satisfactory Reflections by Melantius who encountred no other Ideas but those of Love and Extasie he was transported with the many Charms he found in the beautiful Aspatia He fancy'd her his own not dreaming of any Obstacle that could oppose it he consider'd the Equality of their Birth and Fortune the Conveniency of the Match and indulged himself with all the transporting and delightful Raptures that proceed from thought The next day was that great Solemnity wherewith Alphonso Henery entertain'd his new Queen Beatrice Daughter to Alphonso the Tenth King of Castile by whom that Noble Dowry the Kingdom of Algaroes was added to the Crown of Portugal All the Nobility was there present to pay their Devoirs to the Queen In particular the illustrious Families of Almeyda and that of the Marquess de Leganes who was Father to our Cavalier Melantius The Celebration of these Nuptials would be too tedious to recite let it suffice never was any thing more glorious where Melantius made the most considerable Figure of the Beaux Esprits and Aspatia of the Belles The general approbation they receiv'd did not a little contribute to augment the favourable Sentiments they had entertained for one another And at the Tournament when Aspatia beheld her young Heroe enter the Lift with an Aspect that foretold the Miracles he perform'd it was easie to read her Wishes in her Eyes which were constantly fixed upon him and seem'd to move in the same Sphere with the Vicissitudes of his Fortune But oh how her Heart danc'd when he came of Conquerour the Air refounded with 10 Poeans to the Victor and ecchoing Triumphs filled the breath of Fame but his proudest Trophy was the Congratulation he receiv'd from the fair Aspatia and without doubt he was Gallant enough to attribute his good Fortune to the influence of her Eyes After some short Preliminaries these Diversions broke up to entertain the Ladies with a splendid Ball and it was there Melantius determin'd to make an Offering of his panting Heart to the Deity he Worship'd His kind Stars soon bless'd him with a lucky Opportunity for Aspatia being somewhat overheated with Dancing was in motion with her Fan which by chance she let fall Melantius was the fortunate Person that took it up and delivering it with a profound Bow in a soft dying Tone he said Ah! Madam could you as easily restore my Heart which I just now resign'd an Offering at your Feet She smil'd at the pretty Gallantry and reply'd I never retain any thing I cannot pretend a Property in and would have declin'd a farther Discourse But he continu'd That is as your Cruelty or Justice will determine This I can affirm it is no longer mine and if your Severity will not think it worth your Charitable Protection you shall behold it the most wretched Victim in the World He waited for no answer but taking hold of one corner of her Handkerchief which he dexterously convey'd into his own Hands 'T is but reasonable Madam said he to afford me some small Relick to guard that Breach which otherwise you expose to the greatest danger imaginable Altho' this did something displease her it was impossible to retrieve it without a publick view therefore not offering at a recovery she suffered him to carry it off tho' not without a great Resentment which appear'd in her angry Brow Melantius who was sensible of his fault engaged with the rest of the Company and appeared no more that Night before Aspatia but as a Criminal only she had the secret satisfaction of often seeing the Handkerchief display'd to his Lips and there most religiously saluted The Departure of the King and Queen put a period to that Days Entertainment and all the Company retired well disposed to sleep nor did a thought molest Aspatia who enjoyed a sweet Recruit for the last Night's Tribulation Phoebus had already mounted the Olympick Palace and made a considerable Progress in his Day 's Circuit when our lovely Fair awaked and called Laura to inquire how the Day had past After she receiv'd satisfaction to some such frivolous Questions Laura presents her with a Billet-doux which she had just receiv'd from a Page of Melantius who still waited for an Answer She took it with a panick fear in hope and doubt to find what it contain'd but who can tell her private Transport when she read what follows MELANTIUS to ASPATIA IF an Offender may have leave to plead for Mercy have pity on a true Penitent My Crime may be too Enormous to expect a Pardon but I am sure my Contrition is of as large a size You have already sufficiently punished me and that cruel Frown at parting stab'd deep into my Heart nor could Poyson Daggers or a thousand Deaths be half so terrible Let it suffice I only live to receive my Sentence from those dear Lips that can give Life even in the pronouncing of my Death My Life and Happiness are absolutely in your power and if to Love with the most sensible Tenderness imaginable can offend to Die would be but the least part of my Duty But if a Restoration of my petty Theft can any way contribute to a Pardon permit me this