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
satisfied by the noble Spencer which made these two worthy friends resolve now to use their utmost art and power for the delivery of those two loyal Lovers Goodlake in the first place therefore desires the King that an appartment might be of purpose appointed as a thing necessary for the bringing his desires to pass withall assuring him that he had gained the absolute consent of my beautous Mistress to entertain him in her embraces the night following but that she desired that to cover her blushes that he would be pleased to approach her in the dark when she would not fail to entertain his Majesty with the greatest caresses of love In the mean time Ruffman had acquainted the Queen that by reason of the suddain change of Lodgings where with the two Lovers were yet unacquainted he would bring her Majesty into the Chamber where she should all night lye linked in the Arms of the generous Spencer and he receive her as his beloved Bride This lascicious pair were both highly contented in the expectation of their next nights enjoyment which being approached Ruffman silently conducts the Queen into the Chamber where the King expected to find his beauteoâ—s Guest and she being disrobed and lying â—â—pecting the renowned Spencer the King 〈◊〉 by Goodlake conducted in thither who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 means satisfied them with an 〈…〉 â—â—â—faction of their desires and yet 〈…〉 bodies chast These two thus lodged there yet remained the hardest part to act to avert the dependent Tragedy The curious eyes of Alcade-Beigh like those of another Argo's still waited so exactly upon the generous Spencer or upon his fair Bride that it was impossible for them to pass the gates together nor could the worthy Spencer at first perswade my lovely Mistress to leave him to his better starrs and go with Captain Goodlake Ruffman and the rest to secure her own Person But at length overpowred with Arguments That it must be the only way to procure all their safeties she vowing that if by the next morning he came not safe aboard-ship she accounting him slain would assuredly follow him in death consented to go Captain Goodlake having got the Kings privy Signet and the Military Word for that night under pretence of passing up and down from lodging to lodging for the better accomodating of the lustful Mullisheg with my fair Lady we easily with them passed the Court Gates and so securely to the Sea-side where we found a worthy Gentleman Mr. Forcet with the Boat well-manned and armed ready to waft us aboard whether being happily come our selves we hastned it back in hopes it might return laden with the generous Spencer whose presence we now only wanted But long did we in vain expect what we so earnestly desired and much longer it seemed by how much more we did desire it for after our departure the noble Spencer found himself so haunted by Alcade-Beigh that he could not possibly pass any venny of the Court which so enraged him that he was once resolved with the suddain death of the Beigh to rid himself of so burdensome a Companion but the great danger in this having for sometime restrained him he at length thought of a slight which much better served his purpose for knowing that Alcade-Beigh was not ignorant that the King his Master had lately attempted alwayes possible to enjoy his lovely Guest and that he had the promises of Goodlake to effect it he resolved to dissemble a passion as if he then really had her in his lustful embraces The Beigh who had heard him utter somewhat to this purpose not only left him to his own guard but freely proffered him passage through the Court Gates Fondly imagining that his absence would make the King rest more securely with his Spouse But Spencer being passed those Gates there yet attended him a more unluckly fate for missing his way to the Sea on that side the Town where our Boat waited for him he unadvisedly ran upon the other which lying open to a small Cittadel ingarrisoned by Spaniards not far distant makes the Moors constantly keep a strong Guard both of Horse and Foot there a party of about forty Foot were usually set upon a Bridge not above two hundred paces from the Town amongst these Spencers unhappy stars first led him by whom he was commanded to stand and show a reason of his being there so late but he now first sensible of his error would have returned without returning any answer which they perceiving about eight or ten in number swiftly pursued him who was resolved upon no conditions to yield himself Prisoner and therefore with his Sword in his hand turned upon them resolving dearly to sacrifice his Life or to force a passage through them to his Spouse But the slaughter of half of that number which first pursued this thrice valliant Hero making the remaining part to cry out for more assitance the whole Guard was allarum'd and great numbers both of Horse and Foot came thunding in upon this single Gallant who yet endeavoured to make an obstinate resistance several of the faint-hearted