Weakness as two Ambassadors to present her Affection but Life would not give them audience Whereupon Death sent Pain who had such a perswasive power that made Life yeeld to Death's embracements And after they were agreed the Wedding-day was set and Guests invited Life invited the Five Senses and all the Passions and Affections with Beauty Pleasure Youth Wit Prosperity and also Virtue and the Graces But Health Strength Cordials and Charms refused to come which troubled Life much None that Death invited refused to come they were Old Father Time Weakness Sickness all sorts of Pains and all sorts of Diseases and killing-Instruments as also Sighs Tears and Groans Numbness and Paleness But when Life and Death met Death took Life by the Hand then Peace married them and Rest made their Bed of Oblivion wherein Life lay in the cold Arms of Death Yet Death got numerous Issues and ever since whatsoever is produced from Life dyes Whereas before this Marriage there was no such thing as dying for Death and Life were single like Batchelors and Maids But Life proved not so good a Wife as Death a Husband for Death is sober staid grave discreet patient dwelling silently and solitary whereas Life is wild various unconstant and runs about shunning her Husband Death's company But he as a loving and fond Husband follows her and when he embraces her she grows big and soon produces young Lives But all the Off-spring of Death and Life are divided half dwelling with Life and half with Death At this Wedding old Father Time which looked the youngest although he was the oldest in the Company and danced the nimblest and best making several changes in his Dances he trod so gently and moved so smoothly that none could perceive how he did turn and wind and lead about And being wiser than all the rest with long Experience he behaved himself so handsomely insinuated so subtilly courted so civilly that he got all the Ladies Affections and being dextrous got Favours from every one of them and some extraordinary ones for he devirginated Youth Beauty Pleasure Prosperity and all the Five Sences but could not corrupt Wit Virtue nor the Graces But Nature hearing of the abuse of her Maids was very angry and forced him to marry them all But they although they were inamoured of him before they were married yet now they do as most other Wives not care for him nay they hate him rail and exclaim against him that what with his peevish froward and cross Wives and with the jealousie he hath of Sickness Pains and Mischances that ofen ravish them he is become full of wrinkles and his Hair is turned all gray But Virtue and Wit which are his sworn Friends and sweet Companions recreate him with their pleasant free honest and honourable Societies Of the Indispositions of the Mind THE Mind was very sick and sent for Physicians and the first that came were Divines who disputed so long and contradicted one another so much that they could conclude of nothing One advising the Mind to take a Scruple of Calvin's Institutions others a Dram of Luther's Doctrine some two Drams of the Romish Treacle or Opinions some of the Anabaptists Water others to take some of the Brownists Spirits But there were some quite from these Opinions and would advise the Mind to lay some of Mahomet's Pigeons at the feet cutting them with the Turkish Scimitar then bind it up with his Alcaron others would have the Mind bind the Head with the Talmud of the Jews But the Mind grew sicker and sicker insomuch that it was almost at the last gasp whereupon the Mind desired them to depart for said he your Controversies will kill me sooner than your Doctrine will cure me The Mind being very sick sent for other Sects of Physicians who were Moral Philosophers who being come set round a Table and there began to discourse and dispute of the Diseases of the Mind One said Grief is a Lethargie No said another Stupidity is a Lethargie for Grief rather weeps than sleeps O but said another there are dry Griefs that sweat no Tears Pray Gentlemen dispatch said the Mind for I am in great pain One says Hate is an Apoplexy for it is dead to it self though it lives to the Beloved No said he but Hate is a Dead-Palsie No said the other Ignorance is a Dead-Palsie but Hate is an Apoplexie caused by the stopping of the Spirits either Animal or Vital the Vital Spirits being Compassion the Animal Spirits Generosity You are most strangely mistaken said another for all the Spirits are composed of Fortitude the Vital Spirits are active the Animal are passive But they disputed so long upon this point that they had almost fallen out and the Mind prayed them not to quarrel for wrangling noise did disturb him much Then one said That Spight and Envy were Cancers the one caused by sharp Humours the other by salt Another said That Spight was not a Cancer but a Fistula that broke out in many several places and that Envy was the Scurvy that speckled the whole Body of the Mind like Flea-bites The Mind prayed them to go no further in that dispute Then one of them said That Anger was a Hot Burning Fever Nay by your favour said another Anger is an Epilepsie that soams at the Mouth and beats its Breast strugling and striving and will be often in Cold-Sweats and as pale as Death Then another said That an Ague in the Mind was Doubt and Hope the Cold Fit being Doubt and the Hot Fit Hope A second answered That Agues were Fear which caused Shaking-Fits A third said That Jealousie was an Ague that had Cold and Hot Fits Nay said a fourth Jealousie is an Hectick Fever that is an extraordinary Heat got into the Arteries which inflames the Spirit of Action drinks up the Blood of Tranquillity and at last wasts and consumes the Body of Love A fifth said Jealousie is the Gout which is a burning beating pain never letting the Mind be at rest Said a sixth Jealousie is a Head-ake caused from an ill affected Friend But there grew such a Dispute upon this as whether it was the Head Heart or Arteries that the Mind was forced to threaten them they should have no Fees if they did dispute so much As for the Wind-cholick in the Mind some said It was an overflow of Imaginations and Conceptions others That it was strange Opinions others said It was wild Fancies others That it was the over-dilating of the Thoughts and many more several Judgments were given whereupon they were ready to fight To which the Mind replied That it is impossible you should prescribe effectual Medicines if you cannot agree about the Disease Then another said Slander was the Spotted-Fever Another said A Spotted-Fever was Malice Says another A Spotted-Fever and the Plague have near relation but the Plague said he is Discontent that is caused by Envy Slander Malice and the like This Plague of Discontent breaks out
