it from falling foul upon the Rocks All that were in ours did the same but with more Vigour and Advantage as the Event demonstrated for those of the other Vessel tired with the Fatigue and overcome by the obstinate Fury of the Wind and Fortune abandon'd their Oars and making no more resistance committed themselves to the disposal of Fate But that having no pity for them we saw her strike upon the Rocks and break into a hundred Pieces Now the Night began to cast her black Veil over the Horizon and so great were the Shreeks and Cries of the drowning Persons together with the Fright Confusion and Apprehension of those of our Galley who having before their Eyes the horror of Death could neither hear nor execute the Commands which the Captain gave only they did not quit their Oars and for our last refuge we turned the Poop of our Ship to the Wind and cast two Anchors into the Sea to put off if it were possible a little farther from us the Death which seemed very nigh Thus every one besides my self were in the fear of Death but I who desired nothing more for the false hope of seeing her again in another Life who had but just now lost this worked so much upon me that every moment the Galley deferred sinking or striking against the Rocks was to me an Age of suffering the Agonies of Death When the foaming Waves came over our Deck and often wash'd my Head I stood attentive to contemplate and see if the Corps of the unfortunate Leonisa should be cast up with them I will not hold you longer Friend Mahomet in telling you part by part the Fears the Anxieties the Imaginations the Thoughts which I had in that bitter and long night Not to break my promise to couch in few Words my sad Story Let it suffice that my Misfortunes were so many and great that if Death had come it should have been very welcome The day broke with appearance of a greater Storm and we found we had made a great way and had got clear from the Rock and were near a Point or head Land of the Island which the Turks and Christians seeing took Courage and renewing their Strength and Labour in six hours they weather'd it when we found a calmer Sea wherein we could make use of our Oars When we were got under the shelter of the Island the Turks took the opportunity and landed to see if there were any Wreck of the Galley which was dash'd to pieces the Night before But Heavens would not grant me the Favour which I hoped for in seeing in my Arms the Corps of Leonisa which tho dead I should have been glad to have embraced but the ill influence of my unfortunate Stars hinder'd my joyning with that so beloved Body I also entreated a Christian Renegado that he would search whether she had been cast up on the shoar but herein also Fortune grew adverse to me for the Wind being stronger and stronger at last was so furious that we could no longer abide there Fetala considering this resolved no longer to strive with Fortune She was presently so far from Land that he was secure that no Impediment could put him out of his design'd way The Oars were laid two and two upon the Deck the Rowers sat upon the Benches the Souldiers were under Deck so that tho' there were so many Persons in the Galley there appear'd none but the Steer-man who for greater security had caus'd himself to be tied fast The Galley sail'd with such swiftness that in three Days and Nights we pass'd within sight of Trepani of Velasso and Palermo and came into the Fare of Messina with great fear of those who were in it and of those also who saw us from Land But because my Narration shall not be as long as the Storm I conclude we arrived at length in Tripoly hungry and tired by the long run we had made almost round Sicily where my Patron before he had divided to the Levantines their Part or paid the fifth to the King as the Custom is fell ill and died of a Pleurisie Immediately the Bassa of Tripoly and the Fiscal who has the inspection of Goods left by the Dead seiz'd upon all the Estate of Fetala in the Name of the Grand Signior who is the sole Heir of those who die without bequeathing him the fifth Part I fell to the Bassa of Tripoly who fifteen Days afterwards receiv'd Orders to be Bassa of Cyprus I am come hither but not with intention to redeem my self tho he has several times told me I might if I pleas'd for the Soldiers had inform'd him that I was rich but I assur'd him that they who had told him so were deceiv'd theirselves and had also deceiv'd him If thou desirest Mahomet to know my Intention I will tell it thee I will never return to any place which may afford me Comfort my desire is that the bitter Memory of Leonisas Death together with the misery of my Captivity should deprive me of all Pleasure or Gust as long as I live And if it is true that great Griefs must quickly have an end or they will bring them that suffer them to theirs I hope mine will not want that effect For I intend to give my self over to them that in a short time they may ease me of this troublesome Life which I so much hate This is Friend Mahomet the lamentable Story of my Misfortunes this is the cause of my Sighs and my Tears consider now whether this is not sufficient to draw them from the bottom of my Heart and cause a Drought in my afflicted Breast Leonisa died and with her all my hope tho that whilst she was living hung by a small Hair nevertheless nevertheless speaking this