she having recived a charge from her Lady not to disclose any thing of her various fortunes he might as well attempted to have washed a Blackmoore or done things most impossible But whilst he both in vain persued his love to his fair guest and his desire to know her person and quality an unlookt for accident discovered the last unto him for a Merchant by chance having received from forraign adventures a rich Casket of the most curious Jewells of the East thought it his duty to make the first show of them to his Prince whose love promted him to command this Merchant to attend upon his beautifull guest and freely present them to her â—hoice as things only fit to adorne so incomparable a Creature the Merchant according to the commands of the Grand Duke attended on the faire Mistress of his Princes heart freely making offer to her of the most precious of his Jewells all which she slighted making choice of none but a small Ring and that only because her civility obliged her not to reject the bounty of so great a Prince But upon the returne of Tignor Iacomo Bonaventuro for so was the Merchant called to the Grand Duke he brought him a Jewell which the valued above all those of his Casket to witt the knowledge of the person of his beautious guest assureing him that she was no other then that vertuous English Damosell whose fame had spread it self from the Court of the King of Fesse over most parts of the Christian world The Duke was extreamly rejoyced that it should be his happiness to entertain a person whom fame had reported so highly deserving yet seemed somewhat to doubt the Merchants relation till he assured that the favour he received from her six of her men being rescued from the Gallies by his intercession had so ingrafted her Idea in his mind that it was impossible ever to be eradiâ—ated or blotted out This conference of the Merchans made the Duke as confidently believe what he was likewise willing it should be so and this belief sprung in him a desire to hear a perfect relation of her particular carriages in the Court of that mighty King of Fesse and Morrocco which though he had darkly been informed of 〈◊〉 the General by the land Eccho of her far resounding fame yet he wanted that certain relation which his now knowledge of her person made him desire He therefore commanded the Merchant to acquaint him with his knowledge of that story which after some excuses of not being able to performe his Highness desires so fully as he might expect yet resolving in obedience to his commands to do his utmost endeavour he thus prosecuted The Continuance of the History of the Magnanimous Maid IT was my fortune dread Soveraign to be in the Port of Mamorrah when this most excellent maide arrived with her Ship called the Negro in that haven what her entertainment was fame hath already so fully resounded in your Highness eares that I need not make any farther relation of it no more then I need give you a recital of the many pious acts which by the powers her beauty had gain'd over that Moorrish King she did to many Christians either whose ships goods or liberties had been made forfeit to the Tyranny or severer Laws of those Infidells Let it suffice your Highnes to take notice of an adventure which surpasses all that ever I heard amongst other addresses made to her whilst she sate with that great King upon the judgment-seat there came in a Gentleman seemed to be a suiter for the release of an English Ship seized upon by the Kings officers for some default in â—he payment of customes it was my hap so please your Highness at that instant to be in the Court when I might perceive a strange alteration and distraction both in the countenance of that renowned maid and this strange Gentleman who for manlike beauty and comeliness of Person exceeded in my opinion all that ever I saw Gods how did their eyes dart wonders at one another a man might easily perceive in thâ—r coâ—â—â—â—iences that they did know and yet did scarse beleive they knew each other so great was their distraction that the Gentleman was not able to make known his desires and certainly the King had taken notice of their passion had 〈◊〉 the Captaine of the Negro who equaly 〈◊〉 this Gentleman taken him aside and informed 〈◊〉 himself of that happiness which before he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doubt of My curiosity drew me to that part to which they had retired where I might understand by the summe of their discourse that this Noble Gentleman was the occasion that drew that magnanimous Virgin out of her own Country Not out of any hopes ever to injoy him but out of the excess of love which she had formerly bore him to fecht his Corps beleeved to be buried in Fiall to grace it with asumptious interment in England but being arrived there iâ— was reportde that his body was by the revengfull Spaniards burnt and the ashes thrown into the aire so that her intentions being frustrated accident rather then design had brought her into that Port. The strangness of this adventure made me draw neerer to hear the period of it and how this Gentleman so long beleived to be dead was now again revived which I found to be by his own relation thus that in few daies after the departure of the fleet had recovered of those wounds which by his friend he was thought to have died of that the mistake arose from the death of one of his name whose ashes might in probability be so abused by the cruell Spaniards that himself not finding a passage directly for England had Embarqued upon that Merchant-man now forfect then bound for Mamoroh so for his own Country that they were first taken by the Spaniard and then soon after released by that ship Negro where seeing the owner for so was this magnanimous Maid esteemed in mans apparell he