friends and although I am a Satyrist I would carry it with so good a grace that those men whom I doe reprove may not be offended at me But when I reflect more maturely upon my work that what if after all this it shall lose in its estimation for I have already concluded that it will be of no great use to reform the vicious and that withall it will bring but little contentment to some of the severest Readers Of all the Spirits which I know there are but a very few who are sound enough to judge for the greatest part doe amuze themselves on nothing else but to reprove those things whose beauties they are not capable to discover When a Book is published we ought to have the Switzers in the Stationers shop to defend it with their Halberds for there are a race of idle people who make it all their imployment to censure whatsoever is printed and believe it is enough to confirm them to be gallant men if they can but say It is not worth any thing although they can give no reason for it Every man in these times will appear to be a man of an excellent understanding although there was never known a more heavy a more predominant ignorance A School-boy who is hardly out of the danger of the lash having read but three or four French Books will be ready to make as many himself and believe himself able to surpasse all others But this would be nothing at all if he did not undervalue another to cry up his own reputation but all respect and modesty is abandoned men will inforce themselves to look out defects where none are to be found For my self if I should be so unfortunate as to trespasse against the laws of Art in writing yet I would have the world know that I doe not the lesse esteem of my self for I am not the Master of so base a Soul as to imploy all my abilities on an Art in which one cannot exercise himself without flatery or subjection Having done nothing but only testified my hatred which I bear against the vicious in a negligent and mirthfull discourse I doe believe that I have done enough But I may speak without presumption that I have not committed any fault so great that may make me blush if any one therefore shall make it his businesse to reprehend me he shall but lose his time to play the Critick on me who am the Critick of other men and it may be of himself he shall but grate his Teeth on the Anvill Let therefore this male-contented humour be abandoned by all men and let me return to the agreeable subject of my discourse You ought to understand that Francion was constrained to permit the Groom of Raymonds Chamber to apparel him in a rich habiliment according to the fashion of the antients which by order from his Master he had brought unto him He enquired of him wherefore he did not apparel him in his own cloaths or any other that were fashionable but he could receive no other answer but only that he was obedient to the commandment of his Master The Steward having afterwards acquainted him that Raymond had assuredly a resolution to take him out of the world Francion made answer that he believed that in that habit of the Theater which he had sent him he would make him act his own Tragedy in which he should represent the part of some great person who in times passed had been so put to death The Steward replyed I know not what he will doe for with much difficulty have I learned that little which I have faithfully declared to you out of a charitable compassion that you may the better prepare your self to depart this world And I would advise you Sir not to be so frolick as you are for you are neerer your end than you do think for Francion made answer I cannot leave my ordinary humour whatsoever misfortune can arrive unto me and I can assure you that he helps me only but to make a shorter cut in my way to death in which we every one doe travell for either sooner or later we must all arrive at that Inn Nothing afflicts me more than that I shall not dye like a Gentleman If my King by Divine permission should have the news brought unto him of this cruelty he would not suffer my death to be unpunished As he did speak these words they did put about his Neck a chain of Diamonds and a Hat on his head the band whereof was heavy with precious stones of a great value I think said he he will observe the custom of the ancient Romans who crowned the Victims they were to sacrifice with the most beautifull Garlands You put upon me these rich ornaments to conduct me to my death what need have I of this gorgeous attire Being made ready they told him he must goe whither they would lead him He did consent unto it resolving with himself to take hold in the way of the first Instrument of defence he could find therewith to resist those who should oppose him for he had no desire to be put to death without giving before hand some demonstrations of his incomparable valour In this resolution he came out of his Chamber wirh a countenance no more troubled than if he had been going to a Banket I doe believe that Socrates being in the same condition would not have so unalter'd and so constant a Spirit He passed with his conductors tbrough the Galleries and the Chambers and in the way he listned to an Air that he had hererofore himself composed which was sung in a room that was not far from him The Ditty was this The Fair Beliza hath a Face So full of sweet attractive grace That whensoere he sees it I Believe that Francion will not die This was some good presage unto him and conceiting with himself that his death could not be so near he listned again to the voice which he heard and collected to himself that he had heard the same voice some where else but he could not tell where At the last behold where Collinet Clerantes Fool did come singing in before him and imbraced his thighs with incredible demonstrations of affection My good Master said he where have you been all this while I have been looking you out a long time Now I have found you let us be merry together Francion being much amazed to see Collinet there did modestly cause him to withdraw himself without laughing at any of his vanities and told him that he would speak more freely with him when he was at leisure Being come to the door of the great Hall he beheld a larg Square hung round about with Garlands of Flowers and did there read these words which were written in Letters of Gold Let none assume the boldnesse to enter here if he hath not a Soul that is truely generous and renounceth not the opinions of the vulgar and if he loveth
other places you shall find that even there he maketh mention of Francion When he had wrote the Adventures of this Cavallier he did give unto them the Title of The Comical History and this was to the great displeasure of Du Souhait of Champaign and as it were to out-brave him for he before had given the same Title to a Legend of Accounts which he had compiled There was a Contention betwixt these two Spirits who were both of the same time but our Author hath far surpassed him as may plainly appear by the good entertainment which is given to his work when that of Souhait hath dwelled in obscurity being never printed but once Nevertheless there are many People who by reason of that Comical History which Du Souhait did make will not be perswaded but that he composed this also But we ought not to fasten our belief to that opinion This Historical History of Francion was Printed the first time in the Year One thousand six hundred and twenty two but it contained then but Seven Books Some other of the following Books being come into the hands of the Book-sellers after the Death of du Parc they caused them suddenly to be Printed because that those which were already Extant were extraordinarily received but because there were a few breaches in that Original it is said there were some persons did love that work so well as to take the pains to repair those breaches and to insert therein some Accounts of their own Invention as they thought most agreeable to the Nature of the Subject And because they made mention of some things that were but lately done many persons were abused in it and conceived the whole Book to be altogether new and would not believe that Du Parc was any wayes the Author of