Word Nevertheless he became dumb and could not retain his Tears which fell in such abundance that they moisten'd the Ground neither could Mahomet abstain from weeping But as soon as Ricardo was recover'd out of the fainting Fit this Narration had put him in Mahomet endeavour'd to comfort him with the best Arguments he could think of but he interrupted him saying the best and most profitable advice you can give Friend Mahomet is to instruct me by what means I may come to be in my Patrons displeasure and be hated by all those with whom I must of necessity Converse that my ill Treatment may add Sorrow to my Sorrow and I arrive sooner at my desired Port which is to go out of this miserable Life Now I find 't is true replied Mahomet what is commonly said that that makes it self be felt will make it self also be express'd tho' sometimes Grief strikes those dumb upon whom it seizes But if your Pain do's equal your Expressions or exceed them you ought to believe that you shall always find in me a faithful Friend both to counsel and assist you And altho' my want of Years and my inconsiderateness in putting on this Habit may advise you
of Leocadia were as it were all in one time They covered their Faces with their Handkerchiefs and with drawn Swords turn'd back overtook them who had scarce ended their thanks to God for freeing them from those Ruffians Ridolfo seized upon Leocadia took her in his arms and carried her off she had not strength enough to defend herself and the suddainess of the assault took away her voice and the sight of her eyes and put her into a swoon that she knew not by whom and whether she was carried Her Father cryed out her Mother skreek'd her little Brother fell a weeping and the Servant-maid tore her face but the cries the Skreeks the lamentation and the tearing of the Face availed not for this desert place the silence of the night and the cruel Hearts of these Villains had no ears or compassion In fine these went away triumphing and the other remain'd afflicted and disconsolate Without any impediment Ridolfo got to his House and the Parents of Leocadia to theirs being as it were desperate through their exceeding grief Being deprived of their Daughter they were become blind for she was the light of their Eyes and not having her sweet and grateful company they were as it were alone in a word they were in a confusion not knowing whether they ought or not complain to the Justice but they were not willing to publish their dishonour They saw they wanted Friends being poor Gentlemen and they knew not of whom complain In the mean time Ridolfo being cunning and wary carried Leocadia to his own Chamber and when he found she was in a swoon as he carried her he covered her eyes with his Handkerchief that she might not take notice of the Streets by which she pass'd nor the House nor the Room into which he had brought her for his Father had given him an Apartment whereof he kept the Keys a great error in Parents who think to keep their Sons within limits and yet let them live separately Before Leocadia return'd to her Senses Ridolfo had satisfied his Lust For the Impetuousness of lascivious Youth seldom considers what they are going about but when occasion proffers execute their designs so he being deprived of the light of his Understanding in the obscurity of the night robb'd Leocadia of her most precious Jewel and as the most part of the Sins of Sensuality pass not beyond the effect Ridolfo wish'd Leocadia were removed at a greater distance and he had thoughts of putting her out into the Street whilst she lay in a Trance But going about to effect this Barbarity she recovered saying Wretch that I am where am I what darkness is this am I in the limbus of my Innocency or in the Hell of my Sins Jesu who touches me am I in a Bed Miserable that I am do you hear Mother do you hear me dear Father now I perceive one nor the other hears me and that I am in the hands of my enemies How happy should I be if this darkness would last Eternally and my Eyes should never see light again that this place was the Sepulchre of my Honour for dishonour unknown is better than Honour which consists only in the opinion of Men. But I remember and would to God I did not that a little while since I was in the company of my Parents and that I was assaulted and now I imagine and perceive that 't is not convenient I should be seen any more Whoever you are that are now with me and in saying this she clasp'd the hands of Ridolfo if you have a Soul capable of granting me a favour I beseech you since you have robb'd me of my Honour that you would take away my Life also take it from me presently for she who has lost her Honour is not worthy to enjoy her Life The cruelty which you have used towards me will be excused by the pity you will shew in giving me my death in so doing you will be both cruel and compassionate These words of Leocadia put Ridolfo into a confusion and being young and unexperienced he knew not what to say his silence caused great admiration in Leocadia and she stretched out her hand to try whether that which appeared at her side was a Spirit or a Body but finding that she touch'd a Body and called to mind the violence used towards her she was convinced of the disgrace which had befaln her With this conviction she returned to her lamentable complaints which many sobbings