISTORIE OF DON JAME THere is a famous and rich Town in the Kingdom of Catalogne called Leride It pleased Heaven about twenty four years agone to let me be born there of a noble Family and of good reputation the greatest part of those who are far from their Country speak in this manner of their extractions although very often one may know their lying but whosoever will inform himself of my Line when we shall arrive at the Port if God conduct us thither shall finde my words true The excesses of youth which very few men escape carried away my Father to lascivious affections from whence I had a bastard Brother he was of appearance good enough but of ill effects My Father caused him to be brought very young into the arms of my Mother to bring him up which was an action more rash then civill She was more charitable then she ought to have been for Wives sometimes are guilty of the faults of their Husbands not that they love them but because in supporting their first debauches they give occasion for seconds She took as great care to bring him up as if he had been her proper child neverthelesse she loved him but as a stranger I had some few years more then he but although I was in an age of innocence I was as indifferent to my Father as if I had not been his child or to say better as odious to see as an enemy There are Fathers that have lesse humanity then savage beasts he loved Lucian as much as he hated me this was the name of this bastard brother I cannot better exaggerate the affection which he bore him then in saying so We had a Sister which was a little younger then we but advantagiously fair and we were all three brought up at the same place our Fathers house During our infancy Lucian and I were almost alwayes in debate but being but for slight things our dissentions were incontinently appeased sometimes for fear of our Father and sometimes for fear of being punished by those who had care of our educations But when we had attained to the age of twenty yeares he became more audacious and I more cholerick he envied the demonstrations of amity which my mother used towards me and I was as envious of the affection my Father bore him these favours gave him a licentious liberty liberty boldnesse and boldnesse insolence to doe so many evill actions that he got the reputation of a
believed you are dead I do not so much marvell at this accident as I am troubled with the trouble we shall presently bring to the Feast when you shall make your self known which we must go about to do wisely and promptly for feare of a great disorder You have more cause to praise Persinde than to blame her since that he might have done this action sooner without any scruple of conscience and having attended untill this time she hath given you leasure to come to oppose the last execution Frederick approving these judicious reasons although he had his spirit much confused they entred into the hall where the assembly was covering their faces to see secretly the countenance of the future Bride and to know him which pretended to enter into the place of Frederick they put themselves into a corner standing upon a bench where certain people looked over the heads of others The first persons that Fenise cast his eyes upon as being in the place most eminent was Don Lovis his dear friend he who was the unknown sonne of Frederick and Leonard brother of Eufemie the Cavalier with whom he had made friendship after they had fought together near Valence as we have said before in the first book They were near the one to the other and with a Cavalier which Fenise could not see well enough to know but whom he judged to be of great condition as well by his rich habits as also because he took place of the other two Frederick nor Fenise knew not which was the pretended Bridegroom they demanded of one of those that was mounted upon the bench near who being as ignorant as they shewed them Don Lovis saying that it was he and that he was a stranger Fenise was much astonished at this prodigious encounter yet scarcely believed what this man had told him because of the inequalitie of their ages for he could not have more than twenty fix yeares and the woman might not onely have been his mother after the common manner of speaking but was indeed truly so Then he made a new experience of the â—ertue of Gold which makes conformity amongst things where there is no proportion In the interim Frederick ignorant of the thoughts of Fenise raised himself upon his toes attempting to see the pretended Widow he saw a troope of Ladies set in a circle but he could not distinguish his wife because they were all so brave and shining with stones then casting his eyes upon him they sayd should be her husband he was astonished at his great youth the more he considered all these things the more he was filled with confusion yet he said nothing leaving the conduct of this affair to the prudence of Fenise his spirit was moved with a thousand seâ—erall propositions which he made to himselfe to resolve how he should govern himselfe to declare the lawfull impediment of this Marriage without being the cause of some great dissention which seemed to be inevitable in this businesse In the end he found an invention to doe it without scandall He turned towards Frederick and told him that for to make this enterprise proceed happily he would advise him to return to the Inne to fetch the three Ladies who were there making them take their best attires and put their Mants upon them that is a great vail which the women have in Spain which they carry upon their heads which covereth all their bodies unto their heels also to pray Don Jame and Don Geronime to accompany them and if they would to bring Charles with them being of their company and in the interim he would have a care to hinder the solemnity of the Marriage if they went about it whilst he made this little voyage Frederick who had no other will but that of Fenise whom he knew to be as much affectionated to his interests as himselfe went incontinently to satisfie his desire Fenise seeing himself alone would do an action of gallantry which is esteemed in Spaine upon such occasions he glided behind the spectators and came to the Violins prayed them to look to his cloak and sword then he put a piece of cypresse before his face entred into the middle of the Hall and inviting the future Bride to dance who did not refuse him although he was unknown caused a Galliard to be sounded where he made himselfe admired in many things for besides his being well clothed his proportion disposition and action in this exercise ravished the eyes and affections of all the Assembly who died with desire to know who he was at the end of the dance he let fall industriously his cypresse as if it had been against his will and presently Don Louis knew him Never man had greater excesse of joy without losing his life then this Cavalier then had his speech failed him but his arms expressed his gladnesse he ran to embrace him and held him locked unto his neck untill Leonard who also knew him came to take part of his contentment testifying that he was almost angry that he had not possessed this felicity the first Don Fenise knew not which of them to welcome the better he looked upon them and imbraced them both at the same time making them the most courteous and amiable demonstrations his heart could invent After all these actions he took them out of the middle of the Hall and whilst the other Cavaliers and Dames of the Assembly were moved with this joy and devising together endeavouring to divine who it should be he spoke and testified to these two friends the astonishment which he had to finde them so happily at Cartagene and at the hour of his arrivall at Feasts and Nuptiall Solemnities which he esteemed said he as prodigious as joyfull for he yet believed that Don Louis was to marry her who brought him into the World To bring in the discourse which he had to hold him he prayed Leonard to permit him to entertaine Don Louis in particular and when he was retired he made him this discourse I believe that you are not ignorant that you are in the house of your Father this is it that hath given me an impatient desire to know by what meanes you came to the knowledge thereof At these words Don Louis made a gesture of admiration which was followed with this discourse My dear Fenise that which you tell me filleth me with as great aftonishment as your presence with joy so that although we have neither place nor time proper to make long discourses yet I have so great a desire to heare you explicate your self more clearly that for to oblige you thereunto I will presently satisfie your demand About two moneths after you was departed from Valence being revenged of the treachery of Don Jouan I went to Barcelone with intention to learn newes of Hipolite and see if there was means to remedy her sicknesse two dayes after my arrivall I learned of our friend Octave that her indisposition amended every day These newes animated
