coming from the City Our Guide told us there was no doubt to be made but they were Christians come abroad to scoure the Valley this being just their time of going out and against the consent of us all and before we were aware he called out to them who to our Astonishment answered in Arabick They are Christians Seize them says a Moor that at least I may have something to wreck my Revenge on and saying so they advanced towards us Immediately finding the Danger we had fallen into by the unhappy Spaniards hasty speaking he thought to make some part of amends by telling us that if we could climb to the top of the Rock our little Party would be sufficient to defend it against an Army for some time and that after it was Day the Moors would not venture to stay so near the City we followed his Advice with a Diligence equal to our threatned danger and were ascended to a good height by that time our Enemies were got to that part of it we had quitted But oh Heavens How great was our astonishment when not only by the Voice but Day coming on we knew the chief of our Enemies to be the enraged Hamet who as soon as he discovered who we were and finding us stand in a Posture to defend our selves with our Swords and the loose Stones we had pick'd up on the top of the Rock He called out Yield your selves miserable Slaves said he and hope for the sake of that cruel Beauty you would have robbed me of to have your Lives spared but if you offer at the least resistance expect Death with the utmost aggravation of Torments But all being resolved to defend our Lives to the last he had no other Answer but by the Stones we threw at him wherewith enraged he commanded all his Men to a light who were about forty in number and climb the Rock to take us which they did leaving only enow to hold their Horses those who were most bold to get at us were by the stones we threw soon tumbled down again to their Master my Valiant Lord with the two first Stones went from his hand depriving two of our Enemies of their Lives This strange and unequal Combat lasted above an hour in which time Hamets Men were reduced to half their number but on our side the Eunuch and our Spanish Guide were both slain by the Arrows were shot at us and not one but had received a wound or more When Hamet transported by the resistance we made and at the loss of his Men with those were left he assaulted us a-fresh and when he had not above ten left with him alive gained the height of the Rock My Dear Master with Astolfo by his side did Actions almost past belief till wearied with so long a Dispute and grown faint for want of that Blood had gone from them thorow several wide Passages were made in their Bodies they were just ready to sink under an unequal number of Enemies when Astolfo despairing either of safety or Life retired and left him I had endeavoured from the begining of the combat to appear not less concerned for maintaining our Liberty than the rest had been but at that time weakened by the want of Blood had run from my several wounds I was fallen down unable to give any further Assistance to our almost vanquisht Party having only Life enough left to keep my Eyes open that I might see what would become of my dear Master and I confess when I saw Astolfo had left him alone against all our Enemies I began to doubt with my self whether his quitting the Combat was not an effect of fear till I soon perceived it was despair had drove him before his Death to take a last farwell of his Beloved Roselinda who had remained offering up her Prayers for our safeties from the begining of the Fight He ran to her with as much speed as his weakness would permit and taking her in his Arms I could hear him faintly say farewell my most unfortunate Wife since I cannot live for you at least give me the satisfaction of dying in your Arms to which she answered Oh my Dearest Astolfo be assured I can never quit thy Arms to be forced into those of a barbarous Infidel but since it is the pleasure of Heaven that we must dye let it be in one anothers Arms and let us thus entwined fly together to Eternity I could not hear their last words but saw them haste to the top of the Precipice and embraced very close together threw themselves down to the bottom where they ended their unhappy lives Then casting my eyes towards the place where my Master was fighting I saw him fall dead in the midst of his Enemies which dreadful spectacle took away the remainder of my Spirits and I sunk down with some satisfaction that I should not outlive him But how strangely was I surprized when coming to my self again I was lying in a fair Room with two or three Servants waiting at the Bedside I would gladly have asked where I was admiring to hear they spoke Spanish but did not recover my speech till the end of eight days When I had got strength enough by their care of my wounds to inquire how I came into that place and wherein I deserved to receive kindnesses more than I could hope for among Strangers One of them told me that I was in the Governors House of Antiquera who would let no means be omitted which might conduce to my recovery I exprest my thanks for their care of me with all the acknowledgment I could but being more concern'd for my Master than my own welfare I intreated them to let me know what happy accident had brought me thither and if they could to inform me what was become of those remained in the same condition I was in on the Rock One of those assisted near me was about satisfying my request when he was interrupted by the Governours coming in to make me a Visit and being informed who he was I would have raised my self in the Bed to receive him when he stept to the side of it and hindred me saying I was not in a Condition to use Ceremony and that he had deferred till then coming to see that I might not be disturbed of that Repose was so necessary for me but that being told by the Chyrurgeons I might with safety be discoursed with he was come to give me an account how I fell into his hands and setting down on a Chair by the Bed side he let me know that himself going out with a Party the Morning of our Combate at a good distance from the Rock he saw people on the top of it but believing them some of the Garrison were got up thither to descry if the Country were free from those who almost every Night infested it he kept on his way at an easie pace when one of his Company told him he could discover naked Swords in their
