satisfactory Reflections by Melantius who encountred no other Ideas but those of Love and Extasie he was transported with the many Charms he found in the beautiful Aspatia He fancy'd her his own not dreaming of any Obstacle that could oppose it he consider'd the Equality of their Birth and Fortune the Conveniency of the Match and indulged himself with all the transporting and delightful Raptures that proceed from thought The next day was that great Solemnity wherewith Alphonso Henery entertain'd his new Queen Beatrice Daughter to Alphonso the Tenth King of Castile by whom that Noble Dowry the Kingdom of Algaroes was added to the Crown of Portugal All the Nobility was there present to pay their Devoirs to the Queen In particular the illustrious Families of Almeyda and that of the Marquess de Leganes who was Father to our Cavalier Melantius The Celebration of these Nuptials would be too tedious to recite let it suffice never was any thing more glorious where Melantius made the most considerable Figure of the Beaux Esprits and Aspatia of the Belles The general approbation they receiv'd did not a little contribute to augment the favourable Sentiments they had entertained for one another And at the Tournament when Aspatia beheld her young Heroe enter the Lift with an Aspect that foretold the Miracles he perform'd it was easie to read her Wishes in her Eyes which were constantly fixed upon him and seem'd to move in the same Sphere with the Vicissitudes of his Fortune But oh how her Heart danc'd when he came of Conquerour the Air refounded with 10 Poeans to the Victor and ecchoing Triumphs filled the breath of Fame but his proudest Trophy was the Congratulation he receiv'd from the fair Aspatia and without doubt he was Gallant enough to attribute his good Fortune to the influence of her Eyes After some short Preliminaries these Diversions broke up to entertain the Ladies with a splendid Ball and it was there Melantius determin'd to make an Offering of his panting Heart to the Deity he Worship'd His kind Stars soon bless'd him with a lucky Opportunity for Aspatia being somewhat overheated with Dancing was in motion with her Fan which by chance she let fall Melantius was the fortunate Person that took it up and delivering it with a profound Bow in a soft dying Tone he said Ah! Madam could you as easily restore my Heart which I just now resign'd an Offering at your Feet She smil'd at the pretty Gallantry and reply'd I never retain any thing I cannot pretend a Property in and would have declin'd a farther Discourse But he continu'd That is as your Cruelty or Justice will determine This I can affirm it is no longer mine and if your Severity will not think it worth your Charitable Protection you shall behold it the most wretched Victim in the World He waited for no answer but taking hold of one corner of her Handkerchief which he dexterously convey'd into his own Hands 'T is but reasonable Madam said he to afford me some small Relick to guard that Breach which otherwise you expose to the greatest danger imaginable Altho' this did something displease her it was impossible to retrieve it without a publick view therefore not offering at a recovery she suffered him to carry it off tho' not without a great Resentment which appear'd in her angry Brow Melantius who was sensible of his fault engaged with the rest of the Company and appeared no more that Night before Aspatia but as a Criminal only she had the secret satisfaction of often seeing the Handkerchief display'd to his Lips and there most religiously saluted The Departure of the King and Queen put a period to that Days Entertainment and all the Company retired well disposed to sleep nor did a thought molest Aspatia who enjoyed a sweet Recruit for the last Night's Tribulation Phoebus had already mounted the Olympick Palace and made a considerable Progress in his Day 's Circuit when our lovely Fair awaked and called Laura to inquire how the Day had past After she receiv'd satisfaction to some such frivolous Questions Laura presents her with a Billet-doux which she had just receiv'd from a Page of Melantius who still waited for an Answer She took it with a panick fear in hope and doubt to find what it contain'd but who can tell her private Transport when she read what follows MELANTIUS to ASPATIA IF an Offender may have leave to plead for Mercy have pity on a true Penitent My Crime may be too Enormous to expect a Pardon but I am sure my Contrition is of as large a size You have already sufficiently punished me and that cruel Frown at parting stab'd deep into my Heart nor could Poyson Daggers or a thousand Deaths be half so terrible Let it suffice I only live to receive my Sentence from those dear Lips that can give Life even in the pronouncing of my Death My Life and Happiness are absolutely in your power and if to Love with the most sensible Tenderness imaginable can offend to Die would be but the least part of my Duty But if a Restoration of my petty Theft can any way contribute to a Pardon permit me this Afternoon to lay at your Feet both That and your Adoring Slave Melantius This passionate Declaration was so far from displeasing that it filled her with a Torrent of Joy to find a Man so entirely at her Dispose whom Fate had already destin'd her to Love to deny his Visit was to rack her own Inclination and