the Lady would either resolve to put him from his importunity either accusing of him to her husband or making it known to her kindred who assuredly would not let pass unpunish'd so foolish a temerity which endeavoured to stain with notes of infamy the honest reputation of another mans Family Love admits of no advise he acknowledgeth the truth of reason in his friends words but it being not possest by him the words were but cast into the air with this answer onely leaves he him You shall soon see saith he whether I or who else it is that shall be lost His friend was astonished and afflicted that he could nothing move him from avoiding those dangers which threatned him if he should obstinately pursue his intentions Many daies were not past when Eusebio going to a Villa of his was shot in the flank with a brace of bullets he knew not from whence and having enmity with no man he could not imagine from whom it should come This hurt made him fall to the ground from his horse so that he could not help himself til some Country men passing by who knew him put him on their Cart which was loaded with Corn going for the City and brought him home to his wife who for the disaster which had befaln him was unmeasurably afflicted The Physitians and Chirurgians were sent for who knowing the wound to be mortal gave him over yet they did not forbear to apply the best remedies they knew which were but all in vain the miserable man at the end of the seventh day was forc'd to leave his life and his wife I should say his wife first since by him she was preferr'd before it What sighs and complaints she made how she toar with her white hands her golden locks and beat her candent brest cannot be exprest the excess of them was so great that men would hardly find faith to beleeve the truth of them The last day of the month was scarce at an end the fair having perform'd the obsequies of her deceased Husband when Gelindo was observ'd more then he was wont frequently to go about the Ladies house and with words and gestures to discover himself more enflam'd then ever with her unparalell'd beauty He often tempts by means of a neighbour of hers that she might procure her for him to wife causing her in his name to make as generous offers as could be made from a heart which loves immoderately But all vainly succeeds for she was resolv'd never to consent to any the rather for that although she was not assured yet she very much doubted that her husbands death had been effected by none but by Gelindo so that she did not onely deny to exchange love but she return'd him one of the fiercest hatreds that ever woman bore a man Women as well in hatred as in love have no bridle but have both in excess The most beautiful Widow nourishing the fire of this disdain within her heart against Gelindo who ador'd her often meditates to revenge her wrong'd and murther'd husband and because she could finde out no way more secure then one which was to execute it with her own hands she deliberates with her self to dispatch it after this manner It was about the end of the year of her mourning widowhood when on a day she cals one of the most faithful amongst her maids and having shut themselves up together in a secret Chamber she speaks to her after this manner Fosca for so was her name My long experience of thy fidelity towards my person assures me that I may confide in thee even one of the highest resolutions which I ever made in the whole course of my life but before I discover it think well upon it whether you can be sure to keep it secret for if you finde that you have not resolution enough to silence it tell me that I may not speak it and I shall take another expedient for to accomplish my thought It s needless to relate what Fosca answer'd it s enough that her words were such that Limisinda pursued her already began discourse I have alwaies heard say that its impossible for a young woman that 's handsom and that hath tasted the delights of her husbands embraces to live long after his death without the company of a man I have prov'd the truth thereof from the affections of my minde I have endeavoured a long time since the death of my dear Eusebio who is now amongst the Stars to violence my self and to repress the heat of youth which a fresh fomented my desires of those amorous pleasures but because I perceive it impossible any longer to overcome the force thereof I have taken a resolution that I will not live altogether the rest of my life unaccompanied of a man It s true I would not subject my self to that Noose which is not to be unloosed betwixt man and woman unless by the death of the one or other of them Other thoughts other desires possess my mind The Maid remain'd a while suspended at these words of her Mistris who observing it continued Wonder not my Fosca at what I am to tell thee and if you see me chang'd in my opinion which in the esteem of all was of an unparalell'd honesty I must hereafter live otherwise Resolve therefore on what I shall impose upon thee for I am confident you will one day praise me when you shall entirely know the end of these thoughts which revolve in my minde Servitude fidelity and the importunity of a Lover with the time overcomes the most obstinate rigour of a womans brest I am not the first who have been subdued If thou hadst ever found thy