afflicted Princess but that she would rather dye than yield to that compulsion he thought to establish his love by During which time that the amorous Prince had no other enemy to encounter but Diana's obstinate disdain Her loyal Subjects were not idle but fitted out all the Ships were in the Port to pursue him and the Sicilian King ignorant of this new misfortune was got to Sea with a Royal Fleet when coming within two days sail of Mantua he met a Vessel was come out from thence which gave him the sad account of his Princesses Rape upon which fatal intelligence having lamented her misfortune and his own with all the expressions of a violent grief he altered his coarse and stood away to Sea in chase of the detested Ravisher of the Dutchess being assured by all circumstances he was the Prince of Majorca Who while the Seas were spread with Ships to discover him imployed all his time in endeavouring to reconcile himself to the Dutchess whose just indignation she assured him could never be removed but by his returning her back to her own Country which he made as much haste from as the winds would give him leave and nine days after his leaving Mantua early in the Morning the Captain of the Vessel called him upon the Deck to see his own Island promising to land him on it by Noon but in less than an hour they were so becalmed that the Vessel made no way and when they had got out their great Oars to supply with them the want of a Gale at first an easie one began to blow but so exactly off the shore that it drove them faster to Sea than their Oars could work them towards the Land and freshening upon them before it was dark they had again lost sight of the place the Prince hoped by that time to have been a-shore at all Night it blew so fresh that they were almost compelled to bear up before it and the next day about Sunrise they found themselves chased by two Vessels which seemed to gain upon them Alvaro who feared all to be Enemies to prevent their coming up with him stood away with the Wind the Ships following his coarse which they continued to do all day and a little before Night were come up so near that they discovered them to be Mantuans The afflicted Dutchess hoped from the first of their coming in sight to find them her Delievers but when she was told the Ships belonged to her or her Subjects and doubtless abroad in persuit of her Ravisher she offered up her prayers to Heaven that they might reach the Ship she was in but finding the Night would be a means to lose them again seeing Alvaro come into the Cabbin she turned from the Window she was looking out at and throwing her self at his feet with Tears implored him to restore her to her freedom assuring him she would forgive all he had hitherto done against her But his love was too great to forego a prize he now began to hope would be again secured to him and accordingly as soon as it was dark commanding there should be no Lights in the Ship he altered the coarse he had run all day and as he expected in the morning was out of sight of those had chased him the Day before the Wind continuing so high that it almost blew a Storm and finding himself on the coast of Spain near Alicant both to wait the alteration of the Wind and to suffer the Dutchess to refresh her self on shore he stood in and that Afternoon came to an Anchor about a League above the Town He landed his fair Theft at a little Village in a poor House he sent to provide for their reception first having obliged the Dutchess and Nise to change their Cloaths for plainer ones he had provided formerly himself in the habit of an ordinary Seaman never stirring out of their sight or from the Door of the Room he kept them shut up in that they might not speak to any body Alvaro had rested with impatience almost a Week in the Village before the storm had drove him to land was over when finding the Wind fair for his Voyage to Majorca he brought the Dutchess towards Evening from the House he had concealed her in to oblige her to a second imbarcation but as he was crossing the street of the Village towards the Strand where his Boat was ready to receive them he was obliged to stop a-while to let several Coaches and Horsemen pass by who were going towards Alicant and when he thought all gone leading the Dutchess by force to the place where the Boat lay just as he had lifted her into it a Gentleman mounted on a graceful Adaluzian Horse and followed by half a dozen Servants came to the Boatside and asked with courtesie enough what ship that was lay off whether they were going on board but Alvaro either disdaining an answer or fearful of any delay commanded his men to thrust out the Boat without taking any notice of the demand was made him which incivility exasperating the Spanish Gentleman he drew his Sword and riding to his Saddle-skirts into the Water close to the Boat he leapt from his Horse into it followed by his Servants telling the Seamen he would by force know what they denied to his civil request The inraged Prince and his Company had put themselves in a posture of defence when