friend said I not daring to speak to her as a woman in the presence of this peasant you shall bee presently at your owne house saying so this man and I tooke her up and carryed her to the house of a Cavalier my intimate friend called Don Jovan de Valazquez This was not without much paine and apprehension of being met by the Justices who made their walk at that houre This Cavalier had a Sister who in charitie took an extreame care of Laure whilst I went to seek Chirurgeon to whom I payed as much for his crecy as cure as I had done to him that helped me to carry her The Chirurgeon having taken away a handkerchief which I had put in her wound to stay the bloud did carefully dresse it but he could not yet give us any hope of her recovery Behold Poleron how rudely Fortune used mee she was not onely content to deprive me of all sorts of goods but also of all my hopes thereof In the interim the absence of Laure being perceived all her Fathers house was in an uproare but the brute passed not the doores as well because the honour of a family is in danger of Shipwrack when it is tossed by the windes of popular mouthes as also to make way the better to the revenge her Brothers hoped to take thinking by this silence to take away all apprehension to their enemy They incontinently perswaded themselves that there was none in the towne capable of the Ravishment of Laure but my selfe for they knew well that I served her and that she had some inclination to mee so that they were resolved to pull out my heart and seek me even to the center of the Earth if I should be there This project was not so secretly kept but it came to the knowledge of one of their servants whom I had obliged with divers presents who came to give me advice thereof At her first seeing me she demanded where Laure was and I being afraid of a double intelligence from those that are for them will give most counterfeited to be astonished faigning to know nothing of her absence shee who was discreet enough pressed me no further Well well sayd she in what place soever she is doe not often frequent her for her brothers have espies to trappe you both together and take away your lives at the same time If you bee wise get away from this place otherwise you are in danger to be slaine doe not neglect my counsell I desiring to conserve my selfe more for the consideration of Laure than mine own went to Cigarales which are the chiefest Farmes belonging to the Citizens of Toledo and lived in the house of a Farmer who before had served in my fathers house I much desired to hear newes from Laure and to let her hear from me but I durst not confide in any one And although I had no great cause to be in paine for her having left her in such hands yet I could not continue long time where I was being ignorant in what estate she was A heart that wants that which it desireth is in perpetuall inquietude I knew not whether I was dead or alive so that to know certainely the estate of my life it was necessary that I should search â—fter newes of that of Laure. I went disguised to Toledo where I was scarcely arrived when I perceiâ—ed the younger brother of Oliban who saw me and â—ollowed me doubting it was I I made many â—urns one way and another to try if he looked after â—â—e but seeing that in truth he had discovered me was constrained to leave the town onely passing â—efore the house of Don Joüen the keeper of the â—easure of my felicity not very well satisfied â—eing all the doores shut up fearing that some evill â—â—d befalne Laure. I was not gone farre from Toâ—â—do when turning my selfe I perceived three men â—ding full gallop after mee I imagined that these men had a designe upon me therefore I went into the next thicke wood to hide my felfe from them being behind a very thicke tuft I saw them passe by me very much troubled having lost the sight of me they looked here and there doubting what to doe And because I was not in too secure a place I went amongst the rockes knowing it rather desperatenesse then valour to attend their comming where perceiving my selfe amongst so many precipices and not knowing which way to avoid them I lighted and left my horse at hazard I had wandred amongst the rockes almost two houres searching the refuge of some shephards cabin when I so happily found you neere the fountaine where I was catched by mine enemies whilest you went to fetch me habits to disguise my selfe Fenise thus could his history to Poleron when when the Judge of the towne assisted by the Pregnotory and serjeants came into the house hee had beene told that Fenise was arrived in that towne in other cloathes and that he was some spy disguised addressing himselfe to him with an action fierce and barbarous told him that he was the Kings prisoner Fenise astonished at these words asked him the cause the house said the Judge thinking he had demanded the house whither he would carry him prisoner continuing to speake upon this conceipt you are pleasant said he to enquire of mâ— the house whither I will carry you you shall goâ— whither I please I here represent the King obey away to prison He was so cholerique and spake sâ— fast that his words stumbled one upon another theâ— made so much hast to get out of his mouth if Fenise was astonished at his arrivall he was now altogether confused but using prudence he endeavoured to moderate the too violent motion of this rustique magistrate he told him he did not aske for the house whither he would have him but the reason of his imprisonment the which instead of appeasing him provoked him the more in such manner that he went to have layd hold of this infortunate Cavalier if the Pregnotory had not told him that he ought not to proceede with so much incivility against a gentleman the Judge being thereupon freshly angred fell to cuffs with the Pregnotory untill the blood came from both their noses This little tragy-comedy did not at all please Fenise for having beene acted upon his occasion he feared to pay the charges thereof by some rude useage Poleron being of the same opinion counselled Fenise to suffer this brute to doe what he would assuring him to take him presently out of his power he confiding in this suffered himselfe to be taken prisoner They put him in the same prison where the young man was that the judge had taken the same day that Fenise was hurt and who had suffered him to lye there without questioning him expecting a fitt occasion to send him to Toledo knowing himselfe not capable enough to forme a processe of so high a nature By the light of a lampe they chained Fenise as a criminall of
state to the other end of the beame whereunto the first was tyed who was very glad to have a companion to entertaine himselfe with Whilst they were tying Fenise the other attentively regarded him thinking that hee knew him and when they were alone without light he disguising his voice demanded of our Cavalier the cause of his imprisonment my misfortune is the onely cause answered Fenise for I doe not believe that I have deserved this punishment by the tone of his voice the first prisoner confirmed himselfe in the opinion that he had that he knew Fenise yet he was so amazed with this strange incounter that being night he thought he dreamed when an infortunate person receives any contentment hee thinkes it an illusion Fenise had also the curiositie to enquire the misfortunes of his companion who answered him alwayes in a disguised voice You and I are of different opinions you say your ill fortune hath brought you hither I that my good fortune hath conducted me and rendred my captivitie a thousand times more deare to me then libertie I never heard any but you said Fenise say that paines were pleasant libertie troublesome imprisonment delightfull yet I esteeme my selfe happy answered the unknowne in regard I finde two sorts of contentment the one reall and the other in appearance and although the latter be not he that presumes it so doth not desire it lesse then the first so that I finde my prison lovely my chaines favours and my paines delightfull I am of the nature of those that love their captivitie The pearle conconserves and nourisheth it selfe in a prison of a shel the diamond formes it selfe in congealed dew the gold ingenders and augments by the Sun-beames