should have so much craft to hide such vile defects and should prove so blind in her choice as to prefer a young Page that belonged to me who stole her away the day before the time appointed by us to have escaped together But are you very certain of it replies Sophia Fortune over rules all our Actions and often takes pleasure in disappointing our Projects and giving a success contrary to what we design'd Your Mistriss may have been compellâ—d to leave you and is perhaps less guilty then unfortunate would to God answered Don Carlos I had any place left to doubt of her frailty all my losses and trouble flowing from that Spring would have given me some comfort nor shoulâ— I yet think my self past all hopes of happiness haâ— I any reason to believe she kept her Faith yet buâ— that is all bestowed on treacherous Claudia whilâ— she only feigned a love to me and yielded up he heart to him It is evident by what you now sayâ— that you had never any great love for her saiâ— Sophia since you condemn her without a hearing and proclaim her as wicked as light and inconstant And can any creature be more so therâ— that imprudent Maid hath been since to take awaâ— all suspicion that her Page had been guilty of heâ— flight she left that night she fled away from her Fathers house a Letter which was too full of malice and hath made me too miserable to be ever blotted out of my Memory I shall repeat it to you and by that leave you to judge how much dissimulation that young Maid was capable of The Letter YOu should not have forbidden me to love Don Carlos after you had ordained me to do it so great a merit as his could not but inspire me with an Affection proportionate and when the heart of a young Person is prepossest therewith it leaves no room for any other interest And therefore I make my escape hence with him whom you encouraged me to love even from my youth without whose enjoyment it were as impossible for me to live as it would be not to die if confined to the embraces of a stranger whom I should never affect were he Master of much greater riches then he is Our offence if it can be justly esteemed any deserves your pardon which if you will vouchsafe we shall return with greater speed to obtain it then we now fly from the unjust Violence you would do us SOPHIA You may imagine pursued Dâ—n Carlos the extream grief it cast Sophia's Parent into upon the reading this Letter They flattered themselves with the hopes that I might be yet concealed in some part of the City with their Daughter or that at least we were not far frome thence They hid the knowledge of their loss from every one but the Vice-Roy who was of their kindred and it was scarcely day-light when the Officers of Justice came into my Chamber and found me asleep I was surpized at such a Visit as much as there was cause for it and when after they had asked me where Sophia was I had made the same Question my Answer my Adversaries were incensed and hurried me to Prison with extream severity I was examined and could plead nothing in my own Vindication against Sophia's Letter That evinced the design I had to carry her away but it was more apparent that my Page vanished at the same time with her Sophia's Parents made strict search after her and my friends likewise were no less diligent in making discovery whither the Page had conveyed her That was the only means to justifie my innocency but we could never get any intelligence of these Fugitive Lovers which made my enemies accuse me of being guilty of both their Deaths In fine Justice seconded by Power carried it against oppressed innocency I was informed that I should soon be sentenced and that it would be to die I could not hope that Heaven would shew any Miracles in my favour and therefore was resolved to adventure my own escape by an act of despair I clubbed with some Bandits my fellow Prisoners all resolute Knaves so we forced the Prison Gate and through the assistance of our friends we recovered the Mountains nearest adjoyning to Valentia before the Vice-Roy could have any notice of it we kept our selves a long time Masters of the field Sophia's Infidelity her Parents eager Persecution the unjustice I thought the Vice-Roy had done me and lastly the loss of my Estate cast me into so great a despair that I exposed my life in all the ingagements where my Comrades and my self found any resistance by which I acquired so high a repute amongst them that they would needs make me their Leader This I undertook with so great success that our Troop became dreadful to the Kingdoms of Arragon and Valentia we having the insolence to put those Countries to pay us contribution I here make a dangerous and confident discovery to you added Don Carlos but the honour you do me and my own inclination do so far make me resign my self up to you that I aâ— willing to make you Master of my life by revealing such mad Pranks as I then practised In the Conclusion pursued he I became weary of being so wicked I stole away from my Confederates who expected otherwise and took my journey towards Barcelona where I was entertained a common Trooper amongst those Recruits who were embarquing for Africk and came newly to this Camp I have no cause to be fond of my life for having made such ill use of it hitherto I think I cannot employ the remainder of it better then by hazarding