Moors being forced to fall under the power of his revengeful arm in the presence of their Captain Ioffer-Bassa who stood admiring at the noble courage of this Person whom yet he knew not But at length encompassed on all sides the worthy Spencer wearied with dealing wounds was surprized by his enemies But he was yet happy in being thus a Prisoner for being brought before Ioffer-Bassa a Person truly generous he was accosted by him with all possible civility the Bassa as if he had been bred in civil Europe and nor in barbaâ—ous Africa Telling him that though he could not but wonder at his noble deeds yet he must be infore'd to perform the office of a Subject by keeping him his Prisoner though he could rather have wish't fortune to have laid open some way for his escape and not rendred him a Captive to him who could only love and honour him but not help him By this nobleness answered Spencer I am confirmed you are Ioffer chief Bashaw to the Great Mullisheg whom I have alwayes found full of worthy and gallant thoughts And I now know you answered the Bassa for that brave Englishman so highly graced in the Court of the mighty King of Fesse and Morocco My Master which makes me the more admire that in requital of his favours you should thus slaughter his beloved Subjects by which you have made a double forfeit of your life for the outrage committed against his Guard at the dead of night is death in it self but those you have slain in the conflict makes it exceed all bounds of Pardon For death answered the Gallant Spencer it does not at all trouble me but I have some private thoughts torment me more then ten thousand tortures could and herewith this brave Soul fetching a sigh could not restrain some tears which the thoughts of his beloved Spouse made gush out When the noble Bassa seeing his
beloved Mistresse you would think I hyperbolized for it certainly exceeded all passions that the most inâ—nared Lover was ever yet sensible of but being briefly informed by him of all things to his utmost content he addressed himselfe to returne an answer to her Letter which he did in these words SPENCER To the Glory of the West HOW ever worthy I may seem to you yet I find my selfe so much unworthy to be accounted so by so much beauty and vertue that I dare not accept of any such thing as you stile Duty for I shall never live happy till you change that to me harsh dialect and call your passion Wit I find in me to be sincere Love which if you will but once professe to preserve with so assured a constancy as I vow to you I shall not onely think that my Tutelar Angell and Guardian of my safety but esteem my selfe of all men most blessed Having recommended this Letter with innumerable loves to his dear Mistresse to Foreet and taken Conge of him he retired himselfe to to his Cabbin and spent the most part of that night in melancholly cogitations and lamentatitions of his misery that he was forced to depart from one who so much loved him and was so much beloved of him when the next morning those thoughts were broke off by the noyse the Mariners made which gave him and me notice the Fleet was again departing wherefore getting up we found our selves already under sail with a prosperous gale which for some dayes we were favoured with but being come into the Bay of Biscaia were the second time encountred with a violent storm though not so terrible as the first yet by it we lost the main yard of our ship which forced Rawleigh with his Squadron to stay behind the General and thereby loose him the opportunity of burning the Spanish Fleet in Faroll but having mended our yard we made all possible speed we could after Essex who had steered his course to Fiall but coming there before him and being distressed for fresh water perceiving likewise from aboard ship that the inhabitants were packing up their goods to flie and that the Haven was commodious to land in without staying longer for the General we landed four miles from the Town and having routed a party of Spaniards which came thither to oppose us we entered the City which we found destitute of inhabitants I should not trouble you Sir with a relation of this enterprize which was so publickly known if it were not to hint to you that this very action did contribute much to the fall of that Gallant Essex who being seduced by some evill Counsell as to believe that Rawleigh had made this attempt only to rob him of his glory and accused that he had in contempt of him and his authority broken the discipline war by landing without the consent of the Commander in chief which Essex greedy of glory and sensible of ambitious mind and ill affection towards him easily believed and though he were one of the three Commanders of the Fleet publickly checked him and cashired several Captaines his friends and favorites whereby he contracted to himselfe an enemy who had not the least hand in his ruine and destruction This Town we kept neer upon two moneths Spencer beginning by action and absence to shake off his Love Melancholly so that we jovially passed away the dayes till