in the Entrailes of the Earth and the soule which is the most perfect of all creatures next unto the angels doth so well please it selfe in the prison of humane bodies that she cannot quit them without great trouble the same cause have I to love my condition Love makes me finde delight in torments felicitie in misfortunes and pleasure amongst these paynes He answered Fenise hath no great experience of the effects of love that taketh his afflictions for contentments Alas love the world would be at quiet if it could avoid thy reaches and warrant it selfe from thy deceipts For my part I have a thousand times proved that all the evils that our miserie hath cast upon us in nature are found in him and without going about to tell them in particular I demand what tumult is there in the World which he causeth not What sedition which he stirreth not up Noyse which he makes not What feare which proceeds not from him He is the most cruell Enemy of men He betrayeth them under flattering appearances He makes them swallow poyson deliciously prepared in embracing them he kills them In brief he is of such a nature that there are none but those that know him not that esteem him therefore I wish that he may possesse the soule of him that is cause of my misfortunes it is the most rigorous vengeance that I can desire Fenise said this with so much vehemency that he thereby testified the passion which moved him and the force of his apprehensions whereupon his companion answered without doubt you loue in such a place where your affections are little regarded since that you speak so ill of him who hath been the cause of all the good that the Earth now possesseth that the World admireth and that Nature adoreth Love is the originall of our life He provides us nourishment without him the Earth would not bring forth those savoury fruits which serve us for food and without him men would have no communication together He peopleth Cities He governeth Common-wealths He is the Spring of Peace and Joy His effects are Force greatnesse of Courage Liberality and Courtesie He is the Father of boldnesse and Generosity And I could give you examples of all that I have told you in my proper person if I did not feare more to weary you by giving eare unto them then to tire my selfe by relating them In conclusion I maintain that there is nothing without love yea that he is among contrary Elements I doe not deny answered Fenise that Love hath all these properties but as no man is bound to say more then he knoweth of him I that have found in his Garden nothing but thornes and brambles I tell you what I have seen what I have experimented and what I have learned of himselfe I doe avouch that of all humane contentments there is none like the pleasures of a Lover who is beloved with a reciprocall Affection but this happinesse endureth so little that the happiest Lover can scarcely vaunt himselfe to be arrived at the beginning of his pleasure but at the same instant he loseth it Fenise and the unknowne Prisoner passed the rest of the night in this pleasant contestation the the one considering the miserable estate whereunto fortune had reduced him not being able to have newes from Laure the other satisfied with the favours of his destiny desiring alwayes to alledge the affliction of his companions but seeing that opportunity was not yet offered he determined to have patience and not to make himselfe known but to very good purpose As soon as it was day Poleron went to visit his Friend to confirme him in the assurance which he had given him to deliver him from the hands of that insolent and ignorant Judge Fenise thanked him for the care that he had of him and told him that he was happy in his misfortunes to be a prisoner with a man of so excellent a wit whose pleasant conversation had much diminished his sorrowes Poleron turned himselfe for to behold him but the Prisoner having seen him enter had turned his back against the light and lay halfe along upon the beam feigning to be asleep as well not to be in view as for to hearken if amongst their discourses he might finde any thing that might concerne him The two Friends believing that sleep had seized him begun to discourse together and amongst the discourses which they held Fenise did observe so many judicious reasons in Poleron that he found them to exceed the wit of a Shepherd as already he had seen other testimonies thereof Desiring then to content his curiosity he made him this discourse I might believe dear Poleron that you did not love me with a good heart if you should refuse to give me the clearing of an opinion which I have conceived and which doth trouble me Your Countenance your Courage your Actions and your Discourses agreeth so little with the birth of a Shepherd that I have imagined divers times either that you are not descended of the Line of these country Shepherds or that Heaven and Nature have taken a most particular care to forme your Body and Wit to render you worthy of a higher fortune then that of this habitation Truly answered Poleron I should
were invested by a Troope of men armed with Carabines who came to affront Leoncio He had an old quarrell against agreat Cavalier who had watched him to satisfie his hatred The Father of Hipolite who defyed his enemy kept himselfe upon his guard being alwaies accompanied with his Kinsmen and Friends as well as his adversary though not in so great number yet more valiant The contrary Troope seeing themselves the more sent three of their men to the Coach of Hipolite to seise upon her person whilst the rest set upon and pressed Leoncio who had left his Daughter to assist his party Most insolently they made this young Lady to quit her Coach and set her upon a Hackney and carryed her away as the most glorious Trophee they could take from their enemies By ill fortune I was not neare her at this time I stayed behinde devising with Octave of mine amorous adventures but as we drew towards the Towne wee saw coming the object of my contentment in the hands of her enemies Oh God! cryed Octave there is some great misfortune arrived see the Kinsmen of the enemy of Leoncio who carry away Hipolite let us returne behinde these bushes and get before them we did accordingly and put our selves in ambush in a certaine passage where whilst we attended them Octave told me the cause of the quarrell when they came to passe by us we ran upon them with our swords in our hands crying to me to me companions they are here feigning that we were a greater number wherewith they were so frighted that they left their conquest and fled except one which stayed upon the place to pay with his bloud and life for the insolence which he and his companions had committed After this action wee went to Hipolite whom we found half dead as well with the feare which she had of her enemies as that which we had caused her for she knew not that this was Octave and my self which had delivered her from her ravishers She was ravished with joy to see us but yet this gladnesse was mingled with displeasure she perceived a hurt which I had received upon the head without feeling it by reason of my action In the interim Leoncio assisted by the valour of his friends had on the other side given the chase to his enemies and being all come together againe Octave recited to him our good fortune thereupon Leoncio thinking himselfe obliged to me would needs have me taken care of in his house to the end to have more occasion to serve me I made him many complements yet neverthelesse I should haue been very sorry to have refused so advantagious a gratification since by that meanes I should have occasion to see more commodiously Hipolite But to my disgrace my hurt was too soone healed and as pleasures of this World dure but a short time so was I in civility forced to leave the abode of my affections and entertaine my desires as I did before Not long after I was told that there was a Cavalier of Barcelone called Don Vincence d' Aualois of eminent qualitie a handsome man of a commendable wit and rich condition who sought after Hipolite with designe to marry her He had not yet let her know of his affections but having acquainted her parents therewith he took liberty to publish them so farre as to compose verses upon the same subject to give her musick which was as troublesome to me as pleasing to others As one time amongst others I thought to enjoy the deare entertaine of Hipolite she having appointed me a certain houre to see her by a window whereof the iron bars had been often witnesses of the favors she had done me As I approached to this place followed by Octave we heard many instruments