self in the like case thou wouldst compassionate help me so that what thou art to execute may be effected with all possible secrecy that it at no time may be known by any but by us two and Gelindo whom at the shutting in of the Evening thou art to expect at a window of the lower room and when he according to his custome passeth by cast him out this paper wrapt up in this sarsenet and then presently retire thy self that he reading it may think upon what he is to do The wench takes the letter from her Mistris and full of astonishment by reason of the novelty of the accident wonders at so unexpected a resolution Yet she promiseth diligently to perform what was commanded her and so departs to go about her other house affairs till the hour come wherein she was to execute it The Evening being come Gelindo passeth the street and whilst he cast his eyes towards the uppermost windows of Limisinda's house where sometimes he had had the fortune to see her there comes to him thrown by the Maid who stood hid behinde the glass of a Balcony in the lowermost part of the house this letter involv'd and having observ'd him to take it she presently returns to her Mistris to acquaint her with the success
swearing you will beleeve me that I pretend not thereby the least jot of merit towards you So that if your civility in its own respect affords me any power over you I will not that it should extend it self farther then to beg of you that you should never suffer grief to afflict you for whatever fatal accidents happen to me Forasmuch as if the knowledge of the actions of the living is granted to the dead beleeve me that your torments will for ever be my hell Octavio was violenc'd with so sensible an affection but profering an answer he was hindred by his Fathers arrival So that he parted readily to meet him Odoardo tenderly imbrac'd his son which being with excess it shall suffice to speak it was fatherly He doubly rejoyced to see his son recovered of his feaver and beleeving him wholy cured of his amorous passions he esteem'd himself the happiest that liv'd Unsatisfied with kissing him and asking him of his health and journey related him the newes of the Citie amongst which he told him he was in good time come to enjoy the Festivals which were preparing for the marriage of Florida Truly Sir answered Octavio in the house of Horatio you perhaps may sooner see a Funerall then a Bridall and thereupon discovered the whole successe of his love Florida's resolution with his own intention to enjoy her to the venture of his life and honor The Father was astonished at so strange a relation and bold a proposition being afterwards quite enraged he went about beating the ground with his feet and wringing his hands Patience exclaimes he O Fortune I my selfe in begetting a sonne have provided my self an instrument of mortification to afflict me Which having said he retires himselfe into another Chamber leaving Octavio alone in great confusion If Odoardo's distemper were great the fury of Horatio that very night was farre greater forasmuch as Florida having been as much inspired by the presence of Octavio as she had been disheartned by his absence boldly confest her amorous escapes But what above measure inrag'd his paternall mind was her sixt resolution never to have Fernando for her Husband Horatio at that instant would have run her through had he not thought to have pleas'd her when she with artificiall tears beg'd of him rather to give her into the hands of Death then into the Spaniards He afterwards rail'd on her with a thousand injuries and threatned to correct her as a Girle but the remedy appeared too vulgar for so desperate a case so that he the more laboured with disdain by reason he found no meanes to qualifie it He consum'd all the night in studying vengeance which is the legitimate child of fury and the illegitimate satisfaction of a generous spirit The following day which succeeded this troubled night hee imprisons Florida in a Cloyster yet in the same where was her sister Bellaria who was in time to be made a Nun and be obedient to that vocation which her Fathers avarice and cruelty had inspir'd Octavio having heard the newes of her imprisonment hee could neither retain his teares nor remit his griefe The counsell of his friends nor the prayers of his parents were sufficient to consolate him so that his unhappy Father confidently beleeved that his sonnes health would shipwrack on the rock of despaire yet did he not forbeare to perswade him to desist from that passion with well-season'd admonitions of wisdome but he well perceiv'd he had sown salt since he reaped no fruit Fernando on the other side rampant with rage swore to bee reveng'd of Octavio threatens murthers marshalls defies and chalenges Duels but in such a manner that that fury which ought to appear in action vanished in words imitating Heaven which the more it thunders it intends the lesse to lighten Horatio who had truly bound the hopes of his advantages with the bond of this Marriage seeing them fled away to his losse in tends his revenge providing a bravo snare to murther Octavio But wiser advice restrain'd him perswading him to make use of dissimulation which is the ordinary net wherein without noyse we may ensnare our enemies Having therefore feign'd it fit for him to change aire by