that his own Service might be as well entertained and be as acceptable as his He therefore began to reassume Courage and imploy his Friends to speak on his behalf supposing that if the Choice were offered to the young Lady that she would prefer him before the other Nevertheless her Mother and her Kindred did make choice of the other Person because he was far more rich whereat the Gentleman was extreamly melancholy knowing that his Mistress would lose in that Enterprize as much Contentment as himself Whereupon by degrees without any other Sickness he began to consume away and in a short time was so much changed that it had clouded the Beauty of his Countenance with the shadow of Death to which day succeeding day and hour following hour he did joyfully repair In this Extremity he could not forbear sometimes for speaking to her whom he lov'd so entirely But at last his Strength failed him and he was reduced to keep his Bed of which he would not advise her whom he loved so entirely because he was unwilling that she should partake in his Affliction And suffering himself to sink into despair he at last could neither Eat Drink Sleep or take any rest insomuch that it was impossible to know him by reason of his Leanness and the strange and sharp Countenance which he had Some there were who advertised the Mother of his Mistress of it who was a Woman full of Pity and loved the Gentleman so well that if all her Kindred and Confidents had been of the same Opinion as her self was and her Daughter they had preferr'd his Vertue and fair Deportment above all the others Wealth and Riches but the Kindred who were on the Father's side would not adhere to it Nevertheless she resorted with her Daughter to visit the poor Gentleman whom they found rather dead than alive and perceiving the end of his Life did approach he endeavoured to put himself in a posture to bid adieu to the World thinking to have died without feeing any one But being ready to obey Deaths Summons and descend into his last Sleep unexpectedly beholding her who was both his Life and Resurrection he found himself so fortified that he arise up in his Bed and directed himself unto the old Lady Madam said he some Occasion I presume hath brought you hither to give a visit unto him who hath already one Foot in his Grave and of whose Death you are the Occasion The Lady made answer how can that possible be that he whom we love so well can receive his Death by our neglect Pray inform me Sir upon what grounds of Reason you pronounce so hard a Sentence Madam said he although as much as it was possible for me I have concealed that Love which I most faithfully have born unto Mademoiselle your Daughter until my Friends have motion'd the Marriage between her and my self have been more Zealous upon it than I desired perceiving thereby I have receiv'd the Misfortune of having all my hopes frustrated neither doth it so much afflict me for my own particular but my prophetick Spirit tells me with an assurance she can never be so well respected by any other nor will be so well beloved as by me The Observation which I make that she shall lose the best and most affectionate Friend and Servant that she hath in the World doth more afflict me than the loss of my own Life which only for her alone I would preserve but because I find it cannot be serviceable any ways to her it is an Advantage to me to lose it The Mother and the Daughter hearing these Words did do the best they could to comfort him Sir said the Mother to him take Courage I beseech you and I here solemnly promise to you that if the Divine Powers restore you to your former Health my Daughter shall have no other Husband but your self She is now here present before you and I command her upon the Obligation of her Duty to make the same promise to you Her Daughter melting into Tears did the best that she could to give him an assurance of that which her Mother had promised but he apprehending that if he were recovered he should not enjoy his Mistress and that the good Words that were given him were only by Degrees to restore him unto his lost Health did say to them That if these Words had been spoken to him but three Months ago he had been the most Healthful and the most Happy Man in the World but this relief came so late to him that it could neither be believ'd nor hoped And when he observed that they did endeavour to inforce a belief into him of what they promised he said to them since so faithfully you have promised that great Happiness which can never arrive unto me though now you both consent to it by reason of the great weakness which is upon me I shall crave a far less Favour which as yet I have not had the boldness to demand Immediately they both solemnly made Protestations that it should be perform'd and desired him with Confidence to demand it whereupon he said unto the young Lady's Mother I earnestly beseech you that you would place her in my Arms whom you promise shall be my Wife and that you command her to imbrace and kiss me The young Lady who was not accustomed to such familiarities made some difficulty of it but her Mother expresly did command her seeing that he had lost both the understanding and force of a living Man On that command the Daughter did advance her self upon the Bed of the poor sick Gentleman and said to him Sir 'pray be Amorous the poor Gentleman languishing in his extream weakness stretch'd forth his Arms which were only Skin and Bones and withal the force of his Body embrac'd the Cause of his Death and kissing her with his pale and cold Lips held her close to him as long as possible he could and said to her the Love which I have ever had for you hath been so great and vertuous that Marriage excepted I never desired of you any other Happiness than what I now enjoy for the event whereof and in this Possession of it I with Joy shall entertain Death as the most welcoâ—…est Friend after receiving so great a Satisfaction of having now my Desires in my Arms. And having spoke those Words he took her again into his Arms and with so much vehemence that his weak Heart could not endure the strength of his Love which was immediately abandoned of all the Faculties of Life for his Joy was so much dilated that the seat of the Soul failed and although the poor Body continued a long time without Life and therefore could no longer possess the rich Prize it so lately gain'd yet the Love which the young Lady had till then concealed did now so violently declare it self that the Mother of the Living and the Servants of the Dead had much to do to separate the Union and were
his Death Then Weeping she said And is it possible for me to behold those sparkling Diamonds here and to behold my self thus clouded without thee immur'd up in a Chamber under the Power of Strangers Dear Madam said Don Francisco torment not your self the Owner of this Hat is not dead neither are you in such hands that you will receive the least prejudice by for our Lives and Fortunes are ready to protect you when ever any occasion shall require our Service and be assured Madam that all the Respect shall be paid to you which is due to your Birth and Quality Then she desired him to give her an Account of what Passages happened in the Enterprize for said she that Hat belongs to Cosmo de Medicis Duke of Millain Don Francisco not willing to hold her longer in Suspence recounted to her the whole Relation Madam said he the Person who presented this Hat to me I suppose is the Duke of Millain I left him in very good health and in the Company of some Friends that came to his assistance This Madam that I have related to you is a certain Truth Evadne returned him many Thanks and told him her Mind was much eased for the present By this time Dorila had dressed the Child and going to carry it out as she pass'd by the Lady's Chamber the Child cry'd so strongly that it gave an Alarm to the Lady who enquiring of both the Gentlemen desired to know what Child that was which to her thiâ—…king was newly Born Madam reply'd Don Francisco it is a Present was â—…aid at our Doors this Night and Dorila our Woman is going to get a Nurse for it 〈◊〉 Pray Sir let her bring it to me said the Lady and I 'll exercise that Charitable Act for others since Fortune is not so kind to permit me to do it for my own Then Don Francisco called Dorila to bring the Child which he presented to the Lady saying Madam you may behold the Gift which this Night has produced and it is no surprize to us for we often meet with such Accidents The Lady Evadne having the Child in her Arms look'd as earnestly on the Face as she did on the meanness of the Cloths it had on and could not refrain from weeping so covering her Breast that she might with more Modesty give the Infant Suck she apply'd it to her Nipple and laid her Face to the Childs bathing it with her Tears The Lady considering the Child received little or no Sustenance she return'd it to Don Francisco saying In vain have I exercised my Charity I find I am not experienced in these Cases Then she desired him to give order that the Child might not be carried out into the