the afflicted Dutchess whose violent grief had made her till then silent rising from the seat she was placed on Sir said she to the injured Spaniard in Italian if you will do a generous act let your Sword not only be imployed to revenge the affront you have received but to rescue a miserable woman from the hands of a wicked ravisher The Spaniard hearing her speak when he was ready to assault those were in the Boat turned towards her before he prest any further and as soon as she had desired his assistance without giving any other answer than by a respectful bow he turned towards Alvaro saying to him If this Lady be willing to go with you for her sake I shall forget the rudeness you have expressed towards me but if it is by compulsion you would force her away I will either redeem her from your violence or resign my life in the attempt of it and ending these words he stept forward towards the Dutchess who incouraged by his generous declaration cryed out 'T is by force Noble Cavallier I have been hurried from my own Country and had rather here end my miserable life than remain longer in the power of that unworthy man is now the disposer of my liberty If her words were an incouragement to the Stranger to persist in his design of freeing her they were no less an incitement to the violent Prince to get the Boat off by force since he found it would no other way be done so that assaulting the young Spaniard who was prepared to receive him and seconded by his
having acquainted all his Relations and the Magistrates of Alicant Who resided in his House She was visited and received the Compliments of all the considerable persons in the City having first by Felicius procurement been furnished with Rich Cloaths suitable to her State One Evening when most of the Company was retired having before observed the great affection of Felicius to his Wife and heard that before his Marriage many considerable Adventures had befallen him and some of those Persons were in his House She expressed a desire of being acquainted with them whose Commands her generous Host not willing to disobey though he could not hide his disturbance at the very thoughts of being to repeat so many misfortunes as he had formerly undergone after himself and all the Company had taken seats by her Order making an humble Obeysance to the Dutchess and directing his Discourse to her in a Language she understood made this following Relation of his Life The History of FELICIVS and NARCISSA SInce it is your Highnes's pleasure to adventure the Trial of your Patience with the hearing those Troubles some part of my Life was attended with I will begg leave to begin my Story where I first began to feel the Persecutions of Fortune which was by the Death of an Indulgent Father whose loss was no ways compensated to me by the enjoyment of a large Patrimony I succeeded him in the Possession of insomuch that to give more freedome to my melancholy I removed from the disturbing noise of the City and retired to a little Country house not many Leagues from hence with no other Company but one Friend called Alvaro and such Servants as were necessary for our Attendance there imploying our time chiefly in the Woods and Fields where our Guns proved the only Diversion we either had or sought after my Friend indeed had before resigned his Liberty to the Charms of a young Lady in this City called Cassandra but to that time Beauty had rather been unregarded than the occasion of any disquiet to my Thoughts till one day in pursuit of my Game I happened alone into a large Wood some distance from my House and quartering it from one side to another I was brought by a Track to a Brook side which run through the lower parts of it where going to Refresh my self with a little water I saw a Woman extended on the Grass asleep whose Garb I thought declared her no Inhabitant of the Woods and Fields her Face being turned from me I was about to retire without disturbing her Rest but out of a Curiosity to see if her Face was equal to the Excellency of her Shape I stept softly round where I beheld a Beauty whose Charms without a long Combate became the full disposers of my Fredome I stood a good while without Motion contemplating those perfections I beheld in her Person till adventuring to kiss her Hand as I stooped to do it by Accident my Gun went off as I held it which hastily awaking her in a Fright she started up and was about to Retire when adventuring to lay hold on her Cloaths to stop her I implored her Pardon on my Knees for the disturbance I had accidentally given her and the presumption I seemed Guilty of in detaining her till I might hope her goodness would forgive my Inadvertency to which she returned an obliging Answer and not able to perswade her from leaving the place so soon she hasted out of the Wood and following her at a little distance I saw her enter a Garden belonging to a fair House adjoyning to the Wood the Door being immediately shut by a Woman who seemed to have waited her coming I presently found my self too much Captivated to retire without farther Knowledge of the Person had gained so intire a Conquest over me so that walking round the Walls of the Garden I saw a Man going towards the House and asking him whose it was he gave me no little Concern when I heard from him that it was the Retreat of my greatest Enemy for I must acquaint your Highness that my Elder Brother in a Duel had Slain a Son of Don Fernando the Father of my adored fair One who resolving to admit no Satisfaction without a general Revenge although my Brother died also of his wounds had withdrawn himself and Family to that solitude till an oppertunity should offer of expressing his Resentment having declared after he heard of my Fathers Death that while