thinking on my Obligations to you Alas Madam I am far from being guilty of the Crime of not thinking upon you and if you had never another to reproach me with I would perhaps be less disquieted I blush'd in pronouncing these words Thamirize perceiv'd it and look'd upon me fixedly but not comprehending any thing of the mystery I do not believe replied she that any thing can make you pass for guilty in my esteem But Irmise speak sincerely and if you desire my satisfaction tell me why you languish If there appeareth any Fire in your Eyes you look as if you design'd to hide it I never surprize you but sighing you sometimes look up to Heaven in a suppliant manner you seem'd diligent in serving me at the beginning of our acquaintance and now methinks my Presence troubleth you You are free here and I did not give you a Sanctuary with a design to constrain you But my dear Irmise added she smiling and stretching out her hand obligingly to me you must discover your Mind to me I believe you are in love and that some Illustrious Tartar possesseth that Heart in which I am desirous to have a little room During this Discourse I was a hundred times tempted to declare my self but considering that Thamirize would then perhaps shew me as much Severity as she had hitherto done Sweetness I imprison'd my Love once more and endeavour'd to compose my self If any one had a larger share in my Heart than the Princess of Thibet answer'd I I would never perhaps have seen her and being of the humour I am of I could hardly leave the place where I was staid by so strong a tye I do not say continu'd I that my Soul is altogether void of Tenderness and that is perhaps the cause of my languishing Groans I don't doubt said Thamarise more perplex'd than before but you are capable to make a good choice and upon this account I promise to be always favourable to him that hath the Happiness to please you And what would you say Madam replied I You that have so much Reason and Wisdom if you found a Girl resolute enough to love and so bold as to own it I would not condemn her for a Freedom that I had forc'd her unto answered Thamirize and seeing there may be a lawful Tenderness I would not esteem her the less Since you approve in me replied I a Passion which so many condemn one would be tempted to think that a Prince worthy of you by his Merit and Person might one Day have the Honour to touch you 'T is true continu'd Thamirize with a modest Blush that I do not feel my self incapable of loving an extream lovely Object and you see Irmise seeing I love you that I am not insensible Ah Madam cried I out The Love with which you honour me would not satisfie an amorous Prince and I know some that would not be contented with it as precious as it is Seeing you have travell'd through Paths that are as yet unknown to me added the Princess you are able to give me a Lesson But Irmise since it is not in favour of Benzid and Othrize that I design to make use of your Skill we must expect some other occasion I was not sorry that I had found a pretext to cover my Melancholy I suffer'd Thamirize to believe that I was in love and after this discourse she ask'd me no more questions About this time the two Rivals redoubled their Importunities and began to form Parties under-hand in Thibet On this Occasion it was that I admir'd the inconstancy of the People Thus Philing had only left Kachen for a Voyage his ungrateful Subjects no sooner saw he was gone but they flatter'd the Ambition of the two Usurpers declaring that they would not live without a King and that the Princess to Reign alone the hope of Reward embolden'd interested Souls and Thamirize's Lovers had but too many Abettors They had managed their Plots so closely that we could not foresee what happen'd These two Men inspir'd by the same Interest acted in the same manner and one Morning when the Princess was in the Garden with her ordinary Train that is to say some of her Guard and her Maids we saw Benzide approaching at the Head of many armed Men with as proud an Air as if he had been marching on some glorious Expedition and Othrize appear'd on the other side with an equal number of Persons and a like Arrogancy Ah Irmise said the Princess unto me What is the cause of the coming of these Princes to Day and what do they seek for with so many armed Men and Souldiers I had already guessed at their Design I did not doubt but that they intended to make themselves Masters of Thamirize's Liberty and being resolved to perish for her sake be not frighted Madam replied I Heaven doth not protect Violence and you are not so far abandon'd to their Fury as you perhaps fear As I finished these Words they both drew near to the Princess but it was not to her that they spoke What come you to seek for here said Benzide to Othrize And what Business do you pretend here replied the last I perceive that both our Designs are the same Let us fight for Thamarize since it is by Arms that we must decide our quarrel Then did