and sighs had interrupted and thus she spoke Rash young Man for this act of yours shews you to be so I pardon what you have done if you promise and swear to me that as it has been cover'd with this night you will also conceal it under perpetual silence Know and consider that I never saw your Face neither will I for altho I shall never forget the injury I will not however remember the offender My Lamentations shall be betwixt me and Heaven the World shall not know them who judge not according to Truth but their own Opinion I know not how I come to tell you the particulars of this Truth those being founded upon the experience of many accidents and in the course of many years and mine are not yet arrived to seventeen But now I know that grief loosens the Tongues of the afflicted But whether I speak or be silent you ought to believe and afford me remedy Not to believe me were ignorance and 't would be too much cruelty not to endeavour my cure altho alass my ill is incurable I will not despair for 't will cost you very little to give me some ease in my intolerable Affliction and this it is I desire of you do not expect or believe that time can mitigate my just disdain nor augment my grievances Do you reckon that by chance and without premeditation you have offended me without giving your self time to consult your Reason and I will esteem myself never to have been born in the World or at least only that I might be miserable Pray presently put me into the middle of the Street near the Domo that I may return to my House But you must Swear not to follow me nor to ask mine nor the Name of my Parents who if they were as rich as they are noble would not without revenging it see the unhappiness of their Daughter Answer me if you fear I should know your Voice believe me for 't is true I never heard any Mans Voice but my Fathers and my Confessors so few have I heard that I cannot distinguish Voices Ridolfo made no other answer to the discreet words of the afflicted Leocadia than to embrace her with intentions to renew his pleasure and her dishonour But she perceiving his wicked Design resisted him with more force than one would have thought such tender years had been capable of she defended herself with her Feet her Hands her Teeth her Tongue thus speaking to him Ah Traitor ah
a Grecian Renegado by name Isuffo demanded for Leonisa Six Thousand Crowns and Four Thousand for me adding he would not part with one without the other He put this so great Price upon us because as afterwards I understood he was enamour'd with Leonisa and did not desire that she should be ransomed but intended to give me to the Captain of the other Galley who was to go equal shares in the Prey intending to let him have Four Thousand Crowns for my Ransom to which he would add one more out of his own Pocket to make up the Sum Five Thousand and keep Leonisa to himself And this was the reason why he asked for both of us together Ten Thousand Crowns believing we should never be ransom'd and that it was impossible for our Friends to raise so vast a Sum. Leonisas Parents profer'd nothing trusting to my Promise neither did Cornelio open his Mouth to assist her At last after much ado my Major Domo agreed to pay Five Thousand Crowns for her and Three for me Isuffo consented to this Bargain being forced to it by the Persuasions of the Captain of the other Galley and the Clamours of the Souldiers But because my Major Domo had not so much ready Money he desired the term of three days intending to sell my Estate and so raise what was wanting Isuffo rejoyced at this delay hoping that something might intervene to break off the Bargain and said that he would return to the Isle of Fabiana and come back by that time But my cruel Fortune not yet contented with what I had suffered brought it to pass that one of the Turks who stood Centinel upon the highest part of the Isle discovered six Christian Vessels sailing towards them and guessed them to be a Squadron of Malta or Sicily as in truth they were came running to give this information they in a trice imbarqu'd leaving behind them some of their Company boiling their Victuals others washing their Cloaths and having with incredible speed weighed their Anchors they rowed out of the Port then hoisting their Sails they steer'd to the Coasts of Barbary and in less than two hours lost the sight of the Galleys and being under the Covert of the Island and the Night which approached they were quit of their fear I refer it to you Friend Mahomet to consider in what condition I was seeing my self making a contrary Voyage to what I hoped and especially the next day when the two Galleys arrived at Pantalarea upon the South side whereof they went on shoar to provide themselves with Wood and Flesh as their Frase is and to divide their Prey Isuffo gave to Fetala for this was the Name of the Captain of the other Galley six Christians that is to say four Rowers and two handsom Boys Natives of Corsica and me also to boot and kept Leonisa for his share Fetala was satisfied with this Division and altho I was present at the making of it I understood nothing of what passed till Fetala told me in the Italian Language Christian you are mine you cost me two Thousand Crowns in Gold if thou desirest to have thy liberty thou must give me Four Thousand or dye in captivity I asked him Whether the