I lived there still remained an Object for his Vengeance which could not be pacified by all the endeavours of the most considerable persons in this City He had then only one Son living who was absent at the Court to receive the Order of Calatrava and a Daughter named Narcissa whom I immediately concluded to be the Person I had lately met with Full of disquiet with the imagination of my perverse Fortune I went back into the Wood and not long after meeting Alvaro I gave him an account of my Adventure and also of the irresistableness of the Passion she had inspired me with He was so wise to perswade me with strong Arguments to desist from a pretension I could never hope to succeed in and what would prove most dangerous to my Life if pursued But I found Love had inflamed me with so violent a desire of obtaining what I wisht to enjoy that all his perswasions to the contrary were but as so many incouragements to me to proceed in the enterprize then it was I began to feel the effects my new Passion wrought in me I found it work with a violent force on my Senses sometimes flattering my Soul with imagined Transports then growing more calm it seemed to wrap me in a Lethergy of so much forgetfulness that I ceased to be any longer Master of my Reason but inclined to meet it as an easie Death from an insinuating Tyrant this unintelligable effect which may be called the distraction of the wisest compelled me to disregard the Councel of my prudent Friend who after some days finding my resolutions unalterable promised me his utmost Assistance and for several nights bore me Company to the Walls of my Enemies house which inclosed her to whom I was far from being one where in a kind of Serenade I sung my griefs under the Windows on that side of the House I had learnt was her Apartment this Course we followed several nights till at last being taken notice of I had a caution brought me as we stood under the window by a Villager as I guest him that one who did not hate me advised I should avoid the exposing my Life to so imminent danger as that place threatned me with although I could not guess from whom the Message should come for that time I observed the direction was given me and retired not being able to learn any thing more from the person had brought it But a day or two after resolving to find some way of letting Narcisa know more plainly my
made her of my Love that it might not be very displeasing to me if I could discourse with him unobserved by any Witnesses or overcome as she endeavoured to pretend by the earnest perswasions of that passionate man she dressed him in some of her own Clothes his youth and the comliness of his person contributing to help the disguise and brought him untaken notice of by any to accompany her to my Appartment It were needless for me to repeat the particulars of our Discourse which perhaps were but too tender on my side therefore let it suffice that you know Frederick having learned from her as she own'd that he was not indifferent to me made so good Use of his discovery and exprest his own Passion with so endearing a tenderness that I was induced to forgive Roselinda the betraying of my thoughts and granted permission to that Insinuating Lover once more in the like disguise to see me after the disturbance was over which we very well knew Roselindaes departure would make in the Court So taking my last farewel of her not without Tears at so fatal a departure and my hearty Prayers for her success while I retired to consider what had past and recollect my self after so strange and bold an Adventure they went back to her Fathers that he might change his dress for one more suitable for him Where as he informed me afterwards having put on his own Clothes and hearing the Count was returned from the Court he made him a Visit as if newly come into the House for that purpose only and to wait on his intended Bride The good Old man receiving him with the welcome of a fond Father sent for Roselinda to entertain him and was sufficiently rejoyced to find such an alteration in his Daughters Countenance as appearing more pleasant than he had observed her since the first proposal of their Marriage After a convenient stay Frederick took his leave and the fond Old-man retiring to Bed Roselinda withdrew to prepare for her intended Journey The next morning was attended with a Disorder not at all less than we had imagined when those who entred the Brides Chamber to dress her for her Nuptials found her missing without any account to be learnt what was become of her more than that Astolfo long suspected as her Lover was supposed to have conveyed her away having been seen on Horse-back the night before about Theophilus's House Posts were dispatched forthwith to all parts and an Embargo laid on the Ships and Vessels in every Port within the Dukes Territories with large promises of Reward to whoever should discover them and Death threatned to the concealers of the Fugitives But their utmost Endeavours proved wholly unsuccessful and those poor persecuted Lovers were never heard of to this day which gives me too much cause of fear that they came to some unhappy end since both her Father and mine their only Enemies have been long dead I must confess I could not but be pleased to understand how every considerable person about the Court came as much to condole with Frederick for the loss of his Mistress as with Count Theophilus for that of an only Daughter The disappointed Bridegroom dissembling with so much cunning his satisfaction that there was none but concluded the Ravisher for so Astolfo was termed would meet a rigorous destiny from his hands if he ever fortuned to be discovered If this accident transported my Father to the height of rage against Roselinda