tuning which obliged us to stay it was Don Vincence who testified his esteeme of an Ebony Ring which Hipolite had worne and which he had got by craft from one of her servants having given her a gold chain in exchange This Consort was so melodious that another would have been charmed therewith but jealousie which beat me rendred this harmony so troublesome that I wanted not much of making an uproare in the street audaciously enterprising to trouble their mirth and chase the Muses from thence The prudent advice of Octave moderated mine anger he counselled me to attend untill DonVincence had made his serenade and after he was retired I might approach to Hipolite's Window I governed my selfe by his advice which succeeded happily Hipolite let me know by her discourses that although she had heard the musick she did not believe it was for her but for another Lady her neighbour the which contented me much In our discourses I represented unto her that I had served her foure yeares and that this constancy merited the performance of the promises she had made me Thereupon she answered that ingratitude never had commerce with her and that she was alwayes disposed to give me those satisfactions I could hope from my services that I was to finde an invention to get into the house and keep my self in Octaves chamber which being done she would take care for the rest As she gave me these instructions we heard some people in the street which obliged me to take leave of her and to retire my self with all the contentment that could be presumed from so glorious hopes I left her and went to search Octave in turning at the corner of the street I perceived that those who had made the brute which separated Hipolite â—nd me followed me I doubled my paces for fear of being known so that I lost them But having â—oo much pleasure in the conversation of Hipolite 〈◊〉 had let passe the houre that I had appointed to â—eet Octave at a Rendezvous that I had assigned â—im so that I found him not there which drave â—e almost into despaire seeing that I lost the most â—avourable occasion that Hipolite could ever present â—e And for to oppresse me with griefe when I â—aw Octave the next morning he told me the great complaint that she made of my negligence and that this was such an occasion as it might be I should not meet with in my whole life That for his part he could not assist me no more in such occasions because Leoncio had commanded him to go to certaine lands of his to make a receiver give an account that it was not permitted him to defer his departure that I must be silent and suffer untill his returne having none but him that could manage my good fortune He was a moneth absent during which time it was impossible for me to see Hipolite not for want of diligence or care but of occasion In the interim Don Vincense whose love increased pressed the father of Hipolite to resolve upon the proposition which he had made him Leoncio seeing a match so advantagious for his daughter and the equality of their conditions after having communicated it to his kindred and
friends promised the Cavalier what he desired without demanding the consent of her that had the most interest therein thinking it unnecessary to a daughter humble and obedient as Hipolite was for he did believe that her consent would always depend upon his Oh the great errors of Fathers to think that a vertuous daughter ought to be deprived of her choise and will In fine Leoncio told her no more of this affaire but that he had married her She was greatly surprised with so short an oration and obliging her Father to expresse himselfe a little more amply he told her the person admonished her to dispose her selfe to this new change of condition as also to put on her best ornaments and to look cheerfully for said he contentment is the most excellent paint wherewith a woman can beautifie her selfe Having thus perswaded her he left her but in stead of preparing her selfe for joy she abandoned her selfe to sighs and teares At that time I went often to her house as well for to seek some favourable moment to speake to her as for to learne if Octave was returned from his voyage The last time that I was there I saw at the doore many Lacquees in the same Livery this expence testified that they appertained to a Master of great condition I was astonished with this novelty and entring for to know the cause thereof I found Octave who was newly arrived who in stead of approaching me with joy looked so sadly upon me that he gave me cause to suspect that there was something to be done to my prejudice I saluted him in embracing him and asked him the explication of what I had seen but without daring to regard me he answered that being my most affectionate servant he desired to be excused from interpreting things so troublesome The longer he deferred to satisfie me the more I pressed him in the end my importunity drew from him these words goe above into the Hall said he and you shall see the subject of my affliction The generall joy of those who were invited wherewith the place was almost filled gave me occasion to enter without being noted I saw Hipolite in the middle of a circle of Ladies shining like a Sun on another side Don Vincence my competitor with a countenance that testified his contentment Finding things in this order I was confirmed in the opinion which I had conceived I put my selfe in a place where I might be seen of Hipolie to the end she might make an end to destroy me which had arrived without doubt if I had not been so infortunate that when I search torments they flye me She lifted up her eyes and seeing me it was impossible for her to retaine her teares which she hid the most discreetly she could thereupon he arrived who was to administer to them the Sacrament and joyne their hands and wills but when as they came to entreat Hipolite to approach she begun to talk so extravagantly that all the company was affrighted She blamed her Father offended her Kindred spoke injurious against Vincence O extreame puissance of an amorous passion capable to alienate the spirit of the wisest In a word shee became sencelesse to the great confusion of all the company and principally of the Gentleman that pretended to marry her she named and called me every moment sayd that I was he for whom heaven had ordained her and that I ought onely to possesse her I found my selfe much troubled amongst these strange confusions and fearing some danger slipt behinde a piece of hangings by which meanes I got out of the house without being perceived When she had lost the sight of me she begun to run about the Hall to seek me but not finding me so violent a griefe seised her that she fell in a trance They carryed her to a bed where after a little time she came to her self again but with a burning feaver Al the company departed very Melancolique and also Don-Vincence full of despite and despaire and Don-Leoncio suffered himselfe to bee surprised with so great vexation that hee dyed within foure dayes leaving to her Brother the care of Hipolite and the Administration of his Goods See the unfortunate successes of my Loves whose image will be perpetually engraven in my heart see how my hopes were converted into smoake which may serve for an example to consider the inconstancy of humane felicity After this I retired my selfe into that country place where I had the honour to beginne my acquaintance with you thinking that I might there live quietly the rest of my life since I have been established in that course of life Octave writ to me that Hipolite continued in the same estate that I had left her in but I am not in the same condition I was then my Flames are doubly encreased they augment every moment seeing how much I owe to her faith and constancy so that I now love more madly than ever neither absence nor time can deface it from my memory During the time of my abode in that village I courted a Shepheardesse honoured amongst all the mountaines of Toledo but it was but for to entertain my spirit although she be perfect I did but imagine that I treated with Hipolite So I passed my time when you arrived there deare Fenise and when I was so happy to finde an occasion to serve you which I shall take pleasure in all my life Don Lovis thus ending the History of his Loves they were within a League of the towne of Valence but it was very late which obliged them to make haste for feare of being benighted But they had scarcely begunne this last League when they heard amongst the Orange trees which grew by the way side whereof that passage was full a plaintife voice the which with violent sighing seemed to desire to render the aire sensible of his sorrow they stayed to heare the words which he spoke afterwards they came neare him and saw a man stretched upon the the earth in appearance near the end of his life at this object generous and charitable Fenise lighted tyed his horse to a tree and demanded of this miserable one the cause of his plaints Don Levis and Laure did the like and accompanied Fenise when this infortunate spoke these words Cavalier whatsoever you are I am so neare mine end that what diligence soever you can take to succour me will but little profit me it must be a force more than â—umane which must reduce me from the pain I am in yet neverthelesse I will take courage Saying so he endeavoured to rise and Lovis and Fenise assisted him When he saw himself up and supported by these two Cavaliers he cryed out louder than before and thereupon came two men who fell upon Fenise and Don Lovis who being assisted with him who counterfeited the dying man bound and tyed them to two truncks of trees at the same time they went to Laure who was half dead with feare seised upon