reason of an accustomed indisposition which befell him he parts from Parthenoye having for a while suspended his intentions In the mean time Odoardo that he might not lose his sonne who was already fallen into a high fit of melancholy resolved to lose himselfe with him promising all his endeavours for the successe of his desires With these promises Octavio respires again from his troubles and having already provided himselfe of armed men to attend him he begins to walk about the City Fortune leads him to the encounter of Fernando who at that time stir'd not at all whether it was that the poore Cavalier had forgot the oaths he had sworn to be revenged or that hee remembred that Oaths of doing ill are not obligatory Octavio thus seeing himself victorious without Fighting puts by all suspition and begins to frequent the Monastery of Florida using a faign'd Devotion as if his Object were Idolatry not Adoration There he daily entertain'd himself to see the fair Prisoner but shee appear'd not being guarded by her Superiours so that the miserable man would willingly have chang'd his Nature with that of the Lynx so as hee might have gotten Eyes whose looks would pierce the walls which hid his Fairest from Him At last having tempted much and desired more that he might but be introduc'd to speak with Bellaria who being as 't was thought within a while to bee a Nun had liberty to appear at the Grate to take her leave of the World Octavio relates the series of his Love and with so much passion exagerates his Affections that the Maid was forced to shew her self pitifull least she should discover Her self inhumane Shee was of such corrected Manners that she rather would have chosen death than to engage Her self in an action any wayes dishonest Yet shee thought that to serve Octavio in his Love was the same thing as to serve Justice it self since Florida appear'd due to Him who had purchas'd her with so many Pearles of his Tears and Sweat So that shee modestly offers it protesting That it was as detestable for her to have Fernando for her brother-in-Law as hee was abominated by Florida for a Husband Octavio thanks her darting forth by a treacherous Joy a most affectionate sense of the obligation but confus'd He then begs her to kiss for him his Florida's Hand which being readily executed by Her gave our Lover meanes afterward to trust her with his Letters Ambassies and Presents to her Sister The curious Inquisitiors of Parthenope discours'd the reasons of Florida's Imprisonment to the wonder of all and delight of those who alwayes making an ill interpretation of other Mens actions use the least occasion they can to give cause of speaking ill and to divulge Satyrs But the common Friends of HORATIO and
the reason why he had after that manner provok'd him The reason was reply'd Riccardo an amorous Jealousie I ought that night says he to have gone to the house where you were for the interest of Love by my Mistrisses appointment I was to pass through the streets playing after the same manner as you did now having seen you pass before my house out of curiosity I followed you and seeing you enter and stay a good while in Lisetta's house I thought you had enjoy'd her whereupon being enrag'd I resolv'd in my heat to murther you but Fortune would not second the malignity of my will forasmuch as you had reason on your side every man having reason to take the good things which occasion offers Armidoro knowing by Riccardo's discourse the true occasion of what had befaln him and thinking that perhaps it might draw out of trouble a whole family if he took the way which Fortune afforded him for its deliverance He tells Riccardo that if he lov'd Lisetta as it seem'd he did why did he not ask her in marriage Riccardo answer'd that he thought to have done it but since that she committed with other men he would see her no more Armidoro having handsomly got him to his home which was not far from Lisetta's house his wounds being already drest promising a sudden cure he relates to him what had befaln him and withal the danger wherein he had seen Lisetta unless she were presently helped by some speedy resolution and that if he thought well of it hewould go and demand her of her parents for him to wife which being granted all occasions of distast would immediately cease Riccardo being very glad to hear aswel that Lisetta had not falsified her faith as above measure he was grieved at the discovery of his love practices answer'd Armidoro that he wholly remitted the whole managing of the business to him Now as Armidoro was going his way to the house of Cosmo for so was the old man Lisetta's father call'd he meets a maid who was secretly gotten out of the house to finde out Riccardo to advertise him of Lisetta's danger and to intreat him as guilty of those practises to relieve her He knew from her that Lisetta's eldest brother Anastasio had that day entred her Chamber and found her reading a letter which he snatch'd out of her hand wherein was written as followeth My Soul YOu shall see me this night playing according to my custome May it but please love that this as it is not the first may not be the last of my felicities Anastasio having shew'd this to his father and to his brethren they argued that Lisetta had faln into the sweet sin of love were resolv'd to punish