it Moreover as the Language is every day more polished than other it may be that the Original Copy of the Author had not all those elegancies which are since arrived and that some amendment hath been given to that and those fashions of Speech have been reformed which were no longer in use insomuch that as a small thing in such occasions is of great importance this hath served to deceive the world by attributing this Book unto those persons who have not contributed much unto it But so it is that since that time it hath the happiness to be by every one desired and it hath been oftentimes Printed according to the second Addition without any change and the History containing but Eleven Books it is to be believed that the Author had made Twelve and every one demanded the Twelfth Book but no Man could produce it This is that for which I would convince those who would attribute this History unto others for what did hinder them◅ at they did not put an end unto it We must expect that from the right Author and search out for that which the living did perform At last there is one arrived who was with Sieur du Parc at the hour of his Death he is newly returned from a long Voyage and hath acquainted a Friend of his that he had about him divers Manuscripts which ought to be examined and set in order for the Press There hath been found amongst them a Copy of the greatest part of the Comical History of Francion which in some places was more large than that which we have and had an other beginning and another ending and above all the Twelfth Book so much desired We have so far prevailed that we have caused it to be Printed as you now see it and we have reformed that which ought to be reformed as for example The Epistle to the Grandies and the Narrative of the Preface to the Book which were of the body of the History are inserted in their due places when all that before was put in the beginning of the Book for want of something else Nay and it is most perspicuous that it must be so for there is found another Dedicatory Epistle which doth address it self to Francion which ought to be in the beginning of the History as it is now placed VVe doe observe that in the Eleventh Book Francion doth affirm that he hath made a Book which he calleth His Youthfull Errors which he saith hath been published and yet we cannot find that such a Book was ever printed It is only therefore but a Fiction and Du Parc therein hath taken pleasure to make Francion so to speak to amuse the Readers It cannot be found that in any such Book Du Parc did learn any of the Adventures of this Cavallier for in his Epistle he confesseth that Francion with his own Mouth did relate them to him Nevertheless it is worth your observation to discover if there be not yet another Fiction or if this Francion were indeed a Gentleman who was a Friend to Du Parc and had imparted some of his Memorials to him he having undertaken to compile a History of his Life but we will let that pass as being of no great Importance to our present occasion It may suffice that we do acknowledge the excellence of the Book As for the mo◅n Subjects which are here inserted because they are so handsomely inchased in the History and they are so well known that they are never to be forgotten we have left them where we found thē They are all ranked in such order that we may affirm we have now the true History of Francion being corrected according to the Manuscript of the Author As for those passages which have relation unto Strangers we will not dispute whether they are better or worse than the Principal of the Book for all beauties do differ in their particulars but we ought to consider that it is so little in comparison of that which du Parc hath wrote and if it should be left out it would not blemish the History Those Discourses may continue where they are to satisfie the Curious who will lose nothing of that which they have once seen Moreover it is a received Maxim that Books of pleasure are permitted to change more freely than any other It is most certain howsoever that if any thing be added to this History it must be according to the Level and Designs of the first Author whom of necessity the others are obliged to follow so that in whatsoever can be done the honour of it is due unto him We ought on the other side to consider that many persons are to be found who assure us that it belongs all to one and the same Author and that those Passages which are suspected to be anothers and not du Parcs were not of so late a date but that du Parc might well arrive to the knowledge of them and might insert them in the last Books of his History and it were unjust for two or three discourses to suspect all the rest We ought to continue in that opinion and not to believe that any other than du Parc was the Author of
harmlesse countenance she had so cunningly composed had soon purchased her so large a portion of Lauretta's favour that she intrusted the management of her whole houshold to her care And her credit grew by degrees to that height that she might freely take the keyes of any Roome and keep them long enough ere they were re-demanded or any body entertain'd the least suspition of her fidelity One day going to fetch water at a spring without the Village she met one of her associates who came to inform himselfe of her proceedings while the other stayed at the next town expecting a favourable opportunity to accomplish their designe She assured him if they came privately thither the night following they might load themselves with divers things of value she then had in her power promising withall to cast them out the cord-ladder one of them had conveyed into her hands not above two dayes before The three Thieves failed not a minute of the time appointed and being descended to the bottom of the Castle ditch they spied a hand guiding a cord-ladder out at a window on the side towards the great gate One of them by a gentle whistle gave notice of their approach the like signall was returned from above This drew all their eyes immediately to the window where they perceived a woman whom they supposed to be their Confederate Katharine though that was not the place she had appointed them to scale One of the three named Oliver touhc'd with I know not what remorse of Conscience took a serious review of all his past Extravagancies and growing still more sensible of the burthen of his Soul had a few dayes before made a solemne Vow to Heaven within himselfe to abandon that lewd Company and amend his life But his companions having need of his assistance being of an active Body and notable Courage would not be perswaded by all the intreaties he could make to let him quit their consortship but sealed their threats with execrable oathes if he offered to desert them before they had rob'd that Castle where-ever he retired they nere would be at rest till they had found meanes to murther him Yet seeing them like greedy Wolves ready to fasten upon the Prey he again told them As he desired no part of the Booty they were going to make so he would have no share of the trouble and danger they might undergoe But after much reviling language being taxed with feare and cowardise for denying his assistance at length he was constrained to mount the ladder first to avoid the fury of his inraged Camarades Stepping from the Window into the Chamber he admired to see himselfe fall into the amorous armes of a Woman whom he found of another constitution than Katherine This was the Lady Lauretta who took him for Francion the darknesse of the Chamber deceiving her for her candle had been long put out Oliver not insensible of this favour fortune had cast upon him thought he must speedily hinder his companions ascent or they would interrupt his sport so gently unlocking fair Lauretta's armes he hasted to the window to take in the ladder as she desired and perceiving one of his associates already fast upon it he ceased not drawing till he was at least half way up then tying it to an iron hinge he shut the window close The Thief thinking Oliver intended to draw him in that manner to the top at first was no way troubled but finding a stop in the middle of his course