did think notwithstanding his disguise that she much resembled the joy of his heart at those words his friend imbracing him cried out how unfortunate were those wounds I â—hen received for forcing me to retire from the discovery of thee my Spencer whose â—ight would not then have been less dear to me then now after so many chances and strange variety of forâ—unes which according to the vulgar opinion do generally endeare affections but we must now continued he endeaver to manage our busâ—ness wisely for fear least the love which I perceive the Moorrish King is inflamed with towards your Mistress should work your own and our destruction go therefore and without any further notice taking urge your suite for the release of the English Ship and goods The Gentleman did as his friend the Captain â—ad advised him nor needed there much intreaty to prevail in the Suite whilst that fair Virgin interceded so its grant yet so closely they could not conceal their loves and affectionâ— to
and she being come began to relate to her his adventure in such thunder-thumping vvords that the furious battel between the Centaures and Lapithites contained not more horror then he expressed this vvith Had you said he seen two tilling Meteors justle in the middle Region you vvould have made it an apt simile to that force and fury vvith vvhich vve encountred Briarius's self with his hundred Giant hands could not have dealt blows thicker and more fierce then this brave Trojan yet vvere they all by the force of this invincible arm able to repel thunder-bolts put by and on his head redoubled Alas said this Magnanimous Maid I fear me this too much valour of yours will make you one 〈◊〉 subject to the law if it have not already I tremble to think what became of your enemy You may tremble said he to think of the fury of our fight but I so hackt and hewed him that if he be not past all fear and trembling I 'le never more put trust in this good sword But if he be in such danger replied she why flie you not and so escape the clutches of the Law The Law said he I fear it not for I vvas once told by a Conjurer I should never die for murder He knew thy constitution very well replied she that told thee so and I dare believe her come hither Bragadochio and tell me was not this Gyant with whom thou didst encounter a youth and of my pitch Deny it if thou darest or if thou hast the impudence to do it see here is not this the Sute he wore this is the very shooe thou stoopedst to unty and this the leg that did bestrid thee whilest thou like a beastly Coward layest along this hand returned again thy sword which thou yieldedst up at my first demand deny but this and in this womans habit I will force it from thee You cannot imagine said Forcett that I could contain my self and not burst into laughter to see how gallantly she carried this Affair whilest our high-flown Rhodomontado in as low a stile as he could invent confessed that all she had said was true begging of her not to make his shame publick Redeem it then said she and I shall not be backward with as much civility as I can affâ—rd to grace you as much as you have now disgraced your self You have wakened me replied he and kindled in me that fire of valor which clouded by some coward thoughts hath so long layen asleep and made me prize my fameless then my blood you have I say awaked me and if I deferre by some valiant deed to repair my wounded honor you will do but justly to make me the scorn and reproach of boys and children nor was he more slack in performance then he had been in promising for quite leaving of his bragging humor he became truly and worthily valiant and now deserves the commendation of all deserving personages so great a cure had this Magnamious Maid wrought These are said Forcett some particular passages of her life in your absence to which the Generals have been so correspondent that should I strive to applaud her vertues truly I should but whisper to you what her Fame blazons forth to the world I was both affected and afflicted continued Goodlake at this relation of Forcetts and I must needs confess that I was never so nigh to have swerved from the course of vertue as I was now for the estate which my dear friend Spancer had left to her I thought unworthily bestowed and could more willingly have hearkned to a Story of her inconstancy and incontinency that I might have enjoyed the other moyety of his lands then thus to have heard the whole world applaud her vertue nay so much was I transported that whether it was out of covetize in my self or a real sence of the unreasonableness of the gift to one of so mean birth that I was tempted to make a trial of this so fained piece of chastity and vertue which at length I resolved to do and in a disguise for some days frequented her house attempting her by all allurements of courtship and promises of rewards such as would in my thoughts have tempted an Angel but I found her still lamenting the death of her Spencer which she had heard of by some Gentlemen that came over in the same ship with me and resolutely bent that since she had not the fortune to enjoy him as her Love she would never enjoy any one day above the rest I pressed into her privacy where I found her lamenting over the Picture of her beloved Spencer I stood some time aside listning when I might hear her say It cannot sure be true that thou art dead my Spencer death could not be so cruel to take thee in thy prime but if he hath how happy is that earth that doth contain thy breathless corps how do the cold clay incircling thy tomb rejoyce that it 's a neighbor to so noble corps Oh! that I were so happy to lye by thee but since that cannot be I 'le study how to dye that though our bodies lie at this vast distance our souls may meet