Tournaments wherein all the youthful Nobility assembl'd and perform'd diversity of Gallantries Three years after Marriage the Duke stay'd in that Country by the Intercession of his Wife who found no small Regret to leave her Native Soil but at length urg'd by necessity of some weighty Affairs wherein the Duke had been a very considerable Loser they were forc'd on their Journey at a very inconvenient time for my Mother who was then eight months gone with Child of me Heaven had already bless'd them with a Son whose graceful Aspect promis'd early Virtues Not much above one year they had enjoy'd him when they set forward towards Portugal they met with a pleasant Land-Journey and embarqued with as fair a Prospect but that over-ruling Power that finds it expedient sometimes to dash our sweetest Cups with Gall presented them a too too bitter Draught which when compel'd by Fate there 's no Man can resist They were within some few hours sail of shore when the Heavens overcast and a dreadful Storm arose which prov'd only a direful Omen of their Misfortunes for in less than half an hour it clear'd again to pleasant calmness and serenity when from the Top-mast-head they ' spied a Ship that gave them chace with all the sail that she could make they crowded down upon them they were in some consternation and surprize but the Duke whose noble Soul could ne'r admit of Fear took all the most convenient methods for defence that the short time would give him leave Now by the nigh approach to their Perplexity they discern'd her to be a famous Pyrate who for many years had scoured those Seas no way they had to escape for their Adversary having the Wind soon boarded them The Duke at this time perform'd Wonders but having few Assistants besides his own Attendants and not being well provided for what so little was expected after a stout defence which startled much the Pyrates by desperate Multitudes he was repuls'd They being now the Masters of the Ship grew insolent and rifled all their Treasure clapping the Sailors under Hatches and making all their Prize My Mother who had endur'd all the violence of Fears and Terrour at this last Scene of immediate Death or Slavery fell with the direful Imagination into a Swoon The Duke being luckily by receiv'd her in his Arms and altho' his Reflections did present him with too clear a Prospect of their Woe he us'd all the Indulgence and tender Applications that could recover her and encourage her to bear Faâ—e with a Patience worthy of herself It was a considerable time before he was convinc'd she liv'd and the fatal demonstration serv'd but to involve him in a greater Doubt for the warm Perswasions he had whisper'd summoned back some fleeting Hopes and untimely disclos'd her Eyes to be a Spectator of young Frederick their only Child and his Nurse just forc'd on board the Pyrate This Sight renews her former Grief and sunk her with the weight of Desperation Nor was the Duke with all his Fortitude now in condition to address a Comfort he saw his Wife expiring at his Feet his Child a Captive to insulting Villains and he the sinking Prop that should relieve them Love Pity Charity divides his Breast and equally demands his kind Assistance but all the Means was taken from his Hands and he had nothing left but his bare Wishes which was reduc'd to wish himself and his dear Wife next Prey that they might suffer all together Whilst he stood in this Extremity of Care a violent and unexpected Hurricane arose and separated the Ships which lay grapled together the fury of the Tempest drove them so fast that in short time they lost sight of each other The Seamen who were very industrious at their Plunder were most of them in the Long-boat conveying off their Booty and but two at this time left on board the Duke abject Rascals who finding their Necessity meanly were imploring for their Lives but the Duke who was wholly taken up with his Sorrow had but just reason enough left to release his own Seamen to whose Mercy he left them and from whose hand they receiv'd their Deaths whilst he imploy'd himself in the recovery of my Mother Grief and the cruel Sufferings she underwent had taken full possession of her Heart and it was with great difficulty they kept her Soul and Body together till they made a Port in Algarves call'd Tavila where she had not been two days but she was deliver'd of me sometime before the usual season and deliver'd up her Life at the same minute My Father was the most afflicted Man in the World and had it not been in consideration of me which oblig'd him to preserve his Life in care to mine he hardly had surviv'd my Mother He stay'd not long after the Funeral-Rites but took me with my Nurse to a House he has near Ville-Neuove where he liv'd a disengag'd and retired Life till I attained the Years of Fourteen at which time he thought it convenient to introduce me into the World that I might be the better capable of acting for my self We then remov'd to Lisbon where we liv'd with all the Grandeur that could