they begin to let fly at one another with more fury than skill and as long as they exercised their Valour in this manner I remain'd an useless Spectator of their Combat But Othrize more happy than Benzide laid him along at his Feet dangerously wounded and putting his Enemies to the rout run to seize upon the Princess Then it was that I begun to feel what I was and no consideration could retain me Will you suffer your Princess to be captivated said I to the Guards and will you not rather dye than shew your selves so base and treacherous Othrize's Party was strong for he had lost few Men and Thamarize had but a small number of her Guards with her but not contenting my self with animating them by Words but desirous to give them an Example I laid hold on a Dead-man's Sword and notwithstanding that my Habit cumber'd me I fought with an ardour that astonish'd the Princess He that had often fought for indifferent Interests with some Advantage could not be slow in defeating Thamirize's Enemies who full of Fear and surrounded with her Maids look'd upon that which she esteem'd a Prodigy The Guards believ'd that it was an Aid miraculously sent from Heaven and bestirr'd themselves with the greater Bravery I shed a great deal of Blood this could not be done without losing some of my own and coming up close to Othrize I wounded him in several places but as he fell pierc'd with my strokes his Party yielding to the Valour of the Guards one that was full of Affection to Othrize being mortally wounded and mad to find himself in the Agony of Death came behind me and
had so much curb'd her insolency Undkan had a great share in her joy and Timur triumphed unworthily over the misfortunes of a generous Rival to whom he was obliged for his Life and Liberty The day published the astonishing News among the Tartars Those who had seen Zingis both in time of War and at Cambalu prayed for his Ruin or Safety according to their different inclinations but there were very few who would not have willingly rescued him from the present Danger Assoon as they could have access to Undkan the Kings of Tanguth Cerguth Ergimul and Ung waited upon him and after them Philing King of Thibet The first four exprest a great deal of joy for the captivity of his Enemy and the last who with an independent Kingdom much more considerable than the rest had also inclinations infinitely more noble and generous spoke boldly in Zingis's favour and openly made it appear that without knowing his Person he was full of Respect and Esteem for his Virtue and for that glorious Reputation which had render'd his name so famous in Asia Undkan frown'd at Philing's discourse and Zamar who heard it from that time looked upon him as a suspected Person Never any could discover in him inclinations unbecoming a King His Person was perfectly handsom his Realms were of a vast extent and owned no other Superiour The neighbourhood of China which bordered on his Dominions was able to give him very great Advantages in calling to his Assistance a People who being often assaulted by the Tartars had hitherto kept on the defensive side but long'd for a occasion to humble them All these reasons render'd the King of Thibet redoubtable to the Tartar who answered him calmly That Zingis was a Traitor and that the security of his Crown obliged him to keep him in Prison Philing did not think fit to importune further an incens'd King and Queen at present in behalf of a Man whom he knew but imperfectly and he went out looking disdainfully on four Princes who dishonoured their Character in basely flattering Undkan and Zamar Philing from thence went strait to the Princess whither his Heart often called him but by reason of the Orders already given out he could neither be permitted to see her nor the amiable Axione From thence he went to see Almundzar an illustrious Tartar in whom he had found a great deal of Virtue who governed Tartary by the profound Knowledge which he had of its most secret Affairs and whom Zamar upon that account did not love He was a sincere Friend of Zingis and Philing found with him a faithful Servant of that Prince who having found means to get off in the obscurity of the night was come to sollicit Almundzar to labour for his Master's Liberty The generous Tartar had received him perfectly well but he feared with reason to be unable to do any thing for Zingis against the fierce and subtle Zamar They were upon this subject when the King of Thibet enter'd Generous Almundzar said he at first to the Favourite of Undkan What shall we do for the Illustrious Zingis against so many implacable enemies Hatred Subtilty and Treachery are arm'd against him and it 's our Duty whom Heaven hath favoured with more reasonable inclinations to unite Virtue Friendship and Sincerity for his Assistance The Squire of Zingis who knew not Philing and admir'd his good Mien was ravished to hear him speak in that manner Almundzar assur'd the King of Thibet that he was ready to hazard his