to permit it too easily would make the Conquest too cheap however this Contest did not long last the irresistable God bore sway and she returned this Answer ASPATIA to MELANTIUS I Am Confirmed that in all points Melantius is the most Gallant of Men and where he offends he makes but too sufficient Reparation I can forgive without these Insinuations you use to bribe a Pardon but shall expect with the Return of my Handkerchief you desist a Suit too inglorious for a Heroe Aspatia Having dispatched the Page she began to reflect how barbarously she used Octavio in the mean time but who can resist the powerful influence of that little Tyrant who models us after his own Chimera's well may he be represented blind not only for the inequality of Persons that he wounds but whoever is possessed of the same Malady runs violently on pursues the Object of their Affections adheres to nothing but Almighty Love and cannot see an Errour Well she is resolv'd to let Octavio stay a little for an Answer being in some perplexity what to write to him she banished all troublesome Thoughts and wholly dedicated that Day to Melantius who came dress'd with all the Gaiety of a young Bridegroom enter'd the Room with ten thousand Graces and passionately flings himself at her Feet and having stole her Hand he gently raised it to his trembling Lips and stampt the Image of his Soul upon it Aspatia who simpathized too feelingly with this Extasie was
that he could not part from us but this mean Room he now lies in was his Lodging being the best we have Six Weeks has he been here in which time his Diversion was to Walk alone early and late sometimes he would Fish with us he far'd as we did all I could learn relating to himself or Country is that his Name is Pedro a Spaniard Born he was very inquisitive after Letters and sent the Boy every Night to Porto to enquire By this time the Chyrurgeon was come whom Melantius brib'd to Secrecy having prob'd the Wound of the Cavalier they were greatly incouraged to find it not mortal but his excessive bleeding had already reduced him so low he could not speak but fainted several times in their Arms. Melantius tho' he did not want for Jealousie that this was his Rival yet considered his Misfortune with much trouble he stayed till he was Dressed and after applying something to his own Arm and leaving a Charge to the old Man to be careful of him he returned with the Chyrurgeon to Porto promising to be with them early the next Morning After a short Devoir pay'd to the Marquess de Leganez he retired to his Bed to Contemplate on the Days Adventure and altho' his Malady requir'd rest his distracted thoughts could not permit of any respite but flew more swift than the fleeting Minutes he was impatient for the Day that he might again visit the wounded Cavalier who he hoped would be in a Condition to relate some part of his Life at least tell him why he would not part with the Picture but by Compulsion Scarce had the pale-fac'd Empress of the Night drawn her Sable Curtains but Melantius was up and arrived at the poor Mansion just as bright Sol had tip'd the top of Olympius with his golden Beams having before taken care all Necessaries should be brought the Cavalier whom he found something revived by a little Sleep he had gotten and both able to look up and speak Melantius enquired of his Health withal signifying some Joy for this small Amendment but an undissembled Concern for his Misfortune The Cavalier was amazed at this great Civility from a Person he imagined had used him the most unreasonable of all Men. Sir said he in a weak faint voice how much I receive from you now can only be repayed by a bare acknowledgment and I must attribute this Favour altogether to your Generosity being as much at a loss for any Merit of mine to deserve it as I am at our late Quarrel Melantius as much puzzel'd at these Expressions was apt to believe a Fevor had seized his Head but considering 'em spoke with an Air that shewed a great Moderation and peculiar Grace he was obliged to answer in this manner Nothing could have provoked my Sword against a Person of your Worth but the refusing to restore this Picture which is my only present Felicity The Cavalier assured him he did not hear it demanded But Sir said he dare you so far trust my Fidelity to inform me whose it is and how it became yours Melantius very willingly reply'd It is a Lady's whose Fame is not confined to the scanty limits of one Kingdom but universally admired She is the Daughter to the Duke de Almeyda and were it not for the Jilting Tricks of Fortune I should now stile her my Wife her own Hand recommended it to me when the Death of the Marchioness de Leganes from whom I received my being put a stop to our Marriage which should have been Consummated within a Week The Cavalier whose Attention was interrupted with a Torrent of Sighs at this last Accent of Melantius resigned his Life or at least it appeared so when all thâ— industry that was used could not recal his Spirits but just when they discovered some glimering Hopes his Soul shrank back as in the Abhorrance of the World but the assistance of the Chirurgion who was now come was so effectual that no longer could the impulse of his anxious Trouble repel his Art but in spite of himself was his Life thrust back to die ten thousand Deaths With the first breath