Air at that time of Night but be kept till the next day and before it went she desired it might be brought to her for she took great delight in viewing it Don Francisco returning the Child to Dorila gave her order to take care of it till the next day and then dress it up as handsomly as she could in those Rich Mantles it was brought in but not bring it till he call'd for it Then returning to the Lady's Chamber where there was only Don Bernardo with the Lady Evadne who through grief being ready to faint desired something to eat whereby she might support her Spirits that she might be able to utter her intended Relation Then Don Bernardo went immediately to his Closet and fetch'd thence some Conserves and Sweet-Meats wherewith she being refresh'd she began her Account in these Words I am one of this City whom I doubt not but you have heard very often nominated the Unfortunate Evadne Barbarino and by those which us'd to flatter me was fam'd for Beauty but such as it is Gentlemen you may perceive that those which did applaud it wanted Skill Being a young Orphan I was left under the Guardianship of Marcellus my Brother who was indeed very Vigilant over me Thus being confined to Solitude only accompanied by my Woman which Waited on me growing up in Years and Stature Fame's Trumpet blew aloud by the Breath of those Persons who had privately visited me and by a Picture which my Brother's Curiosity would have done by a Famous Painter of Italy But all this would have been the least part of hastening my Misfortunes had not the Duke of Millain done a Kinswoman of mine the honour to give her in Marriage My Brother to add more Guests to it desired my Company there it was the Duke beheld me and wrong'd his Judgement in making me the Object of his Love who now has brought me to endless Misery Gentlemen I will not relate to you the Devices Plots and Means how the Duke at the end of two Years came to obtain his Desires which had their Birth at this Wedding For neither Guardings Watchings Brotherly Admonitions nor any other Humane Industry were sufficient to hinder our private Assignations but before I would surrender up my self into his close Embraces he gave his faithful Promise upon his Honour to Marry me I begg'd of him very often to inform my Brother of his Intentions but to what I desired he pleaded those Excuses which he intreated me to approve of to be requisite and necessary In Obedience to his Commands I did as many other Lovers do believe the best within a few days I found an Alteration in my Self and not willing to discover my Condition I feigned my self Sick and Melancholy desiring my Brother to remove me to that Kinswoman's House where was the beginning of my Affliction There did I ease my Mind and make known the present danger which seem'd to threaten me for small Felicity did I take when Jealousies and Fears were always tormenting me thinking that my Brother had suspected my Imprudence But it being fully agreed upon between the Duke and my self that when I was in my last Month I should give him notice of it and that he with some other Friends would make Provision for me to go to Millain where those Matrimonial Rites should be solemnized This was the Night that was concluded on for his coming and this very Night waiting and expecting of him I heard my Brother pass by with many other Persons which seemed to be ready to engage by the noise of their Armour this suddain Fear made Passion so prevalent that instantly I was delivered of a Son and this waiting Woman of mine who was the Duke's Sollicitress and privy to all my Actions she seeing this suddain Alteration wrapt the Child in other Clothes than this Infant has on which was laid at your Lodging and going to the Street Door she gave it as she inform'd me to a Servant of the Duke's In a little while after accommodating my self the best I could answerable to my present Necessity I left the House thinking the Duke had been near at hand which indeed I did contrary to his Orders but the fear of my Brother's severity hindred room for better
faithfully promised to do so taking their Leaves of each other they departed to their respective Lodgings for their Repose Carola repeated all to her Brother what Angelia had related at which he was much surprized but told her were there a Confirmation of what she had then spoke she was for Beauty and Riches one of the Noblest Ladies in all Andaluzia and now said he we must use our utmost skill in preventing her speaking first to Don Manuel for though the Writing may be lost yet the remembrance of it will be found Carola having heard her Brothers Discourse retir'd to her Bed thinking to take her rest but that raging Torment of Jealousie would not permit her the least Repose Sometimes Angelia's Beauty and the Perfidiousness of Don Manuel appeared to her Imagination in the highest Magnitude and then the Writing that appeared so dreadful that nothing but Blood was seen instead of Ink. Such Agonies as these perplext her dubious Thoughts and hindred Sleep which proves a Friend to Care Her Brother was kept waking by Torments of another Nature for no sooner did he hear who Angelia was but his Heart was all on Flame such force has Beauty that it conquers Hearts and never ceases but in a happy fruition He did not imagine Angelia could be us'd so barbarously as to be tied to a Tree or clad in a Tattered Habit but in her Rich Apparel in her Father's House and now wishing for the welcome day that he might pursue his Journey and find out Don Manuel not so much to make him his Brother as to prevent his Marrying Angelia desiring rather to see his Sister Comfortless and Don Manuel fairly Buried than to see himself Hopeless Thus all with differing Thoughts at the Approach of Day they all forsook their Beds but Don Sebastian being first up sent for a Habit to fit his dearest Angelia she putting them on Girded her Sword about her with that Lively Grace and Vigour as surpriz'd Don Sebastian's Admiration and multiply'd a thousand Jealousies in Carola About Eight in the Morning they departed their Inn setting forward on their Journey for Barcelona and here I want Words to express the Thoughts which the two Brothers entertain'd touching Angelia Carola wishing her Death and Don Sebastian desiring her Life Carola seeking to find out Faults in her that she might not despair of her Hopes and Don Sebastian finding out those Perfections which more oblig'd him to love her All these thoughts hindred not their Journey for they reach'd Barcelona before Sun-set But as they entred into it there was a Tumultuous Noise and great Numbers of People were gathering together but upon enquiry into the Cause of it answer was made it was a Quarrel between the Seamen and some of the Inhabitants of that City Then riding up to the Sea-Shore they saw several Weapons drawn and Multitudes of People Hewing and Hacking one another and could distinctly discern the Faces of some that fought all this while Don Sebastian beholding this Cruel Scuffle observ'd amongst those that took part with the Seamen a Young Gallant that laid about him like a Tyger the Briskness and Valour of this young Gentleman together with the richness of his Cloths caused all those that beheld the Fight to fix their Eyes upon him and in such stedfast manner did Carola and Angelia behold him that at one Instant both cry'd out Heavens bless me Either I have no Eyes or that 's Don Manuel Then with great Nimbleness they alighted and drawing their Swords they cleared their way through the Croud and placed themselves on each side of Don Manuel Fear nothing Don Manuel cry'd Angelia for you have one by your side who with the loss of his own Life will rescue yours Who doubts it reply'd Carola while I am here Don Sebastian saw and heard what had pass'd but followed close resolving to take his share Don Manuel being busie in defending himself took little notice of his two Seconds but continued still eager in Fighting till at last he was forc'd to retreat with his two Valiant Amazonâ—… on each side The Fray it seems was not ended but Stones the Instruments of Popularity were thrown plentifully whereof one very unluckily with a well directed force hit Don Manuel full on the Breast and struck him backwards Angelia no sooner saw him fall but presently catch'd him in her Arms and Carola did the like Don Sebastian was likewise defending himself from the Showres of Stones which rained about his Ears yet saw the Accident which happened to Don Manuel and desirous withal to approach to his Souls delight a certain Catalonian Knight of great Authority in the City call'd to him to keep along by his side with a Promise to save him from the Insolency of the Unruly Rout Don Sebastian returned the Knight hearty thanks for his friendly proffer but besought him that he might pass forwards telling him he saw that in great danger which he valued more than his Life This stop was a great hinderance to Don Sebastian for before he could reach to 'em the Long-Boat belonging to the Admirals Galley had taken in Don Manuel and Angelia who would never let him go out of