Eminent Reputation and my particular Friend whâ—se Assistance I am affur'd of in this affair You shall take two hundred and fifty pounds of this Money a Footman and Two Maids to wait upon you and assume a Name both honourable and well known in the West of England and pass for a Gentle woman of the same Name of a very considerable Fortune and at her own disposal My Friend I spoke of shall take you fair Lodgings in a Merchants House give you the Character I mention'd and assist you in the whole Conduct of this design Very well sayes Bellinda now you have reduc'd me to nothing you intend to set me up for a Fortune like a Gilt of the Town Soft sayes Charilus you are too quick upon Me and overshoot the mark this being done I 'le go down into the Country and reconcile my self to my Vncle who has a fair Estate which I am next Heyr at Law to if he don't Cut of the Entail and make use of my Courtship to you and the hopes I have of your Favour to Cement the difference between us and Engage his Interest for the obtaining your Love of which I know how to make good Advantage Well then and what must be the Issue of this Why nothing Child but an Establish'd Felicity to us both in Matrimony and the Secureing my Vncles Estate when ever Heaven shall call him into a better World I know not how sayes Bellinda to trust any affair where there is Matrimony in it it is a word so abusâ—d upon all Occasions and I my self have had some litttle Experirience of it but I forbear that 's a tender part But doe what you please you shall always find me of the same obsequious humour Charilus having fixt this point and seen Bellinda placed at a Merchants House where she had the Reputation of a Fortune of Eight Thousand pounds and five Hundred li. per An. and made some Vifits to her he went down into the Country where his Uncle receiv'd him as a Gentleman and a stranger of whom he had not heard a word this seven years but as Common fame reported him to his disadvantage After he had Spent two dayes there his Unclecame to a more easy familiarity and enquir'd of his affairs blameing his Imprudent management of his Estate and Riotous Expences which Charilus in part Confess'd and laid his finger where he thought his Uncles Eye had not yet discover'd the blemish This he thought a proper Season to discourse him of his Courtship to Bellinda whose Name we will preserve tho' her Character 's alter'd he assur'd him of her fortune and his Interest with her and that if he would please to afford him the least Umbrage of his favour he did not question Success and that he should be not only able to repair the Breaches in his Estate but considerably advance it by this plentifull Addition His Uncle told him he had in so high a Measure forfeited his Esteem with him that he might reasonably imagine he suffer'd as much in the Opinion of others That this would be a work of great difficulty and beside fortunes now a days were grown so common and Cunning that very often the most Judicious Eye could not distinguish the real from the Counterfeit After other reasonings on both sides the Uncle seem'd to be satisfied with Charilus his discourse of the fortune and told him that if he would stay with him till Term which was not long he would consider farther of it and then he had buisness at London During his stay in the Country he wrote two Letters to Bellinda which he Show'd his Uncle and the Answers he receiv'd by which he abated the difficulty of the Courtship so that now the great Quaere was the certainty of the Estate and Money At the beginning of Easter Term they both came up to London and Charilus would have made a Visit the next Afternoon to his Mistress but his Uncle told him the Taylor had been with him in the Morning and promis'd him to bring his Clothes by twelve the next day and that he had a mind to go along with him if he would defer it to thâ— next Afeternoon which Charilus consented to and they accordingly went together At the door he met with one of Bellinda's Maids and ask'd if her Lâ—dy was within who Answered yes pray Sweet heart sayes he Present my very humble Service to her and let her Ladyship know my Name is Charisus who beg the Honour to kiss her Hand The Maid went up with the Message and presently down came her Woman with this Answer Sir my Lady presents her Service to you She 's something indispos'd at this time and begs your pardon Upon which Charilus and his Uncle return'd to their Lodging Where the Uncle Umph'd and Umph'd And told Charilus this was a Sort of a cold indifferent Complement which he excus'd that Ladies of that quality and fortune did often put on State to give a greater value and Esteem to their Character However the Uncle was much disatisfied to see his Nephew thus Slighted and urg'd that they should make a Second Visit by Nine next Morning which he Excus'd as not the Mode of the Town to Visit Ladies but in the Afternoon Next day he was Impatient till the Clock had struck Three that he might have a Sight of this Lady after three they made a Second attempt to a Visit and sent up the same Message as before but the Uncle for fear of some excuse pull'd Charilus by the Sleeve and followed the Servant up stairs where they met her returning to Invite them up At their entrance into the Dining Room they saw the Lady at the Table talking with a Gentleman