lay upon the Table she stabb'd her self to the Heart and dyed immediately Clora had Confess'd her self Guilty of the Murder of the Infant which though it might look rather like an Act of Service and Fidelity to her Lady than a malicious Design in her Self was condemn'd to be hang'd and Three Days after Executed Nothing Encourages Sin more than the false Hopes of Impunity for did we really believe the Iustice of Hâ—av'n wou'd most certainly punish our Sins in proportion to our own Demerits the Murderer would temper his Passion and the Adulterer cool his Lust. But that thou may'st no more dare to Sin than thou art willing and able to bear the Punishment Heav'n shall inflâ—ct on thy Guilty Head I have here represented the sad Consequence of those two horrid Sins Murther and Adultery where in Variety of Tragical Examples thou may'st see the Iustice of Heav'n Triumphant in the Punishment of such Notorious Offenders The Triumphs of Chastity Sold by Benj Crayle att y e signe of y e Lambe in Fleet street THE TRIUMPHS OF FRIENDSHIP AND CHASTITY Exemplified in some Eminent EXAMPLES AND Delightful Histories LONDON Printed for Benj. Crayle in Fleetstreet THE TRIUMPHS OF FRIENDSHIP c. By way of Introduction IN the two former Treatises I have lively represented how neaâ—ly Sin is ally'd to Punishment in several Tragical Examples of Murder and Adultery to deter us from the Commission of those Crimes which will render us as infamously miserable as those poor Wretches were And in this Second Part I shall endeavour to encourage Vertue by those Glorious Instances of Successful Goodness which have perfum'd the Memories of the Authors and given Immortality to their Names whose Bodies are long since crumbled into Dust and their Ashes lost amongst the common Ruines of Mankind I shall Contract my Discourse under these two Heads Friendship and Chastity as they do more directly oppose the precedent Crimes of Murther and Adultery And here I mean not that Friendship which receives its Birth from any Effeminate Passion of Love and Desire but that Exalted Friendship whose Noble Extract is only derived from Vertue and Honour which is of so pure a Temper that none but Good Men are Capable of it 'T is a Misery indeed that the Knowledge of such a Blessedness as a True Friend is can hardly be without some sad Misfortune for when we are Happy in the Spring-tide of Abundance and the Rising flood of Plenty all Men flock about us with bare Heads bended Knees and protesting Tongues But when these pleasing waters fall to an Ebb then they look upon us at a distance and stiffen themselves as if they were in Armour lest if they should comply with us they get a wound in the Close This has deterr'd some from taking part with an inauspicious Friendship but by how much the more miserable by so much are they the more certain Examples of a Generous Fidelity For a Man to Expose his Life to the Hazard of a Duel in behalf of his Friend may appear an Action of Honour and Gallantry but in Cold Blood to present himself to an undoubted Death for a Friend is a thing rarely seen and Antiquity furnishes us with few Examples thereof they tell us indeed of Damon and Pythias and the Poets speak with Admiration touching Castor his sharing of Immortality with his Brother Pollux But I shall here present you with a late memorable Example of a Generous Friendship out of the History of Poland which preserv'd the Lives of both the Friends who eagerly contended to Dye for each other As follows HIST. I. Rabatski and Farnel Rabatski and Farnel two Intimate and Faithful Friends Rabatski falls in â—ove with Hilaria who is also Courted by Potoâ—â—i but slighted by her whereupon he endeavours to murder him in the Street but he is preserved by his Friend Farnel who kills Potosti and his Man and flies Rabatski is taken and Condemn'd to lâ—â—e his Head At the Place of Execution Farnel appears owning himself the Murtherer They are afterwards in regard of their Inviolable Friendship both Sav'd Married and Preferr'd AT Vilna the Metropolitan City and University of Lithuania one of the Principal Provinces in the Kingdom of Poland liv'd two young Gentlemen named Alâ—xander Rabatski and Peter Farnâ—l who had such an Inclination and Affection for each other in their tender Youth that if their Friendship increased with their Age it was judg'd by all they would attain such a degree of Perfection as would dimme the Lustre of all those Antient Historians have so highly commended to us They Studied together in the University and Learn'd all the Exercises in the Academy befitting their Birth and Condition wherein by a worthy Emulation they surpassed their Fellows and as the Passions which most agitate Youth are Quarrels and Love in both these Storms they supported each other with so inviolable Fidelity that the Interest of the one was the others without suffering the least sprig of Jealousie to cast its Thorny Roots of Suspition into their Hearts At length it hapned Rabatski placed his Affection on a subject full of Honour the Vertuous and Beautiful Hilaria who was one of the compleatest