Fortune and Life for the Service of Zingis but withal that he knew nothing that could counterpoise the power of Zamar I am ignorant of the particulars of Zingis his Life said Philing and am only pre-occupy'd with that shining Merit of which Fame speaketh so advantageously but Almundzar Cannot you inform me better There is a Man my Lord replied Almundzar pointing unto the faithful Squire of Zingis who can better than I give you that satisfaction Yes my Lord added Zerbin with a respectful bow and I will do my Master a sensible pleasure to make him known to a Prince such as you Philing caused Zerbin to withdraw into another Chamber to leave Almundzar in liberty to set about the Affairs with which he was usually busied and having conveniently seated himself Zerbin began his Discourse in this manner The History of Zingis and the Princess Taxila YOU know my Lord that may Master is the Son of Sukuh or Bahadur sirnam'd the Warriour King of the Monguls and you are not ignorant that amongst the rest of the Asiatick Nations these have made themselves be distinguished by the undauntedness of their Courage and the strict Unity which they preserve among themselves Bahadur is of the Linage of our most ancient Kings the worthy Successour of innumerable Heroes the Terror of his Enemies and Darling of his Subjects His Dominions are of a vast Extent The River Tartar and Lake of Coras render a great part of the Country fertile and that desart Region which comprehendeth Bargu and reacheth to the Sea of Tartary is almost unknown to those who border on Undkan's Realms Bahadur had two Children of the Queen his Wife the famous Zingis whom Fortune doth now expose in so cruel a manner and the Princess Zenelie who was carried away by Robbers at three years of age in a Voyage which the Queen made to seek a place the Air of which might be advantageous to their Health which was in a languishing Condition The loss of the innocent Zenelie brought her with Sorrow to her Grave leaving the young Zingis the only Consolation of her afflicted Husband He was first called Temuzin but there appeared in him even in his Infancy so much Greatness of Soul and Courage that the People named hin Zingis which is a Name given only to extraordinary Persons Bahadur enjoying a Son so worthy of his Affection did not desire a more numerous Posterity and made the Prince Zingis the Object of all his Cares who in few years became perfectly well accomplished The King with a great deal of Pleasure saw his excellent Qualities increase together He knew by his first setting out that he would not degenerate from so many Great Men whose Blood stream'd in his Veins seeing he aspired unto true Glory loved Virtue above all things and bewraied only generous Inclinations When he had attained the seventeenth year of his Age he appeared of so graceful a Mien that never any like him had hitherto been seen Bahadur delighted in his presence but the young Prince who had thus far lived a peaceful Life and whose Courage required Business of greater Noise began to think of leaving his Father for some time My Lord said he one day unto him Are you not sensible that I owe something to the Honour which I have to be your Son Hitherto I have been able only to testify my Respect unto you but my Lord this is not sufficient to satisfy the Blood that animateth us The profound Peace which
Whatsoever may happen continued Philing I will die before I suffer the King of the Mogols to perish We must see Undkan and once more try the ways of Sweetness but if he persevere in his Cruelty I will openly declare my self his Enemy Almundzar approved of the generous Resolution of Philing and assured him that whatsoever he attempted for Zingis he would still stand his Friend This Day past over very sadly on the Morrow the King of Thibet went to see Undkan whom he found still Beleaguer'd by Zamar and made the more hast because he feared some secret Cruelty for they talked at Cambalu of Zingis's Death as of a thing absolutely certain Zamar and Undkan feared the Presence of this Prince who was neither their Subject nor Tributary and who they saw did ever declare himself boldly for Vertue His Arrival put them out of Countenance and Zamar was extreamly troubled at it My Lord said he to the King of Tartary I don't know whether the Design that hath brought me hither this Morning will have a favourable Success but I protest I never had a more pressing Interest than that which I have in the King of the Mogols Life It will be glorious unto you my Lord to Treat a Prince generously who you believe hath given you just cause of Offence but it would be an eternal Shame unto you to exercise an unjust Cruelty over him having so many Reasons to esteem him and to look upon him as the Greatest among Men. No body is ignorant of the Services that he hath done you and his Love for the Princess is the onely Crime you can accuse him of But my Lord In the Dignity to which Heaven hath exalted you consider what you owe