he began to entertaine some jealous thoughts and accuse those within of treachery Neverthelesse he climb'd up the ladder to Lauretta's window but perceiving no possibilty of entrance and not daring to knock lest some of the Castle should discover him he fancied it would be his best way to recover the ground againe In this opinion he slid along the cord as low as it would reach which was nothing neare the bottom and falling thence by a window fenced with Iron Barrs one of the pointed ends running through made him so fast Prisoner by the breeches that all the art he had could not procure him the liberty to break his neck by tumbling any farther Francion in this interim not willing to neglect the assignment his Mistresse had given him failed not to come to the Castle-wall where seeing on the other side Katherine with a ladder at the window he presumed it was Lauretta In this confidence he presently mounts to the top and being entred the roome his language was nothing but an iteration of kisses to his supposed Mistresse She wondering at his fond familiarity said Oliver What 's the matter Is it thou or is it some other What art become a fool to play such antick tricks when we should rather be diligent in the expedition of our businesse Leave I must help up thy fellowes Dost think my change of habit hath made me transform my sex Francion's opinion that he had mistook his mark was perfectly confirmed by these words which came not as his eares quickly discover'd from the agreeable mouth of his beloved Lauretta However he stood not to examine what the true meaning was because he thought they concerned him not onely he told Katherine whom he then knew to be the maid that her Mistresse had promised to dedicate that night to Venus in his company and he was come to enjoy the precious contentment of her sweet embraces Katherine who had as much cunning as was requisite for any that exercised the trade she professed searcht among all her subtilest projects for an invention to get cleare of him imagining his presence would put a stop to their designe To conduct him to Lauretta's chamber as he desired she deemed not convenient because she thought perhaps she might be commanded to stand Centinell or be otherwise imployed when her companions came to execute their intention So to avoid all incumbrance she told him her Mistresse was very sick and had given her charge to plead her excuse for deferring her appointed entertainment Francion cursing the crosseness of his fate was forc'd to repeat his way to the rope and being half way down Katherine whose treacherous soul delighted in wicked acts to revenge the accidentall check she conceived his coming had given to their contrivance shook the cord with all the force her rage could lend her on purpose to send him to the ground head-long Seeing himself thus treated he perceived there was no remedy but leaping to save his limbs from being shattered to pieces against the wall This consideration made him presently quit his hold and commit his life to torture who lending no favourable assistance to his amorous stealths but suffering him to tumble into the Tub where Valentine had made his Bath he had like to have met with two deaths in avoiding one for besides making a great wound in his head that bereaved him of both speech and sence he wanted not much of drowning Katherine hearing the noise he made falling foule upon the
of his whole life's vicious behaviour This provoked his hasty approach to hack that witness of his crimes in pieces but perceiving the obdurate Stone without confessing the least Dint at every blow send his jarring Blade back to his Head his Rage was wound up to that height as immediately he kill'd himself with his own Weapon and such an intolerable stink proceeded from his body that it forc'd me to retreat as far back as I could to avoid it After this methought I was in Heaven how I came there I know not for you know how ill the Method of Reason is observ'd in Dreames And now you shall hear the most fantastick imaginations that ever crept into a Brain but I must desire you to forbear laughing lest I should bear you company and then my Head which I feel yet very fore must suffer for it Forward good Sir said the Gentleman I take too much pleasure in this Relation to endure delay and for Laughter my Teeth shall imprison it But well you were in Heaven you say and how contriv'd was it handsom A very handsom question said Francion could it be otherwise being the Seat of Glory and Fountain of the most Radiant Beauties Methought the Starres the better to illuminate those Vaults shin'd as well under as above me and were all fastned to their Orbs with golden Buckles After I had pleased my eyes a while with the contemplation of these Mervailes I spied a company of beautifull Ladies which I took for Goddesses that came and unbuckled every one her Starre and fastned it to the end of a Silver Wand to light them to the Sphere of the Moon for the Sun's absence he being then in the other Hemisphere had made the way very dark This made me conjecture that the cause why the Starres sometime seemed to shift their station came from this Custome of displacing them I made these gossipping Goddesses my Guides till one of them looking back spy'd me and shew'd me to the rest of her Companions who presently made all towards me and bade me welcome with such excess of complement that I resented some shame to finde my self so posed in Courtship But the celestiall Shrewes soon set a Date to their kind entertainment and fell to consider what rigorous punishment they should inflict upon me After a short consultation the least in the company began to swell to such a prodigious bigness that her Head saluted ths Roof of the next Heaven above her and to prove her Strength suitable to her Shape she gave me such a fierce kick with her foot as made me roul six times about the World in a moment for the Plancher was so round and smooth I still glided away without ceasing but as I suppose you know there being neither Ascent nor Descent when I came to the Region of our Antipodes I was no more revers'd than here At last lighting into the Concave of a strake made by the Wheel of the Sun's Chariot there my Course was stopp'd and I might have lain long enough had I not been help'd up by the fellow that look'd to his Horses who after a little conference told me he had formerly been a Groom in the King 's Stable which made me foster a conceit that after Death Men follow'd the same Profession in the other World as they professed on Earth Growing familiar with him I desired he would shew me the most remarkable Singularities the place afforded Easily consenting to my demand he led me immediately to a great Christall Bason wherein discerning a kind of white Liquor not much unlike Soap-suds I ask'd him what that signified he answer'd it was the matter whereof mine and all other Humane Souls were formed This was continually haunted by a number of little winged Boyes no bigger than a Finger that hover'd over till they had dipp'd a straw into it and then slew I know not whither My Conductor being wiser than I suspected him informed me that they were the Genyes of Mankind who with their little Pipes gadded to and fro to infuse Soules into the Wombs of sleeping Women eighteen dayes after their Conception and the more they injected of that Matter the better the Infant whose Birth they took care of was furnished with Judgement and Generosity I demanded then why the Dispositions of Men were so various since their Souls were all made of the same Materialls You must know reply'd he this Composition is the Excrement of the Gods who are still wrangling among themselves and this Substance which proceeds from their Bodies imitates their contentious inclinations as appears by the continuall agitation of the Liquor which perpetually fumes and foams into an angry Froath as if some seditious Wind within were fomenting the War Besides the Souls when diffused into humane Members are still at discord because the Organs by which they act are of such different constitutions one overflowes with Flegm another is â—opprest with Melancholly in this Choller Tyrannizes in