Henry He had for her a great inclination her Complaisance her Eagernesses and the Affectionate Air she made appear to those she had a mind to please had engaged Henry She came to Lisbon upon the first report of the loss of the Battel to know News of her Son and Husband she deplored the loss of the one's Liberty and the Life of the other and King Henry used all his endeavours to divert her Grief Violanta was not beloved by this Cardinal but as he had measures to keep with her by reason of the Pretensions of Don Anthony her Son he did not shew her any hatred She was gone into Mourning for the Death of Don Lewis the better part of the Court had been to Condole with her upon her loss Henry had not seen her because he had not consented to Don Lewis his Marrying her for fear of being constrained to acknowledge Don Lewis for the Legitimate Successour of the Crown The Count de Souza was more in Favour than he had ever been Henry knew his Prudence esteemed his Merit and often followed his Counsels in the Government of the State Don Lewis had ever shared in the pleasures of Don Sebastian and had ever applied himself only to the Person of that King The hatred that Henry bore him for that reason did not die with him he was resolved to make his Widow sensible of the effects of it He brought Suits at Law against her that were capable of ruining her and maintained that the better part of her Husbands Estate had been alienated from the Crown and ought to be reunited to it Eugenia had plunged her self into such an affliction that she neither thought of State nor of Life and believed she ought not to manage any of those things after having lost what she loved Her Relations were not favourites enough at Court to undertake her defence Souza Employed all his Credit to preserve to her the Estate they would have deprived her of and did it with Success Henry Sacrificed his Resentment to the Prayers of this Count and took pity of Eugenia But as the Count de Souza durst not hazard seeing her since she had sent him Word that he would disoblige her if he seemed to have that Design he contented himself with desiring one of that Widows Relations to acquaint her on the part of Henry that he restored to her all her Estate without declaring to this Relation that Henry had only granted this Act of Grace to Eugenia upon his solicitation but the noise thereof was already spread through all the City which Eugenia was informed of the the same time they acquainted her with this News she appeared as little sensible of the Services of Souza as the kindnesses of Henry so full was her Soul of Grief and so unconcerned was she for things of this World The King of Spain having had Advice that Don Sebastian's death had been Proclaimed in Portugal and Cardinal Henry made King resolved to joyn the powerful Motives of Religion and Justice to the secret Practices he entertained in all parts for the maintaining the Pretensions he had upon that Crown Conscience in Spain is an Actress that has ever a Principal Part in all things and had the greatest share in this Intrigue Philip caused the most Learned and Famous Casuists to be Consulted and Civil Layers of his Kingdom and they unanimously declared that Don Sebastian being dead he might Seize on the Kindom of Portugal to the prejudice of Henry But whether Philip having other Wars to maintain feared that the Portuguezes would by force of Arms defend the Crown they had newly placed upon Henry's head or was afraid this War would give those People new remembrances of Don Sebastian whom without any difficulty they had believed to be dead because they saw a Prince of their Country Succeed him and of whose death they should not so easily persuade themselves if a stranger should Seize on the Throne the King of Spain found the ways of Artifice more sure than those of open Force and thought it convenient to let Henry Reign for the little time he had to live rather than disgust those People by too much Precipitation As soon as the Duke of Barcellos was got out of Hamets Prisons he passed the Straits to go into Portugal and promised himself to satisfie in a little time the tender impatience of Leonora who had so long sighed for his return But Philip fearing this Duke might occasion new obstacles to the Spaniards Pretensions by reason of the Right the Quality of the Dutchess of Braganza's Heir gave him to that Crown resolved to retard as much as he could his Arrival He employ'd all manner of Artifices to hinder the Duke from going to Lisbon And as he knew that he was to pass by Saint Lucar he sent Orders to the Duke of Medina Sidonia who was Governour of that place to detain him in that City as long as was possible for him Some New Diversion was daily invented to cause him to stay and he ever found something New and Magnificent to invite a delay Several Pretexts had already been found out to stop him when the Duke not being able to resist any longer Leonora's impatience who desired him incessantly by tender and pressing Letters to return to Lisbon resolved at length to depart from Saint Lucar and made known with much firmness to the Duke of Medina Sidonia that he was resolved to depart the next day This Governour still endeavoured to persuade him but seeing the Duke was obstinate to be gone he caused all his Equipage to be seized on with absolute Authority and told the Duke of Barcellos as gently as was possible for him that being Governour of that place for the King of Spain he could not suffer him to go away without Order from his Master that he would write to him about it the next day and that as soon as he received an answer all the ways should be open to him The Duke surprized at this procedure gave notice thereof to the Dutchess his Mother She complained of that Violence to Henry He assured her he would solicite her Sons Liberty with all the ardour he was capable of and received this occasion of obliging the Dutchess with so much joy and so much eagerness that she no longer doubted that what she had suspected of him was real This Dutchess had already remarqued how the other Virtue the Cardinal had ever made profession of suffered it self to be insensibly seduced by Pleasures which attend a Crown She was extreamly Complaisant to him she seemed young was still Beautiful and having a Design upon the Crown of Portugal she was willing to procure Henry's suffrage and used all her endeavours to insinuate her self into that Kings Favour Old Men as well as Children are usually won by those who flatter them Cardinal Henry took great delight in the Complaisances of that Dutchess and fancying that Sixty seven Years with a long Practice of all Virtues