and safely harbor together and yet why should I be so cruel to my self to whom thou vvast so unkinde as not to leave me some few commands before thy death this Picture which is thy lively representation is more courteous 't will not deny me twenty thousand kisses since the fates deny me thee it shall be my husband for here I vow never to marry other At those words I stepped to her and snatching away the Picture would have departed with it had not she taking hold of my cloaths stopped me and falling down on her knees cried out Oh Sir for goodness sake deprive me not of that Jewel which I prize above the wealth of both the Indies rather let me beg you to possess your self of all I have and leave me onely that You beg in vain said I nor must you think that bribes vvill make me so much wrong my friend as to leave his will unperformed What was that friend said she 'T was one said I loved you too well nor did deserve such inconstancy as you have been guilty of which made him charge and command me when his soul was now ready to expire to come hither and force from thee this Picture unfit to grace a Strumpets chamber Suspend not my fear Sir replied she but let me know the name of this cruel friend of yours Spencer said I Villain said she starting up thou liest and so much more damned is thy lie by how much thou wrongest by it the dead soul of him who whilest living would have pulled out that treacherous soul that durst have wronged that chastity which I have so intirely preserved for him and will for his memory Nay said I if you will be angry vent your passions alone farewell Oh! stay cried she and though my Spencer could be cruel as to deprive
I now supposed that the two Captains fearing least I should not be so generous as to make good my Spencers promise to them and ingagement of me not to reveal them had resolved hoping him absolutely dead by this stratagem to take away my life and so the better acqâ—it themselves in which imaginations I had almost broken that tie of friendship wherein Spencer had bound me not to disclose them and revealed them as the actors of that Tragedy but recollecting my self and observing that the Gentleman had taken notice of my discomposure and still expected what answer I would make to his charge I told him That by what he had said I might easily guesse that they were come thither to apprehend me for the supposed murder of that Gentleman that I was very well content to yeild my selfe his prisoner though I were innocent of the least thought of such an action which without the prosecution of the Law I should sufficiently demonstrate by putting in execution my resolve not long to out-live him That I had yet some hopes that his wound was not mortal but that the great effusion of blood had brought him into that weak condition out of which some care might perhaps bring him at least for so long time as that he might clear me for though said I I am resolved to follow him in death I would not willingly do it with the aspersion of being his murderer and therefore I craved the assistance of some of those that attended him to carry the body of my dear friend into the town where we might have the help of some Surgion not only to bring him again to those senses which he had lost with excesse of bleeding but likewise to give judgment upon the wound and if pssible effect his cure The Gentleman very readily assented to what I desired and having commanded some of those that were there to take up the body with all tendernesse possible and others to guard me though I tould him it was unnecessary for I would not flie from the body of my so dear friend unlesse it were to find out some death we soon reached the town and as soon after by the help of a Chyrurgion belonging to a Merchants ship then in the Road my dear friend recovered his senses and lifting up his eyes not knowing well where he was he was a good while silent till espying me And art thou there my dear Goodlake said he have the fates been so happy then as to permit me once again to see thee before I die then are my joyes compleat and I shall willingly yeild my selfe into the jaws of death if that cruell Tyrant will but give me so much time as to lay some commands upon you which I shall injoyn you to be true to these words and his relation that endeavouring to part two persons strangers to him he by chance from one of their swords received that fatal wound acquitted me in all mens judgements so the guard was dismissed but the Gentleman who commanded them would have stayed longer had not there at that instant come in a messenger who acquainted him that al persons whatsoever belonging to the Fleet were by the General commanded immediately to repair to their several ships upon pain of death for the Fleet was even ready to set sail whereupon having wished me all happinesse and Spencer the recovery of his health he took his leave and I having waited on him forth and returned him a due thanks for his civility made hast in again to enjoy alone the company of my dear friend whom I found in a manner even ready to give up the ghost his faintnesse having again seized him yet at sight of me he seemed somwhat comforted and rearing himselfe up in the bed told me that he had several commands to lay upon me which he would conjure me by all the ties of friendship by all the obligations he had upon me by his last dying words punctually to obey O Lord sir said I think not that I have or can have any power to obey any command whatsoever except it be to follow you in death but why should I talk of death since there is yet hopes that you may live and I live happy in the enjoyment of your friendship flatter not your selfe said he with any such vain thoughts for I find death to have even already seazed me but let me command