her for the space of two years it was impossible for me to hear one word from her mouth to obtaine one favour from her hands or to perceive any hopefull signe In the end she was overcome by my perseverance and not by her negligence but who could resist so long a pursuit without being an insensible rock the strongest places and Towers inaccessible have been gained rather by industry then valour Troy Numance and Carthage serve us for examples thereof what marvaile was it then that adorable Persinde could alwayes resist against the art force and courage wherewith I daily assaulted her She was under the guard of a Mother the most sharp and austere woman that was in all Madrid Persinde feared so much that she never looked upon her without trembling Neverthelesse by succession of time and increasing of obstacles our loves grew so great that I obtained what I desired I saw Persinde in her chamber by the intermission of certain women her Governours who often betray the honours of Maids in making shew to defend them In one word our private meetings were so familiar that within a few dayes Persinde possessed a living gage of our affections Love that had made her commit this fault inspired her with industry to hide it and means to remedy it when it should be time She approached her term when her Father had a fancy to send her to Toledo to see one of her Cousins which she had there and to recreate her self with the famous sports which the Citizens then made Persinde discovered to her her secret as to her most confident friend and after that Agarise so was her Cousin called had testified the displeasure she had for this accident She promised to assist her in all she could possible to avid the scandall the season being come of reaping that fruit into her hands which had taken maturity in her womb Agarise writ to the Father and Mother of Persinde praying them to be pleased that she might yet keep her Cousin with her and that her leave might be prolonged for some time which they easily granted I rendred my self Burgois of Toledo the day of her arrivall to the end to serve her and contribute all that should depend upon me to her assistance when there should be occasion and for this cause I saw her almost every night in the presence of her Cousin But one day when Persinde begun to be set upon with ordinary paines her Cousin and she determined to leave the Town and go to the Farms neer Toledo which are called Cigarales where Agarise had acquainted a woman with this affaire who was prepared to receive them when they should come But they were scarcely got half way when violent paine seized poor Persinde Then Agarise feigning another pressing necessity left the Coach with her and retiring themselves amongst some bushes which were happily there Persinde was delivered of a Sonne they wrapped him in linnens and covered him with a little mantle of silke and gold which they had brought for that purpose rather taking care to make hast then to trim up the Infant This being done Persinde drew out of her pocket a paper and having diligently blotted out all that was written therein shewrit these few words Christian this Infant demands Baptisme have a care thereof and let him be called Louis She hung this note about his neck with a silk ribband and abandoned him to celestiall mercy They returned speedily to their Coach and without going further returned to Toledo feigning that Persinde was sick by the way There was a great space of time betwixt their return and the houre I was accustomed to visit them which was the cause of a misfortune which maketh me yet sigh The night being come I went to make mine ordinary visit where I learned this newes and the place where I should finde this poor little innocent I departed in diligence and sought on all sides with a torch I visited the inside and outside of every bush that was in the place whither they had directed me but without finding any thing Feare seized my soule at the beginning fearing that he was devoured by some wild beast and yet seeing no bloud spilt nor any of the cloaths of the child I imagined that some charicable person having heard it cry had taken it away to give it a better lodging After I had passed almost the whole night in visiting three or four times the same place to the end I might not be accused of negligence I returned to Toledo with intention to report otherwise to Persinde for fear of killing her with grief The time of my going to see her being come I made her believe that I had put the infant in a place of security and that she needed not further thinke therof Not long after Persinde having recovered her colour returned to Madrid with letters from Agarise her Cousin which thanked her Unckle and Aunt for the honour she had received from them in the visit of her Cousin let them know that she had been a little sick so that all this affaire was happily overpassed if the absence of the child had not afflicted us My Mother deceased incontinently after this successe and by her losse I remained in full liberty to match where I thought good I then determined to demand Persinde in marriage but having acquainted her therewith she counselled me not to do it for fear I should thereby receive some discontentment seeing that her Mother pretended to make her religious And although she knew not that Persindes inclinations stood that way yet she used all possible diligence to make her condiscend to her will A great tyranny to make a person by constraint take a condition against heart Having had certain advice of the intention of thi rigorous mother and being assured of the affections of Persinde I stole her away one night an carried her to Cartagene a towne scituate upon the sea shore and where the greatest part of my estate was I stayed with her there some yeares we leading a very happy life Heaven gave me another child which was a daughter faire as an Angell she had all the features of her mother but yet more sweet and charming I loved her above all things in the world J could not be a moment without seeing her and nothing pleased me so much as her innocence She was about three yeares old when on a summers evening I had a great desire to walke with her in a little place which I had neere the towne of Cartagene and stay there untill the next day at the same houre but I departed too late for the night tooke me by the way I held this little minion in mine armes having taken her from her nurse which carryed her and without thinking thereof I was invironed with a troope of pyrates who tooke her with my heart out of mine armes presently I found my selfe in a vessell companion to many slaves deprived of my deere child and servants who