Fair By Pleasures to the world invited are Bury not all your Youth and Beauty here Which like the Sun may to all Eyes appear O Sir said she the Sun that gave me light Death hath eclips'd and taken from my sight In Melancholy Shades my Soul doth lie And grieves my Body which will not yet die My Spirits long to wander in the air Hoping to find its loving Partner there Though Fates my Life have power to prolong Yet they have none my constant Mind to wrong But when I did perceive no Rhetorick could Perswade her to take comfort grieve she would Then taking my leave for to go away With adoration thus to her did say Farewell thou Angel of a Heavenly Breed For sure thou com'st not from a Mortal Seed Thou art so constant unto Virtue fair Which very few of either Sexes are And after a short time I heard she dy'd Her Tomb was built close by her Husband's side After the Man a Woman did begin To tell her Tale and thus she entred in A Description of Diverted Grief A Man had once a Young and Handsom Wife Whose Virtue was unspotted all her life Her words were smooth which from her Tongue did slide All her Discourse was wittily appli'd Her Actions modest her Behaviour so As when she mov'd the Graces seem'd to go Whatever Ill she chanc'd to see or hear Yet still her Thoughts as pure as Angels were Her Husband 's Love seem'd such as no Delight Nor Joy could take him out of his Wife's sight It chanc'd this virtuous Wife fell sick to death And to her Husband spake with dying-breath Farewell my dearest Husband dye I must Yet do not you forget me in the Dust Because my Soul would grieve if it should see Another in my room your LOVE to be My Ghost would mourn lament that never dyes Though Bodies do pure Loves eternalize You Gods said he that order Death and Life O strike me dead unless you spare my Wife If your Decree be fix'd nor alter can But she must dye O miserable Man Here do I vow Great Gods all witness be That I will have no other Wife but thee No Friendship will I make converse with none But live an Anchoret my self alone Thy Spirits sweet my Thoughts shall entertain And in my Mind thy Memory remain Farewell said she for now my Soul 's at peace And all the Blessings of the Gods encrease Upon thy Soul but I pray do not give Away that Love I had whilst I did live Turning her Head as if to sleep she lay In a soft Sigh her Spirits flew away VVhen she was dead great Mourning he did make VVould neither eat nor drink nor rest could take Kissing her cold pale Lips her Cheeks each Eye Cursing his Fate he lives and cannot dye Tears fell so fast as if his Sorrows meant To lay her in a watry Monument But when her Corps upon the Hearse was laid No Tongue can tell what mournful Cries he made Thus did he pass his time a week or two In sad commplaints and melancholy wo At last he was perswaded for to take Some air abroad ev'n for his own healths sake But first unto the Grave he went to pray Kissing that Earth wherein her Body lay After a Month or two his Grief to ease Some Recreations sought himself to please And calling for his Horses and his Hounds He went to hunt upon the Champian grounds His Thoughts by these Pastimes diverted are Pass'd by the Grave and never dropt a Tear At last he chanc'd a Company to meet Of Virgins young and fresh as Flowers sweet Their Cloathing fine their Humours pleasant gay And with each other they did sport and play Giving his Eyes a liberty to view VVith interchanging Looks in Love he grew One Maid amongst the rest most fair and young VVho had a ready wit and pleasant tongue He Courtship made to her he did address Cast off his Mourning Love for to express Rich Clothes he made and wondrous fine they were He barb'd and curl'd and powder'd sweet his Hair Rich Gifts unto his Mistress did present And every day to visit her he went They like each other well they both agree That in all haste they straight must married be To Church they went for joy the Bells did ring When married were he home the Bride did bring But when he married was some half a year He Curtain-Lectures from his VVife did hear For whatsoe're he did she did with spight And scorn dislike and all his kindness slight Cross every word she would that he did say Seem'd very sick complaining every day Unless she went abroad then she would be In humour good in other Company Then he would sigh and call into his Mind His dear dead Wife that was so wondrous kind He jealous grew and was so discontent And of his later Marriage did repent With Melancholy Thoughts fell sick and dy'd His VVife soon after was another's Bride VVhen she had done the Men aloud did cry Said she had quit her Tale most spitefully Another Man to answer what she told Began to tell and did his Tale unfold The Feminine Description A Man a walking did a Lady spy To her he went and when he came hard by Fair Lady said he why walk you alone Because said she my Thoughts are then my own For in a Company my Thoughts do throng And follow every foolish babling Tongue Your Thoughts said he 't were boldnessfor to ask To tell said she it were too great a task But yet to satisfie your Mind said she I 'le tell you how our Thoughts run commonly Sometimes they mount up to the Heavens high Then straight fall down and on the Earth will lye Then circling run to compass all they may And then sometimes they all in heaps do stay At other times they run from place to place As if they had each other in a Chace Sometimes they run as Phansie doth them guide And then they swim as in a flowing-Tide But if the Mind be discontent they flow Against the Tide their Motion 's dull and slow Said he I travel now to satisfie my Mind Whether I can a Constant VVoman find O Sir said she it 's Labour without end VVe cannot Constant be to any Friend VVe seem to love to death but 't is not so Because our Passions still move to and fro They are not fix'd but do run all about Every new Object thrusts the former out Yet we are fond and for a time so kind As nothing in the world should change our Mind But if Misfortune come we weary grow Then former Fondness we away straight throw Although the Object alter not yet may Time alter our fond Minds another way We love and like and hate and cry VVithout a Cause or Reason why Wherefore go back for you shall never find Any VVoman to have a Constant Mind The best that is shall hold but for a time Wav'ring like wind which Women hold no Crime A Woman