and a great heap of writings and parchments before them upon which Charilu stept bâ—ck but the Lady very familiarly call'd him in and desir'd his Friend would please to walk in too which Invitation the Uncle had already prevented out of his great Curiosity to see the Lady Charilus saluted her with all imaginable respect and ask'd pardon for interrupting of her in the midst of Buiâ—ness Sâ—e answer'd it was no great Buisness this Gentleman was her Lawyer and they had been looking over some loose papers at which she turn'd the Carpet gently over them and told the Gentleman if he pleas'd to come at Ten in the Morning they would Inspect the rest upon which he took his Ieave Then she particularly apologiz'd for yesterdays rudeness as she pleased to call it that indeed she had been busie all day wiâ—h her Lawyer was undrest and understanding there was a stranger with you Sir to Charilus I was forc't to use the frequent excuse of our Sex which I beg this Gentlemans pardon for to the Uncle which Complement after he had taken care to Answer She invited them to sit down and put on a most facetious and obliging Countenance Amongst other discourse Charilus ask'd if the Painter had finished her Ladyships Picture yet yes Sir
me Amasius as if I were that Object of your happiest desires the Seas now part you from and I cannot but believe at the same time you address your Commendations to Ortelia you intend them to one more Lovely in your Esteem I did not think Madam replyes Amasius you was so much a Siranger to your own perfections to believe these Eyes could be so much deceiv'd as to place my respects on any other Object Oh no assure your self that if Amasius must not be admitted to admire his Ortelia to steal a kiss and Imprint his Lips on those fair Hands to Languish at your Feet and beg your Compassion the grave shall have my Couriship and for ever will I bid Adieu to all the empty pleasures on this side the Dust With these and such like Courtly Expressions as opportunity would give leave did our Enamor'd Pair pass away the Hours and give each other the assurance of as strong and lasting an Affection as Love it self could implant in the minds of the most passionate Nor was the same so secretly caution'd but that the Parents of Ortelia took Notice of its Growth which as they saw no reason to discourage so neither would they give License to the continuance of it till such time as Amasius his Father was acquainted with it and they had obtain'd his consent To which purpose the Dutch Merchant discours'd Amasius telling him that he was on his part ready to give Ortelia a proportionable fortune to what his Father should settle on him and was no wayes averse to his Marriage with his Daughter Amasius with tears of Joy return'd his acknowledgements and Entreated him by all the Endearments Imaginable by the next Pacquet to acquaint his Father with it and beg his leave that it might be forthwith Consummated this he promifed and accordingly did This Letter Amasius Seconded with one of his own wherein he described the Vertues and agreeable sweetness of Ortelia's temper begging pardon that without his leave his thoughts had been fixt upon her which he believ'd were directed by the Hand of providence and design'd by Heaven for the Establishment of his future happiness The Father was well pleased with the proposals made by his Correspondent and in a short time after return'd his consent This was certainly welcom'd with no inconsiderable Joy by the Lovers who had Spent the last month in fear that some cross accident might Obviate their expectations or at least procrastinate their Nuptials which they so earnestly wished for But having now the Consent of their Parents Concurrent with their own desires the day of Marriage was agreed upon to be within a fortnight and all necessary preparations taken care of to render it as Splendid as publick The pulses of our Lovers be at nothing but desire and the Minutes seem'd to Travel on Crutches and the Hours with a snails pace followed after Ten dayes were now past and the Eleventh had shewed his Face when early in the Morning a Letter came by a particular Hand to Amasius from his Father the Contents were in these words My Dear Amasius If ever thon intendest to see thy Living Father and as thou tenderest my Blessing upon Sigâ—t of this without any delay make all possible hast to Thy Loving and Dying Father R. A. Never did the young Swain with greater Horrour see the Enlightned Sky Dart out a growing Thunder bolt amidst his harmless flock then did Amasius receive this killing Message which struck his Enlivened Joy into Mortal apprehensions A Command so peremptory admited no excuse nor can I relate with how great a discontent he was forced to obey the Mandate or in the least proportion express the sad Farewell he was constrain'd to take of his weeping Ortelia The tears they Shed or the Sighs that broke prison from their Breasts were as innumerable as the tears of Autumn or the dropâ— that fill the Oecan yet obedience was indisputable and his dolatory and unwilling departure Criminal in short he Sigh'd and vow'd Eternal Love promis'd his return almost dying on her Lips in his last salute took leave repaired to his Ship which waited for him The willing winds wafted him unwillingly from the Joy of his Soul and in a few