about the time of our departure there happened an accident which of all but one that I ever felt most afflicted me as we were walking together without the walls of the Town we espied two Captains earnestly disputing each challenging the other to have basely rob'd him of his honor got in the skirmish with the Spaniards when my dear friend Spencer perceiving that from words they began to draw their swords ran in unto them and by perswasions endeavoured to draw them from such rash encounters telling them that before they yet went home they might chance â—â—nd enemies enough to imploy their valors on â—nd not destructively weild their swords to one anothers ruine That that which they â—ccounted courage was nothing but a despeâ—ate folly fitter to be practised by Beasts than Men. but they being deaf to all wholsom perswasions and not at all giving ear to what he advised them began desperately to foine at one another when Spencer extending his piety so far as to endeavour the parting of them received a wound to all our apprehensions and his own too mortal I was enâ—â—raged to see that he should so suffer for his too much goodness and was ready to have revenged â—his wrong had he not charged me by all ties of friendship to desist from any such attempt and withall advised the two Captains to take care of their own safety which generous offer of his they having first expressed their sorrow for having unwillingly abused his too noble spirit accepted and left me alone with my to my best apprehension dying friend who I endeavoured by all means to comfort in this his last condition nor was he of himself uncomfortlesse but rather seeming not at all dejected bid welcom to his death which he confessed a just revenge of his having so rashly and suddainly slaine the Gentleman at Plymouth this was the sum of his discourse to himself whilest I was busied in binding up his wound which bled so fast that I was fearfull that if perchance the wound might happen not to be mortal yet the too violent effusion of blood might deprive him of his life and so it almost had for notwithstanding my endeavours which though they were the utmost I could do were but poor in themselves he was in a manner absolutely fainted away before I could get any assistance to help me carry him to the town but at length before he was quite spent there came in three or four Souldiers running not so much to assist him as to seize me for his murder for they no sooner arrived at us but they began violently to lay hands upon me so that to have freed my selfe from their causelesse gripes I had like to have committed that upon some of them which I was falsly supposed to have done upon Spencer and their rudenesse for so I interpreted that had assuredly been the cause of my sending some of them to their eternal mansion had not one who seemed to have some influences over the rest commanded them to desist from further oppressing me and withall told me that my opposing my selfe against their numbers would not only prove a piece of desperation rather than vallor but would likewise increase my guilt I forced him to stop at that word guilt for I wondered I must confesse extreamly what he meant by it and therefore earnestly pressed him to tell me from whence such discourses might proceed from whence said he can you imagine but from the death of that Gentleman pointing to Spencer I was more amazed then before to hear him say so yet had lesse cause for
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
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
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
soon brought him under the power of my sword Heavens How did the great Mullisheg embrace me when I presented him at his feet As for him he caused his head to be immediately cut off and being set upon a lance to be carried up and down the Army which struck such a terror into the Rebels that they immediately threw down their Arms and yielded or else trusted to their heels for their safety Muley Hamet with three thousand horse escaped the fury of the field and fled towards the plains but so totally was the Army routed that he had little hopes of rallying them for to try another encounter I am ashamed to tell you Mighty Prince those obliging Expressions with which Mullisheg entertained me after the Battel he called me his Better Genius One sent from the prophet to aâ—â—st his Right the Soul of his Empire with many other such strange Epethites too tedious to relate withal giving me the Command of five thousand Horse and desiring me with all speed posible to pursue the Rebel Muly Hamet for you said he I know will bring him back I would willingly have bin excused from this Employment by reason of my being unacquainted in the Countrey but he told me he had provided me sufficient guides We overtook this unfortunate Prince on the utmost bounds of those vast Plains of Mombaza accompanied with not above forty on fifty horse at most the rest having either fallen into our hands or deserted him and to procure their own safety fled into the deserts