of it against the enemies of our Faith and for your service while the infinite goodness you express towards me is the only comfort my soul hath tasted since the time the most ingrateful Virgin in the world hath made me the most miserable of mankind The unknown Sophia took the unjustly accused Sophia's part and omitted nothing that might perswade her Lover not to misinterpret his Mistresses actions before he had a clearer information She told the unhappy Cavalier she took his Misfortunes much to heart that she would willingly sweeten and allay them and to give him a more effectual evidence hereof then single words she intreated him to depend upon her and when she sound a favourable opportunity she would make use of all her credit and her friends power to implore the Emperour to free him from the violent Persecution of Spohia's Parents and the Vice-Roys anger Don Carlos could not be perswaded by any Argument the feigned Don Fernand shaped to justifie Sophia but he at length accepted of the proffer of her Table and Quarter The very same day this faithful Lover spake to the Camp-Master concerning Don Carlos and obtained that as a Kinsman of herâ— he might be under her command his I should say Thus our unfortunate Lover is in that Ladies service whom he believed to be dead or faithlesâ— He finds
this was the she I had conversed with under the Title of Maudlin Here my wonder was at an end how a Chamber-maid should attain to so much wit and divertive Fancies as I found in her entertainment and she told me she was no less puzled to hear me answer so handsomly by Night and finde me so sottish by day when she mistook the dull Brittain to be the same which she was now convinced of Ever after that we had some concerne above a bare esteem for one another and I dare avouch that she was no â—esse satisfied then I to finde our conditions more equall then if either of us had been a mercenary servant The day appeared while we were yet talking together we left our Ladies in my Chamber where they might sleep if they would whilest Verville and I went to consult what was next to be done For my part having no love fancies to disturb my brain as Verville had I died almost for want of sleep but there was no appearance I should forsake so noble a friend â—n so great a streight I had a Foot-man Master of as much wit and subtilty as Vervilles dull Rogue wanted I gave him what instructions I could and sent him to make discovery how affairs stood at Saldagnes He followed my orders very exactly and brought us this fair account that Saldagnes servant reported the Thieves had desperately wounded their Master but as for the sisters there was no more mention of them then if there had never been any such alive whether it were out of his neglect of them or by his expresse order to stifle such disadvantageous rumours I see here must be something of a Duell after all this said Verville And perhaps somewhat worse replied I whereupon I discovered that Saldagne was the same Hector that intended to Murther me so basely at Rome and how we came to know each other at the beginning of the bustle and said I If he does but imagine as there is reason enough that I lay there in wait to take my revenge of him then certainly he cannot at all suspect the intelligence betwixt his Sisters and you I went to give an account to those fair Ladies of what we had learned and in the mean time Verville visited Saint Far to discover his businesse and finde out the truth of our Suspicions He soon perceived his face was soundly clawed But whatever question VERVILLE propounded he could get no other ansvver but onely as he came from the Gameing-House he found SALDAGNES Garden door open his House in an Uproar and himself very much wounded whom he caused to be laid in his bed A very strange accident says VERVILLE no doubt but his Sisters will be hugely afflâ—cted They are very handsome Ladies and I must go and give them a visit What is that to me sayes this bruite who fell a whistling not minding or giving any reply to what ever his Brother afterwards desired to know VERVILLE left him and returnes to my Chamber where I was employing all my eloquence to comfort the distressed Damsels They even dispaired and apprehended the greatest severity from their brothers jealousie a man wholly inslaved to his passions My servant brought them some Meat from the next Cook which he was constantly employed in for fifteen dayes together so long were they concealed in my quarters not being all that while discovered my chamber being above the rest and so much out of the common rode and passage that no body disturbed them in the â—east They could willingly have put them selves into some Nunnery for shelter had not they feared their Brother would have confined them Eternally to that melanchoâ—y life after so strange an accident In the â—nterim SALDAGNE was healed of his Wounds and Saint FAR as we observed went every day to visit him VERVILLE went not out of my Chamber which vvas not taken much notice of in the Family he â—eing vvont to passe many whole weeks in his Study or in discourse with me His Love grew every day greater for Madam SALDAGNE and she loved him no lesse I was not very unwelcome to her Elder Sister nor did I entertain her civility with indifferent thoughts Not that my passion towards LEONORA abated any