that Blood Predominates and so from the opposition of humors it is easie to collect effects as contrary See what rare Reasons said I hath this fellow found out for humane dissentions But Sirrah you say the Gods are quarrelsome you lie and take that for your saucy Blasphemy with that I reach'd him a good box on the ear but the stout Knave repaid me so rudely that he fell'd me to the bottom of the Bason where before I could recover my self I swallow'd I believe above 50000 Souls Therefore now sure I ought to be taken for a Man of notable spirit and courage Methought this Drink had a kind of a sweet taste like Asses Milk yet it could not properly be called a liquor but rather a certain concreted Mist or spiscious Froath for being with no small paine got out againe I found it had not so much as moistned my Cloaths My curiosity not yet satisfied I went on in quest of some more novelties and after a little wandring I perceived divers persons some drawing at a great Cord and some reposing themselves being newly come from the same exercise which I judg'd was very toilesome by the large drops of sweat I saw trickling from their fore-heads What are these What is' t they doe said I to a man clad like an Hermit that stood by looking on These are the Gods answered he very civilly that busie themselves in keeping the Spheare of the world in its ordinary Motion you shall presently see those others that now are resting themselves returne to the reliefe of these that labour But how doe they turne the Spheare quoth I. Did you never see a Wall-nut replyed he pierc'd through and a stick put into it which being drawne by a thred turn'd a little Mill at the end of it Very oft said I for when I was a Boy it was my ordinary Pastime You will easily then conceive this Misterie answer'd he if you doe but fancy the Earth which is stable to be such a Nut for it is peirc'd
Hell One cried out others domineer'd some did run some with great violence did carry others to prison On no side could be seen the least shadow of content Having observed these sad examples of the brutishnesse of men I return'd to my own Lodging but so full of Indignation that I cannot expresse it After Dinner being at my Window I descryed my young Coxcomb the Counsellor passing through the Street but in what Equipage think you in the Equipage of a Signior I was never more astonished He had a Cloak of three-piled Velvet of a Carnation colour his Breeches were of Velvet of the same colour and his Doublet of White Sattin his thigh was armed with a Sword of Miramont and he was mounted on a barbed Steed and followed by three lusty Lackeys I enquired of my Host if at Paris Men of the long Robe were also Men of the Sword He made answer to me that young Gentlemen as was that Counsellor whom I beheld did not take upon them the formality of the Gown but only for a quality to gain them the more respect to procure them Wives with greater Dowries and that their age leading them to the civilities of the Court when they are once out of it they are permitted to take the sword and the habit of a Cavalier Perceiving in what miserie I was I did wish I had been of the Profession to which my Father did perswade me but I conceived it would be a dishonor to be in the company of such vile people At that time I did feel to the quick the pricking thorns of my miâ—fortune for being cloathed with such poor habit there was not any one who did esteem me and in this forlorn condition I durst not wear a Sword for instead of serving to be a witnesse of my generous extraction it would make me to be taken by the most sotish people of all the Cities in the Earth for a lazie Vagabond In the mean time every day I suffer'd a thousand Indignities I dare not say patiently for I dare assure you if Power had answered to my Will I had throughly punished those stupid fellows that offended me One morning I entred into the Court of the Louvre thinking it had been a place of Respect where I should receive pleasure from the Variety of severall Objects and not be baffled as I had been at other places As I did regard that pompous Edifice looking sometimes on one side and sometimes on the other a Page who observed by my action that I was not accustomed to come thither supposing me to be a simple Novice did take my hat by the Brim and gave it such a twirl that it turned eight times quite round my head I had shewed him effectually who it was he had abused but that behind him I observed ten or twelve Lackeys who seemed to be there present to defend him I told him that he did me wrong to touch me since I never offended him At that he and his Companions opened their mouths altogether and called me Citizen for it is a word of derision which that Kennell doth give to those whom they esteem to be simple Fellowes in which number they comprehended all those who do not follow the Court. It is the infamy of this age that those people who are so despicable and so abject that it is impossible to expresse them should abuse a Name which hath been and is in so many Cities so passionately desired Neverthelesse understanding the malice of their mistake I took the boldnesse to intreat them to look more earnestly on him to whom they did addresse their words assuring them they would find I am not the Man whom they did take me to be And turning from them to be gone they followed me with absurd laughter and impertinent language and demanded of me what I was If I was not a Citizen I made answer I am that which you will never be and which it is impossible that you can desire to be because you have neither the courage nor the apprehension to be as I am To speak in that manner to those ignorants was to speak Greek unto them and I did repent my self that I took such Brutish things into my consideration at whom I ought not to be angry although they should have spurn'd me with their feet because they are Creatures deprived of Reason and have not the sence when they are chastised to understand that it is because they should return no more unto their follies This consideration working in my Spirit I retreated from them but this cursed crew taking offence at the last words which I spake did run after me to torment me The Page making a semblance as if he would strike his staff upon the ground did hit me so violently upon the Feet that at every blow I leaped up as if I were cutting so many Capers The Lackeys also being prepossessed with the simplicity of my deportment did assault me all at once and there was one of them who affirmed that they must tosse me in a Blanket Being excessively provoked at that word I suffered my self to be transported to the first motions of choler and retiring a little from them I did swear like a Waggoner wet quite thorough and covered with Durt Come forth and you dare unto me and giving me but a Sword Do you fall upon me all at once You shall see if I fear you or not you vile puddle you have no valor at all but when altogether you assault one Man who hath no Armes to defend himself If you have not the desire to gratifie me in letting me dy valiantly in my own defence doe one of you kill me for I shall no longer live but to my grief and on the other side I have mis-fortunes enough which do cause me to desire Death Their blind and stupid Rage was inflamed by these words when a great lump of flesh covered with blew Sattin and gold lace did approach unto them I know not on my faith whether it were a man or not but I discovered the form of a Body as for his Soul it was all brutish He was a Baron as afterwards I understood and was the Master of the little Page that did prosecute me He said to the three buffles who stood with their hats in their hands Tell me you Waggs Is not my Page a gallant Boy mark but the pleasant sport he makes he is a Boy of Wit and Spirit The Page hearing the praise which his Master gave him did determine with himself to make that Virtue yet more manifest for which he did esteem him and came unto me to give me a tweak on the Nose but I thrust him back so violently that I thought I had thrown him on his back The Baron who carryed an eye over him was angry and twirling his Mustachioes with one hand and threatning me with the other he said unto me You Sirrah look to your self if you abuse my Page I shall strap you as
