THE AMOURS OF Bonne Sforza QUEEN OF Polonia LONDON Printed by T. M. for R. Bently in Covent-Garden 1684. TO THE Most Accomplish't Lady MADAM Mary-Elizabeth Manly Madam THis Title does so justly speak your Perfections in the great that it may ease me of the Modish Labour of retailing them in this Epistle you of the trouble of reading the uneasy repetitions of these Elogyes so nautious to generous minds though never so deservedly expressed which you daily receive from all parts You Madam who are so remarkably known by your own Merits that it is the same to dedicate to you as to say to the most vertuously accomplished Lady in the World And though I am full of confidence that if this wanton Queen whose story I humbly present to you were ever to have been reclaimed it must have been through the benign'd influence of so examplary a Virgin as yours I have taken the boldness to recommend this little Peace not so much to your protection as to the judicial censure of so absolute a Mistris of Languages as you are Madam in hopes that you will be a Judge as favourable as you are decerning in the endeavours of Madam Your most Humble Servant P. B. Advice to the READER Reader I Think that a Word of Advice concerning this Little Book will not be altogether useless There may be divers Persons who not very learned in the Amorous Chronicles of Princes would be ready to condemn that Liberty which I take of making the Gallant History of a Queen but the Publick may be informed that She of whom I speak has been according to the most sincere Historians one of the Princes in the World that has most caused her self to be spoken of on the Account of Gallantising And that towards the latter end of her dayes having retired her self in her Dutchy of Barr scituated in the Kingdom of Naples She died there in the Armes of Pappacoda her Lover That the Last sigh she should send forth might be a sigh of Love It is easy to Judge from those faithful strokes of the Hystorian if that the Adventures which I relate of this Princess are unjust and whether it be Imposition to give her two or three Lovers who were much more Worthy than her Pappacoda As to what concernes the Bishop I confess that there might be something of my own in those Incidents which I bestow on him But besides that from all Ages Persons of that Character have passed for the Children of Adam as well as others We see by a great number of examples that in this Age they are not over much reformed and that men lay down their Humane frailtyes but with their Lives A Catalogue of some Novels Printed for R. Bentley and M. Magnes 1. ZElinda a famed Romance 2. Happy Slave in three Parts 3. Count Brion 4. Count Gabales 5. Halige or the Amours of the King of Tamaran 6. Mad. Laviler and the King of France 7. Mad. and the Duke of Guise 8. Mad. Colona's Memories 9. Queen of Majork two Parts 10. Don Lebastian King of Pourtingal 11. Heroine Masquiter 12. Princess of Cleves 13. Obliging Mistris 14. Fatal Prudence 15. Princess of Fezz 16. Disorders of Love 17. Triumph of Love 18. Victorious Lovers 19. Allmanzar and Allmanzaid 20. Earl of Essex and Queen Elizabeth 21. Neopolitan or the Defender of his Mistris 22. Nicoratis 23. Amorous Abbess 24. Homais Queen of Tunis 25. Pilgrim in two Parts 26. Meronious Prince of the Blood Royal of France 28. Life of the Duke Guise 29. Extravagant Poet. 30. Memoiers Gallant 31. Instruction for a Young Noble Man Books of more serious matters The Moral Esaies in four Vollumes Humane Misery Vanity of Honour Wealth and Pleasure Plutoes Apology of Socrates Natural History of the Passions Bishop Andrews Devotions Vanity of Arts and Sciences The Officers of the Mouth Kalandarium Hortencey THE AMOURS OF Bonne Sforza QUEEN of POLONIA AFter the Death of Queen Barbara the General Diet of Poland having Represented unto Sigismondus their King that the Good of the State required he should Marry again He took to second Wife the Princess Bonna Daughter unto John Galeas Duke of Milan That Princess whose Beauty had made such a noise in the World was Received by the Polanders with such Magnificence and Acclamations as spread themselves into the most remote parts of that Kingdom They were such Feastings and Rejoycings as lasted so much the more by reason that the Queen did seem to take Great Delight in them and that she was the first also in inventing very Gallant Ones That Court besides the Strangers that were there at such a time was then Composed of the Gallantest Persons in Europe who in such an Occasion did all endeavour to outvye one another not only in Gallantry and Activity but in such a Magnificence also with so Prodigious Expence that the King was Obliged to put a stop to their Profusions in setting of Limits to these Festivals The Queen who came from so Gallant a Country as is Italy had heard talk of Poland as of a Barbarous Place At least she had so little expected to see what