her Arms But as for Carola he arriv'd seasonably enough she being either weary or overcome with Grief to see Don Manuel Wounded or else inrag'd with Jealousie to see her Rival gone along with him had neither Power nor Strength to get into the Boat and doubtless had fallen into a Fit and dropt into the Water had not her Brother at that juncture of time appear'd to her Relief who indeed himself felt no less Torment than his Sister did Pain to see that Angelia was gone away with her Lover Don Manuel The Catalonian Knight being very much taken with the goodly Presence of Don Sebastian and his Brother call'd them from the Sea Shore where Multitudes were still thronging and desired them to go with him for he would Conduct them safe from the Rabble thus forced by necessity and being afraid of the People not yet pacify'd they willingly accepted of his friendly kindness Thereupon the Knight alighting from his Horse with his Sword in his Hand made way for 'em through the midst of that Tempestuous Croud The Knight having thus preserv'd the two Brothers brought them to his own House which was one of the chiefest in all the City Then he enquir'd of Don Sebastian in which of the Gallies he came who replying that he was newly come into the City as the Hurly-Burly began and espying in the Engagement a Gentleman who was wounded on the Breast with a Stone but could not by any means come to his assistance Moreover added he this Gentleman is a Person on whom depends all my Felicity in this World and therefore if I might obtain that favour from a Person so obliging I could wish he might be brought on Shore Thereupon the Knight freely told him that he would go himself and see him safe brought hither which
this time the Horse drew pretty near amongst them was a Woman upon a Brown Nag and in a fair riding Suit with a Mask on either for the better concealing her self or for a Preservative from the Sun and Air. Don Francisco made a Halt whilst the Horse came up to him as they drew near him they view'd his Lively and Spriteful Deportment his Physiognomy the Gallantry of his Garb and the rich lustre of his Diamond Hatband together with the proudness of his Horse more especially the Duke of Millain who was in the Company he no sooner espied the Hatband but presently apprehended it must be Don Francisco de Bazola who rescued him from that great danger wherein he was surprized so entertaining the verity of it in his Thoughts he made up to him and said after this manner Noble Sir if I call you Don Francisco I hope I shall commit no Mistake for your brave Deportment and gentle Disposition together with that Hatband confirms me to be in the right Sir reply'd Don Francisco you are under no Mistake for I never was yet guilty of any dishonourable Practices whereby the concealing of my Name was found necessary and since my Name has receiv'd that Honour to be known by you I hope Sir you will inform me of the occasion and make me so happy that I may remain no longer ignorant of yours but that I may pay those Respects due to your Person and Quality Seignior Francisco reply'd the Duke I am one who stands indebted to you for my Life and one whom your Victorious Arm so lately did protect and had not the Gods design'd it Death at that time had been my Portion My Name is Alphonso but more known by the Title of the Duke of Millain The Duke had no sooner declared himself but Don Francisco with great Agility alighted from his Horse the Duke with the same nimbleness was as soon out of his Saddle and took Don Francisco and imbraced him in his Arms. Seignior Marcellus from a far beholding these Ceremonies dubious whether they were Actions of Kindness or Anger put immediately Spurs to his Horse but in the midst of his Carreer he took him up gently by degrees and made a Halt seeing the Duke and Don Francisco Complementing each other The Duke espying Don Marcellus knew him at the first Sight but had not the least Cogitation of his being so near him he was somewhat amazed at it and enquired of Don Francisco whether he was of his Company Yes said Don Francisco and I will acquaint your Excellency with the occasion of it so defiring the Duke to step a little aside out of the Road he thus proceeded Don Marcellus whom your Excellency sees there has a great Accusation against you concerning his Sister the Lady Evadne and the Relation was to this effect That four Nights since you convey'd her from his Kinswomans House and have deluded and dishonoured his Sister for which now he is come to demand satisfaction from you All he expects Sir from you is either by performing your Promise to her of Marriage or to end the Dispute with your Sword he has desired me to accompany him and to be an Umpire in this Affair or else his Second which I have freely undertaken Now Sir understanding from his own Words the occasion of the late Animosity between you I am well assured you were the Master of this Present you pleas'd to honour me withal and to be the Donor of and knowing likewise that none could better be an Arbitrator in this Cause than my self nor be more tender of your Excellencies Safety than I am I was the more eager in the Prosecution of what I have undertaken Now that Sir which I would desire of you is That you would declare whether that be true which Don Marcellus alledges Dear Sir replyed the Duke it is such an Invincible Truth that I dare not deny it though my Inclinations led me to it But farther I must speak in my own Vindication I have neither deceiv'd the Fair Evadne nor conveyed her away though I am not ignorant she is removed from her Kinswomans House but whither I remain a Stranger at this time I do here Vow the Lady Evadne to be my Wife and if I did not publickly Celebrate those Nuptials the Reason of it was The Dutchess my Mother was desirous to Match me to the Lady Livia Daughter to the Duke of Ferrara but my Mother being now more ready for Deaths Arrest than for Lifes Protection I can now the better perform my Duty to the last Period of her Life and after her Death keep that Fidelity and Constancy I ever had for dear Evadne I will instance to you some few Particulars of these grand Mistakes the same Night you wrought my Deliverance my Intention was to have Conducted Evadne safe to Millain she was in that Month which she was to bring forth that happy Issue the Gods had ordained her to be Mother of now whether it were by reason of the Rencounter or my own Negligence I am dubious for when I went to her Kinswomans House I found at the Door Laurana her Maid the Supervisor of our Contracts Jocular Meetings and Agreements I enquired for her Lady she answered me she was newly gone but had that very Night been delivered of a Son one of the Fairest Creatures that ever Eyes beheld and that she had given it to my Servant Giacomo Laurana is here with me and Giacomo but my Child and Evadne are both missing I have been two days in Bolognia â—…n search after 'em but by all my inquiry I can receive no satisfactory account Now Sir reply'd Don Francisco when â—…he Lady Evadne and the Child shall appear â—…ou will receive 'em both as yours the one â—…or your Dutchess the other as your Son Most joyfully reply'd the Duke as long â—…ched Ground receives the welcom Showres for though I value my self as a Gentleman yet I esteem my self more to be a Christian The Lady Evadne's Vertues Merit a greater Title than I am able to dignifie her with and should that Glorious Sun but once appear or my Mother's Days be expired the World shall then be certified that if I understood what it was to be a Lover I also knew how to finish those Vows in publick which solemnly I made to her in Secret This will be joyful News to Don Marcellus said Don Francisco if your Excellency will permit him to be a sharer in it and not be held any longer in Suspence I much resent it reply'd the Duke he has remain'd unhappy so long under a Mistake Don Francisco being infinitely well pleâ—… made Signs to Don Marcellus to advance towards 'em who immediately Dismounted himself not thinking of the good Fortune which attended him The Duke met him with open Arms imbracing him and greeted him with the Name of dear Brother Marcellus being surprized scarce knew suddenly how to return an Answer to so loving a Salutation and courteous a