Lady of Pleasure He would that we should give our selves to all manner of Voluptuousnesse and yet he seems thereby to withdraw us rather from Love than to invite us to it for he putteth that terrifying Object before all our eyes which cannot but beget a horror and a trembling in our Spirits It is certain that here are other Ladies who are incomparably beautifull and are able to give us pleasures in abundance yet neverthelesse he ought not to have mingled that Cumaean Sybill amongst them Know Sir said Francion that Raymond hath too noble a Spirit to do any thing that is incongruous He doth invite us by that Object to addict our selves to all the pleasures of the World Have you not heard that the Egyptians in their greatest Feasts did place the skull of a dead Man on their Table to the end that thinking that peradventure they should not be to morrow amongst the living they should endeavour themselves to imploy their present time to their best advantage By this Object Raymond doth wisely advertise us of the self-same thing that our selves and these young Ladies may take our full Carrier of Pleasure before we shall arrive unto that age in which there shall be nothing but Complaints and Griefs I know not what carkasse of Death it is that Raymond there present us with said the Gentleman but she eateth and drinketh more than four living Creatures If it be so with all the rest of the dead Pluto hath something to do to feed them If it be so said Francion You may observe the reason which makes so many living unwilling to die It is because they are afraid to retire into a place where Famine reigneth Many other Discourses there were at the Table and after all was taken away Francion who had not yet the leisure to entertain Loretta did now take the opportunity to court her and to assure her what was the trouble of his Soul which he indured being not able to make use of the opportunity which she had permitted him to take And because he was not curious to enquire of her what was the obstacle that interrupted their designs she forsook that Discourse having assured him that she would make him recompence for the time he had lost and for the disgraces he had sustained which assurance brought much comfort to him Raymond interposing himself did take him aside and asked him If he were not at that present in the highest degree of Contentment having her with him whom so entirely he affected That I may conceal nothing from you said he I have more Desires than there are Sands in the Sea which maketh me afraid that I never shall have rest I love Loretta well and am glad that I have her with me but I would delight my self in the loves also of an infinite number of other Ladies whom I affect as well as her self Every hour the fair Diana the accomplished Flora the attractive Beliza the lovely Iantha the incomparable Marphiza and an infinite number of other beauties do represent themselves to my Fancy with all the delights they have and with those also which peradventure they have not If one should lock you up in a Chamber with all these Ladies said Raymond all that possible you could do would be but enough to content but one of them I vow unto you said Francion you speak the Truth but this day I would sport my self with one and too morrow with another and if they found themselves not satisfied with what I did I would permit them if they thought good of it to seek out some one else who may be an assistant to them in the full fruition of their desires Agatha being behind him did listen to this Discourse and interrupting him she said Ah Brave young Man You are of a good and commendable disposition I perceive well enough that if all the World were of your temper we should not know what Marriage is and should never be obliged to observe that Law You say true said Francion There is nothing that doth bring more bondage to us than that Injurious Knot and Honor the cruel Tyrant to our Desires If we have a handsom Wife she will be courted by all the World and who can hinder it The Common People who are infinitely suspitious and will take hold on the least apparences will report me to be a Cuckold and will affront me with a thousand Injuries although my Wife be a vertuous Woman for if they behold any to talk with her in the Street they 'l believe that she will take a greater liberty when she is in her own House On the contrary if to eschew this Evil I should marry an ill-favoured Wife thinking to avoid one Gulf I do fall into another that is more dangerous I should never have any rest or joy He is driven to despair who hath alwayes a Fury for his Companion in his Bed and at his Table It is farr beter that we were all free Without joyning in Marriage we should joyn our selves with those whom we like best and when we are weary of one it should be permitted to us to go unto another If a Woman stood affected to me she should for all that if she had a mind thereunto prostitute her self to another and although peradventure it was brought unto my knowledge yet I should not be offended at it for the Chimera's of Honour should not be lodged in our Brains and it should not be forbidden us to goe and to Court the Mistresses of others There would be none but Bastards in the world and by consequence we should see none but most gallant Men. All those who have performed extraordinary atchievments and transcended the Vulgar all those whom Antiquity hath called Heroes were Bastards In this number was Hercules Theseus Romulus Alexander and divers others You will represent unto me that if all Women were common as in Cato's Commonwealth one could not tell to whom the Children did belong which were begotten But of what Importance is that Lauretta who doth not know who was her Father nor who was her Mother and who troubles not her head to enquire after them Is she any thing the worse for it if she be not the same as a vain Curiosity may perswade her that she is not Now in this Case this Curiosity would be to no purpose and none but unreasonable persons would desire the knowledge of that which is either impossible or of no Importance Nay this would be a Cause of a transcendent Good for thereby we should be inforced to abolish all Preheminence and all Nobility Every one should be equal to another and the Fruits of the Earth should be common to us all The Laws of Nature should be had only in reverence and every one should live as in the golden Age. There are many other things to be spoken on this Argument but I reserve them to another time After that Francion had spoke these words whether in earnest or in jest
and reserved only one with him who was the Gentleman of his Chamber in the mean time he did lie down upon the grasse and contemplated on the Picture of Nays Some will say that following the Imaginations of Poets he made this Complaint which indeed is not much unlike to their ayr in the Romances Ah dearest Picture How many Miracles dost thou contain And in how little a room How can it be that the mixture of so few colours can have such wonderfull attractions Alas thou art nothing else but a Resemblance and yet thou causest in me a real passion I take delight indeed to touch thee and to kisse thee and I must confesse I touch nothing but Wood and yet the sight of thee doth cause in me unparalleld transportations What would become of me if I might be one day so happy as to have her in my Arms whose beauties thou representest the excesse of Love and Joy would be so great that I should lose at least my life since that but looking on thee I have already lost my liberty But fair Nays I would I were now dying so that I were but near unto your person There was a Gentleman of that Country in the same Forest who understood his complaints being hid behind a tree near unto him and being desirous to know who he was did approach unto him from his place of concealment and demanded of him Whose Picture he had in his hands to which he made such sad complaints Sir replyed Francion I am sorry that you have heard what I have said for if you have never proved the force of Love You will conceive it to be the most