what place he designed to go The Envoys who were with Souza asked those Religious who had entertained the King if they had heard no talk of Don Henry They assured them that he was killed in Battel The Envoys returned to Lisbon after having to no purpose made exact enquiry after the King They assured Eugenia and all her Relations of Don Henry's death That Widow was out of Mourning Her Relations and her Friends knowing the Merit and Birth of Souza pressed her with so much earnestness to conclude that Match that she suffered her self to be vanquished by the Counts Constancy and the desires of all his acquaintance This Marriage was accomplished with great satisfaction on both parts And nothing had been comparable to the Count of Souza's happiness if its continuance had been equal to its Charms Anthony made still new efforts to mount the Throne and to Marry the Dutchess and his love enflamed his Ambition He was Elected for the Defendour of the Publick Liberty in some Cities he caused himself to be Proclaimed King in others and having drawn together some few Troops he Marched towards Lisbon where they would have refused to let him in But the Dutchess of Braganza and her Friends augmenting the disorder that the approach of those Forces caused in the City Anthony entred it without much resistance and caused himself to be Proclaimed King by main Force The Duke of Alva who Commanded the King of Spains Forces being entred Portugal seized all the Cities he met with in his passage The Pope hearing of the Consternation the Portuguezes were reduced to set Cardinal Alexander Riano as his Legate to Philip. This King having notice thereof concluded that besides the great authority which the Title of Peace maker of Christendom would bring to the Apostolick See the Pope would make a Vassal of him who should be Crowned by his Arbitrage He resolved to take Possession of the Kingdom of Portugal before the Popes Legate could arrive in Spain He sent to the Duke of Alva to advance his Conquests with all possible Expedition Gave Order that in all places in his Dominions through which the Legate was to pass they should detain him there as long as they could he pretended to be Sick and sent word to the Legate when near Badage … that his indisposition had delayed the Entry he ought to make him and he desired him to wait some time longer The Legate desired his leave to come to him incognito which he could not deny but he handsomely declined the Popes Mediation and told his Legate that Affairs were too far advanced by Arms that very few Cities remained for him to Conquer in Portugal and all Kings would repute as weakness the regard he should have for his Holiness After this Civil refusal the Legate would have had his Audience of leave to have gone into Portugal in pursuance of his Orders from the Holy See But Philip fearing that Anthony and the Dutchess of Braganza whom the Pope seemed to favour might draw some advantage from the Legates presence would not consent to his departure before he had made his Entry in Form In these Publick Calamities no body was happy but the Count de Souza and yet it may be said that the Zeal he had for the State hindred him from relishing perfectly the delights of his Marriage He was not born for the Pleasures of Love and as he was one day talking amorously with Eugenia he was told that a Merchant who came from Africa asked to speak with him Souza troubled at this News without knowing any reason all Eugenia's Blood was frozen without being able to tell why and the Merchant being brought in told Eugenia that he had lately seen Don Henry She fainted away at that Name Souza in an extream Surprize answered the Merchant that what he said was false that Don Henry was killed in the Battel of Don Sebastian and that all the News they had received from Africa had but too well confirmed his death All the World believed it my Lord answered the Merchant because Don Henry was not seen amongst the other Captives and Hamet for important and secret Designs caused Persons of the greatest Confideration who had been taken in that War to be drawn out from amongst the Common Prisoners and concealed apart in unknown Places The Africans set on foot the rumours of their Deaths among the Portugal Prisoners Don Henry was of this number and as these secret Prisoners have at present something more Liberty he found the means of seeing me the day before my departure and desired me to go find out Eugenia at Lisbon and desire her from him to use her endeavours to free him out of so long a Captivity Souza asked the Merchant why Don Henry did not write The Merchant answered because he wanted the means of doing it and was only able to say to him four Words The Count not knowing what Credit to give to the Words of this Merchant seeing on the one side great appearance of Truth and wishing on the other that it were all False found an expedient to get out of that uncertainty and after having taken care to recover Eugenia out of her Swoon and given Order to her Maids to