certain quarrel and that seeing he would not turn Christian had given him his liberty with money and a good horse for to returne into his countrie having before disguised him like a Spaniard to the end he might passe more securely and not be knowne what hee was And this was the cause that I demanded his assistance believing him by his habits to be a Gentleman of our nation Having much lamented my misfortunes I must resolve to have patience and referre all to divine mercy in comforting my selfe that I am falne into the hands of a man of excellent behaviour which he learned in Castile We arrived in this town where being received by his father with open armes and cherished by the King he is now his onely favourite I hold the same place towards him he loveth me with passion as being as he saith the onely pleasure of his life he hath never spoken to me to change my religion for hee beleeveth that ought to come voluntarily without any force or restraint The contentments which hee giveth mee and the care he hath to see me served are so great that there are but two things which trouble me the profession of my faith and my dear Country without that there is no felicity in the world that can be entire The reception he hath made of you accompanied with so many honours testifie that he esteemeth you much I have often heard him speake of you before your arrivall as of a Gentleman most accomplished therefore you may assure your selfe of his amitie and believe that he will employ himselfe in all occasions where you shall have need of his credit and also for your returne into Spaine when you shall desire it If I could but follow you and that you would but carry me thither with you I assure my selfe you would have cause to commend the acknowledgment my brother and I should make you for it Fenise was about to answer her but upon the instant a servant came to advertise them that the Bacha their Lord was coming thither which obliged him to attend another occasion Eusemie retired into her chamber by the same door shee came which shee shut as before and leaving Fenise in great admiration made him know in the end that Mahomet and she had been the cause of the pains which hee had suffered having been like to have lost his life shamefully being accused for killing Don Pedro and kept prisoner for that subject Mahomet excused himself to Fenise for having left him so long alone Fenise replyed by those civilities which are ordinarily used in such complements then they continued to speake of times passed wherein they both tooke great pleasure Thereupon they came to tell them that dinner was ready where the stranger was magnificently treated after the fashion of the country In the interim Mahomet made a lodging to be prepared for him in the towne sending all things necessary for a houshold The evening being come he was carried to take possession of his house whereof he remained absolute master Here one may finde occasion to marvell at the inconstancy of things and the strange mutation of fortune It is not Long since Fenise was tossed by the fury of contrary windes and at the present he hath the winde of favour in poape not long since he was tumbled and tormented in a ship and now he is courteously received in a Palace yesterday he was naked and to day clothed with rich ornaments yesterday in a storme at sea and to day honoured upon earth yesterday fearing to be made a slave and to day possessing the graces and favours of a prince He had an extreame passion to see the daughter of Frederick which we call Magdalene as well because it was her proper name as also being more pleasant to the eare then that of Catife which they had given her at Algier Fenise was become amorous of her without seeing her but by the simple relation of her beauties which he had heard her Father make He dyed with impatience to attaine to this pleasant vision But forasmuch as the passions of love are wounds that reach to the very bottome of the breast they must have a long time to be cured so that to think to arrive at the end without passing by the middle is either a thing impossible or very dangerous so that his discretion was willing to give leasure to time to work with her without using violence Whilst Fenise renewed his acquaintance with the Bacha Mahomet and received his favours Frederick ravished with joy for the happy encounter he had made and the faire hopes which were given him would carry newes thereof to his daughter that she might partake in his contentment but he found the breach of the wall made up and his passage stopped the owner of this Garden had repaired this breach it may bee for his proper commodity or it may be because he had seen him passe that way Seeing himselfe thus deprived of this little good that rested to him he begunne againe to lament his misfortunes and with teares in his eyes came to seeke his consolation in the wits of generous Fenise His dwelling was not now where he had lodged he passessed the house which Mahomet had made to be accommodated for him He received him there with the most courteous welcome that was possible and told him that he had obtained his libertie having let Mahomet know that he was father to one of his most intimate friends and from that hour he retained him to dwell with him in expecting some meanes for the deliverance of his daughter Magdelene Frederick embraced him anew with a thousand thankes for the affection which he had testified to him But Fenise observed the sadnesse which he had in his countenance and asked him the cause thereof Then Frederick declared unto him that his last consolation was taken from him the place being stopped by which he passed to see his daughter Fenise having known the cause of his displeasure led him into a Gallery which was on the back side of his lodging from whence one might see the Kings house on that side the tower was which was over against it and in shewing it to him he sayd If that be the tovver vvhereof you have spoken to me you need not so much despaire as you doe Alas it is the same answered Frederick but the distance from hence thither is too great to speak to her if we had occasion to give her advice of any thing yet we are happy replyed Fenise that we are no further from it but that from the one place to the other we may easily know and distinguish the features of the face let us then content our selves with what it pleaseth heaven to give us perhaps it will furnish us with some invention from whence we may draw more benefit then we can imagine Frederick suffered himselfe to be perswaded by this consolation and determined to keep watch in this Gallery looking every moment if
Magdelene or the Christian slave which served her should come to the window But because she had there presented her selfe three or four times without seeing Frederick because of the accident that was happened she made no more account to appear there judging that there was some great impediment happened to their felicity This opinion was the cause that Frederick passed a whole week in measuring the length of this Gallery and counting the minutes of every day In the end as he was deploring his misery being out of all hope of ever seeing againe his dear daughter for the last time he cast his eyes upon the window and saw Magdelene and her slave who looked upon him contesting together whether it was he or no for the unknown house and gallery where he was put them in this doubt Then Frederick lifting up his eyes to heaven in action of thankfulnesse and extending his armes towards her leaning over the parapet made himself known and put them out of doubt He let them understand as well as he could by his actions why he could come no more to the foot of the Tower and that from thenceforwards he might see her from the place where he was because he dwelt there and was no longer slave then after a little time Magdalene made to him the signe of farewell untill the next day and shut her window for fear of abusing the favours of fortune or that Selin should perceive them Fenise at that time stirred not from Mahomet courting and entertaining his affections and when the night obliged him to retreat Frederick made him the recitall of what he had seen and that he hoped to have the same contentment the next day That he thought it would not be amiss to make Magdalen believe that he was her Brother of whom he had many times spoken to her to the end she might present her self more freely Our Cavalier found this no ill invention because it suted to his desires he told him he should absolutely dispose of his person and life But dear Frederick said he when a man enterpriseth an affaire difficult dangerous and serious he ought to foresee all the inconveniences imaginable which may hinder his design for to attempt to surmount them and come to a happy successe We must then goe here with great warinesse and take exact heed to our selves in the beginning for feare of failing in the end You said as I remember that Magdalene is so recluse and retired that no one seeth her but the King and from thence I fear that she will not shew her self seeing me with you imagining that I am some Turk but to warrant us from this danger I think it fit to change my habits I have found an invention to get the box brought hither which we buried at the entry of the forrest where I found you after my shipwrack I will take an habit that is therein and then when Magdalen shall see me clothed after the Spanish fashion you may the better perswade her that I