dead She was my Soul's delight in her I view'd The pure and Celestial Beatitude But were I sure the Soul that never dyes Should never meet nor Bodies never rise By Resurrection yet sure those are blest That pass this life and in the Grave do rest Then said the Duke his Father to his Son What ever comes Son Heaven's will be done But since you are resolv'd and needs will dye I in the Grave will keep you company The young Prince said I cannot you disswade Since none are happy but those Death hath made The Day of Execution drawing nigh Of the young Prince his Father too would dye Then the young Prince askt leave and leave he had That he like to a Soldier might be clad When he was brought to dye and on that day Death he did meet in Soldierly array Instead of Mourning-Garments he had on A Suit of Buff embroidered thick upon And a Rich Scarf that was of Watchet-dye Set thick with Pearls instead of strings to tye It close together were rich Diamonds so As like a Ring or Garter it did show Of but one entire Diamond this did bind The Scarf so firm as an united Mind A Scarlet Coat embroidered thick with Gold And Hangers like to it his Sword did hold And in his Hat a Plume of Feathers were In falling-folds which hung below his Hair He being thus accouter'd Death to meet In Gallantry yet gently friendly sweet He would embrace it and so gladly yeeld Yet would he dye as Soldiers in the Field For gallant valiant men do court Death so As amorous courtly men a wooing go His Father all in Mourning-Garments clad Not griev'd to dye but for his Son was sad Millions of People throng'd about to see This gallant Mourning Prince's Tragedy But in the time these Preparations were The Queen sent to th' young Lady to prepare Her self to dye when she the news did hear Joy in her Countenance did then appear Then she her self did dress like to a Bride And in a Rich and Gilded Coach did ride Thus triumphing as on her Wedding-day To meet her Bridegroom Death but in the way The people all did weep that she should dye And Youth and Beauty in Death's arms should lye But she did smile her Countenance was glad And in her Eyes such lively Spirits had As the quick-darting Rays the Sun out-shin'd And all she look'd on for a time were blind But when the Queen and Nobles all were set And the Condemned on the Scaffold met Where when the Lovers they each other spy'd Their Eye-strings seem'd as if together ty'd So firmly they were fix'd and did so gaze And with each other struck in such a maze As if with wonder they were turn'd to stone And that their feet unto the ground were grown They could not stir but at the last mov'd he In a slow pace amazed went to see That Heav'nly Object for thought he it may An Angel be my Soul to take away Her Limbs did shake like shiv'ring Agues cold For Fear upon her Spirits had got hold When she did see him move for she had thought He was a Statue and by Carvers wrought And by the Queen's Command was thither brought When he came near he kneeled down to pray And thus unto her sofrly he did say My Sense my Spirits surprise thy Spirit my Mind And great disturbance in my Thoughts I find My Reason's misty Understanding blind Tell me whether thou art of Mortal Kind Said she That Question I would ask of you For I do doubt my Senses are not true Intelligencers are you the Prince I see Or are you a Spirit that thus speaks to me With that the Queen did come their doubts to clear It was my Plot said she to bring you here And why I crost your Loves I will forbear To tell you now but afterwards declare Then did she cause a Priest to join their hands Which he devoutly ty'd in Wedlock-bands Then did the Queen unto her Nobles say That she a Debt to Gratitude must pay And to the Prince's Father straight she went Here Sir said she I do my self present To be your Wife for by your Counsel I Have Rul'd and Reign'd in great Felicity He kneeling kist her Hand and both agree That in few days the Wedding kept should be Such joys of acclamation loud of wonder Echo'd the air louder than is Jove's Thunder Her Princely Neece so Noble was that then For joy she modestly threw up her Fan Since to a High-born Prince she well knew she In glorions Nuptials soon should joined be The Marriage-Song WEre all the Joys that ever yet were known Were all those Joys met and put into one They 'd be than these two Lovers Joys far less Our Lovers height of Joys none can express They 've made another Cupid I am told And buri'd the blind Boy that was so old Hymen is proud since Laurel crowns his Brow He never made his Triumphs until now The Marriage-Song for the Old Duke and the Old Queen's Marriage NOW the Old Cupid he is fled Unto the Queen she to her Bed Brought the Old Duke so ends all harms In Love's Embraces in their Arms. This Elder Wedlock more than ripe Was of the Younger but a Type What wants of Cupid Hymen's Cup Ceres and Bacchus make it up A Marriage-Song of the Queen's Neece SEE the Old Queen's Beloved Neece For Beauty Favour such a Piece As Love could feign not hope to see Just such a Miracle was she She doth congratulate and 's eas'd To see these Noble Lovers pleas'd Above repining The Fates since Are just and gave her a brave Prince A SONG HYMEN triumph in joy Since overcom'd Love's Boy Each Age each Sex and Place The Wedlock-Laws embrace The looser sort can bind Monarch of what 's Mankind All things do fall so pat In this Triumvirat Which now in Wedlock mix Now Three though once were Six A Lady said Such Constant Love was dead And all Fidelity to Heaven fled Another Lady said She fain would know When Marri'd if they did continue so O said a Man such Love as this was sure Doth never in a Married Pair endure But Lovers cross'd use not to end so well Which for to shew a Tale I mean to tell The Description of the Violence of Love THere was a Lady Virtuous Young and Fair Unto her Father only Child and Heir In her Behaviour modest sweet and civil So innocent knew only Good from Evil Yet in her Garb had a Majestick Grace And affable and pleasant was her Face Another Gentleman whose House did stand Hard by her Father's and was rich in Land He had a Son whom Beauty did adorn As some might think of Venus he was born His Spirit Noble Generous and Great By Nature Valiant Dispositions sweet His Wit ingenious and his Breeding such That his Sci'nces did not Pedantry t'uch This Noble Gentleman in love did fall With this fair Lady who was pleas'd withall He Courted her