you live that since I must die I may rest in peace since then repli'd I you think my life necessary to the quiet and rest of your soul I shall endeavour to live if it be but so long as till I fulfilled your injunctions which be they what they will I here protest by those indissoluble bonds of friendship which have been so often confirmed betwixt us inviolably to perform here I stopped expecting what he would enjoyn me but he first desired me to take out of his pocket a bundle of Papers wrapt up in a scroule of parchment in which sayes he you will find my last Will and Testament I according to his desire took out the bundle and having found it out what is your further command concerning this said I That Will said he I confirme my last therein thou wilt find that I have divided my whole estate between thee my dear friend and my beloved Bess Bridges but with this proviso that if thou shalt find her in the least tainted or to have falsified that faith wherewith she made her self mine that five hundred pound per annum which I had resolved to estate her in let me beg of thee likewise to accept and in requital of it to obey these easie commands First That thou wilt restone this Ring to my beloved Besse the last pledge she gave me of her faith which if she have kept intire will rejoyce her heart and ease it somewhat of griefe for my death if not 't will be a strong witnesse against her to condemn her as the most light inconftant and very woman in the world secondly That if thou-shalt find that she hath either broke her faith or forfeited her honour thou wilt not fail to take from her my picture which how unworthy soever is too good to be enjoyed or breathed on by one unchast and thirdly that thou wouldest make what hast possible thou canst to the ship least thou lose the opportunity of this passage and leave me to my fate farewell Farewell said I O ye Heavens and is Spencer then so unkind as to command me from him this command doth more afflict me then when he bid me live for without his presence I am but dead in my own conceit but to be forced from him when he is even ready to render his soul to heaven is worse then death either said I command me not from you or command me not to live If said Spencer the peace of my mind were not concerned in your absence I should be as unwilling to be deprived of you as you seem willing
gallant Commanders to their appartment which he did himself in person leaving them into a room richly hung with Arras and fit for the entertainment of so Noble Guests where leaving them alone Captain Goodlake perceived that a strange and unusual melancholy had seized upon the worthy Spinola and that he whose comportment used to be always pleasant and Debonaire was now dull and heavy he would not presently trouble him to demand the reason of it hoping it was but some sudden fit which soon would be past over but finding it to continue and rather augment then decrease he interrupted his fixt cogitations by telling him That he was not sensible of any accident which had happened which might deserve of him so great a dejection or if there were that he could not but imagine that his friendship to him was lessened whilest he kept from him the cause of his sorrow who had made him partaker of all his griefs The Noble Spinola at these words awaked as it were out of a dream looking stedfastly upon him replied My griefs are now dear friend made in some measure parralel with thine for I have lost a friend whom I prized above my very soul my dear friend Schiarra Schiarra replied Goodlake was that generous youth whom the messenger who brought us advice of the Dukes defeat reported to be slain by the hands of the Stranger who in Ferrura's cause performed such wonders so much your friend as to deserve such sorrow Our friendship replied Spinola was so firm that nothing but death and envious fate could have separated or broken it I confess said Goodlake I perceived at the first relation of the news that your countenance strangely altered though I could not then guess the cause of it but since you have been pleased to make me I know not whether I may say happy or unhappy in its knowledge let me further conjure you by those noble favors you have already done me to give a relation of that person for I know he must have been one in all things worthy who could from you merit so entire a friendship Though it will but be a renewing of the memory of my sorrows replied Spinola I have been so much obliged to you for the relation of your own and some part of the Fortunes of the generous Spencer that I cannot deny you this request and perhaps it may prove a disburdner of my sorrows to impart them The Loves of Schiarra and Florelia KNow then noble friend continued Spinola that when I arrived to about the third Lustre my Uncle Ambrogio Spinola to whose care I was committed by my Father during his absence in the Netherlands thought me at an age fit to intrust me with the sight of other Countries as looking upon travel as the enlivener of the soul and stirrer up of generous mindes to an emulation of other vertues and because the glory and splendor of Florence by reason of the absolute Government of the Medici Dukes of Tuscany seem'd to exceed that of all other Italian Cities he sent me thither recommanding me to Signor Alonzo Schiarra an ancient Nobleman of that City and both a great friend of and somewhat alied unto those of our Family I was received by him with all possible expressions of Love and Affection with protestations of having the same care of me that he would have of his own and onely Son Giorgio Schiarra a youth of about twelve years of age of a sweet and affable nature comely carriage and behavior and with all exceeding beautiful with him I associated my self in learning those