am her Brother Frederick approved of his opinion and Fenise shewed him a suit made for the Country of gray cloth covered with plate lace of gold and silver and compleat with all other furniture The day being come so impatiently expected by these two friends Frederick set himself upon the watch in the Gallery and not long after saw the window open and Magdalen and her slave appear He made her a sign to stay and went to fetch Fenise to let him see his daughter he came he saw and was overcome the imagination which he had formed to himself of the beauties of Magdalen was very imperfect in comparison of the originall which he admired During his ravishment Magdalen carefully considered him astonished with this new fashion of habit and with the grace and good countenance which he had yet without knowing who he was Her spirit was much troubled to explicate this Aenigma but in the end her father forced her by imbracements and other signes to comprehend that it was her Brother She understood it and then her admiration was converted into confusion endeavouring to divine by what meanes he was come into that place for she had learned of her Father the History of his birth and losse Fenise made all the gesture of respect and love he could devise to testifie to her that he was not only her Brother but her slave and defendor she rendred him those reverences and salutations which courtesie obliged her to testifying with her armes that she imbraced him with her heart Whilst Magdelen and Fenise entertained themselvs with these mute complements Erimene attentively considered our Cavalier this was the name that this Christian slave had taken to disguise her own by much regarding him she thought she knew him and well remembring her self she remembred his name and the place where she had seen him She judged that since they endeavoured to give an impression to her Mistresse that this was her Brother it was not necessary to declare to her what she knew for fear of breaking some favourable project to the contentment of her Father she resolved to keep silence and see to what end would come all these confusions In the interim it was not permitted them to stay any longer in the presence one of another Erimene carefull to manage occasion made signe to Frederick and Fenise to retire yet advising the old man to be at the same place two hours after and when the Sun was neer setting Magdelen made them the sign of adieu and shut her window leaving our Cavalier more captive then all the slaves in Barbary having sacrificed to her at the very instant of his first regard his liberty heart and life resolved to hazard all to deliver her from the subjection wherein she was He returned to change his habits and take those of a Turk to go visit Mahomet He was very carefull to conserve his good will and observe him in every thing that he might make use of his credit if there should be occasion thereof although he had declared nothing to him of his design nor of the intelligence he had with Frederick for fear his zeale to serve the King might surmount the amitie which he bore him He knew so well how to make use of the favours of this Moor that he made him believe he took no care to return into his Country and that after so many misfortunes received there he would renounce it and was determined to stay there with him as long as he should please Mahomet finding himself obliged to his affection would testifie the esteem that he made thereof by installing him in the charge of Subbacha an office of justice as one may say Corrector or Judge of politick Government which Fenise willingly accepted seeing it was an excellent meanes to bring about his design seeing that this charge made him be feared of the people esteemed by the Nobles and generally beloved and respected of all The night begun to extend it self
It seemed that amongst all these felicities there was none but Don Rodrigue which ought not to be contented but being in an age wherein the greatest flames of love were dead his prudence made him finde contentment in the pleasures of others that of Don Louis was without measure for besides the good fortune which heaven had favoured him withall in letting him know those who had given him birth he also enjoyed his loves in the possession of faire Hipolite They were married that night and the wedding accomplished with astonishment and rejoycings incomparable it was followed with a new joy in the conquest of a soule which they tooke from the empire of the Devill to put it into the hands of God by the meanes of holy baptisme which Geronime the Turk heretofore called Mahomet solemnely received from the hands of the Bishop of Cartagene having chosen for Godfather the venerable Don Rodrique who was intreated to give him the name of Geronime which he had taken before The next day he marryed the infortunate Eufemie she being the cause of the health of his soule not being willing to consent to his desires but in making him christian and he of the reestablishment of her honour which seemed to have been torne in pieces in the courtezans life vvhereunto she had been abandoned and engaged by the basenesse and infamy of her ravisher This was a particular contentment for Leonor to see his sister so advantagiously provided for after so many disgraces Incontinently after was the wedding of Don Iame and the vertuous and generous Leonor who in acknowledgment of the obligations wich she had to Fenise pardoned him the death of her brother More then fifteene dayes were imployed in these joyous magnificences where the most remarkeable persons of the province were and the best wits exercised themselves to write upon the admirable encounters of these persons and of their affections But as there is no pleasure eternal in this world this loving troope must be divided some stayed at Cartagene others went to Valence their country and Don Jame tooke the way to Leride whereof he was native Fenise was onely he of this company who made a more troublesome experience of the instabilitie of worldly felicitie After the sports and playes whereof he had but a simple part he must undergoe alone the sadnesse and sorrow of the death of his father deceased long agone Don Louis was much troubled to take a time to advertise him therof since that besides the losse which he had made in his person he was yet in danger to lose his estate or at the least to see much of it diminished because his kindred believing him to be dead were possessed thereof and had distributed it amongst them Don Louis used much discretion to dispose his spirit to receive sweetely these bitter newes but he had scarcely begun his premeditated discourse when Fenise who was extreamely foreseeing well knew to what end it tended and to avoid prolixitie of words he prevented him with these I see well said he that you would suger the edge of the cup to make me swallow some bitter poison but you know me too well to use me with this ceremony and hold me in suspence for to declare to me what imports me Then Don Louis discovered nakedly unto him all he knew and although that Fenise had much experience and constancy yet his eyes must testifie the feeling of his heart the losse of a father is a griefe too sensible he ought to have a breast of a rock that will not be mollified therewith or at the least to have desired his death Don Louis comforted him in taking part of his sorrow after that he had suffered the first motions of sadnesse his friend pressed him to remedy the disorders of of his house This sollicitation afflicted him almost as much as the newes of the death of his father he could scarcely resolve to doe it nor believe the counsells of Don Louis because he must necessarily absent himselfe from himselfe in going from Magdelene So that he deferred his departure from day to day untill that his friend was constrained to tell him that he knew well from whence proceeded his delays for Frederick his father had recounted to him the honest sute which he made to his sister and how much they were all obliged to his wit and courage he prayed him not to lose time in recovering his estate and to assure himselfe to obtaine all he could desire not onely from him his sister but also from their whole familie who reputed it a great honour in the designe which he had to convert his amitie into kindred that he knew well that Magdelene made great esteeme of his merits besides the obligation which she had for her libertie that she would alwaies prefer him before all the men in the world and that he should never have cause to reproach him of the vice of ingratitude these promises were confirmed to him by the complements