not my lost Liberty for whom â—…y Eyes have shed so many numberless Tears 'T is she for whom my Heart is ready to â—…urst with continual sighing 'T is she for â—…hom my Complaints weary the Gods by â—…y Invocation and the Ears of those which â—…e my Auditors 'T is she for whom thou â—…ook'st me to be Distracted or at least for 〈◊〉 man of low Esteem and less Courage 'T is Graciana to me a Tygress but to anoâ—…her Affable and Courteous She it is â—…hat keeps me in this Wretched and Miseâ—…able Estate For you must understand that from my Minor Years or at least ever since I gave place to Reason I not only Lov'd â–ª but did Adore her and kneel'd to her Devotion as to a Deity her Parents knew my Addresses were design'd to a Vertuoâ—… Intent for many a time have they acquainted Graciana with that Ardent Love and Affection I bare to her and have often iâ—…portun'd her to grant me a kind Acceptation But she who had placed her Eyes on Hippolito the Son of Moronio de Corisea whoâ—… you know very well a Young Spark Neâ—… and Spruce Lilly white Hands and Cuâ—…led Locks a Charming Tongue and Amâ—…rous Expressions composed of Civit Muâ—… and Amber Grease Gay Cloths and a Pleasant Deportment would not so much 〈◊〉 bestow one Glance of her Eyes on me wâ—… had not altogether so pleasant a Counâ—…nance as Hippolito nor vouchsafe to enteâ—…tain with the least Grain of Gratitude mâ—… best Endeavours to please her my man and continual Services but still require them with Disdain and Hatred and to suâ—… Extreams did the Excess of my Love brinâ—… me that I should have rendred my sâ—… happy had her Disdains and Crueltie put a Period to my Life that I might noâ—… have been Witness of her conferring such open though truly modest Favours upon Hippolito Consider now being thus tormented with Disdain and Hatred and almost mad with Rage and Jealousie in what a miserable case my Soul was while two such Mortal Plagues were reigning there Graciana's Parents concealed those Favours she bestowed on Hippolito thinking that he attracted by her most Exquisite and Incomparable Beauty which indeed was matchless would propose a Contract and so in him acquire her a Richer Husband and perhaps he might be so But I dare be so presumptious to declare without any Ostentation that my Birth and Quality is no ways inferiour to his and for his mind it cannot be nobler furnish'd than mine neither can his Valour if once called in question gain the Victory But that indeed which over-balanc'd me was Graciana's Favour and her Parents promoting of the business which only made the Scales uneven by their inclining to Hippolito Now it so happened that persisting in the pursuit of my Pretentions I had intelligence that one day in the Month of May last past Graciana her Parents and Hippolito accompanied with their Kindred Friends and Servants to make merry in Moronio's Garden near adjoyning to the Sea towards the Salt Pits I know the place well said Pyrrhus go on Gasparino I was more than four days in one but I could have wish'd I had not been there four Minutes I knew that reply'd Gasparino and at that very moment that I understood it my Soul was possess'd with such a Fury such a Hell of Jealousies that it bereaved me of my Senses as you may perceive by my following Relation I hasted to the Garden where I was inform'd they were I found most of the Company very pleasant and Hippolito and Graciana sitting under a Wall-Nut Tree at some distance from the rest How pleasant an Object I was to 'em I am yet to learn but the sight of her wrought so upon me that I stood like a Statue without either Sence or Motion but I continued not long in that Ecstasie before my Anger rouzed my Passion and Rage gave Motion to my Hands and Tongue I confess my Hands at present were bound by the respect which was due to that fair Face which I had in view but my Tongue breaking Silence I utter'd all that a Rejected Lover or Passion could invent But all I did say could not move Hippolito to displace himself but sate looking on me as one amaz'd not offering once to rise yet my Voice was so loud and my Expressions so sharp as occasioned those which were walking in the Garden to draw near who hearing the revengeful Language I gave my Rival came in to his assistance and then all Drawing upon me there began a most furious Combat between us I valued not their number but encountred them with such an Undaunted Courage that I Wounded seven or eight and put Hippolito to his Flight at the same time Graciana affrighted at this Engagement fell into a Swoon which as it reinforc'd my Courage so it enrag'd my Enemies the more to Revenge which it had been impossible for me to escape had not Fortune provided a Remedy worse than the Disease for on a suddain there rush'd into the Garden a great number of Turks Pirates of Viserta who with two Galleys had put into a little Creek of the Sea between two Rocks hard by the Shore where they Landed without being heard or seen by the Sentinels of the Watch-Towers or discovered by those Scouts whose daily office it was to scoure the Coasts and see that all was clear When my Antagonists espy'd 'em leaving me alone they swiftly ran away and shifted so well for themselves that they got safe out of their danger so that of all the whole Company the Turks took no more Captives but only three Persons besides my Self and Graciana who lay there still in a swoon I defended my Self and Graciana as long as strength would permit me till at length being wounded in four places and having killed four upon the place I was constrain'd as the stoutest Heart must to his Fortune yield The Turks with their accustomed Diligence having got as much as they could though not very well pleased with the Success made hast to imbarque themselves and presently put out to Sea so that what with their Sails and help of their Oars in a short space they recovered Fabiana where they muster'd their Men and finding they had lost four of their best Souldiers Levant-men as they call them they were the more willing to take their revenge of me and therefore the Admiral of the Captain-Galley commanded them to hang me up at the Main-yard's Arm. Graciana beholding the speedy Preparations for my Death gave the Captain of the Galley to understand that I was a Person of Quality and that if he did not spare my Life he would certainly lose a considerable ranâ—…om and therefore advised him to tack aâ—…out again for Trepana whence his ransom Money would soon be brought him aboard This was the first and the last Kindness which Graciana shew'd me and all for my greater Injury The Turks hearing what Graciana had reported easily believed her and this their hope of profit
not speak of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to what she should ask him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you may be sure our Lady hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and may over-hear our Discourse and to deal plainly with you has acquainted me that she is a great Admirer of you and has employed me to interceed with you in her behalf if you answer her Desires your days here in Captivity may seem more easie to you though in the end prove pernicious However for the present you must counterfeit your Embracements first for my desire and next it is a piece of rudeness to despise any Lady's Addresses To this Gasparino reply'd I never could harbour any such Thought Fair Graciana that any Service you should ever command me to undertake should prove so hard a Task for me to perform as this which you lay before me neither is it agreeable to the Honour and Faith of a Gentleman or the Reputation of a good man to feign and dissemble in such weighty Consequences However because you shall not say I gave a refusal to your first Request your Commands shall be obeyed I 'll Ianus like look two ways pursue the ill because it is for good to come of it I will to satisfie your desire and Albuma's Pleasure Lust I should have call'd it comply as far as a counterfeiting yielding will permit so that thereby I may gain the Happiness of seeing you to which purpose do you study for my Answers to her according to your Discretion which having said he entreated her briefly to tell him how she escaped from the hands of the Pyrates and how she came inâ—…o those of the Iew who so lately sold her The Story of my Misfortunes answered Graciana require more leasure than time will now permit yet will I not leave you wholly unsatisfied Know then that the very same Evening we parted Rozak's Galley was carried with a strong Wind to the same Isles of Pantanalea where we likewise saw your Vessel but ours we being not able to hinder it ran unavoidably upon the Rocks â–ª However Rozak foreseeing his own Destâ—…uction and mine before his Eyes beâ—…e the fatal ruine happen'd took care to have â—…e rowed on Shore between two Câ—…ks fastened together which was done at first by the Captain himself who had ventur'd his Life to save mine till an unfortunate Billow threw him upon the Rocks and dash'd out his Brains After which two others which were endeavouring to save themselves took hold of my Cable and hall'd me to Land where I lay in a Swoon for some time but of this I know nothing my self but by information With me eight other Persons sav'd themselves who though Turks us'd me with as much respect as if I had been related to them We kept our selves close in a Cave for eight days the Turks fearing the Christians should espy 'em which had command of the Fort in the Island and all that time we fed upon nothing but the wet Bisket which the Sea had cast upon the Shore from the broken Bins of the Galley which the Turks gathered up by Night that they might not be discover'd At the eight days end there arrived upon that Coast a Vessel of the Moors which came to an Anchor a little off the Land upon which the Turks made such signs to the Vessel which lay not far off that they which were in her