It is decreed by the great Gods on high Which nothing can prevent then let my fall Be an Atonement to make Friends withall But Death and Courage being long at strife About her Husband's Honour and his Life They both did fall and on the ground did lye But honoured Courage receiv'd Fame thereby When Death had turned out his Life it went Into his Fame and built a Monument The Bride when that she saw her Husband faint She weeping mourn'd and made a sad complaint O Gods said she grant me but this Request That I may dye here on my Husband's breast With that she fell and on his Lips did lye Suckt out each other's breath and so did dye When that the Lover saw her Soul was fled And that her body was cold pale and dead Then he impatient grew his Life to hold With desperate Fury then both fierce and bold He gave himself a mortal wound and so Fell to the ground and sick did grow Then did he speak to all the Company I do entreat you all for Charity To lay me by my Mistress in a Grave That my free Soul may rest and quiet have With that a Voice heard in the air to say My Noble Friends you ought to disobey His dying-words for if you do not so From our dead ashes jealousie will grow But howsoe're their Friends did so agree That they did put them in a Grave all three And ever since fierce Jealousie doth rage Throughout the World and shall from age to age A Batchelor that spightful was and old Unto the Company his Tale he told WOmen care not nor seek for Noble Praise All their delight runs to Romantick ways To be in love and be belov'd agen And to be fought-for by the youngest men Not for their Vertue but their Beauty fair Intangling men within their amorous snare And turning up their Eyes not for to pray Unless it be to see their Love that day With whining Voice and foolish words implore The Gods for what unless to hold the dore And what is their desire if I should guess I straight should judg it tends to wantonness Perchance they 'l say It is for Conversation But those Conversations bring Temptation What Youth 's in love with Age where wisdom dwells That all the follies of wild Youth still tells But Youth will shun grave Age's Company And from them flye as from an Enemy Say they Their wit is all decay'd and gone And that their wit is out of fashion grown Say they are peevish froward and displeas'd And full of pain and weak and oft diseas'd But that is fond excuse to plead for Youth For Age is Valiant Prudent full of truth And Sickness often on the Young takes hold Making them feeble weak before they 're old If Women love let it be for the sake Of Noble Virtue and the wiser take Else Virtue is depress'd forsaken quite For she allows no Revellers of Night This Sex doth strive by all the art they can To draw away each other's Courtly-Man And all the allurements that they can devise They put in execution for the prise Their Eyes are quick and sparkling like the Sun Yet always after Mankind do they run Their words are smooth their faces in smiles drest Their heart is by their countenance exprest But in their older age they spightful grow And then they scorns upon their youngers throw Industrious are a false Report to make Lord Lord what poor Employments Women take To carry Tales on Tongues from Ear to Ear VVhich faster run than Dromedaries far In heat with speed and haste they run about From House to House to find their Comrades out And when they meet so earnest they are bent As if the Fate 's Decrees they could prevent The best is Rubbish they their Minds do load With several Dresses and what is the Mode But if they spightful are they straight defame Those that most Virtue have or honoured Name Or else about their Carriage they find fault And say their Dancing-Masters were stark naught But for their several Dressings thus will say How strangely such a one was drest to day And if a Lady dress or chance to wear A Gown to please her self or curl her Hair If not according as the Fashion runs Lord how it sets a-work their Eyes and Tongues Straight she 's fantastical they all do cry Yet they will imitate her presently And for what they did laugh at her in scorn VVith it think good themselves for to adorn Thus each of them doth into other pry Not for to mend but to find fault thereby VVith that the VVomen rose and angry were And said they would not stay such Tales to hear But all the Men upon their Knees did fall Begging his Pardon and their stay withall And Women's Natures being easie free Did soon consent to keep them company The Tale to tell Unto a Woman's turn befell And when their rusling twatling Silks did cease Their creaking Chairs and Whisperings held their peace The Lady did a Tragick Tale unfold Forcing their Eyes to weep whilst she it told The Description of the Fondness of Parents and the Credulity of Youth A Gentleman had liv'd long and was old A Wife he had which Fifty years had told Their Love was such as Time could not decay Devout they were and to the Gods did pray Yet Children they had none to bless their Life She happy in a Husband h'in a Wife But Nature in the World her Power to show From an old Stock caus'd a young Branch to grow At length this aged Dame a Daughter bore Got by her Husband when Threescore and more They are so joy'd they Nature's Bounty praise And thank the Gods that did the Issue raise They were so fond that none this Child must t'uch Only themselves their pains they thought not much She gave it suck and dress'd it on her Lap The whilst he warm'd the Clouts then cool'd the Pap. They when it slept did by the Child abide Both sitting near the Cradle on each side But when it cry'd he danc'd it on his Arm The whilst she sung its Passion for to charm Thus did they strive to please it all they could And for its good yeeld up their Lives they would VVith pains and care they Nurs'd their Daughter well And with her Years her Beauty did excel But when she came to Sixteen years of age Her Youth and Life by Love she did engage Unto a Gentleman that liv'd hard-by Close to her Father's House who seem'd to dye If he enjoy'd her not yet did he dread His Father's Curse to light upon his Head His Father to his Passion being cruel Although he was his only Son and Jewel Charging upon his blessing not to marry This fairest Maid nor Servants for to carry Letters or Tokens Messages by stealth Despising her because of no great VVealth Yet she was Nobly born not very poor But had not VVealth to equal his great store But he did woo his Love