or by-ways he no sooner perceiving us pursuing him with so great a power but hoping to escape into a Wood not far distant he struck out of the way from the rest towards it he was easily known by those Guides that accompanied me who told me that if he gained that Wood it would be impossible to finde him out This made me put spurs to my Courser which being swifter than his I overtook him just at the entrance into the Wood and he seeing no possibility of escaping me faced about and opening his breast Generous Soldier said he what ever by nature 〈◊〉 art yet show thy self now noble transfix this unfortunate brest with thy sword and make me not a scorn to my tyrannous Brother I was about to tell him that I had strict command from Mullisheg to bring him alive when he guessing by my delays that I would not answer his desires with his own sword pierced his heart I could not but both pity and commend the resolution of this generous Prince and was standing amazed at the Magnanimity and Gallantry of the Action when the whole body of Horse came up the chief Commanders of which advised me to carry his body to the King to assure him of his death which I gave order to be done and the Moorish King having first embraced me and given me a million of thanks and withal put a very rich Jewel about my neck seemed somewhat to lament his death giving order for his being buried like a Prince which made me believe that he would have saved his life the rather because he was drawn into this Rebellion more by cunning Artifices of his brother than by any inclination of his own The Mighty Mullisheg strove still to load me with new Honors making me often ride by his left hand and at our arival at Mamorah whither he went to keep Court and to settle his Kingdom which now enjoyed a firm Peace by the death of his two brothers made me one of his Bassa's and of his Privy-Council often using to tell me that at his first sight of me he had perceived in my countenance somewhatâ— more than ordinary But all those Honors he conferred upon me were envied by old Muly Mustapha who presuming upon his being Uncle to the King endeavored by all means possible to bring me into some disgrace But the King favor to me out-lasted his life for he died soon after and still rather increased than decayed till such time I was made Viceroy of Argiers for all the Circumstances during my Brothers being there I shall omit presuming your Highness to be already acquainted with them as far as they concerned him and for the reasons of my not discovering my self to him they are palpable enough to all for had but the King had the least knowledge of my being a Christian I had forfeited both my Honors and my Life and feign I was lest my whiteness should be discovered to renew my tincture with the Juyce taught me by Iosina which I never did but her untimely end came fresh to my memory For all my Honors and the Glories of the Moorish Court could not blot out of my heart that love I had entertained for her and often would I take times solitarily to lament her misfortune which as I was once in my Chamber very melancholy considering of and repining at the injustice of the gods to deprive me of her as soon as I loved her a strange person entred my Chamber at which I was somewhat amazed wondring how he durst be so bold as to press into my privacies when addressing himself to me in an humble manner Sir said he I have often waited an opportunity to deliver something to you which may perhaps content you but not finding any convenience I have made bold now to press into your Chamber and therewithal delivered me a Letter which I hastily opened and found therein to this effect To the Mighty BASSA JOFFER THough your Greatness may justly cause You not to deign the sacrificing one idle thought to the memory of the unfortunate IOSINA yet she dares let you know that through all the splendor of your Glories and the change of your Name she can espy that person who hath captivated her heart I cannot believe that your honors have instilled into you such a cruelty as will exceed that of the wilde beasts in the Forest of Alemquel or that I who by a strange providence was preserved from theirs should now perish by yours Ambition to share in your Greatness prompts me not to this but onely our former Loves makes me desire you sometimes to remember what hath for your sake been suffered by the miserable Josina I was so overjoyed at the reading of this Letter that I could not for a good while return any Answer to the Messenger but at length turning to him And is my Dear Iosina still safe said I have the gods yet preserved her Blessed heavens how am I bound to your goodness She is Sir both safe said the Messenger and at present in Argiers What need I then said I return any Answer to her Letter when I may in person see her Alas Sir said the Messenger she would think it too much an honor for her to receive a Visit from so great a Person An honor said I 't will rather be an honor to me if she admit me Go said I to my Dear Iosina and having begg'd her leave come in the dusk of