perceiv'd they were Turks that call'd to ' em Thereupon they sent out their Cock-Boat and receiv'd them into their Bark wherein was an exceeding rich Iew a Merchant all the Lading of the Vessel or the most part of it was his being Freighted with Carpets and Hides with other Commodities which they carry from Barbary to the Levant In that Vessel the Turks sail'd for Tripoli and in that Voyage they sold me to the Iew for two thousand Ducats an Excessive Price if his Love towards me had not made him so generous as he afterwards declared to me Leaving the Turks after all this in Tripoli the Vessel Tack'd about to perform her Voyage and the Iew began to be very hot in his Sollicitations At length despairing to obtain his lustful ends he resolved to make the most of me the first opportunity that should offer it self At last he understood that the two Bashaws were in this Island where he might sell and vend his Merchandize as well as in Xio whither he was bound and intending to sell me to one of the Bashaws he put me in this Habit which I have on to make me the more Sailable and Amiable to the Eyes of those that bought me And now I understand this Cadi or Iudge has purchas'd me with a design to send me as a Present to the Great Turk of which I am not a little fearful Here I heard of your supposed Death and I must now declare to you if you dare believe me That it grieved me to the very Soul though I rather envied than pity'd your Misfortune not out of any disrespect but because I knew you were then happy while I continued still in misery Dear Graciana reply'd Gasparino you judged aright in what you have now spoken only Death had deprived me of this Happiness which I now enjoy in seeing of you once more a Felicity which I esteem more dear than my Life But Fairest of Creatures I am now to acquaint you the Iudge my Master by no less various Accidents than yours entertains the same Affection to you as Albuma your Lady declares she has for me and he has made choice of me to be the Interpreter of his Thoughts I received the Motion though not to do him that piece of Service but to gain the happy opportunity of conversing with the Joy of my Life Thus you may see Dear Graciana to what hard measure our Misfortunes have hurried us you to be Agitator in working such Impossibilities and me likewise to be Sollicitour in such a Pâ—…odigious Cause as this which rather than obtain I would forfeit Life and all I have which now I value since it has afforded me this great Happiness I am doubtful what to say or imagine reply'd Graciana how we shall be able to get out of this Labyrinth but you see what our Condition constrains us to make use of I am sure our Inclinations never tended to Dissimulation and Deceit we must now make a Vertue of necessity and therefore I will acquaint Albuma with some feeling Expressions pretended to be yours that shall rather entertain her with Hopes than drive her to Despair You shall likewise report of me to the Iudge what you think most convenient that may not prove prejudicial to my Honour but prevent his designs and since I wholly intrust you with it you may assure your self it never was yet violated though indeed those Difficulties I have endured might call it in question As for our Conversing one with another will by their means appear very easie provided you declare to none your Pretensions to me for in that very hour you do that you
I do I shall lose my poor Wife I shall become the most wretched and most unhappy Man in the World With divers other Complaints At the last when he perceived there was no Body in the Room but his dying Wife and a young Chamber-Maid Beautiful enough and very amiable he called her softly to him and said to her Sweet-heart I am ready to die my self to see thy Mistress in this Condition I am so over-whelmed with Grief I know neither what to say or do but only to recommend my self to thee and to Desire thee to take Care of my House and Children Here take these Keys and look well after what I commit to your Charge for I shall not be able to look after them any more The poor Girl being mov'd with Compassion to hear him express these Words did endeavour to comfort him what she could and did beseech him that he would not enter into so great a Despair for if she must lose her Mistress she hoped she should not lose her good Master also He replyed Sweet-heart it is impossible for I find my self to be a dying Man and not for this World See how the cold Sweat stands upon my Brow put your Cheek unto mine and your Lip unto my Lip and speaking these Words he forc'd his Hand into her Breast whereat the Maid seem'd very Coy â–ª but he desired her to let all Fears vanish for if she had any hopes of his Recovery she must approach nearer to him and with those Words he took her in his Arms and threw her on the Bed His Wife who had not spoken in two days before did with her weak Voice begin to cry out as loud as possible she could Ah ha what are you a doing I am not as yet Dead and threatning them with her hand O you wicked Creatures I am alive still and hope I shall not die yet Her Husband and the Chamber-maid hearing her Voice did immediately rise but she was so extreamly incensed against them that her Anger consum'd all the moisture of her Catarrh which was the load she was perplex'd withal before caus'd her to râ—…ttle in the Throat and could not utter so much as one Word but now she gave them all the Opprobrious Language she could imagine And from that Minute she began to recover and perpetually did reproach her Husband for making so much of his Chamber-maid Having ended his Story the Gentleman applâ—…ed himself to the Lady Madam said he you may see the Hypocrisie of Men that for a little pleasure they forget all the Sorrows and Pains their poor Wives endure but we must have so much Charity for him as to believe he thought it the only Remedy for her Recovery for seeing all his Kindness and Affection could not raise her out of that languishing Condition he was resolv'd to try this Experiment which indeed proved a Catholicon Indeed Sir replyed the Lady I can't blame you for harbouring so much Charity for your own Sex but had it been my Case I should not have rise only out of my Bed but out of my Grave also to be revenged on such a Husband What wrong replyed the Gentleman Madam did he do to comfort himself a little after he thought she was Dead for I hope there is none of the Company here Ignorant that the Bonds of Matrimony continue no longer than Life and then the Knot is untyed But how unty'd said the Lady 'T is true the Obligation of the Oath is of no effect any more but a good Husband would always preserve the Obligation of Love he had soon laid aside his Mourning who could not have Patience till Death had put a period to her Life By this time they were well forward on their Journey and the Gentleman told them he could relate to them a Story which was contrary to this wherein the Woman was very Diligent to create a Kindness from him After they had all return'd their thanks they earnestly intreated him to furnish them with what he was pleas'd to relate whereupon he proceeded as followeth In Spain there liv'd an A pothecary whose Name I shall conceal who had espoused a Vertuous Woman a good House-wife and Beautiful enough to give him content But as he tasted of divers Druggs so he did often times of divers Women the better to enable himself to Discourse of all Complexions whereat his Wife was so much tormented that she lost all Patience for he made slight of her and lov'd her not so well as she expected One day this Apothecary being in the Shop and his Wife near at hand where she concealed her self the better to listen to his Discourse there came to him one of his Gossips a Woman of the City and troubled with the same Disease his Wife was and sighing to the Apothecary O dear Sir she said I am the most fortunate Woman in the World For I Love my Husband as well as I love my self and perform whatever Obedience or Duty binds me to to him but all my Labour is but lost for he loves the most wicked the most deform'd and the most nasty Slut in all the Town better than he Loves me I would therefore intreat you good Neighbour if you have in your Shop any Drug that may serve to change his Complexion that you would let me have it for I am not well used by him and I assure you I will give you what ever it shall cost me The Apothecary having a great desire to Pleasure his Customer said to her that he had a Powder which if she put it in something either boyled or roasted and gave it to her Husband it would make him give her the best and fullest Contentment in the World the Woman being very earnest to see that Miracle desired to know what it was he represented to her that it was only the Powder of Cantharides of which he had great store in his Shop and before she went away she constrain'd him to prepare and weigh out some of that Powder for her and she took with her so much as he knew would serve to do the Business for which she afterwards pay'd him and gave him many hearty thanks her Husband being a strong bodied Man and not taking too much of it felt no great Alteration in himself but she found the good effects of it The Wife of the Apothecary understanding all this Discourse did think with her self that she stood altogether in as much need of the receipt as her Companion And observing the place where her Husband did put the remainder of the Powder that was left she resolv'd to make use of it her self the first opportunity she could find which within three or four days after wards she did her Husband deâ—…ng her to make him some good Pottage for he was troubled with a great cold in his Stomach She told him that something â—…ed would do better and be more profitable wherefore he commanded her to go presently to the Market and to buy