Christian Gentlewoman were his too He answered No that Isuffo had retained her with intention to turn her to Mahometanism and marry her And it was true for so one of the Slaves told me who well understood the Turkish Language and had heard the Agreement made betwixt Isuffo and Fetala I then spoke to my Patron that if he could get Leonisa to be his Slave I would give him for her Ransom ten Thousand Crowns in Gold He answered that he could not do it but that he would let Isuffo know how great a Sum he might receive for her possibly so much Money might make him change his mind and be willing to part with her He told Isuffo what I had offered but 't was in vain Afterwards he commanded all those of his Gally presently to embarque because he was bound for Tripoly of which place he was In like manner Isuffo resolved to sail to Biserta and imbarqu'd with that speed as they used to do when they run away from the Christian Galleys or pursue them and they made the more haste because they perceived the Weather began to change and feared a Storm Leonisa was on the shoar but where I could not see her but when we were to embarque we arrived at the same time to the Sea side Her new Patron or rather her new Lover lead her in his hand and when they came to go into the Galley she turned her Eyes to see me and mine were fixed upon her with so much Tenderness and Grief that I am not able to express in that instant came a Cloud over my Eyes and a Darkness which deprived me of my sight and without Sense I fell backward upon the shoar I was afterwards told that the same Accident befel Leonisa and that she fell into the Sea from the Plank whereupon she was going up to the Galley and that Isuffo leapt in after and caught her in his Arms and brought her back into the Ship This was told me in the Galley of my Patron whether they had carried me in my Swoon but when I returned to my Senses and saw my self there separated from Leonisa and that the other Vessel stood another Course and went farther and farther from me carrying away the half of my Soul or to say truer my whole Soul my Heart sunk in me and I began afresh to curse my ill Fortune and with a loud voice to call for Death My Complaints were so many and so great that my Patron was almost deaf with hearing them and came to me with a good Battoon in his hand threatning to use it upon my back if I did not hold my peace I repressed my Tears and witheld my Sighs thinking that using this Violence would make me burst and open a passage to my Soul which was so desirous to abandon my miserable Body But Fortune not yet contented to have brought me to these Streights was resolved to fill me with Bitterness takeing from me all hopes of Remedy The Storm of which they were afraid and the South-Wind were so furious that we were forced to let our Vessel drive at the discretion of the Wind. The Captain design'd to weather the Point of the Island and shelter himself under the North side of it but he could not effect it for the Wind bore so hard upon him that all that which we had got in two days we lost in fourteen hours and were driven back within three or four Leagues of the place from whence we set out and were in great hazard of being forced upon it not upon a plain Shoar but upon dismal Rocks which threatned us with inevitable Death We saw not far from us the other Galley wherein was Leonisa All the Turks and Slaves endeavouring by their Oars to keep
know of him the same and so the Jew left him In the way as Mahomet conducted Leonisa to the City he enquired of her in Italian whence she was she answered of Trepani he ask'd her if she knew a Gentleman of that place of an illustrious Family and rich enough whose Name was Ricardo Leonisa hearing these words fetch'd a deep sigh and reply'd I know him to my cost How to your cost reply'd Mahomet Because my knowledge of him has been unfortunate to me and his knowledge of me to him It may be Madam you know another Gentleman of the same City added Mahomet young and handsom and the Son of a rich Father valiant discreet and no less liberal call'd Cornelio I know him too reply'd Leonisa and that has done me more hurt than knowing Ricardo but who are you that are acquainted with these Persons and enquire concerning them I was born in Palermo reply'd Mahomet various accidents have forc'd me to put on this Habit different from what I used to wear but I know those of whom I enquire for they were lately both in my power Some Moors of Tripoli took Cornelio and sold him to a Turk who afterwards brought him into this Island with Merchandise and trusted all his Estate in his hands He knew well how to keep it said Leonisa for by nature he is very thrifty But pray Sir tell me how Ricardo came into this Island A Pyrate brought him answered Mahomet who took him in a Garden near the Sea in Trepani and he said that with him they took a certain young Lady whose Name he would never discover He staid some time here with his Patron who went to Medina to visit the Sepulchre of Mahomet but a little before he was to go he fell sick and his Patron left him to me because I was his Countryman to look after him till he returned and if he should not come back I should send him to Constantinople and that he would give me advice as soon as he should arrive there But the Heavens were pleased to ordain otherwise The miserable Ricardo