excercises of riding fencing and other qualities and studies which the Nobility of Italy do most delight in and generally breed up their sons to the better to enable them when they should arrive at riper years to serve their Country such was the delight that we took in each others company and so did our friendship flourish in those our tender years that it grew up as it were to an inviolable bond to the great delight of the old Alonzo who gloried to see how we strove more and more to endear our selves together and yet would endeavour to exceed each other in duty and respect to him so that he would often say that if we had but both been his children no Father could have boasted a happiness like his thus we lived together for about three years and upwards never parting by our good wills neither night nor day or if by any chance we were for some time forced to be asunder that time was either spent in dull melancholly or in pouring forth prayers for each others safety but whilest we thus lived in all bliss and content imaginable adverse Fortune renewed an old Feud which had long lain asleep between the Families of the Schiarri and the Donati a Family observed to be most guilty though they had least cause of pride of any one in Florence the occasion of the raking up the embers of this long concealed fire were so slight that they are not worth relating let it suffice that it soon grew into such a flame as disturbed the whole City of Florence and many murders were committed on both sides Almerigho Donati son to Lorenzo Donati one of the chief of that Family was the first that felt the fury of this difference by the loss of his life which was too soon revenged upon Giovanni Schiarra a youth in whom all Nobleness flow'd but of too tender years to be made a concern in this bloody difference who being set upon by three of the opposite Family though he bravely defended himself being overpowred was made a sacrifice to their revenge This baseness extreamly heightned the difference yet it made somewhat well for the Schiarri who gained thereby the friendship of almost the whole City for they generally condemned the Donati for committing so horrid and unworthy a murther upon the person of one so young and tender that he scarce yet knew the handling of offensive Arms in sum scarce a day passed but either wounds or deaths given or taken yet my Schiarra and I passed unaffronted which proceeded not from any want of malice in the Donati to him for they particularly coveted his death as the son and onely son of one of the chiefest of their enemy family but because they knew that our friendship was such and seldom or never did we walk asunder that it was impossible for them to engage him and not endanger me and very sensible they were that should I have miscarried by their swords my Father would either by Embassie have procured or by war have forced the Grand Duke to have executed a severe vengeance on my murtherers nor was the old Alonzo Schiarra insensible that it was out of fear of me for those reasons before recited that his son passed unassaulted and therefore he took special care that he walked not out single nor indeed in any company but mine but he might have spared those thoughts for such was the
knew that the Kings fury was like an unresistable torrent that would brook no delay However he nobly resolved to go into the Presence and if nothing else could appease the Kings anger freely lay down his Life for our safety but with all dispatcht a speedy Messenger to the Ship to tell us that we might now safely â—ail away but Spencers meeting him prevented his coming The Bassa being come before the King he with a frown which sufficiently denoted his inward passion demanded of him how he durst when he had sent his expresse Command that he should produce his Priâ—soner come without him Mighty King answered the Bassa had you with me beheld his unparrarel'd Prowess and withal seen his passions you would like me pitty these disasters wherein his unhappy Stars have involved him Insolent Villain replyed Mullisheg presumest thou to prescribe us Rules we will know no pitty for an injury of so high a Nature and more then our revenge we have vow'd his death therefore go fetch him forth Let me at least replied the Bassa for all the services I have done you beg of your Majesty to spare him but some few hours still darest thou said the King Capitulate with us we tell thee once more that the least delay is death Then know mighty Prince said Ioffer That he was my Prisoner and is so still by promise for I presuming that such Noble vallour could not be lodged alone without those other virtues Faith and Honour gave him free liberty to go to his Ship only upon his promise to return before the Sun felt any declension towards the West Nor do I yet doubt but your Majesty will find that Nobleness in him which I have presumed Foolish Bassa said the King thus to jeast away thy own Life but jest thou didst not you are all Conspirators against me and by Mahomet shall all receive the rewards of your Treachery Could'st thou think that a Stranger so remote both in Country and Religion being imbarqued at Sea free from our hands and in the embraces of his sweet and lovely Bride His Captain and Sailors all aboard and fortune it self supplying him with a fair and prosperous Gale would expose all these to voluntary dangers and himself to a certain death only for a verbal promise At least let your Majesty replied the Bassa grant me Life but till the hour be past and if he comes not I shall willingly embrace death and glory that though a Moor I have excceded a Christian in Nobleness No fonâ— Fool replyed the Moorish King thou shalt not live a Minute and therewith gave present order to his Guard to see him put to Death