whit But there was little to be expected from her and though I might have obtained her yet should I have made some scruple to have brought her so much beneath her Birth A while after VERVILLE received a Ticket from SALDAGNE wherein he gave him notice that he waited for him with a second to decide their quarrel by the Sword and in the same Ticket he intreated VERVILLE to bring no other but my self against him which made me suspect he intended to take us both in the same Trap. This suspition had foundation good enough from the former experience of his Treachery but VERVILLE would not countenance me in it resolving to give him any just satisfaction and to proffer a marriage with his sister He sent for a Hackney Coach though there were two belonging to their Family We went too the place appointed by the Message where SALDAGNE waited for us and where VERVILLE was much astonished to finde his own Brother seconding his Enemy We omitted neither submissions nor intreaties to bring all things to a fair composure but nothing lesse theâ— fighting would serve the turn of those two irrational men I was about to have confessed to Saint Far how much it was against my will to draw a Sword against him He told me roundly that â—e had never cherished any kindness for me â—or could any thing endear me to him till he â—pened a passage or two with his Swords point â—or his good will to enter at With these words â—e came fiercely towards me I only put by his â—hrusts for some time resolved if it were posâ—ible to disarm him though not without maâ—ifest danger to my self Fortune befriended â—â—e therein for he slip'd down at my feet I â—ave him time to rise and that which should â—ave made him become my friend encreased â—is Enmity In fine having given me a slight â—rick in the breast he vapoured like a Welch â—an and said I think you feel me now with â—o much insolence and pride that I quite lost â—y patience This made me press upon him â—nd having put him into some disorder I got 〈◊〉 happily within his Weapon that I seized â—n the Hilt The Man you have so little love â—ove for said I will give you your Life Sir â—e struggled a while most unseasonably and â—ould not reply a word like an unworthy rash â—erson as he was though I admonished him 〈◊〉 go and part his Brother from Saldagne who â—ere grappled and rowling over one another â—on the ground But I perceived I must be â—ore rough and therefore wrench'd his hand â—â—d forced away his Sword which I threw a good distance from us I ran imediately to assist Verville who was closed with his Antagonist When I came near I saw afar
oâ— several Horsemen galloping towards us Saldagne was soon after disarmed and at thâ— same instant I felt my self wounded in thâ— back by Saint Far. This made me throw aâ— side all the respect I had for him and retuâ—â— him a thrust that made no little wound Thâ— Baron his Father coming in at that instant anâ— seeing me make the thrust did now hate mâ— the more for having loved me so much foâ—â—merly He spurred his Horse up towards mâ— and stroke me on the head Those that camâ— with him followed his example and joyntâ—â— set upon me I defended my self most haâ—pily from them all but must needs at laâ— have fallen a sacrifice to this Multitude 〈◊〉 Verville the most generous friend on Earth had not thrust himself betwixt them and mâ— at his own Peril He gave his own Footman good out over the pate because he found hiâ— more forward then the rest to get his Masteâ— Applause I yielded up my Sword to thâ— Baron but that could not appease him he called me Rascall and ingratefull Villaiâ— and all the injurious Names his Choler fuâ—nished his tongue withall even so far as 〈◊〉 threaten to have me hang'd I smartly râ—plyed that as much Villain as I was I hâ—â— given his Eldest Son his Life when it lâ—â— at my mercy Nor had I offered to huâ—â— him in the least till he had too much proâ—oked me to it and wounded me unhandâ—omely behind whil'st I was busie in parting â—he other Combatants Verville maintained â—hat I was in the right but he said he would â—ever see my face again Saldagne went inâ—o the Barons Coach which they had brought â—or Saint Far and Verville who would by no â—eans leave me took me into another with â—imself He set me down at one of our Great â—ens Houses where he had many friends and â—eturned to his Fathers soon after Monsieur â—aint Sauveur sent a Coach for me that very â—ight and carried me privately to his owne â—ouse where he had as much tender care of me 〈◊〉 if I had been his only Son Verville came to â—e me the day following and told me his Faâ—â—er had been informed of the challenge by â—â—ldagnes Sisters whom he hapned to finde in â—y Chamber He likewise assured me with a â—â—eat deal of Joy that the business was taâ—â—n up by an agreement of a double Marâ—â—age to be consumate as soon as his Bâ—oâ—â—ers wounds were healed who was not hurt 〈◊〉 any mortal part That it lay in my power 〈◊〉 be made friends with Saldagne his Fathers â—â—ger being appeased who was very sorry he â—â—d misused me He added his hopes of 〈◊〉 suddain cure that I might be a sharer 〈◊〉 their Joy But I replyed I could not find 〈◊〉 my heart to stay in a Country where I â—â—s subject to be reproached with the meannesse of my Brith and Fortune but would suddainly leave that Kingdome either to loose