get her to Bed he led that Merchant into a Gallery of his House where Don Henry's Picture hung amongst several other Pieces which that Gallery was Adorned with I shall not believe you said Souza to him except you discover amongst these Pieces the Pourtraict of Don Henry whom you say you lately spoke to The Merchant would have at first exempted himself from that Tryal and told Souza that the Troubles Don Henry had suffered in his Captivity might have so changed him that he did not resemble what he was formerly However having cast his Eyes upon his Picture he knew him again immediately and cryed Ah! my Lord there 's Don Henry 's Portraict and his misfortunes have not changed his Features These words quite ruined Souza he had till that moment questioned his unhappiness but when he saw this Merchant knew that Portraict to be Don Henry's Picture he had no hopes left him He was penetrated with all the grief that a Lover can be sensible of when his beloved Object is forced from him and he deprived of the delights of a perfect Love Eugenia's Beauties and the Pleasures he had enjoy'd with her came crowding into his Mind The Idea of so many Charms raising the value of the happiness he had possessed made him know the greatness of the loss he was going to have and made his grief excessively stinging This Blow and those first Reflexions rendred him at first motionless then walking apace some moments in that Gallery he told the Merchant after being something recovered from his disorder That he saw a great many Difficulties in what he now informed him of that he would send into Africa to know the Truth of that Affair and desired him on his side to make use of the Correspondence
committed to him of the Young King Don Lewis who was likewise his Uncle had signalized his Courage in several Rencounters and with Justice passed for the bravest and handsomest Prince of that Kingdom He had had a long time a very tender Engagement with Violanta and the report even run at Court that he had Married her and by her had a Son whom he brought up at one of his Houses near Lisbon Duke d'Avero had made his Prudence and Valour appear on several occasions under the Reign of John the III and had been one of his Favourites but Cardinal Henry had no great kindness for him knowing him to be ambitious and daring The Young Duke of Barcellos gave great hopes of his Dexterity and Wit and began to view of the Beauty of Leonora with a tender emotion The Count de Sousa was much esteemed both by the King and Cardinal Henry He maintained his Favour by a great merit and had taken care to joyn to all the fine Qualities that make a well bred-Man the solid Virtues that compose an honest-man Don Henry had a thousand good Qualities that made him be beloved by all the World he was well Built and Vallant and breathed nothing but dangers And as he was the chief of an Illustrious Family both for Nobility and Riches his Father had taken care before his Death to Conclude his Marriage with Eugenia they having loved one another from their most tender Infancy All things seem'd to conspire to unite them their Humours being alike their Qualities suitable and their Age almost equal gave all People great hopes of their happiness Amours were the Soul of that Court and even those who were only sensible of Ambition were constrained to call Love to their succours that they might the better succeed in their Designs The Dutchess of Braganza would have been willing to have been indepted for the advancement of her Fortune to this last Passion she placed all her cares to make the King love her but was not able to render his heart sensible He had no other Passion than for Arms he had raised a Regiment which he Exercised continually and frequently Review'd He would as often undertake the Labours of Common Souldiers as the Cares of chief Officers the greatest Perils had a secret Charm to invite him and not believing that any common danger was worthy of him he would not undertake any thing that was not attended with difficulties If he had any Voyage to make upon the Sea he affected to Embark during the Tempest disdaining to rock peaceably in a Calm that might lull his Virtue asleep Duke d'Avero had no less Ambition than the Dutchess of Braganza and likewise fancied that Love might be useful to his Designs He had a Daughter called Elvira He sought in her Beauty for the reputation that was refused his own merit and imagin'd that she had Charms enough to touch the heart of that Young King She had not yet been seen at Court though she was at an Age to appear there with lustre because the Dutchess her Mother having a long time languished in a Disease which occasioned her Death two Years before had retired her self to one of her Country Houses and had ever kept her with her and the Duke after the Death of his Wife had put his Daughter into a Nunnery near his House not designing to take her from thence till he had found out a Match suitable to her Circumstances In the mean time Eugenia had too many Charms to satisfie themselves with the Conquest of Don Henry The Count de Sousa had been long Passionately in love with her His Respects his Complaisances and Assiduities had sufficiently assured her of it but whether she was not willing to understand them or she had only Eyes for Don Henry the Count de Sousa always found in her so much indifference for him that he judg'd it not convenient to declare his Passion more openly He had too much respect and discretion to hazard an unprofitable Declaration Don Henry was his Friend Eugenia had ever seen him only under the notion of Friendship which he could not any longer support the constraint of He saw her every day she was ever lovely in his Eyes she had hardly in the least concealed from him the Passion she had for Henry That Lover likewise made him the Confident of his