she did see there that she was wholly surpriz'd and did no longer regret so much that which she had lately left She was Naturally of a very Gallant Humour and she was Charm'd with the Pleasure of seeing the Effects which her Beauty did produce in all hearts Neither was she much insensible for her part and having found in the Court such Cavaliers as well deserved to be considered she did not scruple to mix sometimes some Sighs with those Adorations that others had for Her As there was nothing more Beautiful than her Person and that She contributed also by all her Charming wayes in the gaining of the Hearts as well as good Wishes of all Persons she presently had as many Adorers as Subjects Amongst which she would make Choice of those that were most to her mind which she call'd her Select and upon these there was bestowed sometimes a Ring sometimes a Scarfe a Bracelet a Picture other Presents and Favors which were rendered more Considerable by the Manner and Time of giving them than all that can be reckoned most sensibly moving in Love They were not only young Cavaliers that felt the Effects of this Charming Poyson But the Ministers of State also of all Ages and even those of the Gown that had the greatest Esteem and the most Power in the State She knew how to entertain them all with those little Favours each in such a certain Confidence of his own good Fortune that there was not one amongst them but flattered himself of having the best share in her Favour And in that Opinion her Cyphers and Colours were seen in all places every day did afford some Tournament or Festival for Love of her besides Moâ—â—tos Verses and a thousand other Gallantries which were Addressed to her alone Sigismond was a Prince very clear-sighted He was past fifty An Age
better a success neither on the Dukes Part. It was in vain that she attempted to make him Jealous of the Count with his wife He had a great opinion of the Dutchess's Virtue And he believ'd Tarnaw to be so much his Friend and so honest a Man that he would have thought he had done them a piece of Iniustice in barely suspecting them of Perfidiousness The Queens Spight and Jealousy did still increase through all those fruitless Endeavours But the Hatred which she had for the Count could not last so long because that it was Affected only She was during some dayes very much out of humour and at last to please her self she must come to a new Onset on that Heart that was insensible but only to her She thought it necessary to bring her Rival near unto her own Person again and to shew her more Kindness than she had done The Dutchess being Taken with that Charming Bait of being well at Court again perceiv'd not the Poyson which lay under it There was nothing but continual Feastings and parties of Divertisements where Tarnaw was sure to be one This Cavalier did begin to perceive that men were not always the same and that it was very dangerous to be too often a Spectator of those Charms for which one may have had some Disposition of being inflamed He did find the Queen more Beautiful than ever and he was full of such Cares and Diligence in serving and following her as he had not had before The Dutchess took notice of it and she would tell it the Count. She told him by the bye that she could perceive some change in her Conduct but far from making use of any Means unworthy of her heart whereby to oppose it through an height of Ambition she did contribute unto some pretty Entertainments which she might at least have interrupted by her Presence As for the Duke he was not so easy to be handled he was the most impatient and the most Jealous of all Lovers He was presently strangely Allarum'd at the Counts fresh Pursuites He knew his Merit and of all his Rivals he could not see any so much to be fear'd as that was He imagined that his own Passion was very secret and that there were no danger of speaking of the Queen to the Count. He one day at the Running of the Ring took occasion so to do He was in course with his Friend drawing near him Take heed to your self said he lowly for there are great Designs on your heart I fear nothing answer'd the Count smilingly and it has been long since of proof against the most dangerous Assaults You know not reply'd the Duke what Enemies you have to do with they are two delicate Eyes continu'd he which command here and that have observ'd you ever since your coming in It is very difficult to resist them While he was speaking to him in this manner his Eyes were fixed upon him to endeavour to discover by the change of his Face what pass'd in his Heart And perceiving some Alteration of his usual Colour You blush added he then you know what I aim at You are Catch'd already and peradventure the Happiest of all men Say rather replyed the Count that I am the most Ungrateful of all men after the Care that is taken to shew me the good Will that some have towards me but I