and her Lover it contributed to settle Frederick more in his favour than ever using all the endearments imaginable to make him forget his Loss with assurance he would lose no occasion of gaining a Wife for him more rich and beautiful than her had been stole from him little suspecting he had not been deficient in doing that for himself When all things began to be a little quieted Fredericks disturbance commenced in seeking wayes how he might privately see me without being too much observed His former disguise was shelter enough from being known to any body but who to pretend himself was a difficulty long a resolving and two months past without his attainment of what he so much longed for till in the end grown impatient of delay he found out Roselinda's Maid who had been privy to her escape and with large Gifts and Promises believed he had secured her to be faithful both in assisting him and concealing his design She by his direction visiting one of my Women who had not been long at Court and scarce knew any body told her a young Lady newly arrived at Mantua in her way to Rome was very ambitious of kissing my hand but desired it might be when I was most private urging it for her Modesty and that being on a journey she was unprovided of those Ornaments a publick Appearance required The Innocent Woman having promised to comply with the Strangers request came to beg my permission to introduce her when I should be alone The sudden apprehension I had that Frederick was the Visitant put me into some disorder considering the danger so rash a Venture exposed us both to but partly of my self inclinable to hear the renewed Vows of that sincere Lover and not willing to deny him a Favour he had my Promise of permitting assured by those silent expressions he made me understand in publick that the delay his Visit had met with was no small Torment to him I gave permission that in the Evening she should bring the Stranger Lady to me which she did without the least suspition of his being other than what was pretended while one or two of my Women waited at some distance in the Room I only discoursed my passionate Counterfeit about her Country and the design of her Travel who readily pretended a life not without some extraordinary adventures but such as though she would not deny me the knowledge of yet were of that consequence as not to be imparted to any one else Whereupon willing to remove the restraint he was in I retired to my Closet with a seeming design to learn her Story Ah Nise when he found himself at liberty to speak had you beheld his joyfully transported carriage and heard those endearing supplications he made kneeling at my Feet you would have allowed his Love too sincere and tender to be rejected by one less partial than mine had made me in what concerned that Gallant man I must confess the declaration of his Love this second time was with that cautious respect and winning endearment as made it impossible for me to keep him longer ignorant of the Place he had in my Affection I am sensible the World would have condemned me for so hasty an owning my Inclination though it had approved him worthy of me but alas my restraint was such that I could never promise him nor my self a possibility of seeing him where I might speak again without the hazard of both our safeties It would be needless to repeat all he said
Host consuming it in the consideration of what course I should take to know what was become of him whom I could not but hope to be still alive since he had escaped so miraculously from the River I resolved to visit Tunis although I exposed my self to a certain slavery which in a few days I performed having met with an English Ship was bound thither to Trade I embarqued my self and in less than a month after my Masters being carried away I was landed in that considerable City of Affrick It had been my Fathers mischance when young to be taken and kept six years a slave in Tripoli during which time he had perfectly learnt the Arabick Language and for a diversion had taught me so much of it that I could discourse indifferently well in it and it stood me so much in stead that cloathing my self in the Moorish Garb I was credited to be what I pretended my self a Moor of Tetuan taken a slave by the Christians so young that I had almost forgot my own Language and that having by my hard labour got enough to procure my ransom I was landed there in order to return to my own Country So that being lookt on as an absolute Moor I had as much opportunity as I could wish to inquire after my dear Master though a great while without any effect till one day hearing some Slaves talk of their Captivity and inquiring from what part they had been taken one of them told me he was a Mantuan brought over much about the time I knew my Master was lost and examining him more particularly of what other Slaves were taken with him I learnt not without a transport of joy that he came thither in the same Vessel with my Master that by the Moors care of his wounds both during their Voyage and a-shore he had been perfectly recovered and since was bought by the King of Tunis for a vast price Upon this intelligence I was so continually about the Seraglio that at last I discovered my dear Master in a Dress much different to what I was wont to behold him he was pleased to tell me my presence was not a little welcome to him though he lookt shyly on me fearing by my wearing a Turkish Habit I had been turned Renegado till giving him an account of all I had done his goodness but too much acknowledged my love to him For the first time we durst not be too long together lest my Disguise should grow suspected and afterwards when we met our Consultation was how possibly to procure his enlargement from