So he went to a Noble Gentleman who had a fair well-bred virtuous Lady to his Daughter although but a small Portion and having the Father's consent and the Lady's affection at least her good-will married When these three Knights were married each carried his Wife to his Dwelling-House Where the Covetous Knight did spare from his Back and Belly rise early and go to bed late yet his Wife and Servants did agree at least did wink at each other to cozen him let him do what he could to spare they outwitted him with craft to get The Amorous Knight when he had lived at home a little while to himself and his Wive's gay Clothes were faded and she appeared in her natural Complexion and became like her Neighbours he courted others and despised his Wife then she strives to spruce up and to get others to court her which Courtships did cause Expences in Dancing Meetings Revelling and Feasting The Judicious Knight and his Lady lived happily loved dearly governed orderly thrived moderately and became very rich when the other two were Bankrupts the one being cozen'd by his Wife and Servants he not allowing them sufficiently the other being impoverished with Mistresses and Vanities Ambition preferr'd before Love THERE was a Noble Gallant Man made love to a Virtuous Fair Lady and after he had express'd his affection and desired a return and so agree to marry she told him If she would marry and had her liberty to chuse a Husband through all the VVorld it should be him for said she the same of your Worth and praise of your Merits hath planted a Root of Affection in my Infant-years which hath grown up with time but said she there was another Root also planted therein by Encouragement which is Ambition which Ambition says she hath out-grown that so that the Tree of Love is like an Oak to a Cedar for though it may be more lasting yet it will never be so high On this high Tree of Ambition said she my Life is industrious to climb to Fame's high Tower for the top reaches to it which if I marry I shall never do Why said her Lover Marriage can be no hindrance O yes said the Lady Husbands will never suffer their VVives to climb but keep them fast lock'd in their Arms or tye them to Houshold-Employments or through a foolish-obstinacy barr up their Liberty but did they not only give them Liberty but assist them all they could yet the unavoidable Troubles of Marriage would be like great storms which would shake them off or throw them down before they had climbed half the way VVherefore said she I will never marry unless you can assure me that Marriage shall not hinder my climbing nor cause me to fall Her Lover said I will give you all the assurance I can but said he You cannot be ignorant but know That Fortune Fates and Destiny have power in the ways to Fame as much as in the ways to Death and Fates said he do spin the Thread of Fame as unevenly as they do Threads of Life Yes said she but there is a Destiny belongs to Industry and Prudence is a good Decree in Nature VVherefore said she I will be so prudent as not to marry and so industrious that all the actions of my life and studious contemplations shall be busily employed to my Ambitious Designs for I will omit nothing towards the life of my Memory The Matrimonial Agreement A Handsome young Man fell in love with a fair young Lady insomuch that if he had her not he was resolved to dye for live without her he could not So wooing her long at last although she had no great nor good opinion of a married life being afraid to enter into so strict bonds observing the discords therein that trouble a married life being raised by a disagreement of Humours and jealousie of Rivals But considering withall that Marriage gave a respect to Women although Beauty were gone and seeing the Man personable and knowing him to have a good Fortune which would help to counterpoise the Inconveniences and Troubles that go along with Marriage she was resolved to consent to his request The Gentleman coming as he used to do and perswading her to chuse him for her Husband she told him she would but that she found her self of that Humour that she could not endure a Rival in Wedlock and the fear of having one would cause Jealousie which would make her very unhappy and the more because she must be bound to live with her Enemy for so she should account of her Husband when he had broken his Faith and Promise to her He smiling told her She need not fear and that Death was not more certain to Man than he would be constant to her sealing it with many Oaths and solemn Protestations nay said he When I am false I wish you may be so which is the worst of Ills. She told him Words would not serve her turn but that he should be bound in a Bond That not only whensoever she could give a proof but when she had cause of suspition she might depart from him with such an allowance out of his Estate as she thought fit to maintain her He told her He was so confident and knew himself so well that he would unmaster himself of all his Estate and make her only Mistris She answered A part should serve her turn So the Agreement was made and sealed they married and lived together as if they had but one soul for whatsoever the one did or said the other disliked not nor had they reason for their study was only to please each other After two years the Wife had a great Fit of Sickness which made her pale and wan and not so full of lively spirits as she was wont to be but yet as kind and loving to her Husband as she was afore and her Husband at her first sickness wept watched and tormented himself beyond all measure but the continuance made him so dull and heavy that he could take no delight in himself nor in any thing else His occasions calling him abroad he found himself so refreshed that his spirits revived again but returning home and finding not that mirth in the sick as was in the healthy Wife it grew wearisome to him insomuch that he always would have occasions to be abroad and thought Home his only Prison His Wife mourning for his absence complained to him at his return and said she was not only unhappy for her Sickness but miserable in that his occasions were more urgent to call him from her when she had most need of his company to comfort her in the loss of her Health than in all the time they had been married And therefore pray Husband said she what is this unfortunate business that employs you so much and makes me see you so seldom He told her The Worldly Affairs of Men Women did not understand and therefore it were a folly to recite them besides said