happiness What a torture is this to a Man whose love is extream and was not capable of easing himself by betraying his Mistress and his Friend After having been for some time in these Extremities and having in vain Employ'd the Succours of his Reason for to cure him he fancied that absence would diminish his Sufferings by weakning his Passion and so was desirous to remove from Court but his Merit had put him there in too good a posture for him to go away without some specious pretext Elizabeth whom Philip the II. had Married in his third Nuptials died in Spain about that time wherefore one was to be sent to make the Compliments of Condolance to this King on the behalf of Queen Katherine his Sister and Don Sebastian his Nephew Sousa fancied that occasion was favourable to him and for the obtaining that Commission he Employed Cardinal Henry's Credit with the King the Cardinal highly esteeming his Virtue used to Queen Katherine the Solicitations of Lewis of Granada his Friend whose Birth and Piety were had in veneration by all People and whom that King had caused to come from Spain to communicate to her all that concerned the Salvation of her Soul and the good of the Kingdom He obtained what he desired was sent to the King of Spain but could not depart without going to take his leave of Eugenia with whom he found Don Henry He used all his endeavours to conceal his Grief and his Love in that separation the Words he spoke had no coherence with one another and the Sighs he vented were half stifled And seeing he could not resist his Grief he quitted those two Lovers and Embraced them bidding 'em Farewell and live happy while I do lead a Languishing life far from you and my Friends His Sighs hindred him from speaking more than these Words he went immediately away for fear they should see him shed tears And Eugenia and Don Henry were really afflicted at his departure and attributed to Friendship alone what a more violent Passion had produced The Duke d'Avero caused Elvira to come and second his Projects He was himself surpriz'd with her Beauty and conceived fresh hopes at the sight of so dazeling an Object The truth is she was capable so â—ngage the most insensible Her blew Eyes were sweet and piercing all her Features were regular her Complexion was admirable and Hair was the finest in the World delicately accompanied by all the Beauty of her Face She was of a middle Stature but her Wit was above what is common she had an insinuating Prefence and engaging ways with her her Conversation was
that Widow knowing what the Count had done for her and seeing the Credit he had at Court were desirous she should consent to Marry him the Sister of Don Henry her Husband and for whom she had ever had a great inclination was a great Friend of Souza's Sister They both went to see her and Souza declared to her his love and his despair He desired her to know what Eugenia could accuse him of and to procure him a moment of Discourse with her And this Friend promised Souza and his Sister to employ all the Power she had over her to their satisfaction The End of the Third Part. Don Sebastian KING OF Portugal An Historical Novel PART IV. Done out of French by Mr. FERRAND SPENCE LONDON Printed for R. Bentley and S. Magnes in Russel-street in Covent-garden 1683. Don Sebastian KING OF PORTUGAL IN the mean time the Pope made no great haste to grant Henry the Dispensation that his Ambassadour demanded of him The Cabals of Spain were stronger than the Solicitations of Castel Bianco The People grew impatient and feared the Wars which the Pretenders to the Crown threatned Portugal with after the Death of Henry Anthony in all places excited the murmurs he had gained the Peoples Favour and the suffrages of the Court Philip had notice of all that passed He ordered Father Ferrand to seek out the means of stopping his Progresses which the Father had Infallible ones to do and refolved to procure his being Banished from Lisbon Henry was but too much disposed to hate him the Cabals he raised every where and the love he had for the Dutchess were such Crimes in respect of that King as could not fail of drawing down his vengeance but Father Ferrand was not willing to be the Informer this was too contrary to the good and devout Character he affected he would not involve the Dutchess in this Affair he had particular Considerations for her The Friendship and Confidence of those two Lovers were necessary to him wherefore he so behaved himself as to keep them both his Friends Leonora was vexed at the Dutchess being she had hindred her Son from corning to Lisbon and fancied that she alone was the cause of this change The peeks that Love causes between persons of that Sex become irreconcileable aversions Father Ferrand had some acquaintance with Leanora from the time he so licited the Liberty of the Duke of Barcelloâ—… She had made several Visits to this good Father to learn News of her Lover and he had discovered the hatred she had for the Dutchess when he acquainted her that the Duke of Barcellos had Order to go to Villa Visola Chance had put into the Jacobiâ—â— hands a Letter that Anthony wrote to it he Dutchess in which he let her know that he had learnt that his Holiness would spin out the business of the Dispensation so long a time that Henry should be dead before an answer would be given to it that she was too good to suffer the persecutions of so useless an Amour as was that of the Old Cardinal and too Cruel if she did not declare her self in favour of a Prince who would infallibly put the Crown upon her head This Letter said enough against the Duke and too little against the Dutchess to accuse her of a Formal Intrigue There needed no more than to shew it the King Father Ferrand shewed it Leonora as if he had found it by chance She desired the Father to give her that Letter He