a Master never admitted a ransom for his Slaves so that all our hopes must depend on the Kings being procured to give him to some Courtier who would be willing to see him exchanged for a considerable sum of money During the time we were taken up with these Considerations there happen'd an occasion which I was willing to lay hold of as what might much conduce to my Lords enlargement A Noble man of Tunis called Mahomad Alli having a young Son whom he desired to have instructed in Musick and hearing I had learnt a proficiency in that used in Italy during my Captivity sent for mâ—â— making great offers of requital if I would take upon me the teaching of his Son which I willingly offered and in a few weeks gained the Fathers heart by the improvement his Son had made in the Science I was thought a Master of And being of himself a man more desirous of knowledge than the generality of his Country men are he took a great delight in hearing me relate the Manners and Customs of Christendom so that at last I was grown so much in his favour as to be intrusted with the management of his Affairs and ordering his House in the City when he went to divertise himself at a Seat he had some miles out of Town where he used often to be as I learnt drawn thither by the love of a fair Christian Slave had been presented him and finding his good opinion of me so great that he exprest a willingness to do me any considerable kindness I could beg of him One day when he was much delighted to hear me play on the Harp I told him among the Kings Slaves I had met with a young man whom I knew in Italy and whose Friends had been so particularly kind in conducing to my deliverance from a long Captivity that the only thing I would beseech of him was if possible to get that Slave out of the Kings hands which he might beg for not without hopes of success and give me leave as a grateful requital to him and his Friends to set him at liberty as soon as he heard what I desired of him he blamed my modesty in asking so small a Boon and promised that very day to procure what I sought not doubting to speed in it At the time he went to the Seraglio to procure my Lords liberty I went to acquaint him the good news of a freedom he might soon expect but all our joy was dissipated at Mahomads return who told me that although my request was small yet at that time impossible to be granted for the King having news of a Rebellion in the farthest part of his Dominions which being slighted at first had given the Rebels time to carry all before them so that the King resolving to go in person with an Army against them all his Slaves were appointed for the journey and that he himself being commanded to attend the King in the expedition resolved to intrust the Government and Ordering of his Family to my care until his return If I was grieved at the certain prolongation of my Masters captivity that concern was doubly aggravated at the consideration of being separated from him so long a time as that was like to be if he should ever return I used all the arguments I could to perswade Mahomad I might accompany him but in conclusion it was almost by a forced licence that I went having declared that if he thought me unworthy to be near him where he might be exposed to continual dangers as soon as ever he was departed to the Army I would return to my Native Country and Friends in Tetuan A few days after the King began his journey finding at the Randezvous he had appointed a compleat Army of thirty five thousand men all well appointed besides the usual attendants on a Camp he proceeded with short journeys n t to harrase his men before they came up with the enemy having heard by those he had sent out that they seemed to expect him and it was believed would stand a Battel I should pass over what concerns the Wars of Tunis without troubling your Highness to hear any thing of them but that my dear Master made a considerable character in that War during our march I had all the opportunity I could desire of seeing and discoursing with him his resolutions were to attempt the doing some remarkable
assurance of an intire Victory for the Confirmation of which meeting none in that part of the Field but such as offered their Throats to our Swords He called to those who were nearest him telling them they had done nothing till the day was as much secured in other places as where they had then fought and being answered That lead where he would they were ready to dye by his Side or Vanquish with him having by this time drove the scattered Wing of the Enemy quite out of the Field he wheeled about and fell in upon the Rear of the main Body finding them so much work where they least expected it that they soon desisted from further pressing upon the King to defend themselves against the impetuosity of a fresh Charge but the Shouts of our Men crying out The Rebel Albazin is dead and an Officer of ours having after my Master left the Place where he fell cut off his Head and fixt it on the point of a Launce brought it in sight of those were still Fighting which Spectacle was so amazing to them that now desperate either of success or safety they were quickly reduced to the same condition their Left-wing was in and those of their Right which had gained advantage enough before endeavoured to save themselves by a hasty flight There fell on the Kings Side above eight thousand Men and most of the Officers who fought near the King had lost their Lives to secure his which occasioned my Masters having the sole leading of those with whom he recovered a lost Battel the Enemy left dead on the place near thirty thousand Men the King putting all to the Sword after they had thrown down their Arms. As soon as my Master came where the King was alighting