her with death but when by neither threatning nor flattering they could extort nothing from her they resolv'd to expect till he came by playing whom inviting up they intended to kill whereupon they were cheated by Fortune who caused Armidoro to go by insteed of Riccardo so that they were all in a confusion but that they were resolv'd to send the unhappy Lisetta out of this world Armidoro being the more inflam'd hearing of the young Ladies danger to procure the reconciliation of this funeral broyl in four steps reached Cosmo's house to whom in presence of his sons he relates the accident happen'd to him with Riccardo and in his name demands Lisetta for him to wife which said he if you do you will take away al dangers wherwith this Family is threatned and all blemishes which you can pretend might defile iâ— Cosmo presently having call'd Lisetta would from her know whether Riccardo was truly the man that enjoy'd her which she being secur'd by Armidoro at last confest Since there remains says the old man no other remedy to wash away this stain of dishonor from our blood contracted by thy fault I am content that Riccardo be thy husband Armidoro having giving thanks to Cosmo flyes quickly back again to Riccardo who in a Sedan was soon brought thither for by any means he presently would be at Cosmo's house To Lisetta who was come from death to life every moment seem'd an age till she saw her Riccardo although hearing that he was grievously wounded it very much disturb'd her contentment He at last being come and after having begg'd pardon of Cosmo for his past errors he espous'd her in the presence of all her parents changing the appearance of death into the pomps of jollity After which these Lovers liv'd long Felicitated by Heaven with a fair Progeny AVRELIA NOVEL VI. The ARGUMENT Aurelia carefully observeth the behaviour of her daughter the love sick Ermelina and at last finding a love letter about her falls in love with her Lover whom faining her self Ermelina she invites to her bed but deceiv'd by another gives way to her daughters being enjoy'd whereupon finally they both marry AURELIA was daughter to the Prince of Ancastle and so highly endued with the goods of the Minde of the Body and of Fortune that she scarce attain'd to her thirteenth year but she rais'd the hopes of many who pretended to aspire to the possession of so great a treasure And although her Fathers wealth mov'd the avarice of some to seek her in marriage besides the beauty of her countenance which tiraniz'd over the affections of all so that favor'd by all the Graces she was reckon'd their inferiour in nothing but number The ascension to this amorous heaven was granted to Edoardo the noblest but oldest of all her pretenders The fate of those Aurora's who are onely possest by the Titons This union appear'd to the world monstrous which did beleeve Edoardo fitter for his grave then a Nuptial bed He was in his three and fiftieth year which with the winter which he wore in the wrinkles of his face and on the snow of his hair to the belief or all rendred this union necessarily harsh with this spring of beauty which was without fruit or flower Aurelia readily applyes her self to the cold embraces of an old man and their age affording them no higher desires she plac'd the comforts of her marriage in the riches of her habit the choice of her jewels the abundance of her treasure and number of her servants with her continual attendance on her husband Who already grown jealous thought himself never secure of her when she was but out of sight This continual practice oblig'd Edoardo to many and often endeavours and taskes beyond his strength and age so that the consummation of his marriage terminated with that of his funeral Edoardo's death was accompanied with such sensible expressions of his loving wife that weeping sighing mourning and tearing her hair were the least arguments of her grief She would even have gone with him to the grave had she not been conscious how neer she was to the time of her delivery which flatter'd her with the hopes to revive him again in the birth of a son But her desires were betray'd
their lives were in sometimes excusing his own error promising repentance sometimes protesting his body had sinned without the consent of his heart Deadora being deaf to his entreaties and humiliation continued to injure them both in word and deed When with a face which carried horror and terror in his eyes Gelasio appeared who without sleeping had long heard Aleria and rising to seek her he comes to a place where he hears although indistinctly Deadora's rage Aleria's tears and Lovanio's requests Gelasio having taken a Dagger furiously runs to the noise Scarce sees he Lovanio embracing his wives knees but he knew him guilty of having ravish'd the honesty and reputation of his house whereupon he runs to him and strikes him such a blow on the head that he being disabled to sustain himself falls to the ground with the pangs of death which were more terrible then ordinary seeing that his sensuality had prepar'd a sepulcher as well for Deadora as for himself Gelasio observing Lovanio in a dying condition unable to defend himself turning to his wife with a tone of voice which would have begot horror in a breast of Marble tells her Woman thy crime is so great that to