at last enforc'd to pull the Living almost Dead from him who was already Dead whom they did honourably interr but the greatest Triumph of his Obsequies were the Tears the Sighs and the Complaints of this poor young Lady who declared her self as much after his Death as she concealed her self in his Life and now as it were satisfied for the Injury she had done him And since as I have heard it reported the Husband she was married to to take off from himself thoughts of Melancholy could never be entertained with any true Joy or Comfort of Heart Brisac having ended his Story Supper came in and several sorts of Instruments played the while several Healths went round especially the Northern Queen's Philocles and Aurelia's they earnestly besought the Assistant that he would honour their Wedding which some eight Days hence they did purpose to Celebrate The Assistant was very well pleased with the Motion and within eight days after accompanied with all the Highest and Principal Persons of the City he waited on them to the Church By these turnings and windings and by these Circumstances Aurelia's Parents recovered their Daughter and were restored to their former Wealth and she assisted by her many Vertues in despight of so many Inconveniences lighted on a Husband of such especial Rank and Quality as Philocles in whose Company she lived many years in great Amity and Splendour leaving behind them Heirs to uphold the Names of Philocles and Aurelia THE Perfidious Mistress A NOVEL VAlentia one of the most Eminent Cities of Spain the Nurse of so many Families the Centre of Ingenious Spirits and the sacred Receptacle of the Bodies of divers Saints gave Birth unto Don Principio a Person of Noble Extraction Young and Master of all those Excellent Qualities for which Men are either lov'd or admired Having left his Country about twelve years before in the Company of an Uncle of his who had the Command of a Troop of Horse in Flanders he behav'd himself with so much Gallantry in those Parts that he was in a short time advanc'd to be Cornet under his Uncle who dying he supply'd his place and so continued twelve years in the Service of his Catholick Majesty Phillip the Third against the revolted Provinces of the Low-Countries He was at last in Compensation of his Services Honoured with the Order of St. Iames with the ordinary Allowances belonging thereto During that part of the year which makes a kind of Cessation of Arms in those colder Countries his aboad was in the City of Antwerp where by certain Letters from Valentia he receiv'd the News of his Father's Death which made him being the Eldest Heir of a very considerable Estate He might indeed now have lived plentifully on his own and pursued his Pleasures as many other young Cavaliers did who place all the Felicity of this Life in the Infamous Enjoyments thereof But he a Dutiful Son of Honour chose rather to continue the Exercises of War and serve his Country than by a suddain Exchange of Enjoyments blast his Reputation and incur the Reproach of a Person impatient of hardship and guilty of effeminacy This Consideration discovers him to be much more stay'd than those young Gentlemen who prefer whole Skins the shameful Blandishments of ease and the warmth of their own Fires before the Honour which a Person truly deserving that Name should endeavour to purchase in the Service of his Prince But Don Principio considering withal that he could not upon this News of his Father's Death avoid taking a Journey to Valentia to order the Disposal of his Estate he desired leave to do it of his most serene Highness the Arch-Duke Albert who finding the just Occasion he had to go easily condescended proffering him at his return what Advancement he could reasonably expect which obliged him to make the more earnest Promises to come back into Flanders contrary to the Presumptions of many who immagin'd that he had made an exit from the Military Stage thence-forward to follow the more pleasant Divertisements of a Civil Life Being come to Valentia where his Relations and Friends kindly entertain'd him he began to order the Management of his Affairs not trifling away his time in unprofitable Diversions whereto young Men are but too much addicted For though he were a Soldier yet was he no Lover of gaming a Disposition for which he was much to be commended considering his Age and Quality inasmuch as gaming Occasions a thousand Misfortunes and unhappy Accidents whereof there had happen'd not a few at Valentia Nor was Don Principio as yet any way inclin'd to Love though he could not want Occasions to express his Courtship and how far he had studied the Mysteries of Love and Eloquence since what added much to the Lustre of that City was the great number of fair Ladies shining in it like so many Stars but his most ordinary Employment was the Exercising of his Horses Of these he had four Excellent ones extreamly well manag'd which he had bought in Andaluzia and one which he rode a hunting the Bulls according to the Custom of the Country shewing himself at that sport more dextrous than all those who were accounted the Bravo's of the City 'T is a Custom in Valentia that in the beginning of the Spring for the space of about fifteen days together most of the Families of the City go about the Silk Husbandry which they have in the adjacent Villages One day Don Principio rid abroad into the Country through that Delightful plain which is near a Garden not far from Valentia known by the Name of the Monastery of our Lady of Hope and having spent the whole Afternoon about those pleasant Gardens refreshing himself with the sweet scent of the Flowers of the Orange-Trees whereof there is good store there abouts the Sun being so far declin'd that it seem'd to be equally divided between us and our Antipodes he passed by a Country House not far from the pleasant River of Turia where he heard at a small distance one playing on a Lute so well that he thought he had not heard any Musick comparable to it before He stopp'd his Horse imagining the Person playing on that Instrument so excellently might also sing to it He expected a-while with much Impatience but the Musicianess putting the Instrument into several different Tunes did not what he so much desir'd which was to hear her Voice In the mean time Night came on and Don Principio extreamly delighted with the place he was in gave his Horse to his Lacquey and commanding him a little distance off he staid alone under the green Balcony whence the Musick came to find out who made it But he had not waited long ere he could perceive by the light of the Moon that it was a Lady who being got into that Balcony to take the Advantage of a gentle Wind then blowing began a-fresh her delightful Musick on the Lute whereto she joined that of an admirable Voice
day Don Alonzo fail'd to meet the Gentleman of Sevil and put of the visit he intended him till the next In the mean time Donna Olivia understood from Donna Catharina that she was resolved to lead Apes iâ—… Hell rather than have Don Antonio to heâ—… Husband Having already trusted her Duenna with some of her Secrets she thoughâ—… she might make an absolute discovery of her self to her and thereupon told her how that before her Father had treated of a Marriage between her and Don Antonio she had been Courted by a Person of Honour named Don Valerio de Merdea that she had some Inclination towards him and that the Perswasions of her Father had prevailed with her to entertain the Applications of Don Antonio but having discovered his Unworthiness she was resolved to re-address her Affection to Don Valerio Donna Olivia was almost out of her self for Joy to hear that News for it put her into a Confidence that her Design would take â—…nd the more to promote it she disposed Donna Catharina as much as lay in her Power â—…o favour Don Valerio He must needs be disâ—…leased with me says she to her yet I â—…oubt not but a Letter from me will re-ingage him my humble Servant The crafty â—…uenna proffered to be the Bearer of it on Condition she might do it by Coach Donâ—…a Catharina was very glad to find her Woâ—…an so ready to serve her especially in a Buâ—…ness which she was so much pleased with â—…nd so she commanded a Coach to be made â—…eady and that she should go immediately to â—…e Don Valerio to whom she writ a Letter Donna Olivia took Coach pretending to