Hours he lost fight of shore where he had continually fixt his Eyes and lest his dearest treasure In every blast he thought he heard Ortelias lamentation and grew angry with the Churlish winds that they would not do him the same kind Office and return his Sighs to Her His Voyage was but too prosperous in Conveying him thence though in some measure he was pleased therewith in that it gave him hopes he should be the less while from the Mistress of his affections with whom he had left his heart the pledge of his resolv'd return In a few days he arrived at London where he found his Father upon recovery from a dangerous sickness in which his Physicians had dispaired of his Life The old Gentleman welcom'd his beloved Amasius with the hearty affections of an Indulgent Father whilst he Congratulated his escape from the Grave with all the Transports of a dutiful Son After a little time he recover'd a good state of health and receiv'd the Visits of his Friends and Neighbours The General Accomplishments of Amasius his affable discourse and Courteous behaviour were observ'd by all who Commended him for the most compleat Gentleman they had ever seen amongst others an Antient Gentleman Master of a great Estate and Father of our only Daughter to inherit it propos'd her to Amasius his Father as a convenient Match for his Son at such time as he had procur'd his leave to depart and Consummate his Bliss with the Beauteous Ortelia This old Fox knowing that her fortune would treble what was offer'd with Orealia greedily devour'd the bait and Commanded Amasius to forget his first and apply his Addresses to this Second Mystress which tho' he refused with all the prayers and Gentle Arguments Love could Muster on his behalf by the recital of those many and Sacred Vowes he had pass'd and the miseryes he must certainly meet in the Violation of that Troth which Heaven it self had been witness to yet the passionate Father wholly devoted to his Interest would by no means be prevail'd upon but injoyn'd him by his Paternal Authority and as he hop'd to Heyr his Favour and fortunes to obey his Command wretchedly miserable was the Condition of Amasius but complaints were in Vain the old Men were agreed and he must submit or incurr his Fathers utmost displeasure However not all their Art or Industry could ever alienate his thoughts from his dear Ortelia She was constantly in his Eye and the Subject of every Melancholy Soliloquy that he repâ—ated to the careless winds and unanswering Groves where he Sigh'd away his tedious Hours In Memory of her the tender Trees were wounded to Carve her Name and every kind Turf that used to be his Couch was Nourish'd
near York that place was fixt upon hoping that Change of Air and variety of Company might be of advantage to his Health and a diversion to his Melancholy But Alas He never Enjoy'd a Minute free from the thoughts of his fair deceas'd Ortelia the only Intervals of pleasure he had were when the kind Ghost of Ortetelia came to visit him which she was often wont to do or at least his deluded Fancy Imagined so from that time when by the Severity of his Father he was forc't to discover that he had both seen and discoursed with her the Night before the intended Marriage At several times would he start upon a sudden from his Company saying do you not hear Ortelia's voice I come I come my Dear Ah there she is pray do but observe how kindly the poor Ortelia looks on her Amasius see how Melancholy and pale she is how beautifully sorrowful she Glances at me Oh my Dear I come but when shall I come never to part from thee more Oh that this was that blessed Hour that would make me for ever happy with thee And then retireing into the next Room would talk with the same passionate Expressions of Love and tenderness to her as if he did really Conversc with her in the visible form of Flesh and Blood Thus did he pass away about half a year when one Night after he had been walking and discoursing with her for at least two Hour tho' at all these several times she was never seen by any Person but himself fometimes indeed they could distinguish two several Voices when returning to his Friends more pleasant and Merry then ever he had been before I thank Heaven sayes he my sorrows have now found a period I have but sew nights more to repose on Earth and then shall I live with my Ortelia and enjoy Eternal Rest of Body and Tranquillity of mind That Night he Slept heartily and next Morning arose early in a most Serene and Compos'd Temper at which his Friends were extreamly pleased and tho' they were much Surpriz'd at the discourse of his approaching Death yet seeing him continue so well for three dayes they began to forget their fears and please themselves with the vain hopes of his perfect recovery The next day being Thursday and Bowling-day it was agreed they should take their Horses and Ride to the Green and there Dine with other Gentlemen who usually Met there once a Week Amasius chearfully consented to it which was the more taken Notice of it being the first time they could ever prevail with him to go into a publick Company or divert himself with any Sociable Recreation After Dinner they Bowl'd again when a dispute arising about a Cast Amasius took his friends part at which his Adversary was so Incensed being a Cholerick Person that he struck