pass by it without punishment would rather be an effect of weakness then of mercy yet since I preserve in my minde the characters of my first affection I shall pardon thee but on this condition that this Adulterer having thy heart thou shalt herewith stab him in the breast Deadora having taken the Dagger with a greater undauntedness then is to be found in a feminine heart says Sir The sins of love deserve some pardon because they oftner come from destiny then from eslection Yet I confess my self unworthy of it for that I could not regulate my dissoluteness Saying these words and faigning to strike Lovanio she sheathes the Dagger in her husbands bosom who scarce could say Cursed woman thus at once to rob me of my life and honor but he lost his speech with a many lowings as if he would rather threaten death then dye so he unhappily ended his daies Deadora having executed that endeavour with but too much courage and but too little justice runs to fetch the last breath from the soul of Lovanio who having violenc'd himself said My dear Deadora I dye content since I dye not unreveng'd Pardon me and suffer that the chastisment of a humane error may terminate with him who committed it I beg of you that with your disdain you make not my ashes unhappy But alas this is the last period of my life Consolate O my dear the miseries of its passage with the last of thy kisses At the end of these words he ceased to live Deadora stupified with grief was rendred immoveable like a Statue after she had said crying out with a deluge of tears Stay O the Soul of my Dearest beloved Lovanio It s not fit that thou shouldst go to the Shades alone Which having said she strikes the Dagger through her own Heart whence her Soul soon issues with her blood Aleria who in the representation of this Tragedy had suffered the torments of a thousand deaths flying from the sight and enquiry of those who in great numbers came to the noise hating at the same time the light and her self retired into the uppermost parts of the House and there having fastened a Halter she miserably throwes away her life giving a just reward to her own dishonesty Hence may be comprehended That all the Pleasures of unlawfull Loves finally terminate Tragedies and that impudent Affections can have no other but an unhappy end EMILIO NOVEL IX The ARGUMENT Emilio a Genuoess retires to Lucca where using to hunt together he contracts a friendship with Hippolito and afterwards with his wife Hippolito grows jealous and becomes his enemy but being assured that Emilio declared himself servant to Silvia and repenting himself of his jealousie he causeth his wife to lead him into a Chamber to reconcile them His wife obeys and enjoys Emilio Hippolito knows it and being discovered and threatned is pacified GENUOA was the place where Emilio was born whose unprosperous successes confirm the opinion That a mans natural Climat is commonly most unhappy He observ'd how the treacheries of hidden enemies plotted his death in conformity with his malignant destiny whereupon he retires to Lucca where his passions had no other release from his estrangment from that heaven where that star shone which was the very Sun of his felicity but the pleasure of hunting spending the greatest part of his time amongst those Hills which surrounded the City he rendred himself as formidable to the wild beasts as he was pleasing and grateful to the Ladies and Cavaliers who in those Villa's enjoy the delights of the Autumn According to the custom of Hunters he often frequented a Coppice which extended it self over a little Hill which the thicker it was appear'd the more delightful He never entred it without bringing away store of game In those parts there was one who being invited by the delights of the scituation and civility of the Inhabitants whose name was Hippolito being a lover of the sport profest a singular friendship to Emilio So that Cleria Hippolito's wife contracted also so great a familiarity with him that upon all occasions of invitation he discoursed and past the time with her with such sports as the diversity of the season and place afforded so that Cleria and Emilio were the promoters of all pastimes The modesty and civility of Emilio although a stranger made way for him to any kinde of familiar conversation He so serv'd the Ladies that there appeared no partiality in him more towards the one then the other Cleria above all was endued by Nature with all those good Graces which are desirable in a Lady besides she was singularly courted by Emilio and differently from the rest acknowledg'd with a particular affections not onely for her qualities but also for the obligations he profest in consequence of the favours he had receiv'd and for the strict friendship he had with her husband Emilio amongst these delights enjoy'd a calm life which was afterwards troubled by Love the occasion of all ill which was rais'd in Cleria towards him Emilio being given to hunting and other honest sports thought those demonstrations which upon many occasions Cleria us'd in her discourse which her flames sent forth sprightly jests from the familiarity of their conversation Now it happened that a day being appointed when the Cavaliers and Ladies were to meet at a Feast in a place somewhat distant whereby the Lovers had leave modestly to make the resentments of their mindes appear On that day's morning the youth appeared in extravagant habits and various desires to witness by those colours the secrets of their hearts Emilio on the other side dispoyld himself of all which might seem to shew any partiality in his thoughts The Company having met at Hippolito's house Cleria being full of caresses began to