Just were the Executioners laying hands upon the Worthy and Renowned Bassa when Spencer who had made all possible hast to Land entered with his own Life to save that of the generous Moor his presence struck such amazament into the Great Mullisheg that confounded with the Gallantry of the Action he sat for a good space as one intranced during which time the Bassa embracing the generous Spencer with tears in his Eyes told him that he was now sorry he had made him promise to a return for he had thereby deprived himself of a fame which would have lasted longer then any Maâ—solean Monument and that he rather wished that he had broke his Word that he might have died for so Noble a Person for now said he to redeem a Life which I could willingly have Sacrified in so glorious a Cause you come to an assured Death And it is that I come for said the generous Spencer And to force the King your Master though he takes away my Life yet confess me honourable Whilst these and some other Discourses to that purpose passed between those two Noble Spirits the King recollecting himself Commanded Spencer to be brought before him And with a Tyrannical fierâ—eness told him That he had misprizing all his gracious favours violated his Laws infringed the Peace of his Country Allarm'd his Watch by Night slain several of his Subjects and lastly having Rob'd him of infinite Treasure had stoln to Sea by every Circumstance of which he had made a forfeit of his Life which all the Riches of Europe should not Redeem I confess replied Spencer with an undaunted courage that I have done all thou chargest me with save only the stealing thy Treasure which though I could not do because thou gavest it yet finding thee unworthy in thy intentions towards us I scorn'd to take with me that which would have been the price of my dishonour therefore of all thy Gold and Jewels would not permit one dram to be unbarqued as for that Death thou threatnest know proud Mullisheg I am glad I owe thee nothing but what I have in my ability to pay if my Life be forfeit in taking it thou takest nothing but what I came purposely hither to tender Art thou so resolute answered Mullisheg however out of pitty to thee we will yet propose thee one way to save thy Life nor any other way â—ast thou to effect it send then to thy Ship and surrender up to me the Captain and thy fair Spouse or otherwise by all the Rights of our Holy Prophet thou shalt not live an hour Dishonourable Tyrant replied Spencer know that I so much despise both thee and thy Tyranny that were there on one side all the Tortures that either Turks or Devils ever invented threatned to be inflicted on me and on the other side wert thou Commander over all the Kingdoms of the Earth and should lay at my Feet all their Crowns and Scepters and make me Monarch of the whole Universe rather then yield up the basest of my Ship-Boyes to become thy slave much less betray my Spouse to thee and to thy bruitish just I would endure ten thousand Deaths and so thou shalt cried Mullisheg prepare to torture him At that Word my Lady attended by the Captain Lieutenant Forcet and my self who never had forsaken her having followed her beloved Spencer with a full resolution to die with him or for him entred the Presence and falling down on her knees before the Moorish King Behold cruel Mullisheg said she if thou dost delight in blood but spare that of my beloved Spencer and in it's stead I here present thee mine and those of all my Train to make a flood instead of his small Rivulet The generous Spencer was extreamly distracted at our suddain appearance and turning to us all you have wronged me said he above injury and how sufficiently to express my just anger I know not for in you I die ten thousand Deaths that could otherwise have tasted but one and then turning to the Moor Mighty King said he show your self at least to have somewhat of humanity by dismissing these to their Ship and since my Life is only forfeit take but that and at my Death I shall proclaim you merciful Oh! no great King said my Magnamous Lady It were injustice not
mercy to take his Life and spare mine since what he did was only for my sake and safety or if he have committed any fault said we altogether let all our lives serve as so many victimes to expiate his Crime and appease your anger Alas you need not plead for death replied Mullisheg you shall all assuredly die but especially you treacherous Captain on whom I will execute such a revenge as shall make future generations to read it I came not hither great King said Goodlake to be daunted with your threats but freely to offer my Life who am only guilty to redeem my friends take then this Body and tear it in pieces with the most exquisite Tortures that the Savagest Barbarians did ever invent and spare but the rest I shall endure them contentedly Thou shalt not doubt it replied the Moor but villain said he what infamous Strumpet was it that thou betrayedst to our Royal Bed For that Mighty King said the Queen who as well by the several Circumstances as by Ruffmans Information was confirmed she that night enjoyed the King I must with your pardon excuse him for having had private advice of your designs I wrought him to my purpose nor was it any other then my self whom you last night embraced The King was visibly seen to abate somewhat of his fury at this relation of the Queens and began to consider that the action in the whole contexture of it was honourable that he had endeavoured to do wrong but had not been wronged That his lust had led into a road of evil actions where he was riding with a Carrier to the loss of that fame which had once proclaimed him good and just that it was time for him now to stop which he resolved to do and therefore with a smiling countenance