egregious folly in the World The other making answer that he was too well acquainted with the violence which that passion doth exercise upon humane Spirits desired to see the picture of Nays and knew so well to dive into the heart of Francion that he got the truth out of it and understood the whole design of his journey to see Nays and said unto him Be of a glad heart she is already arrived at the place to which you are addressing your self I doe protest unto you I have seen her and doe believe her to be the most beautifull Lady in the world Francion enquired further of the Gentleman what train she had he made answer she hath such a train as a person of her quality ought to have she hath moreover in her company a young Signior called Valerius who in my opinion is as much devoted to her service as your self They pretend both to be sick and to take for the present those waters for their recovery but I doe believe they doe not drink the waters which are brought unto them but doe privatly throw them away for that is not the water which is expedient for them you say true said Francion For Nays needs no other water than to drink of the River of the Paradise of Love which I will give unto her if she pleaseth and as for Valerius he must needs take full draughts of the water of the River of Forgetfulnesse to cause him to lose the remembrance of that incomparable beauty which doth not shine for the improvement of his fortunes but will procure his death if always he will adventure to approach it as he hath done heretofore Having had some other discourses on this Subject Francion did thank the Gentleman for the intelligence he had given him and departed to the Inn where Dinner stayed for him and after that he gave himself no rest until he came to the Village where the fountain was to which so many sick men did addresse themselves When he came thither in the closing of the evening he understood that Nays was there with Valerius accordingly as he was informed He enquired for the house where she lodged and passed by it in a good equipage as she did stand at the window to take the fresh air He there beheld the beauty which seemed to him more wonderfull than that of her picture for he observed there many excellent lineaments which the Painter had forgotten Nays perceiving him was as sollicitous to enquire who he was for she had never seen any Signior who in such a journey had people to attend him so richly habited Those that stood near unto her being ignorant of him she was constrained to send one of her menial Servants to inform her self who he was and what was his name He addressed himself to one of his Lackeys who as all the rest of them was commanded to say that his name was Floriander for Francion contrary to his first intention was determined through all hazards to follow the Counsel of Dorini by that pretence first of all to make tryal of his fortune At the name of Floriander the heart of Nays did leap for joy conceiving that he for whom she fetched so many sighs was arrived in that Country according to her desires She could not as he passed by observe Francion so precisely to know whether or not he was like to that picture of Floriander which she had She now did burn with a desire to see him and knew not what to doe to make her self so happy The worst of all was as she thought that Dorcini was not with her It did much afflict her that she had not any whom she thought capable to be imployed in this great affair and she knew not how to manage it her self because she was a stranger and did not well understand the customs of France Neverthelesse at the last she resolved to accomplish her desires and her Lover having so far prevailed according to the ordinary custom to give her a visit she did lead Valerius in a ring and did believe that although he had taken the pains to wait upon her yet she might use the liberty allowed to women and freely give that place to another which he hoped to enjoy in her affections As she was in these apprehensions a Post brought her a Letter which she unsealed and found that it came from Dorini Madam said the Post Before she had the leisure to peruse it wonder not that a Letter is sent unto you here from Italy which came from France for I was informed that there was something in it which did much concern you and that I must make no delay but bring it to you with all the speed that possibly I could fearing you were not advertised that you are more near to Dorini here than in your own Country When he had spoken those words she did let her eye fall on the Letter where she did read that her dear Lover was dead It undoubtedly must needs be that the faculties of her Soul were of an admirable temper that at the suddenesse of this unexpected and most melancholy news she did not seem to change her complexion or to swoun away That which at that instant much conduced to make her passe away her affliction was that a second Messenger belonging to Francion did
should be the better able to inform them to whom the greatest places in the Seats of Justice did belong I was ravished to hear this Proposition hoping that I should have the happinesse to see Emilia also although he made not the least mention of her Bergamin knowing that his presence was unnecessary did willingly leave us and accompanied with Salviati I came to the House of Lucinda It was but a little one but commodious enough for a Widdow-woman who lived alone in it Salviati entred into it as freely as if it had been his own and we found Lucinda in the Hall and her Daughter Emilia with her I must protest unto you that I never did behold a more delicat creature I fastned my eyes upon her but as soon as she perceived it she did retire her self into the Parlor Salviati represented to Lucinda that I was the Man of whom in the morning he had made mention to her and that he hoped I should be very profitable for the advancement of her Affairs She received me with very civil complements for she was a Woman of a gallant Spirit and Behaviour and was lovely enough being not so old as the weeds of her Widdowhood did make her to appear Having related to me all along the proceedings of her Husband against one called Tostat who deteined a great part of his Estate from him she told me also how he was killed as he was travelling from Venice unto Padua and that the said Tostat being apprehenhended she came to Rome to follow the Law against him and hoped that being condemned to Death she should have great Damages and Interests awarded her I repeated to her the promises which I had made to her Sollicicitor but I protest unto you I had much to do to remember the words she spake so much was my Spirit diverted by the Beauties of Emilia I could not but curse the Custom of the Italians which do not allow us the civil liberty to look on their Wives or Daughters At the last it so happily did fall out that Lucinda did begin to talk of her which was a great comfort to me She said That she did not much care for any great Dammages the Law should give her for she had enough already to content her during her life having but one Daughter who was shortly to enter into a Religious House and to have no more to do with the goods of Fortune I assumed the freedom to demand of her If it were she whom I saw when I first came into her House She told me Yes and as I did represene unto her that there were some Men who would think themselves most happy to have such a Wife She replyed she was descended of Honourable Parentage but having not means enough to marry her according to her Birth the safest way she could take with her was to put her into a Nunnery We maintained other Discourse on this subject and after that I conceived that I had stayed long enough I took my leave of her Being gone I demanded of Salviati if in good earnest Emilia was resolved to confine her self unto a Cloister He told me Yes and that she only stayed for money to give unto the Prioress which her Mother hoped to receive from the charity of well-affected people For my self said I I shall be ready to assist her but I should be more glad my money should serve to marry her than to retire her from the world He laughed at those words and we