Afternoon to lay at your Feet both That and your Adoring Slave Melantius This passionate Declaration was so far from displeasing that it filled her with a Torrent of Joy to find a Man so entirely at her Dispose whom Fate had already destin'd her to Love to deny his Visit was to rack her own Inclination and to permit it too easily would make the Conquest too cheap however this Contest did not long last the irresistable God bore sway and she returned this Answer ASPATIA to MELANTIUS I Am Confirmed that in all points Melantius is the most Gallant of Men and where he offends he makes but too sufficient Reparation I can forgive without these Insinuations you use to bribe a Pardon but shall expect with the Return of my Handkerchief you desist a Suit too inglorious for a Heroe Aspatia Having dispatched the Page she began to reflect how barbarously she used Octavio in the mean time but who can resist the powerful influence of that little Tyrant who models us after his own Chimera's well may he be represented blind not only for the inequality of Persons that he wounds but whoever is possessed of the same Malady runs violently on pursues the Object of their Affections adheres to nothing but Almighty Love and cannot see an Errour Well she is resolv'd to let Octavio stay a little for an Answer being in some perplexity what to write to him she banished all troublesome Thoughts and wholly dedicated that Day to Melantius who came dress'd with all the Gaiety of a young Bridegroom enter'd the Room with ten thousand Graces and passionately flings himself at her Feet and having stole her Hand he gently raised it to his trembling Lips and stampt the Image of his Soul upon it Aspatia who simpathized too feelingly with this Extasie was
plac'd a Troop of smiling Cupids there 't was not without encouragement he wrote to learn what he might hope for from his Father on what Demands he might expect to gain a Beauty of that bounteous Wit and Dower giving his Raptures latitude to speak the most he thought his Mistress could deserve This when I read no Tongue can tell my smart my throbbing Breast did heave my Eyes distorted no doubtful Wretch that stood their latest Doom was half so shock'd at a condemning Sentence speechless and cold I fell upon the ground and only short-breath'd Sighs declar'd I liv'd but soon again I did recover strength to fall a Supplicant at the Viscount's Feet to whom I wept and told the movingst Tale that his sad Pressures like to Niobe's seem'd to have turn'd his reverend Frame to Stone I wept and told him even from our budding Loves each circumstance of what I have now related declar'd the Murder and display'd my Wrongs begging him to compassionate my Cause since I was still compel'd to die or love him Grief stop'd his Tongue from making a Reply but with his Head he bid me quit the Room to give him liberty to vent his Trouble I left him languishing to that degree that Fate sate daring Reason in his Face which pierc'd my very Soul as I departed the look he gave me seem'd a last Farewel and 't was with great compulsion I retir'd to leave him to the rigid Sourge of Fortune which I perceiv'd did handle him severely After some wretched hours of close retirement he forc'd a settl'd Mind and sent for me his Countenance appear'd without a Cloud and every Action had an easie Ayr Smiling he rose and took me by the Hand and plac'd me on a Seat just by him discoursed me with the greatest Moderation that I could hardly credit what I saw Maturely he discuss'd upon each point and brought it subtilely to a kind result told me that since hard Fate had play'd its Game our Care must be to help and crown all future managements with good Success bid me not mourn what I could not redress but learn of him to bear the Lash of Fortune I could not judge if this was Artifice or whether he had overcome his Passion yet parted from him much more satisfied for he had promis'd to restore Octavio if I would leave the Conduct to his Will With humble resignation I consented wholly to be dispos'd by his Command for I confess that my unparallel'd Love fell to the heighth of abject Supplication Within two days I went from Madrid to pass the tedious minutes more sedate in a still rural Villa of the Viscount's that thirty miles stood distant from the City there there how many wretched hours flew in the reflection of my dubious Destiny no Shade no Grove but conscious of my Grief my Tears supplied each Rivulet and Spring and every melancholy Grotto spoke Despair to the perpetual Volleys of my Sighs 'T was thus I spent the best part of a Year whilst the kind Viscount acted things at home beyond the expectation of a Friend and cunningly in my behalf he did proceed he writ Octavio word That his Fears need not any way oppose his coming home for none could guess him guilty of that Crime besides the great Affair which he propos'd could ne'r be decided at that distance therefore 't was requisite he should return to settle all in Peace for his advantage giving some hints that I was then retir'd lest that