without having a Fever ended his Life in a few days having always in his mouth one Leonisa Tell me I pray Sir did Cornelio in his Discourse with you ever mention Leonisa He did Madam reply'd Mahomet and he ask'd me whether I knew of any Christian Slave in this Island so call'd and gave several marks of her saying he could find in his heart to Ransom her if her Patron would not ask him too dear but perhaps said he her Patron has enjoy'd her and therefore I do not esteem her so much as I once did But if her Ransom does not exceed three or four hundred Crowns I will be so liberal as to disbursse them remembring that once I had some affection for her It was but little reply'd Leonisa which at the dearest is not worth more than three or four hundred Crowns Ricardo was more liberal God forgive the Person who was the cause of his Death Woe is me I am that unhappy Maid whom he lamented as dead God knows how much I wish that he was living that he might perceive I laid his Death as much to heart as he did the report of mine I am Sir she that was so little beloved by Cornelio and so much lamented by Ricardo many and various Accidents have brought me into the condition wherein you see me and altho it has been in much hazard I have hitherto by the Favour of Heaven preserved my Honour with which I live contented even in this Misery I know not what will become of me who is to be my Patron whether my adverse Fortune will hurry me therefore I pray you Sir for the sake of those Christian Parents who begot you that you would assist me with your Counsel in these my Troubles which every moment come so fast upon me that I know not which way to turn my self Mahomet answered That he would give her the best Counsel he could and always assist her with all his Industry and Power Then he told her of the difference betwixt the Bassas upon her account and that she was to remain in the Power of the Cady his Master till he would convey her to the Grand-Seignior But nevertheless he hoped in the true God in which he also believed tho but a sad Christian that before this took effect his divine Goodness would dispose better of her In the mean while he advised Leonisa to get into the Love and Good-liking of Alima the Cadys Wife And for that purpose he acquainted her with her Conditions and many other things conducing to her profit Then he put her into Alimas custody and told her what his Master commanded him Alima received her with a chearful Countenance seeing her so handsom and so richly apparell'd Mahomet returned to the Tent where he told Ricardo from point to point all that had passed betwixt him and Leonisa but when he came to declare what Sentiments she shewed at the hearing of his Death the Tears came into his Eyes he told him that he had feign'd the Captivity of Cornelio to see how she would bear it and advised him with what Coldness and Disdain she spoke of him a great Comfort to the afflicted Heart of poor Ricardo He further added I did not understand what the Bassas had agreed upon amongst themselves but a Venetian Renegado told me afterward who was present during that Negotiation and very well understood the Turkish Language So that it is necessary in the first place to invent something to prevent Leonisas being sent to the Grand Signior Then the first thing that is be done said Mahomet is to find some way that you may be my Patrons Slave that once obtained we will take that Counsel which shall be most expedient Whilst they were thus discoursing there came to them the Guardian of Assans Slaves and took away with him Ricardo The Cady returned into the City with Assan and in a few days made him all his necessary Dispatches giving him them folded up and sealed as I said before to carry to Constantinople Upon which he suddenly began his Voyage recommending earnestly to the Cady that he would send the Slave and write to the Grand Signior to favour his Intentions The Cady promised him but without intention to perform it for the Love he had for the Slave had burnt his Soul into Ashes Ali departed full of fallacious Hopes and Assan staid behind not empty Mahomet got Ricardo into his Masters Family several days passed and the unquiet desire to see Leonisa did so much afflict him that he had not one moment of Repose He called himself Mario lest his own Name should come to Leonisas Ears before he saw her Now t was a difficult thing to do that the Moors being extraordinarily jealous of their Women and will not let them be seen by any but Christians esteeming them to be frigid and impotent A day after Alima saw her new Slave