he recover'd he exclaim'd against the Cruel Fair and blames Heaven for making her the brightest of her Sex without dispersing their Divinest Attributes upon her Oh! Why said he Why was she created so Divinely Glorious That Gods themselves would have been proud to have layn at her Feet adoring Captives and not be blessed with unblemish'd and unshaken Virtue Is theâ—e no Bolt of Heaâ—en that stâ—â—kes with Fate but must it light on miserable Octavio Ah! false Ingrate now triumph in thy Injures and with thy insulting scorn crush thy loathed Victim lower than the Grave Every word he spoke was like Darts to Melantius and almost pierced him through nor was his staggering Thoughts longer in dispute if this was his Rival Alas he was too terribly convinc'd yet being nearly concern'd to have a more ample satisfaction which he could not learn from this confused Discourse he had so much command of himself as to endeavour to moderate the excess of his Passion and recal his Peace But few things are of sufficient power to perswade a despairing Man into Reason he looks upon himself as the lowest and vilest Insect miserable despis'd and ruin'd nay lost in a Mist of wild Horrours In this rage he continues to curse the malice of his Stars sometimes pouring out Execrations on himself for being too unworthy to possess so Divine Treasures Then again charging her with being False Cruel Inhumane and Unjust Now said he if this Soul dare remain in this desolate Body who can be more wretched But I will never fall so low and abject Nor can I bear even tho' her Charms are by her falshood almost lost that another should ravish them from me But will the Gods permit such things to prosper On whom we Mortals do rely for Justice No endeavour they could use could bring him into a calmer Humour or engage him to suffer his Wound to be dress'd he still oppos'd it and tore the Plaisters off as they were apply'd Melantius alledg'd That probably there might be a mistake Are you sure said he this is the same Aspatia If you knew this Hand he reply'd which I believe you are no Stranger to your Doubts are evidently resolved With that he deliver'd him a Letter in which there was such tender Expressions that could proceed from nothing but Love As he read every Letter grated his Soul to find such considerable Favours lavish'd on another Oh! Poor Melantius said he fighing to himself thou hast but blown up the Embers in the absence of this Cavalier for 't is impossible such substantial Love could vanish with a flash even when he was within reach of enjoying all that his Soul could wish for But why should I complain Is it not for me she forgoes all these Engagements If it is a Frailty 't is to make me happy But how am I sure
him My Maid had us'd all Arguments with Reason that might perswade a sense not wholly banish'd but finding I was refractory to Advice and hearing the trampling noise of Feet draw near made no Apology but pulled me in and gently shut the Door This Quarrel reach'd no Ears but only ours except the Servant who had let him in who finding him uneasie in his Mind had modestly withdrawn to wait his Order and accidentally being fallen asleep not waken'd till the Fray was almost over Scarce had my Maid chain'd up the outward Gate but he approach'd us with disorder'd Care making a strict Enquiry for Octavio Oh! how I sunk beneath my load of Fears left this loved cruel Man should now be ruin'd Ingrateful as he was I still ador'd him 'T was then even tho' his Perjuries were fresh I did forget the Outrage done my Heart to think of Means for his Security Stifling the Anguish of my sinking Soul I made a cunning search into this Servant and learnt from him the time Octavio came and that he was alone disguised and dull that none had seen him enter but himself whom Business accidentally had kept up This gave through all my Fears some little Hope that probably there might be no Distrust if I could bribe this man to Secrefie With subtile Instruments I prob'd his Breast and found it at the bottom truly honest his Interest and Advantage was Octavio's whom he loved and served for many Years admir'd in Infancy his budding Virtues and at those early days sought his Affection yet I not failed from time to time to seal his vow'd Fidelity with powerful Gold Having thus passed a sacred solemn Promise next to avoid Suspition in the House we stole with silent Caution all to Bed to me the most detested place in Nature because design'd for Rest and Fase yet forc'd my Heart even far beyond my Will since all this Care concern'd Octavio's Good Till nine of the Clock the next morning I suffer'd all the racking Pains of Love Fear and Jealousie and by this time Report was spread throughout the City that Alcidas was slain his Hat and Gloves that drop'd in the Rencounter being found drench'd in a dreadful gore of Blood but for the Body it could not be heard of tho' careful strict enquiry was made The Viscount startled at the fatal news came trembling with surprize and grief to tell me at sight of whom before he spoke a word Reflection dash'd my tortur'd breast and not being able to support its weight I sunk from the Chair I sate into a Swoon He guess'd by this that I had been inform'd and weeping bore a part in my Affliction pitying my Loss and poor Alcidas's Fortune Industry was us'd to bring my Life but all