call nay think him Valiant Honest and Wife Sir said he to the Duke Pray flatter Fortune and offer some Prayers and Praises to her Deity in my behalf though it be but for your own sake for he that hath not a feeling interest in the business can never pray with a strong devotion for a good success but their Prayers will be so sickly and weak that they can never travel up far but fall back as it were in a swoun without sense In the mean time the Vice-Roy and the Unkle had drawn up Articles and had concluded of the Match without the young Lady's consent but the Unkle told her afterwards She must prepare her self to be the Vice-Roy's Bride and said he if you consent not never come near me more for I will disclaim all the interest of an Unkle and become your Enemy His words were like so many Daggers that were struck to her heart for her grief was too great for tears But her Maid who had ventured her Lady's Anger for Gold had conveyed the Duke into such a place as to go into her Chamber when he pleased He seeing her stand as it were without life or sense but as a Statue carved in a Stone went to her which Object brought her out of a muse but struck her with such a maze as she fixt her Eyes upon him as on some Wonder and standing both silent for a time at last she spake Sir said she this is not civilly done to come without my leave or my Unkle's knowledg nor honourably done to come like a Thief in the night to surprise me Madam said he Love that is in danger to lose what he most adores will never consider Persons Time Place nor Difficulty but runs to strengthen and secure his side fights and assaults all that doth oppose him and I hear you are to be married to the Vice-Roy but if you do marry him I will strive to make you a Widow the first hour cutting your Vows asunder and your Husband instead of his Bride shall embrace Death and his Grave shall become his Wedding-bed or I will lye there my self shrowded in my Winding-sheet from the hated-sight of seeing or knowing you to be anothers But if Knowledg lives in the Grave think not your self secure when I am dead for if Ghosts as some imagine can rise from the Earth mine shall visit you and fright you from delights and never leave you until you become a Subject in Death's Kingdom But if you are cruel and take delight to have your Bridal-Health drunk in Blood marry him where perchance we may be both dead-drunk with that warm red Liquor Sir answered she It is an unheard-of malice to me or an impudent and vain-glorious pride in you neither to own me your self nor let another but would have me wander that the World may take notice and say This is your forsaken Maid and I live to be scorned and become friendless for my Unkle will never own me which will prove as a Proclamation to proclaim me a Traitor to Gratitude and Natural Affection by committing the Treason of Disobedience The Duke said You cannot want an Owner whilst I live for I had nor have more power to resign the Interest I have in you than Kings to resign their Crowns that come by Succession for the Right lies in the Crown not in the Man and though I have played the Tyrant and deserved to be uncrowned yet none ought to take it off my Head but Death nor have I power to throw it from my self Death only must make way for a Successor Then said she I must dye that your Duchess may have Right and a free Possession Nay said he You must claim your own just Interest and place your self where you should be What is that said she Go to Law for you Yes said he If I be cast said she it will be a double shame You cannot plead and be condemned said he if Justice hears your Cause and though most of the Actions of my Life have been irregular yet they were not so much corrupted or misruled by Nature as for want of good Education and through the Ignorance of my Youth But Time hath made me see my Errors And though your Beauty is very excellent and is able to enamour the dullest Sense yet it is not that alone disturbs the peace of my Mind but the being conscious of my Fault which unless you pardon and restore me to your Favour I shall never be at rest I wish there were no greater obstacle said she than my Pardon to your Rest for I should absolve you soon and sleep should not be more gentle and soft on your Eyes than Peace to your Mind if I could give it but my Unkle's dislike may prove as fearful Dreams to disturb it though indeed if his Anger were like Dreams it would vanish away but I doubt it is of too thick a Body for a Vision The Duke said We will both kneel to your Unkle and plead at the Barr of either Ear I will confess my Fault at one Ear whilst you ask Pardon for me at the other And though his Heart were Steel your Words will dissolve it into compassion whilst my Tears mix the Ingredients My Unkle said she hath agreed with the Vice-Roy and his Word hath sealed the Bond which he will never break The Duke said I will make the Vice-Roy to break the Bargain himself and then your Unkle is set free besides you are mine and not your Unkle's unless you will prove my Enemy to deny me and I will plead for my Right Heaven direct you for the best said she it is late Good-night You will give me leave said he to kiss your Hand I cannot deny my Hand said she to him that hath my Heart The next day the Duke went to the Vice-Roy and desired to have a private hearing about a business that concerned him And when he had him alone he shut the door and drew his Sword which when the Vice-Roy saw he began to call for help Call not nor make a noise if you do Hell take me said the Duke I 'le run you through What mean you said the Vice-Roy to give me such a dreadful Visit I come said the Duke to ask you a Question to forbid you an Act and to have you grant me my Demand The Vice-Roy said The Question must be resolvable the Act just the Demand possible They are so said the Duke My Question is Whether you resolve to be married to the Lady Delicia Yes answered he The Act forbidden is You must not marry her Why said the Vice-Roy Because said he she is my Wife and I have been married to her almost nine years Why said he you cannot have two Wives No said he I will have but one and that shall be she And what is your Demand My Demand is That you will never marry her How says the Vice-Roy Put the case you should die you will then give me leave to