him with his fist but the Gentlemen who were present interposeing they prevented any farther Mischeif Amasius who disdain'd to receive so publick an Injury with the patience of a coward withdrew into the Garden and privately sent a note to the Gentleman to let him know he there expected with his Sword in his Hand Satifaction for the Affront he had put upon him His adversary came and after some few passes ran Amasius through the heart of which he immediately dyed and went with Joy to meet his Dear Ortelia in the Shades below to the great Grief of his Father and all his friends who had known his Vertuous and Honourable Accomplishments Aurelia having thus Finish'd her Tragicall Relation Melintus paid her his more particular acknowledgements nor did the Rest of the Company forget their Respects tho' all thought it an unreasonable Entertainment for a Gentleman whose present Distemper had too much affinity to Honorius his Melancholy passion and were not a little apprehensive of the ill Effects it might produce However to prevent his being too serious and considerate upon it Lysander who was next in the Rota took his turn and thus address'd to the Company NOVEL the Third By LYSANDER IT was the unhappiness of Cratander whose Generosity very often out-stript his prudence and his Natural Bounty the Narrow Confines of his Estate to be at last reduc'd to great necessity his Friends Commiserating his Condition advised how they might best assist his present distress and prevent his own and the dishonour of his family They resolv'd at last upon a friendly Contribution to raise some Moneys and present him with a good Gelding and propos'd to him the going up to London where he might put himself into some employ and particularly that of the Kings Guards which would afford him a Gentile and competent Support Cratander was easily perswaded to embrace the Councel of his friends and not long after left the North his Native Countrey and took his Journey to London After he had spent some Months there in vain either through his own ill Conduct the Modesty of his Temper which could not Sue for favours with that Confidence which others succeed by or that his Stars had design'd him for some greater end having almost Spent the little Stock he had he saw he should be soon forc't to Sell his Horse to buy Hay and to Live longer there at so great Expence would most certainly involve him in Debt and Misery In the midst of these distracted thoughts he resolved to quit the Town and make a Visit to an old Acquaintance who was Master of a plentifull Estate and lived in the West of England and accordingly did so The next Morning he set out early and Travell'd almost fifty Miles when Night coming upon him hastily he lost his way upon a great Common and not knowing the Coast of the Countrey wandred up and down till at last he spy'd a Candle at a Shepherds Cott about half a Mile distance which he steer'd up to Hallowing to know who liv'd there the Shepherd came out of whom he Enquired the way to the Town he intended to Lodge at that Night the Shepherd told him he was five Miles off and the way difficult to find if he was a stranger in the Countrey Cratander told him he was and had already lost his way and tired his Horse and If he would be so kind to give him Accommodation for that night he would gratifie him to his Content The Shepherd told him his was a House but of one Room tho' plentifully Furnish'd with Inhabitants that besides his Wife and himself he had Six Children and but one Bed and a Matress and not so much as a Hovell to put his Horse in Cratander then enquired if there was no neighbouring Village could give him a Reception for one night the Shepherd told him a mile off there was one and if he pleas'd he would be his Guide which Cratander accepted of when they were Arrived at it they found but one Ale-house in the Town and that afforded no better Accommodation then the Shepherds Hutt Cratander in this distress ask'd if there was no
bid you tell me thus I I She her self bid me and said that very suddenly she would make you Gentleman of the Horse The innocent Gentleman discovered not the Snares his Uncle had laid for him but in the Evening accordingly did so after Sabrino had been at his Chamber and found him not there nor about the House he concluded he was then safely Lodg'd under the Bed and a little before the Countess went to her Chamber sent for the Commissioners and told them he was inform'd that the Countess's Gallant was to be with her that Night but who he was that he could not tell Sabrino and the rest concluded to pretend some extraordinary business to be dispatched that Night and to desire to speak with her as soon as her Women had left her and then if there was any Gallant they should certainly discover him if not give the Countess no reason to suspect their design Accordingly they did so and coming softly up stairs knock'd at her Chamber door an old Gentlewoman who had formerly been her Nurse lay in the Chamber with her and was going into Bed when she heard some Body knock at the Chamber door She asked who was there And their business to which one of them answered we are the Commissioners and want to speak one word with her Honour upon Urgent business which was forgot before and must be dispatched this Night She acquainted the Countess with