know my Duty and I will do it Very weak Reasons Count replyed Ostrog those that Duty produces against Love and you are not Ungrateful since you acknowledg your Ingratitude Confess the truth to me continu'd he without giving of him any time to answer You would fain make use of your Discretion with me but yet I know that you answer very well all those favourable Intentions which are had in your behalf I answer them so ill reply'd Tarnaw who would put an end to this Conversation that never did man deserve Death so much as I do In all that Discourse which made an end of confounding the Poor Duke there was not only some Vanity on the Counts side but there was Malice also He was not ignorant of his friends Love towards the Queen and he design'd to punish him for his not confiding in him in concealing it from him The Sport ended Tarnaw had the Prize which consisted in a Picture of the Queen which she was to give her self As he drew near her to receive it she told him softly That long since he might have had greater Advantages if he could have told how to have made the best advantage of his good Fortune The Count surpriz'd at those words whose fence he understood very well did answer in some kind of Disorder That there could be no Advantages that he could prefer unto the Honour of serving the greatest Princess on earth You should reply'd the Queen serve Persons after their own manner and then you might succeed But continued she turning her head to observe if any body did hearken this is not a business to discourse of before so many Persons Come this Evening at nine on the Terrasse which answers to my Closet and you shall know what I have to say to you on that account After this she suddenly turn'd her self towards the King who was speaking to some Ladies and gave him her hand to go a walking The Counts mind was so fill'd with these last words that he thought it fit to retire home to think there on a business as important in its Consequences as any that ever had yet happened to him He did perceive how far that Rendezvouz would go which was to have him speak his whole Thoughts and the Danger which he did run of a total Rout. He was invited unto it after a manner that could not be resisted his Honour as well as his Heart did find a thousand Charmes in it The Triumph was Illustrious and there was no Life which he did not think well employed in exposing it on so Glorious and so Charming a Subject as that was With these or such like Thoughts did he entertain himself till the hour of Assignation which was no sooner come but that he incessantly rendered himself on the Terrass There he found the Queen expecting of him already who receiving him with an Ayr full of Sweetness You see said she Count that this is but on your account Here I meet you singly only one Woman with me that I confide in The King is at play and we shall have some Time to discourse here of our business In the Confusion that the Count at first was at the sight of that beauteous Princess he wanted a Voice to answer with which is an ordinary Effect of Love The Queen took notice of it with Delight leaning against the Railes which overlook'd the Garden she purposely gave him time to recollect himself But at last perceiving that he did not yet begin to say any thing the Impatiency she was in to continue her Design made her to pass over some certain Laws
of Manners unto which Persons of that Rank and Character rarely confine themselues when it is Love that guides them Well Tarnaw what must I be the first to speak What think you of the Sentiments that are had for you I know my self Madam he reply'd with a respectuous Gravity that little Merit that I find in me will not permit me All is permitted you said the Queen interrupting him and you but too well know your own Worth You have done all that you could to inspire divers things to your advantage into Persons and perhaps that you have not succeeded ill but when you had perform'd the most difficult part you should have gone on You should speak and not please your self in suffering such Pains as peradventure others share in with you In a word Count added she I know that you love me I know it your Eyes your Actions and even your affected Indifferences all has told it me Your Heart is mine permit it to act without Constraint and lay aside all these Thoughts which seem but to render you the more miserable Tarnaw unto whom those very words alone could have inspired Love had he not been already in Love with that Charming Princess replys What pleasure take you Madam said he sighing in rendering me the most Criminal Person in the World Is it a Crime to Love me answered she Yes Madam replyed that Lover and the greatest that ever I committed in all my Life so to dare to lift up my thoughts unto my Soveraign But though I should expiate it with my Death I find that I could not repent it that it is my Fate would have it so together