obstinately denied it till he had made her promise she would never declare from whom she had it and after having given it her he desired her not to make any noise with it but to shew it the King with as much caution and moderation as was possible if the good of the State obliged her so to do As soon as she had this Letter she bethought her self of the means to shew it to Henry and made choice of Phoebus Monis who was Vereador of Lisbon and had great access to the King and was entirely devoted to Leonora having been one of Christopher de Tavora her Fathers Officers She sent for him and told him that it was important for the good of the State and for his particular Interests that the King were acquainted with a Letter which was come to her Hands And after having shew'd it him she begged him to let Henry see it and told him that she found it in the Jacobin's Church which was the very place where the Dutchess had let it fall Monis executed this Commission very punctually The King saw that Letter and was in an extream fury against Anthony He Banished him from Court and sent him to his Priory of Crato But notwithstanding all the measures the King took to hinder the Interviews of these two Lovers Anthony did not fail to take his leave of the Dutchess through the industry of the Jacobin they took measures to write to one another and it was this good Father who received and convey'd the Letters from and to either party he was their dearest Confident and best Friend They fancied they could not choose a more faithful Correspondent in their Commerce they imagined that they would sooner open the Pacquets of all the Court than those that were addressed to the Religious who have ever had in Spain and Portugal particular Priviledges and Prerogatives Eugenia's Sister-in-law often Discoursed her about Count de Souza as she had promised him to do and desired her with so much earnestness to permit the Count to come and see her that notwithstanding the repugnance her Scruples gave her to that Visit she consented to it yet upon Condition that it should be in presence of that mutual Friend she immediately sent Word to the Count de Souza to come to Eugenia's How great was the joy of this Lover who had sighed so long a time for this happiness He run thither with eagerness but how great was the trouble when after having Saluted that Beautiful Widow he saw more severity in her looks than she had ever shown him he likewise fancied he saw there some anger and was extreamly surpriz'd when Eugenia's Sister being willing to withdraw a little to give them the Liberty of entertaining one another she staying her told her Is it to abandon me Sister that you have engaged me to this Interview And the violence I did to my self for your sake does it not deserve you should be as good as your Word to me I am very unhappy Madam answered the Count full of grief and respect that the sight of me is so great a constraint to you The love I have so long had for you the endeavours I have used and the care I have taken to conceal it even from your Eyes ought not they to have appeased your Anger You have not so well concealed your Passion said Eugenia but that all the Court has known it it has even since some few days caused reports to run that are injurious
to my Reputation and notwithstanding all the pressing Solicitations of my Sister I should not at present have consented to see you if I had not had the Design of begging you to stifle that Passion and to avoid carefully for the future the occasions of seeing me far from seeking them as you do Ah! Madam cried the Count could you put me to a more cruel Torture Have you forgotten my past respects Do you complain of my present Carriage And do you think 't is in my power to forbear loving you in the future My Lord reply'd she I remember with an extream acknowledgment all you have done for me I should even see at present your affection without displeasure and should with joy persuade my self that you would ever love me But I love my Honour and will follow my Devoir If I approved your Passion it would be believed that I suffered it in my Husbands Life time It has been already but too much talked of and I will not give ground for those Calumnies I loved Don Henry and he loved me I deplore his death I thought ever to cherish his Memory and never elsewhere engage a Heart that I have given him Does not Death break all manner of Engagements Madam reply'd Souza Don Henry 's Ashes do they exact any fidelity from you You have ever lived after such a manner that the most bespattering Persons could not suspect your Conducts All the World does but too well know what an excess of kindness you had for Don Henry 'T is well enough known what a veneration I have ever had for you and if you would render me happy those Reproaches which you are so much afraid of and which have only been the light suspicion of a Malicious Person would be dissipated by our Vnion The Count endeavoured by these reasons and all others his Wit and Passion could inspire him with to render Eugenia more favourable to his Passion and less sensible of the Memory of Don Henry but the austerity of her Virtue made her inflexible And her Sister-in-law who knew the Credit Passion and Desert of Souza had all the trouble imaginable to obtain from her Sister that the Count might see her sometimes and Eugenia would not consent to it till he had promised he would see her but seldom not speak to her of love nor make any Propositions of Marriage as long as her Mourning lasted Souza obeyed her he saw her very rarely and said not a Word to her of his Passion But Love knows how to make it self understood without the help of Words and Discourses the fullest of kindness are not those that are the most persuasive Tho his Visits were very regular his Assiduities his Cares and all his Actions spoke