The discreet widow shew'd some tokens of joy in her countenance women can faign at pleasure and a fresh commands Fosca that she should go into one of the lower Rooms and prepare a convenient bed for that she was confident her Lover would that very night come to finde her alone and there she intended their amorous enjoyments All was executed Gelindo having open'd the letter reads it and findes these words GELINDO BECAVSE it often happens that those women who easily give themselves in prey to young Lovers finde themselves quickly deceiv'd and penitent I that I might not fall into the like error would from length of time have experience of your faith and affection whereof being assur'd I cannot deny you the reward ef the excesse of the love which I know you bear me If it please you therefore about midnight to come to my house where my Maid shall expect you to let you in to the place where you may be happy we will either contract marriage or otherwise as you shall think fit Since I desire nothing more then to be for ever Your Servant LIMISINDA He was astonish'd at the reading of this Letter and gave Love and Fortune thanks that they had shew'd themselvs so favourable towards him Retiring himself full of thoughts to the others dwelling expecting with impatience grievously sighing after that midnight which was to be the last of his life The hour came and he departs and alone goes to Limisinda's house behinde the door which was half open he findes Fosca who with a small light in a little Lantern stood there expecting him He enters and is presently led into the Chamber which he fancied should be the Theater of his Pleasures but prov'd afterwards that of his Tragedy O how ill doth a man oppose himself to what must happen Alas with what blinde steps Love guides us to precipices The Maid leaves him in the Chamber with some Candles lighted and goes up Stairs to give notice to her Mistris She having taken some Comfits and some costly Wines though sleepy sends back the Maid telling her Bid Gelindo from me refresh himself with these Junkets the better to prepare himself for those delights and then come back and I will presently come to him Fosca goes and returns The lovesick Gelindo forc'd himself although against his will to tast a part of them and having taken a cup of Wine he sends it down his brest sending to his heart the advertisement of his own death He had scarce drunk but he findes his eyes out of measure possest with a heavy sleep He sits himself down on a Chair and scarce was setled but he falls profoundly asleep When Limisinda imagin'd that the Poyson began to work she comes down Stairs and enters the Room where Gelindo was asleep The young Lady was in a confusion and almost repented that she had before taken such a resolution Nevertheless taking up her Heart with a Courage and although she had hid a Dagger in a Corner of the Chamber yet would she not take it but takes from the young man that which he wore by his side and striking it often through his throat he not stirring at all otherwise then streching out his last with his Legs and his Arms. Thus dyed this unhappy man and thus she sacrificed his Soul to the Soul of her dead Husband Having executed this she goes up and brings Fosca with her to terrifie her with the horror of this miserable Spectacle The Maid sayes twice or thrice with a loud voice and with actions as of a desperate person Alas O God! Alas And had follwed it with other words had not Limisinda cryed out and threatned to call out for the Neighbourhood reversing all the crime on her Poor Fosca was thus forc'd to be quiet to fly her own shame and the danger of punishment which the Justice might have inflicted And being help'd by her Mistris they silently carried the body to a place where they buried it that none ever knew any thing of the Fact till many years after it was known from Limisinda her self a while before the hour of her death Let the unwary Youth learn by this History to Regulate his Immoderate Affections Nor so much trust Women as to beleeve they may not at last be deceived IRLANDO and ARMANDO NOVEL XI The ARGUMENT Irlando and Armando love Rosalia and Rosalia and Emilia love Irlando and after many various deceits and turns of Fortune finding fidelity in their Lovers the Ladies fix a constant and sincere affection IN Padua a City the more noble by how much the more ancient the compendium of beauty was to be seen in the likeness of a most graceful Lady who might have boasted to have debauched the graces from Venus to get a glorious train for her self Whensoever she made shew of her self to the eies of others 't was necessary to beleeve that heaven keeping open Court did abundantly disperse its splendors Who with a chance look could steal away pledges of Love she had a perpetual light in her minde which rallied up in the thoughts of all the hight of the greatest beauties which possibly could be admired in a created object Glances need not be