Gentlewomen in the City of a Good Family and Considerable Fortune But that which made his Address to this Lady most difficult was the Courtship of Potosti Son to one of the Principal Citizens of Vilna who had already gain'd her Parents Good-will and Rivall'd him in his Affections to his Mistress Hilaria who was Judicious above her Age soon discover'd the different Tempâ—rs of her Lovers and knew how to make a Choice most agreeable to her own humor she observ'd Potosti was Proud and Haughty Arrogant in his Behaviour and Discourse who instead of winning Love by Submission made himself odious to her by his Vanities and Bravadoes Rabatski was Mild and Modest indued with all those Charming Qualities which render Conversation pleasing and grateful this so much affected Hilaria that the Offer of his Service was no sooner presented but received And although he had no permission from her Parents to become a Suitor to her yet she apply'd her self to Love him with that Ardency of Affection that jealous Potosti soon discover'd his Rival had robb'd him of his Mistress her Heart for which he vow'd a severe Revenge Not long after they met accidentally and Potosti with more Boldness than Civility told him If he dar'd to Offer any farther Respâ—cts tâ— his Mistress Hilaria he would punish his Insolence and make him dearly repent his great Folly and Râ—shness Rabatski told him He could not flatter himself into an Opinion that he deserv'd so good a â—ady as Hilaria was but he hoped his Pretensiâ—â—s might any where be Equal to his in pâ—â—nt of Honour or Quality and that he had neither so little Affection or so great a share of Cowardize to fear his Threats who was his Superior in nothing that was Generous and Brave These words seconded by sundry Replies would
repeated blows kills him stark dead not suffering him to speak one word only he shriek'd once or twice which his Servants over-hearing ran up to his Chamber where they met Perina coming out with the bloody Ponyard in her hand for which she was presently taken and imprison'd and two days after arraign'd where she freely confest it alledging for her reason That He and Jerâ—ntha had murder'd both her Husband and her Mother-in-law Fidelia as she had good reason to suspect But this not â—xcusing her fact she is condemnâ—d to be hang'd from which Sentence â—he appeals to the Senate at Chambray whither she is convey'd who moderate the former Sentence and adjudge her to have her right hand cut off and to suffer perpetual Imprisonment at Nice where in a short time she dy'd very penitent of a Consumption Ierantha being with child by old Castlenovo apprehensive of the danger she was in fled secretly to a Friends house where she fell in labour and her pains were so violent that the Women about her concluded she would die whereupon she began to repent and confessed the two former Murthers after which she was safely delivered of a Son The Judges being acquainted with her Confession on the second day she was apprehended committed to Prison and the third hang'd and burnt at Nice and her ashes thrown into the Air. Thus we see the Ruine of two Noble Families wrought by the wickedness of the Old and Leacherous Castlenovo who murdered his Wife and Son renounced all the hopes of Heaven despised the dreadful flames of Hell to gratifie one burning Lust on Earth HIST. XV. Muletto and Servia Muletto murdereth his Wife Servia and twenty years after unknown robbeth his and her Son Augustino who likewise not knowing Muletto to be his Father accuses him of the Robbery for which he is hang'd IN the Kingdom of Naples near the Arsenal dwelt a proper young fellow named Muletto by Trade a Baker who having both an Oven and a Shop of his own by his indefatigable pains and Industry grew exceeding rich and became one of the prime Bakers of the City This Muletto going one day to Cassan twenty miles distant from Naples he there saw and fell in love with a rich Vintners Daughter her Fathers name was Pedro Spondy and hers Servia a lovely and beautiful Maid exceeding virtuous and religious who tho' she had several Suiters yet fancied Muletto above 'em all Whereupon he sought her in Marriage and easily got her good will provided he could obtain her Fathers consent Muletto having thus won the Daughter applies himself to the Father but so averse is old Spondy that he will not by any means hear of it yet still Muletto continues his Sute and jointly with Servia intreat his consent but he proudly and disdainfully refuses swearing he will die before he will permit him to marry his Daughter At which answer Muletto went very discontentedly back to Naples and Servia remains at Cassan with her Father who now thinks to provide her another Husband and gives her choice of two to prevent her marrying Muletto but she utterly refuses both whereat old Spondy is mad and threatens to dis-inherit her Three years are now past since the young Couple first saw one another and since Muletto first ask'd Spondy's consent and still seeing it in vain he thinks it now high time to lay close siege to Servia that she would agree to marry him