in favour of a Passion that his Mouth durst not Explain Eugenia who had refused to understand the ordinary Language of Love hearkned to these Interpreters without being displeased and was very glad that the severity of her Devoir was deceived by these little Artifices and that the Carriage of so respectful a Lover stifled all manner of reproaches Henry's Love being something reassured by the removal of Anthony he employ'd himself entirely to the Pretensions that the Dutchess had to the Throne against the Cabals of all aspiring Candidates to that Crown He made known to the Deputies of the States that he would favour that Dutchess in all that should be possible he Solicited the Clergy for her he Prayed the Nobility Flattered the Commons promised some threatned others and at length made so many Cabals for the Dutchess that part of the States declared themselves already in Favour of her Pretensions The King of Spain caused forty thousand Men to March to the Frontiers of Portugal to joyn Force to the Reasons and Artifices he had already employ'd And that nothing might be neglected he sent two Persons of great knowledge to Lisbon in the Quality of Ambassadours that they might make known the Right of his Pretensions to the King and the States of Portugal with Order however not to make any Act by which they should acknowledge the Jurisdiction of Henry All these Agents made no progress with him in their Negouation His heart had preingaged his Mind in favour of the Dutchess they in vain made Presents and Promises to Persons of Quality and to the People for procuring their Suffrages The Voice of a King how feeble soever has more power than the strongest Cabals and what is most difficult to other Men is ever easie to Lovers None but the Jacobin was capapable of warding the blow that threatned the Pretensions of the King of Spain The Dutchess put that entire Confidence in him as that she gave him the Letters she wrote to Anthony for the Conveying them to him And as she one day told this Good Father she would send him one the next morning for that Prince he acquainted Leonora with it the same day that she might cause that Letter to be taken from the Man who used to bring them him Leonora seeking all occasions of injuring the Dutchess went to find out Monis and told him that she knew an infallible means of augmenting his Credit with Henry by rendring him a Signal Service that he needed only to Way-lay one of the Dutchess of Braganza's Servants and take from him by force or consent a Letter he was to carry the next morning to the Jacobin and that if he let the King see it it would procure him a Recompence above his hopes Monis was one of those Ambitious Men who desiring to advance themselves at Court employ'd all manner of means to get into Favour He accepted the proposition with joy and found it no difficult task to get that Letter out of the Mans hands when he spoke to him in the Kings Name It was very kind and made appear Correspondence enough with Anthny to reduce the King into utter despair This Letter made a great noise at Court Father Ferrand saw that the Sequels of it could not be safe for him And as People of that Profession are ever ready to change place without much noise and Equipage he departed the same day to return into Spain And all those who were acquainted with this precipitated departure sancied the King not taking in good part the Advices that this Good Father gave him upon his Marriage had Commanded him to retire Henry being become desperate with what he had learnt of the Dutchess went to her House in the violence of his Transport and told her all that Choller can inspire a Jealous Husband with She endeavourd at first to persuade him that her Enemies had forg'd that Letter for the preventing the Effect of his kindnesses She would then not being able to deny her own Hand Writing make Henry believe that she had been put upon by surprize to write that Letter and had been perswaded it was necessary to her Interests But the King not relishing any of her Excuses and still loading her with reproaches
all killed or drowned being deceived by the River of Mucasen which ebbing and flowing as the Ocean does whose Waters it receives was almost dry when the Army passed it on their march thither but the Tide being high at their return the Christians did not know the places where they had all forded it The Defeat was so General that of thirteen or fourteen thousand Men the Portugal Army was composed of there hardly escaped an hundred from that Battel In the mean while the less fearful and most zealous seeing this General Rout they sought the King on all sides But Christopher de Tavora who carried his Standard having been killed they could not find him and deceived by a Colours that very much resembled it which Edward de Menezes had they followed it instead of the other fancying that Don Sebastian had ranged himself near it Thus the King remaining alone among his Enemies was notwithstanding his Valour opprest with numbers and his Forces not being capable of seconding his Courage he was constrained to yield to the fury of the Moors All the Christians who returned from this Battel did affirm that he had received only one wound in his Shoulder which was not Mortal that he fell not among the dead and that they had seen the Enemies take him Prisoner In the mean time this Battel became famous for the loss of three Kings Moluc died there in performing all that a Wise Conquerour is capable of in such an Exigence Mahumet seeing the Portuguezes routed and willing to avoid the Cruelty of his Enemies who would not have failed to have Sacrificed him to the repose of the State endeavouring to escape was drowned in the River of Mucasen Don Sebastian was lost there and so many rare Qualities that were observed in him made his Subjects and all those who knew