render an advantage to my blooming Years I had the Priviledge of visiting the Court and some publick Places which in a short time got me not a few Admirers The Duke was willing to see me well disposed of and incouraged those of the most Illustrious Families and of the greatest Characters for me to make my Choice but I being only taken with the Gallantry and Address liv'd with a cold Indifference to the Sex and could not be prevail'd upon to Marry It was at this time that my small Beauty gained some little Fame at Lisbon when Octavio appear'd at Court and was generally reported a Noble Cavalier but one whose nice Virtues were eclipsed by a profound Melancholly there lack'd not those who imputed it to Love and apply'd it to several of our Beauties yet knew no more then from their bare Opinion he had the good luck to be particularly receiv'd amongst the Ladies and I confess my self that often I have view'd him with some Pleasure He had something in his Aspect that attracted all Eyes and something in his Disposition so engaging that there was no beholding him with bare Indifference yet mine was Admiration and not Love which afterwards I was too dear convinc'd of Several small Services I had receiv'd which past with me but as his common Humour till a more evident Address too fatally inform'd me Madrigals Songs and Billet-doux he sent by Night with Sighs and Serenades he entertain'd me by these and a thousand other ways he oft declared the Message of his Heart which found more free access into my Breast then all the Gallantry I knew before yet I had Conduct to conceal my Thoughts and gave him not the least Incouragement but rather seem'd vext at his ill plac'd Passion some Months pass'd on with this
him My Maid had us'd all Arguments with Reason that might perswade a sense not wholly banish'd but finding I was refractory to Advice and hearing the trampling noise of Feet draw near made no Apology but pulled me in and gently shut the Door This Quarrel reach'd no Ears but only ours except the Servant who had let him in who finding him uneasie in his Mind had modestly withdrawn to wait his Order and accidentally being fallen asleep not waken'd till the Fray was almost over Scarce had my Maid chain'd up the outward Gate but he approach'd us with disorder'd Care making a strict Enquiry for Octavio Oh! how I sunk beneath my load of Fears left this loved cruel Man should now be ruin'd Ingrateful as he was I still ador'd him 'T was then even tho' his Perjuries were fresh I did forget the Outrage done my Heart to think of Means for his Security Stifling the Anguish of my sinking Soul I made a cunning search into this Servant and learnt from him the time Octavio came and that he was alone disguised and dull that none had seen him enter but himself whom Business accidentally had kept up This gave through all my Fears some little Hope that probably there might be no Distrust if I could bribe this man to Secrefie With subtile Instruments I prob'd his Breast and found it at the bottom truly honest his Interest and Advantage was Octavio's whom he loved and served for many Years admir'd in Infancy his budding Virtues and at those early days sought his Affection yet I not failed from time to time to seal his vow'd Fidelity with powerful Gold Having thus passed a sacred solemn Promise next to avoid Suspition in the House we stole with silent Caution all to Bed to me the most detested place in Nature because design'd for Rest and Fase yet forc'd my Heart even far beyond my Will since all this Care concern'd Octavio's Good Till nine of the Clock the next morning I suffer'd all the racking Pains of Love Fear and Jealousie and by this time Report was spread throughout the City that Alcidas was slain his Hat and Gloves that drop'd in the Rencounter being found drench'd in a dreadful gore of Blood but for the Body it could not be heard of tho' careful strict enquiry was made The Viscount startled at the fatal news came trembling with surprize and grief to tell me at sight of whom before he spoke a word Reflection dash'd my tortur'd breast and not being able to support its weight I sunk from the Chair I sate into a Swoon He guess'd by this that I had been inform'd and weeping bore a part in my Affliction pitying my Loss and poor Alcidas's Fortune Industry was us'd to bring my Life but all their Application was in vain till above half the day was spent then I began to breath the Air of wild Distraction Madrid was now the Seat of Wonder Rage and Sorrow the Murder of so great a man was generally lamented a search was now began throughout the City both for the Assassinates and wretched Corps no House or Vault or Well escap'd a ransack which gave me all the agony of Fear for the unfortunate distress'd Octavio yet all this diligence made no discovery no Author found that had done such a deed nor could Alcidas's Body e'er be heard of which Riddle I could never understand Our Family did suffer cruel Censures my strange Aversion and the fatal Place the