the Affairs of the House but when there was occasion in the Marquess's absence undertook public Matters composing Differences of the meaner Subjects and the Nobility with so much Equity that she was cried up by all of them as a Woman sent from Heaven for the public good It was not long before she found herself with Child to the Joy of the Country which was increas'd by her being safely deliver'd of a most beautiful Daughter to her Husbands and Subjects great Satisfaction for altho they had rather it had been a Son yet they were well pleas'd with this Introduction hoping and not doubting that a young Woman who had given this sign of her fertility would in good time bless them with a Son and Successour No sooner was the Daughter nurs'd but the Marquess was resolv'd to put in effect a very strange Resolution whether more admirable or laudable let the learned judge to make an experiment of the Fidelity and Patience and Obedience of his dear Wife which he knew too well to have any reason to suspect and he was not contented to make one single trial but repeated ones which began thus He calls her into his Bed-Chamber and with a troubled and discontented Countenance spoke in this manner to her You cannot but remember Grissel for I do not believe your present Condition has made you forget what you were I say you remember how you came first into my House tho you are belov'd by me and very dear which I will not deny Yet I must tell you to my great Grief you are not so to my Subjects especially since you have brought forth a Child and they believe you may have more and now they shew theirselves very uneasy and ready to mutiny for being under a Woman of such mean Parentage It is necessary to the Peace in my Dominions to dispose of your Daughter not according to my own Inclinations but so that I may quiet the minds of my Subjects and to do that then which nothing can grieve me more But I would not put it in effect without having your Knowledge and Consent not doubting but you will arm yourself with Patience as you promis'd before we were married Having heard him speak without any alteration in her Countenance or Speech Sir said she you are my Lord and Prince I and this little Daughter are yours do with your own whatever you think fit whatever pleases you shall not displease me I desire to have nothing else nor fear to loose any thing but you whom I carry fix'd in my Heart that no Time or Death it self can remove all things may happen sooner than I shall change my mind towards you The Marquess rejoyc'd at this answer but conceal'd it and seem'd to leave her with great sadness in his face not long after he sent for an Officer of his Guards of whose Fidelity he had often experienc'd in matters of great Importance and having given him full Instructions he sent him to the Marchioness he came to her in the Night I humbly beg of you Madam said he to forgive the Messenger that brings you ill Tidings and not lay the fault upon me for what I do I do by compulsion and God knows against my will Your Highness is wise and knows how we are to behave ourselves who are under Masters neither can one of your divine Understanding be ignorant altho you have not yet known it by Experience that we are under an indispensable Obligation of obeying our Masters Commands be they never so rigorous I am commanded to take this Child from you and here he stop'd as not being willing to declare what he was to do with it The fame of the Messenger his suspicious Countenance and the time of the Night and his suspicious Speech made her firmly believe the Child was to be murder'd or at least expos'd upon the Mountains yet she did not sigh or shed the least tear which would be a wonderful thing in a hir'd Nurse and was certainly a most admirable in a natural Mother but with a sedate Countenance she took the Child in her Arms looking a while upon it then kissing it most tenderly and blessing it and making the sign of the Cross upon it she deliver'd it to the Souldier Go said she and execute what ever Commands your Master has laid upon you yet let me beg one thing of you bury my Daughter and permit not that her Flesh should be food to Birds and wild Beasts but I do not desire even this if your Master has given you positive Orders to the contrary The Officer return'd to the Marquess and inform'd him of what pass'd what was said and what was done which mov'd in him Fatherly Piety but not to that degree as to bend his mind and make him desist to prosecute his rigorous experiment but he deliver'd the Child to the Officer commanding him to wrap it up in warm Cloaths and put it into a Cradle and carry it upon a Mule with great Care and easy Journies to Bolonia and there to deliver it to a Sister of his who was married to the Count of Panico to be Educated and Instructed as a Daughter of such a Father ought to be but with privacy and secretness that no body should guess or know whose Daughter she was He went and carefully perform'd the Commands which his Master had laid upon him In the mean while the Marquess oftentimes consider'd the Countenance and Words of his Wife and could find therein no change there were the same Chearfulness the same Sedulity and Obedience as before the same Love no sadness no mention of her Daughter neither on purpose or casually the Name of her was never heard proceeding out of the Mothers mouth In this Condition they pass'd four Years when the Marchioness prov'd again with Child and in due time was deliver'd of a Boy the most beautiful Child that ever the Sun shin'd upon to the great Joy of its Father and of all his Friends and Subjects which after having been in the Country at Nurse was brought to Saluzzo where the Marquess resided who not being yet satified in what he had done resolved to push on yet further this cruel Experiment and thus he again accosts his Wise I told you before Grissel said he how much my People grumbled at our Marriage especially after they found you were fruitful but now their discontent is augmented since you have brought forth a Son for they stick not to say and I have often heard them When the Marquess Gualtiero is dead Janicolas Grand-Child is to be our Prince and our noble Country must be subject to the Off-spring of a poor Labourer This is the common talk of the People which make a great impression upon me for I love Peace and fear Tumults and Insurrections that therefore I may make my Condition secure I find my self forced to dispose of this Child as I have done of his Sister but I thought good to acquaint you with it