notwithstanding her Fathers refusal telling her That though he had not a Duckatoon in Portion with her he valued it not that he married her for Love and had Estate enough to maintain her in a prosperous condition By which sweet words she was prevail'd upon to leave her Father and go along with Muletto Thus agreed Muletto hires a Boat whereof having notice she goes out at the Garden-door That night they went down the River and early the next morning he hires Horses and brings her to Naples where they were privately married Spondy missing his Daughter rages extremely as doubting that Muletto had stole her whereof making secret enquiry at Naples and being assur'd of it he passionately swears That they shall never enjoy one penny of his Estate nor will he ever after see them Ten days after their Marriage Muletto rode over to Cassan to Spondy to labour with his best respects and duty for a reconciliation Coming to Spondy's house with intent to see and discourse him he bolts himself into his Chamber and charges his Servants to deny him for that he is resolv'd neither to see nor speak with him Muletto went back to his Inn and two hours after came again but Spondy was still deny'd when the next morning rising early he went to Spondy's house but received the same answer whereat very angry he took his Horse and rode home to Naples where he truly relates to his Wife the entertainment he had at her Fathers whereat she was exceedingly grieved but Muletto comforted her up with good words and was indeed very kind and loving to her Thus they lived very providently and managed their Trade to the best advantage both of them being very diligent and saving Six months after having not heard one word from Spondy Muletto prays his Wife to go over to her Father her self Servia accepted of the journey and comes to Cassan where she received the same entertainment her Husband had found before in all respects nay he caused his doors to be shut against her At which unkindness of her Father she wept bitterly and got her Aunt and her Fathers own Ghostly Father to intercede for her but finding all fruitless and to no effect she returned to Naples to her Husband Muletto asking what success she relates to him the unnatural discourtesie of her Father towards her which vexed him to the heart but he dissembleth his discontent which is aggravated by being known to his Neighbours who flout and jeer him in all Companies This makes him now to look untowardly on his Wife and slight her and turn ill Husband neglect himself and his Profession and follow lewd and evil Company spending and consuming his Estate with Whores and Strumpets which at length reduces him to great poverty and want for the relieving whereof she sends to Spondy her Father and acquaints him with her necessities praying his assistance to relieve her present distress but he is so hard-hearted that he will neither help her wants nor pity her affliction whereby her condition is grown so miserable that she is ready to despair In the midst of these her sorrows she was brought to bed of a fine Boy who was christned in a poor manner and named Augustino The charity of her Neighbours to her in this condition preserved her from starving for her wicked Husband took no care of her but was so wholly devoted to Drunkenness and Debauchery that he never thought of being better nor had she any reasonable grounds to expect his amendment After she was up again she work'd very
Husbands consent than to purloin them by corrupting the Wife which without the Husbands knowledge was under-hand dealing and not lawfully purchased that he was sensible he had bid him fairly and like a Chapman and therefore he was willing to accept his proffer conditionally that he would keep it as a secret not only from the world but his Wife also which if he observ'd he would give his consâ—nt and assistance The Baron at the ending of his discourse embraced the old man and promised to perform the condition required and the bargain being concluded Helga returns with 10000 Crowns laughing at the folly of the prodigal Baron he shews the Gold to his Wife Imbrigis as so much won at play which she little thought to be the purchase of her Honour and Chastity Within a few days Helga visits the Baron where all things being in readiness as they before had contriv'd late in the evening Imbrigis receives her Husbands Ring with a message from him that he was taken with a desperate fit of sickness and that she should by that Token know it was his desire to have her come to him immediately in the Barons Coach which he had sent for her Imbrigis concluded her Husband to be dying and out of duty went with the messenger in the Barons Coach though not without some reluctancy as fearing it might be some trick of the Barons whose Palace she arriv'd at in the evening and was lighted up stairs by the Servants then conducted into a very stately Chamber richly adorn'd and sweetly perfum'd in which were several Lights and in the midst a rich embroider'd â—ed c. The Servants withdraw and whil'st she steps to the Bed to seek her Husband supposing him sick