their Application was in vain till above half the day was spent then I began to breath the Air of wild Distraction Madrid was now the Seat of Wonder Rage and Sorrow the Murder of so great a man was generally lamented a search was now began throughout the City both for the Assassinates and wretched Corps no House or Vault or Well escap'd a ransack which gave me all the agony of Fear for the unfortunate distress'd Octavio yet all this diligence made no discovery no Author found that had done such a deed nor could Alcidas's Body e'er be heard of which Riddle I could never understand Our Family did suffer cruel Censures my strange Aversion and the fatal Place the Time nay every Circumstance look'd odd and gave too fair Pretences for Suspicion but nothing could be prov'd so that the Death of this Unfortunate receiv'd no other expiation than a publick Sorrow Contrary to my Hopes 't is true I liv'd but liv'd the most dejected She on Earth mourn'd that this Tragedy was not my own rather than be the Fate of all adored me I saw the passionate Alcidas fall and fear'd the utter loss of brave Octavio his parting Blow kept still a fresh Idea of all the Cruelty that there was acted I doubted his extremity of Mind would prompt him rashly to destroy himself or if he liv'd he liv'd no longer mine How wretched how unhappy was my Life my Fears augmented by perpetual Silence no Tidings of Octavio could be heard no Letter nor no Message did come near us which much perplexed the melancholy Viscount but I that knew too much and dreaded to know more dy'd daily with the expectation of the worst Sometimes I thought I was oblig'd to speak that necessary Methods might be taken but oh the Bloody Fact had so much Horror that my Soul shrunk at the remembrance to tell the Viscount 't was impossible and likewise barbarous to disturb his Peace besides I knew not how he would resent my management in keeping it so long Thus restless thus oppress'd I sunk beneath the Burden of a Secret which Time had made too dangerous to reveal The small Relief of Hope had almost left me Silent and sad I bore a tedious Pain and only waited Death to give me Ease when there arriv'd a Letter from Octavio the Viscount unto whom it was directed read it with all the smiling Ayr of Pleasure but my prophetick Fear allow'd no Transport an unaccountable foretelling Sadness did overcome my Joy to hear he liv'd I dreaded to enquire yet knew not why but oh too soon the Viscount did expose that Letter which produc'd my final Ruin Octavio was now at Portugal from whence he excused his long silence and stay since 't was not to be imagin'd he could return to Madrid without endangering the loss of Life and Fortune for Reasons which he guess'd the Viscount knew but he good Man did only apprehend these words as they related to the next that follow'd which told him of a noble Match propos'd between himself and a most glorious Maid fram'd by peculiar Providence with care and made a charming Abstract of Perfection Aspatia happy Aspatia was her Name Daughter to the most Renowned Duke de Almeyda born to command and conquer all that saw her Crowds of adoring Slaves lay at her Feet and gloried in their blest Captivity the Universe did ne'r produce before a clearer Virtue Wit or solid Judgment nor Nature form so lovely or exact a Beauty For oh said she in Sighs and floods of Tears I have heard her perfect and impartial Character At this Don Lelio blush'd and almost died with swift reflections on his vanquish'd Honour and the kind lavish Praises of his Rival The sad conceal'd Melantius at this part was ready with his Passion to expire but chaced with violence his Spleen away to give attention to the mournful Sequel whilst Don Ariosto who had too much Grief to mind an alteration in Don Lelio proceeded in this manner 'T was here my Fugitive discover'd Charms nor Sorrow Wit nor Reason coul withstand such Charms that when his Soul was all o'er dark and dismal Horror calm'd and dispers'd the melancholy Cloud disarm'd the torturing Fury in his Breast and
plac'd a Troop of smiling Cupids there 't was not without encouragement he wrote to learn what he might hope for from his Father on what Demands he might expect to gain a Beauty of that bounteous Wit and Dower giving his Raptures latitude to speak the most he thought his Mistress could deserve This when I read no Tongue can tell my smart my throbbing Breast did heave my Eyes distorted no doubtful Wretch that stood their latest Doom was half so shock'd at a condemning Sentence speechless and cold I fell upon the ground and only short-breath'd Sighs declar'd I liv'd but soon again I did recover strength to fall a Supplicant at the Viscount's Feet to whom I wept and told the movingst Tale that his sad Pressures like to Niobe's seem'd to have turn'd his reverend Frame to Stone I wept and told him even from our budding Loves each circumstance of what I have now related declar'd the Murder and display'd my Wrongs begging him to compassionate my Cause since I was still compel'd to die or love him Grief stop'd his Tongue from making a Reply but with his Head he bid me quit the Room to give him liberty to vent his Trouble I left him languishing to that degree that Fate sate daring Reason in his Face which pierc'd my very Soul as I departed the look he gave me seem'd a last Farewel and 't was