looking towards us he with a generous passion cried out shall lust then still have the prevalency over me or shall all those virtuous deeds for which I have been so long renowned in Fesse be utterly exiled shall the Christans still have the honour to be sole heirs to goodness and we Moors barbarous and bloody No said he rising up from his Throne and taking my Lady by the hand renowned English-woman I once more give thee back to thy Husband and if he think it no dishonour beg him again to accept of our grace and favour and in recompence of those wrongs we endeavoured to do him render we will thee such an ample Dower as shall renown our bounty provided we may but procure your Pardon Thus was all our sorrow turned into suddain joy the worthy Captain Goodlake was by the King prised amongst the Chiefest of his favourites for his faith to him Zeal to the Queen and constancy to his Friends the generous Ioffer Bassa for his Nobleness to the renowned Spencer was by the King created Vice-Roy of Argiers but Alcade Beigh though he was released from Prison yet was banished from Court as a Person who had encouraged and fomented Yet for all this we had some reasons to fear that Mullisheg would again fall into a Relapse which made the Noble Spencer earnestly and frequently desire his leave to visit his own Country and he at length being no longer able to deny him yielded to his Request and loading our Ship with the Richest Commodities his Kingdom afforded Himself accompanied us aboard where after some dayes magnificent Feasting he left us and we took leave of the Barbary Shore But the fame of our great Riches was gone before us into most parts of Christendom which had made many Pirates come out on purpose in hopes to make us their pray two dayes after we had been at Sea we espyed a great Sail which made directly towards us nor would we seeing but one Ship alter our Course or with addition of Sails endeavour to fly from her so she came easily up to us and by the roughness of her salute for she immediately powred into us a whole broad-side gave us to understand what she was and for what intent she came We had before provided our selves for resistance and so soon returned her courtesy in the same roaring terms she had first spoke to us in but she relying upon the number of her men thought it more advantagious to close with us then to fight at distance which made them twice resolutely board us but were both times most couragiously beaten off by the vallour of the renowned Spencer Goodlake Ruffman and Forcet and at length so discouraged that Spencer and Goodlake hoping to make a Prize of their Assailers armed with their Swords and Targets leaped aboard the French Pirat for of that Nation it was that before any could follow to their assistance the ships were by a suddain Storm severed nor could we withall our art or endeavours again reach the French Ship I need not tell your Highness what lamentations my Lady made to be so strangely and suddenly deprived as she had just cause to fear for ever of her worthy Husband Your Highness hath seen some effects of her grief as well as been informed how that some Storm cast us upon your Coast where after we had escaped the dangers of the Seas we fell into the hands of the Bandetties where we had like to have been robbed of our honour a Jewel we prized far above any the Sea had devoured had not your Highness rescued us Here Maria ended and the Duke seemed very much affected with the Story but he was inwardly displeased at Spencers being in his Court for he was confirmed by many circumstances it was he fearing least his discovery should wholly obstruct his love he therefore resolved to Cloyster up his fair Guest in the most private part of his Palace but this being no time to consult what to do having presented Maria a Jewel in recompence of her trouble and sent by her all commends to his Mistress He went to entertain the two Dukes of Mantua and Ferrara who expected him The End of the First Book of the Second Part. THE ENGLISH LOVERS A ROMANCE Part the II. Book the II. THE Court of Florence abounded in all imaginary delights daily and before unfound-out inventions being put in practice as well for the entertainment of the two Dukes of Mantoua and Ferrara as for to endeavor to divert that Melancholly which had so strangely overwhelmed all the faculties of the soul of this Dukes fair Guest yet all that mirth which seemed pleasant to others seemed tedious to her and so absolutely had sorrow for the loss of her beloved Spouse taken possession of her heart that even all common and known remedies proved but Corrasives to her grief Oftentimes would she be overheard to lament to her self and with bitter exclamations to cry out Cruel and unjust fates was it not enough that you made me suffer so many unspeakable disasters and dangers before ye would permit me the enjoyment oâ— my beloved Spencer but must you still continue to be perverse by depriving me