Time nay every Circumstance look'd odd and gave too fair Pretences for Suspicion but nothing could be prov'd so that the Death of this Unfortunate receiv'd no other expiation than a publick Sorrow Contrary to my Hopes 't is true I liv'd but liv'd the most dejected She on Earth mourn'd that this Tragedy was not my own rather than be the Fate of all adored me I saw the passionate Alcidas fall and fear'd the utter loss of brave Octavio his parting Blow kept still a fresh Idea of all the Cruelty that there was acted I doubted his extremity of Mind would prompt him rashly to destroy himself or if he liv'd he liv'd no longer mine How wretched how unhappy was my Life my Fears augmented by perpetual Silence no Tidings of Octavio could be heard no Letter nor no Message did come near us which much perplexed the melancholy Viscount but I that knew too much and dreaded to know more dy'd daily with the expectation of the worst Sometimes I thought I was oblig'd to speak that necessary Methods might be taken but oh the Bloody Fact had so much Horror that my Soul shrunk at the remembrance to tell the Viscount 't was impossible and likewise barbarous to disturb his Peace besides I knew not how he would resent my management in keeping it so long Thus restless thus oppress'd I sunk beneath the Burden of a Secret which Time had made too dangerous to reveal The small Relief of Hope had almost left me Silent and sad I bore a tedious Pain and only waited Death to give me Ease when there arriv'd a Letter from Octavio the Viscount unto whom it was directed read it with all the smiling Ayr of Pleasure but my prophetick Fear allow'd no Transport an unaccountable foretelling Sadness did overcome my Joy to hear he liv'd I dreaded to enquire yet knew not why but oh too soon the Viscount did expose that Letter which produc'd my final Ruin Octavio was now at Portugal from whence he excused his long silence and stay since 't was not to be imagin'd he could return to Madrid without endangering the loss of Life and Fortune for Reasons which he guess'd the Viscount knew but he good Man did only apprehend these words as they related to the next that follow'd which told him of a noble Match propos'd between himself and a most glorious Maid fram'd by peculiar Providence with care and made a charming Abstract of Perfection Aspatia happy Aspatia was her Name Daughter to the most Renowned Duke de Almeyda born to command and conquer all that saw her Crowds of adoring Slaves lay at her Feet and gloried in their blest Captivity the Universe did ne'r produce before a clearer Virtue Wit or solid Judgment nor Nature form so lovely or exact a Beauty For oh said she in Sighs and floods of Tears I have heard her perfect and impartial Character At this Don Lelio blush'd and almost died with swift reflections on his vanquish'd Honour and the kind lavish Praises of his Rival The sad conceal'd Melantius at this part was ready with his Passion to expire but chaced with violence his Spleen away to give attention to the mournful Sequel whilst Don Ariosto who had too much Grief to mind an alteration in Don Lelio proceeded in this manner 'T was here my Fugitive discover'd Charms nor Sorrow Wit nor Reason coul withstand such Charms that when his Soul was all o'er dark and dismal Horror calm'd and dispers'd the melancholy Cloud disarm'd the torturing Fury in his Breast and
plac'd a Troop of smiling Cupids there 't was not without encouragement he wrote to learn what he might hope for from his Father on what Demands he might expect to gain a Beauty of that bounteous Wit and Dower giving his Raptures latitude to speak the most he thought his Mistress could deserve This when I read no Tongue can tell my smart my throbbing Breast did heave my Eyes distorted no doubtful Wretch that stood their latest Doom was half so shock'd at a condemning Sentence speechless and cold I fell upon the ground and only short-breath'd Sighs declar'd I liv'd but soon again I did recover strength to fall a Supplicant at the Viscount's Feet to whom I wept and told the movingst Tale that his sad Pressures like to Niobe's seem'd to have turn'd his reverend Frame to Stone I wept and told him even from our budding Loves each circumstance of what I have now related declar'd the Murder and display'd my Wrongs begging him to compassionate my Cause since I was still compel'd to die or love him Grief stop'd his Tongue from making a Reply but with his Head he bid me quit the Room to give him liberty to vent his Trouble I left him languishing to that degree that Fate sate daring Reason in his Face which pierc'd my very Soul as I departed the look he gave me seem'd a last Farewel and 't was with great compulsion I retir'd to leave him to the rigid Sourge of Fortune which I perceiv'd did handle him severely After some wretched hours of close retirement he forc'd a settl'd Mind and sent for me his Countenance appear'd without a Cloud and every Action had an easie Ayr Smiling he rose and took me by the Hand and plac'd me