first least the suddain and unforeseen Accident should disturb you To which words she replied I told you before Sir and now I repeat it to you I can neither will or refuse any thing but what you please to have me do I have no share in those Children but the pain of bringing them into the World you are my Lord and theirs dispose of your own as you think fit and ask not my Consent for the same moment I put my Feet into your House as I put off my Raggs so I did my Will and Affections and put on yours therefore in all things whatever you will I will also If I could fore-know your Will I would desire the same and execute it before you should declare it to me but since I cannot do that tell what your pleasure is I 'll willingly perform it say 't is your pleasure I should be put to Death I 'll go to it with a good will for nothing at all not even Death shall diminish my Love and Obedience The Marquess admiring his Wifes constancy went from her with a stern and troubled Countenance and presently sent to her the same Officer whom he sent before who begun with a great preamble of the necessity of Soldiers obeying their Prince tho the Actions were never so ungrateful to those who did them and hurtful to those who suffer'd by them and much begging Pardon and desiring her not to have hard thoughts of him for he was but a Servant and came unwillingly to disturb her Highness Having made such an harangue as if he was about to put in execution some cruel and wicked unheard of Vilany which he durst not mention he demanded the Child of the intrepid and patient Mother who without changing her Countenance took the Child from the Nurse into her own Arms it was very beautiful and shew'd early hopes of excellent Endowments of mind and was not only belov'd by the Mother but by all that saw it she sign'd it with the sign of the Cross bless'd it and kiss'd it as she had her Daughter before then looking a little while upon it without discovering any sign of Grief she put it into the hands of the Officer Here said she take the Child and do with it as thou art commanded but one thing I desire of thee suffer not the Flesh of this beautiful and innocent Infant to be devour'd by wild Beasts and the Birds of the Air. The Officer return'd to his Master giving him an account of the execution of his Commands which caus'd wonder and amazement in the Marquess that had not he known that she tenderly and passionately lov'd her Children he would have suspected this female Constancy to have proceeded from a rugged and fierce Nature or at least from an apathie and want of Passion and maternal Affection but he knew well she was compassionate and lov'd every one but lov'd her Husband above all things The Officer was commanded to dispose of the Son as he had done before of the Daughter to carry him to Bolonia to be taken care of by the Marquess's Sister which he did One would have thought that these trials of his Wifes Patience Fidelity and Obedience might have been sufficient to have satisfied the most cruel and rigorous Husband But there are some who when they have once begun never know when 't is enouf and when 't is time to leave off of this number was he who resolv'd to proceed and push farther this cruel Experiment fixing his Eyes therefore upon his Wife to try whether he could discover any change in her and doing this daily and continually he could perceive none at all but that she was still more faithful and more obedient if it could be possible than before she had suffer'd such cruel and inhuman usage It seem'd that they two had both but one Will or rather that she had none at all but his was hers The Marquess began insensibly to loose his Reputation and to be accounted a cruel and unjust Person thus to make away his Children born of so vertuous obedient and every way accomplish'd Wife All his Subjects admired and pitied her and did not stick to say that tho she was the Daughter of a Labourer yet she was too good for him and that the worst Wife that ever was in the World did not deserve such usage This discontent and murmuring of the People came to the Marquess's ears but were not prevalent enouf to turn him from prosecuting his Experiment The Children did not appear and no body knew what was become of them which made him who before this act was belov'd and dear to all become infamous and hated Twelve years after the birth of his Daughter he sent Messengers to Rome who were to bring thence the Popes pretended Bull or Licence to be divorc'd from his Wife and spread a report amongst his Subjects that he had obtain'd leave of the Pope to annull the first Marriage and to marry again for his own quiet and the satisfaction of his People for it was not an hard matter for him to make this believ'd by the ignorant Mountainers especially so far distant from Rome this news mightily disgusted them but they were forc'd to submit to the will of their Prince tho not without grumbling and hard thoughts When this