in a girdle about my waste so that we feared nothing but wild beasts which often in those deserts assault Most of our discourse to shorten the time was about our difference in religion and unto so good a conceit had I brought Iosina of our belief that she promised me if I would carry her into Christendom she would forsake her Religion for parents friends and kindred she had none living for me and my faith Thus travayled we with all imaginable content till we came to the largeâ—and spacious forrest of Albemquel which spreads it self over nine mountains but hath no other inhabitant's besides Lions Tigers Wolves Bears and other beasts of prey and those in no small quantity one days journy had we made through this disolate Arbory and were now proceeding onwards on the next when about noon my Iosina for my heart now bids me call her so being somewhat faint through the extream heat we sat to shade and rest our selves under a large spreading sycomore which in those countries bears a wild fig much eaten by the Moors and the fruit being almost ripe I though unwillingly consented to by Iosina mounted the tree to gather her some when being on top and thick leaves shading me from all sight I might on the suddain hear a rushing among the leaves below and withal a great feminine shreike I descended withal the expedition possible but when I came down I found her not there nor could I imagine which way she had taken heavens into what a passion was I cast I easily determined her devoured by some wild beast and for her sake vow'd revenge upon all those in the forest therefore snatching up my dart which I stuck at the bottom of the tree I took that way which my reason had directed me to hoping either to finde her or at least some remains of her but having three days sought in vain I was constrained by hunger to seek my way out of the wood and taking the directions of the declining Sun I past with much trouble through those thick brakes for I could not again finde the road But having travayled thus one whole day night coming on fearing to loose what I had before got towards my way out made me ascend a tree to repose me but the next morning I found my self so faint through hunger and thirst that I was scarce able to descend but with much pains being got down I had not walked far but I was assaulted by a hunger-starved bear who with open mouth assured himself of a prey and I confess I almost assured my self I should be so to him for such was my weakness that I found my self almost incapable of resistance but summoning up all my spirits I with both hands reared up my dart and as he mounted up his two hinder feet to seize me smote himâ— on the brest and found an easier passage to his heart then I expected his death two ways afforded me life for I not onely escaped becomming a prey to him but with his blood somewhat asswaged my violent hunger and thirst That day brought me out of the forrest into a large sandy desert where I resolved still to take the Sun for my guide in the day and the Stars in the night yet now I began to think I should wander eternally for all that night and the succeeding day I could meet with neither man or habitation nor yet wild beast but more then the tedious of my travel did the loss of my dear Iosina affict me though I suffered all the inconveniencies of thirst and hunger yet was my mind more tormented for her death for so I supposed it then my body for want of necessaries it length utterly wearied I laid my self down upon the ground when by an Eccho through the hollow veins of the earth I might hear strange and confused noyses this made me yet more attentively listen when at length I determined it to be the sound of martial instruments not far distant and somewhat revived hope to finde some rational creatures for I had for many days conversed with no other then beasts of prey I roused up my spirits and clambring up a steep hill which lay before me I might in the large plain on the other side behold a mighty Army which seemed in a readiness to expect their foes who appeared on the tops of the furthermost hills Though I doubted I should at my approach to them be taken by them for a spy yet my hunger constrained me to adventure down and being come to their Out-guards I was immediately seized upon and brought before the mighty Mullisheg King of Fess and Morocco for his Army it was which he had raised to oppose his rebeltious brothers who having strictly examined me was so far from thinking me a spy that he demanded of me if I would serve him in his wars and I readily assenting to do it he perswaded by I know not what genius caused me to be listed in his own horse guard The opposite Army under the command of Muley Xeriff stayd for some days longer on the tops of the mountains nor could any provocations draw him from his fastnesses where it is to be supposed he resided in expecting the other brother Muley Hamet to come and joyn with him for no sooner was he aâ—rived but they descended into the Plain with an Army of about fourscore thousand men our whole force consisting of not above forty thousand foot and twenty five thousand horse The night before the fatal battel both Armies encamped within the reach of each others Artillery which played furiously whilst there appeared any twinkling of light but night having covered the earth with her black manâ—el both sides lay still till the morning-star showed them again in Arms and after the Artillery had for some time thundred out death and destruction the two brothers advanced towards us in a gallant Equipage nor did we receive them with a resolution any thing unequal to theirs though I must confess that we were forced to give a little ground to the fury of their first charge yet that loss proved to our Advantage In sum the battel continved doubtful till about noon when Muley Xeriff with a select party broke into the Kings guards and had neer taken the great Mullisheg prisoner or deprived him of life had not my better stars guided me to his rescue Having set the King safe and received from him innumerable thanks and promises of reward I returned again to the almost broken guards and encouraging them the best I could come said I to party who had seen me rescue the King and had there-upon protested to follow me wheresoever I would lead them let us fetch this Traytor from amongst the midst of his rebellious troops I was gallantly seconded by about a hundred of them who gave so resolute a charge that we soon made way through those before victorious troops and came to the place where Xeriff was him guided by fortune I singled out and