him extreamly regret his loss and lest a great Example to all young Princes who keep not their Courage within the bounds of Prudence which ought to preserve Kings for the advantage of their State and the affection of their People While Don Sebastian was giving the Bloody Battel which occasioned his own ruine the destruction of his Kingdom and the death of so many famous Warriers the Count de Souza Signalized himself as much as the few Men that were in his Ships could make him capable of doing He made oftentimes Descents upon the Land with his Troops burnt the Burroughs and Villages he met with in his way put to flight all those who Guarded the Coast Besieged the City of Allarache and battered it so Vigorously that the greatest part of the Moors abandoned it and had only left in it a weak Garrison Almeida being nearer the Naval Army than the other Forces learnt Souza's Conquests with an incredible joy and fancied that Don Sebastian fought with no less advantage against Moluc She slattered her self with the hopes of seeing her Brother within a little time again upon the Throne and her Lover covered with Glory But these thoughts did not last long Souza quickly received the News of the Kings Defeat and the rout of all his Army he instantly acquainted Almeida therewith and told her it was necessary of thinking to secure themselves What a sad piece of News was this to that Princess she remained as motionless and lost the use of her Senses at this Discourse After which she made reflexion upon the Valour of Don Sebastian upon the ardour he had made appear to revenge her and not being able to figure to her self that he was to be Conquered having so much Courage and so much Love she sent for him who had brought the sad Tydings to Souza who confirmed what Souza had told her He related to her all had past in that Battel and when she saw this misfortune was no longer to be doubted of and that she had lost her Brother and her Lover she fell into such a despair as gave reason to fear it would cost her her life She had ever loved Mahumet very tenderly and often shed Tears for his death but when she remembred his Interest had caused the ruine of Don Sebastian she murmured against that Brother and imputed to him all the misfortunes of this King It is I alone alas said she a moment after who am the cause of Don Sebastians ruine had it not been for the Love of me he would not have succoured my Brother nor lost his life It is I that drew him out of the Heart of his Dominions to Sacrifice him to my Ambition and the Cruelties of Moluc He was adored by his People contined she beloved by his Allies feared by his Enemies Never any Prince gave such hopes of a happy Reign as he did He was ardent in Glory fearless in Dangers indefatigable in labour and all these fine Qualities have only helped to advance the misfortunes I have plung'd him into How fatal was the Conquest of Arsilla to him it was there I saw him Victoriously Charming he saw me and loved me I fancied that Victory would ever have attended him he did not think I was to be so fatal to him into what an abyss of mischiefs has this interview precipitated us While Almeida made all these Reflexions the Count de Souza sensibly concerned at the Kings loss was thinking with a great deal of prudence and care of the means of repairing or at least hindring its fatal Consequences he raised the Siege of Alarache to go Rescue the Portugals that were beaten he reassured the Governours of those places Portugal had in Africa he augmented the Garrisons with all the Troops he could put into the City he gave out that Don Sebastian was not dead and the Christians assured he was only taken Prisoner He promised the Colonels and Officers who had escaped this Defeat that the Kings Ransom should be shortly Treated for and that he would recompence at his return the fidelity of those who should have rendred him service during his absence He run over all the Coasts as far as Tangier to gather up the Remnants of the Portugal Army which that Defeat had dispersed He was acquainted by those who had escaped from the Battel that above three thousand Christians were killed upon the place that above six thousand Portuguezes were taken Prisoners and above four thousand wounded that all the Foreign Officers had lost their lives that entire Families of People of Quality were extinguished there that the Bishops of Porto and Coimbra were likewise dead that Don Lewis was killed that the Dukes de Braganza and d'Avero had lost their lives that the Duke de Barcellos and Anthony Son of Don Lewis were Prisoners and that Don Henry was dead Souza having still a strong Passion for Eugenia and having never been able to forbear looking upon Don Henry's happiness but with Envy was overjoy'd at first when he heard his Rival was dead but his Reason correcting immediately the first motions of his Passion he deplored Don Henry's misfortune He was extreamly
concerned at the grief this piece of News would cause in Eugenia and was more sensible of the loss the State had by this accident than of the particular advantage his death might be of to him in the sequel But he could not forbear entertaining some hopes and fancied that if ever Eugenia could be capable of a second engagement all he had done for her would move her to some acknowledgement in the impatience he was to see her again he suddenly Embarqued all the Portugals who had escaped from the Battel he thought of securing Almeida and stillre specting her the King had loved and had committed to his care he asked her what place she would chuse for her retreat that he might Conduct her to it even to the hazard of his life Almeida without Brother King Lover Relations Friends and Succours odious to all the Nations who had interessed themselves in that Quarrel knew not to what place to carry her misfortunes