repeated in that face which lightning with Majesty oblig'd the errors of a timerous boldness to correct themselves with modesty Sitting sometimes at a window she sent abroad Love her son to hunt after hearts born from her eyes and bred in the cradle of her lips and raigning in the throne of her countenance There were bound with the chains of her looks the souls of a thousand Lovers With an extraordinary violence being so neer the sun every one was constrained either to have the tenderness of his heart melted or burnt with the bait of affections In fine the rayes of Divinity could finde no fitter sphere then that most beautiful face when it would make it self visible to mortal eyes It was once gaz'd on by two Cavaliers born in France but following their studies inhabitants of that City The conjunction of their minds had unanimously led them out of their Native Kingdom and indissolvably link'd them together with the tye of a singular friendship inviolably observing the laws thereof they never suffered their alwaies regulated affections to disturb their mutual contentment They were unanimous in their apparel and diet inseperable in conversation and indivisable in love so that they it seem'd agreeâ— together to lose their liberties the soul willingly following the looks fled away to imprison it self if we may call Heaven a prison in the bosom of so eminent a beauty They unanimously Courted the Idol who on the Altar of her Window receiv'd the victims of their hearts they sometimes fix'd their eyes on one another I know not whether to move a mutual pitty towards eithers ardors and to testifie the excess of that beauty which silencing the tongue rendred the eyes talkative yet was it superfluous for the eyes to speake the language of
adores you as a Divinity I wish that with last nights garments you may have depos'd some of your coyness which rendred you so adverse to my love Know besides that cruelty is an improper attribute to the Divinity of your beauty and beauty which is not communicable to all opposeth it self directly to the will of Heaven Should Heaven replies the Masker command me to love you perhaps the laws of honesty the danger of my life and the inconstancy of men would not be bridle sufficient to the debility of my affections The beauty of your looks answers Epidoro is a record of Heaven which admonisheth you not to be avaritious of its favours when enriching you with beauty it hath impoverish'd of praise the Fairest conceptions Le ts forbear hiperbolies replys the Masker I as I know I am not fair so I could wish my self so that I might be the more grateful to those that love me but your craft and my simplicity have made me deposite my secrets in the heart of a person who laughing at my folly perhaps meditates how to deceive the felicity of my thoughts I ought not to hazard my reputation to so evident a danger I have spoken too much were my face discover'd my blood should bear witness by my grief and repentance the blushing my heart hath sent thether are the reproofs of my soul which threaten the seerity of those chastisements the thought alone of which terrifies me Saying so she retires amongst the Maskers leaving Epidoro in the hight of his thoughts where a long while he would not have been removed if Love who commonly is not wanting to the necessities of Lovers had not relieved him so that having again taken the Masker by the hand he so much entreated her so much promis'd that at last he gets leave to speak with her the following night which was the beginning of Lent at a little window which lookt on an unfrequented street With this hope he pleasantly passeth the rest of the night expecting the other with a thousand imprecations against the stars for staying so long from celebrating the obsequies of the day Scarce had the light given place to the dark but he comes to the appointed window although he thought he had anticipated the hour he findes himself prevented his beloved expecting him accusing him in her self for want of love that he had not prevented her The complements which past amongst them were many and the amorous conceits numberless They discours'd of constancy fidelity and severity with so great an insatiety that the darkness seem'd weary to hear them which even for the cause invited the light The day comming they part with promise to meet every time when Epidoro should see a cloth hang at the grate which succeeded twice or thrice a week with so great a contentment to Epidoro that in respect of that all other entertainment seem'd but his anoyance and then thinking that felicity full without participating the rest he grew to that impudency to trust the mouth of many with the secret of his loves he bragg'd that he possest Leena's heart who had made the patience and love of a thousand Lovers despair He vaunted himself a possessor of that fair one who had oblig'd to adoration even those minds which were incapable of love unless it were that of themselves This rumor past from the ears of one who fill'd with incredulity and envy would spy Epidoro He hearkens to him one night when he had appointed to get the possession of the fruits of love Having no patience to suffer the felicities of one who was no waies his superiour by the favour of Fortune carried by envy which conspires alwaies against the satisfaction of