some Weeks in the mean time the Prince recovered resolving to visit this young Lady having heard by his Aunt the relation of what she was whose Birth made him doubt she would not be so easily corrupted as he hoped before and she knowing his Birth had more hopes of honourable usage Yet sitting in a studious posture with a sad Countenance and heavy fixt Eyes accompanied with melancholy Thoughts contemplating of her Misfortunes past with a serious consideration of the condition she stood in advising with her Judgment for the future in comes the Prince whom she no sooner saw but she trembled for fear remembring her past danger and fore-seeing the trouble she was like to run through But he with an humble Behaviour and civil Respect craved pardon for his former Faults promising her That if she would be pleased to allow him her Conversation he would never force that from her which she was not willing to grant for there was nothing in this World he held dearer than her Company and sitting down by her began to question her of Love as Whether she had engaged her Affection to any person of her own Countrey or any where else She told him No. By which Answer he being jealous before imagining she might be so valiant as to wound him more for the sake of her Lover than out of a love to Honour or Reputation received great content and joy esteeming it the next happiness that since she loved not him she loved no other I wonder at your Courage said he for usually your Sex are so tender and fearful and so far from using Instruments of Death as Swords Guns or the like that they dare not look at them but turn their Head aside She answered That Necessity was a great Commandress And thus discoursing some time at last he took his leave until the next day But when he was gone how glad she was O what a torment will this be said she to be affrighted every day with this ravenous Lyon But said she I must get a spell against his Fury and not only against him but against all such like and by her industry she got a subtil Poyson which being put in a very small Bladder she fastned to her Arm that when any occasion served she might have it ready to put in her mouth which in great extremity she might use and crushing it but betwixt her teeth she was sure it would expel Life suddenly The next Morning the Prince sent her a Present of all kinds of rich Persian Silks and Tissues fine Linnen and Laces and all manner of Toys wherewith young Ladies use to make themselves fine and gay But she returned them with great thanks bidding the Bringer tell the Prince That she did never receive a Present but what she was able to return with advantage unless it were from those to whom she had a near relation as Parents and Kindred or the like But he when he saw them returned thought it was because they were not rich enough and sent her another Present of Jewels of great value which when she had viewed she said They were very rich and costly but returning them back she said I dare not trust my Youth with the Riches and Vanities of the World lest they may prove Bribes to corrupt my free and honest Mind wherefore tell the Prince I am not to be catch'd with glorious Baits and so returned them back The Prince when he saw he could fasten no Gifts on her was much troubled yet hoped that Time might work her to his desires so went to visit her and when he saw her he told her He was very unfortunate that not only Himself but even his Presents were hateful for he could guess at no other reason why she should refuse them since they were neither unlawful nor dishonourable to receive She answered That the Principles that she was taught were That Gifts were both dangerous to give and to take from Designing or Covetous Persons He said He was unhappy for by that he saw she would neither receive Love nor give Love Thus he daily visited her and hourly courted her striving to insinuate himself into her favour by his Person and Services used Powdering Perfuming and rich Clothing though he was so personable and well-favoured and had such store of Eloquence as might have perswaded both Ears and Eyes to have been Advocates to a young Heart and an unexperienced Brain His Service was in observing her Humour his Courtship in praising her Disposition admiring her Beauty applauding her Wit and approving her Judgment insomuch that at the last she did not dislike his Company and grew to that pass as to be melancholy when he was gone blush when he was named start at his approaching sigh weep and grow pale and distempered yet perceived not nor knew her Disease Besides she would look often in the Glass curl heir Hair finely wash her Face cleanly set her Clothes handsomely mask her self from the Sun not confidering why she did so But he as all Lovers have watchful Eyes observed she regarded her self more than she used to do which made him more earnest for fear her Passion should cool protesting his Love vowing his Fidelity and Secresie and swearing his Constancy to death She said That he might make all that good but not the Lawfulness Can you said she make it no sin to God no dishonour to my Family no infamy to my Sex no breach to Virtue no wrong to Honesty no Immodesty to my self He answered It was lawful by Nature Sir said she It is as impossible to corrupt me as to corrupt Heaven But were you free I should willingly embrace your Love in lawful Marriage He told her They were both young and his Wife old almost ripe enough for Death and a little time more would cut her down Wherefore said he let us enjoy our selves in the mean time and when she is dead we will marry No said she I will not buy a Husband at that deer rate nor am I so evil as to wish the death of the living for any advantage unless they were Enemies to Virtue Innocency or Religion But he was so importunate as she seemed displeased which he perceiving left off persisting lest he might nip off the young and tender Buds of her Affection But it chanced not long after there was a Meeting of many Nobles at a Feast where Healths to their Mistresses were drank round and the Prince who thought it a sin to Love to neglect that Institution offered with great Ceremony and Devotion for his Mistress's Health sprinkling the Altar of the Brain with Fume and burning the Incense of Reason therein After the Feast was ended he went to see his Mistress whose Beauty like Oyl set his Spirits in a flame which made his Affection grow to an intemperate Heat Whereat she became so afraid as she puts the Poyson into her Mouth the Antidote of all Evil as she thought and then told him her intention But