go to Don Valerio's House but she went to her own â—…nd bid the Coach-Man return to Donna Caâ—…arina and tell her that for fear notice â—…ight be taken of the Coach she would go â—…foot to the Place where she had sent her â—…onducted by Granatus her pretended Father â—…rom that House she writ two Letters one â—…o Don Alonzo desiring him to come to her â—…he other to Don Valerio to the same Effect with Directions to find the House While the Letters were carried abroad she put off her Widows Habit and put on that of a Person of the highest Quality expecting these two Visits with the accustomed Ceremonies of Spain Don Valerio de Merdeâ—… was not long a coming though he knew nothing of the Person who had written to him There had not past many Complements between him and Donna Olivia but word waâ—… brought her that Don Alonzo de Castiza was alighted out of his Coach and was coming into the House Sir said she to Don Valerio I am obliged to speak with the Person who is coming up all alone Not but that you may hear the Discourse we shall have together and therefore let me entreat you to stand behind this Curtain whence you will hear all we say for it concerns you more than you imagine and will prove to your Advantage Don Valerio complied not knowing what might be the issue of this Precaution Don Alonzo came in and having taken a Seat Donna Olivia whom he knew not as she was then dressed Addressed her self to him with this Discourse I doubt not Sir but you somewhat wonder you should be intreated hither by a Letter and that from a Person not known to you To recover you from that Confusion I will give you an account of my self I was Born in the Imperial City of Toledo the only Daughter of the House from which I am descended and Heir thereof I am of the Family of Priola so well known all over Spain that I need say nothing of it As to my Quality I am to tell you farther that my Father was in his time honour'd with the Order of St. Iames and my Brother of that of Alcantara with the Command of a Troop of Horse under his Majesty in Flanders upon his Death I retired to a Country-House I have near Toledo where I lived privately contenting my self with the Innocent Enjoyments of a Country Life without the least Acquaintance of any thing of Love till that one Morning a Shepherd of mine brought to my House two Men who had been robb'd and stripp'd the Night before by certain High-way-Men I took Compassion of them especially him who by his Demeanour seem'd to be the Master and out of two Chests of Cloths my Brother had left I furnished them with two Suites wherewith they covered their Nakedness They seemed to be very thankful for so seasonable a Favour but the more considerable of the two hath treated me very ungratefully which is the ordinary stile of Courtiers and hath requited my Charitable Offices only with Flatteries and Deceit I was so simple as to be cajoll'd by the Caresses he made me during four days that I kept him at my House and he prevailed so far with me that I was no longer at my own Disposal The re-iterated Oaths and Protestations of a Person of that Worth raised me into a Perswasion that he really loved me and that induced me to love him again to be short upon a Promise he made me of Marriage he got me in a Humour to grant him the greatest of Favours He made me believe that his going to Court was for the Prosecution of some Law-Business that concerned him very highly He desired my leave to go to Madrid promising to return again in a short time but with such Demonstrations of Love as might easily have prevailed with one who had not fancied him so affectionately as I had done I supplied him with all things necessary and he left me extreamly troubled at his departure Now by a Picture and Letter he left behind him under the Bolster I found that the Occasion of his coming to this Court was in Order to a Marriage between him and that Miracle of Beauty Donna Catharina your Daughter Now our Honour being the most considerable thing we ought to be tender of I could do no less upon the procedure of Don Antonio than resolve to come to this Court and to apply my self to my Friends that by their Favour I might cross the Marriage he is about and you will find that I may easily do it if you but see what Cards I have to play I conceived my first overture should be to acquaint you with my Disgrace the Dishonour I have run into by the Acquaintance of Don Antonio and his Treachery towards me that receiving it from my own Mouth you may not be too forward to conclude what is already resolved between you as I have understood With the Paper I have here in my Hand I will prosecute him to the utmost it is under his own Hand and Seal and Witnesses to it be pleased Sir to peruse it and see whether I have not Reason to prosecute this Ungrateful and Perjur'd Man and to force him to a performance of the Promise he hath made me Don Alonzo was astonished at this Relation of Donna Olivia's and by what
the dissembling Corrina went by That done he went about his Business attended by the little Negro whom he gave Money to Buy Provisions for a good Dinner Corrina got up and the Gardeners Wife punctually obey'd the Orders she had received from her Master treating her the best she could out of this respect that all the Domesticks made their advantage of those magnificences Corrina comes down into the Garden where she took occasion to commend the Walks and contrivances of it for the Gardener kept it in very good order and well supply'd with Herbs Fruits and Flowers finding the Sun beginning to grow hot she went into the House where casually meeting with a Lute on which Mercator's Factor was wont to play she set it in Tune and made her entertainment till such time as Mercator return'd from the City who hearing her at it was not a little glad to find that perfection in her more than he knew before perceiving that Mercator hearkned to her Musick she joyned her Voice to the Instrument to breed one Maggot more in his Brain than he had already and so Sung these following Stanza's While on those lovely looks I gaze To see a Wretch pursuing In Raptures of a blest amaze And pleasing Happy ruin 'T is not for pity that I move His Fate is too aspering Whose Heart broke with a Load of Love Dyes Wishing and Admiring But if this Murder you 'd forego Your Slave from Death removing Let me your Art of Charming know Or learn you mine of Loving But whether Life or Death betide In Love 't is equal Measure The Victor Lives with empty Pride The Vanquish'd dye with Pleasure She Sung so excellently that Mercator was ravish'd at the Melody and acknowledg'd that it was not a voice of a Mortal Creature but an Angel come down from Heaven he continu'd his attention a while imagining she would have begun another Song but perceiving she laid by the Lute he comes into the Room and transported with joy how hath this poor Habitation been felicify'd said he to her by your retirement into it most adorable Artemiza What happiness did the Hour of your Arrival here bring me who never had known any before What Honor have I received in beholding your transcendent Beauty and to obscure in you from time to time a thousand unknown excellencies which are not discover'd at the first sight This house may no doubt enter into Competition with Heaven it self since such an Angel Honors it with her divine presence what I say Madam is but little in Comparison of the passion I have for your worth which were it to be â—…ommended proportionably to the appreâ—…ension I have of it I think the most Eloâ—…uent Persons that ever were would be at 〈◊〉 loss for expressions suitable to so adorable a â—…ubject You press too hard upon me Dear Sir reâ—…lies the Counterfeit Artemiza seeming to â—…lush at those excessive praises I am not such 〈◊〉 stranger to my self but that I know it arâ—…ues excess in the highest degree to bestow â—…uch extraordinary Commendations on a â—…erson that deserves so little had I mistrustâ—…d your being within hearing I would have â—…ut off my diversion to another time since â—…tis not unlikely my voice may seem harsh to you compar'd to the excellent ones of this City which you often hear unless it be that generous Natures have an inclination to favour Persons of mean parts by flattering them by their praises into an Imagination that their Edowments are greater than indeed they are No more Complements I beseech you replies Mercator rais'd up to the highest pitch of â—…esotted Love my words come short of my Faith and I am to assure you withal Madam that though I have heard excellent voices in Sevil for I must confess there are some such yet yours is infinitely beyond any of them Your most humble Servant Sir says Corrina your Commendations are infinitely beyond my deserts and the Honor you do me can do no less then raise in me a hearty wish that my poor abilities might find you some further diversion with this Instrument since you are pleas'd to acknowledge your self so much satisfied therewith but my troubles are so great and pressing that in what I did I mended only my own I must see them at an end ere you