on a Seat just by him discoursed me with the greatest Moderation that I could hardly credit what I saw Maturely he discuss'd upon each point and brought it subtilely to a kind result told me that since hard Fate had play'd its Game our Care must be to help and crown all future managements with good Success bid me not mourn what I could not redress but learn of him to bear the Lash of Fortune I could not judge if this was Artifice or whether he had overcome his Passion yet parted from him much more satisfied for he had promis'd to restore Octavio if I would leave the Conduct to his Will With humble resignation I consented wholly to be dispos'd by his Command for I confess that my unparallel'd Love fell to the heighth of abject Supplication Within two days I went from Madrid to pass the tedious minutes more sedate in a still rural Villa of the Viscount's that thirty miles stood distant from the City there there how many wretched hours flew in the reflection of my dubious Destiny no Shade no Grove but conscious of my Grief my Tears supplied each Rivulet and Spring and every melancholy Grotto spoke Despair to the perpetual Volleys of my Sighs 'T was thus I spent the best part of a Year whilst the kind Viscount acted things at home beyond the expectation of a Friend and cunningly in my behalf he did proceed he writ Octavio word That his Fears need not any way oppose his coming home for none could guess him guilty of that Crime besides the great Affair which he propos'd could ne'r be decided at that distance therefore 't was requisite he should return to settle all in Peace for his advantage giving some hints that I was then retir'd lest that should be a Motive for his staying It was these generous Letters once more induc'd Octavio to see Madrid the Interview between him and the Viscount I heard was very passionate and moving which being mitigated in few days he introduc'd the mournful Tragick Tale which was the fatal Cause of all our Evil Octavio charg'd the weighty Sin on me whose Falseness had betray'd him to that Mischief and then the good old Man did weep to vindicate my much wrong'd Faith and Honour owning the Act as really 't was his own to force me on a Match I loath'd and hated At this Octavio sensibly was touch'd and bore a friendly part in my Misfortune but Love was banish'd all that Stock he swore could never be exhausted now was spent and I was then reduc'd to sordid Pity Nothing could move a kind Consent to see me his Heart was absolutely now another's for tho' upon the Fall of poor Alcidas he fled to seek a noble Death entirely despising Thoughts of Life resistless Beauty that o'erweighs the World and ballances bright Virtue with a Bubble with her engaging Charms seiz'd on his wandring Soul and laid her strict Commands on him to live he could not view a Mistress so abused nor stand the Test of my severe Reproaches nor would he wed the Woman for whose sake his Hands had been imbrew'd in that dear Blood or rather 't was his new-born Flame prevail'd to make him quit the Seat of his Confusion and seek a Sanctuary of Repose on the soft Bosom of his chosen Bride Within six Weeks he went from Madrid to prosecute his last-establish'd Love nor were there any Offers could reclaim him Which News the Viscount would have hid from me but oh I had too true Intelligence Reason kept Argus Watch tho' Love was blind nor could my hundred Eyes be all deluded too obvious was this last ungrateful part for me to be deceiv'd or Heaven to pardon I scorn'd myself that I could not contemn the Man that had so slighted and abused me but oh impossible I lov'd to that degree not all my Wrongs had influence to reclaim still I ador'd still languish'd to retain the most perfidious Wretch that ever breath'd in vain I sigh'd in vain deplor'd the loss of all my Hopes the false Octavio in whom I yet discern'd Ten thousand Thus you have heard the Fate of poor Canace the most unhappy Maid that ever lov'd hitherto all my Life has been one Plague and what I am to suffer will be great since now the utmost prospect of my Hope is Bankrupt to that last and wretched point of learning how to bear with Resignation Don Lelio who had given strict attention to the relation of this mournful Tale look'd on the lovely Innocent who wept and weeping pierc'd the Souls of those that heard her like April showrs in Tears she mourn'd which like the Heavenly Dew drop'd from her Eyes and veil'd the lustre of those beautious Orbs and like an Evening Zephirus her Sighs whispering their murmuring Accents through the Air wrought the Inanimates unto compassion Thus Sorrow in its Splendor did appear all moving all transporting all engaging melting the tender Hearts of the Spectators who gazing on the melancholy Maid suffer'd the charming Object so to please they never thought to interrupt her Grief till they beheld her fall into a Swoon Melantius all o'er Pity and Concern was rushing from his Covert to her succour when he perceiv'd Don Lelio clasp her close laying her Head upon