from his Horse as he would have knelt down he took him in his Arms calling him his deliverer and preserver both of his Crown and Life nor was there a Souldier in the Army but attributed their Victory to my Masters Courage It will not be to my purpose to trouble your Highness with any other circumstances past there more than that all was reduced again to the Kings obedience and after four months absence we arrived safe again at Tunis my Master being recovered of his wounds and grown in such esteem with the King that he was by all termed the favourite-Slave One thing I had like to have omited that my friend Mahomad who held a considerable Charge in the Army was at the beginning of the Fight dangerously wounded and carried out of the Field but afterwards he recovered having been during his illness so carefully attended by me that at our coming back to Tunis he used me with much greater kindness than before But a few days after a sad misfortune which befell my Master turned all our tranquility into grief The King having seen the happy effects of his Valour and keeping him continually near him was grown so delighted with his Conversation that desirous to add Favours to those he had bestowed and for the future to deter my Master from ever urging him again to restore him to his Liberty set very earnestly upon him to perswade the alteration of his Religion thereby putting himself into a condition to be the Kings Son-in-Law he having assured him he desired no other Husband for his only Daughter You may judg Madam how much he was surprized at so strange a Proposal finding that as his own resolutions were sufficiently fixt so the denial would much disturb the King And his absolute refusal though with modesty and acknowledgment enough was so far from inducing the King to desist that he not only prest it more and more every day but set the Mufti upon him to endeavour the bringing him to their Belief promising a vast reward to him that should prove succesfull in it and when all their Arguments and promises could avail nothing one of them found a way which had near ruined my Master for the King growing at last almost angry to be refused that by a Slave which he thought deserved the Prayers of Princes to obtain was satisfied with what one of the Priests told him that Frederick when he had slain Albazin put on his green Turbat which colour being sacred to their Prophet the Christian who is bold to prophane it by the wearing ought by their Laws either to change his Religion or expiate with his Blood the offence The King by their means though with some reluctance was perswaded to attempt him in that matter assured he would rather live the Son of a King and Husband to a beautifull Lady than expose his Life for the sake of Religion So that one morning as he entred the Seraglio a Guard seized him and carried him away Prisoner to a private part of it where the Mufti made him the Proposal either of Life or Death which last he firmly demanding rather than his Belief should be so much as questioned they so incensed the King against him by those reproaches he gave their Prophet that at last his Life became in a great deal of danger and although the Execution was deferred in hopes he might recant yet he was made a close Prisoner with the threat of never being releast but on the tearms were made him He continued a Prisoner for several months without my being able to see or send to him having learn'd from Mahomad the condition he was in who very much blamed the King's ingratitude having nothing to alledg for his excuse but that great influence the Mufti had over him whom he knew to be violent in what concerns any matter of their Sect. While my dear Master remained in Prison I was grown so melancholy that Mahomad who exprest much trouble for it took me along with him to his Country-house to give me some diversion telling me he had an Italian Slave whose conversation he believed I should be much delighted with and as the highest token of his favour promised me a sight of his fair but coy Mistriss on the way he entertained me with his love of her letting me know that a Ship he sent out at his own charge took her among several other Captives on the Coast of Florence and with her his Italian who was brought to him desperately wounded having resisted while he had strength to do it those who assaulted him that he kept his fair Slave there least the noise of her Beauty might by the Mariners discourse of it come to the Kings Ear and he should demand her purposing by having her concealed where no body knew of her to tell the King if he should ever inquire after her that she had been ransomed resolving rather to part with his Life than Love although her obstinacy was such that he had never been able to overcome it not having power to use force if she were possibly any other way to be won As soon as we were allighted at his House where his Servants were ready to receive him I could scarce credit my