and laid there she spies the Baron enter the Room and shut the door fast Then 't was that the brave and heroick Imbrigis finding her self betray'd and the Baron approaching towards her with eager steps and open arms flew swiftly to the window and to preserve her Honour Chastity unblemish'd violently dash'd her head against the glass and had already got half of her body through the breach when the amazed Baron caught hold of her Garments and pull'd her back though not without her face being cut and batter'd by the glass the affright putting her in a trance that she remained senseless and as one dead in the arms of the vitious Baron who having laid her on the â—ed went to bereave her of her Honour and Chastity but the violence he used in the attempt brought her to her self again when beholding the rude approaches of the lustful Baron she shrieks out and struggling with both her hands one of those Guardian Angels that attend on weak Innocency and aâ—â—aulted Chastity guided her hand to a Dagger that hung at the side of the Raviâ—her with which she firâ—â— gave him a mortal wound and then lodg'd the fatal sâ—eâ—l in her own chast and virtuous Breast to let out that blood she mistook to be polluted by the Baron The â—oise they made in this bloody skirmish and the fall of their wounded bodies from the Bed allarm'd the Servants who attending at the door rush in and behold this fatal sight with amazement The Chyrurgions having drest both their wounds that of the Barons prov'd mortal and he dy'd within three days full of penitence and trouble for the evil he had caused to the chast and virtuous Imbrigis But Heaven had a greater care of that brave Woman the Dagger had not touch'd her Intellects and she recover'd after some days The Baron before he dy'd acquitted Imbrigis of his death before his Servants and ask'd her pardon for the injury he had done her his Soul being now refin'd from that Lust which before had engender'd about his heart He confest likewise the business of Helga who considering the shame and ignominy his ill-made bargain had cast on his Honour and Reputation took it so to heart that before Imbrigis could recover of her wounds he dy'd and left her a rich Widow And now the hopes of the faithful Sueno revive who had heard of the heroick action of his adored Imbrigis and at last Heaven took pity of his constant sufferings and rewarded his faithful Love for after Imbrigis had paid what was due to decency and the memory of her Husband and remained â—welve months a Widow she was married to Sueno both â—â—ending their days in the fruition of their chast Loves he blest in a chast and loyal Wife she happy in a faithful and loving Husband As the charming pleasures of Innocence and serenity of mind are visible inhabitants of thâ—se hearts consecrated to Virgin Chastity so in respect of its prevalency over the minds of its Votaries it makes ripeâ— age continue incontaminate and the Matrimonial liberty undefiled as we have seen in the precedent Example of the virtuous and constant Imbrigis HIST. IV. Van Zwerts and Marinda Jacob Van Zwerts after many signal proofs of his Chastity takes shipping for Spain but in his Voyage is taken Prisoner by the Turks and sold to Ali Pigget a Turkish Merchant whose Sister falling in love with Jacob sollicits him to Debauchery and upon his refusal of her lewd Embraces accuseth him of a Rape Ali Pigget being sensible of her Treachery first stabs her then gives Van Zwerts his liberty who soon after his arrival at Spain is married to the virtuous and beautiful Marinda who by a notable Stratagem preserved her Chastity NOt many years since at Rotterdam a Port-Town in Holland one of the United Provinces belonging to the States lived Iacob Van Zwerts second Son to the Heer Van Zwerts a very wealthy and creditable Merchant of ancient and reputable Extraction Iacob Van Zwerts whose Virtue and Chastity was as remarkable as any left upon the Records of Time being weary of the Debaucheries of that City to which he was often and frequently sollicited by some extravagant Youths of his former acquaintance did by the next opportunity resolve for Spain whither he might retire with an intimate acquaintance of his Fathers and reap the peaceable enjoyment of himself and his Virtue While his Father was weighing the consequence of this design the unpleasant News had reach'd the ears of the roaring Debauchees his late Companions who having let loose the Reins of Sobriety and Virtue had plung'd themselves into the greatest Exorbitancy and therefore nothing could be more unwelcom than the desertion of one of their beloved associates on whom as he was rich they had some flattering hopes of dependance and therefore were resolved if possible to convert him to themselves to which end they sent for him in the names of some later Friends of whom he was less shie to drink with him at the Sun-Tavern not far distant from his Fathers not doubting thereby to prevent his Voyage to Spain Van Zwerts according to their request went to them where he found them caressing each one his Strumpet and using even the most