leave this House says Mercator to her and therefore let me intreat you if you cannot conclude an absolute peace with your afflictions at least Condescend to a short cessation of Arms. These reiterations of your Favours must needs extremely oblige me replies Corrina and consequently force me to a grateful compliance with your Commands as far as lies in my Power but I cannot promise it you so fully as I wish finding the Person who brought me hither hath forgotten he did it otherwise he would have found some means to have given me a visit once in three days let not that create you any trouble replies the Amorous Miser but rather imagin there may be some Cause for his neglect I have some apprehensions said she that he may be return'd to Granada out of a fear that being miss'd there he might be question'd as a Complice of my Escape and this would prove the greatest of my misfortunes for if he be gone he hath carried all I had along with him Never fear it says Mercator for he must have more Compassion than to forsake you in so great an extremity but though he and all else fail you assure your self I shall not whereof I cannot give you a greater assurance than you may derive from this sincere protestation of my being so passionately your Servant that I imagine not my self to be the same Person I was before I saw you this transformation is wholly to be attributed to your Divinity and thence you may inferr the influence you have over me Having so said Mercator made an absolute discovery of his Love the cunning Gipsie pretending she understood not his meaning return'd civil answers to the proffers he made her acknowledging her self extremely oblig'd to him for his kindness and that she doubted not of the performance of what he was pleas'd out of his own good Nature to promise By this time Dinner was set on the Table they both sat down and the entertainment was very noble suitable to the Love of the Founder for where that little Deity comes once to reign the first Act he makes is for the banishment of all baseness and avarice Corrina and Vasquez had agreed together that he should come to her when he were sure the Old Merchant was abroad and that he should disguise himself like a Beggar that he might not be known nor any suspicion be conceiv'd of him she had studied several ways to chouse the Miser of some part of his Treasure but could not fix on any one she thought might prove effectual the Chamber where it was lock'd being extremely fortify'd she had continu'd there 3 days ere she had either seen or heard from
return'd it to him again saying Sir this is not mine but I beseech you except of it and wear it as a Trophy of this days Victory Moreover he added I am sorry that Time Summons me away which hinders me the paying you that further respect that is due to your Merits Using some short Complements the Stranger took his leave of Don Francisco who was in a great Surmize who this Person should be but by the richness of the Hatband of Diamonds which was on the Hat the Stranger gave him he concluded he must be some great person of Quality Don Francisco as he was returning home met Don Bernardo his Companion who told him he thought he had been lost and withal desired him to turn back and walk with him some few Paces and he would give him a Relation of what had happened to him in his Absence Don Francisco willing to hear his Story return'd back with Don Bernardo who gave him this following Account A little more than an hour after you were gone I went in order to find you out and before I could reach thirty Paces saw a Person coming in great hast as it were to meet me and approaching nearer to me 〈◊〉 perceiv'd it was a Woman in a long Habit who with a Voice interrupted with Sighs and Tears said Sir are you a Stranger or one of this City Madam I â—…eply'd I am a Stranger and a Spaniard at â—…our Devotion and am ready to assist any Lady in Distress I see Amazement Madam in your Face 'Pray are you Wounded or have you receiv'd any prejudice whereby your Life is in danger Sir said she the Injury I have receiv'd may prove my Death without some speedy Remedy Therefore I beseech you by that Civility which is never wanting in any Gentleman of your Nation to Conduct me safe to your Lodging with the greatest speed imaginable there I will inform you of my Person and the occasion of giving you Sir this trouble Seeing my assistance was desired with speed without any reply I led her through private ways to my Lodging Roderigo my Page was ready who when he had opened the Door I order'd him to withdraw and without his seeing her conveyed her to my Chamber She was no sooner entred but she threw her self on the Bed and fell into a Swoon upon which I uncover'd her Face which was shaded with a Vail and discover'd the greatest Beauty that ever Mortal Eyes beheld her Age I Conjectur'd might be about Seventeen I stood a while in admiration at such a rare Angelical Form and Shape but recovering of her self she put me out of that deep Ecstasie I was in but she continued sighing and lamenting her Condition lifting up her Eyes she look'd earnestly upon me and said Do you know me Sir No Madam I reply'd I never was so happy to be acquainted with so much Beauty O unhappy is that Beauty said she which Heaven bestows on many for their great Misfortune But this Gentle Sir is no time to commend Beauty but to remedy the Events of Future Mischiefs Therefore I beseech you by your Worth and Nobleness to leave me here lock'd up from all Humane Eyes and presently return to that place where I receiv'd from you that kind assistance If there be any Persons engaged with one another I entreat you Sir side not with any Party but rather seek to reconcile their difference for whatsoever Blood is spilt on either side will be a new supply to my former Miseries Having done speaking I assured her those Commands she had laid upon me should be obeyed and punctually observed so having left her to her self I am now going to finish my Promise The Accident is very strange reply'd Don Francisco and if you have done I will give you an Account of my Adventures So relating to him the whole Story of what had happened to him but particularly of the Quarrel he engaged himself in in rescuing a Gentleman who was defending himself against a very unequal number which he believ'd might be that Engagement he was going to inform himself of and which the Lady would receive satisfaction from Moreover he told Don Bernardo all things were now silent and did believe that those Persons who were engaged were Persons of great Quality They both admir'd at each others Fortune resolving now to hasten homewards to look after their Charge and give their Attendance to the Lady As they were walking home Don Bernardo acquainted Don Francisco of the Obligation the Lady had laid on him and of his Promise he made to her for performance of it which was That none should be admitted into the Chamber but himself Don Francisco reply'd I will devise some Stratagem or other to behold this Beauty you have so highly commended In discoursing Don Bernardo cast his Eyes on the Hatband Don Francisco had which did sparkle and shine with great lustre so taking it from his Head they both found it to be exceeding rich and of great Value This Hat reply'd Don Francisco was presented to me by the Person whom I assisted telling me I should accept of it because it was well known and keep it as a remembrance of that Days Victory Being arriv'd at home Don Bernardo open'd his Chamber Door and finding the Lady leaning her Cheek on her Hand which she had bath'd with her tender Tears Don Francisco having an earnest desire to see her put his Head half way in at which instant the sparkling of the Diamond Hatband shined in those Eyes which were full of Tears Come in my Lord Duke said she come in Why will you distribute to me with so sparing a Hand the richness of your Presence Madam reply'd Don Bernardo your Ladyship 's mistaken here 's no Duke to excuse himself for not waiting on you How Sir said she no Duke Then have my Eyes deceiv'd me for that Person that looked into the Room must needs be him whom the richness of his Hat cannot conceal Indeed Madam I can assure you reply'd Don Bernardo the Hat which you saw no Duke wears it and if you are willing to be fully satisfied by giving him admittance into your Presence the Person Madam shall attend you Sir if it will not be too great a trouble to you said she to request that favour of him I shall be more at ease yet if my hopes are frustrated and he prove not to be the Duke it will make an Addition to my Affliction Don Francisco heard what was said and having leave granted for his Admittance he made his Entry into the Chamber and having paid those Respects due to her Person and Quality she was soon convinc'd that he was not the Duke then Blushing at the Mistake with a discomposed Voice said to him Unhappy and Miserable that I am Inform me Sir I beseech you without holding me in Suspence whether you know the Person that did own this Hat Where you left him And whether happily alive or is it the unwelcome Messenger of