and civilities of Frederick and Persinde and by the solemne oathes which Magdelene made him in particular in conjuring him with teares in her eyes to return as soon as he could possible that he should finde her alwaies constant and alwaies loving these actions were so charming that Fenise wanted not much of breaking his designe of going to Toledo but the satisfaction which he was willing to give his friends forced him to execute it The day before his departure Frederick let him see a country house of pleasure which he had neere Cartagene where treating him magnifically he begun to qualifie him with the name of sonne in law to the great contentment of the whole familie He tooke leave of them in this place with a thousand imbracements and towards the evening Don Louis returned with him into the towne at the entry of the port they saw Charles the slave that Geronime had brought with him walking with a Cavalier very well covered and followed by six Lacquies clothed in the same livery the two future brothers in law approached them and Fenise knew that it was Don Antonio de Velazques a cavalier of the court who had beene his familiar friend he also having faced him and knowne him they ran one to the other and locked themselves together for some time with streight embracings Charles admiring this great testimony of affection and seeing they were parted Brother said he to Antonio if you have imbraced this illustrious Cavalier as your friend I beseech you begin againe as my benefactor and him of whom I hold my libertie it is the person I have but now praysed unto you and to whom I shall be alwayes obliged for my life I could scarcely believe said Don Antonio to Fenise the marvells which he hath told me but at the present since that I see it was of you that he spoke I am in lesse admiration knowing that you can produce none but high actions Fenise made many humble complements to answer these high prayses and
like to have swounded with this suddaine apparition Ah God! said she then remaining as if she had beene charmed she begun to contemplate him and felt upon the instant a motion at her heart which confirmed the veritie of what she heard On the other side Fernand was in so strange a confusion that he knew not how to interpret these words and actions In fine after she had remained a good space in this enchantment she broke silence and said that she knew him to have a perfect resemblance of his father but to make her the more certaine of the truth she remembred that at the houre of the birth of Fernand and Charitie they being twins they were fastened together by the heele and having disjoyned them there then rested to either of them a marke in that place then Don Fernand begun to understand all his history being overjoyed to know that he was issued of so noble a linage fell upon his knees before Eugenie Madame said he if there neede no other testimony but that to make me to be acknowledged your â—onne permit me to kisse your feete in that qualitie have the signe you speake of Eugenie transported to â—ee so many marvels upon the sudden had like to have given up her soule in kissing and embracing Don Fernand having a little given over their embracing they went into another chamber and in the presence of Don Ariel he let them see the marke which gave the last clearing to their doubts and made Don Fernand to be acknowledged lawfull heire of the estate which his uncle had possessed so many yeares After this Charitie was brought into the chamber to augment this great joy and to take part thereof Eugenie made her to imbrace Don Fernand as her brother whom she had heard her mother so often lament In briefe they were all so full of felicitie in this prodigious encounter that they scarcely knew themselves They made amongst themselues some short recitalls of their adventures for their proper satisfaction untill they should come into a more convenient place to declare them at large as I have done Don Ariel brought them all three againe into the hall publishing to all the company the miracle which God had done in their favour so that all their friends participated of their contentment and I more then their kindred themselves After this Don Fernand came to me sir said he very modestly I did not thinke I had beene so much interessed in the discourse I held you but even now I made it being urged thereunto by aâ— instinct whose cause I knew not but at the present since the affaire toucheth me so neerely and that see that it was blood which excited me to solicit you I begin it againe and with much more affection I cannot think that a generous soule as I have alwaies knowne yours to be would disguise a treachery under honest promises where heauen was called to witnesse the designe you had to accomplish them Words tye men before they are spoken they are voluntary but being given they are necessary If you be of another opinion you wrong the noblenesse of your courage and much prejudice your honour and being your friend so much as I am iâ— would extreamely trouble me that you should doe any action whereby your reputation might be stained You know the discourse you have held to my sister and the scandall that is thereupon arrived you are now obliged to effect it as well for her proper satisfaction as the generall reputation and honour of our familie And for my part I am perswaded that you had already done it if you had knowne whereto have found Charitie She is of condition equall to yours her vertue was in a high degree of perfection before the fault you made her commit her beauty cometh not short of the most considerable and if I say not that she is incomparable it is because I would not offend the respect which I beare to Cleonte Besides all these considerations you will adde to the qualitie of friend which you honour me with that of brother and most humble servant If you have any scruple for her absence although you are the cause thereof I will oblige my selfe to render you satisfaction All these reasons seemed to me so honest and just and my conscience was so moved therewith that â—estifying unto him my consentment by my silence I went to embrace Charitie and in the presence of the whole company renewed my vowes to her wherewith her mother and uncle were greatly rejoyced Don Ariel made a voluntary resignation to Don Fernand of all the estate which by right appertained to him and moreover he made him his heire fâ—er his death the more to oblige me to esteeme t is neece and to take away the trouble I might haue for being excluded from the riches which I might have possessed in marrying Cleonte he augmented the portion of Charitie with eight thousand pounds part of the profits which he had received in enjoying Fernands estate who approved this liberality I went to make complements to Don Baptiste and Cleonte excusing my selfe upon the beliefe which I had that Charitie was dead when I sought for their alliance but she being living my conscience obliged me to maintaine to her the promises which I had made her That if they would receive Don Fernand in my place they would gaine much by the change and thereupon I exaggerated the prayses of his good countenance and merit Don Baptiste liked well this proposition he communicated it to Don Ariel who testified that he esteemed himselfe most happy if Cleonte would permit that friendship and kindred might be united and that for his nephew he did not doubt but to finde him wholly disposed thereunto it being the greatest honour and fortune he could aspire unto Cleonte formed easily her obedience unto the will of her father and Fernand praising my invention consented to the desires of his uncle so that wee weere married at the same time by the approbation of all our friends and kindred Behold deere Fenise the successe of my loves if the recitall thereof hath beene too long pardon me I did it but to divert you from thinking of what you have lest at Cartagene It is now my brothers part to tell us the occasion which made him absent himselfe from Madrid and not participate of all these marvellous felicities Fenise found this history extreamly pretty and well entermixed saying that for its raritie it merited to be consecrated to posteritie which gave subject to Charles to endeavour to merit like praise in recounting his fortunes which he thus begun THE HISTORY OF DON CHARLES AND VIOLANTE BEing gone out after my brother upon the opinion that we had that Don Fernand had called him out to fight with him as he hath already told you I made many turnes in the towne without meeting with him In the end I met a servant of a gentleman a friend of mine that was in the assembly at Don