to that of other Kings Shall you be Powerful only to be Unjust and will you exercise that Power over an Enemy who would not be in your Hands but that he put himself in them an Enemy all whose Steps are Glorious and on whom the Eyes of innumerable Kingdoms are fix'd that would be a ready way to confirm the Ideas which other Nations have of us they look upon us still as Scythians that is to say People without Laws without Gods and without Religion Will you imitate those barbarous Examples of Antiquity which are deservedly esteem'd frightful Prodigies And will you Sacrifice a great King for so light Reasons These light Reasons interrupted Zamar transported with Anger will not pass for such in the Hearts of Mothers as tender as I am and he who attempted to kill my Son before my Eyes and almost in my Arms can never be too severely punished for a Violence that hath cost him so much Blood and me so many Tears I am told reply'd the King of Thibet that Timur was well accompany'd when Zingis attack'd him and even that the Rules of Generosity were not at all observ'd on this Occasion seeing many Swords were at once turn'd against one Man And methinks I have also heard that the King of the Mogols saved the King of Tendur's Life oftner than once in the Wars of Ung. My Lord answered Zamar You are so well inform'd of all that concerns Zingis that it seems you have kept a particular Correspondence with him and that doubtless in our Dominions and upon these Conjectures we might justly What Madam interrupted Philing coldly Lay me in Chains as well as him and add one Injustice to another 'T is no matter from what Mouth I have learn'd the Miracles of his Life it 's sufficient that I am a very sincere and zealous Admirer of them My Lord said Unkan The Queen speaketh as an enraged Mother and you ought not to condemn her Resentment I have considered your Reasons but they have not convinced me and it would be no less than to endanger Vertue to suffer these Men to live that disquiet Kingdoms and without Reason defile the Palaces of Princes with Blood I have received Services of Zingis and Honour'd him as a Stranger whom I judged worthy of my Esteem but he abusing my Easiness remain'd at my Court to delude a young Princess and withdraw her from the Obedience which she oweth unto me and pushing on his Arrogancy to a greater height he assaulteth a Prince who is my Son because he is my Wife 's and to whom I have destin'd my Daughter and returneth incognito to Cambalu to be introduc'd into my House there to Plot secretly with the weak Taxila What do I know but he hath laid Designs against my Life and who will assure me of the Innocency of his Intentions In fine I owe this Victim to my own quiet and it 's only to lose time in vain to sollicite his Liberty I perceive my Lord answer'd Philing That his Ruin is sworn and that you cannot be oppos'd in places entirely subject to your Power But of the Humour of which I am I will never suffer this Cruelty without resenting it Probably you never fear the Wrath of Heaven nor the Scorn of Men but do you imagine that the juster part of this Portion of the World which we inhabit will suffer you to immolate the Illustrious Zingis without doing any thing for his Revenge India Persia and China will be easily mov'd and there wants only added he inspir'd by his Generosity a Prince such as I am to excite them to it and to bring into your Dominions a Storm that will soon overwhelm you He went out after this and seeing his Threats were far distant Undkan and Zamar were more incens'd than frightned at them Their first Thought was to make him to be apprehended but Almundzar and some other Tartars in whom Undkan put Confidence hindered him from proceeding to that Extremity representing unto him that it would be to arm all the Powers of the Universe against himself Zamar was not of this Opinion but she was forc'd to yield The King of Thibet would once again endeavour to see the Princess He was denied admittance into her Apartment as formerly but whilst incens'd with this Denial he meditated upon Means to humble an unjust Power the afflicted Taxila and amiable Axione lived in a sad Solitariness and were only accompanied with dismal Thoughts But what were the Thoughts of Zingis so nigh Taxila and yet so unable to discourse with her Knowing his Enemies so well he doubted not of his Misery and the Idea of Death which he had so often brav'd was less tormenting to him than his Absence from the Princess Almundzar interest'd himself as a generous Friend in Zingis's Misfortunes But how great soever his Credit was with Undkan Zamar still got the better of him He spoke boldly enough to make himself be prohibited to speak more and he had not so much as the Consolation to be able to mitigate the Incommodities which the King of the Mogols suffered in Prison Zerbin who still lay hid in the House of Zingis's generous Friend inform'd him that his Master had Six hundred of the bravest Men in the World hid in