should be a Motive for his staying It was these generous Letters once more induc'd Octavio to see Madrid the Interview between him and the Viscount I heard was very passionate and moving which being mitigated in few days he introduc'd the mournful Tragick Tale which was the fatal Cause of all our Evil Octavio charg'd the weighty Sin on me whose Falseness had betray'd him to that Mischief and then the good old Man did weep to vindicate my much wrong'd Faith and Honour owning the Act as really 't was his own to force me on a Match I loath'd and hated At this Octavio sensibly was touch'd and bore a friendly part in my Misfortune but Love was banish'd all that Stock he swore could never be exhausted now was spent and I was then reduc'd to sordid Pity Nothing could move a kind Consent to see me his Heart was absolutely now another's for tho' upon the Fall of poor Alcidas he fled to seek a noble Death entirely despising Thoughts of Life resistless Beauty that o'erweighs the World and ballances bright Virtue with a Bubble with her engaging Charms seiz'd on his wandring Soul and laid her strict Commands on him to live he could not view a Mistress so abused nor stand the Test of my severe Reproaches nor would he wed the Woman for whose sake his Hands had been imbrew'd in that dear Blood or rather 't was his new-born Flame prevail'd to make him quit the Seat of his Confusion and seek a Sanctuary of Repose on the soft Bosom of his chosen Bride Within six Weeks he went from Madrid to prosecute his last-establish'd Love nor were there any Offers could reclaim him Which News the Viscount would have hid from me but oh I had too true Intelligence Reason kept Argus Watch tho' Love was blind nor could my hundred Eyes be all deluded too obvious was this last ungrateful part for me to be deceiv'd or Heaven to pardon I scorn'd myself that I could not contemn the Man that had so slighted and abused me but oh impossible I lov'd to that degree not all my Wrongs had influence to reclaim still I ador'd still languish'd to retain the most perfidious Wretch that ever breath'd in vain I sigh'd in vain deplor'd the loss of all my Hopes the false Octavio in whom I yet discern'd Ten thousand Thus you have heard the Fate of poor Canace the most unhappy Maid that ever lov'd hitherto all my Life has been one Plague and what I am to suffer will be great since now the utmost prospect of my Hope is Bankrupt to that last and wretched point of learning how to bear with Resignation Don Lelio who had given strict attention to the relation of this mournful Tale look'd on the lovely Innocent who wept and weeping pierc'd the Souls of those that heard her like April showrs in Tears she mourn'd which like the Heavenly Dew drop'd from her Eyes and veil'd the lustre of those beautious Orbs and like an Evening Zephirus her Sighs whispering their murmuring Accents through the Air wrought the Inanimates unto compassion Thus Sorrow in its Splendor did appear all moving all transporting all engaging melting the tender Hearts of the Spectators who gazing on the melancholy Maid suffer'd the charming Object so to please they never thought to interrupt her Grief till they beheld her fall into a Swoon Melantius all o'er Pity and Concern was rushing from his Covert to her succour when he perceiv'd Don Lelio clasp her close laying her Head upon
Tournaments wherein all the youthful Nobility assembl'd and perform'd diversity of Gallantries Three years after Marriage the Duke stay'd in that Country by the Intercession of his Wife who found no small Regret to leave her Native Soil but at length urg'd by necessity of some weighty Affairs wherein the Duke had been a very considerable Loser they were forc'd on their Journey at a very inconvenient time for my Mother who was then eight months gone with Child of me Heaven had already bless'd them with a Son whose graceful Aspect promis'd early Virtues Not much above one year they had enjoy'd him when they set forward towards Portugal they met with a pleasant Land-Journey and embarqued with as fair a Prospect but that over-ruling Power that finds it expedient sometimes to dash our sweetest Cups with Gall presented them a too too bitter Draught which when compel'd by Fate there 's no Man can resist They were within some few hours sail of shore when the Heavens overcast and a dreadful Storm arose which prov'd only a direful Omen of their Misfortunes for in less than half an hour it clear'd again to pleasant calmness and serenity when from the Top-mast-head they ' spied a Ship that gave them chace with all the sail that she could make they crowded down upon them they were in some consternation and surprize but the Duke whose noble Soul could ne'r admit of Fear took all the most convenient methods for defence that the short time would give him leave Now by the nigh approach to their Perplexity they discern'd her to be a famous Pyrate who for many years had scoured those Seas no way they had to escape for their Adversary having the Wind soon boarded them The Duke at this