Of all the Train she had brought into Portugal she had only left a Venetian Maid who came into her Service a little before Mahumet was drove out of his Dominions This young Person had been taken at Sea by the Moorish Pirates some time after that Almeida was returned from Spain she was given to that Princess because she had a thousand fine Qualities that distinguished her from other Slaves and her Relations had not yet been able to Ransome her by reason of the troubles that were in that Kingdom which caused Almeida to wander into several places The Princess had taken an affection for her and treated her with a great deal of kindness This Slave seeing her in so great a perplexity told her that in acknowledgment of the favours she had received she offered her a Retreat at Venice that the Bailo of that Republick was her Relation and she was sure if she would become a Christian as she had promised Don Sebastian she would her Family would willingly grant her a Refuge that would not be altogether unworthy of her Almeida willingly accepted the proffer Souza caused her to be conducted to Venice and then made Sail towards Lisbon The whole Kingdom was in an extream Consternation The People knew not if Don Sebastian was dead or alive All the World lamented his misfortunes and no body knew his fate Those who were well intentioned maintained he was still alive and a Prisoner in Africa The Seditious said that though that were true they could not reprieve him from Captivity because War had drained the Revenues and they could not find Money enough in the Kingdom for his Ransome Others caused a report to run how he was dead The People would have a King the best Politicians and those that were most honest doubted of all and said nothing There was nothing seen but Relations which seemed all to confirm the News of the Kings Death Spain had several places upon the Confines of Africa that bordered Portugal Those who were Governours of them stopped all the Pacquets that were sent into Portugal There were daily seen new Lists of the dead the whole Kingdom was in Mourning each City in Tears all Families regretted the loss of a Father a Hsuband a Son or a Brother oftentimes one alone deplored all these Persons together and the Council was at length constrained to appease the Murmurs of the People to cause Cardinal Henry to come out of the Abby of Calcobassa to which place he was retired and to proclaim him Governour General of the Kingdom in the absence of Don Sebastian his Successour to the Crown Eugenia using all her endeavours to have certain News of her Husband was assured after several very exact enquiries that he had lost his life in that Battel The grief she was in surpassed that of all other Widows her Affliction was not confounded in the Publick Desolation she made it be distinguished by its excess Souza was no sooner arrived than he would render the Devoirs that Decency exacts on such occasions He was told she was returned into a Religious House where she admitted of no Visits He had promised to himself so much pleasure in seeing Eugenia again and disengaged from Don Henry that he could not without an extream trouble find himself disappointed of that happiness The Abbess of that Convent was his Aunt He went to beg she would obtain of Eugenia that he might see her for a moment but this Widow prescribed her self too severe Rules to consent to that interview which she fancied would injure the fidelity she owed the Memory of her Husband and she still so firmly opposed the measures that Souza took to discourse her that he was afraid he should be wanting in the respect he owed her if he still endeavoured to procure himself that satisfaction While all Portugal was in Tears Africa echoed with shouts of joy for so great a Victory Hamet Molucs Brother was proclaimed King He made an Entry into Fez he brought thither in triumph Mahumets Body with a great number of Prisoners After which he bethought himself to acquire the favour of the King of Spain He had means in his hands that were sure to obtain it Several Spaniards were among his Prisoners he was Master of Don Sebastian whose fate no Body knew Philip stood in need of him These two Kings sent Ambassadours to one another The King of Spain gave to the Value of a hundred thousand Ducates in Jewels to the King of Fez who likewise restored to Philip without any Ransome all the Spaniards that had been taken Prisoners in that War The report of Don Sebastian's death was renewed every where New Circumstances of it were made Publick It was said that he had not been met withal amongst the Prisoners and that having sought for him amongst the dead a naked Man had been found whose Body resembled his and was known to be so by some Portugal Prisoners Hamet delivered this Corps into the Spanish Governours hands of Ceuta He likewise restored to Philip the Duke of Barcellos without Ransome and the Council thought fit at length to proclaim at Lisbon that Don Sebastian was dead and to perform the Publick Ceremonies that those People are used to practise on such occasions for the appeasing the murmurs and the disorders that were caused by the Doubtful Fate of that unhappy King Cardinal Henry was Crowned King of Portugal At first great hopes were conceived from his age and his probity but besides that the Virtues of one Condition are oftentimes Vices in another the change of our Fortune almost always changes the disposition of our Mind Henry became Haughty Revengeful and Jealous Few of the late Kings Courtiers kept in favour under this new Reign He Persecuted all those who had shared in the pleasures of Don Sebastian he revenged himself on all who had not shewn him respect enough and had only applyed themselves to the Kings Person The Dutchess of Braganza was the only one of the Antient Court whose Credit was augmented under