discoursed afterwards of her Beauty and her Merit I must confesse unto you that having seen her I was the more incited to do something for her Mother and I endeavoured what lay in my power that she might gain her Processe to the end that she might have wherewith to marry her Daughter according to her Condition and Degree I took my leave of Salviati and visited all those one after another whom I conceived to be capable to assist Lucinda After the end of two days I returned to her to give her an account of what I had done She thanked me most heartily and told me That she should confesse her self to be much obliged to me all the dayes of her life We were then alone in the Hall when behold Emilia came in She seemed to be something abashed to behold me and made as though she would return from whence she came but her Mother did command her to stay which was indeed a very acceptable recompence for the pains I had taken I parlyed to her with that discretion which is practised in that Country and I did not praise her but very modestly Neverthelesse I made it appear that she had touched me within my heart and that I much desired to have such a Mistresse I stayed with her as long as possibly I could and taking my leave I promised her Mother that I would visit some other Lords on her behalf which I performed with extraordinary care I must confesse that Nays is beautifull but Emilia hath such attractions that when I see not Nays I cannot but contemplate on Emilia I no longer did content my self with my antient delights I had rather have perpetually entertained my self with this if it had been possible for me but I found I could not arrive unto it but by marriage only To marry Emilia was not pleasing to me she having no other riches but what were grounded on a Processe which might be as well lost as gained Neverthelesse I deliberated with my self that if I would receive any Pleasure from her it must be by the pretence of Marriage so that oftentimes I discoursed with Salviati concerning her and told him that he must not give way unto her to enter into a Relligious house that it was no true Devotion that did perswade her to it but her Mothers and her own Ambition because for the present she had not wealth enough to Marry her according to her Condition She was endued I said with such perfections that divers persons of quality would take her freely without demanding any Dowry but her Vertue I in that manner did so discover my self unto him that he perceived I did speak of my self of which he was very glad and I believe did advertise Lucinda of it But because I could not see her every time I did go to her Mothers house and could not speak aloud unto her before her Mother it did much afflict me being accustomed to speak freely to young Gentlewomen after the Manner of the French I could not expresse my Love unto her nothing did speak but my eies only but in this Country of Italy but one glance or little action will oftentimes speak more to purpose than all the long entertainments of other Nations I could not be satisfied with that and was therefore resolved to write unto her and to desire Salviati to deliver my Letters To write unto her a Letter of Love seemed to be too bold and too difficult an enterprize for the first time I
perswade them to it for they were ashamed to show themselves so insatiable to a Man that was so prodigal I have heard it spoken indeed that these Gentlemen desired every one of them to borrow money of him and he being uncertain what answer to give them did at last resolve upon this gallantry When the Table-cloath was taken off every one of them did put his Mony upon the Table and counting it there they did all promise to pay it back to him again with Interest He desired them not to take care for that and assured them that he desired no other profit of his money but only the contentment to be stiled their Friend It sufficed him he said if at any time without Interest they would return the Money again for he knew well enough that he must stay long for it and besides he was in great danger to lose it all and it was to no purpose to demand Bonds of such young gallants who had such Parents that they would never be induced to pay for their Childrens Debauchment In this he acted the part of a magnificent Signior and I know not if that great Pretender Bragad in who hath been so famous in Venice did ever perform so noble an act although he vaunteth that he hath found the Philosophers stone and can produce out of other metals so much Gold as he pleaseth by his Powder of Perfection This Man also who stands there would perswade us to a belief that to authorise his Prodigality he is the Master of the same Secret but let him make it if he can he may be sure he shall have my good word no more than Bragadin had who being condemned for a Sorcerer and an Impostor was put to death in Germany and for ought that I know this Man doth deserve the same punishment We are moreover to consider that the French who are in this City ought not to be accepted as Witnesses in the behalf of this Offender for the greatest part of them are obliged to him and have received from him remarkable courtesies There are many things worthy your observation in that which I have spoken for first of all to lend and give away so much money to such a multitude of Men and to live at so high a rate as he doth which may suffice a Princes Court doth prove that of Necessity he must drive some unlawfull Trade which gives him the means still to hold out and to supply himself with so vast a bank of monies You ought also to consider his Cheats and how he doth impose sometimes on one and sometimes on another and the great disgrace and losse he brings to Italy by making current those pieces which are either not weight or alltogether counterfeit We may do well to look out some Novice lately come from France who is not yet guilty of his Liberality who freely may inform us if ever he heard of him in France and if he be not a Counterfeit himself and one who ought not to abuse the name of a Gentleman and we shall then perceive that it is an easie matter to be Liberal by false Merchandise We ought also to apprehend some of his Servants and strictly to examine them that we may be better informed in the secret of their Masters affairs The Iudge who heard all this commanded the Accuser to be silent and taking him aside told him That he had done very ill so manifestly to discover these proceedings of Iustice He did well to enjoyn him silence for he laboured with such a flux of words that he did speak all that which he did know and all that which he did not know and he could hardly be restrained but would still have accumulated more calumniations on him which were all farr from the truth for he imputed to Francion alone whatsoever he had heard spoken before of all the Mountebanks and Impostors that were ever seen in Italy Francion who found that this Information had not the least apparence and observed the affected passion in which his Accuser did expresse himself and the strange postures and ill-favoured faces which he made could hardly in the despight and midst of his Misfortune forbear from laughter The Magistrate that was then present and was a Man of some understanding did give no great respect unto that Informer but commanded him the second time to hold his peace and it being much about the time of Dinner he said he would have this businesse examined again at some other time and so dismissed the Company The charge of Francions person was committed to one who kept him Prisoner in his own house untill his Processe could be better drawn up for he told his Accuser that he must put his Bill into a better form and not make such deviations in it nor allege such things against him which he could not prove After that he provided a Chamber for Francion and brought him wherewith to eat As for Francion himself he was wonderfully amazed that he was fallen into this Misfortune Sometimes he believed that he was taken for some other who was called by his Name or did resemble him in Countenance and had been guilty of such Impostures but the counterfeit pieces which were put into his Pocket did check that