what they said who ordered her to let them in As they were by her Bed-side discoursing with her Sabrino cryes out I here he is here 's the Rogue and pulls his Nephew by the heels from under the Bed and calling him Rogue Villain and Traytor to abuse se good a Lord struck him through the heart with his Sword before he could speak one word to Vindicate himself or his Ladies Honour It was now in vain for the Countess to Endeavour to purge her self from a Crime which appeared against her by so Notorious an Evidence tho' she did in the presence of several Worthy persons take the Sacrament upon it that as she never had been Guilty against her Husbands Bed so she knew nothing of that Persons being there that it was all the malicious Contrivance of Sabrino whose unlawful desires she had refused with Scorn and contempt that had now plotted this Revenge to Rob her of her life and Honour at the same time This some believ'd who thought the Countess to be as uncorrupt as Vertue it self But others said here 's plain demonstration against her and she who dares commit Adultery will not stick to a lye to defend her Guilt The Commissioners writ a Letter to the Count to acquaint him with this unhappy News in which they gave a most particular account and in the Close highly Commended the Fidelity and Justice of Sabrino who seeing his Honour abused would not spare his nearest Relation The Count was astonished at the News above any Misfortune that could have happened and notwithstanding this demonstration as they call'd it in their Letter he put a greater Confidence in the Justice and integrity of the Countess then in all their Solemn protestations And as he sent them word He was extreamly troubled for the Countess that she should lye under so heavy an Aspersion which if he did not believe the World would and therefore with prayers for her deliverance if Innocent did resign her up to the Law so he should have been much better Satisfied in the Guilt of his Wife if Sabrino had Spar'd his Kinsmans Life in that Transport of rage in which he kill'd him Upon the Receipt of this Letter thâ— Commissioners as the Custom is there disposed the Countess into a Nunnery where She is to continue a year and a day and if in that time no Champion appears to justifie her Innocence against her Accuser She is upon the last day brought into the List appointed for the Combatants if there be any and there burnt at a Stake which death she Legally suffers if her Champion has the worst of it The Countess was highly sensible of this as the greatest affliction that ever befell her yet her own Innocence and the Satisfaction that arose from thence made the distress much more easy and supportable The Count was still Engag'd in the Wars and the Countess had now been three quarters of a year a Prisoner in the Nunnery and no Person appear'd in her behalf to Vindicate her Honour and Virtue She now considered that the small remainder of her Life would soon be gone and unless some Centleman would Entertain such Honourable thoughts of her as to believe her Guiltless and Engage his Life to preserve hers she must certainly suffer and as no Person had yet offer'd himself so was she altogether at a loss where to find that Gallant Friend At last amongst other English Gentlemen who had been formerly her Friends and Acquaintance She fixt upon Philanthus but at the same time Corrected her Errour in thinking that he who believed himself the most disobliged of all Mankind should now hazard his Life to Vindicate her Reputation No certainly he would be pleas'd to hear of her Miseries and rejoyce to see her proud heart now humbled under the deepest afflictions but on the other Hand considering him as a Gentleman a Person of unquestionable Courage and Gallantry and one whose former affections were most sincerely devoted to her Service he would rather Court such an opportunity to lay an everlasting obligation on her which all her Treasury of thanks and Gratitude should be too poor to recompence And this took place in her resolution Accordingly She writ a Letter to Philanthus and sent it by a Gentleman who had been formerly her Servant with orders where to find or Enquire for him at London and to deliver him that Letter receive his Answer and return with all speed Philanthus who had still the same respect and love for Orithia as would consist with Honour having read the Letter was extreamly troubled at it but at the same time being Ruin'd himself in his Fortunes his mind sunk under the load of miseries which opprest him writ back a most passionate Letter of excuse with which she was no less affected as well for his as her own sake Orithia Spent her short time which now wanted but a week of the fatal day in recommending her Soul to Heaven wholly despairing of any relief on Earth Philanthus having since seriously considered the present distress of the Countess and that she must for ever suffer in her Memory which to all Noble Spirits is Ten times worse then a Thousand deaths and that though in his excuse to her he had not put his own interest or business into the Scale to ballance against her Life and Honour But that strange and unexpected disasters had reduced him to that mean degree of want that he was not able to Equip himself for the Service Yet this from a Generous Spirit was mean and pitifull that