time perform'd Wonders but having few Assistants besides his own Attendants and not being well provided for what so little was expected after a stout defence which startled much the Pyrates by desperate Multitudes he was repuls'd They being now the Masters of the Ship grew insolent and rifled all their Treasure clapping the Sailors under Hatches and making all their Prize My Mother who had endur'd all the violence of Fears and Terrour at this last Scene of immediate Death or Slavery fell with the direful Imagination into a Swoon The Duke being luckily by receiv'd her in his Arms and altho' his Reflections did present him with too clear a Prospect of their Woe he us'd all the Indulgence and tender Applications that could recover her and encourage her to bear Faâ—e with a Patience worthy of herself It was a considerable time before he was convinc'd she liv'd and the fatal demonstration serv'd but to involve him in a greater Doubt for the warm Perswasions he had whisper'd summoned back some fleeting Hopes and untimely disclos'd her Eyes to be a Spectator of young Frederick their only Child and his Nurse just forc'd on board the Pyrate This Sight renews her former Grief and sunk her with the weight of Desperation Nor was the Duke with all his Fortitude now in condition to address a Comfort he saw his Wife expiring at his Feet his Child a Captive to insulting Villains and he the sinking Prop that should relieve them Love Pity Charity divides his Breast and equally demands his kind Assistance but all the Means was taken from his Hands and he had nothing left but his bare Wishes which was reduc'd to wish himself and his dear Wife next Prey that they might suffer all together Whilst he stood in this Extremity of Care a violent and unexpected Hurricane arose and separated the Ships which lay grapled together the fury of the Tempest drove them so fast that in short time they lost sight of each other The Seamen who were very industrious at their Plunder were most of them in the Long-boat conveying off their Booty and but two at this time left on board the Duke abject Rascals who finding their Necessity meanly were imploring for their Lives but the Duke who was wholly taken up with his Sorrow had but just reason enough left to release his own Seamen to whose Mercy he left them and from whose hand they receiv'd their Deaths whilst he imploy'd himself in the recovery of my Mother Grief and the cruel Sufferings she underwent had taken full possession of her Heart and it was with great difficulty they kept her Soul and Body together till they made a Port in Algarves call'd Tavila where she had not been two days but she was deliver'd of me sometime before the usual season and deliver'd up her Life at the same minute My Father was the most afflicted Man in the World and had it not been in consideration of me which oblig'd him to preserve his Life in care to mine he hardly had surviv'd my Mother He stay'd not long after the Funeral-Rites but took me with my Nurse to a House he has near Ville-Neuove where he liv'd a disengag'd and retired Life till I attained the Years of Fourteen at which time he thought it convenient to introduce me into the World that I might be the better capable of acting for my self We then remov'd to Lisbon where we liv'd with all the Grandeur that could render an advantage to my blooming Years I had the Priviledge of visiting the Court and some publick Places which in a short time got me not a few Admirers The Duke was willing to see me well disposed of and incouraged those of the most Illustrious Families and of the greatest Characters for me to make my Choice but I being only taken with the Gallantry and Address liv'd with a cold Indifference to the Sex and could not be prevail'd upon to Marry It was at this time that my small Beauty gained some little Fame at Lisbon when Octavio appear'd at Court and was generally reported a Noble Cavalier but one whose nice Virtues were eclipsed by a profound Melancholly there lack'd not those who imputed it to Love and apply'd it to several of our Beauties yet knew no more then from their bare Opinion he had the good luck to be particularly receiv'd amongst the Ladies and I confess my self that often I have view'd him with some Pleasure He had something in his Aspect that attracted all Eyes and something in his Disposition so engaging that there was no beholding him with bare Indifference yet mine was Admiration and not Love which afterwards I was too dear convinc'd of Several small Services I had receiv'd which past with me but as his common Humour till a more evident Address too fatally inform'd me Madrigals Songs and Billet-doux he sent by Night with Sighs and Serenades he entertain'd me by these and a thousand other ways he oft declared the Message of his Heart which found more free access into my Breast then all the Gallantry I knew before yet I had Conduct to conceal my Thoughts and gave him not the least Incouragement but rather seem'd vext at his ill plac'd Passion some Months pass'd on with this