report came to Grissels ears tho I believe she was sad yet she was unshaken being resolv'd to undergo with an undaunted courage whatever the Marquess should inflict upon her she patiently expected the event and what he would do to whom she had unchangeably submitted her self and all her concerns The Marquess wrote to his Brother in law at Bolonia to send back his Children and gave out a report that he had made choice of the young Lady to be his Wife A few days after the receipt of this Letter the young beautiful Maid now marriageable richly apparell'd and her Brother a Youth seven years old attended upon with a great troop of Nobility and Gentry with much pomp and solemnity set forwards from Bolonia in order to make their public entry into Saluzzo upon a day appointed The Marquess according as he had done before to sound his Wife and try whether her patience would hold out against so many cruel and repeated assaults and to heap upon her shame and grief sent for her and in the presence of a great number of by-standers he spoke thus for a good while Grissel I delighted in having you for my Wife but 't was before I was thorowly acquainted with your temper but now I can endure you no longer I perceive that all great fortune is a great slavery and that it is not lawful for me to do that which every poor man may My Subjects compel me to divorce you and the Pope has granted me his Dispensation to marry again my Bride is upon the Road and will be here to morrow carry your self magnanimously then and deliver up your place take back your Portion and return to your
were setting down at the Table the Marquess turning towards her with a loud voice that he might be heard by all as if he had done it on purpose to put an affront upon her Grissel said he What is your Opinion of my Bride is she not handsome has she not a modest ingenious and vertuous Countenance In truth Sir said she I never saw one of a more beautiful and promising aspect you may lead a happy Life with her and if not 't is impossible any body else can please you I wish and hope and am confident she will be a Blessing to you But Sir let me beg of you and in good earnest advise you not to try such rigorous Experiments upon her as you did upon your late Wife for she is young and has been tenderly educated and I believe will not be able to endure so much as I have done such usage will soon either break her Heart or provoke her to break yours The Marquess hearing her speak this admiring the chearfulness and constancy of a Woman whom he had so often and in so cruel a manner offended was mov'd to pity her unworthy Sufferings and was not able to proceed any farther in this cruel way Taking her by the Hand my Grissel said he I have made too much trial of thy Affection and Fidelity I am abundantly convinc'd of the reality and immensity of it neither do I believe that any one under the Canopy of Heaven has experimentally found so much Love Faith Constancy and Obedience in a Wife as I have this said he took her into his Arms embrac'd and kiss'd her with all imaginable Tenderness and Affection Thou art said he my dear and only Wife besides thee I never had nor ever will have any other she that you believe to be my future Wife is thy Daughter and this Youth is thy Son both which thou thought'st to be lost now thou hast them again Let those know who foster'd ill Opinions of me that my Curiosity has caus'd me to make some Experiments but has not made me impious to try my Wife but not cast her off to hide my Children but not murder them She hearing these Words was near dying with Joy and her natural Affection spurring her on she ran to her Children bathing their Faces with Tears which copiously flow'd from her Eyes now seeing again those dear Pledges whose Death she had lamented she tir'd them with Kisses and almost drown'd them with her Tears Upon this the Ladies came in Troops about her felicitating the joyful and happy End of her so many so long and cruel Sufferings they strip'd her of her poor Garments and dress'd her like a Bride with rich Cloaths which the Marquess had order'd to be made for her against that Day She was applauded bless'd congratulated by all the Palace rung with the general Acclamation of the People every ones Heart was fill'd with unspeakable Joy and their Eyes with Tears which it produc'd the Joy and Magnificence of her Wedding-Day was much inferiour to this of her happy Return and her Childrens They liv'd together for many Years after even till their Deaths in perfect Love and Concord the Marquess never trying any more Experiments and the Affections of his Subjects return'd like a rapid Torrent and was greater than before its Ebb. He sent for Janicola of whom till then he had taken no notice least he might hinder his making Experiments he order'd him an Apartment and a bountiful Pension which might enable him to live like the Marquess's Father Not long after he married his Daughter to a Noble Man of Savoy suitable to her Birth and Beauty and the great Portion he gave with her To conclude He dy'd in Peace after having been for many Years the happiest Man upon Earth in his Wife and Children His Son now at Mans Estate and perfectly instructed and accomplished by the care of his Tutors and Parents succeeded him in his mild and just Government and the hearty Love and Affections of his Subjects FINIS