my life in some forreign Service oâ— raise my self by my Sword to a condition proportionate to the sentiments of Honouâ— his Noble Example had inspired me with believe my resolution troubled him But on that is so much in love as he was then can not mind any thing long but his over-rulinâ— Passion Destiny was thus going on with hâ— story when they heard the report of a Peeâ— in the street and presently after one playinâ— upon a pair of Organs This kind of Musicâ— never perhaps before used in the street calleâ— all those People in the Inn to their Window that had been waked with the Gun Thâ— Organs plaid on and those that were nâ— strangers to such Instruments perceived it 〈◊〉 be a Church Tune No body could apprâ—hend the drift of so devout a Sevenade whicâ— yet they knew not what to make But thâ— doubt was soon resolved by two pittiful singing-men the one squeeling out a treble parâ— to which the other roared as sad base These two Catter-waulers making horrid a Consort with the Organs as sâ— all the Doggs a howling round about Thâ— Sung Let our Charming Notes and our Ivory Lutis Ravish every soul c. With the rest of that Dity After these harsh notes they over heard a third person reviling them for singing so Cuco-like always one Tune The poor Choristers replyed they knew not what the Devil he would have them sing sing what you will else said he speaking little lowder you must not think to come off thus since I have hired you so dear Upon this the Organs changed their Tone and sung another zealous Anthem with the like skill None of the hearers had yet spoken a word for fear of interrupting their Melody but at last Rancour who could not tye up his tongue though his life lay on it bawl'd out aloud What do they use to sing Divine Service here in the street This shews a Zeal to some Tune I-faith says another 'T is a nightly Procession adds a third They have robed some Chappel of the Organs pursues a fourth and are now singing their thankful Mattins to the Devil their master In fine every one that looked our had some merry saying or other upon this subject none neither knowing or imagining who should be the simple Author of that ridiculous freak Mean time the Musick went along playing When such a Baggage is blinde Fortune nine or ten great Dogs were sent by her to hunt after a proud Bitch who taking shelter betwixt the Musitians Leggs to save her self from a rope and these hot spirited Rival following her close at heels and quarrelling as Rivals are wont to do for their Mistris after some grumbling snarling and grinning of Teeth they fell together by the ears of a sudden with so much fury and animosity that the poor fellows to save their shins ran all away and left their Engine to the mercy of the Dogs whilst those immoderate Lovers were so uncivil in the heat of their scuffle as to throw down the Harmonious Machine with the Frame that supported it and I should be loath to swear that some of them did not lift up a legg and pisse upon the Reverend Orgains when the Fray was ended those creatures being extreamly diuretick naturally but especially when the smell of an Amorous Mistris tells them she is in a condition to proceed to the multiplication of her species The Consort being thus discorded mine Host made them open his door and would needs secure the Organs and Frame from further mischief Whilst he and his servants were doing their charitable office The Organist returns to his Instrument accompanyed with three others amongst whom were a Man with a Woman under his Cloak This Man was the very Ragotin himself who would needs bestow a Serenade upon Madam Star and to that purpose had hyred a little Eunuch who was an Organist belonging to the Church And this was the Monster being neither man woman nor Hermophodite that Sung the treble part and plaid upon the Organs brought thither by a Maid whilest a Chorister that had
Don Manuel who nevertheless did not urge his daughter much to marry him because when ever hâ— did but mention it in the least to her she conjured him not let her marry so young This Gallant now I remember his name was Don Diego would needs be fully assured of what he rather yet suspected then could prove He had one of those Vallets de Chambre which they call Spruce fellows who wear as good linnen as their Masters or rather indeed wear their Masters own linnen bringing up new fashions amongst inferiour Servants and being both esteemed and envied by the waiting women This Vallet was called Gusman who having a little Spice of Poetry composed most of the Romances at Sevil which are things we at Paris called Ballads he sung them to his Guittar but never would sing plain Song because he could descant with divisions and quaverings the embrodery of his lips and tongue He danced the Saraband likewise never went without his Castagnets would once have turned Comedian and to make up the composition of his merit had something of the Hector but to say truth it was somewhat Padding or Pick-pockettish All these rich Talents added to a little kind of Eloquence his Memory had furnished him withall from his Masters Table-talk made him without controul become â—he blank of all the Servant Maids if I may so express it as had the best Opinions of themselves Don Diego charged him to cast an amorous glance upon Isabella a young Wench that waited on