Christian Although the difficulty of having a City Gate opened was not easily to be removed believing so fair an opportunity would scarce offer again I was resolved to further it all I could Alstolfo having told me that both my Master and himself were resolved to expose their Lives to the utmost Peril and rather kill Hamet in his House than let Roselinda be Ravished by him The City of Antiquera was at that time in the Power of the Spaniards being but seven Leagues from the Place where we were so that if we could get forth untaken notice of having once entred the Mountains the discovery of us if pursued would be difficult but how to find the way created us most trouble all being Strangers in that Country to which Astolfo answered that Hamet having bought a Spanish Slave since his Arrival they might easily take him with them who would doubtless serve as a Guide I sent Astolfo back desiring him to provide all things ready against the next Night and in the mean time I enquired out who had the Charge of that Gate we purposed to pass and finding him a young Man in whose Company I had been where most People used to resort and Converse together as soon as I had found him falling into Discourse of the difference between Spain and Africk he seemed to like the former chiefly for the Recreation he had in pursuing such Game as the Neighbouring Mountains were stored with and hearing me declare my self a great lover of Hunting he presently invited me to go along with him the next Morning and that in order to it we might go and lye the same Night at a House he had half a League out of Town I accepted the offer for the Night following saying I would bring a Friend or two with me so we parted till the next day in the mean time having given notice to the rest to be ready two hours within Night I would not be seen by the young Moor till toward the Evening when I believed he would expect me ready to go and then finding him at his Gate waiting only my coming to be gone I told him an unlookt-for business would forcibly detain me till some time within Night but if he would order the Gate to be opened for me and my Friends we would certainly be with him long before Morning he was very desirous of staying for me but I pretending to accept no such Compliment perswaded him to set forward first commanding the Guard to let me and who ever came with me through at any time of the Night After he was gone I waited at my Lodging till the time drew near for my Master and his Companies coming forth and then finding the Back-door of the Garden to Hamets House at the time I had appointed came forth my Master Astolfo Roselinda the Eunuch and the Slave who had with Joy undertaken to be our Guide As soon as I came to the Gate according to the Order had been given they let us all forth without asking any Question and taking the Way our Guide directed a little after Midnight we reached the Mountains as we were on the way the Eunuch told us that Hamet coming early home and visiting Roselinda stayed no longer than to tell her that the following Night she must either by force or freely yield and so leaving her went to Bed whom he lockt in and then brought forth all his Companions to me whose Design of flying to the Christians he much wondred at till acquainted with my disguise All that night we travelled without meeting any Body having reached about three Leagues the ways being so Rocky that Roselinda could scarce climb the Hills with all the Assistance we afforded her and though we had got the advantage of the Suns Light yet our Journey all day was as tedious being perswaded by our Guide to leave the Road for fear of a pursuit so that what with our going about and making a way thorow the Sedge of the Mountains it was within an hour of Sun-set when we came to the utmost of the Hills from whence we could discern a spacious Plain and a League from the Foot of the Mountain on a rising Ground that Christian City grown famous by holding out so long against the Moors that the Grandchildren of those who first shut up the Gates at that time maintained the Walls against their Enemies having been besieged and blocked up near seventy years We made what possible hast we could down into the Plain hoping before Night to enter our City of Refuge but the difficulty of descending the craggy Cliffs where there was no Path took us up so much time that it was quite dark when we recovered the bottome of those asperous Mountains and though we were got into a High-way which our Guide told us Lead to the City yet fearing to encounter any Party of Moors who used to be abroad in the Night we left the Tract and by the direction of our Spanish Captive going almost half a mile within the Plain we came to the Foot of a large and steep Rock which rose in the middle of the Valley being to be got up but on one side the other making a very high Precipice At the bottom of this fatal Rock we thought it convenient to Repose our selves as in a place of security till the days approach when our Spaniard told us there would be no hazard of meeting any Enemies the Christians using to be abroad every Morning to scour the Coast of those Parties of Moors who many times by the Nights shelter have adventured under their very Walls either to Alarm them or take up any they could find stragling without their Lines Fredericks loyal servant coming to this part of his Relation was interrupted by a crowd of Sighs forced a passage from his Breast but a little suppressing them and drying the Tears from his Eyes I wish Madam continued he I might here conclude my Story since what remains to acquaint you with I am confident will occasion no less trouble to you than pitty for those unfortunate people whose Adventures you have heard The fair Dutchess could not suppress her foreboding sorrow to find how unwilling he was to let her know any more but striving with her self and in a manner expecting the worst She desired he would leave nothing untold which concerned any of that miserable Company and leaning on Nise with a Handkerchief wet with Tears before her Eyes she listened to the conclusion of his History Since you must not be disobeyed said the sorrowful Roman I am to acquaint your Highness that we spent most part of the Night with satisfaction enough in repeating our past Adventures joyful that in a few hours we hoped to find our selves in a place of safety and the first dawn of the Morning was welcomed by us all at which time in a Road not far from the Rock we heard the trampling of Horses and soon after discovered a Party as we guessed