with great compulsion I retir'd to leave him to the rigid Sourge of Fortune which I perceiv'd did handle him severely After some wretched hours of close retirement he forc'd a settl'd Mind and sent for me his Countenance appear'd without a Cloud and every Action had an easie Ayr Smiling he rose and took me by the Hand and plac'd me on a Seat just by him discoursed me with the greatest Moderation that I could hardly credit what I saw Maturely he discuss'd upon each point and brought it subtilely to a kind result told me that since hard Fate had play'd its Game our Care must be to help and crown all future managements with good Success bid me not mourn what I could not redress but learn of him to bear the Lash of Fortune I could not judge if this was Artifice or whether he had overcome his Passion yet parted from him much more satisfied for he had promis'd to restore Octavio if I would leave the Conduct to his Will With humble resignation I consented wholly to be dispos'd by his Command for I confess that my unparallel'd Love fell to the heighth of abject Supplication Within two days I went from Madrid to pass the tedious minutes more sedate in a still rural Villa of the Viscount's that thirty miles stood distant from the City there there how many wretched hours flew in the reflection of my dubious Destiny no Shade no Grove but conscious of my Grief my Tears supplied each Rivulet and Spring and every melancholy Grotto spoke Despair to the perpetual Volleys of my Sighs 'T was thus I spent the best part of a Year whilst the kind Viscount acted things at home beyond the expectation of a Friend and cunningly in my behalf he did proceed he writ Octavio word That his Fears need not any way oppose his coming home for none could guess him guilty of that Crime besides the great Affair which he propos'd could ne'r be decided at that distance therefore 't was requisite he should return to settle all in Peace for his advantage giving some hints that I was then retir'd lest that should be a Motive for his staying It was these generous Letters once more induc'd Octavio to see Madrid the Interview between him and the Viscount I heard was very passionate and moving which being mitigated in few days he introduc'd the mournful Tragick Tale which was the fatal Cause of all our Evil Octavio charg'd the weighty Sin on me whose Falseness had betray'd him to that Mischief and then the good old Man did weep to vindicate my much wrong'd Faith and Honour owning the Act as really 't was his own to force me on a Match I loath'd and hated At this Octavio sensibly was touch'd and bore a friendly part in my Misfortune but Love was banish'd all that Stock he swore could never be exhausted now was spent and I was then reduc'd to sordid Pity Nothing could move a kind Consent to see me his Heart was absolutely now another's for tho' upon the Fall of poor Alcidas he fled to seek a noble Death entirely despising Thoughts of Life resistless Beauty that o'erweighs the World and ballances bright Virtue with a Bubble with her engaging Charms seiz'd on his wandring Soul and laid her strict Commands on him to live he could not view a Mistress so abused nor stand the Test of my severe Reproaches nor would he wed the Woman for whose sake his Hands had been imbrew'd in that dear Blood or rather 't was his new-born Flame prevail'd to make him quit the Seat of his Confusion and seek a Sanctuary of Repose on the soft Bosom of his chosen Bride Within six Weeks he went from Madrid to prosecute his last-establish'd Love nor were there any Offers could reclaim him Which News the Viscount would have hid from me but oh I had too true Intelligence Reason kept Argus Watch tho' Love was blind nor could my hundred Eyes be all deluded too obvious was this last ungrateful part for me to be deceiv'd or Heaven to pardon I scorn'd myself that I could not contemn the Man that had so slighted and abused me but oh impossible I lov'd to that degree not all my Wrongs had influence to reclaim still I ador'd still languish'd to retain the most perfidious Wretch that ever breath'd in vain I sigh'd in vain deplor'd the loss of all my Hopes the false Octavio in whom I yet discern'd Ten thousand Thus you have heard the Fate of poor Canace the most unhappy Maid that ever lov'd hitherto all my Life has been one Plague and what I am to suffer will be great since now the utmost prospect of my Hope is Bankrupt to that last and wretched point of learning how to bear with Resignation Don Lelio who had given strict attention to the relation of this mournful Tale look'd on the lovely Innocent who wept and weeping pierc'd the Souls of those that heard her like April showrs in Tears she mourn'd which like the Heavenly Dew drop'd from her Eyes and veil'd the lustre of those beautious Orbs and like an Evening Zephirus her Sighs whispering their murmuring Accents through the Air wrought the Inanimates unto compassion Thus Sorrow in its Splendor did appear all moving all transporting all engaging melting the tender Hearts of the Spectators who gazing on the melancholy Maid suffer'd the charming Object so to please they never thought to interrupt her Grief till they beheld her fall into a Swoon Melantius all o'er Pity and Concern was rushing from his Covert to her succour when he perceiv'd Don Lelio clasp her close laying her Head upon