supposition and assured him that it could not be any such mistake but a design contrived on purpose unjustly to accuse him to take away his Life Neverthelesse he trusted in his Innocence which he knew would be then undisputably apparent when his Cause should be more maturely examined He had also an assured confidence of the Assistance of all of his own Nation that were then at Rome by whom he was wonderfully beloved and respected He was not deceived in that belief for as soon as Raymond had made it known that Francion was a Prisoner they all assembled themselves to understand the reason of it and to procure his deliverance if it were possible The Lackyes of Raymond had followed the Serjeants and took notice of the House into which Francion was carried As for his own Lackyes they had a design to play the Waggs and had left him in the Perfumers shop It was some content unto them to know in what place he was Neverthelesse they placed Spies up and down that Street to give notice if peradventure he should be conveyed to some other place They did sufficiently understand the cause of his Imprisonmen but alleged it was not ground enough to cause him to be apprehended All his Friends did joyntly indeavour themselves to sollicit all the Great Ones whom they knew for his inlargement by demonstrating unto them that he was of an unblamed Conversation and one who abhorred to commit any fraudulent act but on the contrary that he was indued with so much Merit that all persons of Honour and Virtue were obliged to defend him There were many Signiors of Italy who promised to use all the Authority of their Friends and their own power for his liberty Neverthelesse it
lower parts as close as ever I could unto it to keep the cold from them When the day appeared I was a long time making my Complaint without receiving any answer and I believe that the Maid of the House was commanded forth on purpose that she might not be obliged to speak unto me At the last a great Lubber came down the Stairs having a Sword in one hand and a Bulls pizzle in the other and giving me a blow with the pizzle on my shoulder he commanded me to be gone I was inforeed to go down the Stairs being not able to make him understand my Reasons and without any hope to have my Cloaths restored I found that at the Bottom of the Stairs there was a hole made to goe out into a little Lane thorough which he violently did thrust me and afterwards made it fast against me I stayed there without Doors sitting on a Stone being in a deep meditation what to do But few persons travelled that way for the Lane had but one passage which was directly thorough it and those who walked by were people of a mean Condition I complained to them that my cloaths were taken from me Some of them laughed at me saying I was served well enough because I was so stiff and of so high a humour as to give a visit to the Roman Ladies Others pitied me and told me they were not able to assist me Sometimes I would not speak a word at all and I believe I was taken for a Beggar for sitting all Night upon the Stairs which were covered with Dust my shirt was extremely fowl At the last I considered with my self that I might stay there long enough if I did not take some other Course and to be gone in that naked posture when it was broad Day-light would appear very strange I conceived therefore that it was my best course by some Messenger to advise my Friends of my Misfortune and to desire them that some Cloathes might be dispatched to me I did speak to one Man but I believe he could not find my Lodging he made me stay a long time in expectation of him and I believe he is not yet returned At the last I entertained in my Spirit a dangerous and a brisk Conceit which was to counterfeit a Mad-man rather than to stay alwayes there I generously advanced and passing thorough the Streets I did sing a thousand Jiggs and Songs The Boys in amazement flocked round about me and I believe had done me much mischief had not you assisted me If I have given a box on the ear to Hortensius it was only to authorize my Folly and I crave pardon of him with all my heart Hortensius replyed That he did pardon him but advised him to take heed how he adventured again to seek for Forrage in such reproachfull places Raymond told him That he received a punishment great enough for turning out of the right way But my brave Raymond said Francion Have not you also had your part Have not you received some Dishonour concerning what hath been published of your Loves before the Judge himself Raymond replyed If you had but seen the Wife of the Serjeant you would confesse she was worth that Penalty and although she is but of a low Condition yet she is not the lesse amiable Whatsoever she is said Francion I am very glad to understand that adventure for you can now reprove me no more for being so secret in my love unto Emilia I said truly enough when I affirmed to you That there are some things the Secrets whereof we ought to reserve unto our selves But let us return to the Disaster of Du Buisson Will no Man goe to demand his Cloathes Was there any store of money in your Pockets A great deal said Du Buisson but I will give it all to Fiametta if she will return but my cloaths unto me She shall be sure to receive both disgrace and losse if she will not restore them Francion did so well comply with him that he perswaded the Host to go and sent some Lackyes with him who so much threatned Fiametta that she surrendered the Cloathes In the mean time the Crew that raised the Coyl being the Offals of the City stood still before the Door in expectation of Du Buissons comming forth but they caused them all to depart alleging to them That he was a poor young Man who had a Feaver on him and was now much distempered in his Bed When the hour was come to goe to Dinner our French Gentlemen did seat themselves all at the Table amongst whom was Du Buisson having taken some Repose They ceased not merrily to upbraid one another with their adventures There was only Audebert amongst them on whom them could not cast the least aspersion for although he was of a lively and frolick disposition yet he was very temperate and wise and delighted more to conferre with the Learned Men of that City than to seek after the Company and Acquaintance of the Courtesans Francion having considered of the Fortune of all the rest did experimentally protest that there was not one amongst them whose Misfortune was so great as his own and that Valerius and Ergastus having both conspired against him it was a question which of them both had done him the greatest prejudice Some affirmed it was Valerius who accused him for coyning of counterfeited Money which was a Fact attended with so much Ignominy that it deserved Death for its punishment But he himself maintained that it was Ergastus who did him the greatest Injury for he caused him to lose the favour of Nays and the prejudice he received was not so much when he had betrayd him to the sight and knowledge of Emilia for he received nothing but pleasure in that Conversation as when he provoked Emilia to complain to Nays of him Noe long after Dinner Dorini came unto him and acquainted him that Lucio had so great a Care of his affaires that he had rendred him lesse distastfull to his Cosin and she permitted that he should give her a visit that afternoon He immediatly prepared himself to wait upon her and was more curious in his habit than before having no care to accommodate himself in a place which was but a prison to him He was accompanied with those Gentlemen of France When he came into the room where Nays was she looked upon him with a more serious and majestical countenance but he feared nothing and did speak unto her in this manner Madam behold an Innocent falsely accused who doth addresse himself unto you to give you the testimonies of his Integrity She replyed Be not you so vain as to professe your self to be altogether exempted from offence for by that means you will take from me the glory to forgive you Since Pardon is assured me on your part said Francion I may well esteem my self to be faulty Nay in some degree you are so said Nays for it is true that you have loved