for Death is in my power though Life is not But the Prince who was their Commander hearing a noise came on the Deck who no sooner saw him but was struck with Compassion raised by a resemblance of his Mistress appearing in the Face of the Youth and going to him bid him dry his Eyes and cease his Sorrow for they both should live together so long as he could keep them Heaven bless you said he and may you never part from that you most do love But when Travelia's Tears were stopped and sight got a passage through her Eyes again and looking up to view that Man from whom his Obligations came no sooner saw his Face but Terror struck his Heart and trembling seized her Limbs as if she had seen some hideous and prodigious thing The Prince observing her in that Agony asking him as supposing her a Boy What made him shake and tremble so In quivering Words she answered As Fear before had shrunk his Sinews short so now Joy had extended them too far The Prince then stroaking his Head promised they should both be well used and so returned into his Cabin Thus travelling on the Sea as on a great Champain the Ship like a Horse went several paces according as the Waves did rise and fall But at last this Ship became like a Horse diseased with Spavins which broke out and sprung a leak which they stopt as well as they could for the time but doubting it could not long hold out grew very sad some weeping some praying some murmuring some raving according as their Fear and Hopes were But the Prince who was valiant by nature expected Death with as much patience as they with fear did apprehend it neither was he struck with terror but yeelded to the Fates and was willing to dye But in the midst of their Afflictions at last they espied an Island at which sight they all shouted for joy Thus in the life of Man many several accidents pass about and it chances many times that out of the midst of Grief and Sorrow rises up Objects of Comfort so was it here and setting up all their Sails made haste to it but before they could come close to it although they were not far from it the Leak broke out again and likewise their Fears for the Ship grew sick of a lingring Disease that it could swim no farther but perished by little and little which perceiving they hoist out their Boat where the Prince gave order That those which were most afraid should go first he himself was the last that went therein though the Boat did go and unload and return'd many times insomuch that not only the Passengers were saved but all their Goods which no sooner were out but the Ship sunk and dyed of that Incurable Dropsie But in these Dangers the Prince forgot not Travelia for why the Prince was more fond of him than Travelia was of himself for her fears of being known gave her no rest But being all safely arrived in the Island they began to consider what to do the Prince counselled them to chuse out some of the Company to build up Hutts to lay their Goods in and also to cut down some Trees there being great store of Wood chusing that which was most proper and fit to build a new Ship whilst the rest of the Company went to seek Food and to discover the place This being agreed upon they divided themselves and those that travelled up into the Island found it very small as being not above thirty miles long and twenty broad and unpeopled but great store of Fish and Fowl few Beasts but those that were were of a gentle Kind fine Meadows full of Grass and sweet Flowers refreshing and shady Woods wherein ran clear Springs and bubling Brooks Thus though it were little it was very pleasant the greatest Inconvenience they found there was want of Houses for they found the ground somewhat damp with Dews which being an Island it was subject to but the Air was ferene and clear the Climate a little more than temperately hot But the time that the Ship was a building the Prince had a little House or thing like an Arbour built in the midst of the Island to lodg in and the rest made Hutts for themselves and several Recreations they found to pass away the time Being in so solitary a place the Prince who was melancholy for the loss of his Mistress grew full of Thoughts and having her Picture in his Mind drawn to the life comparing it to Travelia's Face which he often looked upon began to reason with himself why that might not be she considering her private escape and the little acquaintance she had in that Countrey and seeming of a better breeding than a Ship-Master's Son could have it did almost confirm his hopes But discoursing one day with the old Man of several accidents telling their Misfortunes and good hap of both sides and being both of one Countrey the old Man thinking no harm discovered by his talking that Travelia was none of his Son begotten from his Loins but adopted through Compassion and Affection and then telling the Story how he came into his Ship unknown or without his leave by the circumstances of Time Place and Manner found that it was she whereat being transported with joy he could scarce conceal his Passion but dissembled his knowledg as well as he could for the present yet after that time sought an occasion to get her alone where he did usually go a Birding and did command Travelia to carry his Bags of Shot after him who loved the Service though she feared the Lord and when they were gone some distance from the rest of the Company and being in a shady Wood the Prince feigned himself weary and setting down to rest commanded him to do the like and at last discovered to him how he came to know her She finding her self discovered turned as pale as Death and in that passion of Fear prayed him to kill her or otherwise she should find a way to do it her self But the Prince told her He would satisfie himself first unless she would consent to live with him as his Wife in that Island wherein said he we may live free and secure without any Disturbance She musing with her self what to do believing he was not grown the Chaster with living amongst rude and barbarous People thought it best to dissemble and give a seeming-consent Whereat the Prince's Thoughts being more elevated than if he had been Master of the whole World they return'd to the rest of the Company the one with an over-joyed Mind the other sad and full of perplexed Thoughts But when she came to a place where she might be alone sitting down in a melancholy posture without uttering Words or shedding Tears for Grief and Amazement had congealed the one and stopt the other yet at last her smuthered sorrow broke out into Complaint You Gods said she Who will offer Sacrifice to your Deities since