the beautiful Sisters de Montsalva He obey'd his Master Isabella observed it and counted it a happiness to be beloved by Gusman whom she in a short time loved again as he indeed afterwards really affected her though at first he only intended to make way for the accomplishent of that design his Master had on foot As the love of Gusman was a thing very considerable and much coveted amongst the Servant Maids of that City so was Isabella's Fortune as high as the most ambitious Valet de Chambre could expect to be lifted She was very well belov'd of her Mistresses who were liberal towards her and besides she expected a competent portion from her Father an honest Tradesman Gusman therefore seriously intended to make her his Spouse and she entertain'd him for a Husband they plighted their troth mutually to each other and lived together already as if they had been man and Wife Isabella was much troubled to see that Marina the Chirurgeons Wife at whose house Dorothea and Don Sancho kept their private Rendezvous though she had been their Domestick Servant before her should be her confident and privado in a business of that nature wherein commonly a lovers largess is the oftenest expressed She had diâ—covered the gift of a Gold Chain which Doâ— Sancho had bestowed upon Marina besides seâ—veral other bountiful Rewards and imagineâ— there might be some she knew not of Thiâ— made her hate her to the death whence may bâ— inferred that this good Lass was somewhat mercenary Therefore it is no wonder if she aâ— her dear Gusmans first intreaty to tell him truly whether her Mistress had not a private affection for some body discover'd part of that intrigue to him on whom she had bestowed her heart She revealed the whole secret of our young Lovers to him and discoursed not a little of Marina's good Frotune who became daily more and more inriched by Don Sancho's liberality and then proceeded to curse her for thus robbing her of those profits which more duly belonged to her Houshold Servant Gusman intreated her to give him exact notice of the time when Dorothea was to meet her Gallant She did so and he informed his Master of all that had been told him by the faithless Isabella Don Diego shrowded in a Beggars habit took up his standing not far from Marina's door at the time appointed saw his Rival go in and a while after perceived a Coach make a stop at the same place wherein were the fair Sisters who alighted and went into their Kinsmomans house which put Don Diego into such a Fit of madness as you may well imagine He then resolved to rid himself of that potent Rival by removing him out of this world hired certain bloudy Villains watched Don Sancho several Nights togeâ—â—er and at last met with him and set upon him â—ith the help of his other two Hectors all armâ—d for such an enterprize Don Sancho on the â—ther side was in a pretty good condition to deâ—â—end himself having besides his Sword and Dagâ—er a pair of excellent Pistols at his Girdle He â—eceived their first assault with a Lion-like boldâ—ess finding his enemies aimed at his Life and â—â—d Coats on that were Sword-proof Don â—iego was more forward and desperate then the â—ther two whose mercenary Valour would not â—ide their hire At first he made good his reâ—â—eat only till he had drawn them at a conveniâ—nt distance from the House where his Dorothea â—as but then fearing some prejudice might â—â—ght on him if he stood only on the defensive â—osture and finding Don Diego press more hotly â—pon him he lets flie one of his Pistols at him â—nd laid him on the ground halfdead crying out â—or a Priest very loud The report of the Piâ—tols put the two Bravo's to flight Don Sancho â—etired to his Lodgings the Neighbours came â—orth and found the wounded man gasping who â—ccused Don Sancho of his death This he had â—otice of by some friends who told him that â—hough the Law should not lay hold on him yet Don Diego's friends would never leave his death â—nrevenged but indeavour to murther him where ever they could find him at an advantage He therefore betook himself to a Monastery from whence he sent the News to Dorothea and â—rdered his affairs so that he might be in readiness to leave Sevil as soon as opportunâ—â—â— profered it with security The Magistrates 〈◊〉 the mean time used their diligence seeking Dâ—â— Sancho every where but could not meet hiâ— After the first heat of their inquiry was oveâ— and every one imagined he had made an escapâ— Dorothea and her Sister upon a pretence of Dâ—votion went with their Kinswoman to the Mâ—nastery where Don Sancho had taken Sanctuarâ— and there by the assistance of a Religious Fâ—ther of the Convent the two Lovers had meeting in the Chappel made mutual promisâ— of a never-dying Faith and constancy and paâ—ted with so much sorrow saying such mournfâ— things that her Sister the Priest and Kinswomaâ— could not refrain from tears which afterward turned to sighs at every fresh remembrance that enterview He left Sevil in a disguise leâ—â—ving several Letters with his Factor before hâ— going to be sent to the Indies to his Father Bâ—â— those Letters he hinted to him the reasons thaâ— obliged him to leave that City and withdraâ— himself to Naples He arrived there very happily and was very welcome to the Vice-Roy tâ— whom he had the honour to belong Buâ— though he had