men he vomits forth in a paper the effects of his madness conveying it afterwards to Leena's husbands hands Opening the Note he saw this written CORDELIO NOT to discover to you treachery is to be a complice in the guilt I who by the excess of your favours and by the obligations of my heart am call'd to the protection of your honour cannot filence it in the hands of dishonesty The night when the infamy of your reputation is to be practised hath not darkness to hide your shame My zeal implores the testimony of your eyes which confess Leena unchast and my self a loyal friend I remit to you the discovery of the truth It troubles me to disquiet the repose of your minde with so unthought of an advise But he deserves praise onely who discovering it leaves you the means to think on the remedy Your faithful Friend This rais'd an infinite many thoughts in the minde of Cordelio and all cruel nothing was in his heart but blood slaughters and murthers yet being perswaded by the love he bore Leena and like a wise man knowing the fruits of malice he condemn'd all other testimony but that of his own eyes He faigns that he was hastily call'd away by his business into the Country and parts not without Leena's tears who regreeted for every moment of his absence Cordelio lay hid all the remainder of the day and at night he goes to observe who it was that betray'd his honour Leena in the mean time had given her self in prey to a most sweet sleep not without being disturb'd by her Nurses voice who told her that Cordelio was to return in a short time to the embraces of Cinissa her Chamber-maid and that she her self had told her so that she would not be her hinderance Leena's minde soon gave credit thereto knowing her husbands genius and her servants little honesty and the sooner having been before jealous not without some affliction She quickly clothes her self and would not be followed by the Nurse that with the more liberty she might blame Cordelio's inconstancy She goes neer her servants Chamber and there she meets her husband who with naked sword in hand came against her to kill her He did it not either that she might first see her Lovers death or the pitty of Heaven permitted not that her innocency although suspected guilty should suffer Leena though full of disdain yet thought intreaties fitter then reproofs for her own safety Casting her self at his feet mixing her words with her tears she thus bespake him Sir If the dishonest embraces of a servant please you more then those of your wife I oppose not my self against your pleasure I would offer my self to procure your pleasures would you but do me the honour but to command it me but when with the loss of my own due I see my self in danger of my life I cannot but complain at the rigour of my destiny which hath caused me to be born unhappy The unbeseeming dishonesty of a wench can then do more then the chast delights of a wife who hath no other desires but those which are subject to your beck Alas how hath Cordelio forgot himfelf Alas how hath Heaven to torment me chang'd the temper of the man Cordelio interrupting her telling her The falseness of thy lips and tears O thou impudent woman would have introduc'd some perswasion in my heart had not these eyes been witnesses of thy dishonesty Prepare therfore to dy for 't is unreasonable that she should live who hath prepared the funerals of my reputation But first of all tell me Where hast thou hid that wicked wretch who had the boldness to defile my bed Leena being unable to suffer such words as those which wounded the most sensible part of her soul Sir To excuse your amorous thefts make not my honesty guilty with faign'd pretences 't is unbecoming your prudence and my love I am yours and I am chast Malignity and Envy can finde no colour to criminate my thoughts so far are my actions from wronging your honour I appeal to your self whether the treacherous desire of enjoying a servant or the displeasure of having been interrupted have not now the possession of your minde Cordelio grew the more disturb'd and with violence askes her of what maid or of what love she talk'd Whereto Leena answer'd all what her Nurse had told her and having understood as much from her mouth also he runs without delay to seek the Chamber-maid and findes her in the wrastlings of love fast clasp'd with Epidoro He was going to sacrifice them to his fury but his wives perswasions diverted him So that at last he was content that Epidoro should marry Cinissa who was a servant rather by the injury of Fortune then by the condition of her birth Whereto Epidoro without more to do consents the fear of death making him yield to any agreement Cordelio then embraces Leena excusing himself of what he had done out of zeal to his own honor having heard Epidoro call'd with a whistle from the grate and seeing him afterwards introduc'd his hous Leena's discretion was satisfied with these justifications glad to have escaped the danger which was the greater being hid which at the same time threatned both her life and reputation This may serve to warn husbands not to run precipitously to suspect their wives of unchastity And to teach wives not to allow a treacherous liberty to their maids And finally its an example to all those who voluntarily seek to betray the honesty of other mens wives FINIS