with your Charms against which there is no Resistance The Queen could not contain the Joy which she had upon this Declaration so full of Transports Love me said she to him with a Charming Smile if it be a Crime I l'e bear the half of it and I shall endeavour to render it so mild to you that you shall have no cause of Complaint In ending these words she gave him her hand which that Lover took trembling But which he Kiss'd with such a Passionate Ayr as any Lover could do Some moments of Silence which pass'd afterwards between them were no less tender and passionate than their Discourses but the Queen more accustomed than the Count unto those Extasies of Love beginning to smile in a kind of Malicious Return But what will become of the Dutchess of Ostrog said she when she will know the Wrong I do her in robbing of her of such a Heart as yours She will never pardon it me in all her life time The Dutchess of Ostrog Madam replyed the Count does not take so much the interest of my Heart but though she should it would be a Sacrifice which I should offer you without any great Repugnancy It may be Madam added he smilingly in his turn that you would have more in Sacrificing to me the Duke her Husband If that the Duke replyed she is capable of giving you any Disturbance you will soon be delivered of it I consent said She further that you regulate your self towards the Dutchess after the manner that I shall treat her Husband I will never see her more reply'd the Count and I said the Queen will rid my self of the Duke to morrow These Protestations which setled the hearts of these two Lovers in respect of those Rivals which each of them had to fear did conclude by such tendernesses which the Queen let loose as quite made an end of the formerly insensible Tarnaw Those favours which come from Persons of that Rank have this advantage that all charme even to the least Trifles a Look a Smile and Hand given in season a Gesture the least Tenderness Transports and Dazles Tarnaw scarce knew what was become of himself and did answer but by halves and confusedly unto some Amorous Questions which the Queen made him whether he would love her all his life time and whether he was very well pleas'd with her till that at last that Charming Princess who perceived him so transported with Joy and Love as that he seemed Inchanted and to have but one moment of Life left Let us go Tarnaw said She let us go hence for we might be here a little too long it may be I think that for the first time that you have seen me in private you have very far advanced your affaires The Count who had been half the time kneeling before her did rise and sighing gave her his Hand to lead her but perceiving that She design'd to return to the King he intreated Her to permit him to retire home because that he thought himself not strong enough to conceal the Excess of his Joy before such Persons as draw Consequences of all things as Courtiers use to do The Queen approv'd of this Gantleness and told him That to have so Prudent a Lover as he was I was the way to make Love last a long time The night which follow'd that Entreview was for the Count incapable of yielding any Rest Not that the Remorse which he ought to have of the Crime which he committed against his King or that the Fear of the dangers that he exposed himself unto did disturb him Love had already got too high an hand over him to afford the least return imaginable unto Reason It was the raptures of Joy which a thousand Charming Ideas of those render things which the Queen had had for him which did still promise him greater favours He slept not yet the night did not seem the longer for that on the contrary he did make it last into the middle of the following day so that it was already Dinner time when that a Servant came to give him notice of it and at the same time to tell him that the Queens Page waited to speak with him The Page was immediately brought into his Chamber who presented unto the Count a Packet from the Queen in which there was a Scarf and this Note I will not forgive it you Count if you have slep't one single moment this night for Love would have treated you better than me and you would not love me half so well as you ought to do or that I would have you to do I send you a Scarf against the Justing which is to be perform'd next Thursday You shall take for your Motto these words Tanto piu alto e Tanto piu ardore We go a Hunting come you also for I should but ill divert my self if I should not see you there While that the Count was thus busied the Duke of Ostrog who through the great Friendship that was between them was dispenced from Ceremonies being come in he perceived the Page the Scarf and Note which the Count was reading with so great an Attention that he was in the midsts of the Roome before he had perceiv'd it The confusion he was in when he first perceiv'd him was great The Duke asked him whence